Pufferfish Tales

🎆New Year's Eve with Him🎆 (2025 Special)

☃️Part 1: Zayne☃️ | ⭐Part 2: Xavier⭐

💬 SMAUs 💬

When something very bad happened to you during public transit | ft. All 5 LIs

Sending them an "unrealistic" Christmas wishlist as a prank (mostly) | ft. All 5 LIs

When you tell them you want(ed) to end it all (pt.1) | ft. OG 3 LIs

When you tell them you want(ed) to end it all (pt.2) | ft. Sylus & Caleb

Request: Reaction to you being a rape survivor (pt.1) | OG 3 LIs

Request: Reaction to you being a rape survivor (pt.2) | Sylus & Caleb

🌊 A Pearl In Your Ocean 🌊

RafayelxNonMC_Reader Isekai fic

Chapter 1 (click for synopsis and tags)

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

🪐 LADS Discussions 🪐

LADS Men’s Affinity vs How much I actually main them (+explanations)

🌙 My thoughts about the anni livestream after watching it live 🌙

🪸Other Rafayel Content🪸

🌊🪐Co-conspirators🪐🌊 | A poem for our Sanctarch

🌜Other random things🌛

Rafayel woke up with a slight headache—he never had the best tolerance for beers. As he sat up, Iknae's phoenix plushie fell off of him onto the floor. He gently picked Phoebie up, and a sweet smile crept accross his face—he must have fallen asleep hugging it.

The memories of last night came flooding back.

He...like her doesn't he? Rafayel is ancient—he isn't a child. He knew that what he felt last night was jealousy. 

How did it happen?

If his world was a Jenga tower on the verge of collapse, Iknae was a wooden block that slid in perfectly—as if she was always meant to be there.

He had heard poets describe their lover as a "ray of sunshine" or a "mystic rose". But Iknae was neither always cheerful nor elusive. She is...spirited and...melancholic? She stops to look the longest at works of his that are mostly green in color...and she cooks spicy broths that she complains about when she eats...

The more Rafayel tried to rationalize his feelings, the more confused he became. 

All he knows is that even when she paid no mind to him—her presence in the dusty living room of his Haimsbrook cabin alone was enough to make him see colors clearer and hum quietly as he paints.

And that when that man from the bar last night had touched her hand, Rafayel had the urge to grind him into paint for a particularly atrocious painting—that he would hang exclusively in front of the toilet. 

But...does she feel the same? She had smiled at that guy at the bar. It didn't hold the same warmth as her gaze towards him...but it could grow to be.

At least with Weiyi, he had a past life to hold onto—he had a reason why she should love him back. But with Iknae, he had nothing. 

The possibility that she doesn't care for him as he does for her stung, and he tried to brush it away. Maybe he could just keep her beside him…and lie to himself that she does feel the same way.

Suddenly, he heard a stir from inside Iknae's room.

He panicked. He...wasn't ready to see her today. Now that he knows he likes her, he was worried that one look in her direction would betray his feelings, and he couldn't bear it if the gaze she returns betrays her indifference. 

Rafayel quickly ran to grab a coat and a toothbrush—he will clean up at the cultural museum.

ฅ(=ʘⰙʘ=)

Rafayel was not in the living room when you woke up, and neither was he in the hotel gym, nor the packed lobby. 

Worried, you asked the receptionist: "Did you see Mr. Mo this morning?"

She gave you a sympathetic look—you probably looked like a wife searching for her negligent husband.

"Yes. He asked us to call a cab early this morning to the cultural museum."

That's odd. Weren't you supposed to come as his assistant?

Maybe he didn't want to wake me up, you thought. You asked the reception to call you a cab to the museum as well. 

She hesitated. "Mr. Mo said if you were to ask that, I should tell you he prefers to work alone today."

"Did...did he say what he wants me to help with instead then?" You asked, properly confused now. 

"He said you can do whatever you wish." She answered. Somehow…hat stung a little.

"Oh! He also left this for you." The receptionist handed you an envelope.

You opened it—it held a trace of his scent. Inside, was Rafayel's credit card. 

Your anxieties dissipate a little. That's considerate of him. Maybe he just really needed to work alone today.

When you returned to our suite, you decided to busy yourself with your play again. You chastised yourself for having felt sad earlier. Rafayel didn't have an obligation to tell you when he leaves and where he is going to. Though...you would have. You would have told him if the roles were reversed…

You swallowed the familiar sense of abandonment, trying to focus on the positives. You must not let yourself spiral again.

Soon enough, evening came.

He should be back any time now...you had ordered a seafood hotpot platter for the both of you and the smell was making your stomach grumble.

Half an hour—then a full hour passed. It was 8pm now. 

Is he okay?

You decided to pack the dinner up. I will bring it to him then if he was working late, you thought.

Strangely, when you got to the cultural museum, it was closed.

Where is Rafayel?

You tried to look for him along the beach adjacent to the museum. Maybe he took a nightly stroll?

Finally, you spotted his brown oxford shoes lying on the sands a couple meters away where the water met the land. So instead of coming home to eat dinner with you—he would rather swim in a cold dark ocean?!

You huffed, plopping the leftovers down on the sand. Thoughts of creative ways that you would air your grievances to Rafayel when you find him swirled in your mind, as you began to wade into the dark blue depths.

Your eyes caught glimmers of gold in the distance. They were gleamdrops!

You tucked a couple of the glowing shells into your shorts' pockets and swam further, your heart feeling just slightly lighter. Collapsed columns and piles of fragmented marble began to appear.

When you ducked through a half-collapsed stone door, you spotted him. 

Rafayel was curled around a table, his head resting on top of an open book. You swam up to him. 

Gazing at his innocent expression, you felt the anger you were holding in dissipate. Your therapist from your past life had told you that anger was sometimes a defense mechanism. So, what does it make you to have always been unable to hold anger towards the people you like? A fool? A helpless prey?

You placed the gleamdrops around Rafayel—just for fun. Soon enough, he looked like he was surrounded by fireflies. 

I'll let him nap a for little bit, you thought. You will take this time to look into the water evol books that he said would be here.

♡｡ﾟ.(*♡´‿` 人´‿` ♡*)ﾟ♡ °・

When Rafayel got to the museum, he tried to busy himself as much as possible, going above and beyond for what was supposed to just be simple work. Unfortunately, that meant that he was done with the entire week's work by 3 pm. 

He paced back and forth on the beach near the museum. It was a sunny afternoon, and the white sands was packed with couples celebrating an early Valentine's Day.

Back at his beach house in Linkon, he still kept the early Valentine's gift he had made for Weiyi. He wasn't sure if he could describe his feelings toward her as love anymore. The thought of her now just came with pain and despair. Maybe it has quietly been this way for most of the past millennia—in moments when he wasn't deluding himself with hope. 

But hope was still hope. As for Iknae, he had no such thing to cling onto. Why would she even like him? To think of it, in his melancholy he likely seemed distant and confusing to her. Besides, once she has found her family, they would likely never speak again.

Yet none of such rationalizations provided Rafayel with the courage to come home and face her. 

He tried to think of an excuse to stay away longer. 

Ah yes! A Lemurian legend had mentioned a search beacon—crafted from gleam drops and pearl—that could be used to locate one's deepest desire. It was perfect for searching for one’s lost family. The underwater library nearby should have some information on it. There it was: a perfectly responsible and platonic excuse.

Rafayel’s eyes slowly opened. There...was light. 

He sat up, there were gleam drops everywhere around him. On the table—the floor. It covered the whole area with a warm mystical light. 

He saw a movement up ahead. It was Iknae.

His stirring drew her attention and she spun around. Their eyes met.

He...he doesn't think anyone has looked at him like this before. Iknae's ocean eyes lit up, looking at him like he was the most wonderful thing in this universe. 

She swam quickly towards him: "You sure are tired. Was work very hard?"

He couldn't find the words. "I—"

She looked puzzled. Then when he continued to stay silent, anxiety flooded her face. He saw this look on her a lot: it was fear mixed with shame.

"Are you angry at me? Did I do something wrong?"

Rafayel was taken aback by the question. “No! Of course not.”

She looked confused. Then hurt filled her face, and she turned away.

Rafayel tried to grab onto her arm. "Did I do something wrong?"

When she turned to look at him again, there were frustrated tears in her eyes.

"No." She said finally, but the hurt didn't fade.

ԅ༼ * ◕ ∧ ◕ * ༽ﾉ

You don't know exactly who or what to blame it on, but you live with the constant feeling that there is something wrong with you. Hence, even when you feel hurt or wronged, you blame yourself. You can't help but feel like your existence is an inconvenience to all those around you.

Perhaps, you have been more than simply angry at Rafayel. You were hurt that he had disappeared all day after being so affectionate yesterday. You have a deep fear of abandonment, and it angered you that he of all people would treat you so callously to trigger it after all that you have shared. 

Maybe that was why you were crying. Maybe not. Regardless, you couldn't stop once you started.

Rafayal quickly swam to you. "I'm so sorry! It was all my fault."

He embraced you, gentle but deliberate. "I'm so sorry. Please don't cry."

"Do you hate me?" You mumbled through sobs.

"No! Why would you think so? I'm sorry I was just busy today."

"You are lying." You grumbled. 

There was a pause. Then Rafayel adjusted his embrace so that you were eye to eye.

"I was…I'm sorry."

"The truth is, Iknae…” Rafayel swallowed and hesitates.

“…I like you. And that is really scary to me."

"But that isn't a reason to treat you coldly. I'm really sorry."

Your eyes widened, and suddenly the ocean didn’t feel so cold anymore. "Are you sure?"

"I am sure."

"But—don't you love someone else?"

"I—I am not sure. That's why I was hesitant about telling you."

"You—and everyone for that matter, deserves someone who is all about them." There was a hoarseness to his voice—of someone who know too well what it is like to long for someone whose heart was miles away.

"But I am so confused…" He continued.

"I had someone who I loved centuries ago. I have waited for them all this time—they were the only reason for me living."

"But when I finally met them again, they didn't love me anymore."

"But can I let go of something I have held onto for so long? I don't know."

"I don't know if I am capable of that."

There was silence, as Rafayel's purple eyes grew darker. "I don't deserve you."

It was your turn to hold him. "That's one thing I have to disagree with. You deserve the world."

"How could you possibly think so? What have I ever done to deserve you seeing me this way?" Rafayel whispered back.

"Would you believe me if I say that I have known you for a long time. That in my previous life I knew you, and I loved you?" You confessed. You didn't feel like lying anymore.

"You are the purest soul that I know. You love with utmost sincerity, and you approach life with burning passion."

"You are beautiful, talented, and so so kind."

"You would die for the ones you loved. I only wished that one day the people you choose to love would also be willing to die for you." 

Rafayel's eyes searched yours, as if desperate to gauge the depths of your words.

"Would you...die for me?" He asked breathlessly.

"Yes." You say. You never claimed to be smart.

Rafayel frowned. "No." He said breathlessly.

"You cannot think that way. Nobody deserves such love from you...you can't be a useless fool who lives for somebody who doesn't give even a shit about them." He choked, his voice shaking. 

"So…you don't give a shit about me?" You asked.

"That was your takeaway?" Rafayel looked at you, exasperated.

"I care about you." He said, his voice gentle and loving. "I care about you deeply. I just don't know if this care is the love that you hope for, and the love that you deserve."

You opened your mouth, but Rafayel interrupted you.

"But I want to explore it."

"It's selfish of me because you deserve so much better, but I want to explore what we could be—I couldn’t help it anyways.”

"I'm not as easy to love once you get to know me well." You told him. Your ex reminded you constantly of the fact. 

"Trust me Iknae. We have known each other for a little over a week, and you already have my heart. You are the easiest person to love." Rafayel said. 

"Well, we'll see how you feel in another week." You chuckled.

He cupped your face in his palms: there was an almost nervous look in his eyes. "You mean you won't leave me?"

Your eyes widened. "I just told you I would die for you. Why would I leave you?"

Rafayel laughed softly. "I just had to be sure."

You looked into his eyes. "I understand you have complicated feelings about your past love, and you will need time to make sense of it. I will be patient—and you can always talk to me about it."

A tinge of jealousy welled up in your chest when mentioning MC, but you brushed it aside.

"Thank you. I will try to not take too long." Rafayel whispered, leaning his forehead against yours.

You wanted to kiss him right now—his lips were parted as if begging for entrance.

But...you wanted him to kiss you first. There was still a part of you that was unsure. The part that needed someone to unmistakably choose you for you to feel safe. Rafayel had confessed that he likes you, but you wanted more than that. You wanted to be the only one in his heart. 

You and Rafayel stayed in that embrace for a long time—until you both felt the currents began to cool again as the night reached its zenith.

"Let's head back." You whispered. "We can resume our research another day."

Rafayel nodded: "Hold onto me, I swim quicker."

You wrapped your arms around his neck as he laces one hand underneath your thighs. You looked down, Rafayel's legs had transformed into a beautiful shimmering merman tail. 

"Wait! The gleam drops!" You said, tapping Rafayel on the chest and pointing at the gleam drops you had scattered around the table he was napping on earlier.

Rafayel chuckled and swam over for you to grab them. You held them against your chest, and then you guys took off.

The beach was completely dark by the time you emerged from the depths. Thankfully, the gleam drops shone the way.

Rafayel set you down on the sand and noticed the containers full of food that you had bought sitting beside his shoes.

"That was dinner." You told him. "It's completely cold though."

"Don't worry—that's what my evol is for." Rafayel said. He held the glass containers in his hands and began to warm them up with his evol.

You clapped. "Mr. Portable Microwave."

Rafayel rolled his eyes. "It's going to be too hot for you to touch, though."

He set the heated containers on the beach and handed you a fork. 

"What time is it?" You asked.

Rafayel lifted his diver's watch. "12:30 am."

"Oh! Happy Valentine's!" You said.

Rafayel blushed. He stuffed a spoonful of the shrimp fried rice into your mouth. "Happy Valentine's to you too, cutie."

You and Rafayel quickly gulfed down all of the food. You almost forgot how hungry you were!

"I waited for you until 8pm!" You complained to Rafayel.

His eyes were filled with regret. "I'm sorry..."

You can't stay mad when he pouts like that.

Rafayel suddenly stood up, an excited glint in his eyes. "I have an idea how I could make it up to you."

You grabbed his hand and let him pull you up. Rafayel led you to the backdoor of the cultural museum and scanned an ID card.

You walked through a storage room full of boxes and models before coming into a dimly lit hallway. Rafayel pulled you into a pair of double doors on the right—they opened into what looked like an assembly room.

"I owed you a dance from last night." Rafayel said. He ran to the sound system and connected it to his phone. 

There was a beep, and then Ocean Eyes by Deep Blue began to play.

You excitedly ran to him. 

"How do you want to do this?" You asked. "Ballroom style? Random arm swinging? Seductive dancing?"

Rafayel laughed. He grabbed your arms and put them around his neck, then he placed his hands on both side of your waist: "I was thinking the classic slow dance?"

You felt your cheeks heat up as you stared into his violet eyes. "Sure." You whispered.

In your limited experience (i.e. prom), slow dancing was sort of awkward. You never knew where to look, or what to say.

With Rafayel, you just felt happy. You could smell him better on land—a mix of sweat, lavender shampoo and the salty smell of the sea.

You leaned in, resting your head on his chest, and took in a big whiff of his skin cologne. 

Rafayel chuckled softly, but he didn't tease you as he normally would. Instead, he rested his head on top of yours and breathed in the scent of your hair. 

You swayed to the beat long after the song had ended. There was already enough music in both of your hearts.

┏(-_-)┛┗(-_- )┓

Back at the hotel, you guys decided to plan out your day tomorrow. 

"We will likely sleep in for the entire morning, since we are up so late right now—at least I know I will." You said.

Rafayel closed the notebook. "Then how about you head to bed now? I can plan the rest."

You sighed. Rafayel’s sleeping habits concerned you. "We need to do something about your insomnia." You remarked.

"Don't worry about it—lack of sleep isn't enough to kill a big fish." Rafayel joked. 

"Certainly. But if you can't get up for our date, I will kill you."

Rafayel faked a frightened expression and pretended to cover his face with his hands.

You laughed.

"Don't worry. I will be up before you." He assured you.

You sighed.

Then you remembered something. "Are you going to ask me about what I told you in the library...about my past life?"

Rafayel met your gaze with gentle look. "You will tell me when you are ready. You are patient with me—I will also be patient with you."

You smiled gratefully. "It's not exactly that I am not ready. It's just a lot to unpack."

He nodded. "I understand."

You stood up. Then you sat back down again and planted a kiss on Rafayel's cheek, before quickly running into your room and slamming the door. 

┻━┻ ︵ ლ(⌒-⌒ლ)

Rafayel's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. He reached a finger to touch the slightly wet spot that her lips had touched—smiling sheepishly. 

He turned toward the window. A familiar grief still tugged at his heart, but this time it does not overwhelm him. 

He remembered their words from under the waves. There was indeed so much he still doesn't understand about his feelings toward his past lover. How does he even begin to navigate them?

He pulled out his phone. Thomas had recommended a counselling service back in Linkon city. The thing is...he doesn't quite know how a therapist would react to a story about sea gods and reincarnations. 

Maybe...he can talk to someone with a similar experience. He pulled up his contacts. He had saved a number a while ago: Sylus—the leader of Onychinus.

He had first heard of the silver-haired crime boss when Sylus had contacted him to ask to buy one of his paintings (which he refused). The second time was in a tense confrontation where Sylus had told him to stay away from Weiyi because she was "his lover from a past life".

Rafayel turned off his phone. No. His pride was too big for him to talk to a stranger about his problems. 

It was then that his phone rang. It was...Sylus?!

Rafayel hesitated, then picked up.

"Hello Mr. Mo, why did you decide to look at my contact today?" A deep ice-cold voice spoke from the other end.

Rafayel froze. "You put a tracker on my phone?"

"It was a long time ago, and I almost forgot until it notified me today." Sylus responded dryly.

Rafayel let out a sarcastic snort. "Why would the leader of Onychinus be tracking a humble painter?"

There was a pause. Whatever the answer was, Sylus didn't seem keen to reveal. 

"I am grateful for the reminder of your existence though, Mr. Mo." He continued, ignoring Rafayel's question. "I have an opportunity that would suit you perfectly."

"Oh?" 

"There will be a gala held in the N109 zone—an auction for charitable purposes. We would be honored if you could partake." Sylus said.

"So, you are telling me that there is a target you want to attract who is a fan of my works?" Rafayel got straight to the point. Anyone else's dramatics had always annoyed him.  

"If you would grace us with your presence, I could help you with a problem that Onychinus is uniquely equipped to solve." Sylus said. Rafayel could picture his arrogant smirk on the other side of the line.

"I didn't know I had a problem." Rafayel replied coldly.

"Oh? I have it on good account that you are currently travelling with an amnesiac who is looking for her family." 

Rafayel froze.

"Onychinus's network would be able to find you the information you need in no time."

"Keep away from her!" Rafayel snapped.

"Ah...so this person is special to you?" Sylus asked, sounding amused.

"You should mind your own business, Sylus.” Rafayel seethed. "I might not be able to take down the entirety of Onychinus—but I can make sure you won't survive to lead it."

Sylus chuckled from the other side of the line. "Mr. Mo, I think you just showed your hand."

"The ball is in my court now." He continued. "Come, and I will help you. Don't come, and we will kill your companion."

"Would killing me have any meaning left once the one precious to you is dead?"

Rafayel clenched his fist. He shouldn't have lost his temper. As powerful as Rafayel is, Onychinus doesn't have to fight the direct fight. They could poison a drink or snipe from the shadows. He couldn't protect Iknae if such an organization was truly determined to kill her. 

"Send me the information of the gala." Rafayel growled and hung up.

As soon as he put his phone down, Sylus had already sent over a text of the location and date. It was next weekend. 

(ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง

The alarm woke you up at 10 am. 

"Stop..." You grumbled. Your voice command was heeded, and the ringing came to a halt.

You made your way to the attached bathroom. Unfortunately, you don't have any make-up, so facewash and moisturizer are the best you can do for this date. 

You tidied your hair. You contemplated curling it—the hotel bathroom was equipped with a fancy looking curling iron.

Nah. Best not to risk it—you weren't the most skilled with a curling iron. 

You stared at yourself in the mirror. You weren't breaking out—that's good enough!

You rifled through the drawers—now wishing that you had bought more non-basic clothes at the mall in Haimsbrook. You put on a pair of flared beige leggings and threw on a loose-fitting bright blue sweater. 

You were going for comfort when you bought these clothes—but right now you wanted to channel hot and pretty...

You assured yourself that feeling comfortable has its own beauty.

When you entered the living room, you gasped.

Rafayel had turned the dining space into a romantic aquatic oasis. Seashells adorned the walls, and faux seaweed in all shades of blue and green draped over the couches and chairs.

Rafayel was sitting on the couch, wearing a beautiful blue suit with a whale-shaped lapel pin. He seemed to have done something to his hair because it had a lot more volume than normal.

You beamed at him. 

"Good morning, my Valentine's." Rafayel smirked. "You look beautiful."

You blushed. "You look very dashing yourself."

Rafayel pulled a chair out for you. The dining table was laid out with an assortment of brunch foods.

"Did you get any sleep at all planning this?" You exclaimed, impressed. You grabbed a bagel slice and began to spread some cream cheese on it.

"No." Rafayel admitted. "But I don't really need sleep like the average land-animal." 

"I took a bio elective in college that said that fishes do sort of sleep—they enter a state of low activity and metabolism." You told him. 

"You studied bio in college?" Rafayel asked.

"No. I studied theater." You replied. "I wanted to be a playwright."

Rafayel beamed: "So you are an artist too. Just a different medium."

"I also do paint actually—just as a hobby." You said. "But I was getting into digital art before—"

You stopped. You had never shared so much about your past life before.

Rafayel gave you a gentle smile: "It's okay. You don't have to talk about it."

"No." You said. "It isn't any crazy story actually."

"I died." You continued.

Rafayel's eyes widened and he instinctually raised a hand to cup one side of your face—as if to feel if you are really there. "But you aren't a ghost...?"

"I'm not. I died in a different world. And in my final moments a voice spoke to me and offered to have me be reborn here."

You didn't feel comfortable sharing why exactly you were reborn yet. That would require explaining to Rafayel that he is a character in an otome game which...you personally would be weirded out if someone told you that.

"That's...actually a lot more straightforward than I expected." Rafayel said.

"Thank you for sharing with me." He added.

"Oh! I have thought of a nickname for you!" He suddenly perked up. 

You gave him a hesitant look: "Er...please make it something flattering."

Rafayel cleared his throat: "Ms. Other Dimension."

You snorted, followed by a fit of laughter. The nickname was so ridiculously uncreative that it caught you off guard.

Rafayel frowned. "Why do I get the sense that you are laughing at me rather than at the nickname?!"

When you looked up, he was blushing. "Fine then! You don't get any nicknames!"

"No wait sorry!" You grabbed his hand, still breathless from laughing. "Ms. Other Dimension is great!"

"I will call you...Mr. Painter!” 

Rafayel rolled his eyes: "Fine...Ms. Other Dimension is a little too on the nose. I'll think of something else."

He smiled at you. "Now let's eat. We have a full afternoon planned."

After breakfast, your first stop was another mall. Rafayel explained that there were a lot of essentials you still lacked.

"Think of this as my Valentine's gift." He reasoned. 

So, you let the shopaholic in you run wild. A phone, headphones, heels,..

Rafayel also insisted that you get some nice formal clothing—he reasoned that you never know when an occasion might come up.

After a couple hours, you slumped onto a mall bench with a sigh. "My legs hurt."

Rafayel also slumped down beside you. “Mine too...we fishes weren't built for so much waddling."

"Home?" You asked.

"Not yet. There is still one store left we needed to visit."

Rafayel led you into the mall's basement—it was the foods and drinks floor.

"You're hungry?" You asked.

He shook his head. You finally stopped in front of a janitor's closet. You stared at the plain white door—confused.

Rafayel knocked on the door: twice gently, then one hard knock. It swung open. 

Inside was a dark room—lined with shelves and shelves of...weapons! There was no shopkeeper inside—just a black OTTO bot. 

Rafayel turned to you as the door behind up clicked shut. "Sorry I couldn't tell you earlier. There were too many people around and this needs to be discreet."

"We have to head to the N109 zone for a short trip next weekend. It is a lawless and dangerous area. We will have ample protection, but I still want us to be well-equipped."

"I understand you might be scared. But the only way I can keep you safe is to keep you beside me. I don't feel safe leaving you alone in Borsith or Haimsbrook."

"I understand if you don't want to come, though." He quickly added. 

You tried to stifle your excitement. This was the exact kind of isekai scenario that you dreamt of. 

You forced a neutral concerned expression. "I am not scared—I will come with you! Can you tell me why we are going, though?"

"There is a powerful crime organization—Onychinus." Rafayel explained. "They invited me to attend one of their auctions alongside my artworks to help them lure in a target."

You nodded. You feel like Rafayel was still hiding something from you. He doesn't seem like the type to work with a criminal organization nilly willy.

However, the chance to enter the N109 zone and work with Onychinus is too tempting for you to question him further.

"Cool. I am down!" You said.

Rafayel looked surprised. Ah. You forgot to tone down your enthusiasm. 

But then he smirked. "Don't tell me you were a fan of those spy novels growing up?"

"It will be a lot more dangerous than that." Rafayel said. "Don't worry though—I will keep us safe."

While his tone was teasing, his eyes were serious. You felt a little hot—protective Rafayel hits different. 

"So...this is to help you arm up?" You asked, glancing around the walls stocked with guns and protective gear.

"Us." Rafayel corrected you. “I will be training you this week."

His expression grew serious. "I will make sure you don't have to use any of these things—but I want us to be prepared for the worse."

You beamed, then quickly stifled your smile. Calm down, Y/N, this is serious!

Still, you always wanted to be the main character of an action movie. 

You nodded. "I will do my best!"

Rafayel spent the next half hour picking out weapons and armor for you. You settled for a pair of guns, and a thin bullet-proof band that protected your stomach and lower chest. Unfortunately, the dress you picked out earlier for what you know now to be the gala leaves a lot of your upper chest and legs exposed—not fit for wearing a more high-coverage vest.

Rafayel only picked out a few things—he told you he already had his own gear. 

He turned to look at you apologetically when he was done. "Sorry about this detour, Iknae. After we drop these off at the hotel, our date resumes, okay?"

"Don't worry, I am enjoying this." You admitted. "Well...I genuinely hope I don't actually have to kill someone, but the gear itself is cool."

Rafayel gave you an exasperated smile. "Special Agent Iknae reporting for duty?"

You saluted. "Aye aye Colonel Fish!"

He snorted. "We aren't pirates."

̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿'̿'\̵͇̿̿\з= ( ▀ ͜͞ʖ▀) =ε/̵͇̿̿/'̿'̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

After a quick stop at the hotel to drop things off, Rafayel took you to the beach again, but this time he drove to a remote part of the bay. It was rocky and windy which explained why there was no one there but you and Rafayel.

He took your hand and led you into the ocean. 

"Are we going to the library again?"

"Yes and no. Training is for another day. I figured I can give you a romantic tour of the Lemurian ruins—and then show you what we eat underwater."

Your eyes widened. You are going to be filling in a massive plot hole in the LADS universe—amazing!

Rafayel chuckled at your xpression. He had an adoring look in his eyes.

You and Rafayel swam between the ruins hand-in-hand, Rafayel telling you facts about what the scenery would have looked like in their golden age.

"By the way, when you say that you knew me in your other life, did you know that I am Lemurian?" Rafayel asked.

You nodded, then pointed at his tail: "It is pretty obvious, though."

Rafayel led you through an archway covered in seaweed. Beyond it was a room that looked much more polished than the rest of the ruins.

There was a marble dining table adorned with the gleam-drops you gathered yesterday. An odd-looking feast was laid out: two conch shells with straws poking out, a fish wrapped in kelp on a skewer, and a large bowl holding a mysterious thick substance that doesn't dissolve into the surrounding water.

You excitedly sat down.

"You aren't nervous?" Rafayel asked. "I have a restaurant reserved in case you don't want to actually taste these things."

"I am actually very adventurous food-wise. I could even eat you." You joked.

Rafayel pretended to be offended. He then began to explain each dish.

"Inside the conch shells are sea-fruits that have been ground into a smoothie-like paste. The fish is cooked over an underground hydrothermal vent, and this—is a Lemurian delicacy." 

He pointed to the weird paste: "You grind a special type of kelp called teila and let in sit inside a dark part of the room for a month." 

Your eyes grew wide. "How did you prepare all of this overnight."

Rafayel winked: "I had help." 

At your still confused look, he added: "I asked some dolphins to help. As for the paste, I always have some stored away for my cravings."

You clasped your hands together, smiling gratefully at him. "Thank you! I really appreciate this!" 

You both began to dig in—Rafayel keeping a curious eye on your reaction. The conch smoothie tasted great—sweet and slightly sour. The fish tasted almost roasted—the kelp adding in a kick of spice. 

And finally, you reached cautiously for the paste. Your eyes widened. It tasted like...Açaí but with a wasbi-esque kick!

"All of these are quite good!" You remarked. "My favorite is the fish."

Rafayel smiled wistfully. "It was also my brother's favorite."

"You have siblings?" You asked.

Rafayel had a faraway look on his face. He nodded. "Not biological—but I have those I considered brothers."

They must have passed a long time ago—along with the fall of Lemuria. 

"I am an only child." You told him. "But my parents have lots of dogs."

"You are a dog person?" Rafayel asked.

"Yes though I don't mind cats. I just have never owned one." You responded. "I am also pretty needy, so dogs being clingy works for me."

He smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye: "I am pretty needy too."

Your cheeks flushed. 

"You have given me so many gifts today...I have something for you too." You said, putting your fork down.

Rafayel raised an eyebrow. You grabbed his hand. "Can we trust your dolphins to clean up?"

Rafayel nodded, and you guided him towards the water’s surface. When you and him emerged in the middle of the ocean, you pointed toward the sky. 

It should be any moment now. 

Suddenly a boom could be heard from across the bay and a golden ray of firework streaked across the sky. Several more rays followed and soon enough a full-on firework show was on in front of us: green, golden, and red.

Rafayel wrapped a hand around your waist, staring in awe at the display: "How did you do this…”

"I saw there was a box of fireworks when we went through the storage room of the cultural museum last night." You explained. "I called and apparently they completely forgot it was even there. They were happy to let me have it, and the hotel staff were happy to fire them for us."

Rafayel met your gaze, his eyes were deep with an emotion that you couldn't quite pinpoint. 

"Thank you..." He whispered. "I have never had such a special Valentine's gift before...or any at all to be honest."

He suddenly leaned in, your noses touching: "May I kiss you?"

You responded by closing my eyes and meeting his lips. 

The kiss started gentle at first, Rafayel meeting your lips with a sweet suckle as if he was afraid that you could break. But your shared hunger soon simmered to the surface. You parted your lips, inviting in Rafayel's tongue that searched for yours with a silky yearning.

Your fingers traveled up his back, tracing his muscles that were pronounced in his wet button-up shirt. Rafayel's hands that was cupping your face began to move down your neck, his thumbs caressing from your chin onto your collarbone. You let out a soft moan. 

You could feel Rafayel smirk in between your kisses, and he moved his hands to grip your waist, allowing you to lean back. He trailed his kisses across your face until his lips landed on the lobe of your ear, which he gave a playful bite, before focusing the pressure of his lips onto your neck. 

You leaned back and sighed. Rafayel's breath on your neck sent a tingle down your spine, and you could feel your insides clench with a rush of longing. 

Rafayel planted one last kiss on the center of your chest, right where the V-neck of your sweater had stretched down from the dampness. 

He gazed into your eyes with affection. The firework display has long ended—all that is left is the gentle moonlight that painted his striking features in an oceanic glow. 

His eyes conveyed what words cannot—he was looking at you like you were glowing in stardust, and he was in awe of their shimmer. There was a reverence but also a fear—as if he was worried that you were also a shooting star that could disappear behind the horizon at any moment.

"Rafayel. If you would let me, I will always be beside you." You whispered. "You don't have to be afraid."

"It would be my greatest pleasure." He whispered back. "This time, I vow to never let fate take away what is most precious to me again."

You beamed back at him, reaching a gentle hand to brush a strand of wet hair covering his eyes.

"I'll run you a warm bath when we get back." Rafayel said. Then you and him dove under the waves again, swimming toward the shore.

┬┴┤'❛ᴥ❛'ʔฅ

Rafayel grabbed a dry jacket from the backseat to wrap over you. The hotel staff gave you both knowing smirks as you made our way through the lobby, dripping wet and still flushed with passion. 

"Good thing we are both fishes or we would've caught a cold by now." You joked as you opened the door. 

As you walked inside, you noticed that there were others in the room.

Seated on the couch, stroking Phoebie 2...is Sylus?!

You froze. 

"What? Would you like me to carry you?" Rafayel joked as he came up behind you.

As soon as he saw Sylus and the Twins perched around the couch, his expression darkened and he pulled you behind him. 

"What are you doing here?" Rafayel's tone was threatening and tight.

"I'm sorry to disturb your Valentine's night." Sylus said. While his voice carried a teasing tone, his gaze was ice-cold. You realized quickly why Sylus was so frightening to everyone but MC. 

His eyes met yours, and you felt so...small. He stared at you like you were an ant—a thing that he would enjoy frying under a magnifying glass.

Rafayel noticed Sylus' gaze on you and stepped to fully cover you from view. You felt a heat as flames danced across his shoulders. 

"If you are looking for a fight, we can do it outside." Rafayel growled.

"No no." Sylus said. "You misunderstood me. I am only here to personally escort you to Onychinus's base, ensuring your safety."

"But the auction is next weekend." Rafayel said.

"Yes. But our target has recently found out your location. I can only ensure your safety if I personally escort you—before they find you themself." Sylus replied matter-of-factly.

"You told me that my presence is to attract your target—not that your target is directly after me." 

"Yes—I didn't think it would be relevant at the time." Sylus responded nonchalantly.

Rafayel paused for a moment, before letting out a humorless laugh. "I do not need your protection. I will find this "target" and kill them myself."

"This target is not someone even a powerful Evolver like you can approach." Sylus said.

"Why not?" 

"He is a top-ranking official in the Farspace Fleet. You will never catch him without at least a dozen men guarding him, and layers of security surrounding his base."

"How can I trust you are not lying just to lure me?"

"I never lie." Sylus said. "Earlier, I only failed to reveal the full truth."

"Besides, I have no reason to lie to you." He reasoned.

Rafayel contemplated Sylus's answer. His fists are clenched tight.

You gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Do you trust me?"

Rafayel's fist unclenched and he turned to meet your gaze. "Of course."

"Then let's go with them. I have good reason to believe they will help us." Perhaps you were a hopeless fangirl, because even though Sylus is a criminal mastermind, you believed that he wouldn't hurt innocent people for no reason.

Rafayel stared at you, searching your eyes for a rationale. He seemed conflicted, but eventually he sighed.

"We will go with you." Rafayel resigned. "But since you are asking me to take a whole week off work, you are going to need to offer more than just information."

Sylus smiled, amused. "State your price."

Rafayel glanced at you. “I would like you to give Iknae an identity—who would you like to be?"

You grinned. "Just who I was I guess. 22 years old, recent graduate of a Theater Program—minor in linguistics." 

Rafayel nodded before turning back to Sylus. "Make the documents so foolproof that even someone who knows the truth cannot do anything to disprove them."

Sylus looked smug. "It will be done within the day. Anything else?"

Rafayel pondered, then looked at you again. "Anything else you want?"

You knew the answer even before he asked. "I would like a motorbike—but customized so it is comfortable to ride with my height."

Rafayel's eyes widened.

"You ride?" Sylus asked, mild curiosity danced across his irises. 

You nodded.

"Consider it done." Sylus said. "Now, are you ready to head out with us?"

"We will need an hour to pack and get ready." Rafayel replied.

"30 minutes." Sylus responded.

"45." Rafayel said, a finality in his tone.

You glanced back and forth between them. It was fascinating to see them interact—this was not a part of the LADS canon that you were familiar with. 

In a little over half an hour, Rafayel and you were sitting in a sleek black limousine. Sylus was across from you guys, twirling a glass of what smelled like bourbon in his hand.

Rafayel had one of his arms around you, the other holding his phone, where he was typing an email to the cultural museum.

"Would this get you into trouble?" You whispered to him.

"No. I already did all the work for this week on Friday." Rafayel said. He turned to look at you and gave your shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

He leaned in to whisper back into your ear. "We will be alright. I will keep us safe. Just relax and get some rest."

You gave him a grateful peck on the cheek and rested your head against his shoulders. 

You were more so excited than nervous, but Rafayel wouldn't understand even if you tried to explain it to him.

You closed my eyes, immersing yourself in a daydream of joyriding around the N109 zone, and before long, the daydream had lulled you into a deep sleep. 

The emptiness of the bed was what woke you up. Normally at this time Xavier would be in bed with you, snuggling you lazily as his soft breaths tickled your ear. But this morning when your eyes opened, your boyfriend was nowhere to be found.

You were comfortably tucked in—perhaps too comfortably because you were almost suffocating under the mountain of sheets and pillows that Xavier had tucked over you to make up for his absence. In a protective ring around your head was also all your favorite plushies: Galaxy Kid, Bun Bun, and Chirp Shroomlet.

What worldly adventure did your boyfriend embark on this morning to leave you in the protection of such feeble minions?

Your question was answered an hour later when Xavier burst in from the front door whilst you were pouring two cups of coffees for the two of you.

In his hands were two colorfully printed bags labeled “special edition child-friendly fireworks.”

He smiled excitedly at you. “I got them!”

Your eyes widened and a memory from two weeks ago came rushing back. You and Xavier were walking back from the Association when you saw a billboard that caught your attention: it was advertising holographic fireworks that could project anything the user desires.

You had almost forgotten about them. You returned your boyfriend’s grin and excitedly strode over, taking the bags from his hand.

“These must have cost a fortune Xav—“

“Don’t worry I lined up super early so I got them at a 50% off discount.” Xavier said with a small proud smile.

You gave him a grateful peck on the cheek. He looks so cute when he is like this.

Xavier laid the contents of the bags on the table and began to assemble them as you poured yourself both some Cheerios for breakfast.

You joined him, plopping the bowls down on your coffee table.

“Thank you baby.” Xavier said. “We should try that braised pork flavored Cheerios next time.”

You doubt it would taste good, but perhaps Xavier can be the sole enjoyer of such a delicacy.

“Let’s project our favorite photos of us.” You suggested, pulling out your phone.

Xavier scooted over to you, putting his arm around you and resting his head on your shoulders as you scrolled through the photos.

“Let’s do this one—you look so pretty in it.” Xavier pointed to a picture he took of you when you guys visited the cherry blossom garden last spring.

“Then let’s do this one too.” You pointed to a shot you took of Xavier on the same trip, when a flower petal had landed on his nose, causing him to sneeze.

Xavier blushed. “That one…is a little embarrassing.”

“Then we can include an embarrassing photo of me too and then we’ll be even.”

“I want a photo of both of us as well—how about this?” Xavier clicked on one of you planting a surprise kiss on his cheek during a selfie.

You nodded immediately. Xavier looked particularly cute in this photo, his eyes slightly wide in shock from your surprise attack and his lips curled up in a sheepish smile. He looked like a bunny who just got a carrot.

But then Xavier scrolled again, and the screen landed on a photo that you took for him last week, when he was on a 2 day solo mission. It was one of you completely naked, splayed out on the bed with your legs spread, flashing a shy look at the camera.

You heard Xavier’s breath hitch, and you immediately feel some hard grow where your thigh rested against his groin.

Xavier pressed the delete button on the photo.

“Xav, you don’t like it?” You asked, surprised. He had responded with 3 heart emojis when you had sent the photo to him—which was a big overreaction for Xavier.

You felt your boyfriend’s arms tighten around you, and he lifted his head from your shoulders to look into your eyes. You know that look, he was feeling possessive.

“I love it, baby. But if it is just lying around in your camera roll, someone could accidentally scroll and see it.” Xavier said.

“The only person who scrolls through my camera roll is Tara.” You chuckled.

Xavier’s eyes narrowed. “She can’t see you like that either.”

“What about a doctor?” You teased.

“What doctor needs you complete naked—does that doctor friend of yours ask you to be completely naked?!” Xavier’s eyes widened in shock, and you could hear his light blade hum from where he had it stowed in the corner of the living room.

“No no never! You are literally the only human being alive who has seen me naked apart from myself babe.”

Xavier relaxed, letting out a sigh, and smiled again. He placed his hand on your cheek and guided you into a tender kiss, his lips pressing gently on yours with a warm affection.

“Do you want to head out now? To the place we had wanted to light the fireworks?” You whispered as your lips broke apart.

“Yeah—let’s go to the flower field.”

On the drive to the field, which was an hour away from the city, you asked Xavier to put the car on autodrive so you could cuddle against him on the driver’s seat.

Xavier’s hand rested on your thigh, underneath the folds of your skirt, as he napped. Perhaps he was only half asleep, because he still responded with hmmmm and aahs as you inform him of the discoveries of your doomscrolling.

“They’re opening a new hotpot place in Linkon’s Mall—the first week everything’s 35% off!”

“Mhmmm!” Xavier replied.

“Look at this cute squirrel!”

Xavier’s eyes briefly fluttered open and he smiled at the little critter.

“I want to get married in a castle too…” You sighed absentmindedly as you scrolled pass a celebrity’s castle wedding.

“Let’s do that then.”

You jolted. You had forgotten your boyfriend was still listening, and as you looked up, his sapphire eyes were gazing down at you with a gentle joy.

You blushed. “We—we haven’t even gotten engaged yet.”

“But we will soon.” Xavier responded matter-of-factly. You guys have discussed getting engaged in the earlier half of this upcoming year.

“How will we afford a castle—“

“I will handle it.” Xavier smiled confidently, as if he had not just made a promise only a prince could fulfill.

“What if I don’t want to marry you?” You teased.

Xavier eyes shone with mischief, as his grip tightened around you. “Then this knight will just have to bride-nap you, my queen.”

You gasped, feigning a frightened expression as you tried to squirm away from your boyfriend’s grip. But he held your wrists tightly in his large hand, making your struggle futile.

You felt Xavier’s lips plant kisses on your neck as you squirmed, and his free hand trailed up higher and higher on your inner thighs until they were gripping that area right below your pussy.

“I give up.” You whispered. “I surrender myself to you Ser Xavier.”

You heard Xavier chuckle. And then his hand gently release your wrists to reach for your chin, pulling you into his kiss. His tongue found yours in an instant, and you feel him suck the air out of your lungs, as if he wanted to absorb himself into you so you could never part from him again.

The kiss was slow and tender, as Xavier’s lips part and re-enter in a steady rhythm. His lower hand trailed over your entrance, earning a low moan from you, before you feel him tugging on the fabric of your panties, pulling them off.

“You have arrived at your destination.” Your navigation system announced, interrupting the moment of passion. The car parked itself in an empty parking lot beside the large flower field. It was the same flower field that was razed by a wanderer attack years ago, and you and Xavier have visited it occasionally ever since, watching the buds plant themselves then blossom and bloom again.

“Let’s unload and then we can continue?” Xavier whispered softly into your still parted lips.

“Uh huh.”

A picnic blanket and the fireworks set-up along with some battery lights—that’s all you have prepared for this simple New Year’s Eve date.

Xavier carried you a few steps outside the blanket, laying you down on the flowers.

“Could we do it here—you look so beautiful beside the flowers?” He asked, his eyes twinkling like a blue galaxy.

You smirked and surprised Xavier by flipping yourself on top of him. “My bunny looks pretty beside the flowers too.”

You silenced Xavier’s chuckle with your lips and it transitioned into a moan as you began to undress him.

He returned the favor, pulling your shirt above your head and unlatching your bra—something he was clumsy at at first but now does within one simple motion.

Then his lips found your nipples, suckling on them as his palms fondled your breasts.

You gripped onto his soft locks of silver hair for balance as you angled your hips to take him inside you.

As your walls clenched around his shaft, taking it in clean and smooth with how dripping wet you already are for him, you both moaned into each other.

“God—Y/N—you take me so well.” Xavier gasped. Then he surprised you with a thrust , bouncing you on top of him with just the force in his hips.

Xavier has always been strong—and he has always been filled with desire for you. Even when you had intended to take the lead by being on top, his patience would wear thin, and he would initiate the thrusts anyways, not being able to resist the tight embrace of your pussy.

Then after a while, he would just snap. And then he would flip you around, as he also did tonight after he had coaxed the first climax out of you, bouncing you on his hips as his lips and tongue caressed your nipples.

His thrusts now were deep and hard, leaving you with only the strength to whimper his name. At the beginning of your relationship, he might grow hesitant at this stage, asking it hurts too much. But he now knows that each whimper is a sign of your pleasure, and tonight his eyes were filled with delight and hunger as he coaxed the sweetest moans out of your lips.

He wasn’t any quieter himself. Xavier’s groans and moans came out as unfiltered and relentless as his thrusts and sometimes they would carry your name—so tender and filled with adoration that it breaks your heart.

He filled you up soon after, and you feel his warmth spread deep inside you—some over spilling onto your thighs.

Tonight Xavier didn’t want to unlatch himself from you. Instead he carried you—still attached to him, breathing raggedly into his toned torso—onto the blanket again. With his arms wrapped around you, shielding you with warmth, he started the firework display.

As he grew soft, you slid yourself out from him, and laid there in his arms, gazing at the beams of holographic light that shoots up from the projector to paint your images in the sky.

Xavier’s fingers absentmindedly played with your hair as he pointed at his favorite photos.

“I miss that sausage skewer place—want to go again tomorrow?” Xavier asked as a picture of you munching on a delicious sweet sausage flashed on the sky.

“Yeah.” You mumbled. “Then we can stop by the duck pond—we have some stale bread to feed them.”