#crowfishmc

Silence.

...Fingers curl at the top of the covers and draw them down just enough for a furrowed brow and sleepily accusatory gaze to appear.

“Did you just—“

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe you—“

“I warned you.”

“That,” he protests, “was not a fair warning,” as his eyes take on a very particular, near gleeful, brightness, and he swiftly reaches for his own pillow to return the favour.

For just a moment, she congratulates herself for not making a sound, until they seem to decide as one that war is war, and rather than getting ready to depart the N109 Zone, deciding a victor is absolutely the most important matter to be addressed. Not a handful of seconds later, she launches herself at him as he tries to fend her off with another swipe of the pillow, and after a brief tussle and tangling of limbs, she has him pinned beneath her and—

“While this is very pleasant viewing, is there a reason that you’ve turned our bed into a fighting ring?”

In near perfect sync, they redirect their focus from one another and instead settle it upon Sylus, who has sprawled onto his front to observe them with a faintly indulgent softness about his eyes, the sheets they have kicked free in their haste to secure victory now pushed down to his hips.

“She started it,” Rafayel insists, purely, she believes, to make her tighten her hold on his wrists, for it earns her a near immediate reaction that has him arching beneath her.

It is true. Technically, she did start it.

(Technically.)

She is sure she means to argue. Sure that she cannot allow such a defeat; that there are matters to attend to beyond their bed, for they are what began all this, even if she cannot quite remember what she intended to achieve by leaving it.

It is so terribly unfair, to be caught between the warmth of loving amusement and the heat that she has captured and refuses to be ignored.

She meant to be productive and purposeful and—

Sylus makes no acknowledgement of accusations beyond a low purring sound as he lifts a hand to sweep the brush of fingertips along her spine in the most leisurely of fashions, just as the fight goes out of Rafayel and he lies pliant and pleased beneath her.

Well.

She did start it.

There's a mermaid in your bathtub. Well, you supposed, a merman. And technically, it isn't your bathtub, but rather, your lover's.

"Sylus. Explain." You said, turning to your lover who yawned, cracking his jaw and padded into the bathroom, dawn approaching.

"Ah. That. I did say I was going fishing, Kitten." Sylus said, drawing you to his chest as you stared at the slumbering merman and the long, glittering tail that hung out of the enormous bathtub, which was saying a lot.

"This is one hell of a fish. No way you caught this with your late night deep sea fishing." You accused, looking up at Sylus who gave you a wry smirk.

"Fine. You caught me. He was at a... rather unsavory auction, and I won him. He is a Lemurian I have had business with in the past, but you may know him as the famous artist, Rafayel, I believe he goes by now. He is wanted but I think we can strike a deal, once he awakens. The tank they had kept him in was filled with sedatives, and it was quite difficult to transport him here." Sylus said and you pinched his side.

"You didn't think to tell me any of this before I came over?" You hissed as Sylus shrugged.

"I wasn't expecting you, Sweetie, and I was tired." Sylus said as you shook him a little. True, you had decided last minute when you finished your shift and had tomorrow off to surprise Sylus with a visit, but this was rather a bit much.

“We can’t just leave him here!” You said and Sylus ignored you, picking you up and carrying you to bed as you beat at his shoulder lightly.

Ugh. At least he wasn’t carrying you like a cat again.

He tucked you into bed, his Evol keeping you lightly pinned until he crawled under the sheets and enveloped you in his hold. You sighed, relenting for a bit as you stroked his hair while he nuzzled into your neck, his weight a pleasant comfort to you as he slept on his stomach.

You can’t let yourself be lulled to sleep. You need to find out more about this mysterious merman, and why you felt so drawn to him.

🛁

Damn your lover for being a big bulky lump. You stared at the canopy as your lover snored lightly against you, trying to figure out how you were going to wiggle out and away from him. You tried tickling him, to no avail. Should you try and text Luke and Kieran to help you? You huffed, wiggling down under his arm as he grumbled.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Sylus mumbled in a sleep rough voice, one eye sliding open.

“I’m hungry. Go back to sleep.” You said, kissing his lips. He hummed, lifting his arm so you could be free and going back to sleep.

You quietly slipped down to the kitchen because, well, you were hungry and perhaps the merman could use some food too. Plus it would give Sylus time to fall back asleep.

You filled a bowl full of fresh fruit, hoping the merman would eat some of it, as you did not see any signs of seafood in the refrigerator nor were any of the chefs present. Had Sylus emptied the place for the merman?

You crept back upstairs, shooting Mephisto a look from his perch as you snuck into the ensuite bathroom. The merman’s eyes were still closed and you stood there awkwardly, admiring his tail before approaching and leaving the bowl beside the bathtub. You gasped as you lifted your head to be met with intense bright blue eyes that faded to the color of the sea at sunset. He grabbed your wrist as you pulled back, staring at you intently.

"Hello, I'm-" You said before he cut you off with a wry smirk.

"I know who you are. Tell me, do you know who I am?" He asked and you blinked.

"Rafayel?" You ventured and he beamed.

"So you do remember! It’s been 800 years. Jellyfishes are walkin’ naked, sea turtles are climbing trees, sharks are eating grass for free, and finally, you remember me.” He said and you stared at him in confusion.

Was it the drug?

“Did you hit your head? Oh, there’s a mark on your neck.” You said, hand moving to his neck as he released your wrist before clasping your hands together.

“Careful, I might blow bubbles at you.” He said playfully before looking around the room.

“I didn’t think you could afford a place like this on a Hunter’s salary. I should have made my move sooner.” Rafayel said and you let out a small ‘huh?’ of confusion.

“This isn’t my place. It’s my lover’s, and how do you know I am a Hunter?” You asked, as you had changed into the pajamas Sylus kept for you at the base. Rafayel’s face fell slightly as he crossed his arms and pouted.

“Lover? Two of us can tease and play jokes then, My Devout Follower. Glub, glub, glub. Fishies like me don’t understand humans.” Rafayel said and you just fell into further confusion, putting the back of your hand to his forehead to check his temperature as he scrutinized you. His eyes darkened as he became closed off and pulled away from you.

“I see. You don’t truly remember. I was foolish. Who exactly is your lover than transported me here as if I were a mere pet, and what can I expect? I will not be caged and toyed with.” Rafayel said, summoning a dagger that pulled at your mind as being eerily familiar, your heart squeezing painfully and thudding.

“Sylus. He wants to strike a deal with you is all. I won’t let him harm you.” You said and he gave you a long look, his chest almost seeming to glow before he dismissed the dagger.

“Surely the rich bastard has a pool. Take me there, it’s too cramped and cold here.” Rafayel said and you stood, hands on your hips surveying him. You were strong thanks to your training, but his tail alone was the size of you.

“You’re too big. Can’t you change?” You asked and he gave you such an affronted look you had to fight not to laugh before he flicked up the fluke of his shimmering tail, pointing to the strange black band around it.

“They put an Evol canceling cuff on me and the drugs are still in my system. Unless you know where the key is…” Rafayel said and you looked to the doorway, surprised Sylus had not awakened yet. The two of you had been talking quietly but Sylus must be very tired to have ignored the two of you.

“I can wake Sylus and ask.” You said, turning to leave before he grabbed your hand with both of his, water sloshing out of the bathtub.

“No. I don’t want him awake yet.” Rafayel hissed. “You’re smart, you can figure something out.”

You furrowed your brow.

“Are you afraid of him?” You asked, trying to grasp the situation. Rafayel rolled his eyes.

“Puh-lease. No, I’m not scared of that weirdo. I just don’t feel like dealing with him right now. Let me spend more time with you.” Rafayel said and you wondered at their shared history before nodding.

“Alright. There should be a loading cart near the bay for shipments I can borrow and bring up through the elevator.” You said. You had a feeling you would still wake Sylus up but would try your best.

Rafayel released you and you tiptoed back into the bedroom, controlling your breathing as you looked to make sure Sylus was still asleep. He seemed to be, his back rising and falling as he held the pillow you had been using earlier to his front. You reined in your little victory dance until you were safely downstairs, making your way to the secret loading bay.

“Hey! Other Boss!” The twins said excitedly as you opened the door and you swore when they put down the boxes of weapons to rush over to you.

“Hi Boys… I was just… um… bored and exploring.” You said and Luke and Kieran turned to each other.

“Surprised Boss let them out of bed…”

“He was really tired last night.”

“Hey! Why don’t you come play some games with us then?” Kieran asked as Luke nodded and gave a thumbs up.

“Oh… I’d love to but I actually need to grab something and get back upstairs.” You said, shuffling over to the loading cart.

The twins looked at each other before tilting their heads as you grabbed the cart.

“Are you guys doing something weird up there?” Luke asked and you groaned as you froze, thunking your head lightly to the metal bar as the twins cackled.

Sure. Whatever. Let them think it was for weird kinky sex roleplay and not helping a merman somewhat escape.

You pushed the cart quickly to the freight elevator that would take it upstairs and quietly pushed it to Sylus’ bedroom, only to almost hit the doorframe. Fuck. You opened your eyes from the wince, detecting no movement from Sylus before having a quiet stare off with Mephisto, trying to communicate your intentions of bribery. He cocked his head before hiding under his wing and you quietly maneuvered the cart into the bathroom, quietly closing the door and letting out a sigh of relief as Rafayel lolled his head back to look at you and sigh. You put the cart next to the bathtub and went to grab under his armpits, only for him to swat you away and lift himself out of the bathtub and onto the cart. Wow, he was actually really toned and those biceps don’t seem to be just for show. Shaking your head to not get distracted by his dripping chest and the strange magnetic pull and attraction you felt to him (and something more you did not want to admit), you glanced at his very long and thick tail that was hanging off the edge of the cart.

“I don’t want to roll on it or have it drag on the ground. Maybe if you turn the other way and I can carry it over my shoulders as I push you?” You whispered and he glowered.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Rafayel said and at first you thought he was glaring at you, until you heard Sylus chuckle behind you with a soft, sleepy voice, causing you to turn as he leaned against the door frame in his silk robe, arms crossed.

“Immensely.” Sylus said, stepping more into the bathroom and looking down at Rafayel who bared his teeth, eyes flashing blue and frills appearing behind his ears.

“Relax, Minnow. I mean you no harm. We have had some pleasurable moments together and want the same things. I am gracious enough to share, even if you spoiled your chances by waiting too long.” Sylus murmured as Rafayel’s lips tightened into a thin line, his eyes returning to normal.

“Minnow? How insulting. I should stab you for that And… I was being cautious.” Rafayel said, looking at you as your heart pounded.

It was like he was urging you to remember, as you had with Sylus recently. You might have shared a past life with Rafayel, but that did not explain Rafayel and Sylus’ seemingly shared past. And you hated being left in the dark and unknown.

“You were overplanning.” Sylus said and Rafayel huffed.

“And what are your plans? They mentioned you want to strike a deal? Is that why you are still keeping me like this?” Rafayel asked, flicking his tail angrily, the band catching in the bathroom lighting as Sylus’ gaze sharpened.

“My apologies, I had not noticed. I thought it was merely an effect of the drugs. As for the deal, well… we’ll get to that in due time.” Sylus said, trying to use his Evol to break the band off of Rafayel’s tail, glaring when it absorbed his Evol.

“Should I try resonating?” You asked and Sylus shook his head.

“No… it seems I will have to send Luke and Kieran on a hunt. For now, let’s get more comfortable.” Sylus said, picking you up in one arm and Rafayel in another, mist enveloping you until you were staring down at his pool. He relaxed his hold on Rafayel, letting him splash into the pool inelegantly. He resurfaced, finally able to stretch out as he sputtered and glared.

“What? It’s even a saltwater pool.” Sylus said with a little smirk and you swatted him lightly.

“Be nice.” You muttered, trying to wiggle down from his hold, entranced by the merman swimming about in the pool.

“You heard them. Be nice and tell me about this deal.” Rafayel said, swimming up to the two of you as Sylus lowered you and came to sit at the pool’s edge.

“It’s simple. We have been drawn to each other in the past as they have your heart and I have half of their soul, forever intertwined, and I protect what is mine. You stay here under my care and we pool our resources together to take down EVER.” Sylus said and your heart fluttered.

You had Rafayel’s heart? That’s why they were so drawn to each other throughout the vast cosmos? Because of you?

If only you could remember.

Rafayel looked at the two of you intensely for a moment before sighing and giving a wry smile.

“As it happens, I am in the market for bodyguards.” Rafayel said and you could not help but match his smile, feeling hopeful, before frowning.

Had you ruined what they had together? Was any of this real? Or was it some cruel cosmic joke?

Sylus frowned when his phone rang, standing up and going to the other side of the pool room, leaving you and Rafayel alone for a moment as he looked at you with half lidded eyes.

“Do you want to join me?” He said, swimming backwards and holding out his hands.

“If you know me, why did you wait so long!” You blurted out and he blinked, half submerging himself so only his eyes were visible as he thought for a moment before swimming up to you.

“We have not always had the most peaceful existence together. I wanted to ensure we would be able to be happy and at peace together first before I opened my heart to you once more. You have been torn from me too many times.” Rafayel said and your heart ached as you gave him a small smile.

“Well, I am glad to finally have you in my life.” You said and Rafayel froze before surging up to kiss you, causing you to squeak in surprise as you heard Sylus approach. Oh no.

“You kiss them first and not me? After I offer you a home and protection?” Sylus tutted, crouching down next to you with a smirk and a drawl, poking Rafayel’s head. Rafayel pulled away from you and rolled his eyes, leaning over to kiss Sylus with an exaggerated “mwah” until Sylus grabbed his head and deepened the kiss, his aether core eye glinting at you as he looked for your reaction. You let out a little whimper, growing excited as your heart pounded.

“Does this mean I have two boyfriends? I really desire two boyfriends.” You said playfully as hope colored your voice. Sylus pulled back with a smirk.

“No…” Sylus said and you froze before his smirk widened. “You have one boyfriend and a fish.”

You gave a strangled laugh as Rafayel splashed Sylus, completely soaking him while Sylus gave him a dirty look.

“One all powerful and almighty lover, and a pet crow. Are you opposed? I will not agree to anything if you are.” Rafayel asked intensely and you grabbed his hand, holding it and squeezing it.

“I am not opposed at all. I feel drawn to you, and you feel right. I want to trust my instincts.” You said and he beamed, kissing you once more as you moaned.

“Luke and Kieran said that the owner did not make a key for the band, so we will have to figure out another way to free you. I have a few Lemurian artifacts I was going to use to lure you in the vault that might help.” Sylus said as Rafayel glared.

“You bastard.” Rafayel said as Sylus pushed on his head while he stood to go to the vault.

You stood, discarding your pajamas, left only in your underwear as Rafayel asked hungrily. When else were you going to get the chance to swim with a real merman? You dove into the pool, Rafayel swimming under to meet you as you smiled and waved at him bubbles escaping the two of you. You swam together and you hoped that it would help unlock some core memories, but alas it did not.

The two of you looked up as Sylus stuck a hand in the water, swishing it around to get your attention as if you were fish at the aquarium. Rafayel swam up and bit his fingers as you surfaced and giggled, Sylus baring his teeth at Rafayel playfully, a few golden objects in the crook of his arm.

Rafayel sighed as he looked at the objects laid out in front of him, pointing to each.

“Musical instrument, aphrodisiac, and a container for cosmetics.” Rafayel said as you and Sylus looked at them in interest.

“You just got them because they were shiny, didn’t you?” You teased Sylus and Sylus shrugged.

“Thought they would be useful eventually as well. The aphrodisiac may certainly be fun later.” Sylus said, holding up the golden scallop shaped object as the tips of Rafayel’s ears turned red.

You giggled before feeling bad as you were not any closer to getting the band off of Rafayel’s tail.

“I brought my tool kit down, let’s see if we can break it off.” Sylus said, discarding his robe to sit on the steps leading into the pool, pulling Rafayel’s fluke into his lap as he took a small screwdriver to the latch of the band.

Wanting to do something, you centered yourself, the water surrounding you helping you to begin drawing on the ancient magic from your past life you were only just barely able to comprehend, desiring to free Rafayel.

A click sounded as you opened your eyes and the band fell off into the water. In a flash of light, Rafayel’s tail disappeared, Sylus holding him by the ankles as Rafayel stared.

Rafayel snapped his fingers, a flicker of a flame Evol appearing between his thumb and forefinger and as the flame danced, you remembered.

“God of Tides.” You said in a shaky breath as the memories of Lemuria’s sacred flame rushed at you. Rafayel whipped his head up to you, breath catching as you swam towards him and kissed him desperately.

“You… you remember?” Rafayel asked in a scared but hopeful voice as you moaned and nodded. He held you to him in the shallows, his cock pressing against you through your underwear as you squirmed in his lap, wanting to be so close to your lover after a millennia of being apart. You drew back for air, reaching out for Sylus and dragging him into a kiss as well, finally feeling complete.

“Thank you. Thank you for bringing him home. I love you.” You said to Sylus as Sylus softened and nuzzled you.

“I love you too. I would do anything for you.” Sylus said and your heart felt so full as Rafayel huffed and drew Sylus into a kiss.

“Yeah, yeah, thank you.” Rafayel said and Sylus grinned against his lips, before picking up the two of you.

“Hey! Where are you taking us?” Rafayel protested as Sylus shifted so that one of you was in each arm.

“You looked so cute in the bath and the saltwater is drying my skin.” Sylus said as you grinned and Rafayel crossed his arms.

You sucked in a breath when you made it to the ensuite bathroom, seeing that Sylus must have used his Evol to ensure the bath was steaming once more and filled with bubbles. Sylus put each of you in the enormous bathtub before climbing in and pulling Rafayel into his lap as you climbed on Rafayel and straddled him after standing and pulling off your underwear, tossing it on the marble floor. You gripped his half hard cock, stroking it as the bubbles popped all around you and he moaned, leaning against Sylus who kissed his neck and palmed his chest, one hand moving beneath the water and causing Rafayel to moan.

“I suppose I should repay the two of you.” Rafayel said in a breathy voice as you kissed his chin, thumbing his cock head.

“Only if you want to. I am just happy to have you again and want to be close.” You said as Rafayel searched your eyes and gave a little nod.

“Yeah.” Rafayel said, hoisting himself up slightly and looking over his shoulder at Sylus.

“Well, come on. You were putting your fingers in me like you wanted to put something else in me.” Rafayel said as Sylus groaned and you watched Sylus guide his cock through the water to Rafayel’s hole, Rafayel dropping down on it with a loud moan that had you clenching. You hiccuped as Rafayel trailed slick fingers along your hole, looking at you in question as you eagerly nodded, accidentally knocking the bottle of lubricant off the ledge as your lovers chuckled. Sylus sat still, letting Rafayel open you up before you were eagerly grabbing Rafayel’s cock and sinking down on it. The three of you enjoyed the warmth of the water and the closeness of the three of you after an eternity until you felt Sylus’ legs push against the edge of the tub, rocking up into Rafayel who gasped and moaned, rocking up into you. The three of you moved together, trading lazy kisses and ignoring the water spilling out of the bathtub until you were shaking and cumming with a cry, Rafayel tensing and filling you up not long after while Sylus threw his head back and let out a throaty groan. You rested on Rafayel’s chest where his heart would be, tapping out your heartbeat as Sylus stroked your back before the three of you detangled yourselves, rinsing off in the shower.

And as the two of you finally took Rafayel out of the bathroom and into your bed, everything felt right.

[Since writing in the scrapbook in game is kinda hard because of the fount limitations and all, there's not a lot of text and i will yap about what he was thinking when making each page in this post. I apologize in advance.]

☆ Headcanons that are taken as truth in this journal:

• MC is dating both Sylus and Rafayel, who also date each other. When she promised her soul to Rafayel in the God of the Tides myth she also promised half os Sylus's soul without knowing because of the Abysm Sovereign myth. So they are all soulmates!!

• MC started seeing Sylus and Rafayel at the same time before Sylus and Rafayel started seeing each other. With everybody's consent, of course. The start of the relationship between the two men had nothing to do with her since they are connected by soul too.

• MC does not remember her past lives YET, but she will eventually.

☆ Partners in crime ☆ I imagine that his first page would be about them since it was her idea (and he is lowkey that kind of boyfriend) and that it would be kinda simple. I tried to make pages for their hobbies too but i didn't know what to make him so i was like...fight? Sylus likes to fight? But it ended up just looking like a second couple's page.

☆ More fish in the sea ☆ I imagine that once they started dating Rafayel, if he saw MC's page, he would bother Sylus until he makes a page for him too.

I was thinking about things they share to make one just for them and i figured they both are familiar with negotiations in the N109 Zone and they probably would probably perform well if they did that together. So that's what the second page is.

☆ His Children ☆ Obviously, if that happened Luke and Kieran would imply they want a page too. And MC would obviously demand it was made. As Mephisto is Sylus's child just as much, there he is too. ☆ Ballroom ☆ I love the concept of them going to infiltration missions and protocore auctions together. All of their lives revolve these situatuins in a way or another and i think they would have soooo much fun. I think it would be the kind of thing Sylus would like to remember, so he made a page.

⚠️🔞 SPICY PAGE BELOW DO NOT LOOK IF CRINGE

☆ ... ☆ There's a page on Rafayel's Diary where he photographed Sylus and MC and i think Sylus would want it even. I also just know he would have a page like this so there it is.

☆ Beyond Cloudfall ☆ The headcanon here is that looking into Rafayel's Diary would make Sylus open up about his own past lives. Talking would make him remember the dragon faintly until the picture becomes clear. Both were't sure they remembered, but now they know. So Rafayel would push Sylus to make pages too so he can organize the timeline clearly, he drew everything Sylus needed. ☆ Abyss ☆ I never liked dragonlus with the short hair, i think it looks too modern, so i like to think she stayed with him so long his hair eventually grew way longer. That's what he kept it for his vampire persona, it's how he wa when they were together.

☆ Crimson Spirit ☆ The "vampire" years he remembers very well. He spent a lot of time with this persona in the Underworld so it's easy to remember how he used to think and feel as Lord Sylus. The solitude too. ☆ Scarlet Thorns ☆ This was a long life he and MC spent together, so it was hard to summarize. They have been all the way to the sea and back. So it's just vibes. I tried to organize these pages as a wall with frames, i like to think Sylus did this on purpose to reminisce MC's old house.