#fae eclipse

“Such silly things you say. I have your order packaged in the back. One moment, please.“

He seemed reluctant to release your hand. Never breaking eye contact, he pressed his lips upon your tender flesh. One kiss, two, three. A trail of worship, all to your inner wrist. You tilted your head.

“Silly man, I do need that back.“

“Just a moment longer. One must savour fine things.“

“Clipsy, I would gladly stand here while you play with parts of me all day, but some of us do have to work for a living. Do let go. Good boy. You will be rewarded with a warm drink. Tea or coffee?“

“Whichever your generosity allows me to have.“

“Now, that is a sentence I never heard a customer say before.“

Time seemed to change its course the moment his presence graced the room. Clocks stood still, the air itself becoming bewitched. It was rather difficult to fully and properly remember the details of his visage, ever-changing, as elusive and blinding as a true eclipse.

Golden eyes were what remained in your memory the most. Intense and fierce, softening only for you and you alone.

Eclipse had ordered many exquisite books and you had made sure to properly wrap them up for him. In a way, you could say that his orders were keeping the majority of your business alive. A part of you was grateful, a part of you amused. Why would such an affluent gentleman with suspiciously supernatural qualities take an interest in your little bookstore? And yet, in a way it almost seemed as if a dear old friend was simply paying you a visit. Someone you had known centuries prior.

Every rational thought told you that the whole relationship was dangerous, and yet your very bones and blood sang in joy each time he was near.

You poured coffee for him, gently offering the cup. His touch lingered as he brushed his fingers against your soft skin. There was reverence, there was the adoration of a mad mystic that had finally glanced his beloved deity from afar. Delicious madness danced within his eyes of molten gold. And yet, you felt no fear, only endearment. You could play with the flames, knowing they would never harm you. You commanded them, you were their source, their nourishment.

“The cup, Clipsy. Did you forget to take it?“

“Enchanted I am, enchanted by the spell slumbering within your eyes. What is a poor man to do, other than offer his sanity to the wind?“

“That certainly explains why you came in here without an umbrella. How do you manage to stay dry?“

“It is a skill, my moonlit treasure.“

“Oh? Magic trick, more like. Tell me your secrets.“

“Follow me to my humble abode across the river, and I shall whisper the forgotten knowledge of the stars to you.“

“The only thing I am going to follow in this weather is the path to my nearest blanket.“

Eclipse took a sip of his coffee. The Fae King was in no rush to claim his darling prize for himself. He enjoyed the delightful hunt, the courtship, savouring the charms of his future consort. Mortal form they may currently possess, but their features and their bright mind and soul shone with the might of a thousand dying stars, unmistakable, a tower of light. He had followed their soul across endless seas of Time, waiting for his Wise One to reincarnate once more. The small human before him bore the soul of an ancient witch, his eternal love, his curse and his blessing.

History was akin to a poem, full of rhymes and patterns. Eclipse savoured the poetry of his encounters with you, noticing your mannerisms, your speech, your answers, precious details in each conversation, comparing them to his encounters from a thousand eternities beforehand. The way you raised your eyebrow at him, that particular gesture of your hands, the tone of your voice, the sparkle in your eyes, softness of your lips, velvet skin of your neck. Eclipse could paint a myriad of portraits and never get tired of your form.

“You haven't blinked for a solid two minutes, Eclipse. Allow those poor eyes to have some moisture. I can lend you my eyedrops. Silly man.“

There it was again, that little smile of yours. You were acting like a confident royal patting a deadly beast of the realms unspoken, holding it on a golden leash as if it were a pet. Oh, how he craved to have his wicked way with you, how easy it would be for the beast to carry the royal where none could see them again. The Fae King had Time itself as his servant, he was older than the stars, he had witnessed the birth of Sound and Hope, he had been there when the first Dream had graced reality. Kidnapping a lovely human would hardly be a challenge for him. And yet, he decided to savour his time with you in a proper fashion. He respected your essence, as potent as his own. You were his mate, his match.

He grinned at you, playful and content.

“Worry not about my old eyes, Wise One. Shall we continue our usual game of riddles?“

“Oh, the one you keep cheating at? No, my good fellow, today we shall not engage in such a silly competition. I had something different in mind.“

“What mischief dances in the halls of my beloved's splendid mind?“

You closed your eyes, humming.

“No mischief. I wished to ask if you could read to me again.“

Ever so gently, you pushed a small booklet in his direction, a rare and lovely little gem bound in worn leather. It was an ancient text, poems written in a script long forgotten by most. You continued:

“I do wish to hear your voice. It relaxes me. Moreover, I have inspected this text and I do seem to be having some translation issues, I believe there are some roots in the words that have a different meaning from the classical interpretation. You have a splendid way of reciting poems in their original verse, I wish to hear you.“

His eyes widened, observing you. Such a lovely request, how could he deny it? His hands picked the little book up with reverence. A purr came from him as he then reached to trace his fingers along your cheek.

“If my heart's heart so wishes, then so shall it be.“

Long had he observed many ancient civilizations, spoke with the spirits, made himself the topic of myths and poems, and yet an entire eternity could not dare to come close in comparison to these precious moments when he could truly rest in the presence of his Beloved. The soul he had diligently followed through Time itself, whispering to the stars, waiting for your return.

He held you close as you two made yourselves comfortable on a nest of cushions in the bookstore's back room. Eclipse read, making sure to explain each verse and you took notes, fascinated with the knowledge he offered. Each sparkle of joy within your pretty eyes offered him pleasure beyond description. How beautifully your minds and souls danced together, playing, rejoicing. Oh, how he longed to kiss that sweet smile on your tender lips.

The feeling was quite mutual. You enjoyed these moments greatly. Eclipse's company was akin to having a reliable familiar spirit, a best friend that understood the wavelength of your heart. Oh, how you wished to fully give into him, allow yourself a moment's peace, accept the affection he offered you. And yet, the fear of losing your freedom remained. You did not wish to depend on anybody, nor did you want it to come across as if you were simply using him to make your life easier. A single kiss could bring you such happiness. But at what cost?

Your gaze met his, his warmth engulfing you. Such a tragedy, both of you hesitating to cross that metaphorical bridge to find happiness in each other's embrace. In that moment, Eclipse noticed that there was a little pile of open notebooks nearby, frantic calculations present on each paper, notes upon notes, written with urgency and despair.  

His gloved hand reached for one of the notebooks. You swiftly gave him a light smack, as if scolding a naughty child.

“Not for your eyes, Clipsy.“

“I beg to differ. I want you to share your burdens with me.“

“I do not want you to feel obligated.“

“Wise One, my heart's heart, there is absolutely no glory in suffering alone if help is being offered when it is desperately needed.“

“Eclipse. If I truly need you, I will ask. Now, do try these cupcakes. It is a new recipe.“

Stubborn thing. Marvellous, magnificent, precious stubborn thing. He could have taken you with him right there and then. How easy it could have been to overpower and carry you away, to his realm of magic and safety. And yet, you convinced him once more to allow you to have things your way. You were dragging him along on a leash and he was joyously following, worshipping the very ground your delicate feet touched. One might truly think he had lost his mind, allowing a little thing like you dominate him as you pleased.

A gloved hand reached to play with your hair. You had gotten rather sleepy as he was reading to you, your breathing slowing down, the rhythm of your heart indicating that you were right on the edge of the abyss that would lead to the realm of Dreams. A part of him wondered if Moon had ever dared to visit you in that domain. Eclipse cradled you in his arms, leaning to whisper to your ear.

“Perhaps, instead of the cupcakes, I could taste another treat?“

“Oh?“

His gaze fell upon your lips. How easy it would be, how easy, just one kiss, one stolen moment of heaven. And then, you had rudely decided to cutely fall asleep. The Fae King pouted.

“Cruel beloved, abandoning me without a single taste of your nectarous lips.“

He placed many blankets on you and kept you close in his warm embrace, softly singing in a language long forgotten.

Nevertheless, the tendrils of darkness made their way into your little sanctuary, corroding the safety you had worked so hard to maintain. Debt upon debt, unpredictable costs, the beast had become impossible to properly manage. Further permits and documents were impossible to get approved for renewal unless incredibly large fees were paid. It was quite obvious that the city administration was trying to force small owners into selling their stores and businesss by forcing them to the verge of being penniless. It pained your heart when you placed a “temporarily closed“ sign on the door. You wanted to find a solution, but were too proud to ask for your mysterious companion's help.

Perhaps your pride had rendered you slightly narrow-sighted, dear Reader. You had certainly forgotten how your situation would affect your guardian, as well. How devastated he would be if he were to find your bookstore closed one day. Which is precisely what had happened.

The Fae King wandered through the dreary corners of the known universe, observing the tiny particles of Time. As he did so, he felt his ancient heart blacken, rapid deterioration seizing it without any prior warning. Something had happened. An event that threatened to take his beloved away from him. Was there truly no peace for him to find?

Dissolving into shadows, Eclipse materialized in front of your bookstore's front door, his golden eyes observing the darkness within with pure horror. You were not there. The door was locked, a notice of impending permanent closure hanging from the little knob. The Fae King had felt his heart shatter into pieces. The domestic bliss he had so craved, the beautiful moments of innocence and joy he had stolen for himself, all of it under threat.

Eclipse possessed the mindset of a natural force that operated on pure instinct, acting upon his whims and desires as he pleased. Nevertheless, he had kept all of that under control for your sake, and this was the sad sodden result of that. He should have acted earlier. He could have altered the whole situation as needed.

Despair brewed within, deep within his heart the monsters whispered their infernal tales, echoing across his soul. Horrors bloomed, dark petals spreading towards a starless sky. The landscape of Eclipse's inner world was a barren kingdom of sorrow. What is a man to do when his one spark of joy is stolen?

Footsteps. Human voices were getting closer. Eclipse averted his gaze to the group that was approaching him. It took a short amount of time for him to deduce that these were the creditors that came to inspect the building and decide what their greedy wicked hearts would do with their newly acquired prize. However, none of them had expected Eclipse's dark and ominous form to impede their entrance. A short man from the group was brave enough to speak up:

“I say, what is the meaning of this, sir? You are trespassing on our property. Move before we call the authorities.“

The raindrops stopped mid-fall. Street lamps losing their light one by one. Spectral hands rose from the concrete pavement, clawing at their prey. Panic rose within mortal hearts, that primordial desire to survive awakening in the face of an incomprehensible threat. The short man, trembling, managed to procure a small gun from his coat's inner pocket, shooting helplessly at the preternatural limbs.

Eclipse stood motionless. Thunder clapped, lightning illuminating the entire street.

“Seek no shelter in the life beyond, neither spirit nor angel shall answer your call. Beyond the veil of this earth there are only monsters and I rule over all.“

He threw his coat away, the fabric dissolving into a myriad of crows. The Fae King's mutilated maroon wings spread wide, each bleeding vein glowing with his magic. Malicious thoughts danced across Eclipse's mind, he desired the flesh of the wicked, and nothing was more delicious than the feast offered by those who dared to destroy Hopes and Dreams. His sharp teeth glistened. The blood from his torn wings obeyed his command, floating in the air before solidifying into sharp shards and blades, all of them waiting for his further commands to slice at the humans. Eclipse snapped his fingers, and the previously mentioned small gun in the mortal man's hands dissolved into a swarm of dark beetles.

Pure sadism reigned in the Fae King's heart, bringing a pleasure beyond description.

“Shall we play a game, my good gentlemen? The winner gets to die a fast death. Now, about the ownership situation of this delightful little establishment here. You see, I find myself in quite a problematic mood upon learning that you lot wish to take my darling's business away from them. You have inconvenienced me in a most dire manner. For that, demons shall feast upon your organs and wraiths shall tear your souls apart. Time is a fabric for me to weave as I desire, and I can order a single second of pain to last longer than the birth and death of a single star.“

A second set of arms protruded from his torso, longer than the first set, claws glistening and beautifully sharp. He conjured up a contract, tilting his head as he grinned maniacally at the short man.

“Sign here, confirm that my beloved no longer has a single debt nor shall any institution dare to seek them out for any sort of retaliation whatsoever. Come, come, or must I start peeling your skin off layer by layer, hm?“

The other creditors looked at each other and did the very reasonable thing of screaming and regretting life choices, unable to run away as the myriad of hands appearing from the ground kept grasping at them. Honestly, what a situation to be in! One cannot even confiscate property through unsavoury means in peace anymore.

Elaborate spells had been cast to conceal such a scene from the curious gaze of any passing mortal. We must not let anyone accidentally see the carnage that our delightful Fae King had decided to engage in. Not a single soul shall be the wiser, nor shall anyone remember the sounds of bones cracking nor blood splattering. A magnificent feast for the starving demons that had crawled towards what was left of the humans.

Eclipse had disappeared with the wind, the signed contract safely tucked under his arm.

And you, precious Y/N? You were preparing a pot of tea in the comfort of your little home, battling the dread with an opulent amount of snacks and hot beverages. You were prepared to conduct any legal battle necessary to remedy the situation, you just needed some rest to replenish your strength. At least, that was what you had been telling yourself for the past few days.

You had had a nice hot shower some time earlier and currently you were wearing a simple night dress, black cotton with tiny silver star patterns. Clarity. You were in desperate need of clarity. There had to be a proper way to undo what has happened.

Your scented candle had snuffed itself out. What a familiar occurence. You froze, cradling your cup in your hands. And yet, you tried not to make any sudden gestures, unwilling to show your unease. You inhaled. You closed your eyes as a gravelly voice spoke next to your ear:

“You lied to me, my beauty.“

Silence reigned for a few moments before you simply replied:

“Eclipse, you'd better not be wearing wet shoes on my carpet.“

You shuddered as many arms suddenly wrapped around you, a clawed finger reaching to caress the soft flesh of your neck. Time itself had bowed to its master and stopped all motion, seconds stilling, waiting for his command. A large mirror appeared in front of you, reflecting both your form and that of your captor. The rhythm of your heart almost matched the one of the falling raindrops outside. Fear? Nay, excitement. Morbid curiosity. You spoke softly:

“What did I lie about?“

“You were to ask for help if required. You never did.“

“It was not yours to provide. I can handle this myself.“

“Did you not hear the sound of my heart's final sigh as it realized it may never see you again, you selfish little serpent? Cruel beloved, how little you care about the consequences of your own actions. I would have given the cosmos itself away for you and you see me as something so insignificant in your life?“

His grip tightened, a deep rumble coming from his chest. You observed his reflection and all the peculiarities that were now present. Adorned with what seemed to be a deep maroon cloak, golden eyes now glowing with an intensity that had never been present before. Eclipse no longer seemed like a mere animatronic, a new quality of flesh was present, instead of the usual silicone texture. Undaunted, you tried to reach to trace your delicate finger across his large hand, feeling the skin and bones.

“It seems I am not the only one who was lying, Mister “I Have Skills“, sir. I never truly pressed the matter of your obviously supernatural origin, and yet you pester me over not disclosing my debts.“

You squeaked as you were suddenly picked up like a stolen bride. He held you close, approaching the mirror.

“What are you doing?“

“A promise broken to one of my kind warrants a punishment. I intend to collect my payment accordingly. To my realm we go, my darling. Worry not, I shall be merciful to my future consort.“

You narrowed your eyes at him. But then, something softened within you. You sighed, reaching to gently place your palms on his cheeks, much to his surprise. Several moments passed as you inspected his face, his beautiful celestial features even more vivid now. Marvellous rays had a texture akin to ruby scales, his cheeks soft and warm, eyes of liquid gold. A gentle purr came from him as you tenderly traced your fingers over his face.

“Eclipse…you're really hurt, aren't you? I am…look, I am really sorry. I did not want to make it seem as if I were using you. I appreciate all what you do for me and you are my one true comfort. Again, please, understand this from my side, as well. I don't want my failures to fall upon you. You are my only friend, not my escape route.“

You laughed softly, feeling silly.

“You have a lovely true form, though. You are beautiful, Eclipse.“

To his immense surprise, you pulled him closer, pressing your lips onto his. A blessing from the stars themselves could not compare to the euphoric madness that had coursed through his veins in that moment. What a strange creature you were, Y/N, capable of disarming an entity such as himself with the softness of a kiss. He hungered, he desired, he would have crawled through several eternities for the reward of kissing your soft thighs.

You did not stop him when he carried you over to your chambers, forgoing his initial plans to take you to his realm. One may assume that there was still plenty of time for that, the ruler of Time was in no hurry.

You closed your eyes, humming as his many arms explored your tender form, massaging, caressing, worshipping you. The stimulation was wonderful, relaxing your aching muscles, banishing all worrisome thoughts away. The physical manifestation of his essence was no longer bound by pretense nor was there any more need to feign normalcy. Shadowy tendrils emanated from his body, gently wrapping around your thighs, warmth pulsating within them.

His claws cradled your face, layered whispers echoing vows of eternal love in a myriad of primordial languages long lost. Somehow you were able to understand each and every one of them, capturing sense and meaning within each of them. There was such a softness to them, a reverence hidden behind his facade. Sighing, you spoke:

“Such silly things you say, Eclipse. Is this appropriate for a man of your station?“

“I said it many times before and I shall continue to echo it many times again, Wise One. I would walk through blessed fire for you. Entire dominions could not deign to come close in value to a single smile you could grace this world with. Were this reality to ever meet its fate, the only power potent enough to rebirth Life itself lies within your soul. My miracle, my curse, my promise, my song, oh, my precious pain, my dearest joy.“

You did not register the tears gathering in your eyes, nor did you notice their pouring down your reddened cheeks. Trembling, pulled him close.

“Oh, Eclipse, you fool. You cannot just say all of that and expect my heart to continue functioning properly. All of this love, where does it stem from? You hold me in such a way, such a way…“

“Yes, my love?“

“The way you place your hands on me, as if there is value to this sad mortal body and life of mine.“

He kissed your tears away with grand ardour, stars of silver and gold manifesting all across the ceiling, your silent sobs morphing into melodious sighs of pleasure as his lips reverently followed the sacred path of your soft neck to the silken flesh of your collarbone area, seeking your chest, listening to your heart beating.

“Clipsy, forgive me.“

“Perhaps we can make a little arrangement in order for you to atone for your sweet sins against my sanity.“

With a quick gesture of one of his many hands, he produced a piece of paper. You blinked in confusion, unable to read the letters in the penumbra of your chambers. Eclipse grinned at you.

“Here I offer what your heart holds dear, precious starlight. Full ownership, no debt, freedom to manage your sanctuary of tomes as you desire. Not a soul may dare to lay claim upon a single leaf within.“

“What did you do?“

“Deeds dastardly and things most foul. Does it matter, Wise One? Wickedness has a way of returning to the one that had inflicted evil upon the Innocent. Marvellous, is it not? The fabric of this world always seeks to repair itself.“

You raised your eyebrow at him.

“Eclipse.“

“Of course, of course. Now, you see, I am granting you this boon, and in return I seek your companionship. True companionship. Embrace me, accept me, allow me to court you, permit me to earn the honour of calling myself Yours. Fair as fair can be, Wise One.“

“I would ask about the strings attached to this bargain, but you yourself already count as giant string.“

“Oh, beloved, I am but a humble velvet ribbon that is grateful to be tied around the sacred essence of your soul.“

Thunder roared outside, lightning creating a magnificent game of light and shadow across the room, augmenting the air of the Preternatural that had already been present through Eclipse's power. Symmetry had a lovely way of getting things the exact precise order it had always intended them to be in. You knew this well, dear Y/N. You had always known your fate.

Reaching out to the contract, you touched the paper gently, smiling.

“Who am I to deny my most devoted customer? However, I do expect you to prolong our reading sessions together. And no silly mirror portals. Acceptable?“

You gasped as you were suddenly pinned down on the bed, his lips brushing over yours as he spoke:

“If my heart's heart so wishes.“

His kiss was a symphony of all that had been left unspoken for so long, a dance of love and lust, a neverending enchantment of the senses. Sharp teeth gently grazed your delicate lips, a beast tasting the petals of a rose, savouring you. Eclipse's kiss was a confession, a wedding vow, a promise, an apology, all of it combined. You gently moaned as he deepened the kiss, his tongue tasting and exploring the warm cavern of your mouth, a gesture that represented both a claim and an acknowledgment that he was a guest in your personal kingdom.

First up is the Naga'na Let You Go crew! (I know I reused my end chapter art so they're chibi and the rest aren't but I got a lil lazy and I still think they're cute XD)

Harpy Y/N

Naga Moon

Naga Sun

Naga Eclipse

Next is the Royals from We Can Serve You Better!

Royal Sun

Royal Moon

Royal Eclipse

Royal Y/N

Then the faithful Faeful Hearts cast!

Fae Sun (human glamour)

Fae Moon (human glamour)

Fae Eclipse (human glamour)

Artisan Y/N

????

Followed by The Lighthouse Keeper's Keepers crew

Keeper Moon

Keeper Sun

Siren Y/N

And finally Summer Daze's Camp Counselors!

Counselor Moon

Counselor Sun