sneakyfriday

[sneakyfriday]

The love game

This was way too easy to even be considered a challenge. Or so you thought.

Summary: When Xavier gave you three days to steal his crown, you had to try all possible and even more…unconventional unsuccessful methods.

Xavier x You. Smut. MDNI. Word count: 6.6k. Loosely based on Gilded Dreams and Gilded Mirage.

“If you really want to know about my beloved so much, how about we play a game?”

A..game?

How, and why, would the usually cold tyrant king of Sindersfell suddenly want to entertain you?

Not after ignoring your persistent questioning and sneaky attempts to make him spill the details for the past few days.

There must be more to it. Xavier must be trying to play some tricks on you.

“Forget it. I’m only interested since I want to know whom I’m taking care of the flower for~”

You pouted and turned away, feigning disinterest.

Despite the creeping curiosity and jealousy driving you mad, the last thing you wanted right now was him seeing through that very part of you. The part you tried so hard to bury.

“But if you insist on keeping your lover a secret, I…”

“Take the crown away.”

“What?”

“I’ll give you three days. Take the crown away from my head, and I will tell you. Everything.”

Your eyes widened in surprise. This was way too easy to even be considered a challenge.

Or so you thought.

Day One

You learned the hard way that direct attacks could never work. Not when your target was a seasoned battle warrior who could dodge every single hit. All the time, while the crown stayed annoyingly intact on top of his head. You couldn’t help to but curse his lightning-speed reflex, inhuman strength and of course, that huge sword he always carried around.

The same blade that effortlessly slashed all monsters on this land with just one simple swing. And somehow, you entertained the thought that his impenetrable defence could be broken with a common rusty sword you found at the basement.

“You need to use more unpredictable patterns.”

Xavier smirked as he deflected another round of your attack. Loud clashes of metals screeched through the empty hallway, tearing apart the once chilly and lonely castle.

The weapon that was in your hand just mere seconds ago shattered like it was made of glass.

Oh well, at least you tried.

You looked at Xavier, who was now picking up the broken pieces from the floor.

Was he making fun of you just now? Why were his eyes full of glee and excitement as you relentlessly aimed for his head, only to fail miserably?

How could you ever win this?

Unbeknownst to you, Xavier desperately craved this.

A glimpse of his adorable knight junior, right by his side once again. How your sword was only used to spar with him, and not on the bloody battlefield to protect an unsalvageable planet full of hypocrites. How lively and hopeful you looked every time you thought of a new move to get him.

“Don’t use the old weapons from the storeroom anymore. It’s dangerous. If you want to, I can get a new blade for you.”

You were too deep in thought to notice Xavier holding your hand up to check for injuries. You didn’t hurt yourself, but you did grip onto the handle of that old sword too tightly.

His fingers caressed your palm and the base of your fingers softly, tracing through the newly formed callouses. The tender, redden skin of your palm looked exceptional beautiful right now, knowing that this was because of him.

Because you wanted to win. Because you wanted to know. And because you care about him?

Xavier would not dare to wish for that. You graced him with your presence and brought the light back to his suffocatingly lonely world. That should be more than enough. In this lifetime, he wanted nothing more than being able to protect and cherish his guiding star.

Xavier pressed his lips softly into your palm.

His warm breath tickled your senses, pulling you back to reality.

You have decided.

If you could not win this game righteously, stealth was the only way to go.

You could sneak into his bedchamber and steal the crown when he would be in a deep slumber. Completely defenceless. For sure, nobody would be so crazy to wear his crown to bed right?

Perhaps you were wrong.

“No wonder people from far and wide called you the Mad King.”

You muttered quietly under your breath the moment you caught a glimpse of his sleeping figure.

With the crown securely placed on top of his head.

Xavier must have expected your sneaky move. Funny how you two had known each other for barely months and yet, he always seemed to understand you like the back of his hand.

It was not an easy feat to scale up the castle wall. At least, the window was open when you finally made it to the chamber on top of the castle. There was no use for the lock picking tool you carried along.

The night breeze brought shivers to your bones as you carefully tip-toed across the cold marble floor. For a once revered leader of a prosperous empire, his bedroom was surprisingly…simple.

No velvet sheets, no ornate furnitures, not a single lavished decoration in sight.

Just a king-sized bed, draped in dark purple, resting against the wall across from the fireplace. The small crackling fire was barely providing enough warm to fight against the ruthlessness of the howling night winds. Through the faint glow of the fire and the dim moonlight, you saw Xavier sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling and with each steady breath.

You must admit, he was so innocent like this. When sharp blue eyes no longer needed to pierce through the thick fog and straight thin brows no longer needed to furrow in anger, Xavier looked almost… well, like prince charming - heart-throbbingly handsome.

You held your breath as you took another step to the edge of the bed. You were so close.

Just a quick snatch of that annoying crown and he would have to tell you everything that your heart has been dying to know.

Who was his at beloved? Why was she not with him right now?

Most importantly, did he still have feelings for her?

“3,2,1. Just grab it.”

Trying to drown out the loud thumping of your heart, you reassured yourself repeatedly. Now that the goal was right in front of you, it was so much more nerve-wrecking than you could have imagined.

You clamped your eyes shut and swung your arm forward, finally. Only to grab onto nothing.

What?

A flash of light was all you can sense behind those tightly closed eyes, followed by a sudden presence towering your back.

Xavier had teleported behind you the moment he could feel the warmth of your hands reaching his head. With a low chuckle, he lazily pushed you down to the bed before pressing his whole body onto yours.

His one hand quickly grabbed your wrists and pinned them above your head while the other one smoothly wrapped itself around your ribs to cushion the fall.

“Xavier!”

You yelped in surprise.

You could feel the curl of his lips as he leaned down and playful whispered in your ears.

“You took so long to move.”

Hot breath tickled your ears and you squirmed against Xavier’s body weight pressing down on your back, struggling to escape his embrace. The sudden closeness sent tingles across your body, ragged breaths and frenzied heartbeats quickly clouded your mind.

“You know, the front door wasn’t locked.”

All of the sudden, his weight shifted as he pressed you both further into the ice-cold silk sheet of his bed. Heat pooled between your legs when you felt his obvious desire, now rock-hard and throbbing against the thin fabrics of your garments, nestled nicely between the plush of your behind.

“Xavier, let me go!”

How could he? Not when you were so warm and soft and intoxicatingly sweet. He had been waiting for your attack all night, acting so good and innocent to lure you into his carefully orchestrated trap.

The more you wiggled against his arm, the more the soft edges of your breasts rubbed tantalisingly against his skin.

Xavier couldn’t help but tighten his grip even further, like a predator unwilling to let his prey escape from him. The feathery kisses he planted at the nape of your neck spread jolts of pleasure straight to your brain.

This was bad.

Broken, soft whines escaped your soft pink lips. Minutes ago you were still scheming, focusing on how to win that stupid game against him, and now, all of that with any bits of sanity left were thrown out of the window.

Unconsciously, you arched your back to lean further into his touch.

Sticky needs dripped down your inner thighs as Xavier grind mercilessly against your soft ass. You wanted to touch him so much, to feel more of him, to feel it all over you. But his strong large hand locked yours in place with no room to break free.

“Xavier…I…haaa....”

Your last feeble attempt to plead came out breathlessly like a broken moan. Xavier took a deep breath of your scent.

Gosh, you were insane.

Xavier kissed your neck and nibbled your ears fervently, impatient to get more of your taste to overwhelm his senses.

Every single movement, every sweet sound you made was a test of his willpower.

His eyes rolled back in pleasure when he could feel the wetness of your desire soaking through your clothes.

The same angelic dress that you always wore, that he adored so much, was now nothing but such an eyesore. Especially when it covered that pretty cunt he was dying to taste.

“Sweet girl, trying so hard the whole day to win against me.”

Xavier pulled the dress off you with one quick move. Surprised, you gripped onto the bed as the sudden coldness left goosebumps all over your body.

Your eyes turned glassy at the loss of warmth and physical contact with him.

“You want a reward? Can I make you feel good?”

Xavier cooed. He could tell you were trembling with needs.

Especially when your body kept edging itself closer to his, when you whined every time he moved away from your skin.

“Umm…”

“Be a good girl and keep your hands there for me.”

Xavier commanded.

His hand finally let go of your sore wrists to trace feather-like touches down your back, stopping at your plush behind. His fingers drew circles on your bottoms slowly, reverently as if he was reeling in its softness.

It was all so teasingly gentle yet fiery hot, and your aching hole couldn’t help but tighten itself helplessly at every single touch.

That gentleness quickly dispersed like mist when Xavier suddenly grabbed on to your hips and lifted your ass up to the air, your knees now resting on the edge of the bed.

You got flustered at the unexpected change in position as you tried to move your hands and push yourself up.

“Your hands, my chosen one.”

Xavier voice was gentle, yet the warning tone in his command was obvious.

You winced at the tightened grip on your hip, his slender fingers digging deliciously into your soft skin.

Your walls clenched in anticipation when you could feel his hot breath fanning against your puffy fold.

“So pretty… so good…haa”

Xavier could not believe the sight in front of him.

You, the one person he had been dreaming about for centuries, spread out and drenched with needs - all for him.

He greedily kissed your swollen, twitching hole like it was the last time he could ever touch you, taste you, feel your presence on his tongue.

Groaning against your sweet tangy scent - the very proof that you, or at least your body, shared the maddening desire for his.

His tongue swirled around the entrance teasingly before shoving itself into your trembling core and exploring the fluffy walls clenching around it.

You bucked your hips in desperation. The soft silk of the sheets ruined, stained with tears and drools as Xavier fervently licked your pussy to oblivion.

Gone was the tiny bit of memory left about the silly game you had with him.

You had completely forgotten about the stubborn crown on his head, especially when all you could think of right now was the immense pressure between your legs - and his deliciously hardened cock rutting hopelessly into the bed and not into your cunt.

“Xavier, please!”

You sobbed out loud, knuckles white, fingernails digging into both your palm and his sheets.

You wanted to touch him, to feel him so damn much.

Yet, your pleas fell into deaf ears as Xavier was too lost in the dizzying pleasure of you.

Even with the cold winds, your folds fluttered as his ragged breath burned up every inch of your inner thighs.

Xavier groaned loudly into your dripping pussy, hands removed from your hips to grab and pinch the plush of your ass. His tongue swirled itself around your swollen clit as he got more and more drunk on your scent.

“Just ..a while more, starlight.”

Xavier broken, breathless words failed to reach your ears. They were covered by your own desperate mewls as his touches ignited insatiable desire deep within your core.

“Cum for me, will you?”

He begged as his cruel mouth alternated between pulling on your sensitive bundle of nerve and fucking up the tight walls of your cunt.

Your eyes rolled back in bliss as you felt yourself coming undone under his relentless, passionate touch.

The pressure in your belly became so tight - it exploded - and you reached the climax with his mouth underneath licking up every single drop of your sweet juice.

“The bed looked so comfortable right now”, you thought to yourself.

Your eyelids gave in to exhaustion before your body collapsed itself onto his messed up silk sheets.

You thought you heard Xavier cursing and calling out your name when your senses slowly turned to black.

Gosh, that was such an exhausting day.

Day Two

The usual dark and gloomy sky of Sindersfell should be the sight greeting you every morning.

And yet, it might be your mind playing tricks on you when you opened your eyes into the soft, cozy lights illuminating the room.

Someone’s arm was lazily but securely draped across your torso. You flushed at the sudden return of last night’s memory and the warmth of his bare chest radiating onto your cheeks.

Xavier’s heartbeat. Steady. Calm. Like how he always had been.

That was unfair.

How could he always be so calm and collected when you were the one getting all worked up?

Worked up over his little game,

worked up over his touch,

worked up over his unpredictable heart.

Annoyance filled your heart. Brows furrowed, you wiggled your way out of his tight embrace.

“What’s wrong? You don’t want to rest a little more?”

Xavier’s groggy morning voice made you swoon a little more than you would like to admit.

Much as you would like to stay here in the firm muscle of his chest, defeat was never a good look on you.

Muttering all the remaining strength and self-control, you pushed him away and ran down the bed as fast as you could.

A new day had begun. Time for a new strategy. And a drastic one.

“Get ready. We’re going out today.”

Sorry Xavier, I’m going to poison you.

That was how the two of you end up far upstream of the river, hours away from the castle on horseback. In this secluded and forgotten area of Sindersfell, there were no revenants, no monsters, no animals.

Only lumenflora blooming into a vast ocean, and one of the safest paralysing toxin in this land.

You came across ancient notes on this herbal toxin while browsing through medical texts in the castle library. Who would have thought such an information would come in handy in a situation like this?

After preparing and drinking up some of the antidote concoction crafted from that same ancient notes, you were more confident than ever.

Surely, if both direct and sneaky attacks could not yield results, then you just had to find a way to render him helpless. Anticipation spread and your hopeful eyes stayed peeled on the road for any signs of the herb.

I’m going to succeed this time - you thought to yourself - Xavier had got no clue.

And he hadn’t. All he knew was you excitedly pulling him out of the castle for a “surprise adventure” with so much sparkles in your eyes. You were like a bunny who could not contained her enthusiasm, adorable and mischievous at the same time.

Xavier could never say no to a chance to take you out on a ride.

Having you sitting so close to his body that he could feel your back melting into his chest.

Smelling the fragrance of your hair whenever you two rode through the wind. Or when every gallop of the horse brought your plump ass bouncing dangerously close to his aching length.

He could tell you were excited over something. Perhaps about taking down his crown.

But he could not care less.

Not when he could see the smug expressions and barely-contained excitement on your pretty face. You had been feeling down for a past few days, and he just wanted to try anything to cheer you up.

His beautiful queen.

He would take care of you so good, would protect you so well, would give you the moon if he could.

All the power in the world could never compare to being so close to you like this, having you fidget around in his lap while looking for something earnestly.

Suddenly, you pulled on the leading rope excitedly as you steered the horse towards a more lush and green area, away from the flower field.

Xavier could recognise that from miles away. The paralysing herb. His sneaky bunny was up to no good.

He’d gotta remember to punish her later.

The mild and lilies-like aroma of lumenflora was quickly replaced by a minty and musky fragrance. Xavier pulled on the rope and halted the horse before the scent overwhelmed his senses in a burning sensation.

It seemed that someone had forgotten to check on the side effects for her choice of poison. Beyond its mild paralysing property, this herb was well-known across Sindersfell as a potent aphrodisiac.

With one quick swoop, he jumped off the horse before hooking his arms under your knees and carrying you far away from the herbal patch.

“Wait, Xavier I…”

You struggled to get down from the forceful embrace, only to notice the red hue creeping up his neck and his shallow pantings.

What started out as a cooling and refreshing fragrance soon morphed into a burning sensation coursing through his body. The air seemed to have thickened and sticky, making it more difficult to breathe.

Places graced by the touch of your skin were the only respite in this unbearable feeling as he could not help but pull you tighter into his chest.

Xavier had gotten used to the kind of poison that killed, not the kind that made him want you so primally.

“Let me down”

Xavier scoffed at your weak attempt to escape his arms. Much as you tried to kick your legs and pushed your body away, you were careful to not injure him.

He huffed dryly before finally putting you down into the flower field.

“I might have temporarily lost my strength, but I am not numb. Or paralysed.”

“Oh…”

You felt caught, and disappointed.

Of course, he must have read through all those texts in the library before. You were innocent to assume that he lacked the extensive knowledge of poisons and toxins, especially for someone who was so familiar with dancing with danger.

“But it hurts.”

Confused, you looked at him to see his breathing became even more hushed and laboured.

Xavier suddenly collapsed onto the ground while sitting with his legs close to his chest.

He really needed to scare you a little.

“Xavier!”

Panicked set in and you immediately rushed towards his side. Pulling away his armour, you nervously touched his neck with your fingers to check his pulse.

That was when you could feel the heat radiating off his body. The irregular rhythm of his heartbeat was drumming violently through his veins.

“Ah…hmm… it’s burning…my body...”

His soft winces and his pained expression cut your heart open like a knife and you became more anxious by the seconds.

He was fine moments ago.

Were you careless? Was it the side effect of the herbs that you did not know about? What could you do to make him feel better?

Trembling, you swiftly unbuttoned his shirt , hoping that the damp cool air could provide him some relief.

Under your gentle, hesitant touch, Xavier could feel his patience wearing thin.

He had to admit, he was just a little addicted to teasing you.

Seeing how worked up and worried you were. Seeing your eyes glistened with fear and tears threatening to roll down your cheeks. Seeing your attention on him and him only.

His sweet girl. Rubbing her soft hands all over his torso to sooth his discomfort.

Gosh you made him so needy and desperate.

His cock throbbed inside his pants, getting harder with your every touch. You were oblivious to his needy movements as his hips arched into your palms, looking for deeper physical contact.

The more you tried to pat down and fan his almost searing hot skin, the more fire it ignited.

The river. Maybe water would help. You stood up hurriedly.

Before you could even turned your back away from him, Xavier grabbed your wrists and yanked you down to the ground. You tumbled and fell down onto his lap.

“You’re not allowed to hide.”

His deep blue eyes stared into yours with a fiery intensity that made you shiver.

You could feel his cock - bulging, throbbing through his pants and the thin layers of your dress - under your ass.

“I’m … I’m not. I’m trying to go to the river. Water might make you feel better.”

You swallowed thickly.

The hardened length under your cheeks got even bigger with every movement you made, begging to be released from its confinement.

Xavier’s eyes softened at your response, yet his hand made no attempt to let go of your wrist.

His body heat seemed to have transfer to you as your muscle froze under the tension. Blush flushed your cheeks and you found yourself unable to look away from his gaze.

Lazily dragging your shaky hand across his bare chest, down to his stomach and his hips, Xavier panted heavily.

“I don’t need that. What I need?”

Heat pooled between your legs as he rested your hand on top of his hard cock.

Xavier looked at you expectantly, desperately, silently begging.

“You should know what I need most right now.”

Your trembling hands unzipped his pants, freeing his angry cock, all veiny and glistening with beads of precum gathering at its tip.

Wrapping your slender fingers around the long shaft, you felt his warmth radiating through to your skin.

Slow, hesitant strokes were enough to make Xavier’s eyes rolled to the back of his skull.

He huffed every time your hand reached the base of his cock and you subconsciously gripped tighter at the pretty moans coming out of his mouth.

Your touch was heavenly to Xavier.

His tip was reddened, swollen and leaking precum with every clumsy movement of your hand. Waves of pleasure coursed through him as he buried his face onto the crook of your neck, hands frantically digging into your waist like it was the only anchor he could hold onto.

His bunny - obedient fucking him with her soft hand - made him feel so good, so right.

Xavier licked the delicate skin of your neck, losing himself in the intoxicating sweetness before kissing your collarbone fervently.

His pulsing cock grew even more impatient as it pressed itself against your hold in despair, longing to melt completely into your touch.

Through fluttering lashes and half-close lids, Xavier looked up to see your expressions.

To see that you were dazed and enchanted by him - almost as much as he was by you.

He could see the excitement shining brightly in your eyes. And undeniable desire for his pleasure.

It was as if you wanted this as much as he did.

Gone was hid usual cold and nonchalant demeanour. Tracing the outlines of your lips, he asked through a breathy, shaky whisper.

“Haaa…can I..?”

You nodded shyly.

Xavier crashed his lips into yours, moulding them into the shape of your lips.

Surprised by the passionate kiss, you let out a silent gasp. Xavier wasted no time in making use of the opportunity and deepen the kiss.

As his tongue relentlessly swirled around yours, your thumb traced circles around his tip, matching his rhythm. His cock twitched at the delicious pressure as his thighs jerked under you.

A soft moan coming out of your pretty mouth was all it took to drive him over the edge, the angelic and ethereal sound ringing in his ears.

Never in his dreams would he dare to imagine having your hand enveloping his length, helping him chase after pleasure. And to have you enjoying every moment of it, cheeks flushed and eyes hazy with want.

Xavier growled into your throat as he fell apart and desire exploded into sticky white spurt all over your hand.

Before you even knew it, he collapsed on top of you, pushing you both onto the flower field.

The fragrant scent of lumenflora brought you back to your senses.

You seriously could not catch a break with this man.

What were you doing? You were supposed to steal his crown, not giving in to his little requests. Why did he always seemed to have a way of making you forget about everything else when he was around?

Between hushed breathing and soft laughters, Xavier nudged his nose against yours affectionately.

“Don’t blindly trust every thing you read next time, okay? Just ask me.”

He was so annoying.

Day three

“There’s no need to run. I’m unharmed.”

You had wanted to ignore him. You really did.

Especially after feeling so unfair for the past two days at with his impossible little challenge.

This was just some form of entertainment to light up his dull days in Sindersfell, you thought. But to you, this was a rare golden chance.

To be able to catch a glimpse of his past, to understand him better, to see a different side of him.

And to be let into his heart.

Your motive was not all pure and innocent, you knew.

Perhaps, if you could find out a little bit more about his dear beloved, you would be able to help him find her?

And if she was no longer here or share the same feeling as his…Maybe, oh well, you would be able to help him get over it?

Maybe, just maybe, you could just make him forget about her anyway.

You were not used to having such selfish thoughts.

Yet, your mind couldn’t help but to wander every time you looked at Xavier. His kindness, his gentleness, and his affection - could you even say affection? - drew you hopelessly into a bottomless pit.

Jealousy was like a sour fruit, painful to taste but so, so addictive at the same time.

Even more annoying, you thought, was how Xavier effortlessly played with you. He dangled the reward right in front of your eyes and watched you chase after it desperately with your cute, futile effort.

He would never let you win. You were mad at the realisation and decided to ignore him and his little game.

However, your anger could not hold up the moment you heard the viscous attacks the revenant knights put up again Xavier. These were almost daily occurrences at this point, but this time, something didn’t feel right.

From the comfort of your bed, you could feel the ground rumbling, deafening sounds of swords clashing, heavy grunts and the faint metallic smell of blood.

Blood?

In this undead world that consisted of nothing but dust and regrets, who could have bled?

You sprung out of your chamber and rushed to the great hall immediately.

Xavier was sitting on his throne, blood still dripping down to the side of his arm and staining the giant sword with its jarring crimson hue. Broken weapons were scattered around the floor as Xavier slowly took off his cloak and tear out a piece of fabric to wrap around his wound.

“How can you still said that you’re unharmed.”

Exasperated, you raised your voice to stop the tears from welling up in your eyes.

“Come here” Xavier signed softly.

He was so frustrating. You walked up the steps towards the throne and sat directly on his lap.

Surprised, Xavier let out a small gasp and whispered in an amused tone.

“You even went straight to my lap. Your boldness borders on insolence.”

Even so, he instinctively pulled you closer onto his body as his arms wrapped securely around your waist.

You traced the freshly bandaged wound on his arm. The thick fabric could not hide red streaks of blood that got spread out to the outer layer. You lifted the hem of your dress to wipe away the remaining blood on his body.

Your heart felt torn apart and ripped to a thousand pieces.

You were yearning for something you didn’t fully understand. You were angry at him. At the same time, you were sorry for him.

You were definitely in love with Xavier.

Your head lowered in hope to hide away the complicated mess of emotions brewing inside your heart.

This little game of his. You would definitely not lose.

Perhaps, you just needed to try a more…unconventional method.

Xavier’s fingers held onto your chin and lifted your gaze up towards him. His thumb caressed your cheek tenderly, slowly, to etch every detail of you into his memory.

Were you still upset? He thought to himself.

You were avoiding his gaze. This made him more anxious and restless than any enemies ever could.

“Did you go to the river again? Your face is cold.”

Instead of replying, you decided to bury your face into his neck.

The sweet, floral scent of your hair overtook the sharp metallic smell of blood and weapons, permeating throughout the room. Your silence was loud enough to cover the sound of his own steady heartbeat.

He never considered himself a patient man, but whenever it came to you, Xavier would gladly wait no matter how long it took.

His lips planted feathery kisses at the top of your head.

“Hmm? Are you still upset over our challenge?”

Xavier coaxed, hands rubbing up and down your back gently. You looked up to meet his unwavering blue eyes with your own glassy orbs, unwilling to hold back the tears from escaping your eyes.

The sight of you crying sent Xavier straight into a frenzy.

He held onto you tighter, resting his touch at the small of your back.

One hand reached out to wipe away the fat tears that rolled off your face and he decided to kiss it better, nibbling faintly on your slightly reddened cheeks.

“Would you like to try again? Even if you hit me his time, I won’t dodge.”

Laced with so much adoration, Xavier softly whispered into your ears, hot breaths tickled your senses and making your hair stand.

He lifted your hands up to his slightly chapped lips before placing a chaste kiss on your knuckle.

The main hall of this castle had always been eerily cold and empty, his scratched up throne the only piece of furniture placed on top of the long stretch of steps. Faint echoes of screams beyond the castle door and storms howling through the windows were the only sounds one could find in this boundless hall.

The sheer size of this place told the story of its once glorious past of grandeur and prosperity.

And yet, under the gloomy sky of Sindersfell, the vastness of his castle cruelly highlighted Xavier’s lonesome figure for what seemed like an eternity.

He didn’t care about that. He was holding on to the faintest glimmer of hope, for his beloved to return.

And you hated that you cared too much about that.

Xavier guided your hand towards the crown on his head, his pleading barely audible.

“Don’t be upset, please.”

You did not let the opportunity slip away from you. With one decisive move, you swiped the crown away from his fluffy silver locks and put it on your head.

A lazy grin spread across your lips as you finally felt victorious.

“I win.”

“You did.”

You finally noticed the way he looked at you. Full of longing and affection, as if you were the only thing that mattered.

Devotion sparkled in his deep blue eyes, clear and unwavering, like it had always been.

You leaned in to kiss him.

It started out a little hesitant. Victory did give you some courage to initiate intimacy, and you could no longer deny you had wanted to do this for the longest time. Your lips pecked the corner of his lips softly before pulling on them teasingly.

A low groan escape his throat as you pull away from your kiss to look into his eyes.

Dazed and hungry for more, Xavier held the back of your neck to push you back into his lips. What began tenderly soon became passionate as Xavier got hungry for more.

He wanted to taste you more, taste you better, kiss you until your scent was the only thing he could ever recall.

He fervently crashed his lips into yours, tongue dashed out to explore and claim everything that was his.

His hand spread your legs open and make them cradle the sides of his hips as he started rutting his clothed erection into your slit. Like it was unbearable to be just an inch separated from your burning core.

You rest your hands on his chest and weakly pushed him away. Xavier grunted at the loss of contact, immediately trying his best to pull your lips back to him.

Between string of saliva connecting your swollen lips, you finally asked breathlessly.

“Xavier, wait…Tell me about… your flower …who…first?”

“You. Always you.”

Xavier wasted no time in drawing you back to his reverent yet selfish kisses. He licked and nibbled on your lips like they were the sweetest stolen fruit, one that he had grown addicted to.

Your toes curled at the sensation of his hardened cock, now rubbing impatiently against his pants. The hole between your legs clenched tightly with need, longing to be connected to him.

He only let go of your lips when both of you became breathless, moaning and gasping for air at the same time.

All of the sudden, Xavier lifted you up from his lap and turned you around, you back resting on his firm chest as you both looking at the great hall from the throne.

With one quick move, Xavier freed his throbbing length from his pants and nestled it directly between your puffy fold.

“My beloved. The only one I waited centuries for.”

Your cunt trembled at the warmth teasing your entrance playfully.

His hips rolled as he dragged the soaked tip agonisingly slow across your clit, and you whined at the desire building up deep within your belly.

Your creamy pussy was the biggest evidence for your undeniable desire for his touch. Its release enveloped his pink veiny cock with every swipe.

Xavier moaned into the back of your neck as his pre-cum spread around your opening sloppily, mixing with your own juice.

He glanced past your shoulder to see your nipples - puffy, hardened and trembling with need - poking through the thin fabric of your dress .

There was no way he would let such beautiful jewels lonely and untouched when they were begging to be fondled by his large strong hands. Xavier reached out to cup your chest, thumbs rolling and flicking around the hardened buds reverently.

Jolts of pleasure coursed through your veins as you squirmed hopelessly under his delightful torment and you rest your head back on his shoulder.

You could see stars even with your eyes closed with how he was worshipping every inch of your body.

Broken whimpers and whines escaped your soft lips as his cock rubbed harder against your already sensitive bundle of nerves. They were music to his ears, and he could die of bliss at this very moment.

“My queen. She might have forgotten about me but my feelings would never change”

Raspy, deep voice sent shivers down your spine. Xavier seemed lost in his own pleasure as he pinched onto your nipples even harder, drawing out moans and almost screams from you.

“Finally, we are sitting on this throne together. Just like how I’ve always imagined.”

You could not hear his whispers anymore, deep into ecstasy with the way he overwhelmed your senses.

All you knew at that moment was that your inside was begging to be filled by him, to envelope his length in all its entirety, to be fully connected and become one with Xavier.

“Xavier, I need you, please.”

You begged, eyes glassy again. This time, not as a ploy to win a challenge, but raw, unfiltered need.

“Of course, my star. My love..”

His hip jerked and he thrusted into your cunt with a maddening force. You arched your back from the sudden fullness and his hand quickly pressed you down flat against his torso.

Xavier stretched you out deliciously, girthy length putting crazy pressure onto your walls.

Your gummy inside was even more unforgiving than he imagined. They squeezed and milked him dry, trying to ingrain and mould itself into his shape.

Before he even knew it, he pounded onto you mindlessly, hips slamming into yours like an animal in heat.

You tangled your fingers in his soft hair, trying to hold on to an anchor in the undulating waves of pleasure.

Xavier couldn’t help but moaned at the softness of your touch. Even when he was fucking into you senselessly. Even when he was trying to tear your pussy to shreds.

You were his guiding star. His woman.

For him to love and to make love to.

Xavier guided your head to face his as he envelop your lips in a searing, loving kiss. He rutted into your cunt, hitting the sweet spot deep into your womb while rubbing endless circles around your nipple and your clit.

You moaned into his mouth as you lost control of your own body to pleasure.

Your pussy clamped down on his cock as you felt it pulsed deep within you. In a daze, your hips moved on its own to meet his with the same intensity, ass slamming down on his hips.

He had lost it.

Clenching his teeth, Xavier shuddered and climax ripped through both of you and him. Warm, milky load spilling out into your womb as your own juice trickled down the base of his slick swollen cock and onto the throne.

Obscene sounds echoes through the hall as you and Xavier slowly steadied your breathing.

Exhausted, you gave Xavier a peck on the cheek.

“You have a lot of explaining to do.”

You spoke lazily as Xavier lifted you both off the seat, spun you around to face him and make you straddle your legs around his hips. His half-hard cock slid right into your sore hole once again.

“I know. And we still have a lot of love making to do.”

He was insatiable.

“So shall we continue in bed, my queen?”

***

Self-note: salute to writers who could do 10k because this almost killed me and my hands shoulders neck. also this is the last of king xavier im ready to move on with no regret. linkon xavier baby im back. also also, this is the first time i wrote smut that went all the way so yay celebration 🎉

[sneakyfriday]

im not ready to read his myth..

[sneakyfriday]

Midnight Reverie

Xavier could not wait for the day his every dream came into fruition.

Xavier x You. Slight smut (at the end). MDNI. Word count: 1.9k

He was…sleeping?

You should not be as surprised as you were then. After all, like you, he too was a living, breathing human. The sight of him sleeping or even eating was such a rare occasion, that sometimes you forgot he was never meant to be part of this undead world.

You carefully shifted your body closer to the so-called tyrant king of Sindersfell. How long had he been here? How long was you dreaming for? And why, just why, must he be so strikingly similar to that white moonlight knight you couldn’t stop dreaming about?

“Xavier, who are you, really?”

The heartless king who wielded his sword mercilessly at others’ throats? The sinner that drove a once prosperous planet to ruins?

Or simply a man who took such painstakingly gentle care of a flower that could never survive in this barren land, hoping to give his beloved one day?

Beloved.

The word lingered on the tip of your tongue like a bitter potion. With each passing day, you felt yourself more hopelessly drawn to him like a moth chasing the only light source.

How could you not, with the way he silently shielded you from any dangers. The way he let you truly be yourself, not the Chosen One, a title forcefully imposed upon you even before you could remember your own name.

The way he gently took care of you, as if you too, were a flower.

Before you even realised it, you liked Xavier. And he already loved someone else. Jealousy spread like poison on your tongue, slowly gnawing away at your heart.

This would not do - you told yourself bitterly.

You had to find a way back to Philos. There was no place for you here in Sindersfell. There was no place for you next to him.

The moon was unusually bright that night. So much so, that even the lumenfloras were basked in a dreamy, cold hazy glow. They looked almost sparkling, too lively to be in a hell-hole, underworld city like Sindersfell.

And yet, the flowers’ beauty paled in comparison to the very man peacefully sleeping in front of you right now.

His chest rose up and down with each steady breathing, his smooth long hair spread out on the bed of flowers. It was rare to see Xavier this docile, almost adorable in his defenceless slumber.

The person he liked…would this be what she got to see all the time? Would she be the one making him feel truly at ease? You couldn’t help but to reach out and twirl your finger around his hair.

Even his hair was as cold as him. Soft silver locks continued to dance around your fingertips. You brought them to your lips for a faint kiss, warm breath slowly spreading to his hair.

If only, that was his lips. If only, you were brave enough to tell him to forget about her and stay with you instead.

Xavier suddenly opened his eyes.

Shocked and embarrassed, you loosened your grip.

Deep blue eyes were fixed on you the moment they opened. There was still a hazy, dream-like tint covering them, and yet, they sparkled as if looking at the most precious treasure in the world.

“You’re here”

Xavier spoke with a groggy, hoarse voice as he slowly sat up.

“When I came back, you were gone. I even brought some wavy-leaf sea lavender seeds back. I wanted to grow them for you.”

His lowered his head, his expression indiscernible. You could feel the bitterness from his voice spreading slowly to your chest.

You wanted to tell him to forget about her, to forget about the flower, and to look at you who only had him in your heart. But words failed to form.

“I thought my intentions were clear, why didn’t you understand them?”

“When we last saw each other, you said you had feelings for someone. But why was he not by your side when you were in danger?”

Xavier gaze fell on you again. He looked expectant, as if waiting for an answer. One you could not give.

“Forget him.”

Xavier spoke with a quiet desperation. His usual stern expression was no longer present, replaced with unfathomable sadness and longing.

It shattered your heart. You could not bear to see him like this.

“I don’t like him anymore. I like you, is that alright?”

You blurted out. For once, your tongue moved too fast for its own good. The world stopped spinning, the eerie silence of the night made your quickened heartbeat almost deafening. Blush creeping up your cheeks and Xavier piercing stare got you holding your breath.

Before you could even laugh it off as a joke or wake him up from his dazed state, Xavier pulled you towards him. You stumbled and fell into his lap as his arm wrapped around your waist tightly. His other hand reached out and slowly traced along your jawline.

This felt dangerous. You were too close. He could hear your frantic heartbeat. He could feel your body burning up like it was starving for his physical touch. He could see how red you were turning at every spot that his fingertips lingered.

Or worse, you could see the immeasurable longing in his eyes as he gently touch your lips. You could see him losing every last bit of reason when he closed the distance between yours and his.

“Wake up, Xavier. I’m not her.”

You wanted to scream out loud. But the creeping desire deep inside you held the words back.

You wished you were her.

The one he spent hundreds of years yearning for, only to meet in fleeting dreams. The one he longed for centuries, when he sat on that cold lonely cage of a throne.

Even if you wanted to, you were unsure if you could ever fill the gaping hole that she left in his heart. The insecurity was killing you. You needed to leave.

You pushed Xavier away before he could kiss you.

“What’s wrong? Am I not allowed to kiss you here?”

His cloudy, dejected eyes betrayed the mocking tone in his voice as Xavier tightened his grip around your waist. The hand that was previously holding your chin moved to grab onto the back of your neck, preventing you from creating any distance.

Xavier’s nose nudged against yours as he let out a breathless, dry laugh.

“Of course, why would you want to see me like this.

But unfortunately, this is my dream. I’m free to do as I please.”

His eyes darkened as he pulled you towards himself with a renewed sense of urgency. Almost as if he was afraid you would slip away from his fingers at any moment.

His lips crashed into yours fervently. Xavier wasted no time sucking onto your tender lips like they were the sweetest candies he could savour in this lifetime. The more he tasted, the more he wanted. His kiss became more and more desperate as his tongue traced along the edge of your swollen mouth.

Still biting softly on your lower lips, Xavier commanded.

“Open your mouth.”

You instantly melted into his demanding touch. Soft gasps barely managed to escape, swallowed by Xavier hungrily. Even the gentle night breeze that caressed your cheeks turned impossibly fiery when his lips trailed off your lips to claim your neck. Unrestrained desire for the man holding you was setting your heart aflame.

Xavier moaned softly against the warmth of your skin. You smelled divine, a mix of earthy pine woods, fragrant lilies and sweet, sweet stolen fruit. In this world without any ray of sunlight, you were the warmth he craved so badly.

Years of longing for your touch had rendered him hopeless. You tasted so much sweeter than what he dared to imagine in his dreams. And now when you were finally in his arms, he could never let go.

He knew this was not a dream.

How could a fragment of his imagination be so soft and pliable to the touch? How could the you in his dream whimpered so angelically every time he nibbled on your ears?

Xavier knew he should stop, but the primal need for you was insatiable. You were everything that he ever wanted, squirming and huffing under his touch. Trembling hands hesitantly made their way towards the hem of your dress. With one swift move, Xavier pulled the garment off you like his life depended on it.

“Xavier!” You yelped out.

Sudden exposure to the cold air sent a wave of shiver down your spine. Xavier pushed you down the flower bed, arms caging both sides of your head in an enveloping embrace as his lips claimed every inch of your chest.

His leg moved to split your legs open, thigh resting agonisingly against your damp clothed pussy.

“Mhmm. You taste so good, my starlight.”

Embarrassed by both his hoarse words and relenting kisses, you tried to cover your chest, only to receive a warning growl from him.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Xavier grabbed your hands and pinned it above your head.

He continued sucking on your hardened nipples through the thin, lacy fabric of your bra. His tongue lapped and swirled around the sensitive buds, sending rolls of pleasures throughout your body.

He grinned softly against your skin when he felt you unconsciously arching your back and rubbing your opening desperately against his thigh.

You must be trying to kill him.

Glassy and needy eyes looking at him with such adoration. You knew what you were doing, blurting out “I like you” just like that. You must know those are the words that held the ability to drive him absolutely feral.

You were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Saliva stained bra made it impossible to hide the swollen nipples clinging so tightly to the fabric. Your cunt was now leaking with so much juice that the panty was no longer able to prevent the wetness from rubbing off to his pants. His cock twitched painfully inside, begging to be released, to explore the feeling of your soft skin with its tip, to be connected to the deepest part of you.

Xavier grinded his hardened length against your aching cunt. Precum soaked through his pants and mixed with your own creamy release through the fabrics as the sound of your erotic moan echoed throughout the dark night.

His eyes rolled back in pleasure at the mere thought of entering that warm and moist pussy, letting you milk his cock dry as he pumped his seeds deep into you, mixing your juices.

But he shouldn’t.

Not here when anyone could interrupt him or catch a glimpse of your divine beauty. He wanted to make love to you slowly, to let you feel his decades-long obsession in its unrestrained glory.

He imagined carrying you to his bedchamber and fucking your senses out all nights and days until you could tell how much he loved you, only you. Or even better, he could taste your sweet cunt right on the throne, sucking on your sensitive clit until the mighty and respectable queen of Philos started whimpering and begging for the king’s cock.

Xavier could not wait for the day his every dream came into fruition.

[sneakyfriday]

nerd xavier – stoic and nonchalant, but flustered and disheveled whenever mc is near him >//<

[sneakyfriday]

mine, all mine.

꒰ xavier is drunk and happy to have his entire face covered in your jealous, possessive kisses. ꒱

𖥔 ݁ 0.5k. no evol au. established relationship. fluff. drunk xavier. ❀ ݁ this was absolutely inspired by this series of videos of this man from douyin that i'm obsessed with the idea of.

mdni.

of all the emotions you display, xavier enjoys elation and possessiveness on you the most.

indulgent to the point of gluttonous, that's what he's always been. the flavor of your love is sickeningly sweet; he’ll utilize any means available to taste it.

he looks up at you hungrily, in a bit of a drunken daze. there's a subtle smile on his face as you kiss him over and over, covering his skin in the tint of your lips. from his temples to his cheeks to his nose to his chin – a litter of claims the shade of burgundy.

xavier smiles lazily and fondly, eyes fluttering closed in delight. the feeling of your lips pressing softly against his flushed flesh, the obnoxious sounds you couple with them to make it obvious and audible that he belongs to you.

and he does. he loves you so much, he thinks it could kill him. in another life, it probably has.

"baby," he slurs lovingly.

you grip his jaw, loving fingertips pressing gently into flesh, tilting his head to the side as you place more kisses on his hot-blooded cheeks. 

xavier sighs, content with the outcome of this situation. "i love when you touch me, baby."

“do you?” you ask softly, pecking his lips.

grabby hands find your hips and pull you closer. “i do. you have the best jealousy.”

“what?” you snort a laugh. “as if there’s anything to be jealous of.”

chuckling, xavier hugs you, causing a soft sound of surprise to tumble out as he yanks you taut against his body. he nuzzles his face into the pit of your neck, nose rubbing against your skin lovingly.

“of course not,” he mumbles cutely, the sound muffled by his actions. “i belong to baby.”

you hear that much quite clearly, your arms sliding around his torso to hug him back. you won’t admit it aloud, but he knows even the insinuation of interest is enough to make you start to lose your patience. enough to make a quiet scene like this.

“mine,” a soft mumble, a stubborn one.

his head moves up slightly to look past your shoulders at the group of girls, now dispersed and no longer gawking at him like vultures. he chuckles, amused by your wiles and the way they’re actually quite effective.

xavier leaves warm kisses right at the base of your neck. “all yours. should we get going? or are you still showing off because you’re not jealous?”

you pull back from him, hands gripping his shoulders now, and scoff as you roll your eyes. “showing off? i haven’t even mentioned how i know lumie–” 

he stops you from saying that god forsaken name with a messy kiss, mumbling against your lips, “you’re a terrible person.”

“mmhm, so are you,” you murmur, cupping his decorated cheeks as you press a chaste kiss to his lips. “we can go home, you brat. you’re way too popular anyway.”

[sneakyfriday]

But moving on from him is impossible

When I still see it in my head. Burning Red.

Self-note: Mentally never getting over Lightseeker. And this version of Red doing unimaginable things to me.

[sneakyfriday]

it's nice to have a friend

big glasses and a bowl cut. 

for the bulk of his short life, that was all anyone saw when they looked at zayne.

no one knew much about him, other than how annoying it was when the teachers praised his intelligence. more than a classmate, he was a goalpost. a standard they couldn’t meet. 

more often than not, his head was buried in a book. he found it much more worthwhile to study people than to speak to them. so he hid in the shade, away from the constant chatter and blistering heat of recess.

that day in september, he’d been too busy absorbing neatly stacked paragraphs to process the muffled voice above him—until you lightly shook his shoulder. 

you’d asked him if he wanted to play. they’d said it was his birthday, after all. but after a long pause and bewildered blush, zayne said no. 

the first three times you asked him, zayne said no.

his answer changed when the leaves did. 

in the brisk november air, pushed forward by a gust of wind, he bumped into a rowdy group of older kids. apparently, his murmured apology hadn’t been good enough. 

first, they threatened to snap his glasses. shatter the lenses so he couldn’t read anymore.

the wicked sneers and guesses that he was special came after. 

through it all, zayne hadn't said a word—he didn't have to. 

because before he could decide whether to tell a teacher or walk away, you were blocking him from view as best you could with your shorter frame, glaring at the boys with molten hatred in your heart. 

and when their leader snorted and took a step toward you both, you unclenched your fist and scratched him right across the face. 

zayne had never been one for violence. his parents told him it never solved anything, and he’d always seen more value in helping people than hurting them. 

but the next time you asked him to play, he nodded his head yes.

he was surprisingly good at make-believe—the doctor to your nurse. and when you invited him back the next day, and the next day, and the day after that, zayne felt he’d made his first friend. 

adult zayne still gets teased, sometimes. 

for the way he speaks like a nonfiction narrator. for the way he retreats from interactions and rejects invitations. for the way he’s hard to read unless you’re fluent in the language of him.

but with you by his side, he’s learned to pay it no mind. 

you like his cadence and his reticence and his rigid kind of softness. you tell him all of it, so he doesn’t have to wonder.

and when the crueler slights wear down the barrier you’ve helped him build, you repeat yourself. 

day after day, you save him. just like you did on the playground. 

so when zayne finds himself in linkon’s finest jewelry store, browsing through shimmering stones he never thought he’d have a need for, he knows one thing for certain: his first friend is his best. 

[sneakyfriday]

[Translated Comic] Outset Grounds Event

Original artist: norelle-n

Source ll Permission

❀ Please do not repost! ❀

[sneakyfriday]

took you long enough (brother's best friend! zayne)

reader is also neighbours with zayne!, teeny tiny angst, yearning, jealousy, angry reader putting zayne in his place, zayne's a coward at first, zayne's just really down bad, slightly suggestive, protective brother, fluff ending

Zayne didn’t know why he’d picked up the dessert. He stood in his kitchen like a man possessed, staring down at the small container of tiramisu he’d brought home from work, wrapped it up, then found himself walking the familiar path next door. The light from your window was still on, faint against the evening sky.

He told himself it was nothing. Just a neighbourly gesture. Something your brother would have appreciated. That was all.

But it wasn’t.

Not really.

Not when deep in his chest, he wanted more than to just share a dessert with you.

Not when he could feel the silence you’d left behind like a ghost in his ribs.

You used to text him constantly. Stupid things like memes that didn’t make sense, blurry pictures of your takeout, and random thoughts at odd hours. “Why do we need to wash towels? We get out of the shower clean, right? So we’re cleaning the towel too, right? If we lost our legs, where would we feel the pain? In our legs? But they’re gone so…”

He used to groan and roll his eyes, tell you to stop texting him so much, to stop bothering him. But you never listened. And maybe a part of him had liked that you were stubborn and annoying.

But then the texts stopped.

He used to recognize the rhythm of your knock before it even finished, that familiar beat on his office door at the hospital—always arriving with a paper bag crinkling in your arms and a smile so disarming it made him forget whatever was on his screen. “You’re a distraction,” he’d mutter every time, trying to sound stern, but his voice always softened around the edges when it was you. You’d just laugh, breezing in like you belonged there, settling into the chair across from him without waiting for permission. Sometimes you ate in silence, other times you filled the space with stories about your day, your voice rising and falling like music he didn’t know he’d memorised. And while he feigned attention to patient charts and hospital protocols, the truth was, he was tracing the sound of your laughter in his mind, letting it echo in the quiet corners of his heart where no one else had ever been allowed.

You hadn’t shown up in over a month.

Now, his days were quiet.

Now, there was no knock.

Just absence. Loud and aching.

And Zayne had the ridiculous realization that he'd built his days around your interruptions, and without them, something in him had started to unravel.

And then came the nights out.

He noticed. Of course he noticed.

You were out more often lately, stepping out into the night like you belonged to it. Sometimes dolled up, pretty and poised, and so far out of reach it made his throat tighten. Other nights, you looked like trouble waiting to happen—short skirts, off-shoulder tops, legs bare and defiant. Like you were daring the world to notice you.

He would watch from his window. Just for a moment.

Just long enough to curse whoever you were meeting.

And sometimes, when the nights were especially cold, he caught sight of someone walking you back. A man he didn’t recognize. A stranger. Tall. Laughing too loud. Standing too close. Someone who probably didn’t know that you got cold easily, or that your mood soured when the wind bit too hard. Someone who didn’t carry your favourite gum in his glove compartment just because you once said you liked the minty kind.

Zayne had stood by the window that night, fists clenched at his sides as the man waved you off and you walked up to your door alone. You hadn’t even noticed him watching. You’d looked… fine. Fine without him.

But something in Zayne bristled.

He had half a mind to snitch to your brother. Let him handle it, blow the whistle like some concerned guardian.

But Zayne wasn’t stupid.

He was more scared of you than your brother actually. 

And more protective than he had any right to be.

So he told himself this was just doing it as your brother’s best friend, making sure you’re well taken care of. That’s why he’d picked up the dessert. That’s why he was walking over now. That’s why his heart was hammering too loudly for a man doing something so casual.

He told himself that lie again and again.

But his fingers were still trembling when he reached your front step. His knuckles hovered just above the door. But the door opened before he could even knock.

You stood there, framed by the hallway light, stunning in a way that knocked the breath from his lungs. Your makeup was subtle, lips painted with that glossy tint you wore when you wanted to feel pretty, a figure-hugging dress that clung to every curve like it was tailored just for you. You smelled like vanilla and really, really bad decisions.

Zayne’s breath hitched. His mind stuttered.

Because for a second, just one, he wasn’t thinking straight like he usually does. He was thinking like a man on the edge.

He imagined what it’d feel like to smear that lipstick with his mouth, to kiss that attitude right out of you—slow, hard, and unforgiving. To grab your waist, feel the heat of your skin under his hands, and push you against the doorframe just to see you flustered and breathless for once. Mess up that perfect hair with his hands tangled in it, tugging until you gasped his name in that voice he always pretended not to crave and watch you glare at him with wild eyes and swollen lips.

And just as his mind started to spiral, your voice dragged him back.

“Zayne?” you asked, blinking up at him. “What are you doing here?”

His throat worked around nothing. For a second, he forgot what he was even holding.

He stiffened, caught. “Uh—I, um. Dessert. Brought you dessert,” he said gruffly, lifting the container.

You raised a brow, half-amused. “Didn’t know you did door-to-door dessert deliveries now.”

He swallowed. “Just thought you might want some.”

“Sweet,” you said. “But I’ve got plans.”

His stomach dropped. “Plans?” he echoed, tone flat.

“Yeah. A date.”

There it was.

“A date. At this hour?”

“Last I checked, I don’t have a curfew,” you said, already reaching for your purse.

“With who?”

“Some guy I met last week.”

“So you don’t don’t even know him?” he snapped, voice harsher than he intended.

“And?”

His voice dropped an octave, sharp and accusing. “It’s not safe. Some guy asks you out this late, and you just… say yes? He invites you out in the middle of the night, and you think that’s okay?”

You looked at him, really looked at him, and something in your eyes shifted, cooling into something unreadable. “What’s it to you, Zayne?”

He frowned. “I just—it's not right. What kind of guy invites a woman to a date this late?”

You tilted your head, gave him that look that always made his heart stutter. “Is that really the part that bothers you? That it’s late? Not that it’s someone else?”

He stayed silent.

So you smiled, bitter and bright. “Right. You’re the type of guy who’s nice and proper. Because you’re Zayne. The responsible, respectful, too good for anyone, Dr Zayne. Who never says anything and never does anything. Just watches from the sidelines and keeps doing his job like a good boy.”

His brows drew together. “Excuse me? I… That’s not fair.”

“Did I say something wrong? What’s not fair is spending years throwing myself at you like a damn idiot,” you snapped. “Texts, lunches, flirting—you name it. You had all the signs, Zayne. Hell, I may as well have tattooed it on my forehead.”

He flinched, but you were far from finished.

“And every single time? You brushed it off. Gently, politely. Like you were just tolerating your best friend’s little sister. Like I was some delicate child you had to tiptoe around.”

“I was trying to protect you–”

“From what?” you shot back. “From your own feelings? From getting too close? God, Zayne, you’re so scared of wanting me out loud, it makes me sick.”

You took a breath, trying to smooth the sting in your throat. “But you know what? Fine. Be a coward. Be the noble idiot who thinks he's doing the right thing by pushing me away.”

Your voice lowered, sharp with finality. “But don’t come to my door acting like you're here just to fulfil your responsibility, when the truth is, you’ve always cared. You’ve just been too much of a fool to do anything about it.”

His throat tightened as he looked into your eyes—so hurt and angry and wild.

You waited. He said nothing.

And then a car honk cut through the moment, sharp and final.

You scoffed, shaking your head like you were done playing this game. Without another word, you turned on your heel and walked down the steps toward the car idling at the curb. The guy you were seeing waved from the driver’s side, clueless and grinning.

Zayne stood there, rooted to the spot. The tiramisu in his hand felt heavier now, like a mistake he couldn’t undo. He watched the car door shut behind you. Watched the way the red of the taillights lit up your silhouette as the car pulled away into the night.

And still, he didn’t move.

Because maybe you were right. Maybe he was a fool.

Zayne sat on the edge of his couch, elbows on knees, hands laced tightly as he stared at the untouched glass of water in front of him. The clock on the wall ticked mockingly. 1:47 a.m.

You still weren’t home.

He had told himself not to worry. You were an adult, perfectly capable, strong-willed. You’d told him that yourself a hundred times. And yet the anxiety coiled tighter in his chest with each passing minute. The idea of you out there, with a stranger who didn’t know the slope of your shoulders when you were tired or the way your voice curled around sarcasm when you were hiding hurt, was enough to set him on edge.

Then his phone rang. Your brother.

“Zayne, hey. I need a huge favour,” came the familiar voice, slightly out of breath. “Can you pick her up from that club downtown? She called me, but I’m still stuck at work and I won’t get there in time. I don’t want her waiting alone, and I trust you more than a cab.” Zayne was already reaching for his keys. “I’m on my way.”

The drive there was a blur of city lights and the drumbeat of his own pulse. The club was loud even from a distance, bass vibrating through the pavement as lights spilt across the sidewalk. Zayne parked and scanned the front entrance. Then he saw you.

You were sitting on the curb, arms folded tight around yourself, dress bunched slightly at your knees. Your heels dangled from your fingers, and your expression was drawn, tired, bored, and cold. You were beautiful, still. Always.

Zayne felt something simmer in his chest. What kind of man leaves a woman alone like this? He got out, walking quickly toward you.

“Let’s go home,” he said quietly, already slipping off his coat.

You looked up, surprised. “Wait—Zayne? I thought my brother—”

“He asked me to come,” Zayne murmured, already draping his coat around your shoulders. You didn’t resist as he guided you gently to the car, opening the door and shielding your head as you slipped inside. The warmth hit you immediately, and you leaned back against the seat, sighing.

The drive was quiet. The road ahead was dark and familiar, winding through city streets he knew by heart, but tonight it all felt unfamiliar. Because you weren’t talking. You weren’t laughing or teasing him. You just stared out the window, quiet. Zayne glanced at you. “Are you alright?”

You gave a half-nod. He hesitated, then cleared his throat. “So… how was your date?”

You scoffed. “Awful.”

Zayne smiled a little. “That bad?”

You finally turned toward him, eyes rolling. “He brought me to the club just to show off. He didn’t even listen to me. Half the time he was talking about himself, and then he left me alone at the bar so he could dance with some girls he apparently ‘used to hook up with’.” You threw your hands up, exasperated. “I felt like a wall.”

Zayne’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing, just listened. Let you rant. It grounded him. Hearing your voice again. Hearing your anger directed at someone else and not him.

“You should’ve seen him,” you went on, rolling your eyes. “He kept looking at his reflection in his phone like he was in love with it. Who even does that?”

Zayne chuckled despite himself, glancing at you. You glared at him. “It’s not funny.”

“I’m not laughing.”

“You are,” you accused. “You’re laughing while I’m basically telling you I’m gonna die single. My friends are getting married. Some are popping out babies after babies. And I’m here, wasting my time with losers and still going home alone.”

Zayne’s smile faded. He turned onto your street, headlights cutting through the quiet.

“Maybe you’re just choosing the wrong kind of guy,” he said gently. “Maybe you need someone who actually knows you. Someone who remembers you hate runny yolks but loves soft-boiled eggs. Someone who knows you go quiet when you’re overwhelmed, or that you fake-laugh when you’re trying to hide being nervous. Someone who doesn’t need a reminder that you hate strawberries, but somehow love strawberry-flavoured things.”

You went quiet. The car eased to a stop at your shared driveway.

You blinked, stunned, but he wasn’t done. He turned to you and gazed at you with a determination that you’ve recognized and grown to love over the years.

“Someone who’s been a fool for years,” he continued, his words rough, like they’d been caged too long. “Someone who was too scared because he thought he might not be enough for you. Someone who spent so much time convincing himself that you deserved more than what he could offer.”

Your breath hitched, but you couldn’t look away.

Zayne’s eyes softened with guilt and longing. “Someone who was terrified,” he whispered. “Terrified of messing it up. Of saying the wrong thing and losing you completely. Someone who chose to just keep quiet and told himself he could live with being just your friend. Your neighbour. The guy next door who got to see you smile from across the fence.”

He laughed once, quiet and bitter. “Stupid, right? Thinking he could be content with scraps, when all he ever wanted was you.”

The air between you tightened, thick with everything unsaid over the years. Your lips parted, but no words came.

The words hung in the air between you, thick and heavy, each syllable landing with the force of something long overdue. For a moment, there was only silence. The weight of everything unsaid fell between you like a wall that neither of you knew how to break.

Zayne's chest rose and fell, his pulse thudding in his ears. He waited for you to respond, to say something, but you just sat there, not moving, your lips parted slightly as if you were on the edge of a decision you couldn't make.

And then, finally, he whispered, his voice raw, desperate—“Someone like me.”

There it was. The unspoken truth. The answer he had been so terrified to say out loud.

And in the next heartbeat, the world shifted.

You didn’t know who moved first, whether it was him or you, but in that instant, the car’s silence was shattered by the crash of your lips together.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t slow. It was raw and hungry, desperate like a dam that had finally broken. His hands gripped your face, pulling you closer as if he couldn’t get enough, as if this was the only thing that made sense in that moment. Your fingers dug into his shirt, tugging him toward you with the same need, the same urgency.

The kiss was everything you both wanted and everything you had been holding back. The taste of his lips—the heat of his touch—was everything you had imagined in all the years of waiting. And yet, nothing in your fantasies had prepared you for this. Nothing had prepared you for the way he kissed you with so much emotion, so much intensity, that it felt like the world had stopped moving around you. All that mattered was the feel of each other, the way your bodies fit together, the way your hearts raced in sync.

When you finally pulled away, the world came rushing back. Your breath was heavy, quick, like you’d been holding it for far too long. Zayne’s forehead pressed to yours, his breath warm against your skin. For a moment, everything felt impossibly still, like time had been suspended in the aftermath of the kiss.

He closed his eyes for a brief second, trying to steady himself, and when he opened them again, there was a deep vulnerability in them and a truth that had been buried for so long. He whispered softly, his voice raw with sincerity, “I’m sorry. For being so scared. For taking so long to see what was right in front of me. And… for making you wait.”  Zayne’s hands gently cupped your face, his thumb brushing the apple of your cheek as his gaze softened. “I... I’ve always wanted you. I just didn’t know how to make it real. How to be enough for you.”

A small, tender smile tugged at your lips as you leaned into his touch, feeling warmth flood your chest. His words hit something deep inside you, and before you knew it, you were grinning up at him, your face flushed.

“Well,” you teased, voice playful but soft, “took you long enough, you jerk.”

Zayne’s eyes sparkled with a mix of relief and amusement, and he let out a light chuckle. There was something in his gaze—something that was both teasing and affectionate, an unspoken promise between the two of you.

“Language, princess,” he murmured, his lips curling into a grin. “Might have to teach your pretty mouth to say nicer things.”

Before you could respond, Zayne leaned in again, his lips capturing yours with a renewed hunger, as if to prove that he wasn’t done showing you how much he wanted you. It was deep, it was slow, but every brush of his lips sent sparks through you. His hands slid around your waist, pulling you closer, as if he couldn’t bear the space between you. Before you knew it, you were already climbing onto Zayne’s lap, your hands tangling in his hair as he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer.

The kiss was turning downright sinful—your legs curled onto Zayne’s lap, your fingers in his hair, his hands locked around your waist like he didn’t ever want to let go. The car’s windows were fogging up, the air inside heavy with heat, breathless laughter, and long-suppressed longing. 

But just as Zayne’s hand slid up your spine and you tugged at his shirt like you were two seconds away from losing all restraint—

HONK!

Both of you froze. Then—

HOOONK-HOOOOOONK!

Blinding headlights lit up the interior of the car like a stage spotlight, catching you full-on, tangled together in a compromising, heated mess.

You flinched, breaking the kiss and whipping your head toward the glaring brightness outside.

Parked at the end of the driveway, unmistakable even through your haze of panic, was your brother’s car.

“Oh my god.”

You buried your face in Zayne’s neck, groaning into his collarbone. “Oh my god. He’s going to kill us.”

Zayne didn’t move, frozen like a deer in headlights, his eyes wide with panic. His hands stiffened on your waist, and his throat went dry as your brother’s earlier words echoed in his mind—“I trust you more than a cab.” And now, in this exact position, Zayne was pretty sure he was about to lose that trust entirely.

Then came the knock on the driver’s side window.

A slow, smug rhythm.

Zayne winced. You peeked over your shoulder, already dreading the sight.

Reluctantly, Zayne rolled down the window. The cold night air swept in and with it, your brother’s voice, thick with amusement.

“Well, well. Finally,” he said, grinning like he’d just hit the jackpot at a casino. “Took you two long enough. I was this close to stamping both of your foreheads with proclamations of love.”

You groaned louder, burying yourself deeper into Zayne’s neck. “Please shut up.”

“I mean, I always knew you two were pathetic, but watching this unfold in real time? It was like watching paint dry. Painful. Agonizing. Occasionally hilarious.”

Zayne cleared his throat, his cheeks burning red. “We, uh—”

Your brother raised a hand. “Don’t. Save it.”

Then the teasing drained from his face, replaced by something firmer, steadier. He turned his attention to you, voice shifting into big-brother authority.

“Alright. That’s enough for tonight. Go inside.”

You lifted your head, blinking. “What? Why?”

“You heard me,” he said flatly, using that tone you knew better than to argue with. “Inside. Now. Before I actually start giving a speech.”

You huffed, still perched in Zayne’s lap. “You’re literally the worst.”

“And I’m still your big brother.” He nodded toward the front door. “Go.”

Grumbling under your breath, you turned to Zayne, leaned in, and pressed a quick peck to his lips—soft, sweet, and entirely defiant. Then you slipped out of the car and marched toward the house with theatrical indignation, muttering something about “cockblocker” and “ruining the moment”.

Zayne watched you go with a helpless smile… until he turned and saw your brother still standing there, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

The air shifted.

Your brother said nothing at first—just studied him. Zayne sat up straighter, hands folding in his lap, bracing like he was about to be grilled in military.

“You’re my best friend,” your brother said at last, his voice lower, quieter. “And she’s my sister. So let me be very clear.”

Zayne nodded quickly. “Yes, s—sir.” He immediately winced.

Your brother narrowed his eyes, one brow lifting. “...Did you just sir me?”

Zayne cleared his throat and looked down at his hands. “It slipped out.”

Your brother exhaled through his nose, biting back a smirk, but his tone remained serious.

“She’s not just someone for you to have fun with, Zayne. She’s the girl who cries at sad commercials and laughs when she’s about to fall apart. She gives everything—her heart, her trust, her loyalty—without asking for nearly enough in return. If you’re not ready for that, walk away now.”

“I’m ready,” Zayne said, quietly but firmly. “I love her. I have been for years, and you know that too. And I’m going to do it right this time.”

There was a pause. Then your brother’s eyes softened—just barely. “Then start with a proper date. Not... whatever this was.”

Zayne let out a quiet breath of a laugh, nodding. “Alright.”

Your brother gave him one final look—half warning, half reluctant approval—then turned and started walking back into his house.

Zayne leaned back in the driver’s seat, heart still racing, lips still tingling, a dazed smile slowly creeping onto his face.

He was so lost in it that he didn’t notice the upstairs window sliding open.

“Zayne!”

He jumped, startled, and looked up.

You were leaning out your bedroom window, arms folded on the sill, cheek resting on them. You looked soft, sleepy, and absolutely glowing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” you said with a bright smile. “Goodnight.”

Zayne blinked, then gave the smallest wave, utterly stunned.

Your brother, who was halfway into the house, snorted. “She’s got you whipped already.”

Zayne didn’t deny it.

And he didn’t mind one bit.

Because you were his now.

And this time, he was going to do it right.

That night, Zayne lay in bed, eyes open to the dark, one arm draped across his chest like he could hold the feeling in place.

The feeling of you.

He wasn’t sure sleep would come. Not when his body still buzzed with the aftershock of your kiss, not when every inch of him still remembered the way you moved, the way you tasted like rebellion and longing and something that was finally his.

Your lips had been soft, but demanding—pulling something from him that he hadn’t let surface in years. That kiss had been a sin wrapped in years of aching restraint, and now that he’d tasted you, he didn’t know how to come down from it. He could still feel the ghost of your breath against his jaw, the press of your thighs as you climbed into his lap like you belonged there.

And god, you did.

You kissed him like you were tired of waiting. Like you were punishing him and claiming him all at once. Like you wanted him to feel the years you’d spent wanting him back. And he did.

He remembered the tremble in your fingers when they threaded into his hair, the heat of your mouth when you gasped softly against his lips. He remembered the soft press of your body against his, the way your hips shifted in that one maddening moment that made him groan and clutch you tighter like he could stop the earth from tilting.

It hadn’t just been a kiss. It had been an undoing.

And now he lay there, ruined by it.

He shifted on the sheets, jaw tight, heart still thrumming like he was back in the car with you all over again.

He loves you so much.

God, maybe he always had.

He loved you the very first time he stepped foot in your house, when he was still a quiet, awkward kid following your older brother into the chaos of you. You’d stormed into the living room like a thunderclap in your overalls, hands on your hips, declaring that you had to be included in whatever game they were playing. “No girls allowed” meant nothing to you. You took your seat like you were born to belong.

He loved you when he didn’t even know what love was. When all he knew was that everything felt brighter when you were in the room.

He loved you in middle school, when you were loud and moody and always talking back, your moods shifting like seasons, impossible to predict, impossible not to watch. He’d pretend to be annoyed, but he always looked up when you walked into the room. Always noticed when your voice got quiet. Always cared more than he should have.

He loved you in high school, when you’d show up uninvited to his study sessions with your brother—distracting, relentless, asking questions you already knew the answers to just so he’d look at you. He’d try to ignore the flutter in his chest when you sat too close, when you chewed your pen thoughtfully, when you teased him until his ears turned red. He memorized your laugh like it was part of his syllabus.

Years passed. You grew. He did too. But his heart never unlearned the shape of you.

And now… now he could finally hold that love in the open.

No more quiet glances. No more buried feelings.

He could wait for you to be ready. For you to trust that this time, he wouldn’t let go.

He’d be the gentleman you deserved—every bit the man you needed, not the scared boy who thought loving you meant keeping his distance.

He would make sure you never felt alone. Never again let silence answer the questions in your eyes. He’d give you the kind of love that didn’t just promise—it showed up. Every time.

Zayne sighed into the quiet, a soft smile curving his lips.

“Please be nice to my heart,” he whispered into the dark. “And maybe—go easy on the miniskirts.”

He chuckled to himself, just a little, the sound low and warm.

And as the rhythm of his breathing slowed, Zayne finally let sleep take him, peaceful and light, for the first time in years.

He fell asleep to the promise of tomorrow.

To the sound of your voice still ringing through his thoughts.

And to the quiet certainty that this time, he wouldn’t be too late.

[sneakyfriday]

Xavier punch!

Plushie loses 5 Health Points.

[sneakyfriday]

Hot spring intimacy

Xavier loved holding your hands, until it wasn’t enough.

Xavier x You. Maybe smut so MDNI

“Since it’s so important, shouldn’t he deserve a better reward, chirp?”

Xavier smiled at you with his dreamy, now hazy blue eyes. The mirth in those eyes could not fully mask a hidden, intense emotion. Was it expectation? Or hesitation to cross a line that was long blurred the moment you agreed to go on a hot spring trip with him? You didn’t even realised when his arms were wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer to his body. The heat radiating from his smooth skin was even hotter than the water surrounding you.

You were not sure if it was a good idea to indulge in his flirty advances this time. Xavier had been slowly testing the limit of your shared intimacy, never once pushed you towards anything you were uncomfortable with.

***

It started out with deliberate brushes of pinkies as the two of you walked home together after work. Surely the path was narrow, but his close presence was getting too much for your already racing heart. You could smell the faint hint of cherry blossoms on his shirt, mixed with the sweet baby powder scent of his skin.

“Xavier, I think the road is wide enough for the two of us.”

You tried to fight the blush creeping up your ears.

“I know. But it’s uneven here. I might lose my balance and fall down?”

Xavier hummed nonchalantly. You almost snorted at the ridiculous image of Linkon City’s legendary hunter tripping over a rock on his way home. The path, which you two probably took a hundred times before, seemed to have never caused anyone any trouble. And yet, during a peaceful spring evening, one seemed to be unable to walk probably.

“Well...” His intention was as clear as the tiny light specks floating around you. “Can’t have my partner tripping over and hurting himself, can’t I?”

You reached out and curled your fingers around his, praying that he could not hear how loud your heart was beating through your touch. To your surprise, Xavier was not taken aback by your sudden boldness. Instead, he immediately held your hand tighter, slightly squeezing his palm into yours, locking your intertwined fingers, afraid you might break free anytime. Gentle night breeze carried your initial embarrassment away, leaving behind only a dizzying sense of happiness. You walked hand-in-hand for the rest of your way home that day, and all the days after that.

***

Xavier loved holding your hands. The mere idea of it sent butterflies straight to your stomach every time. From just holding hands on the way home after work, he slowly took all the chances he had to interlock your fingers. During the boring weapon theory trainings where two of you sat at the back of the room, Xavier dozed off while holding your hands tightly. During the team dinner at your favourite hot pot restaurant, he rested his hand on the back of yours under the table the whole time, his thumb gently caressing your pinky finger. During your weekly movie night at his place, where horror was somehow always the default choice, you gripped onto his hand tightly at every jump-scare. Meanwhile, Xavier spent less time watching the show and more time relishing in how tiny, soft and warm your hands were in his.

Xavier loved holding your hands, until it wasn’t enough.

***

During a low-risk mission, you two defeated the wanderer that terrorised a nearby school. While Xavier was checking the area for any further danger, you stayed back to help taking care of a visibly shaken boy. The wanderer was not the most dangerous you had encountered, yet it was definitely sufficient to scare the boy as tears rolled down his cheeks and he sobbed uncontrollably. His cries tugged on your heartstrings as your memory brought you back to the catastrophe many years ago, when you were in his shoes, afraid and hurt. You squat down to put a cute bunny bandaid on his wound and hug him tightly.

“Don’t be scared. A hunter will always come to your rescue. I promise.”

The boy seemed to be more calm as he hugged you tighter. You gently patted his head until you heard a soft cough behind.

“The medic and support team are here. We can let them handle the rest.”

You turned around to see Xavier reaching out his hand to help you stand up. The battle scene was quickly cleared and evacuated. Soon after, you two were the only ones left. You prepared to leave before behind pulled back by your partner. Xavier was not ready to leave.

It was obvious that something was on his mind. His eyes were glue to the floor while his hands held on to yours. Yet, when he lifted his gaze briefly, you could see a tinge of regret deep behind those eyes.

“You must have been afraid too. Many years ago, I mean.” His words were barely a whisper. “And you were left alone, with no one to wipe your tears.”

It was spoken like a personal apology, and yet, Xavier was hesitant to match your gaze like he was afraid of what you had to say.

“A shining hunter saved me and I’m sure he will always come to my side. I don’t have to be alone anymore.”

You beamed. Your free hand cupped his cheek and guided it to face you. Your other hand held onto his fingers a little tighter, trying to lend more conviction to your words. Xavier immediately became much more relieved, his eyes softened as he smiled gently and leaned further into your palm.

Your heart skipped a beat. He was dashingly handsome, that was for sure. His eyes resembled the dazzling sky that drew you in endlessly with no escape. His cheek was so soft, smooth and warm and it was somehow heating up your face faster than you expected. You heard the thumping in your chest as Xavier kept nuzzling into your hand, soft blue eyes became warmer by the seconds.

You noticed his eyes lingering on your lips, too distracted to even notice your ears were now redder than a tomato. A fainting ringing noise was all you heard at that moment as your surrounding began to spin a little. You felt dizzy. Not yet enough to faint, but enough to be hyperaware of the tension in the air. Xavier stared straight into your eyes with sudden playfulness.

“You know…I was injured from the fight too. Maybe I need a hug to soothe the pain.”

You glanced down at the shallow scratch on his leg. It was not even bleeding.

“… sly fox.”

You resigned as you pulled Xavier into a quick embrace. Conscious of how quickly and loudly your heart was beating, you tried to push him away immediately. You felt shy at how your face was already maroon and steam were practically coming out of your head.

Your effort to remove any distance between the two of you proved to be futile. Xavier quickly wrapped his arms around you with an iron grip. He exhaled softly as he rested his forehead on top of your shoulder and took in your scent. Xavier hummed right next to your ear, sending shivers down your spine. He inhaled your scent like a man starved as his nose buried itself in the crook of your neck and could not part away even for one second. Your legs felt weak as the dizziness heightened and your head started spinning.

He could not help but use this chance to pull your body impossibly closer, afraid you might run away from his embrace anytime. Your shadows intertwined, merging into one. You could feel his pulse picking up pace and syncing with yours, both racing faster than when you were fighting the wanderer earlier.

“Xavier… we need to go.” You called out weakly as an effort to steady your own heartbeat.

“Yeah?” Xavier hesitated, but he finally pulled away from you. Any longer and you swore you would have fainted.

This is bad for my heart — you thought to yourself. Yet soon enough, Xavier made sure that you get so used to hugging him that your body treated it like an ingrained habit.

From quick celebratory hugs after victories to hour-long cuddling sessions while playing video games, his embrace was like second nature to you. Your affection towards each other could not be contained, and even without words, you never doubted how much you cared for each other. His gentle touches and longing eyes were always met with your warm and reassuring embrace.

And for a while, that was all you needed. That was all you both needed — or so you thought.

***

Until that mission. Living together as a family, husband and wife, for 21 days. You could tell that Xavier was getting greedier as you two became even more used to each other’s touch, especially when you had to be all lovey-dovey all the time, even in public.

He could no longer be contented with just gentle, innocent touches. His eyes became hungrier every time you reached for his hands or when you put your arms around his shoulder. He would hold you for longer, hands faintly caressing your back like you were the most precious thing. As time went by, you saw his gaze gradually became unable to peel itself away from your lips, lost in desire.

So did yours.

21 days were indeed more than enough time to form a new habit. A habit of being lovers. A habit of wanting more of you. A habit of kissing you, sometime senseless.

His kiss ignited a new found passion in you, one that blossomed like the spring flowers, so gentle yet overwhelmingly beautiful at the same time.

For the first time in your life, you know what it meant to crave someone’s touch so much. Xavier occupied your mind all the time, and you felt a surreal sense of bliss whenever your lips touched. You mourned the loss of contact whenever you have to part from him. And as days went by, you only want more and more of his presence on your body.

***

Was that why you immediately agreed to a hot spring trip with Xavier? Was that why you were secretly happy to be sharing the same suite? Was that why you got closer to his half-naked body and kissed him on the cheek as a “reward”?

That small peck was obviously not enough. Xavier was hungry for much more, now that he had a taste of your sweet lips. Steam rising from the hot spring dampened your tousled hair. Droplets of water rolled down your face, gently caressing your flushed cheeks.

He usually waited, but his usual patience was now shrouded by the steamy atmosphere. Xavier flipped you over, pulling your back closer against his naked chest. He nibbled your earlobe, a tingling sensation travelled up your spine. You shivered yet leaned in further into his embrace.

His strong, muscular chest was now tightly pressed against the bare skin of your back. The heat from his body and the hot spring water transferred to you. Any patches of skin touched by Xavier felt like they were set on fire.

“Well?”

Xavier asked expectantly. His breathing was much more quickened as he continued to place feather-like kisses on your earlobe. His hand travelled up your stomach before resting right between your cleavage. You could feel the restraint in his trembling touch before feeling his other hand traveling down your hips and stopping right at the hem of your bikini bottom.

The sound of shaky breaths and water swooshing around filled the pool. He leaned further into your body. His hardened length — unable to hide itself through the short towel wrapped loosely around his waist — pressed against your plush behind.

All of this was too much. You felt weak as if the water was pulling you down. And yet, you were not afraid. If anything, you wanted to be even closer, to feel more of him.

Xavier kissed your exposed neck fervently as his hands stayed impossible still on your chest and hips, waiting for approval. He sucked your bare shoulder with loud pops, leaving behind faint marks and hushed breaths. The butterfly knot behind your neck struggled to hold your top together as Xavier hot mouth bit into them teasingly.

Intoxicated, you couldn’t help but let soft moans escape your mouth. Your sweet voice was like a drug to Xavier. He grew impatient, grinding his hard against your ass cheeks just to feel more of your heat on him. His kisses became heavier, more aggressive on your already reddened and sensitive skin. Lost in a sea of whimpers and moans, you could tell that your partner was no longer composed and instead, primal.

His whispered into the crook of your neck, voice rasped. “Please…please…I…I can’t…”

You could not bear to hear his pleading, ready to give him anything he asked for at that moment. Your hand guided his hand towards your breast, leaning further into his large palm until your nipple could sense the heat of his palm through your swimsuit.

Xavier wasted no time. He pulled your bikini top apart with his teeth while long fingers fondled both of your nipples with unrestrained hunger. Exposed to the cold wind, your nipples immediately perked up between his fingertips. Xavier groaned into your ears as he pinched them even harder.

“Fuck”

You had never seen Xavier cursed before. Surprised, you turned your head back to look at him, only to be met with hazy blue eyes that was looking at you with insatiable hunger. They were no longer the big wide orbs that resembled the sparkling night sky. Right now, they looked like thundering storms coming straight at you. You bit your lower lip, feeling both scared and excited.

All hell broke loose. Xavier crashed his lips onto yours, replacing your tender bite on lower lip with the bruising force of his teeth. His tongue dashed out to trace the outline of your swollen mouth while moving one of his hand up your neck to hold your head in place.

Relentless grinding into your back was no longer able to soothe him as his other hand reached down inside your pants to find your dripping core.

You raise your arms backwards and pulled him closer, hands tangling in his silver locks. Xavier ran his long, tender fingers slowly across your folds, making you squirmed as you saw stars in your head. You groaned straight into his mouth and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, tongue exploring all parts of your mouth and curling around yours.

Xavier moaned at your trembling core. Even without entering, could feel you clenching so hard like you were holding on for dear life. He playfully rubbed circles around your clit with his index fingers while the middle finger rubbed against your wet folds continuously. You smelled so sweet and tasted so delicious, it made his cock throbbed painfully. He wanted to rip you apart right then and there, to finally feel your tight walls enveloping him. He needed to know how hot and soft your inside was, and he needed it now! Xavier curled his fingers into your opening and started moving in and out with an unforgiving speed. The sound of the sloshing water mixed with your lustful squeals drove him crazy. Your tight folds clenched incredibly hard like they could not bear to part from his fingers.

Like you couldn’t be part from him.

His hand squeezed your breast so tightly that it left behind faint finger marks, proof that you trusted him with your body, and you were his as much as he was yours. Whenever your core was left empty by his fingers, warm water rushed in to fill the gaping desire and soothe the intense pressure that made your knees weak. The sensation was out of this world and you felt so good you swore you could die. You closed your eyes in bliss and imagined how good must it be if it was not his nimble fingers but his sturdy length. Gosh you wanted it so bad.

Xavier thrusted his fingers faster until you started melting, pressure building up in your stomach now too tight to be soothed by the hot water. You needed to feel him, to feel as if it was his dick inside you. Xavier gasped as you reached down to grab his shaft behind the towel and stroke it slowly.

“Who taught you…are you trying to break me?”

He laughed breathlessly. Swallowed by his own pleasure, Xavier quickened his movement inside you and you arched your back towards him, feeling your orgasm building up. You stroked his cock faster to match the brutal pace. As he reached his other hand down to rub your clit, you succumbed to the blinding sensation and squirmed helplessly as you cum on his fingers. It was dizzying, so much so that you could not notice Xavier clenching his teeth as he ride out his orgasm on your hand.

“I feel like I just lost…my sanity”

Disheveled, you exhaled and looked at him, trying to steady yourself.

“Hmm. Don’t worry, we can take time finding your sanity back.”

His bottomless gaze pierced through the steam to meet yours. With a swift move, he tied back your top and lifted you up from the pool. Xavier wrapped your legs around his waist and carry you back to your shared room as he planted more kisses on your sore breasts.

“But mine is long gone.”

***

Self-note: couldn’t get this card this time but i will not let it slip through my fingers again next rerun. the only way to cope is to cry and write a fic about this. it was more sexy in my head but idk how to write proper smutty stuff yet

[sneakyfriday]

rafayel loves having you in his arms.

when you're asleep, he's always keeping your body pressed against his. even if it gets too warm for the two of you to stick together in the way-too-warm-to-exist kind of summer night, he doesn’t even budge. neither does he lift his heavy arm when you try to sneak out in the morning to prepare a cup of coffee for yourself; because there's nothing rafayel would rather be then in your arms, feeling your heartbeat melting with his.

it's silly but endearing in a way.

once, you suggested rafayel that he needs a bigger bathtub. since he spends a lot of time in the water, it would be much more comfortable if he could have a bigger space. much to your shock, though, he didn't agree. rafayel didn't give you a logical reason besides a pouty 'i don’t want to'; but you quickly realized why he said it.

he wants you to be close.

when you're sinking in the warm water with him, rafayel yearns to feel your skin against him, chest pressed against chest, legs tangled together as if your two beings - so different, so distant in the past - are now becoming one.

it's impossible to tell where he begins and you end.

you sink into his lap, leaning in until his lips brush against the side of your throat and his breath tickles your skin. his hands are on your waist, sliding down to the curve of your hips. then, slowly and gently, he starts to press open-mouthed kisses against your racing pulse as if he needs to leave none of your body untouched, as if he needs to devour you before his hunger swallows him whole–

but still, it's not enough. your closure is never quite enough.

he wants - no, needs - more... so, so much more...

so you find rafayel clinging onto you more and more as the days go by.

you might be busy preparing a cup of coffee but rafayel will still remain right behind you. with his arms wrapped tightly around your waist and his chin on your shoulders, he has you right where he wants - pressed up against him.

sometimes, he nuzzles his face into the side of your neck until the tip of his nose brushes against your racing pulse. other times, his fingers drum in a steady rhythm over your hipbones.

if only you peek at rafayel during those moments, you'll be able to notice how the edges of his lips curl up and the small pout morphs into even smaller content smile that tells you everything.

when you're this close to him, he wishes you can stay like this forever.

[sneakyfriday]

“Pip-squeak..” Caleb cooed softly, warm large hand sneaking quietly to rest atop of her thigh. his calloused palm sent shivers down her spine, rushing blood to her soft cheeks.

steady, observant gaze relentlessly conveyed fondness and understanding. meanwhile, the object of his attention was stubbornly looking away with jutted out lips.

Caleb let out a soft chuckle before he gently wrapped his arm around her waist. in a swift movement, she found herself sat on his lap.

“Caleb, you—!” her protests died down in front of Caleb’s teasing and satisfied grin.

with easy familiarity, he ruffled the crown of her head, “finally feeling like talking to me, princess?”

her eyebrows twitched. creases formed on her forehead owing to how hard she was frowning, “don’t think you can princess me and get away with everything, Caleb.”

the rapid thumping inside her ribs betrayed her words. she absolutely knew how embarrassingly easy she crumbles at mere crumbs of his affection.

Caleb smiled apologetically. his hand which still has receptors sensitive enough to feel her skin, rubbed her arm.

“i’m all yours now, princess. i promise no more impromptu fleet businesses that takes me away from my sweet girl,”

she stayed silent, lips jutted out further as she fidgeted with the hands she rested on her lap. a few seconds passed by and she hasn’t made an effort to move the muscles of her mouth to speak.

Caleb began to worry. he worried that this time he might’ve done an irreparable damage to the fragile little heart of this girl he’s coddled since childhood.

“Pip—“ his words got caught in his throat when fat blobs of tears trickled down her reddened cheeks.

“hic..stupid Caleb..” choked sobs escaped her. those sounds formed into arrows that shot him right in the heart. guilt consumed him. however, the pain of guilt wasn’t the only cause of his erratic heartbeat.

he swallowed his saliva. his hands trembled slightly before pulling her into his arms.

“you’re right, i’m stupid. i’m a big dummy that left my princess all alone. you were lonely, weren’t you, pretty girl?“ he cooed softly as he tightened the embrace he had her in.

his head was spinning. the girl sobbing in his arms was too adorable with those watery eyes, tear stricken face, and wet eyelashes. he knows it’s fucked up to make his beloved cry and enjoy it so much, but who could blame him when she’s such a pretty crier?

“Caleb is so sorry, hm? you can hit him if you want, princess,” he guided her hand to his chest.

however, instead of hitting him, she cried harder. “don’t wanna! why would i hurt you? you’re so annoying!!” screamed her while she snatched her hand away from his momentarily loose grip.

he forcefully tucked his lips in to stop himself from grinning like a maniac. she loves him enough to refuse hurting him even after the pain and loneliness he put her through? what a sweetheart.

abruptly, he stood up and carried her in his arms. a loud yelp left her as she immediately latched onto his neck for support.

“what the hell are you doing?!” she tried her best to glare at him despite the tears clouding her vision.

Caleb grinned, “you used to love being carried around. you’d always calm down when i rock you in my arms like this,” said him as he began rocking her like a baby and spinning her around.

a loud, high-pitched squeal left her when he began spinning around faster, “Caleb, put me down!”

her yells and his laughter blended together that evening. the windows of his current house is larger than the ones in their old house. the orange sun rays which casted its warm glow across the house interior was brighter, being on a floating island nearer to the sky and all. the person in his arms has now matured, only the familiar warmth in his chest remained unchanged. so, he’ll bask in the feeling of being 12, holding 10 year old her in his embrace again.

[sneakyfriday]

In weakness and in strength

I want to be your weakness, your strength, your everything. Because… you are my every reason to live and to love.

Caleb x You. Based on this illusio

“Hi, the Colonel has already left the office earlier afternoon.”

You were sure Caleb was actively avoiding you at this point. It was past midnight and you looked everywhere. He couldn’t have predicted that you would be running around looking for him and hid away in some secret base, right?

“Thanks Liam. Do you happen to know where he was heading to?”

You felt a pang of sadness across your chest as you tried to hold back the frustration from showing in your tired eyes. You just couldn’t seem to reach him and it was driving you insane.

***

Was he angry?

You swore you didn’t mean to raise your voice last night. It was humiliating to be treated like you were some fragile damsel in distress, unable to protect yourself. For god’s sake, you were one of the best hunters in Linkon City. Couldn’t he trust you, just a little bit?

Was he tired?

You noticed beads of sweat rolling down his temples when he ran towards you. His breathing was hushed, uniform crooked and hair unkempt. Your name escaped his lips like a trembling whisper, his knuckles white as he gripped your shoulders with a force greater than gravity itself.

You were standing alone at an unknown intersection after midnight. In fact, you had been there for the last 20 minutes, trying to use the stars as navigation, your dead phone as useful as a brick. You had to admit, Skyhaven was a little eery at night. It was as if the city was under some sort of evil spell and everyone fell into a deep slumber the moment the midnight clock striked. There was no sign of any living creatures, no movement, no usual Linkon City’s hustle and bustle. Just empty buildings. Just wind rustling the leaves. Just pending thunderstorm clouds in the distance. You were not scared, just a little, well, concerned — you thought. Astraphobia and being lost in a foreign city, whatever. Worst case scenario, someone would definitely find you fainting on the street tomorrow and bring you to the hospital anyway.

Was he sick of, well, you?

“If this is your definition of being able to take care of yourself, I have nothing to say.”

Caleb’s words were gentle, yet his gaze was razor sharp. All you could do was freezing like a deer caught in headlights, words struggled to escape your lips.

You were no longer a kid, and yet, you always found yourself feeling like one in front of Caleb . Always helpless, always in trouble.

“Wait, how did you find out where I was? Did you… put a tracking device on me again?”

You held your fists tight as the realisation stabbed your gut like a sharp knife. Did he not trust you that much? To put surveillance on you despite promising not to do so again?

Fighting back the tears that threatened to fall, you stared straight back into those indiscernible violet eyes. What was that you saw? Disappointment? Anger? Regret? At you? At himself?

“I would rather you be mad at me than having to look at your lifeless body.”

After a long deafening silence that felt like forever, Caleb finally spoke. His hands moved to cup your face, fingers gently caressing your cheeks.

How could he? Yes, you had to admit that you were in a bit of a situation, but that was nothing you could not handle on your own.

You were strong enough. You had to be strong enough. Not just that, you had to be strong without him. Because you knew all too well what it meant to live in the world without Caleb. To have the only one you love and care about suddenly gone one day, leaving you broken and torn apart all alone. You learned to pick up your own broken pieces and you would not be able to do that if you start depending on him again.

In fact, you wanted to be independent from him so bad that you couldn’t afford to show him any weaknesses. Only then you could be free from the tantalising, slow consuming trap that threatened the wall you meticulously built from tears.

“I would rather you not look at me at all. Caleb, why are you so afraid?”

***

“I’m not too sure. Sorry.”

Liam’s stone cold reply cut through your chain of thoughts and pulled you back to reality. You checked your phone again for the 100th time since morning.

“I’m sorry gege”

“Let’s talk���

“I couldn’t reach you :( Where are you?”

Message cold, unopened. Missed calls unreturned.

Caleb was not the kind to give you the silent treatment no matter how upset he was. He would always be the one to apologise first even if it was not his fault, or make it up to you with small gestures despite your stubbornness.

Caleb had always been forgiving, always available, always reassuring. He was gentle, yet overwhelmingly enveloping.

It was painfully obvious that once again, you already couldn’t go on without his constant presence.

Your mind went straight to the worst case scenarios. Maybe someone kidnapped Caleb? A ruthless wanderer attacked him? Or could he had run into an accident along the way?

Your stomach churned with worries. What if…fate decided to separate the two of you once more?

What an irony. Was this how he felt last night?

*Ding*

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it :)”

“Sorry I missed your calls, was busy at the fleet’s office ><“

“Go to sleep, don’t wait for me”

Liar. You are hiding from me.

***

“Please, just…let me in. Let me take care of you when you are weak.”

You found yourself standing outside his door, feeling helpless to the point of frustration. The cup of hot water in your hand had long turned cold.

You were tossing on the bed when you heard the familiar footsteps echoing through the quiet corridor and the main gate creaking open. You were staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open, when you noticed his heavy breathing and stifled cough. You were knocking on his bedroom door, concerned and impatient, when he tried to drive you away with a hoarse, tired voice.

All of a sudden, the door unlocked softly. You put down the medicines and water on the table before walking towards him, who was sitting on the bed, with his back resting against the headrest.

“Come here.”

Caleb reached out to grab your hand and gently pull you onto his lap. He did not even have the strength to change after he got back. Through the thick fabric of his uniform, you felt the heat radiating from his skin.

“How can I have any weakness if I want you to depend on me? I… need to protect you.”

Caleb squeezed your hand tightly as he rest them against his chest. It was as if he was afraid that you would slip through his fingers the moment he let go of your hand. His gaze was fixed on you, memorising your every movement and emotion.

You were his anchor, his direction, his home. It was natural that he wanted to shield and protect the single most important person in his life and his reason to live. Unbeknownst to you, his obsession with protecting you was what gave him the strength to return from death.

His other hand gently traced along your cheeks. The bright moon casted a soft light on your face, illuminating your skin to an ethereal glow. Gosh, you were so painfully beautiful.

You were the treasure that he desperately wanted to protect and hide away from all evils.

Caleb knew you were capable of taking care of yourself. He had seen your growth and even celebrated your achievements together. But he could never tell you, the overzealous need to protect you was more for his sake than yours. The identity of a protector was his life purpose. And an excuse for all his messy feelings.

He wanted to bring you to a place with only the two of you. He wanted you to entrust yourself fully to him. He wanted to monopolise you. Because that was the only way he can truly protect you, right? Because he was your gege? Because of his duty? Or because of love?

Funny how he could control gravity, yet unable to stop being helplessly revolved around you. His sun.

“But I don’t want to just depend on you, I want to stand beside you. I want you to depend on me too.”

You pouted. You realised that you were both idiots. He was overprotective, and you were stubborn.

While your resistance to relying on him came from a place of self-protection, it might already be too late.

You could no longer live without him.

The moment he came back into your life after that fateful incident, all your heartbreak training and personal walls proved to be useless. He easily broke down your resolve and you crawled straight back to his arms like you were meant to be.

Caleb did not reply you. His one hand still gripped yours tightly while resting them on his chest, the other had now moved to hug your waist, pulling you closer to his body. His gaze left yours to drift downwards, stopping right at your lips.

His eyes turned hazy, hungry almost. Caleb found it increasingly difficult to focus on anything but your pouty, pink, insanely kissable lips. His weakened body was now eating away his usual self-control.

He finally spoke, voice barely a whisper. He was too sick and tired to hide his truthful feelings from you.

“You asked me why I am so afraid. You asked to see my weakness.

How can I not be afraid, if my weakness is right here. She’s my everything.”

Something tugged on your heartstrings at his sudden confession.

“I don’t want your protection, as your little sister. I want to stand beside you, you know, …as a woman”

You closed the remaining distance between the two of you by leaning your chest against his.

Caleb jumped slightly, surprised, his breathing quickened and heartbeats grew more erratic by the seconds. You reached up to run your hands through his hair, absent-mindedly playing with his locks before gently stroking the back of his head. You planted your face at the crook of Caleb’s neck, steady breaths playfully caressed his skin.

He was warm. He was so comforting. He smelled like summer, fresh showers and refreshing apples. You nuzzled deeper into his neck, hoping to get more of his scent. You missed him even when you are next to him.

“Someone dared to ignore me for the whole day. Say, maybe… it’s my turn to put a tracking device on you”

With eyes full of mirth, you looked up and flashed him the most mischievous smile. To your surprise, you were met with an unfamiliar burning gaze that caused chills to run down your spine and your heart beating frantically in your chest.

“I like that. A lot.” — his voice dangerously low, almost dripping like honey.

You felt the blush slowly creeped up your neck to the tips of your ears. Embarrassed all of a sudden, you tried to back away from his embrace, only for Caleb to gripped onto your waist tighter, refusing to let any distance come between you.

He lowered his head and planted gentle kisses all over your temple. Hot breaths tickled your face and you became so conscious of the atmosphere, his quickened heart, his wandering hand moving from your waist up to trace the curve of your breast and the growing bulge that were touching your thigh. Soft moans escaped his lips as he nibbled on your now scarlet ear, hips pushed against your torso in a sensual rhythm. His touch started out soft and gentle, yet they slowly grew more impatient and passionate.

You felt hot. You became lightheaded. Maybe you were falling sick.

Silly, blissfully underestimated the effect you had on him. Caleb wanted nothing more than to make you his right at that moment.

You were impossible and intoxicating. You had occupied his every thought and imprisoned his heart. Now that he knew you shared, even if just a fraction of his feelings, he was beyond ecstasy. He desired to touch you more, harder, deeper, to drown in you and to mark you with his scent.

Maybe next time. Would not want to scare you away just yet.

He had waited for so long and he would not mind waiting for a little longer.

***

Self note: If illusio ever comes back I will put the Colonel in every single memory. Also felt a little detached writing this idk, like hey its not me im not the main character im just a messenger.

[sneakyfriday]

Illusio: Hidden Waves with Colonel Caleb

In weakness and in strength

I want to be your weakness, your strength, your everything. Because… you are my every reason to live and to love.

[sneakyfriday]

GET IN THE WATER

Rafayel x Reader

Summary: The moment he saw you, he knew he was doomed. He needed you to be his, even if it was against your will.

CW: God!Rafayel, manipulation, cohesion, obsessive Rafayel, yandere? I think

Words: 1,8k

𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆝⋆.˚ 𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆝⋆.˚ 𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆝⋆.˚ 𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆝⋆.˚ 𓇼

The gods are greedy. They know they can have anything they want no matter what they have to do to get it. He was especially spoiled in that sense.

The first time he saw you, he thought the same thing as when you see a seashell. Insignificant but charming.

He had gone to the surface to entertain himself after getting bored of being on his throne. I had simply wanted to see what life was like for those who lived on the surface, but his eyes fell on you, who was collecting seashells. Insignificant as all humans, innocently picking up something that belonged to the sea, and he was simply unable to take his eyes off you until you were done and gone.

Unlike the rest of humans, you had something that made his gaze always end up straying towards you sooner or later. He was fascinated by it and hated it in equal measure. How was a mere human able to enchant a god without doing anything at all? You had to have some kind of magical influence.

As time passed, fascination turned into obsession. He was unable to go a day without knowing about you, where you were, who you were with, what you were doing, etc. Inevitably, he ended up sending some of his subjects —Lemurians or animals— to warn him of any sightings of you.

The day they told him that you had been seen with someone near the beach —that you and that person had laughed, played in the sand and were almost about to kiss if it weren't for the Lemurian who saw you and made enough noise to get your attention— he destroyed most of the throne room by pure rage.

No one said anything as he abandoned his throne and went to the surface again, determined that it was time to intervene.

He was aware that the Lemurians could not reveal themselves to humans. He had imposed that law. However, when he saw you on the beach in the middle of the night, strolling along the shore and enjoying the breeze, he ignored how selfish he was and called your attention to come closer to some rocks that could hide him from the rest of the humans.

That's when you saw him for the first time.

A being from the oldest stories of mythology related to the sea. The nightmare of many sailors, who told countless stories about beings like him. Beings that people knew were a danger and that as soon as you saw him you should have run away.

But you didn't. You couldn't do it when you saw the elegance in his posture and the intelligence in his gaze. Before you was not a wild creature that many stories told, but a creature that looked at you with curiosity and with a familiarity that made you feel lost.

And his eyes… Maybe that was what made you unable to move. As soon as you saw his eyes, all chance of escape was gone.

When he had you in front of him, he forgot all the world around you. For him there was only you at that moment, his muse finally within his reach. He used all his charms to attract you, to make you see that he wasn't dangerous —to you—, to be able to reach out and finally touch you.

None of you spoke, but you didn't stop looking at each other. He let your hands intertwine with his and explore the texture of his tail. But he wouldn't let you touch his face even though he was dying to let you, because he knew that would only leave you wanting more. He knew human nature. They were greedy and so easy to tempt.

After that encounter, you started looking for him more. You went more to the beach and your gaze did not leave the sea. Every movement you noticed out of the corner of your eye was enough to make you alert, thinking it was him.

He noticed. He could see the desperation with which you looked for him. And he loved it.

He moved the waves in a specific way to make you believe that it was him swimming. He would make dolphins, sharks and even whales swim near the surface to make you think their tails were his. And every time he saw your disappointed expression, a wave of satisfaction would fill his chest and that would make him finally show himself to you. Like an owner rewarding his pet.

Everytime you two were alone together he had to use all his willpower not to take you to the depths of the sea. You were so cute, so obedient and attentive to him, to his movements when he conjured tricks with the water for you, when he moved to get a better look at you, so still when he caressed the skin of your face, your arms and your legs.

It was normal that he didn't want to let you go.

When he came to the surface one particular day, he saw you weren’t alone. Someone was holding your hand as you spoke animatedly, pointing at the water. His blood boiled at the thought of you bringing a stranger to see him. Boiled with the way that person held you so freely as if it was someone special to you. That couldn't be.

Thanks to your attempt to show your "friend" the existence of the creature you had met a few days ago, he didn't appear for a while. No matter how much you looked and called for him, he ignored you for several days until, overwhelmed by the thought that it had been a dream, your tears fell and mixed with the sea and he appeared before you, moved by your desperation.

“Foolish and selfish human.” He said with a mystical tone that instantly enchanted you, causing you to fall into a trance that didn't allow you to take your eyes off him. “Who are you to decide who can see me?”

He liked being able to have you like that, with all your attention on him and without you being able to think of rejecting him.

Gods were greedy, and he was the worst.

“Next time you want your friends to meet me, let me know. I'd love to meet them.” He smiled at you tenderly, caressing your face with the same delicacy and reverence as a lover.

Humans were naive. A simple smile and you believed him. How adorable and silly you were.

You didn't suspect anything when you took your partner with him. You were excited by the idea that someone else could see the beauty of a mystical being like him. That someone else confirmed that their existence was not just a hallucination of yours.

Then you heard music.

It was soothing and inviting, and you felt like you were drifting off to sleep the more you listened, but when you saw your partner, you saw with horror that something was wrong.

Your partner was drowning. They clutched their head with both hands in despair and began to shake from side to side. They didn't make a sound, just a silent expression of horror. Then they fell to the ground, motionless. Dead.

And Rafayel appeared. He looked at you with an intelligible expression. A look that was enough to make you realize he was the responsible of that.

“Why…?!” You felt your throat close, a mixture of fear and disbelief.

He didn't answer you right away. He just watched you silently, admiring every expression you made. The tears that gathered in your eyes, the tension in your shoulders, the fear. You looked so insignificant it was adorable.

As you leaned towards your partner's limp body, he frowned.

“Don’t.” He warned you. “Don’t get close to it.”

‘It’. You stood still and looked at him in disbelief at the contemptuous and inhuman way in which he had referred to your partner. Was this really the same mystical being you had met and who brought you gifts every time you saw each other? The one who looked at you with such warmth as if he had the sun in his eyes?

“Get in the water,” He said after a moment of silence in a dry, clean tone. An order that left no room for a negative response.

“What…?”

There was a change in the waves that made you look around. The tide was tossing restlessly and had taken on a dark color. He didn't seem affected by it, as if he were the one responsible.

“Get in the water.”

His eyes began to shine. The pink color that made you think of the sky at sunset was replaced by a cold, bright blue. The sea shook threateningly and the sky began to cloud over, as if it were a premonition of a tragedy. Unconsciously, you stepped back, ready to flee and seek refuge, but then Rafayel's voice penetrated your head, like an ancient, magical voice that was part of your consciousness.

“Get in the water,” he said for the third and last time, any trace of gentleness and care gone. His expression was so cold that for a second it seemed like you were dealing with someone else. “Do it. Or I'll call a tsunami so you have nowhere to go.”

“Rafayel, why— why are you—?”

Thunder fiercely interrupted the conversation. You couldn't ask anything else, not when Rafayel seemed to want to drag you into the depths himself.

“Do I have to make you do it?” he asked, his voice echoing in your head.

You shook your head. Fear had you trembling, but you felt unable to disobey him. Little by little, your feet dragged themselves into the water, and with each step, Rafayel's expression softened more and more.

When the water reached your waist, he reached his hand to you.

“Come, my love,” he said softly, and you felt a shiver run down your spine at his words and the coldness of his hand.

He pulled you towards him, wrapping you in his arms and taking you with him to the bottom of the sea.

And as the air drained from your lungs, Rafayel's voice remained in your head.

“My dear, my love,” he said it so gently and lovingly as if he wasn't drowning you. “After so long, you're finally with me. Mine, all mine. Now we'll always be together.”

And after nights of dreaming about it, he finally kissed you.

That night you were reported missing, as was the death of your partner, who was found on the beach. People made many assumptions, the most popular being that you were the culprit and that you had fled. Therefore, the police opened an investigation in which they started looking for you as the main suspect.

But it didn't matter, because you would never come back.

Lemuria welcomed you with open arms, knowing that with you chained to the throne, their god would never be alone again. You just needed to love him and pay attention to him. After all, you had no other choice.

[sneakyfriday]

Slow morning 🌅

Maybe this is exactly how you want to wake up every morning from now on.

Rafayel x You. Loosely based on how i imagine this Illusio went.

Your senses returned as you pulled yourself up from a peaceful slumber. Gentle sunlight permeated the hotel room, leaving behind no sign of the raging thunderstorm last night. You took a deep breath of the salty ocean breeze and basked in the jolly morning calls of seagulls. A new day has begun, but you were not in a hurry to start it. There was no work, no plan, no commitment. You could stay in bed the whole day if you wanted to. And you wanted to, especially with the comforting warmth that was radiating from behind.

If only you could carve out this moment and keep it in a bottle, preserving its rare tranquility. For the first time, you did not remember the stormy night as endless nightmares and loneliness. Instead, you blushed at the memory of the intimate night you two shared under the roaring sky.

His hand faintly caressed your ears before moving downwards to twirl and play around with your hair. Eyes closed, you tried to feel the steady heartbeat through his gentle touches. His long, slender fingers have given up on playing with your hair to slowly traced the outline of your shoulder instead. His touches were ghostly, and yet, you could feel how deep his adoration for you was — it was reverence almost. Rafayel drew incomprehensible patterns on your back with his fingertips, as if writing a spell, to bound you to him and this moment forever. He must have gotten magic power, because it was working. All you could do was lean more into his touch, wishing for it to never end, for the world to stop spinning and for him to take you to a place with only the two of you.

“When is my cutie finally going to stop pretending to sleep and say good morning to me?”

You hitched. His lips were now dangerously close to the nape of your neck as hot breaths tickled your skin.

“Rafayel” — you whined. “Why are you even awake this early? And don’t be so close to me!”Hiding your embarrassment, you turned around to face him.

Apparently, this sly fishie had woken up way earlier than you thought, since he already showered and was lying in bed with nothing but a towel loosely wrapped across his hip. You blushed. Damn it, you had seen it all last night, why act timid now?

“You were both clinging to me and kicking me the whole night! You called my name and even hissed a little sometimes, it was scary. How can I sleep peacefully if little miss here is giving me such mixed signals. I’m not sure if she was having a nightmare or just missing me in her dream!”

He teased, eyes twinkling with a gentle smile. You matched his gaze, like a masterful painting of the morning dawn, pink hues warming up the night, carrying a mellow yet mysteriously dazzling light to the illuminate the darkness. Gosh you want to stay in those eyes. When your reflection was so clear in those eyes. When your reflection was the only thing in those eyes.

“Miss bodyguard, you are staring and not talking to me. Don’t tell me you think this is a dream too?” His tone was ever playful, and his hands ever loving. Rafayel cupped your dazed expressions, thumbs gently wiping across your lips.

“Hmmm? Maybe this is still a dream. Guess I will have to find a way to wake myself up..”

It was your turn to get this man flustered as your hand slowly glided down his smooth torso and rested on his chiseled abs.

Maybe this is exactly how you want to wake up every morning from now on.

⏰

The ringing alarm interrupted entwined bodies on the bed. Rafayel quickly lifted himself up to turn it off before crashing his lips back to yours again.

Self note: Again Illusio please come back.