#devil's ocs

Akyra Bernadotte, King of Abyssia, smiled warmly down at his childhood friend, his hands clasped behind his back as his antennae twitched happily. “I did tell you ahead of time. I sent a letter,” he recalled. “Did you not get it?” he asked, concern written across his face.

Salem rolled her eyes, looking away from the man in front of her. Of course she got his stupid letter. She burned it in her fireplace just two days ago.

“Can’t recall,” she replied innocently, staring back at Akyra — her icy blue eyes meeting his amber ones. “Now, what do you want? I’m busy.”

“With what?” the alien asked curiously.

“None of your business,” she said coldly. “And you have yet to answer my first question. So, I’ll ask again — what do you want?”

Akyra chuckled softly. She was still the same Salem he grew up with as an infant. “Well, I wanted to catch up. We haven’t seen each other in, what… Two years? I thought we could walk through Abyssia,” he said, smiling softly.

“And why on earth would I do something so ridiculous when I could be doing more important things?” she questioned, her gaze darkening.

“Well, for one, you’re always in your palace doing absolutely nothing,” the alien replied, earning a scoff from the queen.

“So?”

“So… why not just walk with me? For old time’s sake?” he asked hopefully, a gentle smile forming on his lips.

The sheer excitement on his face irritated Salem to her core, “No.”

“Please?”

“I said no, dammit,” she growled, already turning away from the king and beginning to walk off. “There is nothing in this damn world that could convince me to walk through a village with—”

“I’ll buy you Abyssia’s most divine chocolate.” Akyra started.

Salem stopped mid-step.

Her pointed ears twitched.

She was listening.

“The kind infused with starlight nectar. The rare Abyssian blend that melts instantly in your mouth,” he finished, smiling softly — as if he hadn’t just attempted to bribe her.

The sorceress’s eye twitched as she slowly glanced back at Akyra. “This is bribery, you know that? Are you really trying to bribe me with chocolate?” She cocked a brow, her eyes locking directly onto his.

Akyra didn’t respond.

He simply stared back into her eyes, his smile growing.

Salem turned away again, silent for a moment.

“…From that chocolatier near the northern star bridge?” she asked quietly without turning to face him.

His smile widened.

“Of course.”

Silence fell once more.

Salem exhaled slowly.

“An hour,” she finally said.

She turned around and walked right past Akyra toward the palace doors.

Akyra chuckled softly and quickly followed after her, his antennae twitching happily. “Of course, Your Majesty,” the king chirped lightly.

—

By the time they reached the Northern Star Bridge, the sun was beginning to set.

Children ran past the two monarchs, laughing as they kicked a ball between them. Salem gazed at them for a second too long before looking forward once again.

Merchants sold baked goods to the villagers gathered around their stalls. The place had really changed since the last time she came here. The bridge had been expanded, there were more houses and shops, and—had he replaced the cracked stone with polished crystal?

A soft hum escaped Salem’s lips, and Akyra turned toward her at the sound. He smiled faintly before facing forward again, continuing their walk.

“How do you like the improvements?” he asked suddenly, prompting the sorceress to glance at him. “It took a while to build all of this, but the people here love it.”

She examined a nearby railing as she walked past, brushing her gloved fingers against it. It felt firm. He had finally replaced it — it could have collapsed at any second if he hadn’t.

“It’s… acceptable,” she said at last. “You finally fixed its flaws. I was beginning to think you enjoyed watching your kingdom crumble.”

Akyra looked at her, a brow raised in amusement. “That’s all?” he asked, his smile widening slightly.

The sorceress raised a brow in return, glancing at the alien king. “Did you expect me to applaud and offer congratulations?” she scoffed, placing her hands behind her back. “Shall I summon a band? Perhaps some fireworks?”

The alien let out a soft laugh, looking down at Salem. “I would have settled for a simple ‘well done,’” he teased.

He didn’t miss the corner of her lips inching upward.

“You’re smiling,” he pointed out.

That caused his old friend to turn away from him at once.

“Don’t make such ridiculous claims.”

The alien chuckled softly, watching the sorceress even after she turned away.

Silence settled between them as they crossed the remainder of the bridge. After a while, they stopped at one of the nearby shops to order drinks.

Akyra chose his usual — Comet Fizz, a fizzy blue drink served in a curved glass flask, bursting with citrus and starfruit flavors. Salem ordered the Glowberry Cider, a warm, deep red beverage with a slight tart taste, made from glowberries that pulsed faintly in low light.

The two monarchs continued walking, watching as children ran past the shop, occasionally colliding with their parents in their excitement. Salem stared a second too long before Akyra’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

“How are you liking the drink?” he asked, smiling as he took a sip of his own. “I remember how much you used to drink it when we were children.”

Salem looked down at her glass before lifting it to her lips and taking a slow sip. She then met Akyra’s gaze after a moment.

“It’s fine, I suppose,” she replied evenly. “I still don’t understand how you can enjoy something so… fizzy.”

“Hey!” Akyra protested lightly. “I’m not criticizing your choices. Leave mine alone.”

Salem smirked slightly at his outburst, taking another sip of her drink. She glanced upward and noticed that the sun had already set.

Thankfully, they were nearly at the palace doors.

“I would recommend going inside,” she said casually. “It’s already dark. We don’t need you floating into the stratosphere.”

“Aww, you care about me.”

“Never mind,” she snapped back, shooting him a glare as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “You can float for all I care.”

“Ohokay! Okay, I get it. We should head into the palace,” he said with a gentle laugh, already walking ahead. “I’ll get the door.”

“I can do that myself, thank you.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. You don’t need any help whatsoever,” the alien replied with a smirk, his antennae twitching slightly.

“Now come on. I want to show you what changed in the palace.”

—

Salem had to admit.. She was impressed. Dreadfully so.

The palace had changed just as well — new flooring, a new chandelier. He had clearly been busy.

“It hurts seeing how much you’re trying to impress me, Bernadotte,” Salem finally said, glancing at Akyra as they stood in one of the corridors beneath the glowing chandelier.

“Could I at least get some praise?” he huffed, placing a hand on his hip as he smiled gently. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re a little impressed.”

“False accusations.”

“Really? So how come when I showed you the new chandelier, you were smiling?”

She fully turned her head toward him, glaring.

“I was not smiling. What is with you throwing false accusations? You’ve been doing it all day.”

Akyra scoffed and nudged her side. “I have not. You were clearly smiling—”

He stopped mid-sentence at the squeak Salem let out.

She instantly shoved at his arm.

“Don’t touch me,” she said coldly, her glare darkening — though he noticed the faint blush rising on her cheeks.

It went silent for just a couple of seconds.

“No way,” he whispered, staring at the sorceress in disbelief. “You’re still—?”

“I’m not.”

“You didn’t even know what I was going to say,” Akyra replied with a smirk, his leaf-like tail wagging behind him — moving faster now with poorly concealed excitement.

“I absolutely did,” Salem said, stepping three paces away from the king. “Control your tail.”

“What? I’m just excited. You’re still—”

“Akyra.”

“—Ticklish,” he finally finished, laughing softly at her irritation and embarrassment.

The sorceress growled under her breath, her cheeks flushing deeper. “I am not. I grew out of such a ridiculous phase,” she argued, crossing her arms firmly over her chest as if that alone would solidify the lie.

Akyra raised a brow, amusement dancing in his amber eyes as he tilted his head slightly, clearly enjoying the situation far more than he should have. “Sal, c’mon,” he drawled. “It’s obvious you didn’t grow out of it. You squeaked.”

“That’s because you caught me off guard,” she defended quickly, her voice sharper than intended. “I wasn’t expecting you to touch me.” She took another deliberate step back when Akyra began walking toward her, the distance between them shrinking in a way she did not appreciate.

“Akyra,” she warned, her voice lowering dangerously as her eyes darkened. “I swear to all the gods above me, do not touch me.”

He only smirked in response, utterly unbothered, his leaf-like tail flicking lazily behind him in open delight. “Or what?” he challenged lightly. “You wouldn’t hurt me.”

Well… he wasn’t entirely wrong. She wouldn’t. Not truly.

Salem narrowed her eyes, her expression sharpening, but she refused to break eye contact. “Or I’ll get you back worse,” she said evenly, her tone calm despite the faint heat in her cheeks. “Tenfold.”

Her icy blue gaze locked onto his amber one, unwavering and full of promise, the silent challenge between them far louder than any threat she could have spoken aloud.

Akyra hummed thoughtfully, tilting his head as though he were genuinely weighing his options.

Did he really want to risk it?

His gaze flickered to her narrowed eyes. To the way her stance had shifted — balanced, ready. To the unmistakable promise in her voice.

…Yes.

A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face.

Yes, he did.

Salem let out a sharp shriek the moment Akyra lunged at her.

She immediately scrambled backward, nearly losing her balance as she tried to retreat too quickly. Her heel caught against the polished floor, and she stumbled, barely managing to keep herself upright.

How she hated the way her heels betrayed her at the worst possible moment.

Akyra burst into laughter, quickly chasing after the sorceress as she ran down the corridor.

“You know I’m going to catch you, right?” he called out teasingly, his boots striking sharply against the polished marble floors as he gained on her. “There’s no use in running!”

His voice echoed faintly through the hall, full of triumph and far too much amusement for someone who claimed to be royalty.

Salem snarled, skidding slightly as she barely avoided slamming into the stone wall. She twisted sharply at the corner instead, heels scraping against the marble as she kept running.

“Bullshit!” she shouted over her shoulder without slowing down. “I used to outrun you all the time when we were children! What makes you think you’ll catch me now?”

She darted down another corridor at full speed, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her hesitate.

Gods—did the palace corridors change too?

She didn’t remember this wing being here before. The turns felt unfamiliar, the walls stretching longer than she expected, the banners different from what she remembered.

Then again… it had been two years.

A lot could change in that time.

Akyra snorted as he closed the distance, lunging forward and tackling the sorceress onto the cold marble floor. They rolled for a moment, limbs tangling, before finally coming to a stop.

He wasted no time, grabbing her wrists gently but firmly, only for Salem to yank her wrists free and begin shoving at his chest, hissing insults and curses at him in rapid succession.

“Good Aurelian! You’ve put me through hell with all this running,” the alien gasped, chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. “Come on, Salem! Just give up already!”

“No!” Salem responded quickly, glaring at him. Her icy blue eyes flashed with indignation — and maybe a hint of embarrassment — as she twisted against his grip.

“Release me at once!” she demanded, her cheeks burning with a mix of frustration and embarrassment as she shoved harder against his chest.

But her resistance only made things worse as Akyra shifted his weight, pinning her legs to the marble floor with his own.

“Akyra!” she shouted in frustration.

“Sahalem!” he responded with a low chuckle, his lips curving upward as amusement danced in his eyes. “This wouldn’t be happening if you were just honest with me,” he said, placing his hands firmly on her sides.

The moment his fingers touched her, Salem gasped and jerked away — though pinned beneath him, she had little room to escape.

“Liar,” he added smugly. “I barely did anything. You’re still ticklish.”

“For the last fucking time, I’m nohohot– Ahakyra!” she squeaked, childlike giggles slipping uncontrollably from her lips as she frantically grabbed his shoulders, trying to shove him off her. “Cehehease this ahat ohonce!” she managed between giggles, her words barely coherent as his fingers continued to torment her sides.

Akyra cooed above her, smiling like an idiot at his old friend’s uncontrollable giggling.

Gods — it had been forever since he’d seen her act like this. He couldn’t help but stare at her with fond amusement, completely captivated by the sound.

“Gods,” he murmured, his grin widening. “Were you always this cute? Your giggles have gotten even higher-pitched since the last time I saw you.” he continued, pressing his thumbs into her lower sides, making Salem jolt and gasp involuntarily.

“Goodness,” he murmured with a grin, “You’ve even gotten more ticklish.”

“Y-yohou’re wohorse!” she shot back between helpless giggles. “ Yohou’d scream whehenever i gohot–”

Her words dissolved into a startled snort when Akyra’s fingers darted to her ribs, plucking and lightly scratching at the lowest two. The reaction was immediate — Salem shrieked, jolting beneath him.

He’d clearly forgotten just how bad her ribs were.

“STOHOHOP!” she cried, laughter tearing straight through any attempt at authority as she twisted helplessly beneath him.

She reached up blindly, fists loosely balled as she began thumping at his chest in a desperate — and entirely ineffective — attempt to shove him off.

“COHOHOWARD!” she added between uncontrollable bursts of laughter, her voice breaking into a squeaky, higher-pitched sound that sounded nothing like her usual low, controlled tone.

Gods, she sounded ridiculous, her cheeks burning hotter with every embarrassing sound that slipped past her lips.

The alien raised a brow, clearly amused. “I’m the coward? Sal, you ran halfway across the palace just to avoid being tickled.”

He leaned down slightly, amusement gleaming in his amber eyes.

“I’d say that’s pretty cowardly behavior,” he continued, his voice dripping with teasing triumph as he laughed softly at her cackles. His fingers dug deeper into her ribs, his grin widening. “Gods, I forgot how bad this spot was,” he muttered, his smile forming into a smirk.

He immediately shoved his hands under her arms, wincing at the loud squeal that escaped her lips.

“AHAHAKYRA!” the sorceress shrieked, instantly slamming her arms down and trapping his hands beneath them, “IHI’M GOHOING TO KIHIHILL YOHOU!”

“Can’t kill me if you’re laughing so much,” he teased, his smirk growing as he drilled his thumbs into the center of her armpits. She immediately threw her head back, bursting into helpless cackles. “Cute threat, though.”

He hummed softly, his amber eyes lighting up as he took in the sound of her laughter, “You really should laugh more often,” he teased. “It suits you.”

“FUHUHUCK YOHOU!”

Akyra clicked his tongue. “Maybe I’m not tickling you enough. If you’re still swearing at me, I’m definitely holding back,” he said casually, mischief clear in his voice.

The sorceress growled, abruptly pulling her arms away from her sides. In one swift motion, she shot her hands forward and grabbed his hips, thumbs digging into the sensitive divots there.

The reaction was immediate.

Akyra let out an alarmed shriek. He instantly retracted his hands, twisting in an attempt to shield himself — but Salem was faster. With a sharp yank, she dragged him down onto the marble floor and quickly sat up, straddling his waist to pin him in place.

“SAHAHALEM!” he shrieked, a startled snort escaping him as he shoved at the queen’s hands. “NOHOHO—!”

She showed no signs of stopping, squeezing and digging into his hips relentlessly, vengeance and lingering irritation flashing in her eyes despite the persistent flush staining her cheeks. She showed no signs of exhaustion despite having been in this exact position only moments before. Clicking her tongue in irritation, she let her fingers trail lower, latching onto his thighs and scratching along the sensitive inner muscle.

“You’re completely stupid if you think I’m going to let you get away with that,” she snarled.

With her free hand, she caught his wrists and shoved them down against his chest, pinning them firmly in place, “Quit moving, damn it.”

Akyra let out a sharp gasp, his boots scuffing uselessly against the marble as he tried to drag himself away from her. He squealed, yanking desperately at his pinned wrists in a frantic attempt to shield himself.

“YOHOHOU EHENJOYED IT!” he shot back breathlessly.

A loud, undignified snort burst from him when she drilled her thumb deeper into his inner thigh, his hips jerking involuntarily, “D-DOHOHON’T ACT LIHIKE YOU DIHIDN’T!”

Salem looked genuinely offended by the accusation. She growled under her breath, squeezing his thigh repeatedly and watching with quiet satisfaction as another broken sound tore from his throat.

“I did not.” she replied coldly, her voice steady despite the way her cheeks suddenly started burning hotter.

She tightened her grip on his wrists when she felt him trying to slip free.

“And even if I did — which I didn’t,” she retorted, her icy blue gaze glaring down at his face, which she absolutely refused to describe as anything remotely endearing, “that doesn’t mean you get to use it against me.”

Akyra couldn’t form a response — his laughter had dissolved into loud, unrestrained cackles the moment she slipped her hand beneath his white suit and scratched at his stomach.

The alien arched helplessly, which only worsened his situation.

“SAHAHALEM!” he shrieked.

“What now?” she sighed in irritation, though she couldn’t quite suppress the smirk tugging at her lips as she watched his composure unravel. “I expected you to be better than this, Bernadotte. Honestly, I thought you’d grown out of it–”

She cut herself off with a slight wince when a piercing shriek tore from him when she found his navel.

A slow, almost cruel smile spread across her face.

“—and it seems you’ve only gotten more sensitive,” she finished coolly. “Pity.”

Akyra was losing his mind, kicking at the marble flooring, his boots scuffing the floor due to his struggle.

He squealed the moment Salem dug her claws into his lower belly, snorts and broken pleas spilling uncontrollably from his lips.

He’d clearly forgotten how cruel she could be.

“S-SAHAHALEM!” he cried out, curling into himself, burying his face into his shoulder as if that would somehow save him. “STAHAHAP—!”

Salem clicked her tongue. “Stop?” she echoed, almost mockingly. “Why on earth would I do that?”

She started squeezing around his navel, earning more broken pleas and squeals from the man.

“Knowing you,” she continued coolly, “The second I let you go, you'll go back to trying to tickle me.” she predicted, her claws tearing squeals and shrieks out of the alien.

A faint smirk tugged at her lips. “And frankly.. this is more entertaining.”

Akyra threw his head back, cackles spilling into the empty corridor, bouncing off the walls. He was completely helpless.

He HATED those damn claws — hated how easily they broke him, how they sent sparks of unbearable ticklish sensations shooting through his body.

Sweet Aurelian — he was going to die if she didn't get those claws off him.

Akyra let out a sharp squeal when the sorceress blew a firm raspberry against his neck, quickly switching to nibbling at his skin, her fangs grazing the side of it.

The alien tried to turn his head, pressing it against Salem’s, but he let out a panicked squeal when she grabbed his chin and forced his head to the side, exposing his neck even more.

“NOHOHOAHA! LEHEMME GOHO!”

Salem huffed, lifting her head slightly as her free hand began pulsing squeezes at his hip, drawing a loud shriek from the alien. Gods, he was pathetic.

“And why should I do that? You of all people should know that you shouldn’t attack me. It’s like you were asking for—”

The sorceress let out a small squeak at the sudden feeling of hands on her sides. Before she could process it, she shrieked as those hands began digging into her ribs once again.

Salem doubled over, squealing with loud, high-pitched laughter. Akyra immediately seized the opportunity, dragging her down to the ground beside him and digging his fingers into her ribs with a lopsided, goofy smile. Residual giggles slipped from his lips as the tingling in his neck and hips faded.

“Gotcha! Man, you really need to be on your A-game. What is it you always tell me? Stay alert?” he teased, his smile widening as Salem’s laughter jumped an octave. “Gods, you’re so ticklish! How are you able to rule with such sensitivity?”

Salem balled her hands into fists, immediately thumping them against Akyra’s chest. A loud snort escaped her as he found a particularly sensitive spot where her ribs met her armpit.

“SHUHUHUT UHUP! YOHOU’RE SO DEHEHEAD!”

Akyra couldn’t help the snort that escaped him, a small chuckle following as he focused on that particular spot between her ribs and armpit, digging his fingers in. “Aw… does that tickle? I bet it does—look at how much you’re squirming!”

Before Salem could protest further, she squeaked when Akyra grabbed her waist and pulled her back against his chest. She shrieked as those treacherous fingers made contact with her stomach, bubbly, almost childlike giggles spilling from her lips.

She grabbed at his wrists, snorting between laughs as Akyra rested his chin on her shoulder, smiling down at her.

“Yohou’re so gihihiggly! It’s adorable—I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it,” he teased, burying his face in her neck to blow a raspberry, making the queen squeal.

Panicked giggles echoed through the corridor as Akyra blew another raspberry just below her ear. His leaf-like tail wagged quickly, his grin widening.

“Gods, are your ears ticklish too?” he cooed, quickly blowing a raspberry behind her ear, causing the witch to let out a loud squeak and hysterical giggles.

“A-Ahahakyra! Cehease this ahat ohonce!” she ordered, shoving at his face—only for Akyra to squeeze her sides again, sending her hands shooting back down to protect herself from those treacherous fingers. “T-Thahat’s an ohohorder!”

Akyra scoffed, his smile widening.

“An order? You do realize where you are, right? We’re not in Valencia, Sal. You can’t order me to do anything,” he teased.

“You know… I wonder what would happen if I—” he muttered before leaning down, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “Tickle, tickle, tickle…~ Kitchy kitchy koo!”

Salem let out a loud squeal, jerking her head away—only for Akyra to follow, continuing his teasing whispers in her sensitive ears. “Shut up—shuhut uhuhup! Rehelease mehe!”

The king let out a small chuckle against her ear, which only drew more giggles from the sorceress.

“You can stop me at any time, Salem. You’re not even trying to push me away.”

At the accusation, Salem immediately buried her face in Akyra’s shoulder, her giggles jumping an octave as he traced light shapes along her sides. She practically melted in his arms, laughing as she weakly shoved at his hands.

“Aw! Are you enjoying this? You’re practically melting,” Akyra cooed, continuing the teasing motions. “Guess what I’m drawing~,” he added with a playful smirk.

“Drohop dehead!”

The alien clicked his tongue, scratching his fingers just below her navel, causing her to shriek.

“If you don’t guess, I’ll go back to your ribs. Or maybe your thighs, depending on how nice I’m feeling.” He wriggled a finger into her navel, his smirk growing as she babbled out incoherent threats and squeals. “Guuuueeesss…~”

Salem groaned, though it came out more like a giggly whine. “Fihine, fihihine! Aha stahar!”

The witch let out a loud shriek, doubling over in Akyra’s arms as he blew a raspberry just beneath her ear. He made an incorrect buzzer sound, a small giggle slipping from his lips.

“Wrong! Every time you guess wrong, I’ll blow a raspberry against your neck or ears. Try again.”

“BAHASTARD!” Salem cried, snorting when Akyra went back to tracing shapes along her stomach. “Gohohods, stohohop!”

“Just guess what I’m drawing!” Akyra chuckled, his face aching from how much he was smiling.

“Ihi cahahan’t!”

“Yes, you can! I believe in you!” he cheered, continuing to trace random shapes on her stomach, just below her ribs. The queen’s heels scuffed against the marble floor, her hysterical giggles jumping another octave before she let out uncontrollable snorts.

Akyra cooed and complimented her relentlessly. “Ahaww… you’re so cute! I’ve never heard you laugh like this…” he teased, making her guess whatever shape he was tracing against her stomach.

Sometimes, he decided to be a bit mean and pretend her answer was wrong…Unfortunately for Akyra (and fortunately for Salem), their fun had to come to an end eventually.

The door creaked open, a butler stepping inside carefully—only to stop dead in his tracks upon noticing the situation.

“Pardon the interruption, sire, but your five o’clock appointment has arrived.”

Akyra glanced over his shoulder, smiling brightly as if there wasn’t a giggling sorceress trapped in his arms.

“Thank you! I’ll be there in just a moment—send them up for me, will you?” he asked, smiling when the butler nodded and stepped back out into the corridor, the door closing with a gentle click.

The king squeezed Salem’s sides a couple more times before finally releasing her, rubbing her sides to ease the lingering sensation.

“You okay? I didn’t go too far, did I?”

Salem panted, her head resting against Akyra’s shoulder, grumbling something in Vaelith.

“Ihi’m… I’m fihine…” she snapped, shoving at his chest. “Lehemme go.”

Akyra chuckled softly as he sat up, bringing Salem with him despite her resistance.

“C’mon, Sal. Let me help you up.”

“Noho. I aham capable of getting up myhyself,” she growled, pushing herself to her feet—only to nearly stumble before Akyra caught her by the shoulders.

“Yeah, you’re so independent,” he teased. “Here, why don’t you join the meeting with me? It’ll be nice to have your… opinion on things.”

“Juhust say you can’t make decisions on your own, Bernadotte.”

The alien chuckled softly as he helped the sorceress steady herself.

“Never. Though…” he smirked, ruffling her hair, “you might want to fix your hair before going inside. Looks like a rat’s nest.”

He quickly yanked his hand back before she could bite it, a snort slipping from his lips.

Salem punched his chest, grumbling something about never coming to Abyssia again as she used her dark magic to fix her wild hair, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

Boots echoed behind her as Akyra caught up, smiling broadly.

“…You still owe me that damn chocolate.”

Akyra burst into giggles as he held the door open for her, watching as she stepped out.

“I’ll place the order while we’re walking.”

Salem had to admit—it wasn’t… that bad today.

She huffed under her breath.

Maybe… she’d come to Abyssia again.