#epel fluff

“I like you! Go out with me please!” Epel yells, hands clasped behind his back as he stares at the wall just a little to your left.

Honestly, he can’t even look at you? It’s so silly it's kind of cute.

“I will if you look at me.” you giggle, leaning over just a bit so you’re in his line of sight.

His eyes flicker to yours, and just like a volcano, his face explodes with red.

“There we go.” you laugh, warm and affectionate, “You don’t have to be so stiff, you know?”

Of all the answers Jamil expected to hear, it was hardly a yes. He stares at your smiling face dumbly—you look like you just won the lottery. He isn’t sure why his confession of love for you spawned such a face, and his first thought is to look around the room to see if there’s someone else you wanted to see more.

Nobody.

“Hey, don’t look away from me now! I want to look at my new boyfriend!” you complain, so much raw affection in your voice that doesn’t feel real.

“Are you sure about this?” Ace asked, skeptically.

“I’m 100% sure it won’t work.” Jack shrugged, not looking up from his phone.

Epel frowned, looking down at what he was wearing. It wasn’t what he normally wore. Usually he wore soft sweaters, cheerful colors, and oversized hoodies. With the ripped jeans, black leather vest, and fake piercings, he had more of a grunge aesthetic today. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t feel a little out of place in this. But he knew it was what you liked.

You loved rock bands, dark colors, and tattoos. While Epel was soft and fun, you were dark and sharp. You had sarcasm and wit to spare, enough to tear down your enemies with one clever insult. Nevertheless, it was because of your strong loyalty and secret humor that Epel fell for you. He fell in love with everything about you as soon as he first met you, which confused all of his friends when he admitted it.

“Are you sure this is the girl for you?” Sebek questioned, trying to keep his frown from showing and failing.

Despite his uncertainty, Epel nodded. “I’m sure. She’s special and I want to show just how much I really like her by taking an interest in what she likes.”

Deuce shook his head. “Look, Yunho, your heart is in the right place, but this is a bit much. You show an interest by going to concerts with her or watching the movies she likes. You don’t dye your hair black and put on some ridiculous outfit that isn’t who you are just to impress her.”

“It’s worth a shot.” Epel tried to defend himself. “She might like me a lot more if I were more like her.”

Deuce sighed. “If you think that’s what’s best, I won’t stop you.”

Before he could retort, Epel's phone went off, alerting him that you were waiting downstairs. He gave an assuring nod to his friends, as if to convince himself this was the right choice. Rushing down the stairs, he paused right before he could see you to walk down the last few steps with a cool and detached swagger.

Upon seeing you, he gave you the "S'up" head nod, and noticed how your eyes widened at his getup. He couldn't help but feel a little self conscious as your eyes dragged down from his head to his boots before returning to his face. However he tried to not let it show. He was the new and improved Epel Felmier, someone who was worthy of being yours. He needed to be confident and chill to keep the facade going. And with any luck, he’d like the look enough to keep it up all the time he was with you.

“Hi Epel.” You gave a small wave as he made his way over to you.

“Hey.” He answered, trying to sound totally cool.

Pursing your lips, you slowly asked, “Whatcha wearing?”

His confidence slightly faltered, but he had to keep up the act. “I thought you would like it. I mean, we match today.”

“I see that.” You slowly nod, before staring into his eyes. “Do you like it?”

He started to sputter. “Wha- of course I like it! Ever since I met you I knew I was going to like this hardcore, grunge aesthetic. It’s so me, don’t you think?”

Deep inside he was praying you would say yes and jump into his arms. But you sucked in your breath through your teeth. “Epel, are you doing all of this to impress me?”

Again, he sputtered, “Wha-pa-ca, no. I’m doing this for me!”

“Epel…”

He sighed. It didn't take much from you to wear him down. “Yes, I did this to impress you. But I thought if I showed an interest in what you liked, you would like me back. I really like you, and I want to be someone who is extra special to you. I thought this was a way to get closer to you.”

With a small, exasperated chuckle, you gave him a soft smile, which contrasted greatly to what you both were wearing. “Epel, it’s sweet. Really, I think it’s so sweet that you went out of your way to show interest in what I like. But this isn’t how to do it. I like you a lot, Epel, but I like Real Epel. I like the cute, soft, fluffy boy who plays with puppies and helps his grandma on the family farm. I like when you’re you and not when you’re trying to be me.

“You like me back?”

Laughing harder, you nodded. “Yes, Epel. I like you back.”

He gave a sigh of relief. “I guess I was worried for nothing then. I thought you didn’t like me for who I was.”

“Quite the contrary.” You assured him before giving him a hug. Squeezing you tight, you laughed before saying, “Now go upstairs and change into something more Epel. Especially before Vil sees you like this.”

Stepping back, he grimaced at the thought. Vil was going to kill him if he ever saw him like this. An awkward chuckle escaped him as he scratched the back of his head. “Well, I can change my clothes, but I can’t really change my hair color back. Do you think Vil will notice?”

You smiled before sweeping his bangs from his eyes. “I like the black. It’s very pretty. But I also like you when you’re lavender hair too. I'm sure we can figure out something to minimize the trouble you'll get into with your House Warden.”

"Thank you."

Giggling, you wave him off. “Now go change already, you big goof. I’m hungry and need lunch.”

He nodded. “Be back in two minutes, sweetie!”

Rain pelted the windows of the Pomefiore dorm, thunder rattled the walls and lightning lit the dark hallways and bedrooms that cold February night. It was truly a rough storm and the howling wind whistling a ghostly tune made it no better for Epel as he shuddered under his blankets. The thunder roared again and he clutched his poison apple plush tighter, truthfully, he was not frightened of storms but the events at STYX was enough to send him into panic.

CRASH! BOOM!

The thunder roared again, releasing yet another wave of ferocity. With every roar of thunder came the memories of the titans… of Vil…

‘No… No, Vil is alive, Vil is fine… gotta stop being a scaredy-cat! Man up, Epel! Man up, damnit!’

Nightmares of the horrors that fateful day flooded his mind, images of Vil falling into the Underworld to save Idia still were fresh in his memory, haunting him with the thought of losing Vil. Tears pricked his baby blue eyes as he hid his face in his pillow, oh how he despised this weakness… but he supposed it was only right considering how the event’s traumatized him so dramatically.

CRASH!! BOOM!!

The thunder roared once more, causing Epel to jump slightly at the sound. Sevens above how he hated feeling so weak…

Epel huffed, sitting up in bed and grabbing his pillow and apple plush, making his way quietly out of the room and straight to Vil’s room. He knew Vil was likely already in bed but he just had to see him, he needed to know Vil was alive still. His dreams of Vil all old and wrinkled dying before his eyes shattered his heart into microscopic fragments, the images of the dream were too real for him, it was too much. Outside Vil’s door he could see the dim glow of lamp light from under the door, Vil was likely still awake if the lamp was on. Epel took a deep, shuddering breath and knocked on the door, trying his hardest not to break down like a small child.

“Hm? Epel? Whatever are you doing up at this hour? Eye bags, my dear, eye bag- Epel…? Oh Epel what’s the matter?” Vil knelt down to Epel’s height, brushing his gentle, soft hands across they younger’s face. “Come on in, potato, tell me what’s the matter.”

Epel walked in slowly, nodding his head and sitting next to his Housewarden on the bed, staring at him with wide, frightened eyes. “V-Vil… I-I was just scared you were gone… that you left us for good… that the Underworld took you… *sniffle* I’m sorry… I know this is childish an’ stupid…”

‘Stupid! Damnit! Cryin’ like a lil kid in fronta Vil again… I’m gonna get a scoldin’ of a lifetime for the eyebags…’

Vil gasped, pulling Epel into a tight hug, petting his hair gently, swaying softly in an attempt of comfort. He had no idea Epel was so frightened, he had figured something was wrong when Epel refused to leave his side almost all afternoon during their Friday night cleaning session and this afternoon during lunch break but to see this side of Epel was entirely new. He was nothing more than a frightened little boy who had nearly lost someone he cared about deep down even if he did not want to admit it.

“I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere, just keep your head on my heart, see? It’s still beating, I’m still here, little apple. I’m still here…” Vil whispered soothingly, almost in a motherly manner as his slender fingers combed through the soft, violet locks.

‘No, Vil, you left us behind in my dream… you died… you died from old age too soon…’

“I-I’ve seen buncha old folks b-back home go an’ all but… but seein’ you get old an’ leavin’ us…” Epel could not finish that sentence, the words felt so rough on his tongue. The pain in his heart was excruciating and all he could do was wail into Vil’s chest like a child.

‘Sevens above, please don’t take Vil from us… please…’

Vil gently shushed the crying boy, whispering words of comfort as his tears flowed from his eyes. The feeling was the only calm Epel felt against the raging storm of emotions. The Pomefiore Housewarden knew that Epel always tried his hardest to keep a brave face, a defiant attitude, and a tough guy persona but Vil and Rook knew deep down Epel was a gentle soul who cared deeply for others even if he never showed it openly.

“Epel, how about you spend the night here with me, hm? That way you will know I will not leave you.” Vil smiled softly as the younger looked into his eyes as if questioning his suggestion. “I promise, I will not leave your side, you will be safe in here with me. No storm, titan, or Overblot monster will come in here.”

BOOM! CRASH!!

The first year gasped at the sudden clap of thunder, clinging to his Housewarden as if he were a baby koala. He nodded his head in agreement to Vil’s suggestion, eventually looking up at Vil worriedly before releasing his hold.

“S-sorry… dunno why the stupid storm is making me like this… I’m not usually all a scaredy-cat.”

“It can’t be helped, potato, to be completely honest with you, I too have had a difficult time with the storm…” Vil sighed and shrugged. “Truthfully, it reminds me of what happened at STYX, the titans and all those escaped monsters… and the fear of losing you and Rook.”

‘I-I had no idea Vil felt this way… I thought he was gonna say losing his good looks or somethin’ like that. Huh…’

“What? I know that look, potato- you have something snarky on the mind, spill it.”

“Ack- um- uh… n-no I’m good, Vil! Heh… heh…”

“One… Two… do not make me say three, potato.”

‘Great, he’s gone mama mode… no escapin’ this one…’

“Aight, I was gonna say just thought you were gonna say something ‘bout losing your good looks…”

Vil laughed, genuinely laughed at Epel’s remark. Ruffling his first year’s hair, he pulled him back into a hug. “You cheeky little apple, what am I to do with you?”

“Send me to Savanaclaw, maybe?”

“Not happening. You are staying with me, spudling.”

‘Damnit, guess I’m stuck with Vil- although, guess it ain’t a bad idea… heh- life does work in weird ways, huh?’

“Alright, potato, bedtime. It’s well past both of our bedtimes but sleeping in tomorrow as it is the weekend would not hurt, fufufufu~” Vil lifted the covers for Epel to climb under, like a mother he tucked him in and gently petted his head. Vil too tucked himself into bed and pulled the younger close to his frame, running his gentle, slim fingers through his hair and humming a soft lullaby.

Epel slowly but surely drifted off to sleep, the sweet humming of Vil’s lullaby and his heartbeat that was very much alive soothed his mind and guided him to slumber.

“Gnight… mum…” Epel mumbled sleepily, snuggling closer to Vil like a kitten.

“Goodnight, my littlest apple. May no nightmares touch your dreams tonight while I’m here.”

Light-blue eyes focused solely on your face, dancing across your skin, drinking in your features, forgetting about the multiple papers scattered across the old wooden hand carved table, a old wedding gift passed down generation to generation. That now rests in your dining room with a wobbly leg that needs to be replaced, yet always brushed off until the table tilts and knocks over his morning apple tasted coffee. A old table covered in scratches and cuts, yet hidden beneath both you and his work.

His hands gently cup your face, thumbs slowly dragging along the fullness of your cheeks, dragging along your nose and lips that taste slightly sweet. Your heart beats fast in your chest as you smile. Watching his eyes practically light up at the subtle motion, he fights back a widening grin, yet his sun redden cheeks flush with subtle color.

No matter how many times you sit in front of him, facing each other as your knees touch, as you gently press your palms against the back of his hands. No matter how many evenings after a long day of picking apples and managing the numerous jobs that come with running an apple orchard. From fighting off pesky crows or nosy children hungry for ripe fruit. It's a mundane life. One of routine yet freedom.

You watch his lips curl upwards, his nose slowly rubbing against yours. Earning a soft laugh, as he promises the entirety of your and his lifetime to this. To this simplicity.

From busy hot days, to carrying heavy apple crates, that he demands he carries, or chatting with neighboring farmers, sharing their fresh vegetables for a delicious apple pie.

To simply ending the day by sitting on the porch and watching the sunset. With mugs of tea. Or coffee. Or of whatever it is you fancy, growing cold and forgotten as you sit in silence. Comfortable silence. While he holds your hand in his tight, silently promising that this and yet to come, would be alright, and that he'd be here for you. Always.

He do so much for you...

Holding his hands, your fingers grazing over his knuckles and you pull them from your face. Squeezing them tightly, before pressing your lips against his skin. His hands littered in the tiniest scars from working, from splinters to accident cutting himself with a knife cause of his impatient, that he simply laughed as you rinsed his hand under cool water. Hands that have changed from his school years, hands that he feels slight shame for. Hands that you love and kiss, that has him sucking in a breath.

"..."

His voice above a whisper as he stares at you with wide eyes. No matter how old he grows, he's never once lost his pretty features, his long lashes and pink lips. Light-blue eyes that never change, that's filled with such love and adoration. With admiration. And as you pull away, entwining his hands in yours and pressing them against your knees, your eyes lock onto Epel's.

I love you...

It's like a whisper of wind, one that makes you laugh as flurry of kisses graze your face. Laughing between each kiss, practically lunging onto you, forcing you further into the back of the dining chair, still clinging onto your hands. While a silver ring band, bumps against yours.