#lovesick writes

4:30 pm: the most magical time of day.

Yes, the exact time you clock out from your dead-end job.

"See you tomorrow, Corey." You mutter, waving off your coworker who was waiting to clock out behind you. He gives you a soft grumble as his nametag clicks to the time clock.

"Yeah, yeah, just make sure you get here on time tomorrow. You know the morning rush is a shitshow when someone's late." He muttered, running his fingers through his greasy hair.

"Says the guy who's always late with a energy drink in hand." You grumbled under your breath, adjusting your jacket as you step outside of the diner with the bell ringing overhead.

The spring air feels good against your sore joints and tired eyes as you begin your trek back to your apartment, feeling its keys in your pocket as you pop an earbud into your ear. Soft music in your left ear accompanies you on your journey back home, kicking a pebble along as you drag your aching feet.

The pebble skips and hops along the pavement until it rolls right into the grass of a front yard. However, your gaze is immediately caught by the television left by their dumpster: a large, weblike crack across the screen. You find yourself stopping in front of the television, looking down at its pitiful state as a zephyr cards through the fabric of your clothing and sways the television's antennas. Your television had recently broken last week: it just stopped working. Maybe the universal remote you had at home would work on this one.

Looking out at the house then at your apartment complex down the road, you weigh your options. This TV might be broken as well, but maybe it was worth a shot. It looked old as hell but maybe you could put something together with the electrician techniques you learned from trade school before you dropped out.

Looking back down at the television, you let out a sigh before bending at the knees and picking up with a grunt. It was a little heavier than you expected. But it wasn't unbearable, just unwieldly. With the old TV in your arms, you carry it towards your apartment complex.

Adjusting your hold on the TV, you punch the code to your complex in on the withered keypad while trying to balance the TV in one arm. The main door clicked open and you pushed the door open, revealing the peeling wallpaper and moist carpet stench of the main hallway. You trudge to the dingy elevator, knowing damn well you aren't carrying this thing up four flights of stairs, and elbowing the up button on the wall.

With a sigh, the elevator lets out a distorted chime and opens its doors to reveal the dingy elevator before you. Stepping inside with a grunt, you elbow the fourth floor button before adjusting your hold once more. The doors whine shut as the elevator begins its ascent to your floor. Looking down at the television, your nose itches from the dust on the top. It was obvious who ever had this TV didn't watch it much and kind of left it to rot.

Once the elevator reaches the fourth floor, the doors pry open with a groan and you step out. Your hands were starting to hurt from carrying it, but your room wasn't too far. With aching steps, you get to your apartment and shoulder your door open after unlocking it. Inside is your sanctuary from customer complaints and the smell of oil and grease that radiated off you after every grueling shift.

Finally, you set the TV down on the old stand you had for the decommissioned one you had off to the side and let your arms rest.

"Fuck, that felt like it was never gonna end," You groan, tilting your neck to let it pop. "Now let's see what's up with you." You add, plugging the TV into the nearby outlet to see what you were working with and it didn't even turn on. "Great, did I just lug a piece of junk all the way up here?" You mutter, giving the TV a good smack to see if there is any reaction. A flicker came from the screen, showing a possibility of fixing it. Alright, it's possible to get it to work.

For hours, you find yourself hunched over your new TV, taking pieces off and fixing some faulty wires inside that seemed like they were probably cut. It was odd since there seemed to be no exterior damage besides the screen. Besides, the crack would not cause this kind of damage. It's almost like an invisible knife cut through the inside. Luckily, with some wires and bits and bobs you stole from your old TV, you slowly put the TV back together. Even your old TV had the same screen like they were similar models.

As you click the brown shell back on the front with the new screen in place, you plug it in once more only for the screen to flicker to life and start playing a sitcom.

"Fuck, I actually fixed it." You mutter, grabbing the remote from your coffee table. You click some of the buttons to see if it will change channels and it did, flickering from some child cartoons, old sitcoms, a cheesy romcom, and a Godzilla-type film.

Feeling proud of yourself, you stand to your feet with a smile pulling at the corners of your lips.

"Finally." You mutter to yourself, still feeling the grease on your work uniform against your skin. You could finally shower and fresh up and then enjoy some TV. You walk off, leaving the TV running as you go to shower the grease and sweat from your dead-end job away.

The muffled voices of the sitcom you let run can be heard through the thin walls of your apartment as you step into the bathroom, as if they were keeping you company. Letting the warm water run over your body as you step into the shower relieves the pain in your sore joints. As you step out of the shower, you feel rejuvenated as you wrap yourself in a towel, walking to your bedroom as the muffled laugh track of a sitcom follows.

After getting into some comfortable pajamas, the voices cut out abruptly, making you curse under your breath thinking the TV died again. Stepping out of your room, you head towards your main room only to stop.

It was only like 7 PM, it should not be this dark. A wall of darkness obscures your main room but you could see the rest of your hallway just fine. It's like its just a pitch black wall before you. You look down to see some black smoke billowing around the floor like fog, making you curse thinking you set off an electrical fire with your DIY wire-work.

"Oh fuck!" You curse as you rush into the darkness only to feel like the carpet below your feet disappeared and you began to fall. Letting out a scream as it felt like you were falling stories down into a pit of void, your body finally collides with a pile of snow with a grunt.

The freezing cold sends a shock through your body as you scramble to get up, dusting yourself off only to get a good look at yourself, realizing your skin was a greenish blue and that you were wearing a... leather coat with some baggy jeans and a band shirt for... Lightners Live? What kind of band was that?

Your head felt like it was spinning as you tried to gather yourself as you looked out to see an expanse of snowy hills and a billowing black energy beam off in the distance that somehow contrasted the black starry sky.

What is this place? You mentally ask yourself as you waddle out of the oddly convenient snowpile.

A bright light snaps you from your thoughts, making you look around to see some sort of spotlight was on you as you wince to comprehend your surroundings.

"What a SPECTACULARLY AMAZING job you did! Patching me up like that when I was at my absolute lowest point, what a compassionate star you are!" an eccentric voice boomed from an unknown source. "Everything went black and I really thought that was the end for my OUTSTANDING game shows and sitcoms and the curtains would finally close! But you, you, you put me back together!" The voice boomed as a clapping track began to resound and multicolored confetti filled the air.

"What is this? Who are you?!" You called out, the words leaving your lips before you could stop them.

"Haha, I was hoping you'd ask!" The voice echoed only for a second spotlight to shine before you to reveal a towering figure before you. The figure was humanoid but with exaggerated male proportions, broad shoulders empathized by a red suit jacket with shoulder pads. A lemon yellow tie hung from the collar of his white undershirt. He had black slacks on his long legs accompanied with yellow leather shoes and a golden belt buckle of a television. Where his head would be sat a lavender television with deep periwinkle antennas. His face was the television's large white screen with a cartoony grin and a long cone-shaped nose.

"My name is Mr. "Ant" Tenna, your friendly TV host right here in this dark world!" He proclaimed, raising his gloved hands in the air in excitement as he beamed with a radiating pride.

"Dark... world?" You question, taking a small step back as you look up at this looming figure. Despite him having no visible eyes, you could feel his gaze on you as his head tilted down to look at you as he put his hands down.

"Oh! You're new around these parts, aren't you? No one has taught you THE ROPES? Well, don't fret! I can teach you the ins-and-outs of this place! You have any questions to start, hmm?" He questioned, leaning down closer to you as if to get a closer look at you.

"Okay... Well, how do I get out?" You question only for him to freeze up.

"Get... out?" were the only words he could muster before went silent, his screen face turning pitch black as his head tilted down as if he was looking at the floor.

Suddenly, he reeled back in a nearly contagious fit of laughter "Ha! Hahaha! You're very funny, my star! What a HUMOROUS joke! Isn't that right, folks?" He asked out to the air only for a laugh track to ensue. "My STAR, you just got here! And I must say you have a face built for the BIG SCREEN! So why not stay awhile, see what I have in store for you!" He stated, patting the top of your head like a pet.

"Well, uh, I'm honored with your... compliment, but I don't think I belong here." You muttered, pulling back from his touch.

"Nonsense! The Knight wouldn't give this dark world another chance if it wasn't meant for anyone!" He bantered before snapping his fingers and a door you didn't even realize was there opened, its double doors agape as if beckoning you to get closer. To this, he began to swagger past you. "Now, come, we have plenty of things in store!"

"Wait a minute, I didn't agree to anything!" You called out as he stopped before the double doors.

"You... don't want to be a star?" He asked, his voice once so boisterous now bordering on pathetic. Slowly, he began to shrink, his antennas going slack as to display disappointment. "Oh, geez, did I go too far? I just got so excited and..." He muttered as he shrank into himself. "...I just wanted to make you happy... I can see the bags under your eyes and I thought I could cheer up at least one person... I guess I failed at that too..." He muttered, shrinking down to your height with his back still turned to you. For some reason, your heart churned at his disappointment. You had worked so hard to bring him back only to deny him...

"Wait." You find the words leaving your mouth before you could thinking it through. "I'll play along, please don't be upset." You fawned, taking steps closer to him as your new boots crushed the snow beneath them.

"Really?" He spoke up, sounding a hint hopeful before shooting back up to his normal size and doing a little jig out of excitement.

"OH BOY! You scared me there for a second! Now, MY SHINING STAR! We have plenty of things to do!"

SONG OF THE FIC: A HUMAN'S TOUCH — TWRP FT. MCKENNA RAE

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AI TRAINING, STEALING GRAPHICS, & REPOSTING STRICTLY PROHIBITED. All graphics and writing created by lovesick-desires on Tumblr (me)

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A sniper's gaze never leaves its target.

Caitlyn always had her eyes on you. Even when you thought she didn't. Ever since she met you at one of the Piltover counselor meetings, she watched you carefully as if to mentally digest every facet of your being. The way you leaned into your cane when you stood for too long, how you secretly took your medications when you thought everyone was too hooked into debate to notice you in the shadows of Jayce, when you would leave the room discreetly when you felt the aura of a syncope coming.

She saw you, she always saw you.

You were quiet enough to hide in shadows without much notice, sometimes the only sound being the clicking of your cane or when your soft breathing up-ticked in speed before you took a puff of your inhaler.

A majority of the counselors paid you no mind, some didn't even bat an eye at your direction as if you were lesser than them. Yet, you didn't mind. Sadly, it had been something you had grown accustomed to.

However, Caitlyn wasn't.

She knew you were fine with the little appreciation you got for working on Hextech; but, she wasn't.

One late night, you were slaving away at your desk long after Jayce and even Viktor went to bed. You were hunched over the blueprints, shaky hands dusting over the intricate white depictions of the Hexcore. The lantern light flickered and made the shadows on your face ebb and flow. You reached for your coffee, the brew long since gone cold as you brought it to your lips and let the fluid slip between them.

You were close, you knew you were.

"Ahem," A voice clearing their throat caught your attention, making you nearly choke on your coffee. Your gaze slipped back to see Kiramman standing there, arms crossed as she leaned against the doorway of the lab.

"Kiramman? Shouldn't you be sleeping by now?" You asked, placing your mug back down on the desk. Her footfalls clicked against the tiled flooring as she approached.

"I should be asking you the same question, it's nearly daybreak," She began, looking out the windows of the lab to the overview of Piltover's cityscape. "I just got here; but, I presume that is not the same for you." She remarked, gesturing to the cold coffee and the wide spread of blueprints and scrabbled notes sprawled across the desk.

"Ah, it's already morning?" You questioned, reached into your bag beside your chair, retrieving your container of medications for the day.

"Yes, 4:57 A.M. to be exact, which means you should have gone to bed hours ago." She muttered as she watched you pour the medications into your palm before putting them in your mouth, washing them down with cold coffee.

"Mm, sorry, sometimes I get carried away with work." You muttered into the mug before placing it back down.

As you went to hunch back over the blueprints again, you felt her hand pull you back against your chair. Her grip was tight but not painful, like she was trying to hold back. Her eyes bore into yours, her gaze icy but held some concern in it.

"You are pushing yourself. Again. This is not okay." She declared, her grip on your shoulder tightening just a smidge

"I can handle myself just fine, Kiramman-"

"Don't give me that, you and I both know I'm right here." She snapped, running her free hand's fingers through her sapphirine strands. "How many nights have you done this?"

"It doesn't matter-"

"Yes, it does. With all your conditions, you're going to push yourself to an early grave! Now, tell me, how many nights have you stayed up until dawn and you didn't say a word?" She demanded, her nails boring into your shoulder as her frown deepened.

"... I've lost count-"

"Lost count?! Seriously, you can't keep doing this! What if all that caffeine makes your heart worse?"

"Why do you care so much anyways? My research is none of your business. You get all the numbers and details from Jayce anyways."

"You don't get it, you're my business. I care about you! You can't keep pushing yourself to the brink and end up hospitalized or even worse!" She pleaded, a desperate gleam in her eyes before they darkened into a stormy sky. "Who's making you do all this extra work? Are they extorting you?" She pried, pushing you firmer against the chair.

"What are you on about? No one is making me do this! I choose to do this."

"Why then? Why do you push yourself so hard when you know your body has these limitations? What can I do to stop you from doing this to yourself?"

"You don't have to do anything, I never asked for your help-"

"Well, it's obvious you need it. Look at what you are doing to yourself! Open your eyes!"

"I don't need your pity just because you think I can't carry myself."

"I am not pitying you! I care for you!" She begged as you felt that familiar dryness in your throat as your chest got tight.

You began to cough and scramble for your bag but her hand kept you pinned. She reached into your bag as you began to wheeze and squirm.

"Open your mouth." She demanded as she fished out your inhaler. You instinctively open your mouth as you wheezed and whimpered while she popped off the cap over the mouth piece. She smirked softly down at you like she was enjoying this moment of control and placed the mouthpiece between your lips and pressed down. "Breathe deeply for me, okay?" She prompted, watching you inhale and deflate from the tension.

Slowly, she pulled the mouthpiece from your mouth, looking down at you with intense eyes.

"Good job," She cooed, putting the inhaler back in your bag.

"The... The hell was that for?" You questioned, still catching your breathe from your attack.

"Because you need me, as I need you. You are my business and I intend to keep it that way," She declared, her eye contact eerily unwavering. "You are going to go to your chambers and rest, even if I have to drag you there myself, understand?" She continued before finally letting go of your shoulder.

"But, we have that meeting today, I can not miss that-"

"Yes you can, as Commander, I dismiss you from the meeting today. Now, would you rather walk up there with your cane or should I get your wheelchair?" Caitlyn demanded, standing up straighter to cross her arms.

"I told you, I'll be fine."

"Wheelchair it is."

"Kiramman! Enough!" You declared, rising from your chair after grabbing your desk to stabilize yourself. "I will rest after the meeting and I will not let you boss me around like this!"

Silence stretched between you two for much longer than you were comfortable with, but Kiramman's gaze never wavered.

"You're right. I'm sorry," Caitlyn resigned, taking a step back. "This is not about you being disabled, this is about you needing rest."

"Kiramman-"

"You need rest, come on." She pleaded, gesturing to your wheelchair she pulled over from the side of your desk.

You looked down at the wheelchair, feeling your legs tremble ever so slightly.

"Fine," You relented, walking over and taking a seat onto the lightly-padded seat. In silence, Caitlyn began to wheel you down the halls past Piltover hierarchs and onlookers whispering, a sight you were used to. However, once you two were alone, she pushed the wheelchair right past your room. You went to stop her but she grabbed your shoulder once more and kept walking.

"You will be staying in my chambers for the day, just so I can keep an eye on you." She muttered, walking briskly. "Also, call me Caitlyn."

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Burning.

That's all you could feel in your every aching nerve.

"Child of man, where have you gone off to?" A deep, silky smooth voice echoed through the corridors of the Diasomnia dormitory hall. A voice that haunted every waking moment of your recent life. You could hear the footsteps of the enigmatic housewarden as they clicked closer to your hiding spot.

You could feel your heart racing, your breathing quickening, and sweat beading down your forehead. Your bare feet ached from the previous chase, surely covered in sores and blisters from your suede shoes you had haphazardly thrown on. You thought you had lost him, but you were wrong.

“I’m not one for these sorts of games, child of man,” the fae prince derided, the green heels of his leather boots clacked against the tile floor, each sound feeling like it was breaking your bones. “I’d much rather you just come to me. You trust me, don’t you?” Malleus’ voice incanted, his words dripping off his silver tongue.

You could hear the fae prince drawing near, making you feel smothered in an overwhelming sense of impending doom. As he came closer, you felt hazy. The world felt like it stopped moving even for a moment as it all felt unreal. You looked at your shaky, sweaty hands as it felt like they weren’t even yours. Like you were… in a dream.

You could hear the crackling of flames outside the cabinet you hid in, garnering your attention. Amidst the sound, the temperature in the cabinet began to get warmer and warmer.

“After everything we had done together, the times we shared, the friendship we built, that adorable nickname you gave me. Was all of that for naught?” The fae prince queried, his heels clicking ever closer to the cabinet. Time was running out as plumes of smoke seeped in, percolating through the edges of the wooden door. Your lungs filled with smoke as you tried to stay calm.

He wouldn’t burn this place down with you inside, right?

A soft glow snuck its way in through the growing cracks in the cabinet, containing viridescent flames and embers. You didn’t have much time. You had to move.

With much reluctance, you burst through the cabinet door to no sign of Malleus aside the green flames slowly consuming the Diasomnia hall. Walls were cracking, tapestries were burning, and debris was crumbling down from the ceiling. It all felt so surreal, yet, it was right in front of your very eyes.

However, it was time to move. Glancing around, you covered your mouth with your sleeve to keep yourself from inhaling smoke. No sight of the Briar Valley prince could be found. Your eyes stung from the acrid smoke as you made a run for it, bolting for the mirror hall

A way out, a way home.

What would Ace and Deuce think about your return? What about Grim? What about everyone? All the friends you made and all the memories sped through your mind. Your friends, the Spelldrive Tournament, the Song & Dance Championship, saving your friends from STYX, all the overblots and trauma, the chaos of it all… Oh, how much you missed it. Tears blurred your vision as you kept running, thinking of about how much you missed it all. The normal chaos of your life was much better than this, as much as a pain it could be.

Soon enough, you busted into the mirror hall, your body aching as you frantically looked around. Still no Malleus, but you weren’t going to complain about that. Your gaze shifted to the Ramshackle mirror, one you had been yearning to see. Your breath caught in your throat as you heard the prince’s heels approaching from behind. The sickening clicks and clacks echoed in your ears like a swarm of insects burrowing into your skull.

Without a second thought, you ran to the Ramshackle mirror, not giving up now. Your heart raced in your eardrums as you felt yourself get closer and closer to freedom…

CRASSHHHHH!

The mirror before mere seconds before was now shattered into pieces, it’s reflective glass lay dappled on the floor’s tiles like little stars of a broken dream. You felt your blood run cold as you stared open your destroyed escape, seeing yourself in the shattered reflections. Your gaze shifted to the mirrors of the other dorms: Heartstabyul, Savanaclaw, Octanivelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde. All were shattered as well, leaving only remnants of glass as a mere ghost of what they once were.

“My, my, did you really think I’d just let you go?” The prince jeered, a soft smile audible in his tone. Before you could react, you could feel a familiar pair of hands clamp onto your shoulders. “A thought so misinformed, child of man.” He continued, his presence looming from behind.

You couldn’t bring yourself to scream, cry, or even whimper in the face of your defeat. All that came from your quivering lips was ragged breaths and each one feeling like daggers in your lungs, stabbing in and out.

“Have you had your fun? Did you get it out of your system?” Malleus derided, one of his hands sliding from your shoulder into his pocket.

“I-“

“Good, good…” Malleus interjected, retrieving his magical pen from his pocket. With a flick of the prince’s wrist, the world shifted and warped as the mirror room faded into Malleus’ bedroom. The bright atmosphere of the mirror room was warped into the adumbrations that decorated the prince’s chambers. With his hand still planted on your shoulder, the prince firmly pushed you to sit on the bed, looking down at you with those dark, brooding eyes that glowed a slight green in the darkness of his room. His shadow cascaded upon your still stunned form, trying to process everything that just happened. With that, Malleus leaned closer to you, his hand traveling from your shoulder to your chin. A soft smile adorned his lovelorn lips as he stared hungrily down at you.

“Welcome home, child of man.”

SONG OF THE FIC: LET THE WORLD BURN - CHRIS GREY

Your first day at work was nothing short of exhausting.

All the introductory work and meetings left you struggling to keep your eyes open on the commute home, nearly drifting off at a couple red lights. You looked outside your driver's side window to see various families putting of Halloween decorations. The spooky holiday seemed to be a pretty big deal around here from what you can tell and it was just a week away. Your mind thought of possible Halloween decorations you should put up before the 31st as you made your commute home, wondering if fake cobwebs were still in style.

Yet, soon enough, you arrived at your destination, piloting your car onto your driveway and into your garage. Putting your car in park, you turn the key in the ignition off, letting the rumbling of the engine die out into a slight huff of protest. A grunt escaped your lips as you retrieved the key from the ignition, opening the driver's side door.

As you enter your home, you placed your laptop bag on the kitchen counter with a soft thud from the fabric casing. While sleep was gnawing at you, you realized you should probably eat something for dinner before heading to bed. You needed to make sure to fuel your body even with how tired you were.

Swinging the fridge door open, you spotted the microwave spaghetti and meatballs meal you found while grocery shopping last week in the freezer compartment. It didn't look very appetizing, but you did not want to go out and get food right now.

Taking off the plastic film, you stick the tray into the microwave and punch in a three minute timer.

It wasn't much, but it would fill you up for the night.

You sat at your kitchen table, mindlessly scrolling your phone while waiting for the timer to finish. Your phone vibrated as a notification appeared up top: a text message from Lila. She had been watching out for you since you moved in with sweet gestures and checking in on you, much more than your own family did.

LILA: Hey! I just wanted to check in on you. Your first day of work was today, right? How did it go? Are you still there?

A smile spread across your tired lips, the message bringing a warm feeling to your very soul as you quickly typed up a reply:

YOU: Hey Lila. No, I just got home. It went well, but I'm exhausted. Probably going to go to bed early.

After you hit send, her text bubble immediately began to pop back up before she sent her response:

LILA: Ah okay, I'll leave you alone then. Let me know if you need anything! :)

To this, you sent her a quick thumbs up emoji before placing your phone down as the microwaved beeped its song of completion which garnered your attention.

Rising from your chair, you dragged your half-conscious self to the microwave. Opening the door, you were greeted with the aroma of disappointing spaghetti and meatballs. Retrieving your mundane meal from the microwave, you looked down at it with slight distaste. Whatever, it was just for one night and then you'll never buy this shit again. Your wrist flicked the microwave door shut with a soft click, leaving you with your meal.

Dragging your fatigued feet, you ventured upstairs to your bedroom, snagging your phone from the table as you went. The old stairs whined under your feet as you made your way to the second floor, meal in one hand and your phone in the other.

Entering your room, the sunset was seeping through the curtains, basking a silver of your room in an gilded glow. Tossing your phone on the bed, your body soon followed, sitting on the edge with your meal in your lap. You took a bite of the mundane noodles, tasting them felt disappointing more than they looked. As you ate your noodles, you snagged the remote to your television, turning it on as you ate to listen to old cartoon reruns as background noise. It was weird living in a place that was quiet almost all the time. You had to have some noise in order to remain sane.

You were about to take your first bite of your dinner, the cheap noodles wrapped around your plastic fork when your phone rang. You grumbled, figuring it was someone from work but you looked at the screen to see the caller ID populate. Lila? But you told her you were going to bed. You glanced between the decline and accept options, deciding to choose the latter as you put her on speaker.

"Hey, what's up?" You questioned, your voice laced with weariness and slight irritation, wondering why she was calling you after you said you were going to sleep.

"Hi, sorry for bothering you, but did you invite someone over? I don't mean to be nosy but I thought you were going to bed." Lila queried, slight anxiety in her tone.

"What? No, I am going to bed."

"Well, I was putting Skid to bed and I looked out the window to see a figure outside your house."

A chill sliced through your spine like an icy blade, causing goosebumps to riddle your skin. Your lips open and nothing comes out but a shocked croak.

"Hello? Are you there?" Lila questioned, the apprehension in her tone rising.

"Y-Yeah, I'm here." You choked out, looking out your window at your barren front yard: not a person in sight. "A-Are you sure it was someone and not just like a raccoon?"

"I'm certain. They were going to the back of your house and now I don't see them anymore."

THUNK

All the electronics shut down in your vicinity with a whine of your carbon monoxide alarm, leaving you in darkness only illuminated by the moonlight from your window.

"Shit!"

"What happened? Are you okay?" Lila beseeched, her urgency rising in harmony with your heartrate.

"Yeah, I'm fine, my power just went out." You muttered before feeling your phone vibrate. Staring at the screen, you froze as a notification flashed: your home security cameras and alarm had gone offline. The air around you felt darker, heavier, like it wanted to swallow you whole. You snapped out of it when you heard Lila call your name, and instinctively lifted the phone back to your ear.

"I-I'm going to call the police." You say, your mind racing as you heard your back door creak open.

"O-Okay! Is there anything I-I should do?" Lila implored, her voice shakier with apprehension.

"No, stay home with your son, just stay safe. I'll call you back later." You replied, hanging up before Lila could reply, your hands shaking anxiously as you heard slow, heavy footsteps creeping through your kitchen.

You snuck to your closet, shutting the door behind you as you pulled up the local police number. Cramped in the small space with clothing suffocating the space, you put the phone to your ear. The footsteps were right below you, firm yet sauntering as they wandered into the family room.

Ring...

Ring...

Ring...

Ring...

"We're sorry but we are too busy assisting other callers, please wait on the line." The automated voice spoke from the other line.

You gotta be fucking kidding me.

The scratchy piano hold music droned from your phone as heavy, deliberate footsteps creaked closer to the staircase, each one making your heart pound faster. You couldn't just wait here like a sitting duck!

Think, who could help you right now...

Looking through your phone contacts, your thumb stops as Bob's contact comes into view.

He's a big guy, he could help. But it's so late and he's probably at work... Your thumb hovered over the call button as the footsteps get closer and closer to the stairs. Clicking the call button, your stomach ties in knots.

Ring...

Ring...

Your heart dropped as you heard a phone ringing at the bottom of the stairs.

Ring...

Ring...

Is that... Bob's phone?

The darkness of the closet felt evermore suffocating as your phone slips from your hand, falling to the carpet between your feet.

Ring...

Ring...

"I'm sorry, but the person you are trying to reach is unavailable. At the tone, please record your message. After you've finish recording, you may hang up or press one for more options." The automated voice from your phone was barely audible, almost drowned out by the pounding of your own heartbeat in your ears.

“You called?” Bob’s unmistakable Southern drawl drifted down from the hallway outside your room. Your hands were drenched in sweat as you tried to call Lila back but your hands were shaking so badly you dropped your phone, the thump of it hitting the carpeted floor audible enough to make Bob's footsteps stop. You could hear him breathing heavily like he was out of breath.

"Someone's clumsy, huh?"

Oh fuck.

Your bedroom door slammed open, his shadow passing under the closet door as he looked around the room. He had to be playing with you. He knew exactly where you were.

"I know yer in here." He drawled, walking past the dresser and bending down to look under the bed. You could see him through the crack between the double doors. He didn't... look the same. It was obviously him, but he wore a red devil mask over his head and red clawed gloves on his hands.

One hand was holding a knife... the other... a rag...

You had to do something. You couldn't just sit here and die like a coward. You knew if you called Lila, Bob would definitely hear it. As you quietly felt around the closet floor as he glanced under your desk behind your chair, your hand lands on an old mason jar candle you saved for when you read your favorite book series. It was still in the cardboard box you brought it in when you moved in.

"C'mon out, darlin', I don't wanna hurt ya." He lulled, the knife glinting in the moonlight from the window. He slowly creeped towards the closet, now standing before the double doors.

"I know yer in here. Why don't ya just c'mon out n' be a good little—"

The second he opened those double doors, you chucked the candle right at his face, the thick glass knocking his head back with a grunt as he stumbled backwards.

"Ergh, why you—!" He growled, holding his nose as blood seeped through his red mask.

You took the opportunity to book it.

Blood pumped rapidly through your veins as you sprinted to the hallway, nearly falling over as you dashed down it.

"Hey! Get back 'ere!" Bob called out, stumbling out into the hallway as you were nearing the stairs. As you descended quickly down the stairs, Bob was quick to follow.

His footsteps were thunderous in your ears as you neared the bottom of the stairs only to be grabbed and pushed into the wall by his clawed hand. You went to scream but a knife was quickly under your chin, silencing you in an instant.

"If ya scream, I'll slit that pretty lil' throat of yours, got it? I actually wanna keep ya breathin' so don't make me regret it," He growled through gritted teeth, the blade pressing right under your jaw. Tears quickly gathered in your eyes as you tried not to hyperventilate. "Good, ya seem to get that this ain't no game of hide n' seek anymore." He continued, lessening the pressure of the blade against your throat.

"P-Please just let me go..." You begged softly, tears streaking your cheeks. Bob sardonically smirked, cocking his head while his eyes widened.

"D'aww darlin', ya look so pretty when ya cry," He started, raising the rag in his other hand. "How about this: let me tell you a little fun fact, okay?" He drawled, drool dripping from his mouth.

"A-A fun fact?" You spoke up, eyeing the rag wearily.

"Did you know..." Before you could react, he quickly put the rag over your nose and mouth. "...that chloroform has a sickly sweet scent to it?"

It was too late, you had already breathed in and your vision began to get hazy. All you could do was close your eyes as a dark slumber overtook you.

SONG OF THE FIC: THE DINER — BILLIE EILISH

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"Aaaand done..." You proclaimed, dropping the last cardboard box of your belongings hit the tiled kitchen floor. Your gaze shifted out to the rest of your newly bought abode, boxes stuffed full of your possessions dappling the floor and counters. Moving all by yourself amidst the Arizona heat was one hell of a hassle; yet, you did it nonetheless. With tender grace, you made your way across the room, stepping over boxes on your tiptoes to avoid stepping on your valued belongings. Your gaze danced across the Sharpied-on labels on each box:

BATHROOM

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

Then your gaze met the label you were looking for: the box of kitchen supplies that still had the handle of a spatula sticking out of the top. With a sigh, you bend at the knees to grab the box:

Ding dong...

Huh? You just moved in, how could someone already be here? Slowly, you rose from your crouched position, stepping over the other boxes as you made your way to your front door.

With a swift motion, you turned the doorknob and pulled the door open. Before you was a lithe woman with her lilac-colored hair pulled back in a ponytail, leaving her thick bangs to frame her pale face. She bared her white teeth in a soft smile as she went to speak:

"Hello, sorry to bother you if you're busy. I'm Lila and I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood! My son, Skid, and I made these cookies as a-sort-of housewarming gift." The woman chattered, handing forward a plate of chocolate chip cookies with some mildly deformed, mostly made by the child.

"Ah, thank you," You spoke softly, gently taking the plate from her outstretched hands. "Where is your son?" You added, gazing around Lila only for her to chuckle as she adjusted her glasses.

"He's off playing with his friend, Pump. Those two are like two peas in a pod." She bantered, waving her hand off to the side bashfully. You could feel a soft smile spread across your face.

"That's sweet. Thank you for the cookies but I have to go set everything up in here. The house won't set up itself." You explained, gesturing back to the mess of boxes in your main room. Lila nodded at this, adjusting the collar of her lavender shirt.

"Right, right. Just know I live right next door on the left if you need anything, okay?" Lila iterated, eliciting an affirmative hum from your throat.

"Thank you and let me know if you need anything as well. I'll see you around, okay?" You piped up, watching her walk away with a wave. With this, you shut the front door with your foot, setting the plate of cookies aside on the entry way table shortly after.

Time seemed to pass expeditiously as you set up your abode, meticulously putting up each room with its designated items. While it was bare bones for now, it got the job done as you could always buy fancier decor later down the road. For now, you just wanted to get the basic necessities in order. As you finished setting everything up, you felt the adrenaline wear off, feeling your body get heavy as you sighed. Your gaze shifted to the oven clock as the time stared back at you in glowing red letters:

8:58 PM.

Nearly 9 pm already? You felt hunger pool in your stomach as you realized you hadn't eaten anything today besides a cookie from the plate Lila brought you. Retrieving your phone from your pocket, you begin to pull up the internet, checking what food places are nearby. As you sit on the couch, you mindlessly scroll the list of nearby food joints when one catches your eye: Boys 'n Grills. Seems to be some sort of burger joint and it's only two streets away. You rise to your feet as you slip your phone back in your pocket, realizing it was your best bet for food tonight.

"Boys 'n Grills, huh..." You muttered to yourself, grabbing your jacket from the coat rack. You pulled the jacket onto your form as you stepped into your shoes, adjusting your feet so they slipped into place. Pulling the tongues of your shoes out and into place, you made your way to your front door. Opening the door, you were greeted by a evening zephyr carding its fingers through your hair. Shutting and locking the door behind you, you make your way down your driveway, hunger tugging at you like a leash.

As you journeyed down the quiet streets, you made your way to the diner as you hugged your coat closer to your form. The autumn leaves crunched under your feet as you strolled, inhaling the October air. It was therapeutic compared to the hustle and bustle of city life you had grown accustomed to. While it had the occasional car or person passing by, it was nothing compared to cramped sidewalks and honking cars. You could get used to this feeling of serenity.

Your footsteps come to a halt as you see the diner across the street. Its neon sign of white letters shined brightly in comparison to its circular, carmine backing all attached to a rectangular supporting stand behind it. The letters read out as "Boys 'n Grill" in a playful font with the 's' as an add-on on the side akin to a smoke trail. The building itself was a grayish-blue tone with lighter grey strips at the top and bottom. The red-and-white striped fabric awning provided shade to the teal door entrance below which had large windows show a view inside on each side. A warm, gilded light filtered through the large windows, basking the nearby area in a soft, amber glow. The place seemed cozy and welcoming, almost hypnotically.

After looking down both sides of the street in case of incoming traffic, you made your way across the quiet street towards the diner, your stomach growling in anticipation of your upcoming meal. You gently opened the door to be greeted with the chime of a shop bell and an aroma akin to roasted pork yet a hint saccharine. The interior looked just like a standard diner from an 80's movie. The black and white checkered tile flooring stretched the whole floor, including a strip of it on a midsection of the white brick walls. There were cherry red booths lining the left and right walls with tables in the middle, graciously spaced apart. At the main bar, there were stools in a need and orderly row, alternating red and white patted tops. The fluorescent LED lighting overhead hummed softly, the sound mingling with the retro boombox playing retro music in the corner. No one was manning the front counter, making you fear that you are intruding whey they were closing up.

Soon enough, a man emerged from the back with a solid, well-rounded build yet his frame was broad and commanding. His dark brown hair was peaking out from under his red cap, which was in stark contrast to his pale skin and sunken eyes. He was wearing a deep blue collared shirt with a red brand-themed apron over it. He was carrying a box of presumably supplies, heaving it onto the bar top with a grunt. He didn't seem to notice you were even there as he was too far into his own work.

"Are you guys closed? Sorry, I can leave if you are." You reluctantly uttered, garnering the male's attention away from his duties. His dark eyes lit up upon meeting yours, a slightly unsettling smile decorated his face.

"Ah, nah, we're open. Pardon me for not seein' ya there, darlin'. C'mon, have a seat at the bar n' I'll get your order." The man spoke in a deep, gravelly voice seasoned with a southern drawl.

To this, you made your way towards the bar, taking a seat on one of the padded stools. The man pulled out a menu from behind the bar and handed it to you.

"Y'might need this to order unless you already know what you want." He informed, letting you take the menu into your hands.

"I've actually never been here before, so I'll take a look." You spoke, opening the menu and flipping through the pages. The man hummed at this as he grabbed a rag from the sink behind him.

"Ah, I knew I woulda recognized a face like yours if I saw it before," The man commented, wiping down the bar with gyrating motions of his arm. "What made you decide to come in today? Just didn't wanna cook or...?" He questioned softly, his gaze shifting over to you.

"Ah, I didn't have any energy to cook. I just moved in to town and I've been moving and organizing things all day today." You explained, reading the menu. To this, the man stopped cleaning the bar down and turned his full attention to you.

"Really now? You mean that beige house a couple streets down?" He asked, leaning his elbow on the counter. "I saw a moving truck over there when I was headin' to work. Didn't know someone was comin' 'ere so soon." He continued, his gaze shifting to look you up and down.

"Yeah, I've been unpacking all day," You replied, your eyes gazing the burger section as you were oblivious to the man's stare. You didn't even really think about what you were saying as you were too hungry to focus on that. "Say, can I get the cheeseburger with a side of fries?" You added, causing the man to pull out his notepad from his back pocket and scribble your order down.

"Anythin' to drink?" He queried as you shut your menu.

"Just a water is good." You answered, your eyes finally meeting his. The man smiled softly and nodded.

"And a name for yer order, darlin'?" He asked, his gaze flickering from his notepad to you. You gave the man your name and he quickly scribbles it down.

"Got it. But, I must say that darlin' suits ya better," He spoke in a teasing tone as he snagged your menu from the bar top. You dismissed the comment, thinking nothing of it. "I'll get yer food for ya, just wait 'ere." He added before going to the back of the bar, presumably to cook.

Your gaze shifted around the diner, just taking in the scenery and memorabilia on the walls. Old posters, neon signs, and photos of families littered the walls. While distracted, you feel your house keys fall out of your pocket onto the floor. With a reluctant grunt, you hopped off your stool and bent down to grab your keys from the tile floor. As your finger hooked the keyring, your sights land on something odd: a small dark reddish-brown splotch was on the floor by the base of the bar. It was barely noticeable compared to the dark brown of the bar but you could see it. Retrieving the keys from the floor, you get an odd feeling but try to brush it off.

You rose from the floor only to be face-to-face with that man once more. It was like he come out of nowhere. Your breath hitches and the man lets out a hearty chuckle.

"Sorry if I scared ya, darlin'. Food's ready." He bantered, gesturing to your burger and fries on the bar top. With an uneasy chuckle, you sat at the bar once more, brushing off your nerves.

Your eyes shifted down to the food you ordered before you. You picked up the burger with both hands, holding it carefully.

"Go on, try it." The man urged, his eyes locked on you. The air felt thick with tension as you brought the burger to your mouth. You didn't know why he was staring at you, but you just wanted to eat. With that, you took a bite out of the freshly made burger, the flavors surprisingly good yet a little too sweet. It didn't really taste like standard hamburger meat, it tasted more like pork than beef. Despite that, it was still good and savory.

"Mmm, this is good." You grumbled, using your hand to hide your mouth full of food. To this, the man let out a hearty chuckle and put his hands on his sides.

"Why thank you, it's our secret recipe," He declared, looking proud of himself as he stood there broadly. You swallowed before immediately taking another bite, satiating your hunger. The man behind the bar seemed to just watch you devour the burger with hungry fervor, listening to you hum and make small noises. "Y'really like it, huh?" He added, crossing his arms confidentially. You swallowed and looked up at the man behind the bar sheepishly.

"Sorry, I haven't really eaten since this morning." You admitted, feeling the heat in your face from embarrassment. The man's throat elicited a hearty chuckle as you wiped your mouth with a nearby napkin.

"It's okay, I get it. When yer hungry, you need t' be satisfied." The man declared sympathetically, putting your fresh glass of ice water down on the bar. You reluctantly nodded, taking the last bite of the burger. Bob chuckled at this before crossing his arms.

"Did you know... that steak tastes better when cooked to the bone?" The man bantered, looking over at you as you chewed. "The bone actually adds more flavor to the meat itself."

"What's your name?" The random question escaped your lips as you looked up at the man. The man’s brows raised at this yet seemed to brush it off.

"Ah, pardon me, where are my manners? It's Bob, Bob Velseb." Bob answered, pulling a seat over from behind the bar so he was sitting in front of you.

"Nice to meet you, Bob." You spoke, taking a fry and dipping it into the ketchup on the side. As you brought the fry to your mouth, Bob crossed his arms and leaned forward onto the bar.

"So, what brings you here outta all the other places ya could've wound up?" Bob questioned, tapping his fingers on the wooden bar top. After eating the fry, your gaze shifted to meet his.

"I got a solid job opportunity out here and I also needed a fresh start." You clarified, grabbing another fry from your plate. Bob hummed at this, his thick brows raising in surprise.

"A good job opportunity out here? Well, I never thought out here could bring promise to folks in their jobs." Bob declared, that smile still plastered on his face.

"Yeah, paid way more than my past job, so I figured I'd give it a shot." You iterated, finishing up your fries. Bob nodded at this, gently taking your empty plate and putting it aside.

"Good for you, darlin'. I hope it works well for ya.” Bob exhorted as he leaned back slightly, giving you space to slip your water.

Finally, your hunger felt satiated and controlled, the food sitting well in your stomach. As you adjust your jacket, you retrieve your wallet from your pocket. The second Bob saw you pull out your wallet to pay, he vehemently shook his head.

"Now, darlin', I'm not gonna make ya pay tonight. It's on the house. Consider it a housewarmin' gift." Bob declared, shocking you as you looked up at him.

"Are you sure?" You questioned as you slowly shut your wallet.

"Positive, now have a good night, okay? Make sure to come back sometime, darlin'." Bob reassured, waving you off. You couldn't help but smile as you got up, putting your wallet back in your pocket.

"Thank you, Bob." You spoke softly as you got ready to leave.

"One more thing, darlin'. If you need help with anything..." Bob started, quickly writing something on his notepad before tearing the page off and handing it to you. "Give me a call, I'll be around." Bob added, placing the slip of paper in your hand. To this, you nod and pocket the paper. As you waved goodbye, you exited the diner only to be greeted once more with the chilly, October air. As you walked away from the diner, you could feel slightly uneased. You turned back to see that Bob was staring at you from inside the diner, right where you left him. When he noticed you saw him, he quickly went back to work.

Weird.

As you walked home, you watched the dead leaves dance across the street carelessly. You felt satisfied from the meal you just enjoyed yet couldn't shake the feeling of something being off. Just something about that Bob guy felt... unnerving. Maybe, you were just paranoid.

As you reached your front door, you pulled out your keys once more and unlocked it. Stepping inside, you shut and lock the door behind you, leaving you in your own solace. You could feel the paper in your pocket with Bob's number on it in your hand. He seemed nice enough, but you just couldn't shake the old feeling you had in your gut about him. Maybe it's just moving in jitters. You knew you needed this job and you are just getting anxious.

Was it all in your head or was this just beginning?

SONG OF THE FIC: THE DINER — BILLIE EILISH

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Hunger.

It was all you could feel at this point. It tugged at your internal organs like a leash, making you yearn to consume the beautifully-curated breakfast Caitlyn brought up to you this morning, long gone cold due to its abandonment. Your eyes were unblinking as you stared at the food, wondering if the hunger strike you went on really was worth it. Your mouth watered over the fluffy pancakes besides you on a literal silver platter, a delicacy many people would fight over back in Zaun. Yet, here you were, refusing such a luxury as you cradled your rumbling stomach.

You could hear footsteps coming up the stairs towards your room that was shared with you and your captor. You knew it was her. The way her boots clacked against the finely polished tile stairs was unmistakable.

The door to the shared quarters squeaked open as Caitlyn stepped in, her icy blue eyes raking over your starving form then to the discarded breakfast. A sigh escaped her lips as she began to approach you, pulling her faded sapphirine locks back into a ponytail as her cape billowed with a purposeful flutter.

"Again?" She queried coldly, her thick brows knitted together in a soft scowl. You couldn't even look her in the eyes as she picked up the plate, hearing her scoff softly. "How long are you planning to keep this up?" She derided, looking down at the breakfast she made you before her eyes flickered to yours.

You go to turn away from her as you usual do; however, a firm hand grabs your shoulder, her nails digging into your flesh.

"Answer me. You've been doing this for a week now." She demanded, her voice cold yet holding slight empathy.

"Until you let me go." You uttered, your voice crackling from lack of use. To this, Caitlyn scoffed before putting the plate aside on the bedside table.

"That's not going to happen. You'd starve."

"So be it."

Your response seemed to snap something in her. With a firm yet gentle touch, Caitlyn grabbed you by your jawline, forcing you to look at her.

"Do you want to die?" She asked with total seriousness in her eyes, her hand trembling slightly under your chin.

No. You didn't want to die. You wanted to be free. Yet, those words couldn't leave your mouth as if they were failing you.

Caitlyn took your silence seriously as her glaucous eyes held a glint of determination.

"That will not happen." Caitlyn declared, her gaze dancing over your exasperated face. The dictator soon joined you on the bed, her thighs hovering around yours as she straddled you. Shocked by her effervescent movements, you sit up to pull away from her only for her to push against your sternum, pinning you to the headboard.

"What are you doing?" You asked as she kneeled on your hands which were by your sides, pinning them in place. She leaned over to the bedside table and grabbed the plate of cold pancakes.

"You are going to eat." She stated matter-of-factly, using the fork to slice a segment out of the pancake stack.

"N—" Before you could protest, Caitlyn inserted the fork of cold pancakes in your mouth. The taste was stale and chewy, only accentuated by the sticky, saccharine maple syrup. You tried to thrash you head away from the fork, but Caitlyn grabbed you by your hair, pain raking your scalp.

"Chew. Thoroughly." She demanded, her eyes glaring into yours. Her knees dug into your hands as you were kept effectively pinned to the mattress. She slowly pulled the fork from your lips only for her other hand to move from your hair to your mouth, keeping it pressed over so you couldn't spit out the cold, soggy pancakes. You tried to pull away, to find any way to get out of this. To this, Caitlyn dug her knees further into your hands as she leaned forward, causing mild pain and numbness in your palms. You whimpered at this only to reluctantly start chewing, your teeth mashing the food inside. To this, Caitlyn's curved into a small smile.

"Swallow." She decreed, her intense eyes watching you. You looked up at her with pleading eyes only for her to grab your face tightly, keeping her palm securely over your lips. With great reluctance, you swallowed the mashed-up pancakes, feeling them travel down your throat. Caitlyn slowly removed her hand from your mouth, smiling softly. The smile could be perceived as heartwarming if not given the current circumstance.

"Good job." She praised, brushing some of your stray hairs out of your eyes. You grunted softly at this, her fingers gently dancing against your forehead.

"You got what you wanted... Happy now?" You questioned curtly, only for Caitlyn's hand to freeze as her eyes locked on yours. Her smile slowly withered away as she looked neutral once more.

"No, no I am not." She replied as her hand slid down the side of your face, cupping your cheek. "You are going to eat the rest of the pancakes, okay?" She continued, making your blood run cold.

"N-No—"

"Yes, yes you will." She interjected, getting another forkful of pancakes ready. You pursed your lips, keeping them sealed shut between your teeth as Caitlyn raised the fork of food up to you. You shook your head vehemently only for Caitlyn to grab your jaw once more, this time more forcefully. Caitlyn kept applying pressure until it got to be too overwhelming, causing you to open your mouth. This immediately led to Caitlyn stuffing your mouth with more cold pancake bits.

This seemingly went on for what felt like hours but must have only been about fifteen minutes. You were held down and forcibly fed bite after bite of the pancakes you discarded this morning. Soon enough, all that was left on the silver platter was crumbs and cold syrup.

"Good, very good." Caitlyn praised once more as she watched you reluctantly swallow the last bite. You sighed pensively as Caitlyn finally moved her knees off your hands, leaving them red and numb in her wake. Your brows knitted together as you looked up at her as she beamed with pride.

As you went to speak, her lips passionately collided with yours. While the kiss was full of an animalistic fervor, it still held a delicate undertone to it as if she was kissing something delicate and priceless. With great reluctance, Caitlyn pulled away from the kiss, her breathing coming out in soft pants. Her eyes once again met yours as a soft smile spread across her lips.

"Next time, eat your damn food."

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Business was back to normal; well, as normal as it could be.

With everything that happened with Silco, it was hard for you to adjust back to your normal routine. Your form would always tense when the shop bell rang its chime accompanied by the whine of the front door, always expecting it to be The Eye of Zaun. Even your regulars began to notice how antsy you were, some even asking if you were okay. However, you would always give them a reluctant smile and inform them that you were fine, even when it was obvious you weren't.

Days turned into weeks and you had nothing from Silco besides a resounding silence, leaving you glancing over your shoulder every night on your walk home. Well, at least more than you usually did. Every single day, you could feel unseen eyes gnawing through your skin, peeling back your mind layer by layer. You knew someone was watching you or maybe you were just losing your mind in anticipation for the drug lord's reappearance.

Did the altered shimmer work? If so, why hasn't he come to see you yet? They might be still testing it. But for this long?

Thoughts swirled in your mind as you tried your best to do your job and fulfill arcane commissions, listening to the patchwork clock announce the unwavering march of time:

Tick... Tick... Tick...

With a shaky sigh, you sprinkled some dried lavender buds into the swirling concoction before you: a tranquility potion for a client.

How ironic.

Stirring the dried flowers into the concoction, you watched as they danced along with the ebbing and flowing oils and herbs in the glass vial. As you mixed the potion, your gaze shifted to the calendar that hung over your desk like an omen. An entire month had slipped by since you last laid eyes on Silco in that forsaken laboratory, making your anxieties restless in your sleep-deprived mind. Your sunken eyes fell back to the potion as you withdrew the stir stick from the glass container, popping a cork on top to seal the vial's contents.

The shop bell let out a mocking chime, a grim warning, as the front door groaned and shuddered on its rusted hinges. Goosebumps riddled your skin as you glanced over at the patchwork clock.

9:50 PM

Okay, probably just the customer who asked for the tranquility spell.

"Come in." You called out, only to be greeted by the haunting sound of disquieting footfalls on the shop's wooden floor. Your hairs stood on edge as the uncanny sound of sturdy boots grew near, accompanied by the smell of cigar smoke and leather.

Silco.

"Ah, have you been expecting me? How endearing." The Eye of Zaun's voice rang out as the footfalls grew ever closer. With acquiescence in your movements, you spun around the stool top you were sitting on, turning to face the drug lord who stood at your counter, just like when you two first met. Silco's eyes bore down into yours as you met his heterochromic gaze, unwavering and unsettling. You could feel your heart pounding in your ears once more.

Silco seemed to pick up on your uneasiness, leaning forward to place his arm on your counter.

"You seem uneasy, dear. What is the matter? I can assure you that I mean no harm." Silco questioned, his lips carved into that sardonic grin that seemed to harbor only ill intentions. You could only fathom the way that crooked grin had beguiled and swindled countless people before you as you swallowed your trepidation back.

"How did the testing go?" You queried, gently putting the tranquility potion in its holder. Silco's gaze tracked your hand with a slow, unsettling precision before snapping back to yours, his eyes dark with unreadable intent.

"Ah, straight to the point, are we?" He bantered, reaching into his pocket to retrieve out a folded-up piece of parchment. With agonizing slowness, Silco unfolded the paper, each deliberate movement dragging out the silence until it felt unbearable. "I gave your formula to Singed for him to experiment with and these were his findings." Silco declared, sliding the paper on the counter towards you.

Your gaze dropped to the crumpled parchment, skimming the chaotic sprawl of numbers and calculations from Singed, each figure blurring into the next as a sick, creeping unease tightened in your chest. In his experiment, Singed did a control group with regular Shimmer and then your altered Shimmer. Analyzing at the numbers, your Shimmer variant seemed to greatly decrease the size of the tumors grown in patients. The growths were still there, but much less so. Reading the results, you let out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding.

"Safe to say, Singed was very pleased with the results," Silco explained, his fingers tapping softly against the counter. “And, so was I.” His voice was low, almost dangerous. With fluidity, Silco’s hand slid from the counter to your jawline in one swift, claiming motion, gripping it with a tenderness so startling it sent a shiver down your spine. His cold, calloused grasp seemingly forced your eyes to meet his cold ones. You couldn’t help but sense a lump of consternation form in your larynx, causing strain in your vocal cords as you went to speak:

“Thank you.” was all you could muster, the words barely escaping from your quivering lips. A raspy snicker elicited from Silco’s throat at your uttered words, seemingly pleased from your reaction.

“I should be the one thanking you, darling. You’ve proved yourself to be a priceless asset to the advancement of Shimmer,” Silco declared, his eyes seemingly dissecting your facial features as if committing them to memory.

“However…”

The single word slithered from Silco’s scarred lips, cold and deliberate, threading its way down your spine like a blade of ice. You froze as if every muscle in your form turned to stone, hardening up under his gaze.

“H-However?” You uttered, the words barely forming as fear clawed wildly through your psyche. Silco’s lopsided smirk once again spread across his lips, displaying his crooked teeth.

“However, it is not perfect. There is room for improvements,” Silco explained, his fingers pressing firmly against your jaw, his gaze murky and unwavering. “You see, the growths, while less so, are still appearing in some subjects.” He explained as his grip on your jaw slowly faltered, his looming form retreating back to the other side of the counter. The drug lord slipped his hand into his pocket to retrieve another folded sheet of parchment, unfolding it gently before placing it down before you.

As you glanced down upon this newly revealed sheet of creased parchment, a crude sketch was displayed of an in-depth analysis of the Shimmer-induced tumors from someone’s arm, surgically sliced open to show its grotesque innards. You couldn’t prevent yourself from physically recoiling in disgust as a grimace pulled at your expression, your nails boring into the porous countertop. A soft yet raspy chuckle could be heard from Silco as he gestured to the putrid illustration before you.

“Don’t be so coy, this sketch was an analysis done by Singed on a patient with the regular Shimmer growths.” Silco explained, his lithe fingers dancing across the inky lines of the illustration as if soaking in every detail. Your gaze followed his pointer finger as it glided across the paper to point out the core of the tumor: a fleshy amalgamation.

“This is the very center of the control group growth, pulsating and writhing with inflammation and infection.” The Eye of Zaun explained before flipping the parchment over to reveal another sketch of a much smaller growth, yet the illustration still showed putrid detail.

“This is the growth that grew in result of our experiment: much smaller, yet still present.” Silco uttered, his slender fingers once again tracing the inked lines of the illustration. “This is a vast improvement, but I know you can do better than this.” He added, his hands slowly retreating from the pieces of creased parchment that lay before you.

“So, what do you want me to do?” You queried, your gaze shifting up to stare up at The Eye of Zaun.

“More, dear. I want you to do more.” Silco rasped, resting both hands onto the counter with a whimper of stress from the wooden surface before leaning in, his breathing sharp and dangerous with the floorboards groaning under the weight of his sturdy boots. “I want you to try again, see how you can improve upon your previous work.” He added, the words rolling off his silver tongue.

You tensed, realizing this meant even more hours grinding away at Shimmer with no real choice in the matter, developing the substance that was tearing Zaun apart. Anxiety churned in your gut as you came to terms with the fact that it was far too late to back out of an experiment you wish you never agreed to.

Silco looked down at your form expectantly, waiting for the answer you knew you had to give. With reluctance, you sighed softly as you rose from your stool, your whole body feeling stiff.

"When do you want me to start?" You relented, garnering a sly grin from the drug lord before you.

"As soon as possible."

The sound of your pen scratching against the pale parchment before you filled your ears, accompanied by the ghostly hisses and crackles of oil lamp beside you. Your weary eyes zoned in on the inked sigils and runes that lay bare before you, analyzing their every stroke and the affirmations attached to them through your intentions. Some were tipped with arrows at the end, some had runes in their sigils, some were just basic Norse runes like Algiz and Uruz. But what to use in Shimmer still baffled you. The rosemary and clear quartz worked well, but every other crystal and herb you could think of didn't help, leading to you to turn to sigils and runes to assist you on your endeavor.

Footfalls muffled by the walls interrupted your train of thought, but they didn't sound like Silco's. No, these were lighter and there seemed to be two sets.

"Can't believe he's doing all this for some fuckin' mage." The voice was gruff and raspy, one you didn't recognize.

"Tch, I hear ya, it's stupid." A different, unknown voice replied as the footfalls stopped beside the aged, wooden door to the laboratory.

Your grip on your pen subconsciously loosened as you listen intently, your attention averted from the sprawled sigils and runes before you to the door.

“I mean, I get the reason of makin’ Shimmer better, but did he really need those men to put together that lab? Like, did the magical prick really need a whole new addition to The Last Drop? The construction was loud as hell back in March.”

What?

Confusion sliced through you as you gazed around the circular room you’d been spending your restless nights in. March? You didn’t even talk to Silco until May. Observing the laboratory, the room seemed aged with the cyan patina on the copper beams and ivy sprawling in tendrils across the pale yellow walls. There was even some chipping in the paint on the wall. How could it be new? And why? You never asked for anything, really. Especially not back in March.

Slowly standing from your desk, moving your stiff joints as you listened intently.

“Yeah, he even said he wanted a domed ceiling in the room. It was a pain in the ass for the builders so they used copper beams to uphold it. Silco didn’t like that so he demanded we slap some cyan paint on it to look older.” The second voice rasped followed by the sound of a lighter clicking then a sigh.

Looking up at the ceiling, you squinted to take a closer look at the beams supporting the domed ceiling. You didn’t see it at first, but then you noticed there was some accidental specks and lines of cyan paint on the ceiling adjacent the faux patina encapsulating patches of the beams.

Why would they do that? Why make it look older?

Glancing at the calendar beside your desk, you saw today’s date circled in ink: June 28th. Flipping forward May’s page showed your previous scribblings starting on May 15th and ending on May 23rd when you got paid and left. That means the room you were in was pre-orchestrated back in March. You didn’t even talk to him until May, so why would he get this built for you two months before your first encounter?

As you slowly inched toward the ivy tendrils draping the wall, the hum of conversation blurred and muffled into a distant murmur, your attention solely on the foliage before you as you reached out towards a single leaf. You gently bent the leaf down to see the gilded light of the oil lantern reflect off the leaf with a faux sheen.

It was fake.

Your gaze was drawn to underneath the leaf to see a minuscule, viridescent tie anchoring the stem to the wall. Your gaze drifted along the stem to see many more of these ties, conveniently masked under manufactured leaves.

It was all fake.

But why? Why make everything look old? Hell; why build a whole room just for you? There had to be at least some rooms in The Last Drop left unoccupied. Why make a new room just for your deal with Silco? And why was it made months before you two even spoke?

You heard the two individuals walking away from the laboratory door, bantering about something irrelevant. You felt yourself get drawn into deep thought, trying to wrap your head around your growing amount of questions.

Something far greater must had been unfolding in the shadowy depths of The Last Drop: something you were supposed to stay oblivious to.

A secret you weren’t supposed to know.

Stepping back from the faux ivy, you glanced around the laboratory, now understanding why the tomes and their shelves never harbored dust and always had that new book smell. Confusion swirled restlessly in your very core as you slumped into your chair, staring off into space as you tried to connect the piece to this incomplete puzzle.

“Am I interrupting something?” The beguiling, raspy voice of Silco rang out, snapping you from your daze. Shifting your gaze from the wall, you glanced at Silco holding a cup of tea on a saucer as he drew near, the sound of his haunting footfalls filling the room.

You instinctively fixed your posture, shifting in your chair as The Eye of Zaun halted beside you. With a gentle motion, Silco placed the teacup and its saucer on your desk amidst the chaotic sprawl of parchment and shimmer vials with a soft clink.

“Figured you could use something to take the edge off, especially since you’ve been so diligently working on our project,” Silco explained, tilting his head as he loomed over you with a crooked smirk on his lips. “Figured you wouldn’t like my way of taking the edge off, unless you’d like a cigar?” He derided, plucking a cigar from his pocket.

“I’ll stick to the tea, thank you.” You spoke softly, glancing down at the tea awkwardly. The druglord let a raspy chuckle escape his lips as he brought the cigar to his lips, pulling out a lighter.

“Suit yourself, dear.” He remarked, lighting the tip of the cigar ablaze.

Inspecting the tea before you, you realized it was your favorite from that quaint street vendor you liked, usually talking to her about herbology and such, as you recognized her hand drawn logo on the teabag’s tag. You must have been studying too long as Silco spoke up after taking a long drag of his cigar.

“Ah, is that not the right tea? I thought I told Sevika to ask the vendor for your usual.” He questioned in a tone that harbored an inkling of disappointment, pulling the cigar from his mouth as smoke seeped from his scarred lips. Things began to click in place, that’s why she was so anxious when giving your tea last week. But why did she send Sevika to get you your favorite tea? How did he even know it was your favorite?

“I-It’s correct, but how did you know it was my favorite tea shop?” The words escaped your lips only for Silco to tense slightly, taking a deep drag of his cigar before exhaling a thick plume from his lips.

“Ah, you mentioned it in one of your sleep-deprived rants when I came to check on you yesterday.” Silco explained, striking confusion into your core. He didn’t come to see you yesterday.

“Ah, I-I don’t recall a meeting from yesterday.” You muttered softly, picking up the teacup gently.

“You must have forgotten. It was late and you were exhausted.” He dismissed with a wave of his hand like it was common knowledge. Did you meet with him yesterday? You didn’t remember doing so.

Shaking your mind from confusion, your eyes shifted down to your tea. A strange feeling washed over you as you when you glanced at your reflection rippling in the beverage steeped with a teabag of your favorite mix of herbs. Its complexion looked unblemished; yet, something deep within you was weary of it.

“Is something the matter? You haven’t even touched your tea.” Silco remarked, gently grasping the tea cup and inched it towards you, the scuffing against the wood feeling like nails on a chalkboard to your ears.

“Ah, n-nothing.” You uttered, picking up the teacup with gentle hands. The fine china felt innocent and unassuming in your touch, maybe you were just being paranoid.

Raising the tea to your lips, you took a gentle sip as the taste undid the tension in your shoulders. It tasted completely fine, you must just be paranoid. However, The Eye of Zaun smirked softly at your consumption of the tea.

“Drink it up, it’ll get cold if you leave it alone,” He derided, placing a gentle yet cold hand on your shoulder nearing your nape. “You deserve to relax after all the stress you’ve been under, darling.” He continued, absentmindedly rubbing circles into your shoulder with his calloused hand. It was… odding calming, almost too calming as you took a larger sip, gently setting the cup down on the saucer.

“Thank you.” You replied, leaning back slightly in your chair. It felt like the first time in ages when you didn’t feel tense, even with the Eye of Zaun almost breathing down your neck.

Then, it hit.

You knew what happened the second your vision was spinning and you felt lightheaded. Your body felt too heavy for itself as you felt like you were floating.

“Are you alright?” The druglord asked, feigning concern as you knew he spiked the tea. Realizing you should have trusted your intuition, you tried to stand only to collapse back to your chair, Silco’s arms quickly grasping at you and ensconcing you into his embrace.

“Shh, shh, just let it happen.” He cooed, running his fingers through your hair as your head lazily lolled into his sternum. Silco seemed amused at this as he hummed softly, like he had won something.

“Rest now, we have plenty to do once you wake.”

SONG OF THE FIC: RULE #34 - FISH IN A BIRDCAGE

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How do they show their love and affection? How intense would it get?

❥ From the start, Jayce would be physically affectionate.

❥ He is a really affectionate guy. From soft touches like putting his hand on your shoulder to putting his arm around your waist. This man has his hands all over you.

❥ In regards to intensity in public spaces, you won't get much more than a hand on the ass or a kiss nearing the jawline.

❥ If he's willing to do that in public, imagine what he is like in private.

❥ Oh boy, his hands are on you 24/7 if you two are private, especially if you two live together.

❥ All I am saying is just be prepared for a slap on the ass or two in private.

"Hey, babe, sorry, sometimes I can't help myself."

BLOOD

How messy are they willing to get when it comes to their darling?

❥ For S1 Jayce, I personally can not see him as a messy kind of yandere.

❥ He would utilize his power and charisma to take care of any possible obstacle in his way to you.

❥ Despite his golden retriever exterior, this man is smart and knows exactly what he is doing.

❥ In regards to S2 Jayce, this man has changed into a man who will utilize his strength to his advantage as well.

❥ He has been through hell and back and is more than willing to protect you at any means deemed necessary.

"I... will NOT lose you again, okay? Be mad at me for my actions if you want, but I did what I had to."

CRUELTY

How would they treat their darling once abducted? Would they mock them?

❥ Jayce is not the kind of man to abduct you as he would rather win you over the traditional way.

❥ However, if you push him too hard, he might resort to extreme measures.

❥ Look, you pushed the man too far. Just let him love you, please!

❥ However, he would not be cruel to you. He would try and understand your point of view as much as he can but he can't just let you go. What if you leave and never come back? What if you date someone else? What if you cut him out of your life? Please don't leave him. He needs you.

"I... I can't lose you, babe. I am sorry it came to this, but you have to understand I am doing what is best for you, for us!"

DARLING

Aside from abduction, would they do anything against their darling’s will?

❥ Jayce, as a free spirit himself, understands your wants and needs for freedom and he will respect your choices.

❥ However, he will not let them put themself in danger at all.

❥ If there is any possibility of you getting hurt, Jayce forbids you from doing it.

❥ It's just for your own good.

"No, babe, that's way too dangerous. Let's... uh... do this instead! Yeah!"

EXPOSED

How much of their heart do they bare to their darling? How vulnerable are they when it comes to their darling?

❥ Jayce is a complete and utter softie, much to his own digression.

❥ When it comes to you, his heart is bare.

❥ He wants you to know how much he utterly adores you and is very good with showing it.

❥ However, his kindness can be easily exploited for weakness, but don't do it too often or he can catch on.

❥ If he catches on, he might be disappointed in you for how you treated.

"Babe, I don't appreciate you trying to exploit me here... I just want you to know how much I love you..."

FIGHT

How would they feel if their darling fought back?

❥ For S1 Jayce, oh man, this man would be devastated.

❥ While he understands what he is doing is wrong, he only wants you to love him like how he loves you.

❥ He might even start crying just because you tried to fight against him to get away.

❥ However, S2 Jayce would be a little more toughened up and gruff with you fighting.

❥ While it still hurts his feelings, he is more dominant with you and willing to put you in your place.

"Hey, babe, cut it out. Stop... struggling!"

GAME

Is this a game to them? How much would they enjoy watching their darling try to escape?

❥ Absolutely not, he does not want you to leave him.

❥ If he found out you broken out of where he kept you, he would most likely have a mental breakdown before running out frantically to try and find you.

❥ He really only wants you to love him.

❥ And let him love you.

❥ Please, let him love you.

"Babe? Babe! Where are you?!"

HELL

What would be their darling’s worst experience with them?

❥ Probably if they are kidnapped by him.

❥ Waking up alone in his bedroom with a pounding headache from the drug he slipped in your drink really threw you for a loop.

❥ When you would try to get up, you would hear the chain rattling. The chain was tied to the bed with a cuff attached to it around your ankle.

❥ It would be an incredibly confusing and scary experience.

❥ But don't worry, when Jayce gets home from the lab, he is sure to calm you down (or at least try to).

"Hey! Hey, babe! I am so sorry! I-I didn't expect to be gone so long. Don't worry, I will explain everything."

IDEALS

What kind of future do they have in mind for/with their darling?

❥ He would mostly want a domestic future with you.

❥ A house, a wedding, maybe some kids (only if you want them)

❥ He just wants to settle down and spend the rest of his life with you.

❥ Maybe, you could be a little house-spouse for him

❥ Man, he would love that.

"Babe, I'm home! Work was a drag, how have you been, hm?"

JEALOUSY

Do they get jealous? Do they lash out or find a way to cope?

❥ This man? Jealous? Oh hell yeah.

❥ It doesn't matter if you are with your family at a party or some guy at a bar, he wants to be with you more.

❥ Why do they get your time and he doesn't?

❥ He should be the only one you spend your time with.

"Hey, just curious, who was that guy? Is he a friend of yours?"

KISSES

How do they act around or with their darling?

❥ As mentioned in the AFFECTION segment, Jayce is a physical affectionate man especially with you.

❥ He constantly craves your skin under his, even if it is a gentle pat on the back.

❥ He always shows them off as his close confidant even though he wishes you two were more

❥ If you are his romantic partner instead, oh boy he is flaunting you everywhere.

❥ He is as proud to be yours as he is proud that you are his

"Hey, have I introduced you to my lovely partner? This is the one I'm always talking about."

LOVE LETTERS

How would they go about courting or approaching their darling?

❥ When Jayce first meets you, he's like a lovesick puppy, constantly following you around and trying to strike up a conversation with you.

❥ If you are a council member of Piltover, he will try to get you to endorse his ideas to the other members, trying to show you the amazing things Hextech can accomplish even though it is just a ploy to spend more time with you.

❥ If you are a scientist, it's even better for him so he can show you all his ideas with Hextech that he has planned.

❥ Even if you are anyone else, he will find any, and I mean any, reason to spend time with you.

❥ Eventually, you two will get closer over the time you two spend together.

❥ Jayce will slowly warm himself into every aspect of your life, making you almost always near him in some shape or form

❥ Eventually, Jayce will start getting flirtatious, dipping his toes in the water.

❥ He wants to make sure you are comfortable with his advances. If you aren't, he will try another approach. If you refuse all his advances, he will slowly keep seeping into your life until you eventually come around to him.

❥ Eventually, he gathers the courage to ask you on a date. Maybe something small like grabbing coffee together.

❥ If you accept his request, he will slowly start requiring more of your time, removing you from your peers and any other obstacles.

"Hey, babe, I know you have some plans tonight with friends, but I found out about this really cool festival that's only going on tonight and I'd like you to join me. C'mon, it will be great!"

❥ If you decline, Jayce will be disappointed but act like he's brushing it off. He just wants to show you the world. But don't worry, he will certainly keep trying.

"Ah, I understand. Uhm, no matter, just... let me know if you change your mind, okay?"

MASK

Are their true colors drastically different from the way they act around everyone else?

❥ The only main difference is how clingy this man is to you.

❥ He constantly has to have his hands on you.

❥ In private, if you are his romantic partner, he will be a lot more cuddly. Playing with your hair and giving you those puppy eyes.

❥ He knows exactly how to get to your head and heart.

"C'mon babe, five more minutes and then I'll let you out of the bed..."

NAUGHTY

How would they punish their darling?

❥ In regards to S1 Jayce, he does not believe in punishment.

❥ Violence only makes his love more scared of him, and he doesn't want to do that to them.

❥ Instead, he is more docile in doing things like the silent treatment and playing with your emotions.

"Babe, don't do this to me. You know how upset it makes me when you do this kind of thing..."

❥ On the other hand, S2 Jayce is much more willing to put his darling in their place.

❥ While he does not resort to physical violence against them, he will utilize verbal abuse.

❥ He will degrade you for your poor decisions until you are on the verge of tears, making him realize he went too far.

❥ After realizing this, he kneels down to you and comforts you, gently rocking you back and forth in his arms.

"Shh, shh, it's okay. I'm so sorry, babe, let it out."

OPPRESSION

How many rights would they take away from their darling?

❥ As mentioned in the DARLING segment, Jayce understands your rights as a human being.

❥ While he is possessive of your person, he is willing you to have a somewhat loose leash if you two are in a relationship.

❥ Just don't wander too far from him.

❥ If he abducted you, then expect to have a much shorter leash.

❥ The man wouldn't kidnap you unless you pushed his buttons and made him fear losing you. He didn't want to kidnap you but you left him no choice.

"Babe, I know you want to go outside, but you know I can't let you do that. What if someone sees you?"

PATIENCE

How patient are they with their darling?

❥ Jayce has a surprisingly long fuse. He is willing to play the long game to get you in his arms.

❥ However, if you keep rejecting him, that fuse might get shorter.

❥ He only has so much patience for when you play hard to get.

❥ He knows you must want him. You have to.

"Hey, c'mon, no need to play these games with me, alright?"

QUIT

If their darling dies, leaves, or successfully escapes, would they ever be able to move on?

❥ If you die in an event such as Jinx's attack on Piltover at the beginning of S2, he would try everything to bring you back.

❥ He doesn't care if it is unethical. He does not care at all...

"Babe, babe, please come back to me..."

❥ If you die under his care after he kidnaps you, this man will absolutely lose his fucking mind. He would never forgive himself for letting you die.

❥ If he is somehow the cause of your death, he might actually go insane and try to believe you are still alive. He will refuse to believe he caused it.

"Babe, babe you're just asleep, right? Yeah, yeah, you are just asleep..."

❥ If you somehow left him or broke up with him even after all the guilt tripping and manipulation he used on you, he would be utterly distraught.

❥ He would try to move on at first but he just... can't.

❥ He begs for you to take him back, on his knees and everything.

❥ When you refuse, you really have him no choice for him to kidnap you.

❥ He just can not lose you...

"I'm sorry, but you left me no choice."

❥ If you escape him after he kidnaps you, he will check every crevice of Runeterra to try and find you.

❥ This man will leave no stone unturned.

❥ You will be found, and when he finds you, he will bring you home.

❥ Right where you belong.

"Hey, babe, miss me? I sure as hell missed you."

REGRET

Would they ever feel guilty about abducting their darling? Would they ever let their darling go?

❥ Of course! When you wake up crying out of fear, the guilt hits him like a truck.

❥ He immediately starts to comfort you, trying his damn best to calm you down.

❥ He wants you to be happy, not crying out of fear from him.

❥ However, when genuinely considering the possibility of letting you go, he realizes he just can't.

❥ The man of progress no only wants to keep you with him forever, he also has a reputation to uphold.

❥ He knows damn well if he lets you go and word of what he did gets out, he would be done for.

"I-I just can't let you go, babe. You mean too much to me. I am so, so sorry."

STIGMA

What brought about this side of them (childhood, curiosity, etc.)?

❥ It didn't spark until he first met you.

❥ You changed something in him that he didn't even know could be changed.

❥ He liked it...

❥ ...Hell, he loved it...

❥ He didn't want to let you go.

❥ To let this feeling go...

"Ever since the day I met you, I felt this... this spark... and it changed my whole life."

TEARS

How do they feel about seeing their darling scream, cry, and/or isolate themselves?

❥ If you are crying and miserable after he kidnaps you, he feels very guilty for subjecting you to his selfish desires.

❥ He immediately tries to console you, trying to wipe away your tears.

❥ He will get you your favorite things and foods to try and bring you around him more if you try to isolate yourself away from him while under his care.

❥ He understands why you are scared and wants to comfort your fears.

❥ Just let him comfort you.

"Shh, shh, babe, calm down. It's okay, I promise I am not going to hurt you..."

UNIQUE

Would they do anything different from the classic yandere?

❥ Jayce is much more sympathetic and understanding that the traditional yandere.

❥ Unlike most yanderes, he tries to understand your needs and wants and accommodate to them.

❥ Like I've said before, this man wants you to be happy. No matter the time taken, the price tag, nothing matters to him but your happiness.

❥ He just wants to see your sweet smile.

"That's it, babe, smile for me."

VICE

What weakness can their darling exploit in order to escape?

❥ Definitely his kindness. 100%

❥ He has a big, soft heart that he bares for his darling.

❥ If you are a cunning and manipulative person, you can get this man to bend backwards for you and make him loosen his leash.

❥ But keep in mind, he is kind, not stupid.

❥ If you push it too far, he most likely will tighten your leash more than what you started with.

"My kindness is not something you can just play around with, babe. Don't even try."

WIT'S END

Would they ever hurt their darling?

❥ Only if he went into like a psychotic breakdown.

❥ Even then, he would most likely immediately snap back to reality and realize what he did.

❥ Once he sees the damage, this man immediately starts crying and blubbering. Snot and all.

❥ He feels utterly horrible for what he did to you.

❥ Please forgive him, he didn't mean to...

"Oh... Oh shit, baby. I-I didn't mean to! I-I'm so sorry!"

XOANON

How much would they revere or worship their darling? To what length would they go to win their darling over?

❥ Oh boy, can this man worship.

❥ This man loves you more than life itself.

❥ He would literally kiss the floor you walk on if it was socially acceptable.

❥ If you two are in a relationship, expect a lot of praise from this man.

❥ He will constantly be telling you how amazing you are, bringing you gifts and flowers whenever he can.

❥ Even if he has kidnapped you, don't expect any less praise.

❥ This man just wants to love you with all his heart.

"Shh, babe, calm down. Just... let me hold you."

YEARN

How long do they pine after their darling before they snap?

❥ Jayce is a man of progress as well as a man of patience.

❥ He can wait for you, he can be patient.

❥ However, if you keep rejecting him, he will get less and less patient with you.

❥ Why are you playing hard to get for this long?

❥ C'mon, you know you like him.

❥ Eventually, he would snap and kidnap you, but I would say that would take solid months of him pining for you.

❥ It's okay now because he has you now, don't worry, he just loves you so much.

"Listen, just let me take you out for coffee just once... Please?"

ZENITH

Would they ever break their darling?

❥ Most likely not.

❥ Jayce just wants you to be happy and love him.

❥ He's just more willing to go farther than most.

❥ The only way you would break is most likely from isolation from the real world.

❥ Stockholm syndrome would most likely get to you first, however.

"Just know that I will always love you. Okay, babe?"