#she's pretty touchstarved and emotionally stunted

[orleans-jester]

Frank couldn’t help the deep chuckle as she was already so needy, that she couldn’t make up her mind about anything. Not even in her thoughts, not in her words, nothing. This was the sort of thing that made him feel powerful, even more than bearing all of the pain that she could inflict made him feel. When her wings would break out from her skin and her talons would penetrate into his back at the same time, in the same places so that he could feel what she felt - oh, this connection was going to be the death of him, but it was the life of him also.

He almost wanted to go slow. To tease her. To enjoy her fully. Get down onto his knees and lift her dress and go underneath it, lick up every drop of her arousal while getting harder by the second -

But even he did not dare to tell Delta no, not when she had this tone.

He could feel his cock twitch, clearly aroused before he was even out of these annoyingly tight leather trousers. His plush lips parted, letting out a deep and lustful groan, just in the anticipation, his large eyes closing. One would think he was touchstarved with how he was reaction to just the simple act of the loosening of his pants. He opened his eyes again, just to see the panties fling over the walls. It was a pretty goddamn good thing that Diablo had flown around and grabbed them. The jealous rage that he would have been in if someone had come across them, someone like Arthur, someone like a Laveau. Those were theirs. No one elses.

God, she was sexy.

Especially when she was in the midst of her transformation like this. He shivered with the expectancy of the pain that she was going to put him through, to share. Even if she ripped through his costume, oh, those talons and leather together? Actually, that was such a delicious combination. His hands started to wander, over the curves of her hips, the dip of her waist, up her back to the place where the wings had broken through, feeling the blood on his fingertips, spreading it.

And now, she said, and like an obedient little lover, he started. But not in the submissive way.

He quickly bent her over, large hands pushing, skirt lifting, exposing herself to him, while she looked out over the ramparts, towards the land that was all theirs. His fingers, still slick with blood, were his lubricant as he brought his fingers between her legs and began to delve in. He was a considerate lover, after all, and he knew that he was large. He had to make absolutely sure that he would fit.

“So wet-” He murmured, speaking outloud. He liked the way that the words sounded on the wind as he pumped them in and out of her. His own arousal fit snugly between her crack, growing harder until finally, he felt that she was ready. His fingers pulled out and his cock head went in, slow strokes turning to powerful and yet desperate ones, a long and satisfied groan escaping his lips. "That's my Acid Girl."

He heard the thoughts before he heard the footsteps. He almost rolled his eyes as his lip got snagged by his teeth. Arthur. The little runt, even bugging them after death. But was he about to stop? No, but he would pull Delta’s skirt back down to cover them as much as it could, protecting her modesty. No peeks for the aardvark.

--

Figaro and Gepetto had been talking long before Gep took Willem as his apprentice. Figaro had seen how Willem was really good at tinkering with things, how he was looking for a place to belong, a way to make a mark that wasn’t just following in his father’s footsteps. They weren’t the most dense person in the world, even if they were a bit emotionally stunted in ways. And they were the one that encouraged their father to take an apprentace, something that Gepetto hadn’t done since Hansel.

He definitely proved himself, he got the job with his own merit, and was clearly very talented, with how he was able to keep on getting clients, even outside of Gepetto’s. But Figaro still liked to think they helped.

No matter how long Willem would be gone, whether it’s to the fairy realm or New Zealand to hang out with their friends, or anywhere in this big wide world - Fig was going to keep a place for them in Funkytown. That hammock was staying up. Not to mention if anyone tried to bar him, Hansel would definitely come out and kick their asses.

“I hyuckin’ love you too,” Figaro said, and Gepetto joined in as well, but he went ahead with his own version, “I enormously love you both, my girl, my boy.”

Time passed. The ball was jumpin’ til the sun came up, though there was more than just the autumn sunshine behind these walls, what with Elsa’s busy hands. And then, unfortunately, it was time to say goodbye. Gepetto took one of Figaro’s hands in his wrinkled old one, calloused through years of work, scarred through smashing, cutting, splintering, burning, stabbing, all the tricks of the trade, and then Willem’s hand in his other.

“I have traveled a lot of places throughout my time, I have had a very good, very long, very adventurous life,” He said, his tone rich, like he was telling a story. He chuckled slightly. “Even if I cannot remember some of it because I gave those memories up to create lives. But I never forget what it is important, like people, like you two. People … have always known instinctively what places have power and that is where they build. Temples, shrines, cathedrals, castles,” He shrugged as to motion around him. “And I have seen some of these places but the best one, in my opinion, the one with the most power is home. Funkytown. And it’s because of you both. The landscape around it changes but because of you two, it stays the same, it stood the tests of time. Keep it safe, as you keep one another safe. Keep it fun, as you two are always having fun with each other. And keep it funky, as you two will always be.”

And after these words, he faded, going back to his new home, or to haunt the old, neither of them knew. But Figaro knew which one they were hoping for.

“Damn - sweaty - eyeballs,” Figaro said, turning for a second to wipe their eyes again, messily with the palm of their hand.

Delta would be amused Frank might refer to the Hunch as "the kid" with how much maintenance he was. He was definitely enough to give energy to. There would definitely be a talk. Delta was putting it off too. She wasn't in the mood. Tonight was supposed to be her night. Their night. Silas could wait.

As for this island. "True." They did know it was there now.

As for the question posed. Her head tilted in thought about where she put all the fairy mushrooms and thought about the trusted minions who cared for them to keep them thriving. It was known she put some out beyond the waters for the very reason she didn't want to be invaded by ship or possibly the Navy on the unguarded side of the castle. People would have still gotten stuck if they washed ashore dancing in her trap. She used the dark fae to do so. There were sea shrooms too. This was why she made such alliances with them and the moors, all the enchanted forest folk from the fae realm. She wondered though as she thought about the tiny plots of land she may have surrounded. Did she surround an island circus unknowingly? Maybe she did. Maybe if those two were chasing after it while locked in Feral she probably did. If she did she wasn't changing them for anything or anyone.

"My borders are clear."

If they were outside Feral well good luck escaping the borderline like anyone else who wanders too near it. The dancing curse still applies. Did she want the island circus? Like Silas if it was outside her barriers and these two were after it she'd think on that later. For now she'd assume it was inside. Otherwise the fools could have fun dancing at the bottom of the sea holding their breath.

Not that Delta knew, but if Oogie ever really wanted it back or waiting for her chance at what she thought she rightfully owned this was going to be the moment Delta might just make good on all her old threats. For now quiet and lack of giving a shit seemed like peace enough between them all.

Delta's thoughts were elsewhere. They were on Frank. She needed an outlet. He was always her outlet. She felt so good in his arms and with the breeze high up at their jump wall. When she closed her eyes against him she could almost feel that plummet again. The moments of not knowing were what electrified it. That's what sealed the deal for Delta. Had he have known it might not have meant as much to her. Hell, she didn't even know he was going to jump much less that she was going to be forced back. It was the bond of doing it anyway that held her to him. She didn't believe for a minute that most people out there could ever know what this feeling was. It was sacred in the most taboo way.

Oh, that smirk on his face, on those angular features, and big eyes that could see right through her.

"I don't know. I really shouldn't. I wouldn't want you to be." She turned her head slightly to look up at him from below. Her own half smile being cheered up by his words.

It was his next ones that got her. There she was lost in the tides of his mouth, kisses incoming, and coming. The grip in her hair familiar, the starts of him getting heated up and thoroughly into them. That's how it felt, like she could feel his need rising too, trying to meet hers, when those words slipped off the end of that forked tongue.

Slow? Mischievous fucker. Did she say slow? No. But slow was tantilizing was it not? He knew she loved it slow too. He knew she was being needy. Exploitive fucker. She really did love that about him.

Her breathing upped rapidly. Her small chest heaved between them at the abrupt stop for words. If he was in her mind at all he'd hear a slew of obscenities and confusion not knowing up from down for a flash moment before she huffed. "Yes." Then came a fast correction as she regained her head. "No." Right as she reached for his pants to undo the top of them. "I just want you." She finally managed very pleased she was in a skirt. She reached down to pull her panties down and when she yanked them over her boots she tossed them over the edge of the wall. "Now." She was emphasizing the urgency for feeling.

This was actually when Diablo went flying away from Figaro after their dances and dips. Delta might have wanted space but he also felt the call to fix things like that, like not letting Delta's panties end up in some party guests hands if they were going to be floating around Feral. He'd catch them before they ever hit the ground. They'd get returned right to Frank and Delta's room and sat on their dresser. Oh familiar magic. He knew when he was needed okay?

The urgency for feeling and not thinking was taking her over. It was those feelings she never understood and didn't care to. All she knew was sensation needed felt. It was more than arousal. She always started seeing blood. Red. Images of gore when she was younger. Over their relationship it turned into memories of them too. As her head started this her body began to involuntarily react. The talons near her nails sprouted their points. Her eyes would change color. She only asked for that quickie but her wings were breaching her back. Skin was breaking and blood was dripping down the back of her costume. That wasn't part of the plan, but she was getting riled up under his gaze, under his touch.

There was pain in her eyes from the wings cracking skin even though they hadn't burst all the way through. His face shook ever so slightly mastering it as it started to get away from her. Even that was a release of it's own kind. But she was holding it in and staring him down. "Frank." She was nodding her head... a 'now' in her mind.

--

The conversation with Gep and Figaro felt like time had rewound and Funkytown was alive and well again just the same as it ever was. For awhile there he almost forgot this was a ghost visit it felt so fun, and them, and casual.

Then Willem was snapped back to reality with the reminders of what was real by the sort of compliments he was getting in return. What really got him was how Gep and Figaro spoke, or more like how Figaro spoke about Willem. It wasn't just compliments or memories. It was taking credit for choosing him like they had conversations with Gep long before he knew. Those sort of images were the kind he was never truly privy to before. It was all before him or maybe behind closed doors while still trying him on for size and hoping he fit.

He felt like he fit.

The only thing that ever called him was the sea sometimes. The need for adventure. It didn't even really have to be at sea he supposed, but adventure he needed to follow when the breeze turned his sails. He was never sure what the next big adventure was going to be, but he had plenty of shorter lived ones while in Feral and Funkytown. The adventure of becoming a dollmaker was a big one already and finding new family in the attic and the walls. He wasn't sure what the future held next, but he knew as he watched this pair mingle and he chatted away himself he felt like he belonged somewhere. He felt like he could walk out the door for an adventure and the doors would always be open when he came back.

It wasn't like before when he didn't know where he belonged or was scared he'd be noosed or bludgened if he pissed off the Cap'n or crew. The Nevers. The human school hiding his wings. Pretending he was normal around the magic kids from the magic school. Those assholes that stole his music, never knowing who his real friends were. He missed Taryn and he felt okay about that too. Even Captain Hook and Madam Medusa's confusing mixed signals. He didn't have to be a pirate, a pixie, a storyteller, a musician, or anything that might have been expected of him. Maybe he was Wild Will to the pirates or the boy Pirate Fairy to the pixies since they had a girl one. But to himself he was just Willem and he was starting to like who he was. It dawned on him right then it was Figaro and Gep who helped him get to that point. Going in the walls anymore wasn't for hiding from the world. It was for visiting Hansel, their special space.

All Willem could even say at this point was, "I fecking love you guys."

This wasn't the Halloween he expected. It was so much better.

He'd sit with Gep until his time would run out. For that time would come for all the ghosts and spirits eventually.

This would be harder than he thought. It was really no wonder Valerie wanted to head out a little early. Whenever it would seem like Gep was going to say last things and leave Willem wanted to hold him down, but knew better than to think it work. So, he held onto Smalls instead.

No matter what happened next or what Gep might say Will would send Gep out with a smiling face and big waves goodbye till next time in hopes that maybe someday the fates would let it be he'd get a ticket back to earth again sometime... or however it works. Willem didn't know.

It would only be after the smile would fade some and he'd look at Smalls to gauge how they were feeling in the wake of something so unexpected. All things considering he wasn't sure if he was going to need to be the shoulder to cling to, if they wanted to walk it off, or they'd go straight into jokes to sooth it all over. With Figaro anything was possible, but Willem knew one thing for certain now too.

Whatever their person needed them to be after a moment like that, he'd end up right there doing. The dolls he wanted to visit were going to have to wait just a little longer.