Really, thatâd been your first mistake â forgetting what youâd learned during your first months in this strange new place, having enough faith in the friends youâd made and your own middling abilities to tell anyone and everyone you could find that you were finally going home. Youâd been over-eager, blinded by joy, and within a week of Crowly admitting that heâd found a way to return you to your own world using the Magic Mirror, itâd been common knowledge across all of Twisted Wonderland that itâd only be a few more weeks before you were returned to your own world. Ace teased you for being so eager to drop out halfway through your third year and Grim stuck to your side with twice his usual clinginess, and despite the bittersweetness of knowing youâd likely never be able to come back, you were happy. You were alright with leaving them, so long as it meant you could go home.
And you did leave them, in a way. If you looked at it from a certain angle.
You just didnât get to go home.
There was a wet, slick noise, then a pang of pure agony racing from your cunt to your core. Involuntarily, you jerked away from the painful sensation, but it was an effort made in vain. The heavy arm wrapped around your waist only coiled tighter, your back soon drawn flush against a broad chest. Leonaâs tail swatted contentedly at the down-stuffed mattress as he let out a low, airy chuckle. âNot gonna get away that easily,â he muttered, his breath ghosting over the shell of your ear. âRemember what happened last time you tried to act-up? I donât think the basementâs gotten any warmer.â
Basement. Calling it a basement would be like calling him a housecat. Youâd been locked in that dark, frigid dungeon of a cellar for days before Azul â because he was the one you scratched, the one who got to decide how cruel your punishment was going to be â let you out, and even then, itâd taken another week of huddling by barely-smoldering fireplaces and wrapping yourself in any shred of fabric you could find to shake the chill thatâd lodged itself underneath your skin. You stopped trying to lash out at them, after that. As much as their so-call âaffectionâ scared you, their anger scared you that much more.
You couldnât be sure how theyâd gotten their hands on a place like this â ancient and only a step above decrepit. Their means werenât exactly limited, not with a prince and the heir to a fortune that might as well have made him royalty funding their little venture, but it was still hard to imagine the people youâd gone to school with keeping you locked inside of an abandoned castle, surrounded only by more woodland than you could ever hope to walk through. It mightâve been more enjoyable (or, bearable, at least) if your captors had taken a more absentee approach, if theyâd given you time to adjust to being in the middle of a never-ending forest with only stone walls and dust-covered furniture for company, but no, at least one of them always seemed to be at no more than armâs length, there to remind you exactly why youâd been relegated to the role of princess, trapped in her tower. Youâd never been able to call any of them your friends, and yet, the betrayal still stung.
âWould you keep your mouth shut?â Vil mumbled, with a particularly sharp movement of his wrist. The heel of his palm ground into your clit, and against your better judgement, you withered into Leona â the sound of your pulse beating in your ears deafening, but still not enough to mask the deep, self-satisfied purr rising from his chest. âYouâre frightening the poor thing. Look at her eyes â theyâre practically glazed over.â
 âIs she scared, or just bored half-to-death by your shitty excuse for a handjob?â He bowed his head, nipping playfully at the corner of your jaw. Of all your captors, he was the most fond of marking what he considered to be his property â even more so if he had a captive audience. âIf I was the one between her legs, sheâd be feelinâ too good to think about anything else. Sheâd already be fucked good nâ dumb.â
âThatâs notââ The air caught in your throat as Vil spread his fingers apart, but you fought to go one. âI donât feel anything when youââ
Vil pulled out of you entirely, only for his hand to come down on your pussy with a harsh, slick crack. You couldnât swallow back your pained cry, couldnât stop yourself from shrinking further into Leona. âNo lying, now, darling. You know how easy it is to hurt his feelings.â He paused, then glanced over his shoulders. Blearily, your attention drifted to the doorway of your bedroom â to Riddle, standing stiffly on the other side other side of the threshold. You stiffened, but Vil didnât seem surprised. âGoing to watch today, Rosehearts?â
Obviously. As complicit as they all seemed with your imprisonment, there were a few â Riddle, Idia, Azul â that withheld from treating your prolonged abuse like a group project. Youâd been surprised, at first, that Vil wasnât a part of that collective, but his tendency towards exhibitionism made sense. He couldnât love what he couldnât flaunt, even if his audience was limited to a handful of former classmates.
âO-of course not,â Riddle stuttered out, predictably. His pale face was tinted a nearly violent shade of red. âI just wanted to make sure you two werenât hurting her.â
You felt Leonaâs grin against your throat. âHear that, pretty girl? He thinks weâd hurt you.â The space Vil left vacant was quickly filled â three of his calloused fingers soon filling your drenched pussy. You clenched your eyes shut, grit your teeth, but that did little to stop him from burrowing his claws into your side and tearing a little, cracked whimper through your sealed lips. âDonât see him doing much to stop us, though.â
Vil only offered an unimpressed shake of his head, but Riddle straightened. âAre you implying that I couldnâtââ
âIâm saying that you wonât.â Leona cut him off swiftly, the edge in his tone sharped and playful. âNot if you want the next turn.â
For a moment, Riddle didnât say anything, didnât do anything.
Then, with a pointed glare, he turned on his heel and abandoned your bedroom altogether, likely dedicating himself to finding another part of this terrible castle to wait Leona out in.
As soon as his footsteps faded out of earshot, Leonaâs teeth were buried in the curve of your throat â drawing blood in an instant.
~
Out of all your captors, it was Kalim whoâd disappointed you the most.
You hadnât expected this from the others, but in hindsight, you wouldnât put it above them, either. Azul had never been able to draw a line between what he wanted and what he could have, Riddle had never been able to keep his base impulses at bay for very long, and Leona⌠well, Leona couldnât be bothered to pretend he was interested in things like your âautonomyâ or âindependenceâ. Kalim, though â heâd always been nice to you. Not overly kind, but nice, and in a place like NRC, that was something youâd been able to appreciate.
It almost didnât make sense to see him in a place like this, to connect his presence here with the looming fact of your continual imprisonment. It didnât make sense that the boy whoâd once thrown a parade to celebrate you finally accepting an invitation to one of his banquets would be resting his hands on your shoulders, his eyes fixed on your reflection in a pearl-lined vanity as he pulled what felt like the hundredth gem-studded necklace into place at the base of your throat. You didnât need jewelry. They rarely gave you anything to wear outside of loose-fitting, sheer dresses and the occasional piece of lingerie, but Kalim wouldâve plucked the moon from the sky if it meant he could give it to you in a velvet-lined box. That was what heâd told you, at least, the first time youâd turned him down.
Actually, maybe you didnât deserve to feign surprise. Theyâd all tried to do it the right way before their graduations, whether it was Vil beckoning you to sit on his lap during a dorm leader meeting or Riddle turning a dozen shades of pink as he asked if youâd care to attend an Unbirthday Party as his guest, sometime. Youâd turned them all down, batting Leonaâs hand away before it could settle on your shoulder, telling Azul you wouldnât trust him as a business partner, let alone a boyfriend. Between school and a new apocalypse-scenario every other week, you never had the time (let alone the energy or desire) to date, as idiotic as it sounded to suggest that any of this couldâve started with a handful of schoolyard crushes. Maybe, if youâd given them a chance to see that it wouldnât have worked out on their own terms, it wouldnât have come to this. Maybe, you wouldâve gotten to go home.
Or, maybe, you just wouldâve been snatched up before that thread of hope could ever be dangled in front of you. Either way, a preferable alternative.
âThe sapphires were a better fit,â Azul chimed in as Kalim pulled the next necklace into place â a loose riviere studded with rubies. It was the fifth of as many variants, only differentiated by the color of the jewel. Kalim claimed that heâd only meant to get you one, but ever the glutton, he hadnât been able to choose. âRed is such a garish color. Our little princess deserves to feel as royal as we treat her, doesnât she?â
If Kalim noticed the barb, he didnât seem to mind. âI think you look beautiful in red,â he said, leaning down to push a kiss into your temple. His smile was as bright as itâd ever been, and you hated him that much more for it. âThen again, you look beautiful in everything. Why donât you keep them all?â
You opened your mouth, ready to tell him where he could shove his jewelry, but you were cut off by the shutter of a camera, the hint of a flash in your peripheral. You glanced towards Azul, who only shrugged in response., sinking further into his armchair âFor Idia. Heâs going to be tied up with a research project for another week or so, and for whatever reason, itâs fallen on my shoulders to make sure that he doesnât completely succumb to his self-pity and throw the gates of Tartarus open.â He thought, for a moment. âFor a second time, I mean.â
You couldnât be sure why you said it. It was an instinct, a knee-jerk reaction to grab the first blade you saw and twist it. Idia was, by far, the most distant of your captors, and when he did show his face, he barely spoke and never touched you. Even in a castle of rapists and kidnappers, heâd found a way to make himself an outsider.
âAzul?â You made a point of keeping your eyes on your reflection as you went on. âCould you tell Idia I want to see him again? When he has time, I mean.â
There was a beat of silence, then another.
Finally, Kalim forced out an only partially strained laugh, squeezing your shoulders with just a little too much force. âIs something wrong? If you want to ask for something, you donât have to wait for Idia.â
You didnât bother trying to respond to him. âPlease, Azul?â
From the corner of your eye, you watched him glance between you and Kalim. Eventually, he let out an airy sigh and nodded. âOf course, sweetheart. Although, I do have to wonder what youâre getting up to.â
Your only answer came in the form of a tight smile, a slight shrug. Kalim didnât waste time taking up the next necklace: a choker of braided strands of pure, glittering gold. This time, he fastened it tightly enough to bruise.
~
You almost felt bad for Idia, when you let yourself think about what you were doing.
Almost.
The bare skin of his chest was warm under your palm, the flames of his hair tinted a deep pink - a color you mightâve found charming, in any other situation. He was beneath you, currently, his face half-buried in a pillow while you rolled your hips idly against his, your pace slow and careless. He wasnât as authoritative as Leona, as demanding as Riddle, and you liked that about him. But, his submissiveness meant you had to do most of the work, which you liked less.
At least he tried to pretend that he didnât like it. Bias caused conflict, and his occasional encounters with the others wilted before shriveling into complete nonexistence shortly after you declared him your unlikely favorite. Even now, he kept his eyes clenched shut, his bottom lip caught between his pointed teeth as your pussy clenched around him. Youâd gone numb to pleasure in the first weeks of your captivity, but any amount of physical contact seemed to overwhelm him. It mightâve been refreshing, if you hadnât been so, so exhausted.
Gradually, your movements slowed, your body stilling on top of his. A second passed before he opened one of his eyes, his kiss-swollen lips quirking downward in mixed disappointment and frustration. âW-Why did you stop?â
With an exaggerated sigh, you collapsed onto him, slotting your chest against his and propping your chin on his collarbone. âI never made it to graduate,â you said, absentmindedly, relying on the haze of lust to hide just how flat your voice was. âNever got to say goodbye to anyone, either, but that was never going to happen. The other are too mean to me for that.â
His expression took on a somber lull. It mightâve been more believable if you hadnât been able to feel his cock twitching inside of you. âI⌠Iâm sorry. I wanted to wait, but Azul saidâ and Leonaââ
âI know, I know.â You kissed his cheek, then the corner of his mouth. âItâs not your fault. I justââ
You cut yourself off with another sigh, just as unbelievable as the first. Thankfully, Idia was eager to take the bait. âWhatever it is, I can do it for you. Iâd do anything for you.â His shaking hands found their way to your waist. âI love you.â
âI want to see Ramshackle again,â you said, without hesitation. Immediately, you felt him stiffen against you, and let your tone drag into something desperate, something pleading. âJust this once. I wonât even go inside, and Night Ravenâs on break, right now. No oneâs going to be on campus.â You paused, pecked the corner of his lips. âPlease, Idia. Nobody else has to know.â
He still looked skeptical, but he was going to break your heart, he wasnât going to do it while his cock was still pulsing inside of you. After only a moment of hesitation, he let out a shallow breath and nodded hastily. âOne trip. And the other never find out.â
Instantly, you brightened, beaming as you pulled him into a deep, lasting kiss â a proper kiss, this time, something youâd never willingly imitated with any of your captors. He would know that. He wasnât the most domineering, but if the hidden cameras dotted across your bedroom were anything to go by, he had his own kind of competitive streak.
A hitched moan reverberated against your mouth. With your arms still wrapped around his neck, your chest still pressed into his, he started to move on his own â his fingers digging into your hips as he thrust into you from below. His pace was unsteady, his rhythm nonexistent, but your clit scraped against the flattened plane of his pubic bone and however meager it mightâve been, there was just enough stimulation to melt into. Vaguely, you were aware of a distant whimpering, of Idiaâs face buried in the crook of your neck, but you let it fade into the background â into the constant fog of static thatâd been cast over your conscious mind since you woke up in this terrible place.
When you felt his teeth scrape over the curve of your throat, it was all you could do to close your eyes and think of home.
~
âItâs a pretty basic teleportation scheme,â heâd explained, as he led you through the castleâs entryway after pulling you out of your bed in the middle of the night. The winter air cut through your thin dress without mercy, but youâd fought not to shiver, not to give him a reason to second-guess if he should be doing this. Right now, he was convinced he loved you more than he feared letting you get away, and you couldnât do anything to break that delusion. âOrtho handled most of the hardware, but he was following my designs. The NRC waypoint was supposed to be a limited-time mechanic, but I never cut it out of the system. It should still work â for a couple trips, at least.â
Youâd let him ramble about how many hours itâd taken to put together, nodded enthusiastically as he described all the effort heâd poured into ruining your life. He kept his hand locked around yours as he led you onto a shining, steel platform, only letting go to punch the coordinates into his tablet. There was a flash of light, a slight buzzing in your ears, and then, you were standing in front of the gates to Night Raven College, already open and waiting for your arrival.
You didnât wait for Idia to move, to say anything. Rather, you let the gem shard (pilfered from one of Kalimâs more recent attempts to win back your attention; the jewel in its entirety had been larger than your balled fist) that youâd stowed away in your sleeve fall into your hand and stabbed the jagged end into his back. You didnât wait to see if the wound took before breaking into a sprint towards the Hall of Mirrors.
Youâd be able to see, later on, that it was far from the best idea youâd ever had. There was a good chance Crowley abandoned any work he mightâve started as soon as you went missing, if he really had found a way to send you hope at all. The injury youâd dealt to Idia was far from fatal, and youâd be in for more than just a few days in the cellar if they caught you, but the desire to get out of here, to go home drowned out your better judgement â leaving your tired mind empty and your body dependent on pure, unadulterated desperation as you ran towards the familiar, pitch-black dome on the outskirts of campus. Your skirt snagged on roots and twigs, your bare feet numb and aching in-turns, but you didnât dare to slow down, to look behind you. By the time you reached the Hall of Mirrors, your throat was dry, your heart beating in your ears. Thankfully, the door had been left unlocked, and you shouldered your way inside.
The Magic Mirror stood, dark and stoic, in the center of the room. You allowed yourself a single breath of relief, a moment to let the past few monthsâ no, the past three years of your life melt away before moving toward it.
You made it all of two, three steps before something sprung from the darkness and wrapped around your ankle â cutting into your flesh and, with a sudden jerk, dragging you to the floor. You stifled a scream, reflexively moving to tear at your new restraints, but froze when you saw exactly what you were caught in.
A thick braid of vines wrapped around your leg â except they werenât vines, not really.
They were briars.
Rows upon rows of hooked thorns were embedded into the skin of your calf, drawing blood wherever they made contact. The pain was instant, searing, but you didnât care â tearing at your bondage even as the thorns bit into your hands, as the rope of briars drew that much tighter. Tears blurred your vision, and so distracted by your own misery and panic, you almost didnât notice the sound of clipped heels against marble floors, the dark shadow that soon blocked out what little light you had. You didnât have to look at him. You already knew who it was.
In the end, though, you werenât given much of a choice.
You really shouldâve been more used to that, by now.
A gloved hand caught you by the chin, forcing you to tilt your head back and meet Malleusâ expectant, prying stare. He took a moment to evaluate your ragged dress, the bruising and love-bites painted down your neck before a small smile came to rest over his lips; the barest hint of pointed teeth catching in the moonlight. âAnd to think, I thought it was only nostalgia drawing me back to this lonely place.â He spared a glance toward the mirror. âAnd I suppose you plan to use that ancient thing to return to your own world?â
âMalleus,â you gasped his name, hoping that would be enough to communicate the depths of your despair. âI donât have a lot of time, Iâ Theyâre coming for me, andââ You cut yourself off, swallowing harshly. âI want to go home.â
His only response came in the form of a low hum, dull and dismissive. All it took was a snap of his fingers, a certain glint in his narrowed eyes, and the mirror shattered into more pieces than you could ever hope to put back together.
This time, you couldnât swallow back the ragged sob that tore past your lips, the pathetic noise echoing off the stone walls. You tried to crawl towards the fractured pieces, but Malleus kneeled to your height, letting out a patronizing coo as he wrapped an arm around your midriff, pulling you against his chest and suffocating any possible hope you mightâve had for escape. Distantly, you were aware of a rush of footsteps, of a collar (as heavy as it was useless) snapping shut around your neck, but Malleus didnât falter. With your limp body in his arms, he pushed himself to his feet, turning to face your captors where theyâd clustered in the entryway.
It was Leona who spoke first, predictably. He never could let anyone else be the center of attention. âWhat do you want, Draconia?â
Malleus, on the other hand, was in no rush, letting his gaze fall back to you. âI was surprised, when I heard of her disappearance. I know how fragile mortal lives could be, but I thought, surely, a human whoâd befriended so many powerful mages ought to be a little more enduring.â
After he finished, silence hung heavy in the air. Vil summoned his spell book, and Kalimâs fists clenched at his sides, his jealousy threatening to outweigh his pacifistic nature. None of it wouldâve made a difference. If Malleus wanted to, he could reduce them all to ash with little more than a wayward thought. If Malleus wanted to, he wouldnât need five other conspirators to have you at his mercy.
And yet, he only let out a breath of a laugh, holding you that much closer to his chest. âThen again, if Iâd known those powerful mages would struggle to keep watch of such a precious item, I mightâve been less generous.â
âGet to the point.â
This time, he chose to obey. âIt seems,â he started, bowing his head and letting his lips brush against your cheek. âAs if youâre having trouble keeping this little one in line.â
His grin was wider and more satisfied than youâd ever seen it, before. Looking at him, you could only wonder how you have bothered trying to survive in a world that so clearly wasnât meant for you.
âWould you consider making use of another pair of hands?â
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M!mc: *staring longingly at the back of Leonaâs head*
M!mc: *internally* Thereâs no way heâd go out with a loser like me⌠let alone give me the time of day. And even worse⌠he probably isnât even into men.
Leona: *has been doodling your names together in his notebook all period*
Leona: *internally* F/N Kingscholar-L/N or Leona L/N-Kingscholar? Choices⌠choicesâŚ. Do I wanna have his last name first then mine or vice-versa?
Pairing: Yandere!Vil x Reader (Twisted Wonderland).
Word Count: 0.7k.
TW: Unhealthy Relationships, Abusive Power Dynamics, Physical Intimidation, and Non-Consensual Touching.
Comm.s for Ukraine đđ
He really was so, so beautiful.
Like this, especially. His lips dyed a shade darker than blood, his hair messily pushed away from his face, his skin so pale and so flawless, he resembled a doll more than a human, a sculpture crafted more so to depict what man could be rather than resemble any living being, any degree of perfection youâd ever be able to achieve. Youâd been told to look at the photographer, to mirror his dead-eyed stare, but you could tear yourself away from him, from the idyllic curve of his jaw, from the air of total superiority he radiated, a god among mortals, a greater creature surrounded by smaller, lesser ants.
You wanted to love being around him. You wanted to love looking at him, adoring him, the same way you used to, the same way you did when he was just a picture taped to your wall and you were still struggling to book gigs thatâd pay your rent. You wanted to. You really did want to.
If only he hated you a little less.
Because he did hate you, even if you doubted youâd ever hear him say as much out loud. That was the only reason you were here, the only reason his manager ever contacted yours, the only reason you always seemed to find yourself on his sets, in his shoots, by his side when he was usually so insistent on being the sole focus, the only thing worth looking at. You were an accessory to him, something common and neutral to better compliment his glow, his brilliantness; nothing more, nothing less. You were there because he already knew you, because he trusted you not to overshadow him. Because he knew you couldnât, even if you wanted to. Because he knew you wouldnât dare to try. Because he hated you. That much, he made obvious.
When he spoke to you. It was a task always carried out grudgingly, reluctantly, forcing your name out through grit teeth and rarely ever acknowledging you directly, rarely ever talking to you when an intern or assistant could take his place. When it couldnât be avoided, he made sure it was a private affair, found you in empty hallways and dark corners of crowded studios to tell you how you would be posing, how close to him you should stay, where your attention should be â on him, always on him. Beyond seniority, he didnât have any authority over you, but you always listened. You couldnât stand how cruel he would get, if you didnât.
When he touched you, latching onto your wrist or the hem of your sleeve, letting his nails scrape against your skin as he forced you to trip over yourself to be that much nearer to him, to serve as that much more of a contrast. You knew he did it on purpose, held you a little too tightly, brought his teeth a little too close to your neck, but youâd never accuse him of anything, never blame him, even when he drew blood, even when he left bruises, even when he smiled in a way you couldnât exactly call kind. He didnât want to hurt you, just keep you on edge, to remind you of your place by his side, but beneath him. In his peripheral, but so small and so distorted, heâs the only one whoâd ever see you.
When he reached out, taking you by your collar and jerking you forward, up to his height, up to his level. The photographer said something, but the words were lost on you, blurred to nothing behind a wall of static and your own racing heartbeat. He bowed his head, letting his lips come dangerously close to brushing against your ear, letting his chest come dangerously close to pressing against yours. âMy dressing room,â He muttered, his voice so low and so quiet, anyone else wouldâve thought he wasnât saying anything at all. âAfter we finish. I donât care what you tell your staff, just donât keep me waiting.â
He dropped you with just as little ceremony, letting you stumble back before remembering how to catch yourself, how to stand on your own two legs. A slight sneer passed over his expression like a ghost of a memory, then nothing, as if youâd imagined it all. You began to sigh, but caught yourself, regaining your composure only a moment after he had.
He sounded so serious, so impassive, his tone utterly unaffected by the way your chest pressed against his, by the fact that his mouth was so close to your jaw, one hand curled around your wrist and the other at your hip, playing with the idea of slipping under the loose, black dress-shirt you hadnât thought to return before youâd found your way to his dressing room. Your manager would get mad if he managed to damage it, if you came back with a missing button or torn stitch, but not as mad as Vil would be if you asked him to stop. Not as aggressive as Vil would be, if you asked him to do anything more for you than he already did.
âThe photographer is one of my favorites, so try to impress her.â His attention dipped, his lips skirting over your neck, applying just enough pressure to leave hints of dark lipstick in his wake. Youâd try to scrub it away when you got home, but you already knew it wouldnât work. The stain would be there for days - faded and subtle, but there. You wouldnât be able to get rid of him for days. âMaybe, if you do, I wonât have to call in so many favors just to get you onto a set.â
His palm against your side, his skin against yours. Warm breath fanning over your shoulder, the crook of your neck, your jugular. His teethâ
Your hands were already on his chest, already pushing him away. You werenât strong enough to put any distance between your body and his, but you managed to distract him, to bring his attention away from marking exposed, vulnerable flesh and towards focusing his agitation vaguely in your direction with a small frown and a scoff that mightâve made your chest tighten and crack open, if you hadnât been so used to it. âIs something wrong?â
You swallowed back your nerves, your caution. âI was actually wondering if we could take a break fromâŚâ You trailed off, briefly, nodding towards him, towards the locked dressing room door. â...this.â
He didnât respond, not at first. Something came across his expression, a mix of confusion and irritation, but it was gone soon enough, veiled and hidden in the blink of an eye. âI donât have time in my schedule for aââ
âThatâs not what I meant,â You clarified, the words coming out a little too quietly, a little too quickly. You knew how you mustâve sounded, scared and small and irrational, but you forced yourself to go on. âI donât want to stop working. I justâI think we should stop working together. I think I should start looking for other gigs, with other people.â
Another long, agonizing second of silence. You shrunk into yourself, pushing your shoulders forward, but Vil remained unmoved, unchanged. Even his voice was untouched; still calm, still cutting, like he didnât care at all. You hoped, for your own sake, that he didnât.
âIâm sorry,â He started, slowly, carefully, as if he was afraid of saying the wrong thing, of hurting you. As if heâd ever been afraid of hurting you. âI was under the impression that you wanted to be a model.â
You stiffened, but forced yourself to relax. âI am a modelââ
âYou were, at least.â He took a step back, but any freedom you mightâve gained was short-lived. Before you could slip away, before you could retreat back into the safety of the publicâs eye, his hand was already on your jaw, he was already dragging you forward, upward, nearly off your feet. He wanted you closer to him, close enough to see his bared teeth, his perfectly narrowed glare. Close enough to recognize the difference between your stature and his, to make the decision not to do anything more than wince as his pointed nails bit into your cheeks, threatening to break the skin. âBecause I choose to make you into one. Do you think anyone else has the patience to work with you? Do you think anyone else has the credibility to spare on someone like you?â
âIâve gotten work without you, before.â You still got work without him, good work, offers that paid well enough to rival the ones he brought to you. But, mentioning that would only make him more angry, more hostile. More proactive when it came to keeping you by his side and eliminating anything that might tempt you to stray. âI donât need you. I donât need to be doing this. You canât justââ
His thumb pushed past your lips, forcing itself against your tongue. You bit down, tasted blood, but Vil was unfazed. âI shouldâve known better than to be kind with you.â A huff, an airy sigh, while you still too gagged to interrupt him. âDo I have to spell it out for you? Youâre a prop. Youâre always going to be in the background, always there to make someone else, someone more deserving look better. Do you understand?â
You tried to pull away, to separate you from him. He only took up your collar, next, dragging you that much closer, keeping you where he wanted you to be. âDo you understand?â
You hesitated, but not for very long. You gave a shallow nod, and immediately, Vil pulled away. With half a momentâs worth of thought, he wiped his hand off on your dress-shirt, leaving blood smeared across dark fabric. Staining it.
âIâll see you next week.â Short, curt, abrupt. You wanted to yell at him, to scream, but you didnât make a sound. You didnât do anything as he turned around, starting towards the door, leaving you alone with only the barest glance over his shoulder, the slightest trace of acknowledgment. âClean yourself up. Itâd be a tragedy if anyone else had to see you in such an⌠unfortunate state.â
And with that, he left you alone with a ruined shirt and the taste of copper still heavy on your tongue.
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TW: Non/Con, Breeding, Implied Sedative Use, Mentions of Pregnancy, and Implied Kidnapping.
Epel had mentioned wanting kids, before.
Once or twice. Vaguely, when you first thought to talk about what you wanted out of the future with the other Pomefiore students, then in more detail as you neared closer to graduation, as his plans to take over his familyâs orchard became less than a nebulous possibility and more of a quickly approaching eventuality. If asked in as many words, heâd say he wanted a family â not a big family, but a family, as loving and as tight-knit as the one he came from, the one he left for nearly half a decade to attend Night Raven. He didn't linger on it, though, didn't bring it up unprompted, didnât mention it at all when he invited you to spend a few weeks of your gap year in his sleepy little village, away from all the people and chaos and noise that made your academic life so hectic, or when you accepted, turning up on the doorstep of his farmhouse two months later with little more than a backpack and a willingness to take whatever he had to give. Heâd just smiled, hadnât said anything at all.
It hadnât been strange, in the moment. You werenât thinking about kids, or family, or anything like that, anything so permanent.
But, clearly, he was.
You couldnât feel your legs. Youâd been able to, earlier, when something hot and excruciating was still running through your veins and your entire body felt like it was on the verge of burning up completely, but thatâd faded as soon as he touched you, left you cold, numb, only distantly aware of his chest pressing against yours, his hands on your hips, his mouth on your neck. You could hear him, panting, groaning, swearing under his breath every time his hips crashed into yours and your cunt clenched around his cock. Heâd already cum once, twice, but you were long past the point of overstimulation, and the sharp, nagging pangs only seemed to make him more desperate, more forceful, more likely to nip at your jugular as he thrust into you, to press you deeper into the mattress, deeper, deeper, until you couldâve sworn youâd be able to do drown in a lake of pressed sheets and patterned quits.
His blunt nails bit into your waist, and you managed to make a noise â something caught between a cracked moan and a strangled cry. His only response was a breathless laugh, a wet kiss the corner of your jaw, a moment taken to grind into you and draw out another sound, throatier than the last, needier than the last.
âLike that, pretty girl?â A rhetorical question, posed to an audience incapable of answering. His pelvis caught on your clit and you arched your back, doing what you could to struggle against him, but he only drew back, pushing another soft kiss against your forehead. âDonât worry, sweetheart, I gotcha. Iâm gonna take care of youâIâm gonna take care of everything, alright?â
You expected him to collapse onto you, again, but he sat up, straightened his back, took up your thighs and forced them against your chest until your back ached with the strain of it, until the head of his cock hit something that made you thrash against him. There was another chuckle, then a change in his pace, growing faster, more unsteady. âYouâre gonna be so cute, all pretty ân knocked up. Gonna make such a momma, ân a good wife, ânââ His voice cut out, anything he mightâve said lost to low, guttural whine. âWeâre gonna be so happy. Youâre gonna make me so happy.â
Wild, now, unrestrained. It felt like he was trying to fuck himself under your skin, like it wasnât just enough to be inside of you, he had to be part of you, push past whatever remaining barriers existed between you and him. It was all you could do to lay back, to let yourself go limp as his cock twitched inside of you and you clamped around him and something warm and thick filled your cunt, dripping down your thighs, leaking onto the sheets. Cumming inside of you, again. Getting you that much closer to where he wanted you to be.
After a long, agonizing second, he leaned down, letting his lips brush against yours in something you couldâve called a kiss, if youâd been more aware, if youâd been more generous. Somewhere else, somewhere far away, you felt him start to move, again, to thrust into you with just as much strength, just as much cruelty, but it didnât hurt anymore â or, you couldnât feel it, if it did.
To be honest, you couldnât feel much of anything at all.
TW: All Characters are 18+, Dub/Con, Attempted Violence, Mentions of Abuse, Mentions of Non/Con, and Implied Mind Break.
You think you hated Vil most like this.
Not exactly vulnerable, but close to it, as close as he was likely to come. His skin flushed, his eyes closed, his pale hair splayed out over dark velveteen in a state of disarray heâd sooner die than show to anyone else, anyone he held in a higher regard. His mouth was open, hitched moans and airy whines spilling out through parted lips every time you rolled your hips or clenched around him, but the sounds were lost on you, distant compared to the deafening slap of skin against skin, compared to the pounding of your own heart as it attempted to beat out of your chest.
You shouldâve taken pride in it, shouldâve been willing to grasp at any chance to be on top of him, to be in control. Or, to feel like you were, at least.
You shouldâve, but you couldnât bring yourself to feel much of anything.
The room was dark, his attention clearly elsewhere, but you waited for him to groan and throw his head back, waited until you could force yourself to lean downward, to slot your chest against his. You moved as slowly as you could, touched him as gently as humanly possible â letting your lips ghost over the edge of his jaw, raking your fingers through his hair, encouraging him to keen and whimper and arch against you, to forget about anything that wasnât you and your touch.
You knew what he liked, by now, been locked in his penthouse long enough to learn, and you knew how to keep him distracted, how to keep his attention where you needed it to be. He used to guide your hands, used to mutter instructions under his breath as you screamed and cried and struggled against him, but you hadnât disobeyed him in weeks, months, hadnât shown any signs of resistance beyond a soft glare and a habit of biting at his fingertips whenever they strayed too close to your bared teeth. Nothing he couldnât overlook, if it suited him. Nothing he couldnât brush off as imperfections he hadnât yet smoothed over.
Before you could think better of it, you kissed him, roughly and harshly enough to bruise. He was stunned, for a moment, but he melted into the gesture soon enough, his tongue pressing into yours with an equal amount of desperation. His teeth tore into your lips, drawing blood, but the pain was numb, hollow. You tried not to let it distract you, either way.
It was one long, fluid movement. Your hand slipped under the pillow closest to him, taking hold of something cold and metallic, then you jerked back, raised your arms as high as you could think to, and brought the blade down, aiming for his chest.
You felt a hand wrap around your forearm, stopping you mid-swing. You blinked, and suddenly, you were on your back, his cock still inside of you and his stare prying into your chest, your flesh. He squeezed your wrist, digging his nails into your skin, and you let go automatically, knowing better than to try to fight him so directly. The knife was discarded easily, thrown off of the bed with little more than a flick of his wrist and a shallow sigh.
âDonât.â Brash, blunt, borderline cruel. He didnât raise his voice, but he never did. He liked to act as if, despite everything, you still werenât worth the effort it would take for him to yell. âYouâll only get yourself hurt. Iâm not going to spend the rest of our night washing your blood out of my sheets.â
You considered saying something, for a second. He wouldnât yell, but you could, you had before. Youâd snap at him, writhe and thrash until he decided youâd be easier to handle restrained, or sedated, or too exhausted to care what he did to you. You could, if you wanted to. You could.
But, you didnât. You went limp, instead, letting your head fall to the side and your gaze drift to the far wall, only barely in focus. You could feel him start to thrust into you, again, hear his panting, his voice muttering bittersweet nothings in your ear, but you couldnât make any of it out. You didnât want to.
TW: ABO Dynamics, Non/Con, Slight Knife Play, Outdoor Sex, Predator/Prey Dynamics, Mentions of Imprisonment, Slight Dissassocation, and Very Bad French.
Somewhere, in the back of your mind, you knew that this was exactly what he wanted.
Not heâd ever tried to hide his intentions. Rook was a lot of things, Rook was a lot, but he wasnât secretive, he never tried to hide what you were to him â something to hold close, something to pin down, something to send out into the darkness and chased until heâd had his fill of hunting you, until he was ready to drag you out of your hiding place and back into his arms. Heâd said as much as he undid your restraints, as he guided you up from the cellar of that awful, isolated cabin and explained just how long he was going to give you, just which weapons he was going to let himself use, just how many miles stood between you and the nearest hint of civilization, and you knew that by playing along, by running when he wanted you to run, by biting as his hands and bolting for the tree-line as soon as you were unbound, you were only making things worse, only giving him an excuse to treat you less like a person and more like an animal, more like his prey.
You knew that. You werenât an idiot. You knew what you were doing, and that youâd be better off digging your heels into the dirt, crossing your arms, and refusing to do anything he said. You knew that. You knew what was going on.
If only you'd actually had a choice.
You knew he was close, too. Youâd gotten a head-start, but he couldâve given you hours and it wouldnât have made a difference. You didnât know this forest, didnât know which way to run, and even if you had, you were still barefoot, still freezing, still struggling just to stay on your feet as you stumbled over twisting roots and shouldered past gnarled branches. You tried not to leave a trail, to avoid clearings and trenches and fallen twigs, but you didnât have a lantern, and you could already hear him, calling out from somewhere behind you, laughing and singing your name as he tracked you through the pitch-black woods. You were tempted to yell back, to express your frustration with something more direct than bared teeth and hateful thoughts, but you settled for cursing under your breath and digging your nails into the heels of your palms. Heâd catch you eventually, but you could try to put that reunion off for as long as the universe would allow.
Or, maybe you couldnât. You made the mistake of attempting to glance behind you, of trying to see anything through the moonless night, but as soon as youâd looked away, something sprung up in your path â a tangle of vines and shrubbery, catching your feet and wrapping around your ankles, tripping you up before you even realized it was there. You didnât fall, but you stumbled, your shoulder colliding with the trunk of the nearest oak with a hollow, heavy thud. The noise wasnât loud, and anyone else mightâve attributed it to a clumsy deer or a lost owl, but instantly, Rook went silent, what little evidence there was of his presence disappearing in the time it took for you to straighten your back and start running, again. It was useless, though, too little too late.
A second later, you were on the ground, your chest pushed against the soil and a knee pressed into the small of your back. You couldn't see Rook, but you didnât need to. You could feel him hovering over you, his sharp stare prying into your flesh, and you could picture his expression, his eyes half-lidded, his lips quirked into something you didnât want to call a smile. You made a half-hearted attempt to get your arms underneath you, to struggle against him, but his knee bit into the base of your spine and his hand found its way to your shoulder, shoving you downward. âThatâs enough, mon amour.â Smooth, soft, unbothered. This was nothing, to him. It took nothing for him to do this to you. âYou scared me for a moment. If Iâd been a little slower, you mayâve had a chance of getting away.â
You growled, the sound bubbling up from somewhere low in your throat. You didnât resist, didnât try to fight against him, but you squared your shoulders, pushed back against him, did what you could to safeguard the ounce of dignity you had left. âDonât touch me!â
There was a breathy laugh, a light tap to your bicep. He was always like that â so nonchalant and so relaxed, you had to wonder if he took any of this seriously, if he cared that you hated him and his sick, sick games. You doubted it wouldâve been better if he was more brash, more stoic, faster to anger than he was to delight, but it mightâve made being with him more bearable. It mightâve made some part of this feel a little less excruciating. âThatâs no way to talk to someone you love. Especially not after theyâve only just put so much work into keeping you out of trouble.â A slight pause, then his weight shifting over you. His knee fell to the gap between your open legs, his chest slotting itself against your back. âHow desperately I wish you were aware of your own scent. I donât know if Iâve ever seen you so panicked â or so sweet, of course.â
You did what you could to ignore him, to think of anything else. His own scent rarely changed, smoked cedar dashed with something metallic, something that grew more intense as his mood worsened, or improved, or changed at all. Right now, the stench of it was almost overwhelming, copper and rust rolling off of him in steady waves. That mightâve been why you were so irritated, why your frustration threatened to outweigh your fear. Youâd never liked being around other alphas. It made you feel⌠on edge, even when they werenât straddling your thighs.
âThatâs notââ A slight sigh, a nip to the side of your neck. You wanted to claw at him, to wrap your hands around his throat, but you settled for gritting your teeth and spitting the words, as you went on. âNothing about me is sweet. Your nose is just as fucked up as your head.â
âAu contraire,â You felt him pick himself up, lift himself off of you. You attempted to follow, to start to stand, but you didnât get far before he caught you by your forearms, dragging them to the center of your back and binding your wrists together with a length of braided rope. You glanced over your shoulder, prepared to protest, but his eyes caught yours and you swallowed down your complaints before anything could slip out. âIâve met flowers less pleasant than you, mon pĂŠtale. Sharing your company is like lying in a field of blooming roses, if youâd allow the comparison.â He fell back, his weight leaving you completely, but before you could relax, his hand was on the back of your shirt, dragging you upward and into his lap. Your body fell against his chest, his arm wrapping around your waist, forcing you to accommodate him, to let him hold you like some small, docile thing. âIf Iâm being completely honest, I took you for an omega when we first met. You still do seem like one â to me, at least. When weâre together.â
The hand at your hip drifted, fell to brush against your inner thigh. You stiffened, lurched away from him, but in the blink of an eye, heâd drawn something from his belt â a hunting knife, sleek and silver, the blade soon planted in the ground less than a hairâs width from your calf. Instantly, you went still, freezing against him.
âI-Iâm not.â Youâd be better off keeping your mouth shut. Youâd be better off not saying anything at all, but that never felt like an option. Not with him. Not when it came to this. âIâm an alpha. Youâre supposed to know that.â
âAnd I do. And I love that about you.â Despite how frequently he spouted his mantas on the value of beauty and aesthetics, he seemed to prefer keeping yours relatively simple, if not as plain as it could possibly be. Even now, you were dressed in little more than one of his button-down shirts and panties made of such thin, lacey fabric, they only seemed to make the feeling of his thumb tracing over your slit through the material more pronounced, less ignorable. You did what you could to block it out, to focus on some distant point on the obscured horizon, but Rook was good at that, catching your attention and holding it, tracing delicate circles into your clit as he latched onto the crook of your neck, onto the spot a mating mark wouldâve gone if either of you were an omega, if either of you were supposed to be doing this. âYouâre my little alpha. My precious beast, just waiting to be tamed.â
You grit your teeth, clenching your eyes shut. He was trying to tease you, to touch you so lightly and so fleetingly, your body would be forced to act on its own, to buck and grind and chase blindly after pleasure until he could lie to you, until he could claim that he was only giving you what you so clearly needed. You did what you could to brace yourself, to go stiff and still and silent, but your locked jaw and balled fists mightâve been more damning than any whiny, pathetic sound you mightâve let crawl up your throat. You heard him click his tongue, the action more playful than irritated, and quickly, almost cruelly, he changed course, ground the heel of his palm into your clit with a harsh sort of pressure. You reacted automatically, lurching forward as if heâd struck you. There was a deep laugh, in response, bubbling and terrible. You tried to imagine prying open his teeth, ripping out his tongue and pouring acid over his vocal cords, but unsurprisingly, the fantasy did little to comfort you.
He didnât try to tease you, this time. With no spared grace, your panties were pushed to the side, two fingers traced over your slit to gather up what little slick there was. Again, you started to twist in his hold, to writhe against him and shove your shoulder into his chest, but he didnât let you go, or restrain you further, or do anything other than lull forward and nuzzle into the side of your neck. This was the part you hated, more than the hunting, more than the captivity. You didnât want to let him feel like he had that kind of power over you. You didnât want to let him feel like had anything over you, especially not control over your own body.
But, he didnât care. Before you had a chance to beg, to struggle, to do much of anything at all, he was already pushing two fingers into you, already filling you with that familiar, invasive sensation â not quite strain, but crushing enough to be mistaken for it. You could feel it pressing against the back of your throat, tying knots in the pit of your stomach, only growing more suffocating, more oppressive as he spread his fingers apart and curled them inside of you in turns. As he edged you towards something so, so much worse.
It hurt. Not the penetration, not the thumb now drawing rough patterns into your clit, but the rest of it, the feeling of his breath on your skin, the shroud of his body curled around yours, the awareness of who was doing this to you and how little you could do to stop him, to defend yourself. All of it, everything only made the way he touched you that much more painful, that much more likely to make you gasp and whimper and shriek whenever he brushed against something more sensitive, something more vulnerable. You struggled against the rope, shouldered at his chest, but he only brought up another hand to cup your chin and hold you in place. It wasnât enough to stop you, but he was able to keep you still, to tilt your head back and force you to stare up at his calm, terrible smile. When he ducked down, his lips came to rest against yours in something you wouldnât call a kiss. It was too gentle, for that, too light. You couldnât even feel it. You didnât want to feel it.
But, he didnât give you any other choice. With another second, another wave of abuse to your cunt and your clit, your climax was forced onto you like the iron head of an arrow plunged directly into the hollow of your chest. It was quick, brutal, but once the aftershocks began to dull and Rook pulled away, you were able to breathe, to shrink into yourself, to relax. He had his fun. Heâd hunted his prey, and heâd caught it, and heâd reaped the rewards. Heâd take you back to that dark, lonely cabin, and youâd be able to process the last few hours, minimize what youâd done and what heâd done to you. Youâd be able toâ
You felt his hand on the center of your back, a sudden force, then the ground pressing on your chest, the foliage scraping against your skin. His body was on top of yours in the blink of an eye, and he was taking you by the hips, drawing you up, onto you knees. Your mind went blank, briefly, terror overriding every practical thought you couldâve had, and then, you started to panic.
âPlease, please, please donât.â You wouldâve been ashamed of yourself if you'd had that kind of luxury. This could't happen. Not here. Not right now. He wouldnât. He couldnât. You wouldnât be able to take it. You wouldnât survive. âIâ Iâm notâ Please, Rook, Iâll do anything, just donâtââ
âHow prettily my songbird sings!â His composure only made things worse. If heâd been angry, if heâd been violent, it mightâve been better. A mindless act of malice and loathing. Something you could tell yourself, as hard it mightâve been to believe, he hated just as much as you did. âThis is your first time with another alpha, no?â
âAnything else, please, anythingââ
A hand in your hair, jerking your head back, then something cool pressed against your neck. The hunting knife. Youâd managed to forget it was there. âItâs rude to ramble when someone asks you a question, mon amour. Iâm still waiting for an answer.â
You managed to inhale, to choke back a sob. You hadnât realized you were crying until tears started to blur your vision and you felt something sharp begin to crawl up your throat. âIt... it is.â
He took his time, bending down, his mouth just barely ghosting over the curve of your shoulder blade. He mightâve been trying to comfort you, or less generously, take just a little more time to take in your ever-mounting fear. âYou donât have to worry.â His breath on your skin, his teeth just barely making contact with the side of your neck. âIâll be gentle with you, little alpha.â
Liar.
If letting him spread you open was painful, then this was torture. He gave you no time to brace yourself, no time to adjust, your comfort barely a second thought despite his shallow promises. There was pressure, somewhere low in your core, and a slight stretch as he bottomed out, as his cock pressed into the walls of your cunt as tightly as it had in the worst of your nightmares, but there was something else, too, something that ran deeper. You could feel it in your veins, in the back of your skull, pounding and throbbing and thrashing against whatever Rook had forced inside of you. This wasnât supposed to happen. This wasnât what youâd been built for. This wasnât supposed to happen.
And yet, it was.
And yet, you were the only one whoâd ever have to suffer for it.
You went limp, but he didnât seem to mind. Before you could fall, an arm was wrapped around your midriff and his mouth was on your throat. His pointed canines dug into the crook of your neck, as if he thought he could mark you, as if he thought he was doing anything other than breaking skin and drawing blood. That mightâve been what he was trying to accomplish, though. He groaned as he licked over the wound, his steady pace growing more rapid, more chaotic, less of a controlled barrage and more of a haphazard assault. Blunt nails burrowed into your side, his tongue lapped over the wound, and the knife turned, slipped so that the dull edge pressed into your chest and the blade tore downward, through your borrowed shirt, leaving you that much more exposed, that much more at his mercy. The knife was driven back into the earth a second later, just above your head. There was no shock, this time. No dread accompanied the lingering threat. You felt nothing. There was nothing.
Distantly, you heard his breath hitch, and you felt him draw you closer, drag you closer. You saw, from somewhere else, yourself reacting to him too, your body trembling, your mouth falling open as you convulsed underneath him. He followed shortly after, moaning something that you did your best not to make out, and suddenly, you felt warm, full, unbearably tired. When he let you go, you collapsed, too drained to do so much as attempt to stop his cum from dripping down your thighs. You wanted to sleep. You wanted to go home. Wherever âhomeâ was, anymore.
âOh, poor pĂŠtale. I suppose I mayâve gotten carried away.â The ropes binding your hands loosened and fell away. You hadnât seen him pick up the knife, but you didnât think to question it, only collapsing onto your side and crossing your arms over your chest. If it did anything to help, you couldnât tell. âPas de soucis â you can rest. Iâll take care of my sweet alpha.â
You felt his arms wrap around you, lifting you off of the ground and into his chest, but you didnât try to fight him, to resist. You didnât bother to.
It wasnât like there was anything you could ever do to stop him.
TW: Dub/Con to Non/Con, Aspixiation, Rough Sex, Oral Sex, Abusive Power Dynamics, Coercien, and Unhealthy Relationships.
He was already in your room when you got back to your hotel.
You werenât surprised. As soon as youâd gotten that call from your manager, as soon as you heard the distress in her voice and saw the worry written across the directorâs face as they checked their phone, youâd known it was him, that heâd done something that had something to do with you. On your way back, youâd half-expected to see him waiting in back-lot or sitting in the passenger seat of your rental car, but this made more sense. Heâd never do something so public. Heâd never leave himself so vulnerable. Heâd always been willing to go out of his way, as long as it meant you were that much more paranoid. Heâd always been willing to make his own life harder, as long as it meant yours would be twice as difficult.
Vil had always been willing to wait, as long as it meant you would be the one to come to him.
He was lying on a loveseat, staring idly out of the tinted floor-to-ceiling windows that made up the far wall. There was a drink in his hand, too, something that looked like champagne, but you knew it couldnât be, that he wouldnât touch alcohol anywhere except the privacy of his own penthouse. That was one of the most unbearable parts about him - the held himself to the same impossible rules that he'd inflicted onto you.
You didnât wait for him to acknowledge you. Slamming the door shut, you started towards him, already stiff, already seething. âWhat did you do?â
âI thought you wouldâve figured that out.â He didnât move, didnât turn to face you. He took another sip of whatever he was drinking, then went on, completely unbothered. âYou wouldâve seen it by now, unless you were idiotic enough to try and block me again.â
Itâd been your managerâs recommendation. âFor your healthâ, sheâd said, as if you were still allowed to do anything for your own sake.
It took you less than a minute to find the post. On Magicam, on his main account, front-and-center and there for everyone to see. He was in the foreground, sitting at his vanity in little more than a silk robe you were sure heâd been paid thousands of dollars to wear. The problem was in the background â or, more literally, laid in the background, across his bed, obscured by piled sheets and displaced pillows. Barely anything was visible. A hand, an arm, some hair â little pieces that added up to even less. He hadnât tagged you, but that only made it worse. You wouldâve been someone he knew, someone he thought something off, rather than just the disheveled girl sleeping in his bed.
Holding your breath, you checked the comments. Of course, people had recognized you, and of course, people made assumptions. Most of it was nice, a mix of well-intended compliments and innocent curiosity, but a loud minority, a sizable minority were crueler, too eager to safeguard their idol to care whose hand they had to bite. All the usual insults were there â âgold-diggerâ, âshitty modelâ, âwhoreâ â but there were deeper cuts, too, mentions of upcoming projects, of boycotts and review-bombing and so, so many bad things that would go away with a certain name cut from the casting list.
If this wasnât your first major role, it wouldnât have been a big deal. If all you had on the horizon were a few modeling gigs and sponsorships, it wouldnât be a big deal.
But, this was your first role, and it wasnât just another modeling gig, either. You wouldnât be able to get by on established trust or apathy-borne anonymity. He knew that, too. Better than anyone, he knew what something so small could do to a career.
You tried to sound confident, authoritative. As if the panic wasnât already blotting at the edges of your vision, making everything just a little darker than it should've been. âDelete it.â
Obviously, he saw through you. âIs that how I taught you to ask for the things you want?â
You swallowed, squaring your shoulders. âWhat do I have to do for you to delete it?â
âIâm not entirely sure. Honestly, I think I have a right to be angry.â Now, now, he turned towards you. He wasnât dressed to his usual standards â his dress-shirt partially unbuttoned, his make-up more natural than you knew he preferred, his hair not messy, but not styled, either. Heâd rushed here, clearly. Or, maybe he just wanted you to think he had and have to fight that terrible, gnawing knot of guilt that still seemed to manifest in the core of your stomach whenever he implied you were a burden to him, dead weight he was better off cutting loose. âFirst, I'm told that youâve been auditioning for roles far out of your league behind my back. Then, I find out you accepted a job you arenât qualified for, canceled several gigs I went out of my way to book for you, and ran off to another country all without speaking a single word to me. How do you think I feel, darling?â
You were tempted to leave. You didnât know where youâd go, or what you would do about Vil, but the urge was there, the compulsion. You wanted to leave. You wouldâve, if it were anyone else. âIâm sorry, I just wanted toââ
âHow long are you going to be filming?â
You bowed your head. âThree months.â
âAnd when were you going to tell me?â
âIâm sorry,â You mumbled, clenching your fists at your sides. âVil, please, Iâll do whatever you want me to. Iâllââ You forced yourself to breathe, to shut your eyes. âIâll do anything.â
He was quiet, for a moment.
Then, he sighed, swinging his legs off of the loveseat and planting his feet on the floor. The drink was forgotten on an otherwise-empty accent table, and coldly, he scanned over you, evaluating your appearance, your posture, your expression.
When he spoke, he did so slowly, deliberately taking his time with each word. âDeleting the picture wonât help â you should know that. Iâll post another, instead, with both of us, apologizing for not introducing my girlfriend more formally.â
Girlfriend. The word rang in your head like funeral bells, like thunder rolling in the distance. It was one thing to be his pet project, to be the anchor he insisted on dragging along. Being tied to him, though, publicly and undeniably â that was another nightmare altogether. âIâm⌠Are you sure thatâll help?â
âI am.â Flat, blunt, empty. You werenât sure what youâd expected. Something more eccentric, maybe. A death sentence with a little more flare. âBut, thatâs not going to be enough to get you out of this.â
Of course. One punishment, no matter how degrading, would never be enough for Vil. âWhat do you want me to do?â
âGive me your belt,â He ordered. âGo to the foot of the bed and get on your knees, back to the mattress. Iâll take of everything else.â
For a long second, you just stood there, suddenly unable to move. You thought of trying to run, again, of changing your name and disappearing entirely.
Then, with a deep inhale, you brought your hands to your waist and tried not to think of anything at all.
He watched as you moved, his gaze dark and predatory. You did what you could to pretend you werenât afraid, that you were just as indifferent as he was, but your hands were shaking and your mouth felt dry and every part of you seemed to lock up in rebellion, in refusal. The floor was carpeted, but the ground still pressed harshly against your knees and you doubted youâd get out of this without a few bruises to show for it. You didnât know what youâd tell the make-up artist, tomorrow morning. Vil would probably have something for that, too, if you were willing to ask him for anything else.
When you settled, your hands clasped in front of you, your back slotted against the foot of the bed, he pushed himself to his feet. You knew he had to be enjoying this â that everything Vil did, he did to stroke his ego â but he was careful not to wear his pleasure on his face, to keep his lips pursed and his eyes narrowed in your direction. The belt (your belt, but you tried not to think of it as something thatâd ever belonged to you) was carefully fed through the buckle, strung over your head, and tightened until leather pressed into your throat. He held the end of the strap in one hand while the other fell to your chin, tilting your head back with a careless kind of delicacy. You didnât resist, but if your obedience did anything to please him, you couldnât tell. Another thing you couldn't stand about Vil â how cold he was towards you. As if he hated this as much as you did. As if he didnât drink in your humiliation like a fine wine, aged and broken down to perfection.
âOpen your mouth.â Another command, strict and not meant to be questioned. âIâm going to try to be gentle with you, love.â
And he was gentle. He tried to be gentle.
For all of five seconds, at least.
He didnât pull or jolt or buck, didnât jerk you forward or use your makeshift leash to do anything but hold you in place, but keep you kneeling at his feet. His pants were edged downward rather than discarded, the hem adjusted to lie just below his hips, and he was kind enough to guide his cock past your lips himself, merciful enough not to make you do anything more than shut your eyes and brace yourself. That was the only compassion you were shown, though â his hand soon resting on the dip of your shoulder, then the back of your neck, urging you forward with more force than he absolutely had to use. You stiffened, but relented quickly. If only to get this over with a second sooner.
When you refused to acknowledge the more unsettling implications, you could be thankful that he was already hard. You didnât have to focus, or concentrate, or think about what you were doing at all, and you could fall into a rhythm, let hollow out your cheeks and let your body bob and lave and suckle on its own. You tried to let your mind drift, to imagine you were anywhere else, but his voice took you out of it before you could even start to face away. He didnât try to talk to you, to coo or simper and leave himself open to any kind of vulnerability, but he made sounds â little gasps, breathy grunts, curses stifled behind grit teeth whenever your tongue pressed against the underside of his cock or the flat edges of your teeth ghosted over something too sensitive for him to ignore.
His blunt nails bit into the nape of your neck, his breath hitched audibly in his throat, and suddenly, without warning, he wrapped the end of the belt around his fist and pulled, forcing you to lurch forward. The head of his cock hit the back of your throat, and for a moment, you couldnât breathe, couldnât do anything other than sputter and gag and choke. Reflexively, your hands moved to the collar, trying to pry desperately at the leather, and when that failed, to him, clawing at the fabric of his pants and shoving at anything you could. His only response was a dry chuckle, an uncharacteristically careless smile. âBe good,â He muttered, still so calm, still so composed. Briefly, in some deep, dark part of your mind, you wondered why youâd ever wanted to be like him. Clearly, heâd always been a monster, and you werenât sure heâd ever really tried to hide it. âThis will only last as long as youâre willing to draw it out.â
You were only half-listening. As soon as your leash slackened, you attempted to get away from him, to cough and catch your breath, but just as quickly as heâd started to let you go, he pulled you back, pulled you closer, until your chest pressed against his legs and you had to brace yourself on his thighs just to keep from panicking and lashing out, or worse, keeling over and proving you were just as weak as he seemed to think you were. You did what you could, attempting to use your tongue, to bob your head, but you could barely move, barely think, and Vil didnât seem to want you to. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying himself more now that you were at his mercy, his groans spiking into guttural moans and cracked whines, his hips beginning to move â sporadically, at first, in spite of his self-restraint, then decisively as he thrust into your mouth, as he began to take pleasure in the way you struggled just to keep yourself upright. The pressure was almost worse than the lack of air, pressing into your throat, threatening to crush everything that lay below it. You could almost here it, bones cracking, skin tearing, your neck caving in on itself as heâ
âLook at me.â His cock twitched, the belt tightened, and Vil dragged you closer to him, so much closer, so fucking close. You hadnât realized your eyes were closing, not until they snapped open, not until you heard him mumbling to himself, then shouting, raising his voice for the first time that you could remember, or that you cared to. âYouâre soâFuck, youâre going toââ
He let go of the belt, and you fell against the mattress, already coughing into your hands. Through tear-blurred vision, you saw Vil pumping a fist over his cock, and a second later, you felt something warm and thick drip onto you, splashing against your skin and seeping through fabric. There would probably be a stain. Or, even if there wasnât, you knew you have to burn all of it, everything you were wearing. Everything heâd ever touched.
There was a beat of quiet, afterward â soft, blissful silence.
Then, he clicked his tongue, and something in your chest cracked open. âYour clothes are filthy. Take them off and get on the bed.â
You didnât move. You couldnât remember how to. Vil snarled, stepped forward, and suddenly, you were being dragged to your feet by the strap of the belt and thrown onto the mattress. You landed on your back, and he was on top of you in the blink of an eye, straddling your waist. Your shirt and bra were gone before you could think to fight back, your shorts soon similarly discarded. He paused when it came to your panties, but only to drag two fingers up the length of your slit, to chuckle as fresh slick soaked through thin fabric. Panic washed over you, but even that was distant, dampened. You felt numb. You felt like heâd injected something inside of you that pushed everything else, everything good out.
You managed to cry out when he forced you onto your stomach, onto your knees, but it was more out of shock than anything else, the suddenness of his hostility catching you more off-guard than the hostility itself. âDo I have to do everything for you?â The question was harsh, but his tone was softened, distracted. Something blunt pressed against your cunt, your entrance, and you did what you could not to name the offender. âYouâre so, so lucky to have me. Do you know where youâd be if I hadnât found you?â
A hitched breath, an invasive pressure against your core. You buried your face in the sheets, attempting to stifle the overwhelming shame that accompanied the feeling of your pussy clenching around his cock. âYouâre mine. No one elseâs - mine.â He snapped his hips into you, and you thought you mightâve screamed. If you did, you couldnât hear your own voice, any noise you mightâve made drowned out by the blood rushing past your ears, by the vile echo of skin crashing against skin. âYou donât get to decide how I use my possessions.â
You mightâve cried, at that point. You couldnât really be sure.
He started out slowly, more for his own sake than yours. It took him long, agonizing seconds to bottom out, and even have that, he held himself back, kept his pace steady. You tried to melt into it. If not the pleasure, then the routine, the heavy pattern of weight and warmth and hot air ghosting over the nape of your neck, the curve of your shoulders. You tried to relax, to distance yourself from your own body, but as soon as you closed your eyes, you were pulled out of your self-inflicted haze by another brutal jerk of the belt, by another sharp thrust, by another low growl that seemed to crawl up from somewhere deep, deep in his chest.
It hurt in a way it hadnât, when you were on your knees. Itâd been painful, sure, itâd been suffocating, but youâd been able to push yourself away from it, keep your back straight and your mind somewhere else. It was less ignorable, now, he was less ignorable, pressing his free hand to the small of your back and forcing your spine to arch, your mouth to fall open and let out all the ragged, raspy moans you tried to lock behind grit teeth and layers of disassociation. He made you feel it, all of it â the leather digging into your throat, his mouth ghosting over your neck, the two fingers now drawing rough patterns into your clit. You tried to buck away from him, to squirm and thrash, but it was useless, futile, pathetic. His cock pulsed inside of you, and your body went tense, your vision burning white as the world came crashing down around you. A moment later, he pulled out, grunting as his cum painted the inside of your thighs. It burnt, like fire, like venom. It hurt.
As soon as he let you go, you collapsed onto your side, curling in on yourself and clenching your eyes shut as tightly as you were able to. You felt him on top of you, his lips brushing gingerly against your forehead before he drew back. Still, his eyes pried into you like sharpened nails, and his voice managed to curl around something in your mind and squeeze, something you couldâve sworn heâd already torn out. âYou can rest, darling.â
He kissed the corner of your lips, this time, and lingered just long enough to let you feel his lips curl upward, to let you feel his grin, no matter how desperately you tried not to feel anything at all.
âWeâve got such a big day ahead of us, donât we?â
TW: Werewolf AU, All Characters are 18+, Imprisonment, Forced Intoxication, and Unbalanced Power Dynamics.
Youâd always hated the desert.
Everything â from the unbearable heat to the coaxing mirages to the miles upon miles of sand and dust and nothing else â was designed to end you. There was no reprieve from the sun beyond suffocating fabrics that left you choked and sweltering, nor would you ever be able to drink your fill, not when water proved to be such a precious resource and there was no amount you could scrounge up to make your throat feel any less dry. A few steps took as much energy as an entire uphill trek wouldâve, back home, and the sameness of it all was enough to leave you constantly irritated, constantly desperate for something that wasnât half-dead shrubbery or rolling dunes. You hated it. Youâd always hated it.
But, you absolutely loathed the fact that Kalim and Jamil called it home.
It was Jamil. You knew that before he ever touched you, before you could properly see his face through the darkness. If itâd been Kalim, he wouldnât have been able to stay so unnoticed, to keep himself from calling out your name as soon as he saw you â trudging towards a cluster of narrow mesas as quickly and as quietly as you possibly could. Jamil hadnât given himself away so easily. Thereâd been the sound of shifting sand, a sudden pressure between your shoulder blade, and then, you were on the ground, lying on his chest, both of your wrists caught in one of his hands and his free arm wrapped around your waist, holding you against him as you did what you could to struggle your way out of his grip. It was a feeble pursuit, obviously, as futile as it was pathetic. Youâd seen seasoned warriors fall to Jamilâs strength, his agility, his talent. You, a researcher-turned-captive, would never stand a chance against him.
Or Kalim, honestly, but at least he was a little more forgiving that his dutiful guard.
You screamed, kicking at his legs and attempting to throw your elbow into anything you could reach. He only grunted, sitting up and taking you with him. He was, by all accounts, going easy on you. If he wanted to, if Kamil allowed it, he couldâve driven his claws into your neck, left you choking on your own blood in the time it wouldâve taken you to draw a knife. Even if he didnât kill you, it wouldâve taken nothing for him to break your ankle, knock your shoulder out of its socket, leave you not only unable to get away from him now, but unable to do anything that'd be so inconvenient to him again. Simply restraining you was an act of mercy, on his part, but you couldnât seem to stop yourself from baring your teeth, from hissing at him with as much hostility and as much animosity as you could possibly manage. âLet meââ
âBe quiet.â Harsh, low, more apathetic than actively aggressive. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see his long, pointed ears pressing flat against his scalp, his tail standing upright against his back, but otherwise, there were no outward signs of his annoyance. âI donât want Kalim to hear you talking like that.â
âEat shit and diââ
You were cut off by a low growl, a row of claws dug into your side. You pursed your lips, swallowing back a sharp sob, but again, you were interrupted, shoved forward as Jamil released you, abruptly rising to his feet and planting a hand on your shoulder when you moved to do the same. A moment later, you saw why â a figure clad in red and black with a shock of white hair coming into view through the darkness, waving as he ran towards you. Kalim, of course. As if there was anyone else in the world whoâd be delusional enough to find the scene in front of him relieving, rather than revolting.
He greeted Jamil with a nod, a smile, but otherwise, nothing could save you from his smothering attention. In an instant, he was in front of you, cupping your face and inspecting you for bruises, cuts, all the things heâd look for much more thoroughly after heâd taken you back to his tent. There wasnât anything to find, but that wouldnât stop him from treating you with the utmost care for the next few weeks, acting as if heâd found you on the verge of death, as if you had to be nursed back to health with dried fruits and sweetened words. Or, itâd never stopped him before, at least.
âYou know you shouldnât wander off like that.â His tone was clawing, sugar-coated, like an adult attempting to warn a child away from doing something dangerous and short-sighted and unnecessary. His words slurred at the edges, and he reeked of wine and smoke â a result of the revelries that heâd been so preoccupied with when you slipped away. Still, he seemed more elated than belligerent, his drunkenness only making him more content, even slower to anger than he already was. You could see why his people loved him, despite everything. His light-heartedness, paired with his unique talent for summoning rain, made him an endearing leader, if nothing else. âWhat wouldâve happened if a rattlesnake found you before Jamil did? What if you got lost? What if you got hurt?â
It was a pointless question. His clan had a cure for just about anything, from heat stroke to snake venom. Heâd be able to drag you back from anything that could ever take you away from him â if Jamil ever let you get that far, in the first place. You wanted to say as much, but Jamilâs claws bit into your shoulder and you thought better of it. âI⌠Iâm sorry,â You mumbled, instead, letting your eyes fall to the ground. âI didnât mean to worry you.â
âAnd yet, you left without saying a word, let alone asking for an escort.â He let out a breathy chuckle, allowed his head to lull to the side. You could feel his tail brushing against your side, and slowly, he bent down, kissing the top of your head as he let out a shallow sigh. You'd been told, once, that he and his clan were more akin to foxes than wolves, but from the way he drank in affection, you would've begged to differ. âI'm not sure how else you expected me to feel, love.â
âIn all fairnessââ You stiffened, glaring sharply at Jamil. He was usually a neutral force, focused on carrying out Kalimâs whims â not feeding into them. You bristled, but he ignored you, going on as if you hadnât reacted at all. ââIâve heard that our celebrations can be disorienting to humans, given their limited senses. Left to their own devices, they might've gotten restless and convinced themself that wandering into the desert was a reasonable course of action.âHe paused, pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. It took everything you had not to curse him out, but Kalim had never taken kindly to displays of hostility between the two of you. "Or, perhaps, our precious creature just wanted to get your attention."
It was a half-hearted excuse, more infantilizing than genuinely helpful. Still, Kalim's grin brightened. âSo, you were lonely?â
You opened your mouth, ready to deny it, but he was already laughing, already going on. âOf course! I was just so distracted, I didn't even notice that you were sulking!â
Again, you moved to protest, straining against Jamil, but Kalim was quick to react, to detach a well-worn wineskin from his belt and press the open mouth against your lips, forcing something sweet and vile down your throat. You attempted to turn away, but Kalimâs grip was tight, and it was all you could do not to choke, not to thrash in a way that gave Jamil an excuse to break skin and draw blood. âCâmon, now, drink and be merry!â His voice was soft, soothing, and yet, he waited until there was wine dripping from your chin, until you were willing to heave for air as soon as he pulled away. âIf you ever feel neglected, you only have to come to me. Iâll make sure you never have to suffer like that again.â
You couldnât try to answer at all. Involuntarily, you slumped forward, your head already spinning and your vision spotted black. You made another half-hearted attempt to stand, to run, but Jamil was already pulling you into his arms, lifting you off your feet, situating your body against his chest as he carried you back towards the clanâs encampment, toward the stench of ale and cinder and meat. Kalim followed closely, humming softly, his eyes never falling away from yours.
You hated the desert. Youâd always hated the desert.
And now, because of them, you would never be able to leave it again.
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TW: Werewolf AU, All Characters are 18+, Imprisonment, Forced Intoxication, and Unbalanced Power Dynamics.
Youâd always hated the desert.
Everything â from the unbearable heat to the coaxing mirages to the miles upon miles of sand and dust and nothing else â was designed to end you. There was no reprieve from the sun beyond suffocating fabrics that left you choked and sweltering, nor would you ever be able to drink your fill, not when water proved to be such a precious resource and there was no amount you could scrounge up to make your throat feel any less dry. A few steps took as much energy as an entire uphill trek wouldâve, back home, and the sameness of it all was enough to leave you constantly irritated, constantly desperate for something that wasnât half-dead shrubbery or rolling dunes. You hated it. Youâd always hated it.
But, you absolutely loathed the fact that Kalim and Jamil called it home.
It was Jamil. You knew that before he ever touched you, before you could properly see his face through the darkness. If itâd been Kalim, he wouldnât have been able to stay so unnoticed, to keep himself from calling out your name as soon as he saw you â trudging towards a cluster of narrow mesas as quickly and as quietly as you possibly could. Jamil hadnât given himself away so easily. Thereâd been the sound of shifting sand, a sudden pressure between your shoulder blade, and then, you were on the ground, lying on his chest, both of your wrists caught in one of his hands and his free arm wrapped around your waist, holding you against him as you did what you could to struggle your way out of his grip. It was a feeble pursuit, obviously, as futile as it was pathetic. Youâd seen seasoned warriors fall to Jamilâs strength, his agility, his talent. You, a researcher-turned-captive, would never stand a chance against him.
Or Kalim, honestly, but at least he was a little more forgiving that his dutiful guard.
You screamed, kicking at his legs and attempting to throw your elbow into anything you could reach. He only grunted, sitting up and taking you with him. He was, by all accounts, going easy on you. If he wanted to, if Kamil allowed it, he couldâve driven his claws into your neck, left you choking on your own blood in the time it wouldâve taken you to draw a knife. Even if he didnât kill you, it wouldâve taken nothing for him to break your ankle, knock your shoulder out of its socket, leave you not only unable to get away from him now, but unable to do anything that'd be so inconvenient to him again. Simply restraining you was an act of mercy, on his part, but you couldnât seem to stop yourself from baring your teeth, from hissing at him with as much hostility and as much animosity as you could possibly manage. âLet meââ
âBe quiet.â Harsh, low, more apathetic than actively aggressive. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see his long, pointed ears pressing flat against his scalp, his tail standing upright against his back, but otherwise, there were no outward signs of his annoyance. âI donât want Kalim to hear you talking like that.â
âEat shit and diââ
You were cut off by a low growl, a row of claws dug into your side. You pursed your lips, swallowing back a sharp sob, but again, you were interrupted, shoved forward as Jamil released you, abruptly rising to his feet and planting a hand on your shoulder when you moved to do the same. A moment later, you saw why â a figure clad in red and black with a shock of white hair coming into view through the darkness, waving as he ran towards you. Kalim, of course. As if there was anyone else in the world whoâd be delusional enough to find the scene in front of him relieving, rather than revolting.
He greeted Jamil with a nod, a smile, but otherwise, nothing could save you from his smothering attention. In an instant, he was in front of you, cupping your face and inspecting you for bruises, cuts, all the things heâd look for much more thoroughly after heâd taken you back to his tent. There wasnât anything to find, but that wouldnât stop him from treating you with the utmost care for the next few weeks, acting as if heâd found you on the verge of death, as if you had to be nursed back to health with dried fruits and sweetened words. Or, itâd never stopped him before, at least.
âYou know you shouldnât wander off like that.â His tone was clawing, sugar-coated, like an adult attempting to warn a child away from doing something dangerous and short-sighted and unnecessary. His words slurred at the edges, and he reeked of wine and smoke â a result of the revelries that heâd been so preoccupied with when you slipped away. Still, he seemed more elated than belligerent, his drunkenness only making him more content, even slower to anger than he already was. You could see why his people loved him, despite everything. His light-heartedness, paired with his unique talent for summoning rain, made him an endearing leader, if nothing else. âWhat wouldâve happened if a rattlesnake found you before Jamil did? What if you got lost? What if you got hurt?â
It was a pointless question. His clan had a cure for just about anything, from heat stroke to snake venom. Heâd be able to drag you back from anything that could ever take you away from him â if Jamil ever let you get that far, in the first place. You wanted to say as much, but Jamilâs claws bit into your shoulder and you thought better of it. âI⌠Iâm sorry,â You mumbled, instead, letting your eyes fall to the ground. âI didnât mean to worry you.â
âAnd yet, you left without saying a word, let alone asking for an escort.â He let out a breathy chuckle, allowed his head to lull to the side. You could feel his tail brushing against your side, and slowly, he bent down, kissing the top of your head as he let out a shallow sigh. You'd been told, once, that he and his clan were more akin to foxes than wolves, but from the way he drank in affection, you would've begged to differ. âI'm not sure how else you expected me to feel, love.â
âIn all fairnessââ You stiffened, glaring sharply at Jamil. He was usually a neutral force, focused on carrying out Kalimâs whims â not feeding into them. You bristled, but he ignored you, going on as if you hadnât reacted at all. ââIâve heard that our celebrations can be disorienting to humans, given their limited senses. Left to their own devices, they might've gotten restless and convinced themself that wandering into the desert was a reasonable course of action.âHe paused, pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. It took everything you had not to curse him out, but Kalim had never taken kindly to displays of hostility between the two of you. "Or, perhaps, our precious creature just wanted to get your attention."
It was a half-hearted excuse, more infantilizing than genuinely helpful. Still, Kalim's grin brightened. âSo, you were lonely?â
You opened your mouth, ready to deny it, but he was already laughing, already going on. âOf course! I was just so distracted, I didn't even notice that you were sulking!â
Again, you moved to protest, straining against Jamil, but Kalim was quick to react, to detach a well-worn wineskin from his belt and press the open mouth against your lips, forcing something sweet and vile down your throat. You attempted to turn away, but Kalimâs grip was tight, and it was all you could do not to choke, not to thrash in a way that gave Jamil an excuse to break skin and draw blood. âCâmon, now, drink and be merry!â His voice was soft, soothing, and yet, he waited until there was wine dripping from your chin, until you were willing to heave for air as soon as he pulled away. âIf you ever feel neglected, you only have to come to me. Iâll make sure you never have to suffer like that again.â
You couldnât try to answer at all. Involuntarily, you slumped forward, your head already spinning and your vision spotted black. You made another half-hearted attempt to stand, to run, but Jamil was already pulling you into his arms, lifting you off your feet, situating your body against his chest as he carried you back towards the clanâs encampment, toward the stench of ale and cinder and meat. Kalim followed closely, humming softly, his eyes never falling away from yours.
You hated the desert. Youâd always hated the desert.
And now, because of them, you would never be able to leave it again.
Pairing: Yandere!Vil x Reader x Yandere!Rook (TWST).
Written for a very lovely anonymous commissioner.
Word Count: 3.0k.
TW: Loose Tangled AU, Prolonged Captivity, Violence (Magic and Physical) and Blood, Dehumanization, Imbalanced Power Dynamics, Vil and Rook Are Making Out In The Corner While Reader's Having The Worst Day Of Their Life, and Manipulation.
The arrows hurt more than the fall.
The fall, youâd been expecting. Rook mightâve been able to scale the tower with little more than a dagger, a few footholds chipped into the weathered stone, and a burning curiosity, but you werenât so graceful, didn't have the luxury of the physique you might've, had you not spent the last eighteen months restrained to a handful of rooms. You knew that you wouldnât have the time to be as careful as you needed to be, that youâd be fortunate to make it off of your windowsill before losing your grip, and when the time came to let go and pray you broke an arm rather than a leg, you were ready. You could brace yourself. You could see the threat looming ahead of you, and as Vil called your name in the distance, you were able to fall into its open arms of your own volition.
The arrows werenât something youâd thought to ready yourself for. Vilâs poison, maybe, the weight of his newest curses being etched into the fabric of your being, but not a weapon, not the sting of piercing metal burrowing into the back of your shoulder, then the plush of your side. Even then, you did what you could to keep running, to move forward through the dense forest despite the jagged rocks and winding brambles cutting through the flesh of your bare feet. You didnât know where you were going, let alone what to do when you reached your nebulous destination, but you didnât have to. You needed to get away from Vilâs tower â that was it. You could figure out what to do next after youâd escaped him.
With that in mind, you pushed yourself to run faster, to ignore the pain racing through your upper body as you put a few more steps between yourself and the ever-shrinking tower that sat above the treetops, but even that was an effort cut short. There was a bolt of searing pain, a white flash playing across your vision. Your left leg was buckled underneath you, leaving you crumbling to the ground with a broken, ragged scream. You dug your teeth into your bottom lip, trying to swallow the sound back before it could force its way out of your chest, but whether or not someone heard you didnât really matter. Youâd seen him shoot hawks out of the sky mid-flight, thread darts through the eye of needles sitting yards away. Rook wouldnât fire unless he had his target in sight. Heâd known exactly where you were the moment drew his bow. This was just his way of letting you believe youâd ever stood a chance.
This was just his way of letting you believe heâd ever been on your side.Â
You pulled your injured leg into your chest, fighting to hold back the pained tears welling in the corners of your eyes. You were tempted to stop restraining yourself altogether and cry until the agony subsided, but your hunter emerged from the foliage before you could start to truly wallow if your self-pity. If heâd wanted to, he couldâve approached you silently, been on top of your fallen body before you so much as noticed he was within armâs length, but Rook made no effort to conceal his presence. If anything, he seemed to want you to know exactly where he was. There was a deep laugh, the muffled sound of a longbow being swung over his shoulder, the feeling of his body blocking out what little light the setting sun still hard to offer, and then, he was crouching in front of you. A gloved hand cupped your chin as he looked down on you with the same adoring, love-stricken expression he always seemed to wear. Youâd always done what you could to return it, in the past, to think of it as a glimpse of sunlight in the darkness that was your life with Vil, but now, it was all you could do to glare and look away.
âMerveilleux.â He wasnât out of breath, but his voice was airy â barely more than a whisper. His leather-wrapped knuckles ran over your cheek, just as slowly and just as adoring as they had on the day you met â the day youâd woken up to the first stranger youâd seen in weeks kneeling at your bedside, idly stroking your hair and complimenting your lovely (albeit, quite difficult to reach) home. Youâd tried to warn him away, to tell him what Vil had done to all the other adventurers and heroes whoâd so much as approached his tower, but he refused to listen. If Vil hadnât taken such a liking to him, heâd be little more than a pile of ash youâd have to sweep up the next day, or better yet â another withering rose left in your windowsill to warn away the next intruder. Vil always did have a flair for the romantic, but he and Rook seemed to have that in common.
He'd changed, since that day. When you first met him, heâd been rough around the edges, his hair uncombed and his skin as calloused as it was burnt. His clothes had been nothing short of a travesty â threadbare and ill-fitting, repaired a thousand times over by someone clearly not used to mending. Now, he was just as much of an embodiment of Vilâs ideals as you were: his hair grown out long and restrained by a violet ribbon, his freckles faded and framed by neatly cut bangs, his clothes of all the same dark silks and pristine furs as Vil wouldâve chosen for himself. He was as much of a pet as you were, really. The only difference was how enthusiastically Rook embraced his role and how desperately you tried to escape yours.
âIn fact,â he went on, his eyes drifting to the arrows still lodged in your back, your thigh. âI donât think youâve ever looked more beautiful. A damsel pulled from the pages of the most wonderful sort of fairytale, truly.â
âGo fuck yourself.â And then, with a half-choked snarl, âYou were supposed toâ I thought you were trying to help meââ
âAh, the searing heat of rage! It shades the color of your eyes with such life.â Rook clicked his tongue, his grin taking on a wry lull. His hand fell from your chin to the collar of your blouse, toying with the mangled fabric as he spoke. âA poor dove, fallen from its nest. Donât worry, petit oiseau â Iâll make sure you get home before the wolves find you.â
He moved to take you in his arms, but you did what you could to shamble away from him despite your limited mobility. It was difficult to speak, your ribs having taken the brunt of your initial fall and endured further abuse during his first volley of arrows. It was difficult to meet his eyes, knowing what heâd taken away from you, but you forced yourself to do both. You tried to remind yourself that it was still Rook, that you were still facing down the man whoâd held you in his arms as you cried, who told you stories of heroes and villains and happy endings when you began to think you might die in captivity, but fond memories were difficult to recall when his arrows were still embedded in your flesh. âYou said thatâ You said that the prince would distract the witch as her captive escaped,â you spat, already aware of how juvenile you sounded, trying your best to stumble through the same story heâd told you a thousand times. Youâd taken it as a code, treated it as if you were both colluders in the same scheme, but an ever-growing part of you was starting to think that his stories had only ever been that â stories. âWhy didnât you distract him?â When Rook failed to answer, you bared your teeth. âWere you ever trying to help me escape?â
There was a beat of silence, of stillness. A rabbit rustled somewhere in the underbrush, a robin called out to its mate, and Rook sighed, shaking his head with the kind of humored exasperation a parent might show to a child who just asked about something very, very silly.
He didnât just toy with your ragged collar, now, but caught it â taking it in his fist and pulling you upright. With his free hand, he took the shaft of the arrow embedded in your shoulder and pulled it free, the head catching under your skin and rendering everything it touched a bloody mess of gore and viscera. The same process was carried out with the arrow embedded in your side, this one accompanied by a searing burn, another second taken to twist the arrowhead free of your skin. You werenât able to hold back your tears by the end of it, no matter how tightly you clenched your eyes shut, no matter how much it hurt to dig your teeth into the side of your cheek and will yourself not to break down in front of him, not to lose the last semblance of control you had, under Vilâs care.
âI never lied to you,â he said, as he took up the shaft of the third arrow â the one plungest deepest into your thigh. âYou know what Vil would do if you didnât return. I promised you a happy ending, and this is how I intend to give you one.â
With no hesitation, no effort to clot the blood flowing in thick streams from your gaping wounds, he pulled the last arrow free. You let out a fractured wail, doubling over and attempting to curl into yourself, but Rook was already there, already pulling you into his chest as you sobbed openly, freely. Out of the corner of your eye, you watched him pull a hunting knife from his belt, the silver of the blade tinted a deep, shimmering violet. You went stiff, but there was little you could do. There was a flash of light caught on steel, a nick of pain in the side of your neck, and then, you were limp in Rookâs arms, quickly losing consciousness as he pulled you against his chest and started towards the tower.
~
You felt velvet against your cheek, first.
Crushed, cool, deceptively soothing â you recognized it immediately, an image of one of Vilâs favored robes surfacing in your mind against your will. Next were the bandages wrapped around your shoulder, your waist, your thigh, then the fur rug underneath you, that of some great beast a would-be hero had once brought to try and rescue you. Vil had wanted to mount the princeâs head on a pike at the base of the tower, but youâd begged him not to, and heâd taken the monstrous steadâs pelt as a trophy, instead.
You took a long, quiet moment to collect yourself, to bask in the last peaceful moment you were likely to have, but your tranquility was quickly interrupted by the feeling of a wooden comb raking through your hair and over your scalp, the teeth dulled by use and the shape familiar enough to make you shudder involuntarily. Vilâs airy laugh played in response, paired with the last traces of Rookâs muttering voice. A new addition, one that left the taste of bile rising up from the back of your throat. One you never wanted to acknowledge again. âI know youâre awake, little one. Might as well face the light now.â
He said that, but when you finally forced yourself to open your eyes, you found that was no light to face aside from the flame of a low-burning candle sitting on a nearby table and the silver-tinted glow emanating from your hair. Clearly, your unconsciousness hadnât been a good enough reason for Vil not to refresh his eternal youth, tonight.
Heâd positioned you as he always did â at his feet, on your knees, with your head resting in his lap. Despite how close youâd come to getting away from him, his expression betrayed no panic, only confident serenity and the slightest trace of smugness. As was to be expected of him. Vil found joy in very little, but somehow, he always seemed to take a certain amount of pride in your defeat.
Your defeat, and your horror. Heâd calmed over the course of your captivity, but you could still remember how heâd lorded over you during your first days in his tower, how open heâd been about just how long heâd spent peering your lonely little life in your lonely little cottage, content in the knowledge that no company meant thereâd be no one to exploit your magic. Vil hadnât just ruined that, heâd done it with zeal.
âRaise your head.â It was a command, because Vil didnât make requests. Reluctantly, you obeyed, and Vil took you by the jaw with one hand, brushing your hair away from your face with the other. Your hair was damp, your ruined clothes exchanged for a black nightdress, simple in design but impeccably crafted. You couldnât bring yourself to be surprised. Vilâs standards for you were only second to only those he held for himself. It was more than likely that you hadnât made it more than a step into the towerâs walls before Vil deemed you in need of one of his ice-cold baths and something more presentable to wear. âNo cuts,â he went on, turning your head to either side. âBut more bruises than I care for. Couldnât you have been more gentle?â
You opened your mouth, but Rook answered on your behalf. You could remember, only days ago, being thankful beyond words to have a buffer between yourself and Vil, but now, you couldnât say you felt anything beyond resentment. âThe lasting evidence of a struggle can add a rugged undertone to oneâs charm. And oh, if only you couldâve seen the way they struggled!â He was behind you, holding you up, on arm wrapped around your waist and his legs spread around you. He leaned forward as he spoke, his chest slotting loosely against your back, his chin coming to rest on your shoulder. âIt was fantastic, like watching a songbird with a broken wing struggle to fly. The relentlessness of desperation paired with the inevitability of its downfall - truly magnifique!â
That earned another laugh, a row of jewel-tipped fingers raked through Rookâs hair. âIâd prefer to keep my songbird in one piece.â And then, after a slight pause, âIn spite of that songbirdâs best efforts to snap its own neck, of course.â
You shrunk into yourself. Youâd tried to escape before, to pick the lock on your bedroom or poison his tea or, on one memorable occasion, to steal the spell book he always seemed to keep at his waist, and thereâd always been a punishment to accompany your misbehavior â a crop taken to your back or one of your few privileges revoked. You couldnât imagine what heâd do to you, this time. You couldnât imagine that anything couldâve been worse than finally getting out of his tower only to be dragged back and deposited into his arms. âIâm sorry,â you managed, eventually, with only the intent of lessening whatever rage he mustâve held for you. âI⌠Rook is right. It was futile. I shouldnât have tried to run.â
âAnd?â
And? Thereâd never been an and, before. When you could bring yourself to offer an apology, heâd always either accepted it ouright, ignored you completely, or clicked his tongue and promised that hollow words wouldnât be enough to prove your remorse. You pursed your lips, but made yourself force something out. Silence would be seen as disobedience, and further disobedience would only make things worse for you. âAnd, it was short-sighted. I wouldnât have gotten very far, and even if Rook hadnât found me, I donât know where we are. I wouldnât know how to fend for myself. Iââ Your voice cracked, your vision starting to blur once more. âI shouldnât have gotten carried away by stories and fairy tales. Iâm sorry.â
Vil let out a labored, languid sigh. There was one more squeeze to your cheeks, and finally, he let you go, setting down his comb in the same fluid movement. There was a small smile, a tap to his thigh, and Rook drew back just far enough to let you push yourself to your feet. Your legs immediately gave out, but Rook was fast enough to catch you, close enough to lower you into Vilâs lap himself and drink in the appreciative hum Vil offered, by way of reward.
âThatâs very sweet,â he started, once youâd settled against him. Rook continued to hover above you, but you did your best to ignore him. âBut I want you to apologize to our dear hunter, too.â
Something bitter leeched up from the back of your throat. You opened your mouth as you turned to face Rook, but closed it as soon as you saw him, as soon as you caught a glimpse of that careless grin, those half-lidded eyes. For as hesitant as you were to approach him, you snapped toward Vil reflexively, unable to stifle your reactions. âBut, he doesnât use myââ
âHe went through so much to bring you home.â Heâd shot three arrows. Heâd tracked you like a wild animal. Heâd brought you back to Vil after promising that heâd help you get away from Vil â after promising that heâd make sure you got your happy ending. âAnd heâs been so patient with you, since he joined us. Not just anyone can bear your sulking.â
You tried to protest, but your voice caught in your throat. It was more disbelief, than anything â another variable you hadnât thought would hurt quite as much as it did. Vil scoffed, and Rook gave you a sympathetic smile, and you sat there, eyes wide and mouth agape.
âHe lied to me,â you managed, finally. âHe said he would help me escape.â
Vilâs lips quirked downward. You saw his fingers twitch, his spell book pulse with a sickly emerald light, but rather than summon a poison-coated dagger or turn you into some chirping, cage-bound bird for the next day or so, he looked towards Rook, more trust in his eyes than heâd ever afforded you.
You felt sick.
âI said that our ending would be a happy one. The poor dove mustâve misinterpreted what I meant by that.â It wouldâve been a mercy if the affection dripping from his tone turned out to be ingenuine. It wouldâve been a mercy, to find out he was only ever trying to hurt you. âI hoped that I might be to stay with the two of you â at least for a time. If you think I might be a bad influence,â A flash of a grin, a length of blonde hair allowed to fall over one of his eyes, âThen I only ask that you allow me the time Iâll need to savor a death by your hands properly.â
There was a bark of a laugh, a sharp snap of Vilâs fingers. Your eyes dropped to the floor as Vil caught Rookâs tunic in his chest and pulled him closer, as heâd done with you a thousand times. Fabric rustled against fabric, mouths crashed into mouths, but you willed yourself to ignore it, to just bite your tongue and be thankful that Vilâs attention wasnât centered on you. To be grateful that you werenât the only one stuck in this cage, anymore. You tried to be grateful. You wanted to be grateful.
And yet, you couldnât seem to convince yourself that Rook was a prisoner, rather than yet another lock hanging from the bars of your cage.
! i write for twst, and my content varies from time to time, but is largely sfw (though my writing may include suggestive themes). both yan and non-yan works. inbox always open ⥠â
I find it funny you've turn a lot of people so far to love jade (me included)
Now i don't often write my thoughts about fics because one, I'm embarrassed and i get shy to talk directly or send asks to my fav authors but your work is SO good i admire it soso much. Two, i find my rambles nonsensical and confusing...so I'm gonna yap about book3 prelude..ok?
The scene rhat i alwats remember, was when kalim, jamil and mc were playing and thus exchange with him and jamil :
â âWhat?â
âYou took your own piece.â
âIt was in the way.â
âIt was your strongest piece.â
âSoo? It was still in my way.â â
I,can't help but think that this gives like a little information or peek with our mcs way of thinking, it might just be me and I'm being delusional, but it for me it comes across as they are like, very willing to do anything they need to do to succeed in a goal or get what they want. I can't properly word it but something like that!
And then with rook and vil, I LOVE VIL SO MUCH THAT MAN IS THE REASON I PLAYED TWISTED WONDERLAND AND WHY I WAS SO INVESTED IN IT ă °(°´ᯠ`°)° ă. . . .The way rook and vil is observant towards our MC both terrifies and excites me because YES I'm getting pormfiru (yes i still don't know how to spell that and i refuse to look it up i got school in 30 minutes as i write this) crumbs đ¤¤đ¤¤... I'm quite excited with how rook and vil's relationship with MC would be đ¤đ¤, right now i think MC is trying their hardest to be as uninteresting as possible but is failing đ
If i remember right MC has been doing really well on to hiding for a year and the 2nd year(I MIGHT BE WRONG I HAVEN'T RE READ..) crowley asked them to join a club( which tbh...was our MC's start on downfall) GRAAHH, i absolutely love the way yoy made me fall in love with Jade's character, something with how you wrote him made me DROOL so much đ¤¤đ¤¤đ¤¤đ¤¤.....
Now the scene with our MC and Yuu was funny to me especially when MC was hiding behind crewley like..come on man đ..im gonna be honest i thought MC eas describing leona or crowley when they were describing their type and then i only realized they were lowk describing jade when MC also realized that. I like that part too because it feels like Im the character in the fic too and we shared the same train thought, GRRR i love our MC!!!
MY HEART DROPPED LIKE MC TOO WHEN I HEARD VIL GOING TO OCTAVINELLE. .. . Same reaction with our MC, i immediately thought how would jade react to it if it was true. Side note, I WILL SLAP THAT MAN AND PULL HIS HAIR, I lowk feel what MC feels for jade because as i read this fic i genuinely started to fall for jade too and then he goes and does THAT..JADE AFTER EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN THROUGH YOU STOOD US UP đđ (Make no mistake i still love him)
I can't help but think how floyd is gonna react and interact with our MC. I imagined him still being pretty stunned and trying to mask it after that kiss from MC and floyd sees his acting a bit diff (idk if this is occ i haven't genuinely read the books yet okie? )
Also I'M SO EXCITED TO MEET NEIGE RAAAGHGAGDJAKFKE i love him so much he's so precious and it excites me more because MC doesn't really know how the RSA students behaves yet since it's a secret route...
Now another thing I'm curious about is how MC and Malleus would meet, does yuu talk about MC when they're together? What if malleus gets curious about yuu's interest with MC and tries to meet our MC then finds out why yuu was interested in our mc and ends up teaming up with yuu to get our MC? đ°đ°đ°.....
I think of that as well with ace and deuce, when they notice yuu start to try and talk to MC more they would be curious as to why then they too start to develop interest with our MC slowly, there's like so mant possibilities but I'm so much more excited with MC and yuu interaction and i find MC's attempts to avoid them really funny
I'm still not over that scene with MC and jade pretending to be close friends when that man does not know a SINGLE thing about our MC at that time đđ.
ANOTHER THING, IM SORRY THIS IS A LOT I'VE BEEN HOLDING BACK FROM RAMBLING ABOUT YOUR FIC FOR A WHILE. . .
I like to imagine MC's face is really blurry or at least a incomplete face..for visual just imagine a persons face but it's a puzzle, the pieces looks out of place when you try to remember MC but it feels complete and right when you look at them. OR when the characters tries to remember them, conveniently they only remember the moments where something gets in the way of MC's face..like that "I'm slowly forgetting your face trend"
I also like to imagine that yuu can willingly change their appearances while our MC isn't aware of how people can see them because they are too focused redirecting/avoiding attention.
SPEAKING OF AVOIDING ATTENTION..IDIA WHEN??? MY BABY BOYYY...honestly i can see similarities between them, i haven't dug deep into idia's character but from what I've seen is that he avoids social gatherings because of his insecurities or fear with crowds, i like to think that would be their like..something they have in common kind of thing since in a way they both try to avoid attention for different reasons!
Okay I think that's all. . . .THANK YOY FOR CREATING THIS MASTERPIECE I'll be back for Victim.exe rant ęę(áľááľâ)
OH EM GEE TYSM FOR THIS ASK YIPEEE YIPEE im so honoured to hear you decided to send your ask in and you like th >< i read through it all and i dont find it confusing or nonsensical WHATSOEVER đđ hehe turning people into jade lvrs is my number one goal dont tell that to anybody though.. icl he was never my favorite character (the tweels in general) but writing th made me realize just how much hes grown on me dawww đĽ´đĽ´ as you can see im currently under his dictatorship
YESS THE KALIM JAMIL MC SCENE it was sooo fun to write for me and i thought i was being sneaky with the layers teehee you proved me wrong fair and square... i try to include some mc crumbs here and there and you got it spot on!! esp with vil and rook, they are trying super super duper hard to just blend in with the common folk and dare i say even go below that standard, but obviously the queen can read them like a book and turns out they arent all that expressionless.. whoopsies.. but im so glad you love our mc!! TBH TBH TBH i was going for leona or someone much much older when i wrote the dialogue of mcâs type but you see i can never fight the jade brainrot so here we are.. long long sigh.. them pretending to be bffs was the byproduct of these brainworms (iz a damn shame he stood us up)
IM SLOWLY FORGETTING YOUR FACE TEWND MENTIONED WHOPEEE
warnings: this is a YANDERE profile which means this post discusses dark topics and even contains more heavier ones such as non-con. if dark topics makes you uncomfortable then please donât interact with this post! i cannot control what you interact with, thatâs all you! this post features both SFW & NSFW content. in case it wasnât also obvious this post will contain spoilers for previous chapters in twst as well. gn-reader!
specific warnings: non-con, biting, overstim, edging, stalking, manipulation, drugging, reputation ruin, mocking, blood, gagging, bondage/restraining, implied virginity taking, mention of ptsd episodes, dead dove do not eat â any of these make you uncomfortable? please donât interact with this post!
authors wishes: hey so itâs been a while since iâve written something that wasnât a request, so i thought why not! đ plus this has been sitting in my drafts for a while as a mere idea. iâve seen yandere profiles be done for characters by other lovely authors so i figured why not do one! i do plan to make a profile for every twst character â staff and non-nrc students. lilia is just my favorite character so i decided to do him first <3 this mightâve been the most ive ever written ever LMAO â i also tried to make it as in character as possible but thereâs 100% some slip ups but oh well, happy readings!
SFW
⥠1) how did you two first meet? what got him so captivated in you?
lilia had already introduced himself to you during the first week of school, furthermore, he even made some glances at you during the ceremony. of course, he wasnât there to witness the whole fiasco that occurred moments prior to his arrival, but he didnât know what is was, but in the endless rows of people with their dark hoods on which made everyone look the same â you somehow managed to stand out to him. but of course, lilia didnât think much of why you stood out to him in the first place and merely carried on with his duties as vice housewarden.
on top of this, lilia in general, although he went out of his way to meet you in person by teleporting to your table, didnât necessarily see any sort of future with you â as friends or as mere acquaintances. he was merely trying to be nice. he heard the rumors of a magicless student and what do you know, the rumors were indeed true. i guess anything can happen at night raven college. so after lilia sensed the lack of magic on you, he was contempt with having confirmed the rumors for himself and thus, he want back to eating at his table.
so, what started as mere coincidence blossomed into much more. look, during the whole spell drive scandal where savanaclaw was sabotaging other teams, lilia wasnât an idiot. he knew there was something happening behind the scenes and thus he told two close retainers of his; sebek and silver, to stay on guard.
lilia thought it was rather strange that no one from his dorm was getting hurt, if the culprit was someone from his dorm, he wouldâve figured that out by now. after all, as vice housewarden, itâs only natural that he keeps a close monitoring of his dorm students and their activities. what he also thought was even more strange was that the beasts den dorm; aka savanaclaw, wasnât suffering from any injured players as well. thus, lilia had some suspicions raised when he came to that realization.
turns out, you, the oh so lovely prefect of this school, were also suspicious of savanaclaw as well. thus, when you alongside your campions from heartslabyul reached out to diasomnia to extend an olive branch of sorts, lilia happily accepted. from there on, you and him worked closely together, comparing clues and even coming up with a plan in order to take down the fearsome savanaclaw.
lilia originally didnât have any plans to partner up with you, so again, it was a mere coincidence that you two did. however, he would be lying if he said he wasnât grateful for said coincidence. perhaps it would be too cheesy of him if he were to say that it was also the start of a lovely friendship between the two of you.
as a young and fresh schoolboy himself, lilia of course had to savor each new friendship he made! meeting new people often leads to new experiences, and what would lilia be if not a person who loves new experiences? so needless to say, after that partnership between the two of you, lilia got way more comfortable with you. perhaps his love language wasnât physical touch or words of affirmation but rather, hanging upside down and scaring the living daylights out of you.
however, beneath all the playfulness that he extended towards you, he truly did admire you. perhaps it was because of your situation. you were magicless and looked down upon by literally everyone in this school because of the fact. and even though you were unwillingly assigned to investigate into the spell drive situation, he did admire that you werenât willing to back down in the face of savanaclaw. you know, the dorm who wouldnât hesitate to eat a small fry like you as a light snack. perhaps it was also the way you were able to walk into a room and unite everyone as well.
you were brave. in a school full of cowards who think theyâre better than everyone else simply because of the fact that they can use magic, you, the non-magic capable student, showed more courage than anyone else. and the year wasnât even close to being halfway over yet you had already left your footprint onto these campus grounds.
plus you getting hit by that disc by your own teammate was also pretty funny too.
however, you could leave an endless amount of impressions onto this school and it wouldnât change the one simple fact about you; that you were someone who could be easily taken advantage of. youâre still a magicless student, someone could use a spell on you that could freeze you in your tracks or hang you upside down and you would be defenseless â furthermore, you wouldnât even be able to do anything in retaliation.
even if youâre someone who does try using their fists, one wind spell is enough to have you blown back enough to create enough distance to the point where your bullyâs could run away.
no matter what you do, youâre still treated like small fry. and perhaps that really is what you are, and thereâs nothing you could do to change that. they can use magic and you canât. how sad. however, if thereâs one thing lilia despised more than anything, it was cowards.
donât get lilia wrong, he doesnât usually step in and help in with these kinds of things. even when raising his own child, he remained a firm believer in the fact that the only person who can help you in situations is you and no one else. however, what made this uniquely different was the fact that lilia did admire your bravery. despite all the harassment youâve faced, you still greet others with a smile as if nothing has ever happened. perhaps you could think of it as a way to repay you back for showing him that maybe NRC isnât completely full of cowards.
so, lilia decided âwhy not?â and decided to step in when he saw how two students in particular snickered to themselves before pulling their magic pens out of their pockets just as you happened to walk by. seems like they were bringing trouble. lilia was hoping he could silently take them down but when they ran their loud mouths by letting out yelps, you couldnât help but turn around and see lilia clinging to the ceiling with two magic pens confiscated.
the sight was utterly random and you couldnât help but just gawk in complete confusion as to what you were witnessing, itâs only when lilia felt your eyes on him did he sigh before using his strength to toss both magical pens an extremely far distance down the hallway, resulting in both harassers to scurry away in an effort to get them back as well as fear that the toss may have damaged the two artifacts.
in one swift movement, lilia fell down from the ceiling, landing on both feet before dusting himself on and with a teasing glint in his eyes, he took your hand in his and ran off with a very much bewildered you.
from that point on, when lilia had explained why he did what he did. you also grew an admiration as well. he didnât have to step in, youâre sure that him and plenty other students have seen you get harassed on the near daily. yet a soft pink dusted your cheeks and your chest felt heavy at the small act that lilia did for you.
youâre way more charming than he thought you were â the thought comes alone in his mind. i mean, look at you. maybe it was the sunset that painted the courtyard that caused that blush but it certainly was such a cute look on you.
it was only from that point on did the friendship between you and him grow deeper, and soon, you and him hanged around each other more closely. walking to class with each other, hanging out during lunch and even after school with each other. lilia felt different from the other friends you had made, perhaps it was because of his maturity which shocked you as it contrasted much with his boyish appearance or the fact that he could balance such a mischievous and youthful personality alongside randomly discussing deep topics with you and handing you out free life advice.
the diasomnia vice housewarden felt like someone you could trust. no matter what problems you may have, or if you were struggling with any classes, lilia was always there for you to lift your spirits. whether it was by consoling you as you spoke about whatever it is that bothered you or by taking your hand and getting into trouble.
the laughs you two shared, the philosophical conversation you two made, the playful banter. it was so fun. lilia enjoyed your presence so much to the point where he would actively light up more whenever he saw you. so, so, so fun..
so why did he have this heavy feeling in his chest? depending on what point youâre at in the school year or depending on how close you are with lilia, you may be aware or unaware that lilia is way older than he looks. on top of this, he also has way more darker experiences than most would ever experience in their life time. specifically, his fallen comrades.
you know, thereâs this one person you remind him of. when lilia was assigned to his role as general, the very first batch of fae he ever trained had one person who was.. how should he put this.. lacking.
they were frail, they tripped over either in their words or in their actions and always seemed to to be made fun of by the other soldiers. of course, lilia always kept to himself during this time in his life, he didnât care about gossip or anything of the sort. talking poorly about others? you know, thereâs way better ways to spend your time, such as training.
yet as he was returning back to his tent to retire for the night, his heightened sense of hearing couldnât help but pick up a familiar group of voices. he recognized them by the annoying and haughty laughs that they shared amongst another, usually when they were in their shit-talking sessions. perhaps lilia was already ticked off but he seriously wasnât having it, but just before he was about to scold the men and scare them off into their tents. he caught sight of them.
that same frail soldier that was the topic of discussion, back pressed against a tree with their head hanged low as they clutched their fists in annoyance. and if lilia looked closer, he could see tears welling up in their eyes as well. yet that wasnât even the most important part, as lilia had seen this look in their eyes. anger, annoyance, sadness, frustration, and determination.
and for some reason, that look alone that the soldier had stuck in his mind.
from there on, he noticed the training the soldier put during sessions and outside of sessions. the same soldier who looked at the world in this squeamish way now had motivation to prove that theyâre not just a weak and small soldier who only got accepted into the army out of pity. they had something to prove, they were going to make a name for themself.
and although the two never interacted much besides lilia giving occasional chores and commands, the general found himself admiring that soldier from afar.
the soldier who pledged to prove to others that they were strong even if it would kill them. the soldier who worked endlessly even if it gave them injury. the soldier who would still try to work with their injury even if their wounds worsened.
the soldier who, during recovery, was completely useless during an ambush attack. they didnât know why. they trained so much and pushed their limits to their breaking point yet it all crumbled on them. they were born into this world useless and even as the sharp edge of that silver sword was pointed at them, they knew they would die just as useless as well.
life is so funny, you were perhaps expecting the soldier to make a comeback. prove everyone wrong and become one of liliaâs best troops that heâs ever had the pleasure of teaching. yet life can also be just as cruel as it is funny.
the death of that soldier taught lilia a lot that day. how the obsession to prove yourself can become so fatal. yet even so, lilia wouldnât ever admit it, yet even if their death was seen as a lesson on to never push yourself too hard, lilia saw that soldier as admirable.
how despite them being weak and frail at first, they made the effort to improve themselves. even if it came at the cost of their own life. the point of why lilia is now all of a sudden deciding to reminisce on the life and death of that troop is simple.
he sees you in that soldier. he sees that soldier in you. perhaps you two wouldâve been friends had you both gotten the chance to meet. perhaps.
lilia doesnât necessarily think too hard on some things, perhaps he likes the mystery of living and the unintentional comfort of knowing that he will never understand the mechanics of life. some things are just never meant to be understood and he accepts that. yet the admiration he had for that fallen comrade is the same he has for you. is he saying youâre that soldiers reincarnate? no, not necessarily.
there were a lot of regrets that lilia had that day. maybe he shouldâve told off those foul troops of his for talking about them that way, perhaps he shouldâve given that troop extra lessons as a way to improve their strength. he saw immense potential in them and chose to keep his distance instead of making use of that potential.
the point that heâs trying to make is, life slips away so easily. he thought that they would be there to stay, and would live to see that their dreams of fulfillment come true yet that life of theirs was easily claimed amongst the other fallen troops as well. people you think are here to stay could be gone the next day. people you may think will be with you could be easily taken from you. that was another lesson lilia learnt that day as well.
and so, when lilia reminisces on that life lesson and compares it to you. his heart aches so much. he never wouldâve thought he would have such a feeling brewing in his guts yet here he was in his room, nearly trembling from just thinking about it. it would be an obvious lie if lilia were to say he never has any nightmares from his days as a general, and that night, his dreams had took an unpleasant turn just as itâs done many nights before.
seeing the face of that fallen soldier in his dreams. that smile as their eyes filled up with determination that they gave lilia, itâs so similar to yours. itâs a dream so things are bound to get blurry but itâs like heâs dreaming of his fallen comrade and you at the same time. their smile.. your smile.. their life slipping away⌠your life slipping away..
lilia awoke in the middle of the night with a gasp as his heart was pounding immensely as if it was trying to burst out of his own flesh. it was a familiar feeling heâd get when he awoke from his other unfavorable dreams, yet this time, it felt different. it felt worse.
it was only then that lilia made a realization in the dead of night.
he canât have you slipping away from him just as they did.
⥠2) how would he make you his? would he let you remain in NRC or forcibly take you to another location where itâs only the two of you? could you prevent your inevitable doom?
the moment lilia made that realization, it was only natural that the next course of action he would need to take is, well.. securing you. howeverâŚ
lilia is a cute and smart schoolboy! of course heâs going to finish his education, after all, he came to NRC with his 500 year old letter of acceptance before you came into his life. so luckily for you, you will not be getting kidnapped.. for now.
now, thereâs a lot of people who may argue that lilia would immediately drop out of school and whisk you away to his familiar cabin in the forest back in briar valley, and am i saying that these people are wrong for thinking that? no, but i just donât think lilia would drop his education for you unless he absolutely needs to. after all, lilia came to night raven college for new and fun experiences despite learning all there is to about being a mage and casting spells. so of course he wants to complete one of the most youthful experiences one could ever have and live out a fun school life.
however, he would be lying if he said he didnât want to see you having a more.. permanent stay at his cabin. think of how fun it would be! you, him, getting to do cutesy and fun activities together. he could even use his free time to show you all the new recipes heâs been wanting to try out. yet for now, he plans to hold off on those ideas.
but donât get him wrong, just because heâs not dropping everything just to swoop you into his arms doesnât mean it doesnât lurk in the back of his mind at nearly every moment. he canât wait to graduate, after all, once he does, itâs practically free game from there on. heâs done with school now, itâs only natural he moves onto the next big thing in his life, which is a future with you! you can probably even expect to be taken to his cabin within mere hours of his graduation as well depending on how antsy the whole thing has made him. yet lilia is nothing if not patient, lucky you.
so for now, youâll continue going to classes, unbeknownst to you that a certain fae is planning out the rest of your life the moment he gets his hands onto you after graduation.
now, obviously, if heâs allowing you the mercy of still attending NRC in which you can talk and connect with others freely as well as you know, having the freedom to do mostly whatever you please, it does present a sort of pickle as well. how can he even secure you?
well, lilia has his own ideas in mind.
ever since that realization he made, thereâs been this certain feeling welling up inside at him that gnaws at his very being. it makes him feel more restless than usual, more alert and he can just feel his hands twitch as well â heâs just daring for something to happen. he must have you for himself, he needs to have you for himself.
so needless to say, it wasnât before long until lilia was using his own methods to attach you to his hip. when it comes to enforcing his plans, despite the fact that he would call himself patient, heâs pretty quick to do so compared to some other yanderes who may want to take the slow game and gradually but surely build you up to the idea of even living with them.
now, at school, there is one important factor that he knows you care about. you have an image to maintain. because of this, you wouldnât do anything brash or something that made you seem like youâre crazy because he knows that youâll receive weird stares. if you two were actually alone in the cabins, well, only the thorns in the woods would know what you may possibly try to attempt when no oneâs looking.
another nice factor that works in his favor is that your friends arenât all that emotionally intelligent. as in, their first reaction to you even telling them that youâre not feeling good about something would be to downplay your issues and make it seem like itâs not that big of a deal. after all, whether they like to admit it or not, they still have an internalized superiority complex over the fact that they can use magic and that they were chosen to attend this prestigious academy for their talent over someone who well.. how could they put it without being mean?
anyhow! lilia has a lot to work with, lucky him! now, moving onto how he would actually secure you as his darling..
one of liliaâs top principals in life has always been freedom. freedom to choose what decisions you make in life and freedom to live the consequences of those decisions. however, when it came to you, perhaps freedom could look a tad bit more different. youâre free to do what you want, as long as itâs something he approves of.
you have plans with your friends to go to the movies? aggh! but he was just wanting to invite you to hangout and listen to him practice the new song him and his bandmates are planning to perform for their opening night next week. in fact, you know that your support means a lot to him, itâs how heâs able to do so well when multitasking playing bass while jumping and screaming his heart out. and well, you wouldnât want him to do bad, would you? see, heâs not necessarily forcing you to pick him over your friends but more rather.. heavily implying something bad will happen if you donât. i mean, you still have the choice to make the âwrongâ decision!
listening to his charming performance as he even pretended to cry a bit saying how hurt he was, you couldnât help but roll your eyes in a playful manner. okay, fine, he can have this one. youâll explain to your friends you canât make it and refund your ticket. and with a cheer, lilia took your hand in his and dragged you along to his club room.
itâs so fortunate for him that youâre behind him or else you may have been able to catch how his eyes bore a more darker glint in them as his mouth twitched into this smile he makes whenever heâs just oh so terribly cocky about something.
now, you donât mind hanging out with lilia. heâs one of your closest friends. however, you were a bit more irked when how whenever you had plans with other people, he was always there trying to get you to focus your attention onto him and even cancel any other hangouts that didnât involve him.
so much so to the point when you were hanging out one-on-one with him at the diasomnia lounge, you expressed your woes to him. how much you wish he didnât try to scare off your friends or how much you wish he didnât nag you into hanging out with you.
but, could anyone blame you? you had other friends, you didnât know why lilia tried to ignore that. yet, as you expressed your desire for a boundary to be set up between the two of you, lilia just listened.. well, not listening as in nodding his head and showing he was actively taking in the words coming out from your mouth but rather.. as you expressed your sorrows, he just stared with this placid smile on his face. you had no clue what he was thinking behind that smile, is he zoning out or what..?
and when you were done, he momentarily closed his eyes, seemingly in thought before letting out a giggle. âi donât know why you insist on running away from me.â
you donât know why but those words stuck to you. they repeated themselves over and over in your mind. running away from him..? what is he talking about. you donât know whatâs worse, the fact that he was saying weird and vague words or rather that his smile just remained on his face at all times, as if to signal that he wasnât taking what youâre saying all that seriously.
looking at how your face morphed into one of confusion and even a bit of defensiveness, the fae in front of you let out a small sigh before finally saying, âfine. i wonât be as clingy, you can hangout with your friends but.. i just donât trust them.â
âwhat do you mean you âdonât trust themâ?â
he never answered that question.
how mean of you for brushing off such a cute boy like him. you know, if there was a moment that signaled the start of all the mistakes youâve made that caused you to end up in the situation youâre now in, this would be the first mistake ever.
the gears were already in motion, it was only a matter of time. you could only play hard to get for so long.
fae love pranks. not only do they love pranks, but they also like magic as well. so, whatâs a better thing in life than using magic to assist with pranks? not much, really. yet, is it really a prank if the other party is unable to realize that? maybe, maybe not. maybe past a certain point, it stops being a joke and almost, well, becomes reality.
illusions, what a unique thing. people swear they see things all the time, yet what part of it is really true versus false? perhaps thatâs a mystery the human brain would never know the answer to. in a world full of magic, one of the most common pranks the children would play on each other would be illusionary spells. yet these were things only done lightly and practically harmless and usually done to laugh at the other person for thinking their reflection in the mirror is truly that of a person with a mustache growing on the side of their face.
you know, harmless things. however, fae, are naturally better at catching onto these types of pranks than other species since theyâre much more sensitive to traces of magic. it surrounds them and if fae were to really focus, they could pick apart the different spells that were recently casted into an area. flight, freeze, light, etc. as a result, itâs very hard to play a prank on a fae if youâre going to use magic since they can easily pick up if an odd spell was casted.
doesnât mean faeâs canât prank humans. small little creatures they are compared to the scary and almighty species of night. humans, and well, other species as well, regardless of their magical status, have a much harder time picking up on magical spells and their specifics.
and well, lilia almost pitied you when he realized how oblivious you would be to picking up on spells. a magicless tiny thing like you.
how funny.
recently, you think youâve been seeing things you wish you havenât. as you walk in hallways, you swear multiple people are sending you mean glares. so much so, you have your head aimed low just to avoid all the looks. youâre convinced you did something wrong but thatâs what makes this even more confusing â a lot of these people are people youâve never interacted with before, you barely know them. so how come it seems like youâve just wronged them and their entire bloodline?
and well, your friends on the other hand think youâre crazy as you walk with them. they donât even see anyone glancing your way, everyone seems to be minding their own business as they chat or walk. this stuns you even more, what do you mean you canât see it? you swear itâs there. youâre literally seeing it right now! everyone around you seems like they want to rip out your heart for sport.
simply put, you were scared. was there a rumor about you spreading around campus? if so, whatâs it about? why is it making people look at you with such resentment? so, so, so many questions. was your reputation in the dumps without no explanation? the thought alone had you thinking up late at night as no one was there to comfort you â alone with your thoughts in the darkness.
and no matter how many times you asked your friends and others if theyâve heard anything about you recently, specifically, anything negative, you were always met with a confused look and told nothing. but there has to be something going on, there has to be! if not, then why.. why..?
you were confused. so terribly confused. yet a better way to describe it was that you felt like your body was betraying you. the scene you saw didnât feel real, your eyes must be playing tricks. what reason would there for those around you to look at you with such disdain? such disrespect? like hell you knew.
â[name], are you okay?â
âŚwhat? donât you see it? their faces..
âyeah, you seem really off right now. we donât see anything.â
no, itâs there, itâs all around you!
âmaybe get some rest. weâll see you tomorrow, okay?â
the last thing you wanted to be was alone right now. you didnât even know it was possible but merely walking in a hallway was enough to leave you feeling more vulnerable than you wished.
âmy, how frightening everyone looks.â you knew that voice. turning around, none other than lilia had approached you, scanning the people in the hallway himself and shaking his head in disapproval as he gave a light frown, âeveryone here could really stand to lighten up. scowling at others does nothing, really.â
lilia could almost laugh at how your eyes brightened up, âyou see it too, right? everyone here looks like they want me dead..â
with a nod, lilia also reassured you he indeed saw what you saw, then, without a moment to waste, he extended a hand towards you, âitâs no use staying in such a miserable place for too long.â you couldnât feel more glad to see him.
how funny. how terribly funny. werenât you just trying to create distance between the two of you less than a week ago? oh my, yet youâre just clinging onto anyone who will give you some positive attention, huh. how eager you were to even take his hand.
yet itâs no matter, lilia doesnât mind. youâre confused, thatâs all. you doubted lilia and now your friends donât believe you when you try to express that something isnât right. they merely told you to get some rest, some great advice that is.
maybe it was the tea that he kept offering you, but, you found yourself getting oddly emotional. not to the point where you were going to break down in tears but much rather, you had this overwhelming feeling of gratefulness towards the man sat next to you.
yes, how could you forget? lilia has always been there for you. and all he wanted in return was just your quality time and you tried choosing those lousyâ aah, youâre completely forgetting.
âlilia.. mâso sorry..â my, slurring your words. cmon, youâre not some child learning how to speak, you can do better than that. âyouâre right.. i felt horrible and they all left. why would they do that?â he never said anything, but rather, he merely just decided to take another sip out of his cup as he stared. âso.. sorry..â it felt weird. this whole thing felt weird. it was like watching yourself make all the wrong decisions. a part of you wanted to choke yourself out right at this moment, why are you apologizing? why is your brain slipping into such a sorrowful state?
itâs like having your mind held against its will. or, itâs a feeling that youâve felt before and know all too well. it was like your body was betraying you.
a warmth grazed the side of your face as you leaned into his touch unconsciously. you didnât want his hand to leave. in a place where it seemed like everyone was out to get you, lilia wasnât like that. he couldnât be like that. lilia has been nothing but good to you, isnât that so? yet if only you knew. if only you knew how he was just the same as everyone else, except far more sicker.
that tea really was good.
and with a smile, âdonât do it again.â
he finally has you.
your first mistake was trying to resist any attempt lilia was making in order to get you to himself. yet funny enough, or perhaps cruelly, your second mistake â far much graver than the other, was to even think that after a while, you could even trust the man in front of you to begin with.
the best way you couldâve even prevented this was to perhaps put your foot down in the first place, refuse liliaâs advances and head on down to the theatres with your friends. yet, how far would that take you? lilia is exceptionally good at hiding what heâs truly thinking behind that cute-boyish facade that he puts up, what might look as a simple âoh.. i understandâ could actually just be more plans brewing, one less moral than the other.
or maybe, you couldâve prevented this whole series of unfortunate events by perhaps never even getting closer to lilia than you did.
but the way lilia looks at it, you couldâve prevented this if maybe, you werenât so difficult.
oh well, thereâs no ifs in life. you did what you did, and he certainly did what he did. why bother dwelling on it? cmon, life with him canât be too bad. he certainly plans to cherish this time he has with you.
⥠3) whatâs life like with him? what makes life like with him different than with other yanderes?
your head felt like it was ringing, the sensation was already enough to wake you up from whatever dreams you were having as your hand found itself placed on your forehead in annoyance as you let out a groan.
still groggy, it took you some time to process where exactly you were. yet it wasnât before long until your eyes widened in absolute fear. this wasnât your bed, this wasnât even your room.
your eyes darted around frantically, scanning the room for any signs of who it could belong to until your eyes landed on a familiar instrument that youâve seen far too many times. a bass guitar.
âlilia..?â it was only a murmur, really. yet as if he could hear you, or perhaps he really did with his sensitive hearing, you heard the door creak slightly as it was pushed open.
âah, seems youâre awake.â you didnât want to see him nor that smile he always had. there was something in your tea and you were sure of that.
judging from the look on your face, lilia wanted to let out a giggle â he could tell you figured it out by now. but really, he didnât mean anything bad by it. he promises! well, his morality over what he considers to be âbadâ may differ from yours.
there was so many questions swirling in your mind as many different emotions brewed all at once. confusion, anger, betrayal, sadness. each second was causing them to get more intense than before as you felt like your head was about to burst from it all. why? why would he do that to you? do you lash out? attack? or desperately try to get answers?
one thing you did know however, was that the person who was leaning into his touch and slurring out apology after another was not you. it couldnât have been, it didnât feel like you whatsoever yet every second of that interaction felt burned into your memory as if ingrained into your very being and you despised it.
yet before you could even form a single coherent sentence, lilia had already approached where you sat, placing himself onto the edge of his bed. despite the fact that he wasnât even touching you, your body tensed up and he could see that, yet it only seemed to amuse him further.
regardless of what you were thinking at the time, regardless of what you were feeling, it was all quick to dissipate when lilia had spoken what he said to you â in which, your eyes widened.
âyouâre going to be with me.â
this could mean a numerous amount of things, it could mean romantic partnership or as in you will be accompanying him somewhere. it felt clear yet unclear at the same time what he meant by those words, yet he refused to elaborate.
6 words. 6 words was all it took for you to immediately get on the defensive edge and lash out, yet as if anticipating your reaction, with the flick of his fingers, your movements were frozen. reduced to nothing but a doll. you could still think, feel and see. yet you couldnât speak whatsoever nor could you move.
with a small tsk he let out, lilia pressed his hands on your shoulder, guiding you back so you were now laying down on his bed again. âyouâre way too worked up, perhaps you should get some rest.â the way he spoke, the way his tone was laced in disapproval made you feel like you were in the wrong for trying to fight back against whatever lilia had in mind for you. you wanted to scream and claw at him, you didnât like this. you didnât like this at all. if you could move, your chest would be heaving up and down at the sheer panic as your situation finally began to sink into you.
lilia pretended to not notice how a tear managed to escape from your eye and slowly fall down your cheek, he pretended to not notice how that tear didnât seem like it would be the last one you would shed as well.
regardless of who you are â regardless of if youâre timid or brash, scared or not scared to resist â lilia was going to keep you to himself regardless. you were going to be with him whether you liked it or not.
so, what does that necessarily look like? youâre still allowed to go to class and such, and lilia canât really control what you do or say in class as much as he wish he could. it would be weird to put a sort of control spell on you since that would require him to always monitor what youâre doing and say what he wants you to say instead. it would be quite the odd sight for lilia to be moving his hands weirdly in class while muttering weird things as well.
so he refrains. not to mention, you two donât really have that many classes together as well considering how heâs a junior and unless you also enjoy certain interests, some of the electives lilia takes most likely wonât align with you as well.
and so, you think you might be safe. well, you wouldâve been safe if it werenât for that pesky bat always monitoring you at all times. you donât notice it at first, but once you do, it makes you want to rip your hair out. it serves as well, you could say a camera of sorts. it tracks where you are and reports back to lilia nearly immediately when it notices youâre doing something that he wouldnât approve of. what a trained little thing it is. no matter where you go, you may occasionally notice a bat perched nearby, its attention focused solely on you.
lilia has already mastered many skills prior to joining night raven college, itâs one of the many reasons why he refused to even attend such a school. what could they possibly teach him there that he doesnât already know how to do? in fact, something that heâs already not a professional in? exactly, little to none.
animal linguistics just happens to be one of the skills lilia had adopted, after all, during his years as a general and soldier, heâs worked closely with animals and creatures alike in the forest. he relies on them a lot for information on enemy and ally whereabouts.
point is, with the help of his bat campion relaying information to him, lilia is able to pinpoint where you are and what youâre doing with clear accuracy. if nothing alarming is brought to his attention, heâll merely carry on with his day as usual, walking from class to class and meeting with you as well. however, if something were to catch his eye, then you could expect him to teleport to you nearly instantly once class is over before dragging you off somewhere for.. reprimands. thatâs how he lightly puts it.
but itâs really not that big of a deal when you think about it! he swears! i mean, itâs just a small bat, you never really notice it unless you try to. whatâs the harm in such a cute critter?
turns out, thereâs a lot of harm in having a âsmall critterâ spy on your every move, yet lilia, as he does with most things, moved on.
life with lilia is well. how should you put it? odd. thatâs also a word you would use to describe him as well, odd. you see, your life compared to a life you would have with other yanderes looks rather relaxed. lilia allows you to remain at school, he allows you to attend classes and well, he canât monitor you himself due to the fact he has zero classes with you unless his or yours professors decides to do a hands on mixed grade class in which different grades can collaborate with other grades for the day in which heâs immediately swooping you away before you can get the chance to even resist.
in other ways, he looks like a clingy bat. you only talk to him, everyone else is a no go. if given the opportunity, he can and will be with you physically whether that be in the shape of walking to classes and such. if not, heâll have his bat there to monitor you. during lunches, you spend that with him doing whatever he wants, usually in the form of heading back to his dorm to lounge in his room.
and lilia just loves hanging out with you! he has all sorts of fun activities in his mind when he sees you, namely, cooking together â doesnât that just sound sweet? well, maybe it would be if youâre not having to keep lilia from putting raw meat into the protein smoothies heâs made for the both of you.
yet words like âclingyâ and ârelaxedâ are only words he would describe your situation as. in your eyes, it feels like insanity.
thereâs a downside to hanging out with him as well. since you spend so much time with this, itâs only inevitable that you witness some not so great sides to him. namely, when he remembers his days as a soldier and the endless wars heâs fought in.
no matter what medication or what spells he uses on himself to alleviate his mind and the pain it causes him, the bloody and disfigured faces of everyone are so ingrained into his mind and itâs something he could never forget. he could recite to you all the names of his fallen comrades. thereâs an indescribable amount of guilt heâs felt over the years, as general, itâs only natural that the blame falls onto him when a soldier dies. he couldnât be able to tell you how many family members have either cried into his arms or lashed out at him upon finding out their child died in battle.
and the noises, donât even get him started on the noises. the sounds of war are something he wouldnât wish for his worst enemy to experience. one of the many reasons why lilia loves heavy metal and screamo music is because itâs so loud that it blocks out any vivid recollection of the sounds of bursts and booms into the air.
its safe to say, but it triggers him to take up a more scary side. one of his most notable triggers are loud noises. lilia loves making sparks fly into the air, he does it all the time during his lab days. he doesnât mind loud noises when heâs seeing other people cause it as well, itâs only when heâs not looking at someone does the noise catch him off guard and well, he needs to be taken to the nursery.
he also gets triggered when he just randomly remembers. he doesnât like it, but his mind often drifts to those horrid places more than he would like it to happen. sometimes, it even occurs when heâs with you. one moment heâs smiling as he chatters away with you in his room, and the next moment, heâs looking at you like heâs seen a ghost.
it terrifies you, he seems like a completely different person and the looks he gives you doesnât make it any better. he would never want to do anything to harm you on purpose, heâs told you that before yet with the way he becomes more irritable and overwhelmed as his hands just twitch at you with his chest heaving more rapidly up and down makes you scurry to the darkest corner of his room to hide yourself from him.
itâs not a pretty sight for either of you, and it certainly is a side he wishes you wouldnât have to see. but it happens, youâve never seen lilia look more intense than during those moments and it always keeps you on edge with the unpredictability of it all.
yet he always makes sure to apologize in case youâre there to witness it, he knows how much it horrifies you like no other. cmon, donât look so scared. he promises he wouldnât hurt you. well, heâll try to not hurt you. hey now, youâre safe, youâre fine.
you cannot talk to anyone at all, not only because lilia disapproves of it but also, no one really believes you. youâre talking about lilia? you mean the small guy from diasomnia? what could he possibly do? a lot. he does a lot and it drives you crazy.
on top of this, youâre already seen as well.. mentally-not-all-there.. sorry! but thatâs just how your classmates see you, especially when the whole âmean staresâ thing spread around when you were insisting to your friends on some crazy-shit like âitâs all around us, why canât you see it?!â
youâve never felt so alone before in your life, it only makes sense that after a while, youâre reduced to this small shell of yourself that doesnât really talk to others. you merely take notes and do your work and move onto the next class. well, no one would talk to you regardless of how much you could try.
now, donât get me wrong, this still is a school. teachers are obligated to care about their students, so there may be some teachers who do try to ask you to stay behind class so they can check up on your well being.. but they merely just recommend you for some counseling or to talk to your friends about whatâs bothering you.
yet thats the thing! you canât talk to anyone else besides that cursed man whoâs responsible for all this happening to you. it took you everything then and there to not start sobbing and screaming your lungs out when your professors merely told you that itâs good to find people to confide in, especially close friends since you see them often. you donât. you barely see them anymore.
youâve also thought about reporting it to the police, but they actually are even more difficult to confide in as well simply put â they would need you to bring in concrete evidence as well. lilia doesnât really confide in others all that much as well, regardless of if itâs on the internet or in person so you also have zero people to vouch for you that lilia has premeditated any weird behavior and plans. police can check his hard drive as much as they want but theyâll really not find anything.
and well, lilia would also know immediately if you were to even go as far as to report it to the police as well.
furthermore, no one even has a clue that lilia is even doing this to you. even when heâs giving instructions to his cute little bats, itâs hidden beneath a layer of confusion as he communicates to his bats in the language of fae, a language that falls deaf on the ears of every other species, no matter how talented they are in linguistics.
so what might sound as gibberish could actually be a direct order of, âmake sure they donât even go as far as to glimpse at someone else.â okay, well, maybe he wouldnât give out an order that severe, but you get the point.
lilia? the boyish and cute boy from diasomnia? yeah right he would do something as cruel as that to you.
and well, speaking of lilia, heâs fully aware of the mental toll it takes on you. heâs also aware of how much you hate seeing him. but does that ever stop him from swooping a scared little thing like you into his arms? absolutely not! even if he can tell youâre seething as you despise his mere presence and how close he gets or how he even touches you, that never stops him.
if anything, in a way, he sort of likes it. he likes how much you hate him, because it means youâre already at your limit and youâre now someone who can easily be crushed, someone who can easily break and that gives him all the advantages to get away with what heâs doing to a meek and vulnerable person like you.
one thing that does make lilia stand out amongst others is that he could actively see his darling in a reduced and sorry state and well, he wouldnât really mind. if anything, he might even encourage it. youâve seen how he got with leona, do you really think heâs above not enjoying the sight of others crumbling before him?
and so thatâs what it is about lilia. you would think he would be relaxed and play-ish, but heâs not. unless you can try to convince yourself he is, he never was relaxed at all when it came to you. yet you would think that this mischievous man wouldnât do such a thing, you would think..
but donât get him wrong, heâs not completely cruel. he does miss how you did look at him with complete joy in your eyes. yet he also realizes that may not ever be a sight he gets to witness again, even if he secretly hopes for things to turn for the better. maybe youâll get more used to him, especially once he takes you to his cabin. but oh well, he does suppose you looking like a timid little rabbit has its own cute charm to it.
turns out, no one really knows who lilia truly is nor his intentions and frankly, lilia will make sure it remains that way.
⥠4) does he enforce any rules? if so, how does he keep them enforced? are there any punishments for breaking the rules?
now, as mentioned before, there are already some obvious laid out rules he does have for you. now, although heâs more relaxed about this one, one of the rules thatâs already been seen before is no talking to anyone. now, he doesnât mind you actually speaking to your classmates, what he really means is no talking to anyone about your situation that you find yourself trapped in with him.
perhaps itâs the fact that lilia is never really there to monitor you all that much in person but it certainly does create a false sense of security, especially if you havenât realized your every move is always being tracked. thus, you may in a desperate attempt try to open up about your situation, about how this cruel man keeps you practically glued to him.
yet before you could even get a proper word out to whoever it is youâre speaking to, a green flash appears in your peripheral vision, turning around, none other than lilia is here with a bright and cheery smile, saying how he hates to butt in but he desperately needs you for something as he grabs your wrist, promptly ending the conversation you were about to get into.
you already looked nervous before, yet your face quickly morphed into fear. how was he able to find you?! and as if he could read your mind, he immediately tells you to not turn your head around to look back at the person you left.
no one would be able to tell that youâre heading to what you would call your eventual demise with the way that lilia still had that playful look on his face while you merely looked like youâve seen death nearly graze you. to anyone who sees you, this merely looks like a friend dragging their other friend to go get into some trouble, you know, playful stuff. yet the harsh squeeze he had on your wrist communicated otherwise. but itâs not as if anyone would know that.
lilia doesnât really have to worry about you trying to talk to others as a way to find help, since youâve already done that plenty in the past and learnt your lesson. furthermore, even if the immediate threat of lilia isnât enough to scare you away from seeking help, youâll come to face another roadblock; that again, no one really believes you, if anything, they think youâre crazy.
night raven college is full of people who think theyâre better than everyone else, they look down on people like lilia simply because heâs small and also because he doesnât have a very intimidating look about him; not to mention, heâs always cheery as well while he sneakily plays pranks on his friends.
yet lilia is also extremely mysterious, no one really knows much about his past. maybe those in diasomnia may have a better understanding, but no one ever will truly know his full story. because of lilia being the well known mystery boy around campus, itâs led people to make up assumptions about him to fill in the gaps, most of them being wrong such as âlilia would never do something like that! heâs way too cheerful.â or his personal favorite, âlilia couldnât possibly have the strength nor magical talent to pull that off.â
as a result, trying to run off and say something he wouldnât approve of is more likely to turn on you rather than him if anything. because not only have you just successfully managed to creep out another student, but lilia is also on his way to drag you back to diasomnia. if talking about it doesnât immediately backfire on you, lilia will find a way to make sure it does.
some other rules would be no trying to escape from him or evade the bat thatâs always following you, no trying to harm yourself or others or even him, definitely donât destroy any objects and more. heâs personally fine with threats because those are mere words, he doesnât actually view you as capable enough to actually cause any harm, and even if you try to, he can just stop you!
he doesnât even say this to be weird but the dynamic between you and him is very much the dynamic between an owner and their pet where the owner is still teaching the pet what they can and cannot do. if the pet ever tries running off and doing something they shouldnât, the owner is always there to stop them.
similarly, lilia never misses with his timing, perhaps he really would make a really good pet owner since heâs always there to keep you from doing anything thatâs usually not allowed, but perhaps not.. he might get too careless with a pet and heâs really only ever this focused when it comes to more important matters, like you!
anyways, other than rules, heâs genuinely pretty relaxed. he doesnât establish these rules as a way to scare you, but if the threat or fear of breaking any of the rules keeps you compliant, then heâs not complaining.
with lilia, there are little to no signals that communicate that youâve crossed the line and heâs displeased with you since well, youâve seen what happens before, he has a cheery face on him at mostly all the time. you could say or do something that is intolerable and he would merely keep on smiling at you as if what you did was funny to him. completely unaware that heâs literally planning for the best opportunity to drag you away and back to his room.
sometimes, you didnât even know that what you did was wrong until you have a lilia furiously yanking on you and dragging you off until youâre in a blind spot in which no one will see how lilia teleports you and him back into his room.
the only ways you can tell youâve crossed the line is well, if lilia is squeezing onto you tightly to the point where you feel as if your circulation might cut off as a means to keep you from escaping him or when he suddenly appears out of no where saying that he needs you for something.
there is no pleading with him or apologizing and swearing you wonât do it again, because by the time you realize youâre in trouble, itâs already too late and lilia is dead set on handing out whatever punishment he deems necessary. with other yanderes, there might be more noticeable signs like how their face contorts into that of anger or frustration, in which you could maybe spur out apology after another in hopes you can calm them down before they consider punishing you.
but with lilia, when he approaches you, itâs safe to say heâs already made his mind up and nothing will deter him.
making up excuses as to why you did what you did also wonât work, if anything, it might piss him off even more. he hates people who try to run from the consequences of their actions, slurring out how you didnât know, you didnât know!! wonât work. are you really trying to convince him that you live in fear of breaking rules around him and that fear doesnât make you more careful with your actions? yeah right.
the best way you could perhaps ease the punishment is to actually just take accountability for your actions, heâs still going to deliver consequences, but he might be more willing to shorten the length of it or comfort you once itâs over.
when lilia drags you back to diasomnia, you think something bad is going to happen â maybe youâll get hurt or yelled at, the possibilities are endless. but rather, you merely are just placed on his bed in silence, for the rest of the school day, you spend it in his room. itâs confusing at first, you donât know how this is a punishment of sorts, does he think the silence will drive you crazy? apparently so.
if only you realized how sneaky lilia is with his fingers.
one of liliaâs favoritesâ err well, most used, is casting illusionary spells on you to make you think youâre seeing things that arenât actually there. remember how you were apparently seeing mean stares, now those mean stares have evolved to gossiping as whispers where you could hear your name in them were spread around. you never could actually hear what they were talking about, but with the way their eyes kept darting back from you to then looking at their friend and speaking was already enough to tell you everything you needed to know.
this is practically the equivalent of kicking you while youâre already down, especially if youâre someone whoâs greatly affected by the opinions of others. now, you could just technically stop caring about what others think about you as a solution to not feel so shitty everyday, but when you see people in such large number who just apparently seem to dislike you so greatly, itâs a bit hard to not care about that â especially since you have no clue why theyâre acting like this towards you in the first place.
the spell only lasts for a few days, during those days, lilia still talks to you because he knows that youâre feeling more vulnerable than usual. but itâs not so he can comfort you, itâs practically the opposite. imagine already having a horrible day and then the last person youâd wanna see starts talking to you. yeah, thatâs why he spends time with you even if heâs handing you the consequences of your own actions. itâs kinda like putting salt on a wound.
yet, it also becomes a pattern you may or may not notice. lilia drags you to diasomnia, has you in his room for the next few days, and the very next day as youâre walking to class, the whole world sudddnly hates you only for them to stop hating you a day or two later.
and thatâs when it hits you, it was never real. of course, you never tell lilia about this realization youâve made because you want to have him thinking he still has some sort of control when in reality he doesnât.
yet unfortunately for you, lilia is also able to realize that youâve realized pretty quickly too. namely, when you donât seem as anxious or as negativity impacted as you are by the stares than you previously were.
you know, you really shouldnât test him further like this. lilia can happily make it real for you if you want since you clearly seem so unbothered by his current work. did you really think you could get away with this? oh no, you couldnât be more wrong.
lilia vanrouge, who also happens to share a club with cater and kalim, two of NRCâs most sociable students. it would be such a shame for lilia to engage in gossip with the topic surrounding you and all of a sudden an actual nasty rumor is being spread around you. cater who immediately texted everyone he knows, asking if theyâve heard what heâs heard about you and kalim who mistakenly just couldnât keep his mouth shut, telling jamil before jamil told others and boom.
word really does get around quickly.
and so when youâre walking to class as usual, you canât help but notice that people are actually looking at you and talking, yet your first reaction is to sigh â ânot this spell again..â you take your seat as usual and wait for class to start as usual, but what you werenât expecting was for a classmate who youâve never spoken with to approach you out of the blue.
followed by his friends, and with a smug smile on his face â he makes what seems to be an inside joke amongst his friends, asking you a rhetorical question in which his friends laughed in response, jokingly telling him to knock it off and that heâs being mean.
your face morphed into that of confusion, now you were actually getting nervous, just what are they talking about..?
safe to say, after asking around and receiving the answer to your question, you wish you never found out. yet something in your gut immediately told you who it was.
you desperately tried to block out the sound of laughter that followed when you had excused yourself, class hasnât started yet, you wouldnât get in trouble for abruptly leaving. whether it was from sadness or anger, there were tears brimming in your eyes as you headed on over to the dormitory portals.
lilia would be here any moment, youâre sure of this because his little bat friend wouldâve told him so. and you were correct, for in a few short seconds, you had heard a familiar sound of footsteps clacking against the floor and approaching you with ease.
ânow why are you here?â that stupid voice.
âlilia..â you had grit your teeth together in frustration, âjust what did you do?â
a chuckle was let out, âooh, so thatâs what this is about.â you wanted to knock that smile off his face more than anything. lilia wore this smirk as he approached you in which he could feel you tense up as he reached out to place a hand on your cheek â âitâs not wise to test me like this, i didnât even have to use magic.â heâs right, he didnât. you didnât know what was worse, that lilia is capable of a lot of things with magic, or that heâs just as capable without it.
âyou should head back to class, [name].â and with some green sparks illuminating a small portion of the room, he was gone. leaving you with your first bawled and frustration brewing up more inside you.
it is a mistake that many people make and will continue to make to think that lilia is relaxed or even, in a way, liberating. many are fooled by his playful demeanor and well, it wouldnât be your fault to be a fool when it comes to him. do you actually think heâs childish or whiny or someone whoâs just clingy?
yet it should serve you to know that underneath all that, lilia can be one of the cruelest of all if pushed to it.
⥠5) what are your best chances of escaping? could you remain an escapee or would he find you again?
as long as you remained on campus, as long as you remained with him, you were trapped. perhaps youâve already had dreams of traveling around twisted wonderland, seeking answers and finding a way back home. it was mainly driven by the fact that crowley was just so negligent of your situation, it gets to a point where you feel like youâd be making more progress in a day if you were to do things yourself than what crowley could manage in a month.
yet ever since lilia has seeped himself into your life, furiously tugging you to sink deeper and deeper with him, even trying to ruin your life here in the process and forcing you to depend on him, it now became obvious that you not only needed to get away from him, but you also needed to desperately get out of this world as soon as possible.
now, are the people in diasomnia aware of the full extent of your situation? mm, not quite. which means if you were to try to approach either malleus, silver or sebek as a means to seek help, you would also have to endure the process of having to explain and convince them that their beloved mentor and vice house warden is actually one of the worst people on campus that has ruined your life.
and with the rumors going around about you as well, who could even believe you?
if you decide to go with the begging for other people of diasomnia to help you out route, then your best bet would be to go with silver.
silver is someone who does not care about gossip, therefore, he has little to no clue what these rumors are about. and even when you were seen as weird because of the illusions you were witnessing as well, silver just doesnât really care about that either. if anything, he might not know who you even are.
furthermore, silver has no reason to doubt you and so that might just be your saving grace. however, this is lilia weâre talking about, you know, the man who saved silverâs life and took him in and raised him as one of his own. do be prepared for silver to defend liliaâs honor whole heartedly.
heâs not trying to doubt you or anything, again, he has no reason to believe you to be a liar. however, you would just need some extra persuading and convincing for him to help you out. if youâre unable to convince him, then donât be surprised when silver actually talks about his encounter with you to lilia and well, you donât even want to think about what that fae would do to you once he receives this information.
if you can manage to overcome that, silver would do his best to help you come up with a way to do so. notably, he could do his utmost best to try to visit you in your dreams but since he canât control whoâs dreams he visits, itâs an on and off thing. so you can expect these visits to range in very low frequencyâs, yet something is better than nothing. during these dreams, you and him donât have to worry about being disturbed in which you two can talk and plan to your hearts content until you wake up.
yet, it would be a lie if silver were to deny that his heart wasnât aching the whole time. if what you said really is true about his father, then how could he even see him the same way? it might be a bit delusional of him to think but perhaps if you two can really find a way to escape without ever being found again, then perhaps silver could try to rehabilitate lilia..? maybe thatâs just a dumb idea but you gotta understand that this is utterly soul crushing for silver to ever come face to face with this information.
the plan is for silver to essentially act as a distraction while you run away, to purposefully throw lilia off. lilia would most likely know if youâre making any funny movements and thus he would just be about to head on over to you as a way to confront you.. only to get stopped by silver whoâs desperately asking for some pointers.
you see, heâs been practicing a new move and wants to combine it with a recently learned magical skill heâs picked up in class yet thereâs no success. since lilia is a fae and war veteran, heâs the expert in combining both combat and shooting out spells like itâs nothing.
it pains silver when he notices the strained smile lilia wears on his face during the entire interaction or how lilia is trying to end the conversation as soon as possible. it really is true, huh..
silver does his best to keep up conversation with lilia as much as possible, insisting on receiving pointers for he knows that every second is extremely valuable to not only you but also to lilia as well. yet silver is not that much of a sociable person, so when it becomes obvious that silver is now stuttering and losing his train of thought because he doesnât know what else to say, lilia cuts him off by running along and saying âweâll talk later, silver!â
lilia is annoyed but he does his best to hide it, geez, heâs practically suffering from success over here! silver is such a good boy, always trying to improve in every way. itâs both a blessing and a curse that lilia has been such a good parent and raised such a great kid.
silver just silently prays that heâs given you enough time to run away.
if you decide to go with sebek, you would land in a similar situation to silvers â except, you would need a lot more convincing, like a lot.
sebek is immediately offended on liliaâs behalf as he raises his voice, screaming at you to repeat what you just accused lilia of being while youâre frantically trying to get sebek to keep his voice down unless that stupid bat or even lilia himself overhears your conversation.
sebek idolizes lilia to the moon and back, almost as much as malleus. he feels like itâs a privilege in of itself to be in his presence as well. so right off the bat, sebek is already not believing a word youâre saying. heâs already demanding loads of evidence and reasons as to why he should help you. itâs infuriating like no other, chances are, you will not be able to convince him.
and once you walk away out of pure frustration youâve felt by talking to a human wall, sebek merely lets out a huff. he will either report this to lilia or not mention it at all, merely doing his best to brush it off and find something to blow off all the anger heâs felt by dealing with some lowly human trying to dirty the vanrouge name.
if youâre lucky and sebek doesnât report it, then for the rest of the day, the mint haired man will merely just think about your words and how desperate and scared you looked as well, especially whenever he raised his voice â you seemed like you were about to have a heart attack if a certain person were to overhear.
he doesnât like it but, you donât really seem like youâre lying. as much as sebek tries to convince himself that youâre just some scum whoâs trying to disrespect one of the greatest people to ever live, the fear and anger on your face just seemed too real.
and as much as sebek tries to stuff it down, he unfortunately does get curious. and so one day, sebek abruptly stops you in the halls, perhaps even yanking you into an empty classroom.
âwhat is your experience with lilia..â
when those words came out of his mouth, you wanted to sob out as all memories came flooding back to you. yet doing your best to keep composure, you did your best to recount everything while sebek merely listened in pure silence.
sebek couldnât shake off the feeling that you are telling the truth, and if you really are, it is his duty as a knight to help those in need. however, similar to silver, it would be soul crushing for sebek to even accept what youâre saying as the truth. as a result, he may need some time to even process it before he makes the choice of helping or not helping you.
malleus is the least likely of all to help you. but that doesnât mean he doesnât believe you.
remember how lilia gives out orders to his lovely bats in class? the reason why he does so comfortably is because he does so in the language of fae, a language that no other species can understand; except for other fae.
given that malleus and lilia are in the same year together, chances are they may have a class or two together in which malleus would be there to overhear such orders.
it does get him a tad bit curious, and so he does ask lilia about it. specifically, why he does it.
âlove, malleus. love is the reason why i do it, such a beautiful thing, wouldnât you agree?â
malleus may not know much about love given that heâs only experienced very limited forms about it, but in those limited forms, heâs seen what love can do. it drives people to push harder for those they care about, to make sacrifices and to never leave their side.
if lilia does love you, he has no right to interfere. such a beautiful thing, he truly does agree.
if, on the off chance, malleus does grow interested in your situation. he might grow a tad bit too interested in you yourself. therefore, should malleus interfere, it might be just to put you in a new situation with a new type of captor.
if you decide to seek help from no one, itâs not a bad decision either yet actually escaping just might be harder especially with no one helping you in this endeavor. yet it does save you if youâre not particularly good with your words and having to convince others to not snitch on you to your captor.
youâve noticed that when the bat that watches you notices something off and goes to report it back to lilia, thereâs some down time in between travels. since you follow your regular school schedule, it makes it pretty easy for lilia to guess where youâre at since you never deviate from that schedule. yet if you were to break it..
it was a regular class day, in which it was around 30 minutes until class would be over and you would head onto the next. you lightly tapped your foot against the floor, you knew what you were about to do and the anxiety of all it all marked itself as your chest felt heavy in dread. raising your hand, you excused yourself to head onto the bathroom â something youâre sure the bat would notice and follow you along with.
you made sure to walk out in the open to keep the bats attention on you, before all of a sudden, you broke out into a sprint. you ran through the hallways, you didnât care if there were teachers or students out and about who would yell at you that running in the hallways isnât allowed, to hell with that!
you knew this would trigger the bat, and you knew that it would be forced to turn its attention off of you to prioritize reporting back to lilia, and thatâs what you wanted. your plan wasnât the best but it was something â you needed to get the hell off of campus before lilia would come after you.
there was one nice thing about the fact that night raven college was up on a hill, was that if youâre going downhill, it certainly does help with speed. regardless of how athletic you were, it was the pure adrenaline and fear that pushed you to keep going no matter how tired your legs were becoming, no much how much your sides were starting to cramp. you needed out, you had to get out.
night raven college does not necessarily have any security guards to monitor anyone skipping, perhaps thatâs one of its flaws. the way that the barrier around the school works is simple, the gate opens and closes depending on who you are. students can enter and leave freely.
and as a student, you sure as hell hoped that the gates would let you out. stopping in your tracks, you stumbled quite a bit as you pressed yourself against the gates of the school. you were mere centimeters away from freedom. of course, there would be more running that follows along but for now you needed to focus on getting the hell out.
yet no matter how much you waited, with each second that felt like an eternity. they never opened, you even considering slamming yourself against them as well. climbing over them wasnât even an option as well due to the fact that they was nothing you could stable your feet on.
it was like an endless babble between pants as you pleaded over and over, âplease no, please no, please nopleasenopleasenopleasenopleasenoâ. with all the exhaustion that piled up you felt your knees buckle beneath you as you fell against them. your hands were desperately pawing at the boundary that separated you and what you would call freedom, as if like a pet awaiting for its owners arrival.
thatâs when you heard a voice call after you, âhey.. what are you doing here?â turning around anxiously, you saw none other than an approaching staff member who looked not only heavily confused but worried as well. he wasnât a teacher you had at all. once he got closer to your form in which he could see the tears welling up in your eyes as you were still coming down from all the sprinting you did. realization was slowly settling in you, and you didnât like it one bit.
once he was in front of you, he repeated himself, âwhat are you doing here? are you trying to skip?â
you couldnât even form a sentence, you had no excuse at all in case someone had actually caught you. instead, you really wanted to just ask why the gate wasnât opening, you looked petrified as your eyes darted onto the gate back onto the nervous looking staff member.
seeing where your eyes kept looking at, the staff member sighed, âthe gates donât open during class time.â
you felt your heart sink. what do you mean?
the staff member observed you, you looked.. wow. just horrible, you were sweaty, chest lightly heaving up and down and your eyes had the most betrayed look heâs ever seen. look, this would be something he would have to report you for, regardless of how sorry he was feeling.
he lightly shook his head and placed a hand on his hip, âa student reported you when he saw where headed, claimed you looked like you were up to no good.â
the man in front of you could only grow more confused as your eyes seemed to widened, âa student..?â you mumbled back. please donât beâ
âaah, yes,â those familiar footsteps, that familiar silhouette approaching you, you were already shaking your head more frantically by the second, âi reported them.â when he finally was standing side by side with the professor, you couldnât help but weep when you saw him, you looked absolutely petrified at the sight of him.
and with that innocent smile he wore, â[name], just what were you doing?â
you practically started screaming at him as you shuddered away from the two men in front of you, yelling at lilia to get the fuck away from you as your back pressed desperately against the gates that remained oh so still.
you were hysterical and the professor looked like heâs never seen such a sight, does he write you up or not?! lilia merely turned to look at him, âprofessor. i think theyâre in clear mental distress, i think i should take them back to the nurses office for a checkup on their wellbeing.â
with a nervous nod, the professor agreed, âalright, iâll leave that up to you then. i must be on my way then, try not to stay out for too long.â and just like that, he departed and made his way back to campus.
pure terror and betrayal morphed on your facial expression, what a cute sight. lilia wasnât even trying to hide it, he wore a smile on his face and even helped you stand up on your own two feet, yet beneath that, you could tell. he was furious.
you tried slapping his hands away from you yet he only responded in more furious grip on you as he practically yanked you off the ground, causing you to stumble forwards. in between stumbles, he yanked to the back of your collar, forcing your head to remain low as he dragged you back.
the diasomnia dorm you were headed to. and with how you noticed how his free hand twitched ever so often in anticipation, you knew you were in for something horrible.
beneath that layer of anger that lilia had was also fear. fear of you actually managing to escape, he wouldnât know what he would do if that came true. he was lucky you had your head low or else you wouldâve been able to catch the dreadful expression he was making.
because you know how to throw off his bat, one of his primary ways of monitoring you, the method essentially becomes less effective. he would need to think of something else. should he do a spell? there were thousands and thousands of things brewing in his mind with all having one common denominator â he mustnât let you ever try to escape again.
but what if you were successful in your attempt? what if you knew and planned more accordingly and those gates did open themselves for you?
well, itâs a common fact about lilia that heâs not the greatest at finding things, that he will admit.
but what he lacks for in searching is what he makes up for in dedication. he doesnât care if it takes him forever, he swears he will find you. no matter what you do, he will track you.
itâs only a matter of a time, letâs just hope your weak mortal body is able to hold out against his.
NSFW
⥠6) what would a first time with him be like? how long would it take for him to have you?
lilia is patient. heâs nothing but patient and that does work in your favor. itâs not immediately does he try to initiate anything of that degree with you, especially not even within the first few weeks either like how some would.. cough cough ace.
he is able to realize that something on this level would perhaps completely sever any chances of actually building any relationship with you, which is what lilia wants to avoid!
so, naturally, lilia takes it slow and tries to slowly but surely build you up to the idea of even having sex with him. and well, the best way he does so is just spending more quality time.
of course, he knows you never want to see him but he doesnât even try anything at all, he merely just wants to spend time with you. a nice way that lilia ensures the conversation isnât half sided is for lilia to talk about something so outrageous he practically forces you to react.
itâs a nice little way to bond, well, even if it seems like heâs always the one having more fun than you. deep down, he does hope that you one day will be able to open up to him just as you have many times in the past when you and him were once close pals! but for now, heâll take it slow.
lilia has had some experience in the past, once he got more out of his comfort zone and as he traveled far and wide, it perhaps was only natural that he found himself mingling a bit too much with the humans, the forbidden love trope in all your movies and books was practically inspired by him, really.
as a result, he does have an idea of how this thing should work, as in proper foreplay and building up that tension, his goal isnât to just randomly invite you to his room to then attack you on the spot, he has manners! somewhat. yet, unfortunately for him, it seems that no matter how much experience he may have or how many ideas he has on how he would take you, nothing can really accommodate for the fact that well.. you hate him.
you hate him so much so youâve tried numerous times to escape from him. mm, a pesky little thing you are. there are some yanderes such as riddle who are fine with remaining celibate for the rest of their lives and well, unfortunately, lilia is just not one of those people. he definitely thinks it will happen, itâs only a matter of when. if he must remain patient for now, then he will but trust me, he does intend for it to happen.
so, the best plan in his opinion is to simply experiment â see how much you can take before he stops and builds it back up again. maybe you two in the past when you were still comfortable around him have talked about love and perhaps you have opened up about what love language does have your heart beating faster than usual and so he could just start with that.
if you two havenât had that sort of discussion yet, then hereâs his chance to find out! he starts with merely sitting closer to you than he would normally do, perhaps he also holds eye contact while he wears a playful glint in his eyes â something that heâs sure will make you swoon over with his handsome charm!
it then evolves into fleeting touches, yet even that is its own territory of its own. he does understand that touching is far more intimate than merely staring into your eyes and so he also makes sure to play it safe, perhaps heâll rest his knee against yours as if itâs not the most casual thing in the world. or maybe heâll tap you on your shoulder to get your attention back onto him. you know, simple stuff.
the best way he can describe himself is similar to that of a snake. a snake whoâs sizing up its prey and then adjusting based on what it observes.
if it turns out that based on his observations, youâre someone that doesnât mind physical touch which is something he does find shocking considering all the negative things you would slur out against him if you could, then congrats, youâre speeding up the process that it will take until he finally has you squirming beneath him.
if on the other hand youâre practically repulsed by it, it does dampen his soul but lilia is determined. whether you like it or not, in this case, not, you will get used to his touch regardless of if youâre able to realize it. in a way, he does think you have your own charm when youâre so reactive to him brushing up against you, he can only imagine what other reactions youâll have for him when that fateful night finally arrives.
in case you forgot, lilia will take every opportunity to be with you, whether that be in the form of walking you to class or spending time at lunch with one another. another form of this is sleepovers! pillow fights, telling each other scary stories, gossiping, playing games, and more! so fun!
itâs moments like these where youâre really forced to get used to his presence, especially because of the fact that youâre alone in his bedroom with him. you listen to him ramble, youâre forced to play board games or even dabble in online co-op with him, and when youâre tired, you sleep in his bed.
the bed part is non negotiable, heâs already made that clear and usually youâre too tired to even fight against him. youâre hesitant the first few times, especially when his bed does smell like him which sucks, but in the end, you force yourself to swallow whatever pride you have and get comfortable enough to sleep in the bed of your captor.
aaah, lilia feels like he could watch you sleep forever. humans really are such small little creatures, youâre really that tuckered out after merely only a few hours of activity? he barely even got started. since he seems no where near tired unlike you, he has to find someway to keep himself somewhat entertained.
when youâre asleep like this, he finds himself tracing your body. not even in a sexual way but rather in admiration, lilia wouldnât have gone to such lengths to secure you yâknow if he truly didnât view you as beautiful.
it was a peaceful and quiet night, you were resting peacefully on your side and you know, facing away from lilia in which the man in response found himself running a finger along the curves of your body, watching as his finger went up and down along your waist as they then came to a halt once they reached down your legs before resuming and tracing back up again.
usually, heâs able to do this for quite some time as youâre too off in dream land to even care. yet on one particular night, you were stirring more than usual, in which it was something lilia took note of.
he thought he could continue as normal yet what he wasnât expecting was for him to be greeted with a wide eyed you in which seeing him looming right next to you caused you to flinch almost immediately. the whole thing caused him to reflexively grab onto the nearest thing his hand was touching to steady himself just in case something happened which so happened to be your waist.
to the surprise of no one, this made the whole situation ten times worse, before you could even bark out any insults or start screaming at him to get the hell off of you, liliaâs reflexes got the better of you as he proceeded to restrain any noises you would try to make by muffling your mouth with his hand. using his other hand, he immediately grabbed both of your wrists and placed them above your head while he used his own body to suppress any movements you were making with your legs.
now, lilia being lilia, immediately starts teasing you. again, he doesnât view the situation as sexual, instead, he views it as some rough housing, mainly on his part. he mainly starts by asking you rhetorical questions such as did you really think you could overpower him?
itâs only until he notices a blush creeping on your face that the situation takes a 180. now, youâre not blushing because youâre turned on but rather youâre embarrassed. embarrassed at this whole thing, lilia isnât someone who has broken you down and isolated you from humanity to the point where any social norms are forgotten. you still feel humiliation and embarrassment at things lilia may not be able to understand due to the fact that he comes from a completely different set of social norms than you.
point is, what looks like mere roughhousing to him actually looks like something far too intimate for your tastes to you. and it is for that reason that you feel embarrassed because lilia quite literally has you pinned downed underneath him and restrained. and it obviously showed what you were thinking when the man on top of you read your expression all too easily.
and when he notices that furrowed and angered look on your face, he couldnât help but want to add fuel to the fire. âoh? and what are you thinking of right now? is your mind drifting off to where it shouldnât?â in response, it pisses you off even more and he notices how you try to wriggle your way out of his harsh grasp, even going as far as to try to bite the hand thatâs muffling you.
he didnât know what it was, but lilia grew quiet. yet you were too focused on trying to free yourself to even notice or care, perhaps itâs the way you were struggling so much against him yet all your efforts were in vain, maybe it was the way you were unintentionally bucking your hips against his as a way to get him off of you, maybe it was also the biting you were doing as well, but lilia found himself getting rather.. riled up, to put it simply.
are you doing this on purpose? are you trying to signal something to him? lilia does not know much about humans â yes, he has visited multiple human populated countries before in the past and has observed their behaviors but would he call himself a human expert? absolutely not, you shouldâve seen how he was when he was raising silver.
yet during his more frisky moments, a lot of the things you were doing was what those people did to him in the past. the bucking of hips to gain more friction, the playful biting â except, with you, not only was this all unintentional but you were also not doing this in a flirty way at all.
he heard you let out a muffled gasp underneath him which immediately brought him back to reality, a sensation that was very much stingy to him marked its presence on his body. it felt sharp and when he looked down to observe his own hand that had been on your mouth, he saw blood leaking from it. you had bit him so hard that you had drawn blood.
momentarily, he removed his hand from your mouth to observe it closer and you remained silent as you froze in your movements. as much as you wanted to make it obvious you were proud of your efforts and to even taunt him, you knew better than to do that. there was even the scent and faint taste of that metallic fluid on your lips which you detested.
seconds felt like hours as you tried to scan his face for any sign of displeasure or anger, yet if anything, what you found instead was that he seemed to have been admiring the bite mark you left behind on his hand. and when he turned to look down onto you, still restrained, he gave you a look youâve never seen before.
it was similar to the teasing or arrogant looks he usually wears, yet his eyes bore a darker glint that caused the whole expression to feel far more intense, to make things worse, he immediately noticed how you squirmed beneath him when he looked at you. before you could even fight against it, lilia had lowered his body to press against yours as he sank his teeth into your shoulder, a perfect place to draw blood from. you bit him, obviously he has to return the favor.
obviously this resulted in a much less pleasant reaction from you as you tried everything in your power to get him the hell off of you, but you didnât know what it was â for someone so small, he felt like an immovable object that placed itself onto you. try as you might, there was no way you could overpower him.
heâs never done something like this to you, in fact, you donât think youâve ever been bitten in the shoulder before and frankly you never planned on finding out what itâs like as well. the sensation felt sharp and painful as his fangs seemed sharp enough to pierce your skin, in fact, that really did seem like what he was trying to do and you could only whimper and let out whine after whine as you pleaded with him to stop, the sensation didnât feel good at all.
unfortunately for you, your pleas didnât deter him. in fact, it actually made him all the more curious and frankly, the noises you were making seemed to rile him up more and more. accidentally, his fangs poked in what seemed to be a much rather sensitive place that you didnât even know existed. your body tensed underneath him and you couldnât help the noise that escaped from your mouth, âahâ!â
a pause as you immediately shut your mouth, gritting your teeth together as hard as you could. you didnât mean to let that noise out, you swear you didnât. itâs his fault! not yours! yet there was no way liliaâs keen ears didnât hear you, if anything, heâs probably also hearing how your heart is beating way faster as well.
lilia lifted himself from your body and he frankly felt euphoric. none of this felt real and he wanted to ask himself if he could be dreaming.
it was in that moment that lilia swore that he needed to hear more, he needed to see more, needed to taste more. using his free hand, a green glow formed not only on his palm but somewhere else in the dark area of his bedroom and you quickly realized what the spell was, it was to gravitate an object towards the caster.
the object in question being a belt. your eyes widened and your stomach felt like it would sink, you knew what he was going to do with that and you didnât like it. you did everything in your power to try and free your wrists from his never changing grip he had around the both of them, and it was only shortly later that he would have the belt in his free hand as he then turned his focus onto his other hand occupied with you.
you tried pleading with him, you said that you were scared, that you didnât want this and that you just want to go back to sleep. as much as you hate lilia when heâs talking to you, you hate it even more when heâs being so dreadfully quiet. your squirming body didnât even seem to be an inconvenience at all as he fastened his belt tight around your wrists, making sure you would be capable of no such movements you had in mind to free yourself.
now that he got that over with, it meant that lilia can now use both his hands as he pleases, hooray for him!
no matter how much you begged with him to not do what you know heâs going to do, to not follow through with whatever plan he has in mind for you, it went in one ear and out the other. the reason why for his sudden switch up is simple â your reaction to when he found a very unexpected sweet spot.
it felt good for you, didnât it? when that thought entered into his mind, it was the only thing he could think about â it felt good for you. and with that one simple thought in mind, it was enough to delude himself into thinking that this is necessary. heâs been patient for so long and now he doesnât need to be. see, he is capable of making you feel good, he just did it a mere seconds ago.
what heâs about to do to you will feel good, he promises. you can enjoy it, he knows you will. youâre only scared now because heâs sure this is your first time, but he knows what heâs doing. after all, humans are such small and meek creatures compared to fae, he wouldnât want to break you during your first time.
lilia did originally want to build you up to the idea of ever being this intimate with him, but when an opportunity like this presents himself before him, he would be a fool not to take it.
it felt so so so wrong to see him merely look at you with a simple smile as he stared at your horrified face. heâs so lucky youâre wearing pajamas as well, much easier to remove than a school uniform with one hundred different buttons all over.
every touch only made your body tense up more and more in which he would tut at you, this really isnât going to feel good if youâre so on guard. slowly but surely, he was able to lift your shirt above your chest, if he needs to, he can always stuff the shirt into your mouth to muffle you, especially if you start screaming and cussing at him. this whole thing felt like an invasion to you, especially with how you were unwillingly showing more and more skin while he remained comfortably in his own sleepwear.
you turned your head to look away from him as you had your eyes furiously shut, you didnât want to see what this man would do to you. to which, lilia didnât mind how you were refusing to acknowledge his presence and how you were keen on trying zone out. he wasnât going to force you to look at him, he would merely.. get you to come around his own way.
reaching out his fingers, he wrapped them around your exposed nipple, playfully and experimentally playing with it to test your reactions and almost immediately you gasped and wiped your head back to him to scowl and tell him to stop. see, he knew he could get you to look back at him.
yet the way he saw it, with how your body jerked upwards into his touch, did you really want him to stop? it also didnât help that you were biting your lip as to not make any noises as well. if you keep biting down so harshly, youâre sure to draw blood! well, not that lilia minded.
this has to be your first time, it really has to be. theres no other way for why youâre this reactive to him merely playing with one part of your body like this. heâs only lightly tugging and rolling around the little thing and its if youâre trying to chase the feeling heâs giving you. heâs not doing much and you and him both know it, yet your bodyâs growing more desperate by the second. you hate him. you hate his every being.
could he get you off by merely fondling your chest? thatâs certainly a thought he would like to entertain. he finds it really hard to believe you donât like this when youâre acting this starved for more of his touches as what escapes from your mouth are soft pants. you seem more impatient than he is. with his other hand, his fingers glide down your bare stomach, feeling the familiar curves of your waist and hips before maneuvering your lower garments off your hips. to get better access to the area, lilia repositioned himself so that heâs sitting on his knees and in between your thighs, glancing at your now exposed underwear â the sight of it all made you want to reel back.
he doesnât need you fully naked for now, he only just needs access to some of the areas heâs sure to treasure. the look on your face only grew more anxious as you shivered. it was the dead of night and liliaâs room wasnât well.. the most nicest in terms of temperature, you donât even know how heâs able to wear shorts in the coldness.
the situation you were in was anywhere but nice, aside from the emotional turmoil state you were in, the physical state you were in didnât feel all the more better, your wrists and shoulder ached, either from soreness or that horrid stinging sensation or perhaps a mix of both. to make things worse, any of your complaints or cries fell short to the man that was a few short moments from exposing one of your most private and sensitive areas to himself.
it felt like ridicule when he told you to relax and that everything will feel good shortly. you snarled at him in response, he wasnât in your situation, he doesnât know what storm of emotions youâre going through at this very second and you wanted to rip his face off in response. you were scared, this couldnât be happening to you. why you?
in some last ditch effort, you tried to persuade lilia to stop once more, that really, you just wanted to go to sleep â you werenât ready for this all the while he listened to you, letting out a hum in response to your shaky words. all the while his fingers traced alongside your underwear, threatening to pull them down at any moment.
you were quick to realize he really wasnât taking any of your words to heart, to him, itâs as he said before; everything will feel good shortly. this is just the time period before things really start getting good. once that realization dawned on you, your face morphed into that of anger and disgust as you then spatted insult after insult at him which this time, actually earned a chuckle out of him. he again, wasnât really taking your words seriously.
in one swift movement, he had pulled your underwear down your lower hips, sliding them down your thighs, the coldness that hit you was almost immediate as your body shuddered from the unpleasant temperature in his room as you let out a hiss. yet what felt worse was the keen gaze lilia had given your lower body, admiring and observing your most private of areas. you wanted to kill him, to grab a fistful of his hair and slam his face into the wall.
the yelp you let out was a bit too loud for his tastes at the moment, yet he thought it would only be a one time thing. however, in a final effort, you raised your voice, screaming profanity after profanity at him, telling him to get off you and such. you were being way too loud, are you trying to wake the dorm up? sighing, lilia took the heaved up shirt that he had lifted above your chest and placed the fabric into your mouth, acting primarily as a muffler of sorts.
once again, more flailing from you, this time more aggressive than your previous attempts, heâs already used to your outbursts, you do it quite often when you two are alone together. yet with the way the situation looked, it seemed lilia would have to be patient once more as he grabbed both of your legs, restraining any movement you could make with them as he placed both of them on both sides of his waist.
here you were in all your glory, legs and arms restrained and quite literally naked. maybe if you never woke up, maybe if you never bit his hand so harshly he wouldnât have tried to make things equal with you by biting you back â itâs not his fault youâre so sensitive. thereâs a lot of maybe ifâs to this situation, yet none of it matters. lilia sees no point in reminiscing of ifâs, and neither should you.
gently letting go of your legs, you knew there was no other way you could rest them that wouldnât work in his favor, you could either squeeze them tightly around him or you could spread them more for him, either works. yet it seemed he would favor the second option at this moment, tracing his fingers on your inner thigh, he knew your reaction would be to reflexively move away from his touch which essentially would be you unintentionally spreading yourself open for him.
you let out a gasp at the realization of what you just did, yet before you could try to close the distance between your legs, lilia had grabbed both of them as his hands palmed the flesh of your thigh, placing them on his shoulders so he could keep you spread open for him. once he did that, he repositioned himself so he was lying on his stomach in a more comfortable way as his face sat mere inches away from actually entering your hole, despite the fact that he wasnât actually touching anything, it was if you could feel his presence there. essentially, he was baiting you. you didnât know when he would place his tongue in you, and thatâs what he liked. until the very last moments, he wanted to bait you as much as possible, lilia is certainly glad that patience is one of his better qualities.
taking one last final look at you, he saw how your face contorted into that of resentment, your eyebrows furrowed and your eyes stared down at him with hatred and oh my â are those tears that he sees welling up in their respective corners? if this is enough to make you want to cry, then heâs sure to wreck you in the following minute.
using his tongue to prod at your slit, he felt how your body tensed at the first feeling of touch he was giving you as you fought back making a noise. if he were to glance up, he would see how your chest was definitely heaving up more rapidly than before.
deciding to not waste his time, he plunged his tongue deep into your entrance, how warm your insides were and how good your body felt on his tongue. instinctively, your legs are quick to squeeze themselves around his head, to which he doesnât mind, if anything, it signals to him how needy you are. greedily, he places both hands on the respective sides of your hips, keeping your shaky body trapped in the position he needed you at. his mouth continuing to explore you. he wasnât going to stop until the entirety of your lower regions were covered in his saliva.
one of his favorite things about you was just how reactive you were and how much your body seemed to betray you. donât think he doesnât notice how your hips are desperately trying to buck into his mouth to chase all the sensations it was bringing at once. heâs just so mean for insisting on restraining any movements you tried to make, if anything, being kept in place only added to the overwhelming coil that was forming in your lower stomach. if it werenât for his hands on you, you wouldâve been trying to wiggle away as much as possible.
meanwhile, your least favorite part of him was how good it was. how good he felt and how your body wanted more, you never knew how desperate you could get until now. it was just so so so good. drool was already dampening the shirt stuffed into your mouth, some even slipping down and staining itself on your skin. you think you were even biting down onto the piece of clothing so hard you were puncturing holes into it as well which made you want to sob more at the situation as you were ruining your clothes because of the bully between your legs. yet no matter how much you clamped down on the fabric, whenever a sweet and sensitive spot was hit in particular, you couldnât help but let the moans escape from your lips.
tears that were already welling up now softly fell from your eyes, flushing your face even more in response. as he continued on, the fire pooling itself over in your stomach grew more and more stronger and you let out a muffled whine at the sensation. it felt weird, it felt so confusingly weird and your body desperately wanted to rid itself of the feeling. you couldnât even plead with him to wait or stop, yet you didnât have to â lilia could tell with the way your thighs squeezed itself all the more tighter around his head before relaxing and squeezing once more and with how you were you were trying to frantically roll your hips that you were close, yet it only encouraged him to want to hit as deeply as possible as he could. in fact, you could only here him giggle into your wet slit.
you tried fighting the feeling off, a part of you felt scared as to what was about to happen to you, yet with his face still hungrily buried between your legs with his tongue hot inside of you, you felt your body tense up one last time before it all came crashing down onto you.
your back reflexively arched itself off of the bedding as your legs were still tightly wrapped around him, a broken moan escaped from you and with lilia being the âsweetheartâ he is, decided to help you ride out your high as shockwaves had formed and pooled itself out of you before it all came to a gentle halt. you could only stare up in the ceiling, too much in a daze to notice how the man removed himself from your enterance.
it was a cute sight for lilia to watch how after your high, your hole was practically clenching around nothing. you must be pretty eager for him, arenât you? carefully, lilia removed both legs from his shoulders and proceeded to let you lay there to catch your breath.
perhaps he regrets stuffing that shirt into you, he oh so wishes to hear the moans and whines you were letting out without the muffled sound, yet he knew all the wiser than to give you the freedom of letting you be able to speak your mind to him. perhaps next time.
a few seconds had gone by and your breathing was slowly returning to normal which meant that you were now slowly coming back to a state in which thoughts could now come and go as they please. and one of the first thoughts that came to your mind was âwhat was lilia doing?â in which you immediately darted your eyes to look at the man in front of you, he was still in between your legs except now he was sitting upright, he was in the middle of lifting his hoodie off of himself when he caught you boring your eyes into him and his reaction was to merely give you a knowing smile.
you didnât like how relax he was, it always gave you an off feeling yet now it was insanely off-putting like never before. after his hoodie then came a shirt he wore under it, some band shirt heâs tried telling you about in the past. it didnât take a genius to figure out where he was headed to next in which you jolted after seeing how his fingers went to pull down his shorts next.
âyouâre practically naked, itâs only fair i join you, isnât it?â he purred, seemingly ignoring how horrified you appeared as your chest started to heave more quickly than it was when you were much calmer, as if to set in stone and make you come even more face to face with what is about to happen, âskin to skin contact, such an intimate thing.â
you didnât want to see him fully remove his boxers, you didnât want to see what would leave you scarred. you felt yourself going into a much more delirious state than ever before, this canât be happening, this really fucking canât be happening to you. you wanted to resist as much as you could but there wasnât anything you could do.
lilia on the other hand didnât know why you were acting so fearful. i mean, you knew where this was headed from the get go, right? otherwise you wouldnât have been crying so much, so why are you acting surprised?
like before, lilia just thinks you need to experience it yourself to know itâs not that bad, he will treat you nicely, he wouldnât have pulled that orgasm out of you if he didnât mean it. trust him, heâll bring you to that same euphoric state you were in just a few moments ago, and you and him can be there together â how sweet!
with a few pumps of his hand as he stroked his cock, lilia let out a short huff before he positioned himself before your hole, yet before you could even ready yourself, you felt his tip nudge itself slowly in you in which he could only let out a groan, he wasnât even fully in you yet he could feel how your body was already trying to suck him in yet push him out at the same time. it was only a brief second of him sliding into you, yet it felt all too long for you.
the intrusion caused you to let out a broken noise as your body did everything in its power to fight off against the warm feeling pooling once more in your lower abdomen. your back arched, your legs tightened around him in a meek attempt to shut the distance between your thighs, and your chest heaved as tears spilled from your eyes â it was in, it was actually in and thereâs nothing you can do to make it retreat from you.
lilia of course was kind enough to let you get some time to adjust, it felt warm, while your body shuddered and shivered at the same time, it felt warm like it was something you wanted to seek out and cling onto. like something you needed in order to survive against in the frigid cold.
once a few moments had passed, lilia resumed his movements as he rocked his hips into yours, he wouldnât lie, you felt so damn good around him that he wanted to babble on about how grateful he was for the sevens to give him to you. you even heard how he sharply inhaled at feeling how tight you were around him, as if your body was trying to desperately push him out of you.
the best way you could describe yourself was that you felt as if you were an ice cube having boiling hot water poured over you.
you made him greedy, his hands could barely stop themselves from roaming all over you, trying to flood you with multiple different sensations at the same time as if his dick meanly thrusting into you wasnât enough for him or you.
to make matters worse for you, lilia couldnât help but lean over and bury himself in the crook of your neck as his thrusts could only plunge himself deeper into you, almost immediately, he started to bite and suck your precious little neck and collarbone, trailing his fangs down to your chest. meanwhile, his hands found themselves situated behind your back, holding up your arch to keep your chest pressed against his firmly.
if you werenât muffled, then the noises you were letting out would leave little to the imagination and if others were truly awake at this hour which was very likely for the nocturnal dorm, theyâd immediately be able to tell how lilia was getting rather lucky in his room.
the way his cock was able to hit your sweet spots so effortlessly, the way your gummy walls tightened around him, how warm your bodies felt against each other and how the pain behind his bites melted into a strange type of pleasure you never thought you would experience was enough to make your mind go blank.
with your muffled moans becoming more frequent and desperate as the fire pooled once more in your abdomen, lilia could only take that as a sign that you were nearing your high once more as he grinned against your skin, continuing to rut his hips into yours as the sound of skin slapping against another filled the room.
a broken noise managed to escape itself from your lips as you felt your mind go blank, it crashed down onto you once more except way harder than the previous time from moments prior. your walls were pulsing so hardly against him and it only made lilia shoot out a groan into your ear, he was clearly enjoying ripping out another orgasm out of you once more.
but lilia hasnât had his full yet, yet with how tears poured from your eyes as your noises became more whiny, it only added more fuel to the fire.
you were sensitive, you just came and yet the intrusion remained deeply in you before retreating and ramming itself deep into you once more. it wouldnât be fair to stop now, he needs to get his fill too yâknow.
your whines became more frequent, you wanted to signal at least something into that skull of his that you wanted this to end â please, you canât take anymore. itâs sâtoo much.
lilia enjoyed this sight of you, pathetic, flushed and whiny. itâs much better than the mean glare you casted on him prior to this whole activity. he could get use to it, and he definitely plans to make the sight of your fucked out and dumb face a daily occurrence.
with everything building up, how your sweaty body shook and pressed against his, the scent and taste of your blood as he âaccidentallyâ bit down too hard again that filled the air alongside the heavy smell of sex, it was apparent that lilia too was losing his edge as well.
with some whines going into your ear and clogging more of your senses, liliaâs thrusts only seemed to have intensified for you, it was the final push for him. the only thing going on in his mind was the endless repeat of moremoremoremoremoremore as he felt the pleasure build up inside him as well.
in some act of kindness to you, if you could even call it that, lilia pulled out from you and spilled ropes of his cum onto your thighs and stomach in which you shuddered in response to the feeling of it staining your body. perhaps it was an act of mercy he would allow you, whether you are or incapable of getting pregnant, he knew that if he were to try to fill you up right off the bat, thatâd be too mean, even for him.
it was only then, that he finally removed the belt that was straining and leaving your wrists sore as well as the shirt from your mouth that was covered in drool and holes from you biting into it as a way to suppress any noises that begged to leave your mouth.
you were too tired, your body slightly trembled and your chest raised itself more rapidly once more as you tried catching your breath. the marks all over you stung and your vision felt blurry from all the tears you shed.
did lilia feel bad for you? maybe, maybe not. it doesnât matter, what does matter for now is getting you all cleaned and rested up and also replacing the dirty shirt he had stuffed into you.
lilia, still full of energy, was quick to pull his clothes back on and immediately cast some spells to have some objects float towards him, mainly wipes and such to clean and treat to your marks.
as cruel as lilia was for all this, the least he owed you was proper attention for after the act. no matter where or how it would happen, he always knew that it was at least the bare minimum for him to care for you after he stripped you of your dignity.
as much as you wanted to flinch and shudder away from his touches and feeling his hands trace your body, even if heâs not trying to initiate a second round with you, you felt too tired to do so. you didnât even care about being properly clothed anymore or how you laid there exposed to him, you were just.so.tired.
and lilia could tell, as he gently murmured to you to relax and fall asleep and how he will take care of the rest. as much as you hated it, that really did seem like the best option for you at the moment.
you think you remember some arms wrapping around you as you drifted off to sleep, that doesnât surprise you. yet itâs not as if you could even move your hands properly to get him off of you.
lilia is so glad itâs the weekend.
⥠7) what would he bring to the bedroom? any kinks or preferences?
the first time you two ever had sex was an act of politeness, if you will. while some of his preferences did come out during that time, it wasnât on the more severe scale. lilia wanted to make the experience for you tolerable and enjoyable, obviously. whatâs the point of even engaging in the devils tango if one person isnât having fun? and so as a result, lilia backed off from completely taking over and lumping all of his kinks onto you at once.
however, after some more times, do expect lilia to get rather.. comfortable with you. after the first few experiences, itâs practically free game from there on.
there are two types of old people. old people that like change and want to embrace it and old people who want to stick with traditional values.
and lilia is of course, the first type. he is fairly open to a lot of things and chances are, thereâs a huge possibility that you could mention a kink to him and he would tell you heâs already tried and experienced what itâs like to be on the giving and receiving end of whatever it is you mentioned.
so yes, thereâs a lot of things heâs open to because again, chances are heâs already had an experience with it. however, lilia will never explicitly tell you what heâs into himself. and the reason why is rather simple, he knows how much you hate and despise him. if he were to try to tell you how much he loves it when you do something in the bedroom, then he knows you may try to avoid doing that again which would be such a downer to him! so for the sake of avoiding that, he leaves you completely unaware that when you have a certain reaction to something, itâs literally making him want to fuck you even more silly than he already has.
of course, you donât even need him to tell you what he likes since well, as mentioned before, when lilia gets more comfortable with you and isnât afraid to randomly introduce something to you, it becomes pretty obvious what heâs into.
â ) biting!
okay, can we get the obvious out the way? thank you. lilia loves biting!
youâve already experienced it a few times before during the act, but after a while, lilia doesnât hesitate to completely litter your body body in bite marks after bite marks.
not only does he like marking you down, he also likes finding out where youâre particularly sensitive at and completely hammering it down. he loves just sucking and licking those sweet spots of yours as you whimper at the sensation of it all, itâs also a nice way to get you needy for him, even if you donât realize it. your brain is already being flooded with this odd and nice sensation as he nibbles on your neck, but now your body wants the real deal.
neck, shoulders, chest, waist, hips, ears, lips, thighs and legs are all victims of him, he wonât stop until you look like you just became his personal chew toy in which, in a sense, you are. another thing he likes doing is holding you down while he does it so you canât resist against his little love bites, itâs also amusing to him to watch as you get more panicked as his mouth gets lower and lower down your squirming body.
he wonât try to bite some of your actual sensitive areas like your nipples or your lower genital area, even he realizes how painful that would be to someone, instead, his teeth will lightly graze over the area, he does like how you jolt when he does it unexpectedly.
there may be some time where for example, he might put his teeth around your perky nipple while maintaining eye contact with you, a dangerous glint in his eyes as you can only gulp and silently plead he wonât actually do what you think heâs about to do. yet itâs all for fun, youâll come to find he does a lot of things for âfunâ in the bedroom.
overall, itâs just super fun to do! and lilia likes making use of himself. perhaps his fingers are buried deep into your hole as heâs stretching you out thoroughly, as your body practically quivers around him, what better way to add to the sensation by not only getting you dumb on his nifty fingers but also by making you yelp with his sharp canine. sometimes the pleasure is too much for you and itâs the only thing you can really focus on much to your dismay, but youâre completely brought back to reality when you feel that familiar sting on your shoulder. you may shoot him a glare and he will merely smile as if he did nothing wrong.
another reason why he loves biting is when his teeth go down too harshly and oops! some red is leaking out. he likes the smell and taste of your blood and he always gets a bit too excited whenever heâs licking your cut clean. a lot of fae are repulsed by humans, only hunting them for sport or as a warning for them to get the hell off of their territory â the most use a human is to a fae is when they spill their blood, not for drinking purposes or anything of that sort, they just really enjoy seeing the suffering of humans.
and who is lilia if not a little rule breaker? he loves the humans! perhaps his younger self wouldâve shared the same sentiment of human hatred but lilia doesnât spill your blood because he likes seeing you in pain, it more or so relates to the fact that in the food chain, fae overpower humans by a lot. again, humans are small and scared little creatures to lilia and he loves all the scared whimpers you let out when heâs being too harsh on you. to put it simply, itâs a power thing of sorts but heâs not a sadist, he swears!
and if on the chance you want to get him back, maybe clamp your teeth down on him well then thatâs also a pleasant surprise too. if you think you can give him a taste of his own medicine as a way to make him stop, then youâd be sorely mistaken, the most youâre getting out of him is a shudder of his body as he moans into your ear. perhaps heâll even ask you to do it again in which you can be mean and deny him.
anyways, whatâs to not love about biting? he can tease and elicit all sorts of reactions from you. and he promises to get you cleaned up right after, heâll remove all the saliva and few drops of the red liquid that may be stained on you, heâll always take care of you in the end, thereâs nothing to worry about! so just.. let him sink his teeth into you, yeah?
â ) teasing, teasing, and more teasing!
i think this is also pretty obvious as well, but lilia is a massive rage baiter, whether that be outside or inside the bedroom.
lilia thinks itâs amusing to see how angry other people can get either by his words or by his actions. they think heâs some small and playful little guy only for him to prove them all wrong! lilia likes being underestimated, because the reactions on everyoneâs faces is just amazing when he proves that he is more stronger and intelligent than he looks.
what this man also enjoys doing is using his words to egg people on, to basically just piss them off until all they see is red and i mean, what are they gonna do? fight him? they couldnât land on a finger on him even if they tried.
unfortunately, youâve also been a victim of his infuriating mouth as well. and he loves it, thereâs no point in arguing with him, he wishes you saw that, yet you always seem to try to get your way. not that he minds, seeing how you look like youâre about to burst a vein is pretty funny.
and so obviously, this extends into the bedroom. lilia loves using his words to tease you, heâs a âyapperâ, if you will. no seriously, he is. itâs like he has a curse on him to always be making noise or giving you some dirty talk, and he likes doing it in your ear for special effect.
if youâre the type to get off on words, maybe even words alone, then lilia is 100% your guy. if youâre secretly into feeling dumb and stupid, lilia is also your guy. and if on the off chance youâre not into any of those things and in fact you get irritated by it, then thatâs too bad.
one of his favorite things he likes to do with you is perhaps when heâs in the middle of fucking you, either with his fingers or dick, he likes to immediately get to teasing you, asking you rhetorical questions to egg you on. he likes seeing you glare at him or whimper out a small âno..â to answer his questions, either way, before you can even open your mouth to retaliate, he immediately hits that sweet spot of yours, forcing a broken noise to come right out of your mouth as your back arches. and right after that, he merely giggles in response. maybe even daring to add a âthought so.â as well.
if on the other hand youâre not necessarily made angry easily but rather, you just get sensitive over his mean words as you slur out, âsâitâs not true..â then lilia also has a field day with that. his teasing gets a tad bit more mean, but his tone is that of fake pity as he coos at you. itâs the perfect combo to get you all putty in his arms as you let out a whimper.
oh, and i should also just drop this here but he also enjoys mocking sounds you make. again, he likes to irk you. huh? are you trying to say something? with the way his fingers are curling inside of you jusssstt riiightt, you can barely even speak.
lilia is just the type of guy where, you canât win with him. if you want to retaliate with him or make yourself look pitiful to gain sympathy from him, it really doesnât work, like at all. if anything, it only serves to amuse him more. thereâs just this thing about seeing you so full of resentment towards him to then reducing you to a dazed and fucked out little thing. is that really so bad? it also doesnât help that well, lilia does have experience and he certainly learns pretty quickly how to make you feel really good.
heâs also odd as well where in the sense that heâll perceive you being angry towards him and spewing out insults towards him as just part of the foreplay. like no kidding, he will just think youâre spouting some sort of dirty talk towards him. thereâs just nothing better than your darling telling you to die in a ditch, itâs practically music to his ears. and the way he responds to it just makes it worse as heâll smile and find a way to infuriate you even more. âgo fuck yourselfâ? awh, youâre so sweet.
yet this is just the stuff he does with his words alone, heâs also a big teaser with his actions. teasing you as foreplay is one of his favorite things to do. lilia is a fast learner, itâs the only thing you can be when youâre at his age and youâve learned everything there is to know, he quickly absorbs any new information given to him. as a result, heâs quick to learn your sweet spots, whether that be externally or internally, heâll read you like a book and will fold you like one too.
and so as much as he wants to nip and tease your precious little neck or earlobe, or curl his fingers or flick his tongue in the area where it just feels so nice, he recognizes that an even better option is just barely touch it. perhaps heâll situate himself right next to it, any more and he would be on that precious little area of yours that makes you let out sweet noises.
it makes you whine beyond measure, you tell him to stop it, to just get it over with. but whatâs the rush? heâs not going anywhere and neither are you. heâll promise to do you right soon, just let him take his time with you.
he would also be up for making you use your words or to get you to beg for what you want but the thing is, you donât want anything from him, just for him to leave you the fuck alone so thereâs really not much you can even ask for. you donât care if heâs not putting it in, you donât even want it there to begin with. the only way he can somewhat get you to beg (which he fully takes advantage of) is if you just really want to get this over with and lilia is taking his sweet ass time, you know this thing is not ending without him being inside you so you may just use your words to tell him to stop wasting time.
overall, he loves reducing you to a dumb little thing as you writhe and squirm underneath him. and you and him can be as loud as you want, the only reason why is thanks to one of his favorite spells of all time, the silencer spell; in which he casts it around the whole room before you two get into any action at all. the way your cries sound throughout the room is reserved for his ears and his ears only.
â ) overstimulation
now, there are two parts of lilia when it comes to this. one part of lilia swears up and down he doesnât mean to overstimulate you, he just has a lot of stamina and doesnât account for the fact that you donât in comparison, but the other part of him completely loves seeing you shake as you slur out that youâre sensitive or that it doesnât feel good anymore due to your sensitivity.
remember how i mentioned how the first time you guys had sex was an act of politeness? this definitely canât be any more truer here. the first time you two did it, he settled for one round with you and frankly it wasnât even that long of a round either, he was satisfied for what had transpired for a first time. yet as you two continue to engage in more of these fun activities with one another, lilia definitely cuts back more and has you going on for more and more rounds.
the worst part? no matter how many or how long, lilia never really seems to be tired. as a nocturnal fae, he already is capable of staying up all night too, itâs like second nature to him. he doesnât really engage in any sort of sexual things in the daytime besides lightly teasing you here and there but never fully committing because well, lilia just doesnât really feel like himself during the day. you should see how much he struggles in pe, in the blaring heat? no way heâs getting any sort of exercise done! and also, he just really hates mornings as well, itâs such a pain having to wake up early which is why he cherishes weekends so you donât have to worry about him initiating any sort of activity with you in the morning as well.
so yes, you two only have sex at night and itâs unfortunate for you because the night is where lilia feels like heâs at his best and most active state of mind and body. which means that, itâs not anytime soon that lilia is going to feel tired when heâs fucking you. it also just doesnât help that heâs a war veteran as well. sure he may be retired and yes heâs older, but that doesnât mean heâs grown weak, heâs still quick on his feet as ever.
itâs because of his overwhelming strength and stamina that well, lilia really has no need for breaks. and he kinda likes seeing how youâre so obviously the opposite of him. âyouâre really tired after that little? how adorable.â before the mind numbing feeling of him rocking his hips into yours starts back up again.
if heâs really feeling mean, he might even have you in positions where youâre forced to use your arms or legs to hold yourself up right, and itâs impossible to do so when your entire body feels so wobbly. of course, lilia has no problem holding you up properly to keep on going, itâs just funny watching you barely be able to keep up.
a nice part of overstimulation is how reactive you become. he likes the panic and confusion on your face when you realize heâs no where near from being finished even when he just came. did you really think he would stop there? itâs also just such a cute sight to see how youâre frantically squirming, trying to get him off of you, itâs bonus points for him when he literally holds you down so you canât move either and you just have to take it. the only thing you can do is just sob out to him.
you can whine how sensitive you are, you can say it doesnât feel good and trust me, he knows. thatâs why heâs doing it, but it doesnât take long before heâs bringing you to your climax once more.
another form of overstimulation that he does is just playing with you like youâre a toy. his dick thrusting into you, one hand fondling your chest while his other is behind your back and forcing you to press yourself into him while his mouth attacks your collarbone area. the power it gives to him and the sensations it gives to you are all just so much.
an honorable mention would be to talk about the opposite of overstimulation, edging. does he do it? from time to time, mainly just to piss you off and to even make you beg because again, sometimes you just want this to be over with and you know lilia isnât going to wrap it up until both you and him have reached your peak at least once and the asshole in front of you is literally pushing you on the brink of climaxing only to just come to an immediate halt.
the stopping of it all also gives you some whiplash as well, to which he enjoys seeing how youâre so caught off guard. but if iâm being honest, i canât really see lilia making edging a daily occurrence because sometimes he just flat out forgets it exists. overstimulation is just far much easier and like second nature to him as well. he can go on for multiple rounds and heâs exceptionally great at making you feel good as well, itâs only natural that youâll be cumming multiple times instead of just barely.
but once in a while, he may think about it and he may do it to which youâre caught off guard by it a lot. the reactions and noises you give him are very amusing to him, he doesnât know why he doesnât do it more often.
â ) restraining your movements
in case you havenât noticed it being mentioned multiple times, lilia enjoys restraining your movements. it also just serves as a nice way to just flood your senses as well; you want to desperately cling or grip onto something and well, you canât. some common forms of him doing so are holding you down or tying you up.
he doesnât tie your entire body, just simple areas like making sure you canât move your wrists as your arms hang above your head. heâs also just particularly fond of the expressions you give to him while youâre beneath him, you could give him a mean glare or you could look shy and nervous. either way, he loves it. heâs also found out that your body becomes more reactive when youâre restrained, you squirm and writhe more often which he just finds adorable! thereâs also just not many other options then to just lay there so often times your brain is focusing more intently on the pleasure youâre feeling as well.
some other forms of restriction he places onto you are blindfolding you and stuffing things into your mouth; specifically, your own shirt.
lilia loves the blindfold because it also adds to the sensation overload youâre experiencing in your entire body, and also, he just knows it scares you quite a bit. as much as you hate looking at him, you didnât realize how nerve wracking it could get to have no idea what lilia is doing. everything he does is completely unexpected like perhaps randomly deciding to add another finger into your hole, needless to say, you jolt and squirm way more often which only earns a laugh out of him in response.
now, lilia also loves the sounds you make, your screams are way better than the screams his favorite bands make! however, occasionally, he may just gag you on something just for fun.
gags just reduce you to a more helpless thing than you already are, itâs hard to spew insults out at someone when thereâs something in your mouth thatâs making you choke on your words to the point where youâre incomprehensible. lilia just thinks with how much youâre trying to talk, you must be really passionate!
he also ties up your ankles as well to keep them from closing which he loves and you hate. you think at a lot of sensations lilia gives you, your first reaction is to immediately try to close your legs shut as a way to kick him out of you. and if not that, then you canât even have your legs remain open after a while because of how much they feel so shaky and wobbly.
what better solution than to just force your legs open? one less thing you can move, one less thing to worry about on your end. lilia is just so caring like that.
overall, thereâs just not much to say about this, tying you up is just a fun little thing he likes to include in the bedroom! whatâs to hate about it? itâs a pretty sight for him and you feel much more pleasure on your end.
⥠8) how would he take care of you after the fact? what aftercare does he do?
lilia can get pretty intense during the act and he is able to realize this. therefore, he deems it only necessary that itâs a bare minimum for him to make aftercare just as important as any other step of having sex with you.
if he has you tied up or gagged he will immediately undo that, then, he will treat to any marks heâs left on you, ridding you of any saliva and blood drops off of your body. itâs because of all the overstimulation and intensity you just endured for round after round that you have no energy to fight it, not that it would be a smart choice to resist against him trying to keep you safe and healthy anyway. as a result, you just let him do what he needs to do.
youâre way too spent out, the most you can do is regulate your breathing as you stare up at the ceiling. lilia never asks you to lift any of your body parts for him so he can inspect and clean it; he does it himself and is able to hold it there for as long as he needs, another reminder of the strength he possesses.
usually, this part is pretty silent for the most part. heâs too busy focusing on you and youâre too tired to say anything. besides, anything he does say earns a glare from you to which he chuckles at. hey, itâs not his fault that he thinks your dazed out face as you bask in the afterglow of sex is such a pretty sight! besides, those marks look so good on you.
now, i havent read up about the room structure of NRC dorms, and so i like to believe that its only the rooms of housewardens that have their own personal bathrooms. its already confirmed they get the largest room in the dormitory, it surely has to come with a bathroom.
unfortunately for the both of you, lilia is not a housewarden, and he definitely doesnât plan to barge into malleusâs room with a naked you in arms as he asks to allow the two of you to use his bath. could you even imagine??
as a result, lilia has to do aftercare a bit more carefully. he can already handle treating any marks or bruises heâs left on you pretty easily, he has wipes and disinfectants on standby, things he just merely has in his drawers. the careful part that comes into this is well, if you want to take a bath to freshen up.
heâs already cleaned you up as much as he can, and he does do a great job of doing so yet if you truly insist, then he can teleport the two of you to the dormitory washrooms and run you a shower together and yes, you have to shower with him. but itâs not too bad, again, youâre too tired and baths arenât a thing in the shared facilities, only showers so at least you have lilia here to hold you up right, he can carry you too if you want, itâs really not that big of a deal.
usually, itâs in the dead of night so you two are the only ones there yet if for whatever reason, youâre in the middle of showering and someone also comes in and decides they wanted to shower at so late in the night well, lilia can pick up on it. in fact, he can usually detect their footsteps even when theyâre far away.
while yes, diasomnia does house students who are also pretty active at night, a lot of the times, they just remain in their rooms as to not make noise in the hallways for others, itâs only common courtesy. thus, when someone is walking in the quiet hallways, liliaâs keen ears pick up on it pretty quickly so if needed, he can end the shower, dry you off and teleport you back.
once that is done, the next step is to of course get your clothes back on. while lilia doesnât mind naked cuddles, he knows you certainly prefer to see yourself and him with your respective clothing on and so thus he gets you dressed back up for him. if your shirt did get a bit ruined because he per chance stuffed it into you, he can always lend you one of his own. but if his shirts either donât fit you and you really need one, he could just teleport over to ramshackle and bring you back one of your own.
oh yeah, speaking of teleportation, itâs really one of the most useful tools he uses for aftercare. if you need water or a snack (specifically one that doesnât require him to cook for you), then just say the word. lilia literally becomes your personal butler for you and he doesnât mind, again, he feels itâs the least that he owes you.
if thereâs nothing else to be done and nothing else you want, then safe to say youâre pretty tuckered out. itâs only a few moments later that youâve then drifted off into sleep, lilia can only plant a kiss to your forehead as he wishes for your dreams to treat you well.
lilia either stays up and enjoys the peace, youâve never really seen himself get tired after the multiple rounds you endured, in fact, even during aftercare he still has so much energy left. or he may decide that there really is nothing he can do to pass the time that wonât directly disturb your sleep, as a result, heâll just have his eyes close and force himself to try and fall asleep. eventually, it does work and with an arm wrapped around you, youâre both sound asleep.
⥠9) is he more dominant during the act or would he rather have you dominate him?
you are going to see this happen a lot with other yanderes as well, but one of the many reasons why lilia leads you throughout the devils tango is simply because you donât like him. i mean, that is fair, again, heâs done some irreversible damage to your life and you become horrified of him when you see him angry at you. well, assuming you can ever get him angry in the first place.
dominating someone or leading them throughout the act requires the initiative, and well, why would you ever want to initiate something like that with him? because that would then lead to the implication that you do want to fuck him.
and so as a result, lilia takes the initiative instead and is usually the one controlling what happens in the bedroom. however, it would be a lie to say that lilia isnât open to being on the receiving end of things. he doesnât mind being the one who gives and gives to you, in fact he loves it, itâs just, think of how fun it would be if the roles were maybe switched.
it would definitely be something new and well, who doesnât like trying new things? except, he just wouldnât be able to convince you even if he tried, you certainly are stubborn.
lilia wonât ever admit this but he does secretly fantasize about if one day you snapped and just proceeded to hate fuck him. maybe his words were too much for you and the only way you can get him to shut up is to shove his head into the sheets. doesnât that sound absolutely tantalizing?
there are some cases where lilia wonât tie you up or gag you just so he can experience such cases of you accidentally dominating him aka retaliating, maybe by harshly biting him, pinching him, degrading him, trying to smack him, etc. again, lilia would never tell you this because the moment you find out heâs secretly into it, he knows you would never do it again. yet lilia canât help but slip up and make some noises in response to you trying to overpower him in your own way.
for reasons also mentioned before, some positions never really make an appearance in the bedroom such as cowgirl. simply because, you would never do anything to imply that you actually want this. lilia kinda just has to take your hips and fuck himself into you instead which looks really desperate of him, no?
there are some yanderes who would want to only dominate and not even think about being on the receiving end of anything, and lilia understands that but again, if you ever wanted to try to take charge.. he wouldnât stop you.
unfortunately for him, unless a miracle falls upon him, he doesnât think that would ever happen. which does suck, think of how euphoric it would feel â but again, lilia is happy either way. he feels good, he certainly knows you feel good, and what more can he want. heâs a pretty satisfied man.
but again, if you ever want to..â
⥠10) anything that makes him different from other yanderes? how open is he to trying other stuff with you/any suggestions you may have for him?
he doesnât blame you if you donât want to talk about what you personally enjoy, he already understands you barely want to talk to him as it is. he also understands that these types of conversations require vulnerability and trust that the person youâre opening up to wonât judge or shame you and well, why would you ever want to be vulnerable with him.
but if on the off chance, you actually do engage and tell lilia about what youâre into or what you would want him to change to make it more enjoyable for you, then youâll discover that lilia is the type of guy where if you like something, he loves it.
there are some yanderes who would look at you as if you just kicked someone down the stairs in front of them, because they truly question if what youâre into even relates to sex at all. how could you get off on that? so naturally, theyâre pretty hands off when it comes to taking any other preferences or suggestions from you, what they enjoy and what theyâre into will be what happens in the bedroom and thereâs no way you can change that.
luckily, lilia isnât that type of person. if thereâs anything you want to try out, then just say it. even if you donât want to open up, then lilia will try to find out anyways as heâs always paying close attention to your reactions and other sounds you make. if he notices how your heart skips a beat or how youâre way more reactive to a certain thing than you are with other things, then prepare yourself because lilia will get so fucking annoying.
if anything, you may actually want to hide things from lilia because of how open he is because once he finds out directly or indirectly, then he will abuse it so hard. heâll even find a way to incorporate it into some other stuff he already does, kinda similar to his double or triple combos that flashes on his screen whenever heâs gaming.
point is, you can throw almost anything at him and he would be up for it, no questions asked. lilia has lived for over several hundreds of years, general x soldier play wonât scare him off.
if on the other side, youâre trying to open up to him about what he already does, then his reaction may be different. for example, heâs a huge biter, he loves it. but if you were to tell him that you really donât like it, maybe because your pain tolerance is in the negatives and it doesnât feel good no matter what other pleasurable thing heâs doing, then he may feel a little stumped.
obviously he doesnât want to have a bad reaction to you telling him this, he cherishes any moment when youâre opening up to him about anything and doesnât want to discourage you from continuing to open up.
itâs just, he really enjoys it. but if you truly donât, he may just think of an alternative that works for the both of you. he may just resort to sucking and nibbling on your skin instead of just full on chomping down harshly. he might sneak in a few bites here and there just to keep you on your toes, but he wonât overwhelm you with them.
but for now, he hopes that you never have any serious problem with what he does because he loves them! itâs what makes sex so fun to him! while he does understand the intimacy of these activities, a big important aspect of having sex to him is having fun and feeling good. he prefers it way more than simple missionary with some kisses here and there.
if you ever do, then lilia will try to improvise but until that ever comes, expect lilia to continue on as always.
please do not steal/copy, reupload or feed my work into ai. thank you (*´âď˝*) !
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Masquerade! hide your face so the world'll never found you
SUMMARY:Â You're always supposed to travel with the delegation, whether you want to or not. This time, you did want to attend the festivalâbut Crowley decided your name wasn't on the official list.
Naturally, you ignored him. With Grim at your side and a plan held together by stubbornness alone, you slipped into Fleur City and its dazzling masqueradeâthe most colorful, musical night the city had to offer.
The only problem? You hadnât planned on running into the seven dorm leaders of NRCâŚor on being personally escorted by them straight to the gates of Noble Bell College.
CHARACTERS:Â Riddle Rosehearts / Leona Kingscholar / Azul Ashengrotto / Kalim Al-Asim / Vil Schoenheit / Idia Shroud / Malleus Draconia x F!Yuu (reader) ft. Crowley and Rollo Flamme
TAGS:Â crack, humor, drama, flirting without knowing.
WORD COUNT:Â 23k
COMMENTS:Â this is hella long, so buckle up!! I took some narrative liberties, maybe not entirely event canon but oh well, there's full chaos.
Soundtrack recommendation: God help the outcast - Topsy Turvy - The Bell Tower - Paris Burning - Make a Wish - Masquerade - Bells of Notre Dame
What does one have to do to get a little peace in the middle of a haunted dormitory thatâs almost crumbling down to its foundations, with a cat shooting fire left and right?
That was what you were thinking when a letter showed up carried along by a cascade of black feathers. It was as if peace and order didnât exist in the vocabulary of this magic-filled school.
One moment Ramshackle was quiet, or as quiet as it could get with Grim arguing with one of the ghosts, who had stolen a can of tuna just to mess with him, and the next, a whirl of glossy black feathers burst in through the broken window and spiraled dramatically down onto the first steps of the lounge staircase.
âHEY! Weâre under attack!â Grim growled, jumping back when the envelope landed with an unnecessarily theatrical thump on the coffee table. âProtect me, Henchman!â
You sighed, keeping Grim upright as he climbed up your arm until he settled on your shoulder. You picked up the letter and looked it over; burgundy-colored, with a wax seal faintly gleaming in gold.
A letter that screamed official and important no matter how you looked at it.
It definitely wasnât a bill or some annoying request from the administration. Crowley never handed those out in person, much less with a flock of black feathers; which meant the bird-brained headmaster was nearby.
And with that, the front door swung wide open on its own with a creak.
âWell, well, my most honorable and dependable residents!â he said in a voice far too cheerful and far too polished, stepping into the dorm as if it belonged to him and not like he had dumped it on you in terrible condition. âWhat fortune to find both of you at home! Truly, the stars themselves align for the diligent!â
Grim shot him a flat look and narrowed his eyes. âWhen you talk like that it means nothing goodâ
Crowley brushed off the comment with professional skill. âMy dear prefect,â he continued, turning toward you with a wide smile, his cape swishing as if he had practiced the move in the mirror about ten times. âI require your presence in my office immediately. It concerns a matter of prestige, honor, and, naturally, inter-academic relationsâ
In other words⌠trouble.
You glanced sideways at Grim; the cat met your look, and you murmured to him when you saw Crowley turn to head out of the lounge without even checking whether you were following or not. âYeah, nothing good ever comes from himâ
The office gleamed and buzzed more than usual, once again showing off dear Headmaster Crowleyâs vanity.
The dorm leaders were gathered around the table, composed, radiating different levels of authority, boredom, or barely-contained chaos. Kalim was practically vibrating with happiness, just like Idia⌠although he was probably vibrating because he wanted to go back and lock himself inside his room; the fact that he was here, surrounded by people, was already an achievement.
Yes, obviously something was about to go down.
There were expectant looks from the othersâexcept Leona, obviously. He was one step away from turning around and heading off to sleep in his usual spot in the botanical garden. The atmosphere had that specific tense shine that meant the announcement about to drop was going to be, indeed, catastrophic.
You took your place beside Kalim, who bumped your hip in greeting and grinned from ear to ear. You returned the gesture, lightly bumping his hip back, and let Grim settle himself on top of your head.
Crowley cleared his throat, which was always the beginning of one of his boring, overly theatrical, and unbearable monologues.
âMy dear dorm leaders,â his eyes gleamed at the sight of the seven young men waiting in front of him. Grim coughed, and Crowleyâs expression tightened slightly. âAnd prefect,â he continued. âToday we have received an extraordinary honorâ
With a flourish, he raised seven invitations, seven burgundy letters with shining golden seals.
âNoble Bell College has kindly sent official invitations requesting the presence of representatives from Night Raven College at their upcoming cultural festivalâ
Your eyes widened. An event outside NRC, allowing you to explore more of this world and see another school; considering they barely let you leave for the nearby town on the Island of Sages, and RSA was still out of the questionâ that school was still a mystery to you.
So Noble Bell College would be your next magical stop.
Grim looked excited too, gripping your hair tightly and whispering to himself all the things he was already plotting in his small and chaotic head about what he was going to do: eat lots of tasty things, maybe sweets or bread, or tuna made in some way he had never tried before; the possibilities were endless for your little cat.
âAnd to enhance the experience, the school will treat this event as a masquerade. Isnât that fascinating?â
Okay, the pinnacle of dramaticsâvery Twisted Wonderland and very Crowley⌠you like it.
Crowley was smiling like a man who definitely intended to send teenagers straight into imminent student chaos. He opened one of the invitations and read the contents in his characteristic dramatic voice.
âThe event celebrates unity, refinement, and the highest traditions of academia. Naturally, they have requested our⌠most distinguished students. And of course this dear and most generous headmasterâ
And that was where the seven invitations came into play. Seven letters addressed to each of the seven dorm leaders⌠and to no one else. He didnât mention the vice leadersâ names, nor your name, nor Grimâs.
Crowley lowered the letter with a satisfied nod. âAnd with that, the official delegation is concludedâ
On your end, silence. A small, polite silence, while the others were already straightening their postures, ready to hear when they would depart and how they should present themselves.
Then Crowleyâs head tilted, looking forward, not directly at you, nor at Grim, as if remembering something slightly inconvenient. His eyes were fixed firmly on the office door.
âAh! But of course⌠our reliable prefect!â he turned toward you with a bright, performative smile. âAs the head of Ramshackle dorm, it would be inappropriate not to include you in this announcement. Transparency is the hallmark of this benevolent administration, after all.â
You heard Leona snort loudly, as if the words âbenevolent administrationâ were completely accurate. If you werenât harboring a bad feeling right then and there, you would have snorted along with him.
Grim puffed out his chest when he saw that the headmaster was now addressing his beloved henchman. âI knew it! Weâre going toââ
âHoweverâŚâ Crowley cut him off, and you felt Grimâs tail deflate against the back of your head. The bird-brain laced his fingers together in front of him. âThe invitation, unfortunately, extends specifically to recognized magical students who participate in the official exchange. As you do not possess any measurable magical abilityâŚâ
Grim opened his mouth to argue back, ready to launch a fireball that would leave him flat on his back after such humiliation.
âMaster Grim, you and the prefect are essentially one student,â he cut him off again. âAnd given that Ramshackle is, shall we say, administratively⌠uniqueâŚâ he made a vague motion with his hand, annoyed at having to find the word that best fit the situation without making it more tense than it already was.
Reading between the lines: youâre not invited, and neither is the cat. Itâs not negotiable. Not even by accident.
Crowley gave a sympathetic nod, his eyes showing a very well-acted sadness. âHow unfortunate! Truly unfortunate. Perhaps next timeâ
Next time⌠like being told there was no more of the cake you liked in the cafeteria and youâd have to wait until tomorrow to eat it. Or like being told you had to try a little harder on the next assignment.
As if you hadnât literally fought overblots throughout the school year, monsters, ghosts, and whatever the hell lives in the schoolâs ventilation ducts.
Life isnât fair, right?
The other leaders didnât react strongly, but they didnât give you the reactions you expected either. A couple of shrugs, Kalim looking at you with genuine sadness at not being able to enjoy the evening by your side.
Crowley broke the silence, and the damn spell, with a clap. âVery well then! Preparations begin immediately!â
The meeting dissolved into excited chatter from the headmaster and completely formal, rather critically thought-out discussion from the leaders. Malleus, in particular, looked especially fascinated by the idea of having been invited.
Grimâs tail flicked over your shoulder. ââŚtheyâre really not taking usâ
The office suddenly felt a little louder⌠and a little farther away while the two of you watched the others discuss travel plans, formal attire provided by the school, speculation about the festival, music, foreign food.
âMake sure to keep the dorm in order while weâre away, prefect! Such an important responsibility!â Crowley waved a hand at you, signaling you were already dismissed from the meeting.
Grimâs ears flattened against his small head as you headed for the exit.
ââŚthis is bullshit.â
âYeah,â you huffed. âYeah, it really is.â
The murmuring followed you out of the office like static.
Crowley was talking louder than usual, Vil was already arguing about the weight of the luggage and the makeup heâd have to do for everyone, yes, even Leona, whom you heard growl when Vil so much as mentioned it. Azul was bringing up the odds of expanding NRCâs prestige to other cities and colleges.
None of it helped.
Grim walked beside you on two legs, stomping down the hallway, his tail bristling, the claws of his hind paws visible and tapping against the stone.
âThis is a total scam!â he shouted, his voice echoing through the stone corridor. âWe beat ghosts, monsters, more overblots than I can countââ
ââand we still arenât âofficialâ enough for a school trip,â you finished with the same level of offense.
âEXACTLY!â Grim threw his paws into the air.
You shoved the castle doors open harder than necessary, grumbling under your breath. That damn bird-brain was really getting under your skin; any moment now youâd kick him in the rear so hard youâd send him flying⌠if it werenât for the small amount of money the school administration paid you.
The cool afternoon air hit your face, but it didnât loosen the tight knot in your chest. The voices continued behind you, just as enthusiastic; a glance over your shoulder was enough to make you blow out a breath and start walking down the steps.
âEven Idiaâs going,â you muttered.
Maybe bringing up the most antisocial and anxious guy in the school wasnât the fairest or most honorable move right now, but you were really angry. Not at him, obviously, you were angry at the damn headmaster.
âRIGHT?!â Grim went down the steps jumping two at a time, ears pointed up and seconds away from shouting all the injustices he had suffered thanks to our beloved headmaster. âThat guy considers opening his bedroom door a major life event!â
You flinched. âOkay, that was too much, Grim,â you said, your voice a little sharp, staring at the steps because you knew that the moment you took your eyes off the stone it was statistically likely youâd trip, considering the anger leaking out of every pore.
âHey! You started itâ He raised a paw and pointed at you.
âYeah, wellâŚâ you continued, âI didnât mean it to put him down. Idia comes from a prestigious family and has plenty of money...of course he got an invitation.â You crossed your arms as you reached the last steps. âWhatâs surprising is that heâs physically goingâ
Grim kicked a pebble down the steps and jumped the last stretch again.
âHeâs physically going and weâre stuck here doing⌠what. Guarding our dorm from the ghosts we already live with?â
You crossed your arms tighter and rolled your eyes. âI canât even step off campus without paperwork, supervision, or a miracle,â your voice came out laced with venom, and with every second you were losing what little patience you had left. Spiraling with a grumpy cat wasnât helping the situation. âBut sure, letâs send the entire walking disaster of NRC abroadâ
âI should be famous,â he growled. âHero Grim saves the day again! Whereâs my cultural exchange, huh?â
You snorted a laugh despite everything. âApparently saving the school multiple times doesnât count as an extracurricular activityâ
You crossed the courtyard, the fountain, the last stretch of stone that led toward the castleâs back doors and the path back to Ramshackle. The words kept coming outâhalf complaints, half that tired bitterness that shows up when something unfair hits a little too close.
When you reached the door, the bridge visible connecting the next stretch of poorly kept land, you stopped. Grim kept walking, now on four paws, and lifted his tail when he realized you had stopped and he was crossing the bridge alone.
You looked at the horizon, spotting the haunted house in the distance and the perfect midday sun over the skyline.
The idea began to take shape slowly, putting down roots little by little, but decisively. The solution to both your frustrations was right there; simple, obvious, both stupid and perfect.
âWhy did you stop?â Grim asked, walking back toward you.
You didnât answer right away. You let the idea keep forming in your mind, running through all the chances of it going right and the ones where it wouldnât, mapping out everything needed for it to actually work.
Your fingers tapped against your arm. ââŚitâs a masqueradeâ
Grim tilted his head. ââŚyeah?â
Your eyes met his, now wide as he looked at you in a way he hadnât all year. Your face carried an expression that meant trouble; the kind of trouble that historically ended in explosions, rule violations, accidental heroics, and at least three disciplinary reports from Crewel.
âA masquerade ball,â you repeated slowly, tilting your head toward him, silently urging him to catch on quickly. âEveryone wears masksâ
Grimâs ears twitched.
âNo oneâs supposed to stand out,â you crouched down so you were closer to him. âNo oneâs supposed to know whoâs whoâ
You let the words settle in his mind, letting the silence guide the realization. One second passed, two, threeâuntil Grimâs eyes flew open wide, pupils dilating and his tail shooting upright as your words finally clicked.
âOh⌠youâre kiddingâ
Your lips curled into a dangerous smile, the kind that promised a thousand reprimands if you got caught, but that would be worth every damn second.
âIf no one knows whoâs who,â you said quietly, making sure the conversation stayed between the two of you, âthen no one knows who wasnât invited eitherâ
Grim gasped like someone had just handed him the keys to a kingdom made entirely of cans and cans of fresh tuna.
âPrefect⌠who wouldâve thought you could be so deviousâ
âWe definitely shouldnât do this,â you said, staring at him.
ââŚbut weâre going to do it anyway,â he shot back.
A second of silence passed. Then another. And a third.
âYeah.â
âHEIST MODE!â Grim threw his paws in the air, jumping with excitement.
You shut the castle door, not a trace of frustration left on your face. No, that had disappeared, replaced by determination. Who wouldâve thought your mind could be just as troublesome as Aceâs?
Your steps were decisive, and you didnât head toward Ramshackle. If you were going to sneak into a cultural event where formality and proper attire were the currency, nothing in that dusty shack would do. No; there werenât any clothes formal enough or well-made enough there without getting you exposed the moment you set foot, or paw, into the cultural event.
âWe need supplies,â you said, veering off the path to the right, following the dirt road.
âSupplies to commit a crime?â
âSupplies to attend formally without prior authorizationâ
ââŚcrime then,â Grim confirmed, running after you.
The path to Samâs shop felt like walking deeper and deeper into a very bad idea; and at the same time, a very promising one. The campus stretched around you, wrapped in that late-afternoon haze where the stone towers glowed gold and the buzz of excitement over the news drifted through the cool air.
âOkay, but... I canât just put on a mask and call it a day. Iâm a talking, flame-shooting, very handsome catâ
âYes, thatâs the main problemâ Samâs shack was already in sightâjust a few more yards and youâd step into territory both familiar and unknown, ready to show off its haunted wonders.
âMy ears! My tail! My flames! My incredible natural charisma, nya!â
âMostly the flamesâ you gave him a look.
Grim deflated a little. ââŚyeah, okay, the flamesâ
A few more steps and you were already standing in front of the shack. That mystical atmosphere around it always made the hairs on your arms stand on end.
You pushed open the crooked wooden door and a small bell chimed. The air inside the shop wrapped around you like warm smoke, carrying a faint scent of cinnamon, something that made the place feel both comforting and creepy. The shelves were stacked to the top with all kinds of things: enchanted fabrics, suspiciously labeled bottles, and objects that definitely moved when you werenât looking straight at them. You could swear a pearl necklace you had seen on a shelf near the door was now resting on a display in the main window.
âWell, well,â Samâs smooth, enchanted voice echoed through the shop from behind the counter. When he had gotten there, you had no ideaâfive seconds ago the counter had been completely empty. âIf it isnât my favorite prefect⌠and judging by the look on your face and on your cute and definitely not troublesome catâŚâ he leaned forward, ââŚyouâre not here for anything legal.â
Grim puffed out his chest, slightly offended by the comment, but he was still the first to speak, or rather, yell.
âWe need stealth!â
Youâre never going to get that by shouting
Samâs smile widened, as dangerous as someone could look while being the entrepreneur running one of the most useful and necessary shops on a school campus. âSay no moreâ
With a snap of his fingers, the counter suddenly looked like the backstage of a theatrical crime, or a theater dressing room, which worked better for carrying out the plan.
Masks, capes, gloves, fabric samples, a monocle that Grim definitely tried on and that you definitely didnât let him keep; with the way he walked heâd break it any second.
Sam tapped the counter thoughtfully with one finger.
âSo,â his voice sounded as soft as velvet, but you knew underneath it hid the layer of a hardened entrepreneur who always kept an enchanted clause up his sleeve, âyou need formal masquerade outfits convincing enough⌠while hiding the presence of a highly combustible felineâ
Grim bristled. âHMNYA! Iâm not combustibleâ!â
âHow did you know we needed masquerade outfits?â you cut in. Your eyes narrowed at Sam suspiciously.
âMy Queen⌠nothing happens in this school without me hearing about it.â It was a vague answer, but also a very unsettling one. But this wasnât the moment to stop and argue, so for now you let it slide.
âHeâs the real problem. I can blend in with a dressââ
âAnd masking your scent.â You still werenât used to the way Sam interrupted conversations to drop information as if you were already supposed to know what it meant.
âExcuse me?â
âIf my informants havenât failed me,â Sam drummed his fingers on the counter and gave you a sly look, âa certain lion and a high fae will be attending the event, meaning they would be the first to spot both of you just by catching your scent.â
Damn it. He was right.
ââŚokay, point takenâ You sighed, resigning yourself to the fact that youâd have to pay for more than just fancy clothes. âWith something to mask my scent, a dress, and a mask, I can blend in. But himâŚâ you pointed at Grim without looking at him, âhe needs to look⌠like a normal familiar.â
Sam hummed and gave Grim a full look from head to toeâand if it had been biologically possible, he wouldâve circled him with his eyes.
âNot normal,â he corrected at last. âExpectedâ
ââŚexpected?â you repeated, frowning.
Sam opened a drawer and pulled out a violet velvet cloak with a hood; deep, formal, the kind that screamed ceremonial elegance. Another of the great mysteries of Samâs shop: who knows why the entrepreneur had a cloak exactly Grimâs size waiting inside a drawer.
âCultural events in magical academies bring familiars all the time,â Sam commented as he adjusted the hood over Grimâs ears. âMagical creatures, bound spirits, enchanted companions. Half the time nobody even knows what species they areâ
The cloak, now arranged over Grimâs small body, wrapped around him completely, barely showing his shape. The fall of the fabric looked heavy and dramatic; the flames of his ears illuminated the inside in a way that felt very theatrical and very on-theme. Then Sam added a carved masquerade mask, elongated, elegant, slightly decorated with claw-like details but still stylized enough to look ceremonial rather than suspicious.
Only Grimâs bright eyes were visible beneath the shadow of the hood and mask. Sam stepped back, admiring his work.
âWith the hood down, the mask set properly forward, and strict instructions not to shoutâŚâ
Grim shifted his posture. Now almost none of his face showed and his tail was hidden neatly beneath the cloak. Suddenly he looked less like âchaotic campus threatâ and more like âarcane familiar belonging to someone extremely important.â
ââŚwow,â Grim whispered when he saw his cloaked figure reflected in the glass of the counter.
âPretty convincing,â you added.
Samâs smile widened as he leaned over the counter, both hands holding up his head. âExactlyâ
âI look expensiveâ Grim spun in a small circle to admire himself, the heavy cloak barely making a dramatic swirl and giving no hint that he might be exposed when he moved.
âYou are expensive,â you shot back. âYou eat like youâve got a black hole in your stomachâ
Grim decided to ignore you and kept spinning around admiring himself. Sam, meanwhile, straightened and clapped his hands once, making your attention snap back to him.
âNow for you, prefectâ
Another snap of his fingers and a dress slid onto the counterâdark, outrageously expensive fabric, black brocade with elegant lace details and a red overlay that made the black stand out even more. Off-shoulder, low-cut, with a skirt that would obviously require a crinoline.
Elegant wasnât the right word, it was more than that. It was refined, breathing opulence and formality. Semi-transparent sleeves, ruffles and lace layered over more lace.
âA mask that hides, not dazzlesâ Sam placed a light black fabric mask on the counter, decorated with brocade and gothic embroidery, soft to the touch and perfect for covering half your face. âThe best disguise isnât the loudest oneâŚâ
He set the last pieces down on the counter: a choker of black pearls with a rose in the center, the strands long enough that when worn they would drape over the shoulders; a pair of short black lace gloves; and a very gothic-style hat, pompous, with a fall of fabric that resembled a veil.
A very gothic set⌠perfect for a masquerade.
ââŚbut the one no one remembersâ
You lifted the dress carefully with both hands, making sure not to snag the lace on anything, not even the buttons of your uniform.
ââŚhow much is this going to hurt?â you asked cautiously. You knew a dress this extravagant wasnât cheap.
Sam leaned on the counter again. âOh, donât worryâ He paused dramatically, clearly fascinated by how your whole body tensed as you worried internally. âThis goes on creditâ
âOh⌠thatâs worse,â Grim whispered in horror.
Sam burst out laughing and straightened again, quite satisfied with himself at the sight of the desperate, horrified expressions on both your faces.
âRelax. Consider it⌠an investment in the chaos the two of you are about to unleash at an international diplomatic eventâ
Fleur City shone as if it had stepped straight out of a Renaissance painting.
The warm glow of lanterns spilled across the white stone streets, reflecting in long ribbons of gold and amber. Garlands of flowers hung from the balconies, woven so densely that the scent of wildflowers lingered in the air, sweet and heavy. From somewhere along the cobblestone corners came music: violins, laughter, the slow rhythmic pulse of festival trumpets.
Around you there were people, so many people. It was barely possible to walk peacefully through the streets. Carnival decorations and food and trinket stalls made both you and Grim stop every five steps.
And everywhere⌠masks. White porcelain, golden filigree, feathers, silks, velvet. Cloaks gliding over the stone and polished shoes gleaming in the lanternlight. There were no faces, no questions, no names.
You adjusted the delicate fabric mask slightly as you moved with the crowd, letting the flow of festival guests carry you naturally along the wide avenue leading to the central plaza. In the daylight the dress blended in exactly as Sam had promised: elegant and formal, perfectly matching the spirit of the festivalâjust another face in the tide.
Beside you, a small hooded figure walked with a rather exaggerated air of importance, little paws tapping lightly against the stone as he took one step, then another. Grim walked as if he were leading his own theatrical march toward the main stage.
âThis is the best thing weâve ever done in our livesâ Even though his steps were determined, and fairly amusing to watch from your taller perspective, Grimâs words came out in a whisper; for once he had understood he needed to keep his voice down.
âYou also said that when you stole extra pudding from the cafeteriaâ You gathered your skirt with one hand, adjusting it so you wouldnât end up face-first on the ground. The dress was beautiful, yes, but the crinoline made walking a bit difficult.
âTHAT WAS HISTORIC TOO!â Apparently his lesson in stealth hadnât lasted long. You hid a smile behind the back of your hand.
Grim looked around at the glowing towers, the decorated bridges, the endless swirl of masked students and nobles. Your gaze drifted to the pink and violet decorations hanging between the rustic, colorful houses. One more step and you nearly collided with the long leg of someone obviously walking on stilts. You managed to turn in time and grabbed Grim so he wouldnât get crushed under the wooden stilts.
âWoowâ Grim settled into your arms and lifted his head to watch the person gracefully walking toward the end of the avenue. âThis place is insaneâ
He wasnât wrong.
Farther ahead there were people dressed in multicolored outfitsâdiamonds and pompoms, ribbons and exaggerated patterns showing off immense amounts of fabric in sleeves and trousers. Orange and red jesters, violet and burgundy ones too, with painted faces and five-pointed hats tipped with bells. The lantern lights flickered along the walls of the houses and the stone structures, turning the shop windows into vivid, deep colors. In the main plaza, dancers spunâskirts and cloaks flashing in carefully choreographed circles.
Everything around you looked mundanely normal, peaceful within the limits of what a carnival could call âpeaceful.â No fire, no chaos, no problems to solve.
âWith this many people, itâll be impossible for them to find us,â Grim said as he jumped back down to the ground to keep walking.
âIf you say it out loud, youâll jinx itâ
âRight. Silence. Stealth modeâ
You moved deeper into the plaza, letting the enormous scale of the festival unfold around you. Masked performers breathed streams of colored fire, puppeteers staged small dramatic and amusing shows for the children, and the food stalls now had floating lanterns illuminating them in orange and ochre tones, making the shine of the food look even more appetizing.
Grim sniffed as he stopped in front of one of the stalls.
ââŚis that roasted meat?â
You sighed and grabbed him by the sides, lifting him until he was level with the food on the stall.
âOne stall. And eat quietlyâ
âBEST HENCHMAN IN HISTORY!â
He jumped toward the vendor, still trying to look dignified in the ceremonial cloakâand failing completely the moment food entered the equation.
You shook your head, but you couldnât stop the slow, dangerous smile spreading across your face as you watched him try to cram two roasted meat skewers into his mouth in one bite.
For the first time since the invitation announcement, the pressure in your chest eased. You hadnât been left behind. You hadnât been left out. This might not be entirely legalâand if you got caught the punishment would probably be worse than anything Ace and Deuce had ever gottenâbut seeing Grim enjoy himself was worth every second you spent outside Ramshackle.
Youâd do it again a thousand times. To hell with Crowley and his official invitations. You had the right to enjoy an event without worrying about running errands for the headmaster.
âTarget locatedâ Grim sniffed the air again after finishing the meat. âHoney buns with a light sugar glaze, ten steps aheadâ
What a remarkable nose
âGrim, slow down,â you said, walking after him at a reasonably quick pace.
âYouâre the slow oneâ Unfortunately, he had a point about the damn crinoline. You were starting to hate it a little more with every step.
You lifted the skirt with both hands, mentally calculating how much more you could afford to spend at the festival. Considering how much this cat ate, and how little you had managed to eat thanks to the nerves from traveling through the mirror, youâd have to find some way to stop Grim from devouring everything in sight.
âI said one stall!â You barely raised your voice, but Grim ignored you, as always when he didnât want to hear that you were right.
As you followed him, out of the corner of your eye you spotted a pair of figures you absolutely did not want to spot heading your way.
On the other side of the plaza, near the staircase leading to the main road toward the cathedral, a very specific formation of figures held a perfect alignment: Crowley at the front, with seven leaders behind him, each displaying different levels of diplomacy, excitement, or boredom.
Riddle walked with a rigid posture even in this festive setting, though he wasnât oblivious to the fun happening around him. Leona was slouched, visibly bored at being dragged into an official event. Azul carried himself with a calculating air, probably already visualizing his next clients. Kalim was the most energetic of them all, practically glowing even while standing still. Vil was sculpted perfection, every step immaculate. Idia was trying to occupy the smallest possible amount of physical and emotional space. And Malleus simply followed the flow of people, hands behind his back, looking around with complete fascination.
Crowley, meanwhile, walked with an annoyingly radiant and pompous stride while speaking with another figure: tall, composed, with a firm and controlled posture. If you had to guess, that person wrapped in an air of ceremonial authority must have been someone important from Noble Bell College.
Your throat let out a tiny squeak and your shoulders curled inward. You were in danger mode.
You stepped sideways, avoiding turning your back on them all, but also not walking backward so obviously that it would make it clear your focus was on those figures who werenât threatening at first glanceâbut were extremely inconvenient for your enjoyment. You reached Grim just as he was about to buy a small honey bun and crouched to whisper in his ear.
âDonât even think about movingâ
Grimâs small body went completely rigid. âWhatâs going on?â
âIf you turn two degrees to the left,â you continued, the dorm leaders getting closer and closer, âyouâll be in their direct line of sightâ
Grim, completely ignoring your instruction, slowly followed your gaze, barely turning his body to get a good look. Then he inhaled so sharply he nearly vacuumed the honey bun straight into his mouth.
You clamped a hand over his mouth and grabbed his cloak, dragging him behind the stall and hiding behind the side canvas. The vendor shot you both an irritated look but said nothing, another customer was already asking for an entire bag of buns.
âOkay, new planâ You let go of Grimâs mouth but still signaled for silence. Now he had to act like a normal familiar. âWe walk calmly in the opposite direction, and you⌠quietâ
Grim nodded with the intensity of someone trying very hard to be stealthy and stay out of trouble, still holding the sweet in one paw. You adjusted him on your arm and stepped away from the stall.
One step. Then another. And a third.
Someone in the crowd suddenly turned toward your direction. You bumped their shoulder, jolting back in surprise.
ââSorry!â you blurted automatically, trying to step backward.
Exactly the wrong move.
Because stepping back made you collide with someone else in the crowd. Your shoe stepped on an expensive, heavy cloak, and as you lifted your foot to avoid ruining it further, your heel caught on the uneven stone. You felt your balance tip backward.
For one horrible second, the world tilted; the lantern light, the masks, the people, the realization of oh yes, this is how we die⌠physically or from embarrassment, falling face-first in front of a crowd.
But the fall never came.
A gloved hand shot forward and caught your wrist just in time, stopping you a few inches before disaster.
ââŚplease be careful,â a smooth, composed voice said. âThese festival streets can be treacherous if one isnât paying attentionâ
You turned your head toward the voice and saw Azul looking at you with concern...but without the slightest hint of recognition. Your disguise was working perfectly, even in a situation as dangerous as the one you were currently in.
You straightened carefully, pulse hammering, but posture controlled. Out of nervous reflex you adjusted Grimâs hood so his face was completely hidden, forcing his body to hunch so heâd look like an ordinary cat.
âThank you,â you said in a neutral voice, though anyone paying attention might have noticed the nervous edge and the faint grinding of teeth as you forced yourself not to scream.
Azul released your wrist slowly, waiting for you to fix your dress before stepping back to a polite distance, still close enough while observing you with that sharp, polite curiosity so characteristic of someone whose entire life ran on information.
Behind him, the others had already turned, abandoning whatever conversation they had been having. Six new pairs of eyes locked onto youâthe young lady unlucky enough to collide with the octopus entrepreneur.
Grim made a small strangled noise inside his hood, and you felt a tiny vibration against your arm. It was obvious he wanted to bolt as fast as his four paws could carry him, and if you were honest with yourself⌠you wanted to do the same.
You didnât look at anyone in particular; certainly not at Crowley, nor at the tall, composed figure representing Noble Bell College in this diplomatic procession. You made the smallest formal bow of your head, the kind appropriate for slipping by unnoticed even after such a collision. You even tilted your hat slightly lower to cover more of your face.
âApologies for the collision. The crowd is⌠lively tonightâ
Vilâs gaze traveled over you from head to toe. Knowing him, he was evaluating the outfit the way an art critic would analyze a gallery piece; or in this case, the way Vil always did, searching for wrinkles, imperfections, or cracks.
That crack was about to split wide open if he didnât stop looking at you so intently.
âFinally someone who knows how to dress appropriately,â he murmured loud enough that everyone else heard.
âHey! Weâre all dressed for the occasion,â Kalim huffed, though he didnât sound offended.
âYes, because we were dressedâ Vil replied.
If that was the case, then point to Vil.
âWatch where youâre stepping next timeâ Leona exhaled through his nose.
âThat is no way to address a young lady!â Vil snapped back, shooting him the most venomous look imaginable without losing an ounce of grace or letting a single wrinkle touch his face.
Leona simply crossed his arms and held Vilâs stare. The tension between rivals was thick enough to feel.
Azul took the opportunity to cut through that tension and prevent an international incident. He inclined his head toward you again, adjusting his glove.
âWell then,â he said, extending his hand toward you, palm open and facing up, âplease be careful, missââ
Your entire body went rigid in a single heartbeat. On your arm, Grim was seconds away from combusting from the stress this situation was causing him.
You returned the slight bow of your head, just formal enough not to raise suspicion despite your heart pounding at a thousand beats per minute.
âIsnât the whole point of tonight that we donât ask those kinds of questions?â
There was a pause long enough for you to offer a sideways smile, hoping you hadnât sounded rude.
Vilâs lips curled upward slightly, approving, almost amused, mentally acknowledging that at least someone knew the rules of the evening.
Azulâs smile changed immediately, shifting from his usual interrogation-ready expression to one suited for social performance.
âAh,â he murmured. âQuite right. My mistake. A masquerade loses its charm when identities come to lightâ
Okay. The plan was working beautifullyâfar better than you had expected. You made a mental note to thank Sam for that potion masking your essence, since neither Leona nor Malleus seemed suspicious of anything.
âIf it helps,â you said, testing the waters a little more to confirm your theory, âIâve never seen figures quite so⌠uniqueâ Your gaze drifted across each of them. âSo your identities would remain a mysteryâwith or without masksâ
Riddle gave a small nod at your comment. âIndeed. The evening discourages such personal revelations unless they are formally necessaryâ
Thank the Seven that Riddle bought it. And luckily for you, it seemed Idia had too, he was muttering in the background nonstop.
âThank the gods⌠minimal social interaction with anonymity settings enabledâŚâ
You let out a quiet breath through your nose, trying to keep it as subtle as possible despite the pressure tightening in your chest during such a surreal interaction. You bowed your head again, ready to give your farewell and move along, taking your first steps toward the plaza.
That should have been the end of it.
âAlthoughâŚâ
Damn it, Azul.
His voice rose again, smooth and composed, turning just enough to place himself at your side as you began to walk.
âIt would be negligence on my part not to ensure the safety of the young lady I nearly caused to fallâ
Vil moved at the same time, with a grace so natural it was almost insulting; suddenly you had two impeccably dressed elites flanking you like the most elegant bodyguards in the world.
âCobblestone streets tend to be unevenâespecially in heels,â Vil commented, evaluating your posture. Of course he would notice that beneath all those meters of expensive fabric you were wearing heels. Not very high, but high enough to alter your height. âAnd the crowd is quite enthusiastic, as you mentioned earlier. You shouldnât be wandering aloneâ
Azul nodded slightly, adjusting his glasses. âParticularly when a certain tendency toward accidents has already been demonstratedâ
The arm holding Grim tightened slightly, drawing a faint squeak from him that only you heard. You looked from side to side, first at Azul, then at Vil, and your gaze dropped straight to the cobblestones.
Oh no. This is very bad.
Behind you, Leonaâs voice sounded rough.
âHey. Donât crowd herâ
All three of you turned to look at him. Leona was dragging a hand down his face, visibly irritated by the situation.
Vil arched a brow, stopping with runway elegance.
âI beg you pardon?â
Azul did the same, forcing you to stop as well and remain right between them. The height difference, privately, was a little funny, if you hadnât been the center of attention for a very irritated lion.
âCourtesyâŚâ Leona scoffed. âThatâs what they call it now?â
You heard Kalim whisper, âAre they flirting?â
And Riddle respond, sounding slightly tired of his classmates, âKnowing them⌠yes. They are flirtingâ
You wanted the ground to swallow you whole.
Leona shoved both hands into his pockets, leaning back slightly as he approached, glancing sideways at your two escorts.
âThe girl almost fell. You caught her. End of story. You donât need to start an escort mission for every stranger you run intoâ
Vil crossed his arms and offered him a sharp smile. âAnd since when do you care about social manners?â
âSince watching you two circle her like peacocks in heat started giving me a headache,â Leona shot back.
You let out a quiet snort, covering your mouth with your free hand. Grim seemed to snort too, barely holding back laughter, the vibration against your chest made it obvious.
Azul released a soft sigh and pressed his fingers to his temple. âHonestly, is it necessary to reduce every refined interaction to such vulgar interpretations?â
âYes,â he replied without hesitation, flashing them a half-smile, fangs included. âItâs funny and irritating at the same time watching you act so confident about something that isnât one of your contractsâ
The situation would have been comedic if you werenât still stuck in the middle of itâand if you werenât one wrong sentence away from catastrophic exposure.
Unfortunately, you locked eyes with Malleus.
He looked taller than the last time youâd seen him. A glance down confirmed itâhe was wearing heeled shoes. This fae added a few extra inches whenever he felt like it, and in the process made you look even smaller.
From his height, Malleus observed you in silence. One arm rested over the other, a finger beneath his chin, studying you. As if he were chasing an echo, something about your voice, your posture, the way you held your shoulders like someone used to dealing with chaos every day.
Your heart thumped harder in your chest.
You looked away and gave another small nod, taking a step back, hoping this time you could finally continue your evening.
âI appreciate the concern, gentlemen,â you said, keeping your voice calm and neutral even though internally you were screaming. âBut I assure you I would hate to delay such distinguished guests during their eveningâ
Both Azul and Vil inclined their heads, accepting the farewell with grace. Leona simply clicked his tongue and turned back toward the othersâhe had been ready to leave five minutes ago.
With elegance you werenât even sure where you pulled from, you stepped toward the crowd, letting the skirt spin slightly as the crinoline gave the movement the air of something taken straight from a royal etiquette manual.
âAhâŚâ
Just that single word was enough to cut off your second escape attempt and push your frustration even higher.
The same notable figure Crowley had been speaking with earlier approached the group. The Noble Bell College uniform was immaculate. Perfect posture, perfect alignment, an expression composed, though clearly carefully practiced to appear so.
âGentlemen,â he said calmly, âif you would be so kind as to proceed. The welcoming is prepared at the academy, and the festival program is⌠quite structuredâ
Crowley, who five minutes ago hadnât been remotely in sight, reacted immediately, suddenly appearing from behind you and making you jump.
âAh! Of course, of course! We wouldnât wish to delay such a beautiful evening!â
Then the studentâs eyes shifted toward you, finally registering why the seven leaders had stopped or drifted away from their intended path instead of following him.
And in that precise moment, his gaze changed to recognition.
Recognition that didnât look good.
Not good for you, anyway.
âI must apologize,â he said, stepping toward you and placing a hand over his chest. âIt seems I have committed an unforgivable lapse in courtesyâ
The student bowed in a formal, precise, respectful greeting.
âI have spoken with these distinguished guests,â he continued, voice calm and controlled, âand yet I have neglected to acknowledge the presence of a lady among us. Such negligence falls below the standards of Noble Bell College⌠and my own.â
He straightened with the same refinement with which he had bowed and extended his hand toward you. In your stunned state, you noticed Grim become so perfectly still he could have won a gargoyle contest.
âI am Rollo Flamme,â he said. Now you could finally put a name to the face. âPresident of the Student Council and host of tonightâs ceremonyâ
Of all the people you could have drawn attention from at this event, it had to be the highest authority in the entire academy. The host himself. The worst possible person.
âAnd regardless of the anonymity permitted at this celebration,â Rollo continued, âit remains my responsibility to ensure that every guest within our city is treated with dignity and appropriate protectionâ
With his palm still extended, he took your hand and bowed again slightly, pressing a kiss against your gloved knuckles. His eyes remained locked onto yours, sharp, observant enough to make you swallow hard.
âWelcome to the festivalâ
Rollo straightened again and folded his hands in front of him.
âYou have indicated that you do not wish to delay these gentlemen,â he continued solemnly. âA considerate sentimentâ
There was a pauseâand it felt heavy, considering this man still hadnât taken his eyes off you. If you ran now he would notice. Obviously he would notice your nerves and terrible manners, and youâd look incredibly suspicious.
âBut allowing a lady to wander the festival without escort amid such a crowd would be an equivalent lapse in decorumâ
Vil offered him an approving smile, and judging by the look Leona was giving the blond from behind, your escape plan was now miles away from happening.
âYouâve got to be kidding,â Leona muttered.
Rollo turned halfway toward the dorm leaders and Crowley. âI trust one of you would be willing to provide a brief escort to guarantee her safe passage before rejoining us at the academyâ
Kalim, being the sweet, trusting, hyper-energetic Kalim, immediately raised his hand.
âOh! I canââ
âAbsolutely not,â whispered Idia in a panic. âYouâll get lost in these weird streets and probably end up buying the entire festivalâ
Kalim pouted but didnât argue.
Azul stepped forward, trying to appear smooth but looking a little too eager to close this contract. âAs it happens, Iâm already somewhat familiar with the young ladyââ
Vil moved at the same time and cut him off. âAnd I, naturally, would never allow someone dressed so exquisitely to be abandoned to the chaos of the central plazaâ
Why do I always have to deal with the chaos? Why?
The plan had been simple: jump through the mirror without the academic staff noticing, lose yourself in the cobblestone streets, avoid eight walking disasters of charisma and complications, eat festival food, take a couple of pictures with Grim, and go home.
The universe really hates me
Crowley, watching the scene half-delighted and half-offended that he wasnât the center of attention, fanned himself dramatically. âAh, such gallantry among my students! How my heart swells! You seven are the pride of Night Raven College!â
Rollo folded his hands behind his back, perfectly composed.
âThere you have it,â he said calmly. âA simple solutionâ
And with that, Crowley and Rollo continued on their way toward who knows whereâleaving you with seven distinguished students and one problematic cat who was internally seconds away from exploding or fainting.
The procession moved forward...there really was no other word for it.
The dorm leaders walked in immaculate formation along the lantern-lit avenues, and in the middle of that flock you were trying with all your strength not to implode from stress. Grim shifted into both your arms, leaning against you; it was safer that way in case he wanted to whisper something instead of accidentally yelling something incriminating. Now he sat like a very tense, very judgmental decorative accessory beneath his velvet hood.
Kalim bounced closer first. âSo! Youâre from another school?â he asked cheerfully.
Alright. Time for liesâand the greatest skill for stealth missions: improvising without hesitation.
âIâm not part of the official exchange,â you said calmly, which was technically true. âI came with my familyâ
Which wasnât entirely true⌠though if you counted Grim and the seven people around you who apparently didnât know the definition of personal space, then maybe it was a⌠creative reinterpretation.
Azul also approached, much closer than necessary. âI see. Attending an event of this scale independently suggests either excellent connections⌠or excellent planningâ
Vil added lightly, adjusting his sleeve where a button had come undone. The small imperfection clearly offended him. âOr excellent tasteâ
The button snapped back into place and his gaze returned forward, specifically toward you. âNo one assembles such an outfit without understanding the magnitude of the eveningâ
You turned slightly and offered a half-smile. âI had help.â
Extremely true. Sam deserved several medals, and probably hazard pay.
Grim shifted in your arms, trying to lean closer to whisper something, but halfway through his cloak snagged on your sleeve and you had to adjust him quickly before the hood slipped and exposed him.
Of course Azul noticed the movement beneath the cloak. âAnd that little companion?â
Dangerous question.
âThis?â you tightened your grip slightly. âHeâs my brotherâs familiar. Iâm taking care of him while heâs away at Night Raven Collegeâ
Malleus finally joined the conversation. One step brought him only inches behind you. âA creature temporarily bound under your supervisionâ
His voice was so deep you almost felt it rather than heard it. A chill ran down your spine. âThat explains such an elaborate cloak. A responsible choice on your part. You understand how to present the creature with the dignity it deservesâ
Grim puffed up slightly beneath the fabric.
âHe appears loyal,â Malleus added, his voice calm and serene now, still close, but with the strange sense of omniscience that came from his towering height.
At the comment, Grim let out a small emotional squeak and fought very hard not to respond. You rested a hand over his back through the hood. âHe is,â you nodded.
Also extremely true⌠sometimes⌠when it suited him⌠especially when food was involved.
âWhat kind of creature is the familiar?â Kalim asked, leaning closer again, dangerously close to stepping on your skirt.
You grabbed the fabric with one hand while adjusting Grim onto your shoulder. âHeâs a cat. A bit grumpy, especially in the mornings.â
No lie there. Grim tried to object, maybe by digging his claws slightly into your shoulder, but before he could you bounced him upward a little. He made a tiny complaint and stayed still.
âSo cute!â Kalim said excitedly. âHey! Does he need something to eat?â
âNo! No!â you answered quickly. âHeâs fine, he already ate a lot a few minutes ago.â
The last thing you needed was for this ray of sunshine to feed him the way he had with cookies back in Scarabia.
âYour familiar eats human food?â Riddle asked, clearly puzzled.
ââŚsometimesâ
You wobbled slightly as if thinking, though really you were scrambling for the right words to fix the mistake youâd just made. âNot muchâmostly fish. But there was a familiar food stall a few blocks from the central plaza, so I bought him a little treatâ
You patted him gently to demonstrate how well-behaved he was.
âAww, what a shame,â Kalim deflated. âI wouldâve liked to feed the little guyâ
The little guy shifted slightly, probably remembering the same thing: the time Kalim had stuffed him with endless cookies. Grim shrank into your shoulder and whispered barely audibly.
âPrefect⌠when weâre done, I want another snackâ
That sounded so Grim you had to pinch him to keep the humiliation of staying quiet from going to his head.
âDonât be discouraged,â Azul said, stepping beside Kalim. âWe were allowed to enjoy the festival, so we may indulge a little in the culinary arts of this cityâ
âYouâre right!â Kalim brightened instantly. âWe can try the ĂŠclairs! Or croissants! Baguettes! The honey buns from that stall behind us!â
What a combination of flour and carbohydrates. But it sounded so good...and sooo necessary.
All day Grim hadnât let you eat in peace except for breakfast, the little gremlin had devoured snack after snack. You, on the other handâŚyou were actually starving.
Maybe the discomfort showed on your face, or maybe your stomach growled beneath all those layers of fabric. Either way, Vil noticed.
âPerhaps we could offer our escorted young lady something sweet?â His hands folded behind his back as he leaned slightly toward you.
âThat seems appropriate, althoughâŚâ Riddle added thoughtfully, âyoung lady, would you actually like us to treat you to something?â
In theory, yes. In practice⌠was it sensible to let them buy you something? You really did want to eat, and you hadnât brought much money. Well...Grim had already spent more than half of it on everything heâd devoured, plus a small trinket he bought from a craft stall.
âI wouldnât want to trouble you with such a triviality,â you began calmly. âIt would be imprudentââ
âNonsense!â Kalim cut you off. âWe can buy you anything you want!â
Before you could even think of a counterargument, he had already rushed to a nearby stall and paid for five different types of sweets. The others stopped to wait for him, and you took the moment to adjust your skirt and Grim on your shoulder. Standing still, Grim quietly stretched himself across both shoulders like a scarf and settled there, balanced enough for when you started walking again.
âCan I eat some of what he brings?â he whispered.
âNo,â you whispered back, barely moving your lips.
When Kalim returned, he carried two paper bags in both hands.
In one bag he had bought eight different flavors of macaronsâsome common ones like chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Others were bizarre flavor combinations you would have preferred to donate to the ghosts of Ramshackle.
In the other bag were two chocolate ĂŠclairs, two pains au chocolat, two crescent pastries with a bright glaze, and two honey-cinnamon puff pastries.
A direct trip to diabetes.
The bag with the assorted sweets he handed to Riddle with such enthusiasm that the redhead actually leaned back a little from the force. Riddle blinked once, twice, then opened the bag and tilted his head to inspect the contents. He passed an ĂŠclair to Idia, who took it with a trembling hand and immediately retreated to eat it where no one could see him.
With the other bag still in hand, Kalim offered you a strawberry macaron. âHere! Take it! My treat!â he said with the brightest, warmest smile you had ever seen at NRC.
You hesitated for a second, but the sweet was so perfectly made, round and glossy, that refusing it would have felt like a crime. You took it delicately with your fingers and gave it a small bite instead of shoving the whole thing into your mouth out of habit. You might have been hungry, but manners and appearances mattered right now.
âHow is it? Is it good?â Kalim was already handing out the other macarons to the rest, even to Leona, who took one between two fingers and inspected it with mild disinterest.
âItâs delicious. Thank you for such a generous gestureâ You took another bite and the macaron was gone. You brushed your hands together and were about to wipe your mouth with the back of your hand, but stopped yourself, licking your lip to catch any crumbs.
Riddle pulled a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and offered it to you. âHereâ
You took it with slight embarrassment and wiped the corners of your mouth. When you tried to return it, he shook his head. âDonât worry. You can keep itâ
You looked down at the handkerchief, delicate, red with black embroidered details. His initial stitched neatly in one corner. It had the look of something personal, perhaps a gift from his mother or something he had commissioned himself.
âAre you sure?â you asked, uneasy about keeping something so personal.
âIâm sure. Itâs a handkerchief, it doesnât carry emotional weightâ He accepted the bag of sweets back from Kalim as the other boy handed him a macaron.
You looked at the handkerchief again and folded it neatly in four. The only problem now was where to put it. A mischievous idea crossed your mind for less than a second: tuck it between your breasts the way people used to do to tease admirers.
But no. You absolutely could not do that...though it would have been hilarious.
Instead, you slipped it into the folds of your skirt, improvising a small pocket. After adjusting the dress and crinoline again, you waited for the group to resume walking. The sun was beginning to dip, the first orange rays of evening spreading across the sky.
This time Leona resumed walking beside you.
His stride was heavy, hands in his pockets, his expression carrying such profound boredom it could qualify as an art form. You had no idea what he had done with the macaron; whether he ate it or casually discarded it somewhere with stealth so refined that no one noticed.
All the while he had been watching you fuss with your skirt, holding it with one hand so it wouldnât tangle around your feet.
Then, with the faintest sigh, as if remembering he shouldnât be too obvious about observing others, he stepped a little closer.
âWatch your step,â he murmured low enough that only you could hear. âThese streets are unevenâ
It sounded suspiciously like Azulâs earlier warning, but filtered through Leonaâs flavor of bluntness.
Before you could answer or adjust your pace properly, he extended his arm, wiith no ceremony, as if it meant absolutely nothing to him.
But the gesture itself was pure etiquette.
âIf you trip again,â he added in a flat tone without even looking at you, âthat birdâs going to make us repeat this whole escort nonsense. Iâm not dealing with that againâ
In simple terms: take Leonaâs arm so this ends faster.
Your eyes drifted to his face, half-hidden behind a mask, his hair tied in a simple ponytail. His lazy aura was still there, but layered beneath it.
Even if he showed little interest in events like this, the fact that he was wearing a mask at all was already significant. To youâthe mysterious, nameless young ladyâhe was simply another stranger. You had no reason to recognize the second prince of Sunset Savanna.
And that gave him the advantage. If he wanted to act with the princely manners he had unfortunately been taught, he would use them, especially if it earned him a few points in front of the others. If everyone else was interacting with you, he wasnât about to sit out.
To the passing crowd, it simply looked like a stranger offering steady support to a young woman in a crowded foreign city whose shoes were poorly suited for cobblestones.
You gently hooked your hand around his arm. âThank youâ
Leona said nothing, just clicked his tongue and gave the faintest nod.
The streets narrowed as you moved toward the academy district. The lanternlight softened. The crowd thinned just enough that conversation no longer sounded like shouting over the festival and began to feel⌠almost private.
Which unfortunately meant questions; Polite ones, curious ones, persistent ones.
Kalim, as usual, took it upon himself to begin. âSo how did you arrange this visit?â he asked. âYou said you didnât come with the official delegationsâ
âThatâs right,â you repliedâtruthfully. âMy family organized the trip. Iâm mostly⌠exploring while they attend to their obligations.â
Which, technically, was also true.
Azul slipped smoothly into the conversation. âExploring an unfamiliar city suggests remarkable confidence,â he said, adjusting his glasses and smiling the way he did just before landing a new client. âOr considerable experienceâ
âA bit of bothâ
âHave you attended events of this scale before?â Riddle asked next, his tone measured but curious rather than strict. âThe protocol at gatherings like this can be⌠overwhelmingâ
âNot exactly like this,â you admitted. âBut Iâve dealt with large gatherings. And⌠unpredictable situationsâ
Behind everyone, you heard Idia mutter quietly: ââŚthat sounds like nightmare difficulty in social interactionsâŚâ
Frankly, the poor guy already looked like he was about to log out of the event if they didnât reach their destination soon.
âYet you donât seem intimidated,â Malleus said, speaking over Idiaâs murmuring.
âI learned that most disasters start the same way,â you replied, pausing to choose your words carefully. âIf nothing is exploding yet and no one is screaming⌠things are usually going wellâ
That comment earned you seven pairs of eyes.
Because what you had just said perfectly summarized life at a certain academy where mornings often began with students yelling, magic spiraling out of control despite professors supposedly teaching discipline, and overblots happening far too often.
Leona glanced sideways at you and huffed thoughtfully. Azul simply folded his arms and seemed to consider your answer.
âAn interesting philosophy,â he said, tapping his fingers against his arm. âQuite pragmatic⌠and resilientâ
Grim shifted slightly on your shoulders, practically vibrating with the effort not to shout HNYA, weâve fought literal overblots every month, you have no idea!
You scratched his head lightly over the hood as a warning, and the trembling stopped. Riddle stepped forward slightly and inclined his head toward the gesture, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
âYour brother must trust you greatly if he left his familiar with youâ
âHe does,â you nodded.
Riddle responded with a thoughtful hum. âResponsibility reflects well on both of youâ
You glanced at him from the corner of your eye and smiled.
If he knew how responsible you really wereâsneaking into a festival and academic event without authorization, in a country far from the island, in a world you barely understoodâwell⌠that comment would collapse like a badly built card tower.
But as you watched him, you also noticed something else.
The way Riddle politely guided passersby out of your path. Azul adjusting his pace so you wouldnât have to walk faster. Vil subtly steering the group away from the rougher patches of cobblestone without saying a word. Even Idia hovered closer than usual, like some socially terrified wizard who had nonetheless decided he was the partyâs defensive mage in a DnD campaign.
Leona kept his stride steady beside you, perfectly matching your pace. And Malleus remained watchful, hands ready to guide a passerby aside or catch you if you stumbled.
The shift was obvious, they werenât escorting a random girl anymore...They were engaging with her.
âItâs unusual to meet someone at this sort of event who speaks as directly as you do,â Azul said, almost as if the conversation he wanted was simply⌠a conversation.
Vil nodded from the front of the group. âMost attendees here are desperately trying to impress,â he said, turning his head toward you. âWhereas you, my lady, manage to impress simply by walkingâ
âAnd youâre easy to talk to too! Itâs really nice!â Kalim added brightly.
From behind you, Idia muttered: ââŚlow-pressure NPC with unexpectedly high dialogue qualityâŚâ
Oh. My. Sevens.
Theyâre flirting.
They are actually flirting.
And they have absolutely no idea that the person theyâre flirting with is youâthe extremely human, magicless prefect who attracts catastrophic overblot-level disasters like seasonal colds. All you needed was a mask, an expensive dress, and no identity.
Suddenly the seven of them were treating you like royalty.
Your cheeks flushed faintly pink. Part of you wonderedâjust for a secondâif you could take advantage of this a little longer. It wasnât every day these well-trained disasters behaved like gentlemen.
Another part of you was on the verge of imploding because the same seven who usually competed in ego wars (Kalim excluded) now seemed oddly invested in your company.
Please do not let this night end with all seven of them having a crush on me.
You would never survive looking them in the eye tomorrow. One or two you could handle.
Seven? That would end in a battlefield.
Ahead of you, the academy gates came into view. Tall. Ornate. Illuminated by elegant lanterns while guests streamed inside.
The perfect place for this illusion to end, before their gazes got any more intense. Your steps slowed slightly, and the others adjusted automatically.
Beyond the gates, upper balconies glowed with light and stained-glass windows scattered multicolored shards across the courtyard.
Vil glanced toward them. âA beautiful aesthetic, exactly what one would expect from the student council president,â he commented, violet eyes bright with approval. âFleur City always delivers the finest spectaclesâ
Leona exhaled softly beside you. âTch. If this thing runs longer than it should, Iâm leavingâ
Your lips curled faintly upward. That was such a Leona comment.
And then Idia, apparently unusually chatty tonight, talked loud enough for everyone to hear. ââŚpretty sure this ends with a final boss spawning in the middle of the hall at biblical difficultyâŚâ
You couldnât stop the laugh.
You tried to make it sound like a small huffâbut the laugh slipped out naturally. Bright, familiar, too familiar.
The sound hung in the air like a memory someone had just pulled out of a locked drawer. Leonaâs arm stiffened under your hand; Azulâs eyes sharpened; Vil tilted his head; Kalim blinked; Riddle froze; Idia looked like someone who had just connected two impossible dots; And Malleusâs gaze deepened.
Your pulse skyrocketed, you closed your eyes for half a second and pressed your lips together.
Idiot.
You cleared your throat quickly and stepped back. âI'm sorry,â you said lightly, smoothing your tone. âJust⌠the momentâ
You released Leonaâs arm. Another step back gave them space as the academy gates loomed only a short distance away.
âI believe this is where our paths separate,â you said with an elegant bow. âYou have fulfilled your duty admirablyâ
Azul recovered first. âWell,â he said, though his eyes were still attentive, âthis has been⌠unexpectedly pleasant.â
Kalim waved energetically. âI hope you enjoy the rest of the festival!â
Leona looked at your hand, then folded his arms again. âWatch where you step.â
Malleus returned your bow with one hand over his chest. âIf fate allows it, I would welcome another conversation.â
You straightened. âThen perhaps fate will be kind.â
You picked Grim up in both arms, because you needed something to do with your hands, and turned toward the academy entrance.
One step...then another. Trying to look composed, just another guest entering the celebration.
Internally? You were about three seconds away from completely losing your nerve.
The moment the academy doors swallowed you, you didnât stop, nor you didnât slow down; in fact, you sped up.
You didnât admire the architecture, the vaulted stone corridors, the candlelit banners, the elegant streams of guests drifting toward the grand hall.
You took a side corridor, then another, then passed through an open arch into a quieter cloister, with tall windows and ivy climbing the walls. Only when the distant noise of the courtyard softened into a manageable murmur did you finally exhale.
ââŚOkay,â Grim whispered from your arms. ââŚweâre still alive.â
âBarely.â Your lips tightened, the pressure in your chest still fighting to break free.
âThat laugh almost killed us.â
âI know, Grim.â You leaned against the cold stone column and adjusted his hood so you could see his face.
ââŚthose idiots seemed to like you, huh?â His eyes bulged slightly, and judging by his posture he was as close to a stress-induced meltdown as you were.
You shut your eyes at the memory. âDonât remind me⌠thatâs a problemâ
âIâm glad to see my earlier concern wasnât unfoundedâ
The lantern light flickered softly across the cloister floor. Somewhere deeper inside the academy, the music began again, more structured now, more ceremonial.
Why? Why canât I have one moment of peace?
Your spine stiffened instantly, you turned.
At the entrance of the cloister stood Rollo with a posture so perfect it could belong to a movie villain. Hands clasped behind his back, expression calm and attentive. The lanternlight traced a warm outline around him⌠almost like flames.
âI trust the escort provided by Night Raven College proved sufficient,â he said calmly. Grim froze again like a gargoyleâafter ducking his head and burrowing into your chest.
You inclined your head politely. âMore than sufficient, President Flamme. Your hospitality is⌠thoroughâ
âIt is my responsibility,â he replied. âA host must ensure that no guest experiences discomfort within our cityâ
He stepped closer, not intruding, simply shortening the conversational distance with careful etiquette. âI must admit,â he continued, thoughtful rather than stern, âit is rare to encounter attendees whose affiliation is not immediately apparentâ
Another step forward. You stayed exactly where you were, clutching Grim like a plush toy.
âMay I askâŚâ he said, choosing his words carefully, as if trying to avoid creating a scene, âwhether you come from another academy?â
You didnât allow yourself to hesitate. âMy family travels frequently. I accompany them this seasonâ The answer came out quickly, too quickly to sound completely natural.
Which, technically⌠wasnât entirely false.
If one ignored the circumstances of that accompaniment.
âAnd do you personally practice magic?â
A simple question. Simpleâand judging by the atmosphere this man radiated, a dangerous one. You didnât know why, but the way Rollo always remained composed and asked such direct questions made something in your instincts prickle.
Your gaze dropped briefly to Grim as you scratched his head, forcing a small smile like you were remembering a relative who didnât actually exist.
âMy brother is the gifted one in the familyâ You looked back at him. âHeâs the one formally enrolled at Night Raven Collegeâ
Rolloâs eyes sharpened slightly. âI seeâ His gaze lowered toward Grimâs hood. âAnd that bundle is a familiar, I assume?â
âCorrect,â you replied, adjusting Grim again; your arms were starting to ache. The cat was definitely getting fat. âHe belongs to my brother, I care for him while heâs occupied.â
His eyes studied you for a moment, like someone inspecting the symmetry of a cathedral window. If he was looking for something suspicious, he didnât say it aloud.
But he made you sweat. A cold drop slid down your spine, you were getting tired of this much stress.
âHow fortunate,â he said at last, allowing you to breathe again. âTo have family capable of assuming such responsibilityâ
He and Riddle would probably get along, you thought. Both had that particular pride in responsibility and decorum. Which made it odd that Rollo wasnât currently with the NRC delegation discussing formalities with Riddle.
Why wasnât he there with them?
âIn my experience,â Rollo continued quietly, walking past you to look toward the garden beyond the cloister, âthose born without magic often develop⌠a clearer perspective on consequencesâ
You frowned slightly, unsure where that comment was going. âPerhaps,â you replied neutrally.
His gaze returned to you. Now he stood directly in front of you, but his posture wasnât interrogative, although something about the moment felt like the beginning of a tense conversation.
Great. Add another person to the list of people you had to be careful speaking around. As if dealing with every student at NRC wasnât already exhausting enough.
âAt Noble Bell, we place great value on the upbringing of our guests,â he said. His voice remained firm and formal. âOften, that reveals more than titles or affiliationsâ
A polite way of saying tell me about your background.
And what a background that was.
âWhat does your family do, if I may ask?â
Your eyes widened slightly. You remembered questions like this from your own world...a little classist, a little creepy, if you were being honest.
Your mind started spinning. Whatever you said now would have consequencesâand could unravel your lie instantly.
Rich merchants? Too easy to verify.
Minor nobility? Far too risky.
Foreign lineage? Absolutely not.
You needed something visible, difficult to check, socially plausible⌠and open to interpretation.
ââŚperformance,â you said finally, tilting your head with a small smile.
Rollo narrowed his eyes slightly, mirroring the tilt of your head. âPerformanceâ
âMy family works within musical circles.â You stepped toward the cloister columns, letting your eyes drift toward the small garden to buy yourself a breath of space from his scrutiny. âCeremonial events, private patronage, festivals like this⌠occasionally.â
TechnicallyâŚnot entirely false.
If one counted the endless chaos-filled performances NRC dragged you into cleaning up afterward.
âAnd you?â he asked, moving to stand beside you.
âMe⌠what?â You had been staring at a flower you thought was an orange lily-of-the-valley and hadnât processed the question. Your body turned slightly toward him, hip angled casually.
âWhat do you practice?â
âAhâŚâ Your expression faltered for half a second in embarrassment. You hadnât prepared that answer.
âVocal training.â Your eyes returned to the garden. âBeginnerâ
If yelling at Grim every morning so he wouldnât make you late for class counted as vocal training. Or shouting at Ace and Deuce when their clown-level stupidity dragged you into disasters. Enough practice to develop excellent lungs.
âSinging,â you finished.
For one terrible second you thought you had overplayed it. But Rollo didnât react, he simply nodded.
âA disciplined art,â he said. His brows lifted slightly, careful not to appear judgmental. âMusic, when practiced with devotion, reflects order.â
He extended his hands in front of him, left hand outward. âStructureâ Right hand outward. âHarmonyâ His palms opened, fingers long and precise. âThe sacred ceremonies of this city rely greatly on vocal precision.â His head turned toward the distant sound of a choir rising from the main hall. âA poorly trained chorus can ruin an entire liturgical sequenceâ
You followed his gaze toward the archway leading to the side corridor and listened to the choir for a few seconds. âI prefer small audiences.â
âA wise preference,â Rollo nodded, exhaling softly in time with the rising harmony of the chorus. âTrue refinement rarely requires spectacleâ
You leaned slightly to study his faceâpure curiosity. His expression softened for a moment under the layered voices of the choir, as if the music were something sacred to him.
The moment lasted only a few seconds. Then he composed himself again, hands folded neatly before him, his attention returning to you. You straightened as well.
âYou speak with unusual composure for someone outside the academic delegations,â he said, stepping closer. âMost visitors tonight are eager to attract attentionâ
You pressed your lips together in a small thoughtful pout, tilting your head toward the music as if weighing the idea. Thinking, and thinking.
âItâs easier to listen firstâŚâ You gave him a crooked smile. âAttention can be exhausting sometimesâ
Rollo exhaled againâsubtle, but visible. âYesâŚâ His eyes lingered on yours. ââŚit certainly can beâ
Then, like a dramatic punctuation mark in a poorly timed story, a massive bell rang out. The sound cracked through the academy like thunder; deep, heavy and close. The vibration rolled through the stone around you.
âIt seems the ceremony is about to begin.â
You turned toward the corridor as the footsteps of guests echoed more strongly through the halls, a tide moving toward the grand hall.
Rollo adjusted his attire, the robe, even the large hat, then extended his hand to you exactly as he had earlier in the plaza, the other hand behind his back.
âIt would be improper to allow a guest unfamiliar with the academy to navigate the inner corridors alone during a formal assemblyâ
Ah⌠damn
âI will escort you personally.â There was no room for debate. Decision made. End of discussion.
Refusing now would be far more suspicious than accepting.
âYou are very thorough, President Flamme,â you said with a bow that nearly reached the floor, holding Grim with one arm and your hat with the other so it wouldnât slip.
âThoroughness prevents disorder,â he replied calmly.
He waited patiently for your hand. When you placed it in his, his fingers closed gently around yours. The cold edge of his ring brushed your skin even through the glove. âThis wayâ
The academy corridors unfolded ahead of you. Candles lined the walls in strict rows, the stained glass windows were fading under the last rays of sunset. Immaculate white columns framed the space while the ceremonial atmosphere gathered like a curtain before a stage performance.
âFor someone outside the formal delegations,â Rollo commented as you approached the reading hall entrance, âyou carry yourself with remarkable composureâ
âIâve learned to adapt quickly,â you said, tilting your head slightly. That, at least, was the most honest thing you had said all day.
âA valuable skill.â
Grimâs small claws pressed into your sleeve, his silent signal that things were going very wrong.
Ahead, the corridor opened. Golden light from enormous chandeliers flooded the hall, marble floors gleamed beneath towering stained-glass pillars, the ceremonial music swelled as hundreds of voices gathered at the center.
Rollo slowed his pace as you approached and gently guided you closer so the entire hall opened before your view.
âThe seating is organized by delegation,â he explained, gesturing upward with his free hand. âHowever, independent guests may observe from the upper galleriesâ
Translation: He was personally installing you in the best observation point in the building.
Most likely surrounded by staff, highly visible, no escape routes.
Wonderful.
He pointed toward a marble staircase rising along the hall wall. âFrom there you will have a perfect viewâ
You lifted your gaze toward the upper gallery, marble and stone just as ornate as the rest of the hall, and quite spacious.
âIf you require anything, attendants will be nearbyâ Then he released your hand.
Standing straight as a ceremonial statue, he bowed once moreâlegs aligned perfectly like a prince finishing a formal greeting. âI trust the presentation will justify your attendanceâ
And with that, he left.
Once again, you were alone with Grim.
ââŚhey⌠henchmanâŚâ a small whisper came from inside the cloak.
ââŚyeah?â You still hadnât taken your eyes off Rolloâs retreating figure down the corridor.
âWe have VIP seatsâ
ââŚyeahâ
Grim sighed. You felt his tail go limp across your shoulder. ââŚthis night is going spectacularlyâ
One moment the reading hall was perfectly synchronized with the ceremony, waiting for the famous magical bell artifact to sound⌠and the next moment fire.
Not the warm glow of decorative candles lining the hall. Not a ceremonial brazier. Not a controlled magical flame meant to add theatrical flair.
These were real flames, hungry ones, full of magicâand disturbingly selective.
They burst upward along the cathedral columns in violent ribbons of orange while the massive bell roared like a living thing. Heat tore through the hall, guests screamed, the polished order of the ceremony collapsed instantly into panic.
âMy magicâ!â
âItâs not activating!â
âWhatâs happening?!â
The sound spread in waves, confusion becoming fear, fear becoming absolute chaos.
From the upper gallery, smoke already curling over the carved railing, you clutched Grim tightly to your chest.
âThis has officially turned into a disaster!â you inhaled as deeply as you could, staring down at the inferno rising below.
âHNYA!! FOO! FOO!â Grim tried blowing at the approaching flames. âPREFECT, THE FIREâS GETTING CLOSER!â
âI CAN SEE THAT!â
Guests surged toward exits in disorganized waves, assistants shouted directions nobody followed, sparks rained down as part of the decorative canopy collapsed in a burst of embers.
You backed against the stone wall, keeping distance from the fire. The flames were climbing quickly now, you could feel them licking the hem of your skirt. You yanked the fabric away and moved sideways along the wall toward the corridor exit.
âIf this dress burns,â you said with deadly seriousness, even as the smoke made your breathing ragged, âI swear by the Seven, Grim, I will make you work overtime to pay off our debt to Samâ
âTHATâS YOUR PRIORITY RIGHT NOW!?â
âDO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH THIS FABRIC COSTS?!â
A small explosion cracked beside you and you hurried your steps. You pulled off your hat and held it over your nose, shielding both you and Grim from the smoke.
The bell thundered again. But now it wasnât announcing a ceremony, or the hour, or the arrival of magic into a new era.
It was weaponized.
ââŚOkay,â you muttered, forcing yourself to stay calm and conserving oxygen as best you could. Your eyes scanned the gallery exits, fallen chandeliers, and the storm of wildflower petals drifting through the hall. âTime to save their asses⌠again.â
The bell roared, the metallic blast split the air so violently the stained-glass windows trembled, and with that resonance, more petals erupted into the burning air.
At first it looked almost beautiful, orange petals floating down toward the flames, dozens, then hundreds. A storm of glowing flowers falling from the bell tower like drifting embers.
One brushed the sleeve of a fleeing mage, the flower ignited bright red on contact, its petals burned from within. Smoke rose as the studentâs spell collapsed instantly, magic ripped out of the air like someone unplugging reality itself.
âMy magicâ! Itâs gone!â
Another flower fell, another flare, another failed spell. Understanding spread faster than the fire.
âTheyâre draining itâ!â
âDonât let them touch you!â
More petals rained down, brushing cloaks, masks, bare hands, triggering bursts of flame wherever they landed, leaving scorched fabric and a dead silence where magic should have answered.
The grand hallâseconds ago filled with the most skilled magical students from several academiesâwas now packed with people who couldnât conjure a single spark.
Grim twisted in your arms. âPREFECT THIS IS BADâREALLY BADââ
You saw one flower drifting toward you and flattened yourself against the wall. The corridor behind you was already engulfed in flames, the staircase was starting to burn. You couldnât stop the petal gliding over the gallery railing straight toward your sleeve.
It touched the fabricâŚNothing happened. No flame, no burn, no magic drain. Because there was nothing to drain, the petal simply slid off your sleeve and landed harmlessly on the floor.
You lifted your arm, no damage. You squeezed Grim tighter against your chest and turned toward the stairs.
âIt only drains magic!â you shouted over the roar of the fire.
âThat meansââ
âThat means,â you snapped, voice sharp with the absolutely terrible decision you were about to make, âwhile everyone else is getting drainedââ
You took the stairs two at a time, dodging small flames licking across the marble. ââsomeone without magic is the most useful person in the entire building!â
Grimâs eyes went wide, he realized it instantly. The only one who could move freely through this chaosâŚwas you.
Without thinking twice you leapt the final stretch of stairs, landing inelegantly on the main floor. Before the flames could reach the hem of your dress you yanked the fabric aside and bolted across the hall.
âHot! Hot! Hot!â Yes, talking while running through a smoke-filled hall was stupid, but it was the only way to vent the stress as you sprinted through the wide arches.
And at the center of the inferno...the seven dorm leaders stood in formation, imposing order on chaos the only way they knew how; loudly, stubbornly.
âClear evacuation routes!â shouted Riddle. âWe need civilians outânow!â
Idia was shouting too, panic turning his brain into a rapid-fire analysis machine. âThe flowers are linked to the bell! Itâs a distributed power source!â
Kalim and Azul were already dousing nearby flames with water magic. Even Malleus, with his power weakened, had air swirling around him like a contained cyclone, deflecting falling petals.
All seven were staring upward toward the tower. Where the bell still rang, where more flowers kept falling, and where one man stood watching the chaos below with chilling superiority.
Rollo.
âThis world has suffered too long under the rule of magic!â he shouted, completely unhinged. His staff swung wildly, sending waves of burning flowers across the hall. âPower brings only arrogance! Destruction! Chaos!â
Another bell strike, more petals, the last scraps of magic began to fail.
âI will end this suffering!â His voice cracked into something almost like a sob. âEven if the flames must purify this city!â
Grim buried his face deeper in the cloak against your shoulder. ââŚyeah okay⌠heâs lost itâ
The leaders moved before you could blink. All seven redirected the remaining magic they could muster, pushing the falling flowers away in bursts of windâthough the currents also fed the fire.
âWatch the flames!â shouted Vil, already extinguishing a decorative banner that had caught fire.
Leona had launched himself toward a pillar, dodging both the flames and the falling flowers with the kind of speed he only used during Magift. With Kingâs Roar, he turned every piece of furniture already on fire into sand.
Tiny grains scattered through the air as more flowers fell from the bell tower, only to dissolve the moment they touched the drifting sand.
âNO!â shouted Rollo, staggering slightly. âMagic must disappear! Even if I must burn this city to its foundation, I will finish what I started!â
The flames burst upward again, bathing the entire reading hall in violent orange and red light, smoke was already swallowing the last breathable air.
You ducked as a piece of the structure collapsed, crushing a bench beneath it, splinters of wood scattered everywhere.
âHenchman!â Grim coughed. âThis is the part where the villain stops being organized and becomes erratically dangerous!â
ââŚgood call, Grim.â He was right. After dealing with multiple overblots, both of you knew the pattern by heart.
And if there was something else youâd learned after months inside a school full of wildly irresponsible magic users, and a few outright fanatics, it was this: You donât argue with them.
Especially not a fanatic whoâs currently burning down a city.
You placed Grim beneath the archway entrance of the hall, hiding him from the flames under a stretch of marble structure, the doors were already open where civilians had escaped.
Then you ran straight toward the fire, toward the seven idiots fighting inside it. Or maybe you were the idiot for charging into an inferno wearing a highly flammable dress with zero magic.
But heyâadrenaline does wonderful things to a personâs judgment.
âWAITâ!â you heard Grim squeak over the crackling fire.
You didnât look back, your eyes were locked on the chaos ahead. You didnât think rationally eitherâbecause sometimes the optimal solutionâŚis interrupting a villainâs speech with physical violence.
You ran, and ran and ran. You rushed past Riddle, who only caught a glimpse of a swirl of black and red fabric from the corner of his eye, unable to see clearly through the heat distortions.
But when you planted your foot, twisted your body, and raised your armâevery dorm leader became very aware of your presence in the flames.
Crack.
Your fist slammed directly into Rolloâs face. A solid human punch, powered by frustration and adrenaline. His head snapped sideways, the speech he was about to shout died halfway up his throat.
He staggered back a step, hand flying to his cheek, his eyes went wide, pure disbelief flooding his expression. No one in his perfectly ordered life had ever punched him.
The fire flickered, then slowly began to die down. The hall inhaled again, tThe room seemed to exhale with it.
You lowered your hand slowly, breathing hard, then bent forward as the pain finally hit your knuckles.
ââŚowâ
The pain shot up your arm, you shook your hand violently, hopping slightly on your feet.
âShit,â you muttered, clutching your hand for a moment before shaking it again. âThat hurts...oh hell that hurtsâ
You looked at Rollo, voice rough from the smoke. âCould you maybe not burn down a city over your personal issues for five minutes?!â
You bent forward again. âDamn! Your bones are hard!â
Behind youâ
âSHE JUST DEFEATED THE FINAL BOSS WITH A HOOK PUNCH!â shouted Idia, unable to contain what he had just witnessed.
ââŚokay,â you groaned through clenched teeth. âThat was one of the worst decisions of my lifeâ Under the glove, your knuckles were already swelling.
âDonât moveâ The voice of Vil arrived calm, sharp, perfectly controlled now that the end-of-the-world situation had paused.
He gently took your wrist and carefully removed your glove. The skin around your knuckles was red and throbbing, you could barely move your fingers without a stab of pain running all the way to your shoulder.
âThat impact could have fractured something,â he said, lifting your hand and examining it. He turned it carefully in different directions, moving your fingers slightly, visibly irritated. âHonestly. Barbaric⌠effective, but barbaricâ
Azul stepped beside him, his tone smooth but edged with concern. âAllow us to help. We can perform basic healing spellsâ
Riddle was already clearing space nearby, dragging charred furniture aside. âGive the young lady air!â
Kalim rushed over as well, dodging debris and wilted flowers. âAre you okay? Does it hurt a lot?â he asked, leaning in beside Vil to inspect the damage.
You tried to pull your hand away. âIâm fineââ
Vil didnât allow it, tightening his hold slightly, though not painfully. âDo not argue while you are injuredâ
ââŚokayâ
Azul placed his fingers lightly against your knuckles. A faint spell flickered between them, much weaker than his magic normally shone. A soft blue glow wrapped around your hand, cold, like pressing an ice pack against the injury.
The swelling eased slightly, the pain dulling from a sharp stab to a manageable ache.
âThis is only temporary relief,â Azul said, withdrawing his hand. Vil released your wrist as well. âYou will require proper treatment laterâ
You flexed your fingers carefully, the muscles moved without too much resistance.
ââŚthanksâ You slowly pulled the glove back on. The soft fabric brushed the injury and you winced faintly.
Leona had been watching the entire time with narrowed eyes, arms crossed. âDo you usually run into burning buildings?â
His tone was flat, not mocking, nor scolding, just⌠curious. You tilted your head, thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. âSeemed like the fastest way to stop him.â
âSpeed is not always the most efficient method,â remarked Malleus as he stepped closer, checking if youâd been injured anywhere besides your hand. âDo you require further assistance, miss?â
âIâm fine now, really. Thank youâ Malleus inclined his head and didnât press further.
Instead he stepped back and cast a small spellâsimple for him even in his weakened state, but still effective. The air cleared instantly, smoke and ash were swept away. At last, the reading hall could breathe again, even with the aftermath of the fight still hanging in the air.
Without the smoke, the damage was impossible to ignore. Several pieces of furniture had been reduced to ash, none of the decorative fabrics had escaped the flames, some burned down to their first threads, others halfway through their tapestry. Black scorch marks stained the marble floor, several stained-glass windows were cracked. A few more seconds and the glass would have exploded.
ââŚIâŚâ Behind you, a trembling voice finally broke free from its daze.
Rollo was still standing exactly where the punch had left him, his hand pressed to his cheek, shoulders rising and falling with uneven breaths. His voice was faintâbarely more than a whisper. The fury that had filled it minutes ago had collapsed entirely.
ââŚI only wantedâŚâ His voice cracked. ââŚto stop everything tied to magic⌠to remove the worldâs painâ
His gaze drifted across the ruined hall, the ashes, the chaos his plan had unleashed. âThis⌠isâŚâ
His knee buckled and he nearly collapsed to the floor if you hadnât moved quickly and caught his arm. The others stiffened immediately, stepping forward, ready to protect you from the suddenly fragile fanatic. You raised your hand to stop them.
Then you guided him toward the small central step and let him sit. Silence stretched as you allowed him time to breathe normally again.
On the floor beside you lay a violet handkerchief, scattered with ash. You picked it up, shook off as much dirt as possible, and held it out to him. Rollo stared at your hand, then at your eyes, then at the hand again.
His jaw tightened as he swallowed before finally taking the cloth and pressing it against his cheek, which was already darkening into a bruise.
His shoulders slumped. ââŚI have failed,â he whispered. âMy obsession endangered thousands of citizens⌠and my studentsâ
He took a shaky breath and bowed his head where he sat. ââŚI offer my most sincere apologies.â
The apology wasnât just meant for you, or the seven standing behind you. It was for every guest, for his city, for his school, for the entire world he had nearly burned to the ground.
âThe evening is ruined,â he said before trying to stand, you helped him again, slipping your arm under his. âThe ceremony cannot continue under these conditions.â
He looked genuinely distressed, unable to meet anyoneâs eyes. You kept your grip steady and glanced toward the entrance. Grim was still waiting there, sitting quietlyâbut clearly trying not to vibrate from the tension. The doorway itself was intact, and the area around it too.
Yes, the hall was wreckedâŚbut wasnât magic also meant to help, not just destroy?
Also⌠where the hell was Crowley when someone actually needed him? Of course. Useless bird.
ââŚis it?â you said, breaking the thick tension.
Rollo turned toward you, startled, and you gave him a small, almost amused look and shrugged again.
âThe structure is still standing, fortunatelyâ Your gaze swept the damaged hall. âAnd the guests are safeâ
It seemed Malleus shared your thinking, he stepped forward. âA ceremony is not defined by perfection,â he said, extending his arms slightly toward the hall. âBut by those who gather within it⌠and choose to remainâ
Rollo blinked, slightly disoriented. Malleus stepped closer, now standing in front of both of you.
âIf the host permits,â he continued, his eyes sincere and calm, âNight Raven College would be willing to offer a performance in place of the interrupted programâ
Kalimâs eyes lit up instantly as he joined the circle. âOh! We can do that!â
From further back, Idia fiddled nervously with the sleeves of his very extravagant suit. ââŚare we activating emergency concert modeâŚ?â His face looked like someone ready to teleport back to his room and lock the door for the next week.
Azul removed his hat and tapped it against his leg, knocking loose a few ash particles clinging to its ocean-themed decorations. âA collaborative performance would calm the guests and stabilize the atmosphereâ
Leona let out a loud grunt. âYou guys are annoyingâ
Clearly uncomfortable with the resolution, he turned and walked down the hall, but not toward the exit. Instead he kicked a fairly intact bench and dropped onto it.
ââŚyouâre not going to help, are you?â snapped Vil, arms crossed.
âIâm not singing if thatâs what youâre asking, pretty boyâ Leona leaned back, arms behind his head, eyes closing as if savoring what little peace remained before chaos resumed.
You snorted softly and turned your head away, covering your mouth to hide a smile.
âThis night does not have to end in ashes,â Malleus said again. âNot if you decide otherwise.â
Rollo studied Malleus carefully, perhaps searching for resentment, disgust, or superiority. But Malleus didnât look at people like that; you knew that. But that was something only you understood⌠and something youâd keep very quiet.
No, Rollo found none of those things. He inhaled slowly and closed his eyes.
When he exhaled, his composure had returned. ââŚvery wellâ
He slipped his arm free from yours and stood straight again. âIf your school truly wishes to offer such generosity⌠Noble Bell College will be honored.â
The decision spread through the room like a spark catching dry wood.
Rollo moved toward the doors with renewed purpose, you followed at a slight distance, your good hand lightly touching the knuckles of the injured one through the glove. When you reached the doorway, you crouched and picked Grim up. Rollo was already speaking to the attendants, directing them into motion.
Lanterns were relit, broken furniture beyond repair was carried outside, pieces that could still stand were pushed aside, some attendants used magic to clean the soot-darkened marble. Malleus helped with that as well.
Within minutes the hall had nearly returned to its original state. The musicians who had once prepared the ceremonial music brought out instruments again, students from Noble Bell College hurried to reconstruct something resembling a formalâif now acousticâevening.
Rollo stood at the center of it all, overseeing the work, ensuring nothing was misplaced, watching the Night Raven College delegation help, issuing calm instructions to his students.
His gaze moved across the entire hall, until it returned to you.
âI wish to offer my most sincere apology,â his voice carrying clearly across the room, the bruise on his cheek was now unmistakable. âI failed my guests⌠and those who showed the courage I lacked in that moment.â
His bow was so deep he nearly folded in half. You tightened your grip around Grim against your chest as you watched him straighten again.
âYou intervened when reason could no longer reach me,â he continued. âAnd for that⌠you have my sincere gratitude. And my apologyâ
How many times had people bowed or inclined themselves before you tonight? Five? Six? Who knew.
It certainly wouldnât be the last.
âI placed you in danger inside my own academy.â You held his gaze, but this time you didnât bow. Your neck was already starting to ache from all the earlier ones.
âIâm just glad the city isnât on fire.â
Rollo simply nodded and looked around again. The students of Noble Bell were nearly finished restoring the hall, and the seven dorm leaders had regrouped in their usual cluster of dramatic personalities.
Their attention was now very clearly fixed on you, you could practically feel their eyes drilling into your back. Behind the thin mask you gave yourself a completely deadpan look. They couldn't possibly be more obvious. You huffed quietly and waited while the last details were set in place, a student lit the final candle on a low chandelier.
âEarlier you mentioned that your family works in the field of musical performance,â Rollo said. You turned your head so quickly your neck nearly cracked.
âAnd⌠that you yourself train your voice.â
Out of the corner of your eye you saw Kalim elbow Azul so he would stop talking to Idia and pay attention. Vil's eyes sharpened with sudden artistic interest...That was definitely not a good sign.
Rollo clasped his hands together near his chest, almost pleading. âThe choir scheduled for tonight has been⌠interruptedâ
He then extended his hands toward you. âIf the young lady who helped save this ceremony would be willingâeven a brief performanceââ His palms opened upward. ââŚit might help restore calm among our guests.â
You bit the inside of your cheek to stop a tiny panicked squeak.
Kalim suddenly jumped forward, stopping far too close to your face. âThat sounds fantastic!â He grabbed both your hands enthusiastically. You flinched slightly at the stab of pain in your knuckles. âOh! Right, sorry!â
He released the injured one immediately, though his excitement didnât dim in the slightest. âYou can sing? You didnât mention that earlier!â
You tried to respond, anything, but your mouth stayed half-open when Azul stepped closer too, wearing an expression of dangerously genuine curiosity.
âHow convenient,â he said smoothly. âIt seems the young lady possessed hidden talentsâ His sincere smile somehow made you even more nervous.
At lightning speed your eyes scanned the seven dorm leaders and Rollo, completely unable to form a single word. Every possible response in your head was immediately replaced by another, or interrupted by something someone in front of you said.
ââŚthis is either the best narrative resolution ever or the beginning of a catastrophic post-credits scene,â Idia whispered to Riddle, he rolled his eyes and ignored the comment.
âWell thenâŚâ Vil crossed his arms, visibly expectant. âCan you?â
His smile looked like that of a film director who had just discovered his next muse and was about to shoot the best scene of his career.
âHere we go again,â groaned Leona, pinching the bridge of the nose. âStop crowding her againâ Vil gestured for him to be quiet.
You closed your mouth...Opened it again...Closed it again; then slowly inhaled. Honestly⌠it had already been a very long day: You had snuck into an international festival without an official invitation; dodged lethal magic-draining flowers; lied to the host of the entire event and punched him in the face in the middle of a burning hall.
From one of the tall windows of the hall, you had a perfect view of the performance unfolding below.
Malleus stood right at the center of the marble circleâcalm, steady, almost statuesque. When he sang, his voice carried through the entire hall with a strength that everyone could feel. Beside him, Azul and Idia accompanied the song with suspicious precision; you had never seen them rehearse this performance, and you were fairly certain you had never heard this song echoing through the dorm corridors either.
ââŚwow,â Grim whispered from your arms, barely peeking out to watch. âTheyâre actually killing itâ
âYeahâŚâ You leaned forward a little more.
The other dorm leaders stood off to one side of the hall watching the performance unfold, and just as he had promised, Leona had absolutely no intention of participating.
You leaned a little farther when you noticed something odd about Idiaâs performance in front of the guests. ââŚIs Idia using a voice device?â
ââŚthat guy really canât live without technology,â Grim muttered, crossing his arms. His expression flattened when he spotted the small device Idia was clearly using to sing for him.
And even soâŚThe performance was magnificent.
Malleusâs voice sounded so majestic it was both deep and almost angelic, probably one of the many perks of being a high fae and future prince. Idiaâs voiceâunexpectedly delicate despite being technologicalâand Azulâs tone blended perfectly together.
You rested your arms on the stone window frame and closed your eyes, finally allowing yourself to enjoy the evening the way you had originally planned. Grim climbed onto the window ledge beside you, adjusting his mask so he could see better. Both of you swayed gently with the rhythm of the music, and a smile slowly spread across your face.
âTheyâve got this,â you murmured quietly, tapping a finger against your arm in time with the music. âBastards⌠is there anything they canât do well?â
Grim snickered, covering his mouth with his paw to keep the sound down. âTheyâre totally showing off.â
You laughed quietly along with him. When you opened your eyes again, you found Grim staring at you. âYouâre next.â
Your smile, which had started out sarcastic, shifted into something more mischievous.
You looked back down toward the hall. The voices still flowed together in harmony, moving around the marble circle with a grace that Vil was probably mentally approving from somewhere nearby. The second chorus was about to begin.
âWellâŚâ you straightened up, adjusting the fall of your skirt and the lace miraculously still intact over the red brocade. âI suppose itâs time to close the night with a golden finishâ
Grim looked up at you, eyes narrowing skeptically, his little paws stretching toward you to be held again.âYou know how to sing?â
You lifted him and settled him onto your shoulder, both of you looked down toward the stage one last time. Your voice obviously wouldnât sound as perfect as Malleusâs, but at least it would sound human, warm.
Or so you hoped.
You adjusted your mask and stepped toward the staircase, running your hand along the stone edge of the window and grabbing a small black fan.
ââŚWhere did you get that fan?â Grim asked.
You opened it, revealing a simple design of floral embroidery and delicate lace. âIt was on one of the benchesâ
âHng⌠youâre adding more drama.â
Right then, Malleusâs voice surged through the entire hall structure as he reached the final note. The sound vibrated through the room, leaving behind a faint but powerful echo.
You paused mid-step and glanced upward as if your eyes could follow the note sliding through the air, then you gave Grim a playful look. âCome onâ You turned toward the stairs. âWeâve got to compete with our princeâ
The final chord echoed for a few seconds, applause followed, warm and energized, proof that the performance of those three had worked. The night had been saved.
You set Grim down at the top of the stairs, placing him beside a small decorative window at his height so he could watch the next act. When your heel touched the first step, the lighting along the staircase dimmed slightly, casting a softer contrast around your silhouette.
Fan open, one hand resting lightly on the railing, your heart racing a mile a minute. This would either go spectacularly wellâŚ
or become the most embarrassing moment of your life.
You glanced once more at Grim for support, he lifted one paw in a tiny thumbs-up; that was apparently the feline version of encouragement.
And so you began your descent, slow steps, measured, careful. Falling now would be catastrophic. No one wanted to watch the mysterious masked woman who had saved the evening tumble down twenty marble steps.
âMasquerade
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade
Hide your face, so the world will never find youâŚâ
The applause died instantly, your voice wasn't loud nor powerful like Malleusâs, it didnât have Azulâs precision, nor Idiaâs delicate tone...But hopefully it was unmistakably human, and familiar. Almost⌠comforting.
Each step down the marble curved with the melody, the lace of the dress catching the candlelight, the fan tilting slightly, slow movements as if you were stepping into a courtship circle.
Below in the hall, the seven leaders stood still. Malleus, Idia, and Azul had returned to stand with the others and now the entire group once again had their eyes fixed on you.
Both Azul and Riddle tensed in unison, not expecting your voice to emerge so soft. Singing while descending a staircase could be rather complicated if you didnât have proper vocal control; walking while singing alone could already be tiring and might make your voice tremble.
Kalim, who stood on the opposite side of Riddle, grabbed his sleeve and began shaking it, pointing at you as you continued your descent. His mouth hung open, nearly reaching the floor, forming a small wow while you fanned yourself with each descending step.
âMasquerade
Every face a different shade
Masquerade
Look around, thereâs another mask behind youâ
You continued downward, slow but steady, each step landing precisely with the tempo of the lyrics. Now the fan moved a little faster.
Vil followed your figure with every step, every movement of your dress flowing smoothly over the stairs; your posture perfectly straight, your weight settling properly onto each foot as it should, the heels striking neatly in time with the tempo. He watched how you moved the fan, as if it were a supporting actor that required very little to be perfect.
Idia stood behind Vil, slightly hunched with his mask poorly positioned; it looked like he had removed it for a moment after the performance, or rather, like he had deflated after carrying out such an intense social activity in front of so many people. His head barely leaned past Vilâs shoulder as he watched how you didnât need much to sound⌠simple, soothing.
The last curve of the staircase opened beneath your feet. The light framed you warmer there, spilling gold across the newly polished floor. You extended the hand holding the fan slightly to the side as the verse neared its end, and when your foot touched the final stepâŚthe music swelled, the violins accompanying the delicate chimes while a few percussion instruments followed.
âFlash of mauve,
Splash of puce,
Fool and king,
Ghoul and goose,
Green and black,
Queen and priest,
Trace of rouge,
Face of beastâ
You advanced farther into the open hall, guests stepped aside to give you room, as if the song itself were clearing a path for you. The warmth of your voice filled the space the fear had left behind earlier, moving through the hall softer than magic, steadier than the ceremony.
Leona had remained leaning against a pillar, watching without making any visible movement or comment toward the others. His arms rested at his sides, palms against the pillar, his gaze moving up and down your figure as he watched you walk through the crowd. But he wasnât looking at you the way Vil was.
No. He observed you as if trying to solve a puzzle that had been gnawing at him since the afternoon in the plaza. The mysterious masked girl who had stumbled into the group and carried herself with a natural ease almost humiliating for the seven of them clearly had an ace up her sleeve⌠an ace that felt strangely familiar, though he couldnât remember from where.
And MalleusâŚwas doing exactly the same. Watching you; but with a softer gaze, as though he were seeing a nymph within her own spring and he were merely a mortal fortunate enough to stumble upon her, fate too generous to allow him to witness such a spectacle.
ThenâŚmore voices joined, almost by accident. A voice close to you murmured quietly, then a couple near the edge of the circle, just above the violins, then another pair, cautious but slightly more confident.
All of those voices testing whether they were allowed to joinâas though they were forming a chorus to accompany your performance. And you allowed it.
A performance so human was always better when accompanied, wasnât it?
âFaces
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round
In an inhuman raceâŚâ
A pair of masked dancers stepped onto the open floor, slowly and cautiously at first; no choreography, only instinct, their movements catching the rhythm just as the candlelight caught the stained glass.
More joined. It wasnât a full dance yetâjust a movement here, another there. And gradually, what had begun with only your voice started turning into a complete spectacle.
You moved the fan in flowing motions upward with the rhythm of the lyricsâthe dramatic courtship play Grim had mentioned.
âEye of gold,
Thigh of blue,
True is false,
Who is who?
Curl of lip,
Swirl of gown,
Ace of hearts,
Face of clownâ
The chorus of guests was unmistakable now, harmonizing with yoursânot raising their voices to compete with you, but filling the space so the performance reverberated just as powerfully as Malleusâs voice alone had earlier.
Dozens of voices intertwined softly beneath yours; it was like watching the masquerade itself sing to close the night. Silk skirts began to spin, cloaks gliding across the floor, candlelight casting soft shadows over every figure and across the marble.
âFaces
Drink it in, drink it up
Till youâve drowned in the light, in the sound
But who can name the face?â
You turned your head toward a woman dressed exquisitely, wearing an immaculate violet gown, a mask almost identical to yours covered her eyes, she also carried a fan matching her dress.
With a movement that seemed rehearsed, the two of you raised your fans in front of your faces at the same moment. Everyone nearby who held a fan did exactly the same.
And for the third time that eveningâafter an inconvenient encounter, after an infernal chaosâthe event finally felt like a masquerade again.
Right there, at the center of everything, this time a center you had actually sought, you found yourself surrounded by a ballroom that had willingly become part of your song.
âMasquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade!
Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you!â
The dance burst to life.
No longer were there hesitant couples barely swaying, now they spun with confidence to the sound of the violins, gowns and suits tracing wide arcs across the marble floor. You moved among the turns like a master of ceremonies, your skirtâs movement blending with the others, spinning not to dance but to carry your voice to every corner of the hall.
Kalimâs eyes widened as he watched the sea of fabrics spinning and spinningâit was dizzying just to see so much coordination. âOh! People are really joining in!â
Azul watched keenly. âFascinating⌠sheâs stabilizing the entire roomâ
A few steps away, a Noble Bell student, tall, immaculate, his uniform pristine and untouched by ash, walked directly toward you.
Closer, closer still, until he stood only a single step away, moving in rhythm with the crowd, following your steps before bowing and extending his hand.
A formal invitation, a very legitimate one, the kind of official invitation you had hoped for ever since the festival had been announced. All afternoon you had hesitated about where to walk, hesitated about what to say so you wouldnât be discovered. NowâŚ
you simply wanted to dance, and you accepted the invitation without stopping your singing.
You snapped the fan closed softly against your hip while allowing him to guide you into the swirling mass of couples turning across the floor. Some dancers even lifted their partners into the air, far too bold a movement for you, so you wisely didnât attempt it.
Your dance was coordinated and fairly simple compared to the others, whose steps already carried the etiquette of ballroom tradition, yours remained softer, movements that allowed the dress to breathe and form dark circles trimmed with red, and enough stillness that your voice could continue floating above the chorus.
The student spun you once just as the orchestra swelled, your dress opened in a dark flare that caught the golden light like a glowing ember refusing to fade.
Across the floor, the seven dorm leaders watched as the performance had truly become thatâ a performance.
Dance, music, lead voice, chorus. Had you really not planned this from the start?
Vil murmured more to himself than the others, captivated by the way your dress followed every turn. âControl, breath rhythm, audience integration.â He adjusted both sleeves before adding his final verdict. âShe has stage instinctâ
He walked straight into the crowd and invited the first person he saw waiting near the edge of the dance floor. The others stared in silence for a few seconds before Kalim burst into laughter and strode toward the center as well, inviting a Noble Bell student to dance.
The hall had fully surrendered now, no more uncertain steps or scattered movementsâonly a sea of silk and velvet, feathered hats swaying in the air, lace glimmering beneath the softened lights.
Couples changed hands in coordinated turns, everyone pulsed with the rhythm of the music.
âYou can fool
Any friend who ever knew youâ
The student guiding you spun you once more, then another step, then he released your hand with elegant timing within the flow of the dance, allowing another guest to take it. Then another, and another; You remained on the dance floor as if you had been born to dance until sunrise.
The orchestra never truly stopped after that.
One song melted into the next, the tempo rising and softening in waves while the lantern light grew warmer, as though the night itself had finally remembered what it was meant to be.
And you danced, and danced, and danced. Occasionally glancing upward toward the window where Grim watched from his hiding place, until he grew bored and hurried down the stairs toward a small table where snacks and drinks had been arranged.
And Grim, being Grim, went straight for the snacks. You shook your head, amused, unable to suppress the smile at the irony of it all: Grim worrying only about food, completely forgetting the stealth partâŚwhile you danced with strangers.
At first.
Because in the middle of another turn, Kalim arrived. He practically bounced his way over, bowing with an enthusiastic sincerity that somehow remained perfectly polite.
âMay I?â he asked, already smiling as though the answer could only be yes.
His dancing was open, slightly less precise than the formal protocol demanded, but relaxed enough that the turns felt light and smooth rather than rigid and ceremonial.
If the music hadnât dictated the style, Kalim probably would have dragged you into a dozen far more energetic moves across the entire floor.
âBest night ever,â he laughed softly as you spun together. His laughter was so contagious it made you laugh tooâthough you kept it much more controlled this time.
âIâm really glad you stayedâ He spun you again in a partner exchange.
Next came Riddle. He stepped forward with impeccable posture, offering his hand with textbook ceremonial formality. âI would like to request this dance,â he said, composed, but unmistakably sincere.
His steps were perfect, structured, exactly as ballroom manuals likely instructed for someone leading a partner. Not stiff, simply preciseâas if every movement had been practiced until he could guide another person with absolute confidence.
âYou handle chaos surprisingly well,â he admitted quietly during a turn.
AhâŚif only you knew
Then came Azul. He bowed with a touch of theatrical flair, though still formal, like a merchant about to greet a valuable soul. âIt would be a tragedy not to experience a dance with youâ
He guided you effortlessly, every step deliberate, every movement calculated so that you appeared exquisite, as though you were a rare piece in an impossibly expensive collection. And he remained in the backgroundâŚletting you shine.
Vil arrived afterward as if the night itself had set a timer so he would appear at the exact right moment, balancing the aesthetic of the three who had gone before him.
His hand was firm, confident; the dance elegant without effort, posture impeccable, movement fluidâthe kind of partner who doesnât just dance but shapes the entire image of the ballroom around him.
âYou understand presentation,â he murmured near your ear. âPresence. Thatâs rare to findâ He released your hand for an open step, ending with you spinning on yourself and landing briefly in the blondâs arms before he let you go again.
You were surprised when Idia came next. His expression showed he was fighting every ounce of his anxiety and preparing himself like someone about to face a hidden final boss.
ââŚokay.â He took your hand in his, visibly trembling and a little hesitant. âStatistically speaking Iâm going to regret thisâor dieâif I donât at least try onceâŚâ
His steps were clumsy, but not enough for you to step on his feet, nor for him to step on yours. Idia had more secrets tucked up his sleeves than he liked to show the world.
One step, then another, and then, surprisingly, he became careful, mentally counting the next movements so you could continue looking radiant in your dress. âItâs easy⌠being next to you,â he admitted quietly, placing a hand on your waist. âThat⌠thatâs not common for me.â
Leona came next. He didnât arrive in a spin, handing you off to the next dancer. No; he simply appeared when the music slowed slightly, one brow raised and the corner of his mouth faintly lifted, refusing you the honor of seeing a full smile.
His hand extended with the same casual inevitability he had shown in the plaza. âCome on. You already survived the worst of itâ
His grip was firm, steady, strong enough that dancing with him felt like walking beside someone who had temporarily decided not to bite anyone.
Like with Idia, you were surprised by how careful Leona could be while dancing. Of course, as a prince he had been forced to learn etiquette and ballroom lessons. And now you were witnessing the results of that irritating education.
Very good results, to be honest.
Because when the choreography called for the lead to lift his partner again, Leona didnât hesitate, nor did he give you a warning, he lifted you by the waist. You let out a small yelp before touching the floor again, Leona steadied you against him so you wouldnât stumble during the next steps.
âYou donât show panic,â he said quietly, leaning closer to whisper near your ear. âDidnât expect to find someone like that at an event this pompous.â
And finally...Malleus.
He appeared without hurry, not interrupting the moment you had with Leona until the partners changed naturally. He stepped forward as the music reached the last measures of the slow dance, transitioning toward something deeper and more intimate, an instant carved into midnight itself as the first rhythm came to a close.
âMay I share this dance?â he asked softly, bowing slightly before taking your hand and guiding you through the final movements of that first rhythm with the other dancers.
His hand was warm around yours, his steps slow, deliberate, impossibly gentle for someone so tall and imposing, as if the music being played had been written specifically for the two of you.
âYou brought light back to this hall tonight,â he said quietly so only you could hear him, ignoring everyone else around you. âWhether you intended to or notâ
Laughter floated through the air as the first rhythm of the night ended. Seven dances, with seven boys, all stepping away from you carrying the same strange feeling, that they had just spent time with someone important⌠and somehow familiar.
And you allowed yourself to keep smiling and dancing. For once, you allowed yourself to have the night Crowley had stolen from you.
One dance became two; two became five.
At some point the evening stopped feeling like something you had infiltrated and barely survived, and became something you were simply living. Living far from the cold walls of Ramshackle, far from the magic-soaked stone of NRC.
In the distance, the spell of the moment broke with a bell chime, small and practical. A bell announcing that it was already very late.
Your eyes shot toward the tall clock mounted against the marble wall. ââŚoh no.â
You had approached the snack table, where Grim had apparently devoured everything edible and was now curled up beside it waiting for you.
When he heard you mutter, he lifted his head. âMm?â
âWeâre out of time,â you said, looking at him in horror.
âHMNYA?!â he jumped up.
âIf we donât leave now,â you whispered in his ear, avoiding attracting attention, the earlier squeak had already made several guests glance toward the table, âwe wonât get back to campus before they doâ
You scanned the crowd, searching for an escape route. âAnd if Crowley gets there firstââ
Grim gasped and jumped into your arms. âWeâre deadâ
âExactlyâ
The music swelled again and several people stepped back into the center of the hall for another round, perfect cover. You adjusted Grim in your arms and reopened the fan, hiding him slightly as you began walking quickly.
âOkay, we walk fast,â you said quietly while heading toward the reading hall doors. âNo running. We blend in with the people leaving and slip out before anyone notices.â
You pushed your way step by step through the living sea of masks, guests, and students, gliding between couples mid-turn, passing laughing students.
Every movement controlled to avoid suspicion, but urgent.
You were only a few steps away, close enough to feel the cool night air slipping through the carved gap in the wooden door, close enough that one more step would take you out of the lantern light, the music, the masquerade entirely.
And you pushed the enormous door open, stepping straight into the outer corridor.
âThis was probably the most fun disaster Iâve ever attended.â Kalim had his hands behind his head, still smiling as if the night hadnât stopped being magical.
The dorm leaders had gathered near one of the marble pillars. The music from the hall drifted faintly just a few meters away.
Riddle adjusted his gloves, nodded, and placed his hands behind his back. âThe structural damage was severe, but the response was⌠effective.â
Azul had picked up a glass from the table, apparently unaware that Grim had already raided the food there. He swirled it in his hand, watching the liquid spiral slightly.
âIndeedâ He took a small sip and looked toward the hall doors. âAlthough there is still one clause unresolvedâ
Vil had followed him and taken a glass of wine, sipping occasionally. He hadnât even finished half of it. âThe mysterious ladyâ
Idia nodded, by now he had removed his mask. âMysterious young woman, SSR-tier character who punches the main villain with maxed-out stats.â
Kalim, who had only half been listening, glanced aroundâthe others, the muffled music beyond the door, the outer corridorâhis gaze bounced everywhere for a moment, then he suddenly straightened, exhaling through his nose.
âShe said her brother studies at NRC.â That made the others turn toward him.
Vil lifted the glass to his lips thoughtfully, his eyes sharp though his mind clearly elsewhere. âYes⌠that detail is usefulâ
âThe NRC enrollment is not infinite,â Riddle said with a slight frown. âEstablishing familial connections may take timeâ He sighed. âBut it will not be impossibleâ
Vil set the glass carefully on a stone bench. âA voice like that wonât remain hidden for long.â
âYes,â Malleus added calmly, his eyes drifting toward the hall. âFate rarely introduces someone only onceâ Vil crossed his arms at that remark, giving a small nod before following the direction of Malleusâs gaze.
Leona had remained leaning against the column beside Kalim the entire time, hands in his pockets, head tilted toward the hall doorsâstill listening to the distant music and the crowd dancing, laughing, talking.
âMaybe weâll see her again before the night endsââ Kalim started.
But Leonaâs ears sharpened, his eyes narrowed toward the distance.
ââŚOiâ That was all he said to make the others pay attention.
On the other side of the outer corridor, the great doors of the hall openedâand there you were, moving quickly. The black and crimson dress was unmistakable even under the dim light of the corridor, the small creature tucked in your arms as you hurried toward the outer doors.
That alone was enough for the seven of them to straighten in unison, watching your figure cross the corridor. Kalim pointed at you and barely raised his voice to say, âThere she goes!â
Vil stepped forward immediately, then another step, Azul set his own glass beside Vilâs, adjusted his suit, and followed him. The seven of them began to move closer, like a flock of crows closing in on a small prey, or rather⌠their little dove.
They were close enough to see you, but not close enough for you to notice them. Your figure passed beside a guest whose decorations stuck out everywhere, especially along the sleeves and shoulders.
And then the most clichĂŠ, ridiculous thing that could possibly happen at an event like this happened.
A strand of your hair snagged as you rushed past, and the ribbon of your mask caught on the guestâs decorations.
âAhâsorry!â the guest said, quickly freeing your hair and the ribbon when your head jerked backward. The tug made you drop Grim, and he jumped to the floor.
âItâs nothing,â you replied, continuing forward once your hair came loose. The guest went his way while you headed straight for the outer doors.
The ribbon slipped free, the mask fell one step later. You instinctively turned, bringing a hand to the back of your head, startled as the fabric mask dropped to the ground.
One second, one undeniable second was all it took for your face to be completely revealed under the moonlight. The mystery shattered, and before the seven leaders of NRC, the young lady was revealed:
The Prefect of Ramshackle.
Meanwhile you were far too busy picking up the fallen mask, your heart pounding like you had just run a marathon when the realization hit you all at once.
ââŚoh shitââ You snatched the mask off the floor and bolted toward the door.
âGRIM!â you shouted, your voice now unmistakably clear in the night air and the quiet city. âMOVE OR YOUâRE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR WITHOUT TUNA FOR A WEEK IF WEâRE LATE!â
The small hooded creature shrieked in terror. âYES, PREFECTâ!â
The two of you ran like a princess racing back to her tower before the spell wore off...except you looked more like two idiots sprinting full speed toward the city lights as if your lives, and possibly your financial privileges, depended on it. Within seconds the darkness swallowed you both, disappearing down the outer corridor toward the main gates.
Silence followed, and the ones who had been pursuing you with steady steps⌠were left stunned by the revelation.
Kalimâs jaw dropped, not caring how dramatic or over-the-top he looked; Riddleâs eyes widened and a faint blush colored his cheeks; Azul removed his glasses to clean them with trembling hands, an entirely pointless gesture, as he pinched the bridge of his nose; Idia made a strangled sound, like his system had just crashed into a blue screen he couldnât reboot; Leona and Vil blinked at the same time, shooting each other a sidelong glance; Malleus simply watched as the final piece of the puzzle clicked neatly into place, confirming that lingering sense of familiarity.
A pause followed...A long pause, far too long.
Vil didnât know what to do with his hands, or with his entire existence. He pressed his lips into a thin line, moved his hands aimlessly for a moment, and was just about to turn away in frustration. ââŚoh for fuckâs sake.â The fact that he had sworn meant you had played your move perfectly.
Idia crouched down and buried his face in his hands. âI want to dieâ
Azul, still pinching the bridge of his nose, let out a long breath. âWe should have knownâ
And honestly, yes.
They had been idiots not to realize; inside their minds the gears finally started turning: The voice, her composure in danger, that laugh, the ridiculous courage, the familiar, the way she handled chaos without magic.
Leona dragged a hand down his face and let out a deep, irritated growl. âShe masked her scent so we wouldnât noticeâ
Kalim, whose mouth had still been hanging open, suddenly burst into a small laugh as he looked toward where you had disappeared. âOh! That makes so much sense!â He laughed freely.
âNo wonder we could flirt with her so naturallyâ
âFLIRT?!â
âNOBODY HERE FLIRTED WITH ANYONE!â
âMY CHARISMA STAT IS NOT THAT HIGH!â
Several voices erupted at once, some embarrassed, some shy, some in complete denial. Malleus, still perfectly composed in the middle of the chaos, simply closed his eyes and allowed his companions to argue, offering the night a small smile.
Leona didnât even stay to watch the end of the debate over who had flirted more. He simply closed his eyes, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked back toward the hall, he shouting was already giving him a headache.
âLeoâLeona! Donât you dare escape!â
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