Inside, all the days seemed to blur together. Inside, everything was covered in this sickly sweet red syrup. Inside, you felt like you were a butterfly trapped in its pupae.

On the outside, however, it was all the complete opposite. Much to Joey’s chagrin, you were Xornoth’s new favorite. Said demon was currently sitting at a throne and was writing away. What exactly? You had no clue. He had invited, actually, he basically demanded you to sit with him while he worked. It felt good, to be honest. He took care of you excellently and all you had to do was try and spread his stuff.

Xornoth sometimes hummed and carefully ran his hand through your hair, looking at you like you were the only good in this world. After about half an hour of silence, you decided to speak up. “Hey, X? What’re you up to?” The demon glanced down for a second. “I’m just looking through my old plans, doll. Seeing which are still relevant and which aren’t.” You nodded and shifted. Sitting on the ground for this long hurt, but you felt comfortable here.

“Do you need a pillow to sit on, my gem?” The hand in your hair ceased, and you pouted in disappointment. “Yes please, if it’s not too much trouble?” The horned man pulled a velvet pillow from.. lord knows where, and handed it to you. You gratefully placed it underneath you, and leaned your head on his leg. He continued to brush through your hair, and the room fell back into a peaceful silence.

–

“Joey, for the last time, I didn’t do it!” The emperor of the Lost Empire rolled his eyes, scoffing. “Yes you did, I saw you do it!” You groaned, fed up with this whole ordeal. All you asked for was one normal breakfast. “For the last time, I don’t even like your stupid yoghurt! Leave me alone, I didn’t take it. Go bother Sausage or something!”

“What’s going on here?” The booming voice echoed through the hallways, making both of you freeze. “Y/N took my yoghurt, and is now lying about it!” “I did not!” The demon scoffed. “Joey, doll. You’re the only one that eats yoghurt around here.” The ruler rolled his eyes and walked out of the room with a few curses muttered under his breath.

“So, darling. Since you’ve invited Katherine to a dinner party, I was thinking we could do that tonight. Do you think you can have it set up by tonight with Sausage’s help?” You nodded quickly, looking up at him.

—

Unlike you and Joey, you and Sausage got along. The preparations were easy work, and you laughed as you tried to find a good seating plan. “No, no, Sausage- Xornoth goes at the head of the table, and Katherine on the other.” “I know that! But what about you guys? Joey’ll murder us both if we sit next to him, Xornoth probably wants you two sit on either side of him and I’m most likely not allowed to sit next to you. We’ll be too loud.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Just sit next to me! If X gets mad, just say it was my idea. He can’t get mad at me.” The assassin huffed, puffing up his cheeks. “Fine, but I’m not taking any blame!” Giggling, you continued to set the table. It was all decorated with red, and even though you’d normally find it disgusting, you couldn’t help but marvel at the decor. Sausage squealed in pride, and you gave him a high-five, both going your separate ways.

There was about an hour left until Katherine was set to arrive, and Xornoth was insistent on you helping him choose an outfit. While it was most likely a ploy to have you swoon over him more and sink deeper into the red mush that was your brain, you found that you didn’t mind. It was nice to not have to think too hard. You helped him fix his tie, before he hummed in content. “That should do it, thank you my gem.” Unable to help the big grin that spread over your face, you followed him to his study and sat down next to the demon as he finished some work.

The almost domestic moment was interrupted by a servant who came knocking at the door, informing both of you that the guest had arrived. Making your way down, you sat next to Sausage and politely greeted the cat hybrid. She gasped, whispering something to you. “Poor thing, what have they done to you?” The words didn’t register in your mind. Xornoth did hear them through you, though, and glared at the ruler as he blocked it out from your memory. You were his vessel, after all.

You’d like to think the dinner went smoothly. Joey and Sausage bickered less than normal, the former looked at you with jealousy way less and it was sweet. It felt like a breath of fresh air to talk to someone not corrupted to a deep, hidden part of you. Towards dessert, the Lady of the Overgrown stood up and walked up behind you. “I apologize if this is rude, however I was requested to bring a present for Y/N.” She hummed, quickly slotting a necklace around your neck. You frowned, confused by the buzz that started up in your chest.

“It was made by the ruler of Crystal Cliffs itself. You don’t mind, do you, Xornoth?” The demon looked like he was reaching his boiling point, holding himself back from whatever violent crime he was planning.

The deeper part of yourself could cry in delight at the feeling of magic coming from the amethyst necklace. It was hard, but it managed to climb up slowly and carefully. To anyone else, you probably just looked confused. Though internally you didn’t know what to do. It hurt. “Xor- Katherine? It feels weird..” Your voice was nothing but a mere mumble, and the demon saw blood once he realised the feline ruler had managed to break through your façade. She seemed delighted, though, and quickly pulled you up, away from any sight of the demon that might drag you back down.

“I know, sweetheart. But you can do this, yeah? Gem made this for you, I’ve got you.” You couldn’t help it as your eyes filled with tears, whispering to her in a plea. “Get me out of this prison, please.” The feline nodded, picking you up with surprisingly a lot of ease and running out, hoping she’d be flying off once Sausage and Joey catched up.

When the first breeze of fresh air hit her face, she equipped her elytra and was about to ask you if you needed help, only to frown when she saw you passed out. Okay, she could do this. Holding you as close and tight as possible, she fired a rocket and made her way to the academy.

It wasn’t an easy flight at all, with Joey and Sausage right on her trail, though she managed to fly into the school as Scott and Gem closed the door, ignoring the angry knocking, which quickly turned into banging, by the two corrupted. She carefully laid you down on a table and sighed. “They’re not fully here yet. But, the necklace helped a lot. I think we need that spell but in a bigger form.” The wizard nodded, quickly setting out to do so. Katherine sat down next to you, brushing hair from your forehead as she watched the red glow pulse. “You can do this. Please, have the strength to break out.”