genshin--side--piece

[genshin--side--piece]

The Manicurist

Warnings: Minors DNI, 18+, Yandere themes, Yandere Behavior, Sexual Themes, Power Imbalance, Dark themes, My bad writing, Anything Else I Missed

Pantalone works with his hands.

Whether it's writing contracts or committing murder in the name of the Fatui, the man uses his hands a lot. As such, he tends to have issues with them on a regular basis. He suffers from cramps and fatigue due to spending most of his days with a pen in his hand. He’s found relief with medicinal stretches, but things get worse for him when the cold sets in for the winter. The touch of arthritis he’s developed as he’s gotten older will often flair up, forcing him to rely on his assistants to help him with the mundane things such as paperwork.

Being the high maintenance, rich bitch that he is, Pantalone has a team to keep him looking his best 24/7. He has an image to maintain. The last thing that should happen is that his hair should be a mess or archons forbid, he’s wearing last season's silks. He demands perfection, even if he’s a little too busy to notice when it doesn’t happen.

His hands though. He’s funny about them. Most of the staff aren’t allowed to touch them. Only his personal servant and maybe one assistant have actually seen the bare skin that exists beneath his gloves. The rest joke that to see, let alone touch the hands of the regrator is akin to seeing the face of the gods. The divinity of them is so assured, that some staff even spread rumors that he has a Midas touch and he hides hands, lest he turns everything he touches into gold. Others say he is the reaper of souls. One touch and you’ll fall stone dead.

It’s all nonsense, but Pantalone does little to stop it. There are worse things to be known for.

Because of his finicky nature surrounding his hands, the position of personal manicurist is often vacant. You’d heard the rumors surrounding the job. He had chewed the past candidates up and spit them out faster than a bad steak. But that didn’t deter you. A few inquiries into your predecessors had garnered key information. One had been let go due to extensive gossip. Another, insider trading. The list went on and on in terms of faults and failings, all while one constant seemed to emerge. None of the firings seemed to be skill based. If getting the job and then keeping it meant you had to be the sole of discretion, then you were more than ready to apply for it.

To your surprise, he takes you up on your application. It must have been a slow day in his office when it had arrived, because you hear back on it that afternoon. You’re summoned to his office the next day, where his personal assistant conducts the interview. From there, your skills are tested, retested, and looked into. His staff is thorough with their investigation. By the end, it feels like you’ve been flayed alive, but it’s worth it. At least that’s what you tell yourself when the offer letter arrives a week later.

The position itself isn’t a bad one. Being at his beck and call whenever he gets a hangnail isn't ideal, but you aren't one to turn down his money. Most mornings you find yourself seated next to him, silently filing his nails while he takes meeting after meeting. It’s not exactly satisfying, but it beats doing nails out of that crummy apartment you had before this. Slowly your mind began to drift further and you quickly stopped paying attention to what was going on around you. The discussion surrounding the economic distress in Mondstadt bored you to tears. You could have been anywhere but in Pantalone’s office at that moment, you would have been. Much to your own amusement, your mind decided to do just that. It started with going over the list of supplies you needed to give Pantalone’s assistant. You’d been carrying the silly piece of paper around with you for days, but neither you or the assistant had really had a free moment to discuss it. Pantalone had kept you both of your toes for nothing more than his own amusement. It was annoying, but you made a mental note to corner his assistant after this meeting. Celestia forbid you run out of Pantalone’s favorite cuticle oil and have to replace it with the generic stuff. How would he ever survive the indignity of it?

As you continued to work, you could feel the tension in his hands. If you had been paying attention like you were supposed to, you would have left it alone. But you hadn’t been and you didn’t. Instead, you wrapped your fingers around his and pushed your thumbs up into his palm in a circular motion in the hope to relieve some of the strain in the core of his hand. The soft sound that came from directly above your head snapped you out of your reverie. You stopped moving, your eyes falling on your oh so obvious blunder. You had been hired to do his nails. Just his nails. You had been meticulously instructed on how to do them and all that was permitted while doing them. Massages were not part of that list.

Your hands immediately released his and fell to your lap. Archons what had you done? You moved to apologize, but you stopped yourself before you ever even started. You couldn’t apologize. Pantalone’s one rule concerning his staff was that during meetings, they were to be seen and not heard. While you doubted any of the other attendees would really notice a mumbled apology over their terse voices, the point was Pantalone would notice and he would not approve. So you sat there, like an idiot. Power was everything to Pantalone. He exercised it with frightening regularity when it came to his servants. Your entire body shook at the endless possibilities of how he would choose to exercise it on you. Unlike the kitchen maids who messed up his food or the footman who sold his lesser secrets, you knew things. You had witnessed the assassination orders and secret plots to overthrow the governments of Teyvat. You had seen how dirty Pantalone’s hands really were. Firing you was simply not an option for him. That realization made your mind spin. In fact, you were so wrapped up in what he could do to you, that you completely missed his fingers gently brushing away the tears that fallen onto your cheeks.

By the time the meeting ends and the attendees are gone, you’re practically on your knees with regret. But he isn’t angry. Far from it actually. He liked your little snafu. He wants more of it. You’re asked if you think it would help with the horrible hand cramps he has and you’re all too quick to reply yes. He asks you about his other maladies as well. Can you help with those? Again, you answer yes. There are oils that will help with his arthritis, lotions for his dry skin. You even know a way to fix that one nail of his that likes to split when it gets too long. You offer them all to him in the hope that it will stay the hand of punishment that you thought was coming. It does. He smiles at you, telling you to advise his assistant of what you need. He expects all of it in due course, but for now, do that thing with your thumbs again. He says he hasn’t felt pleasure like that in years. Unbeknownst to you, his mind begins to wonder exactly how good those hands of yours can make other parts of him feel. He begins to wonder just how good you could make him feel.

Your relationship with him begins to change. It started as strictly professional. He provided you with a job and in turn, you provided him with a service. You had never worried much about your looks. A uniform and dress code had been provided for you on your first day. You think nothing of it when the laundress gives you a different one. It was more revealing than the last one, but you doubted he was really looking anyway. Pantalone cared more about you being good at your job than how much of your chest he could see thanks to the low cut of your uniform. You tell yourself he likes you because you’re calm, quiet, and diligent in your work. His hand resting on your hip, or his fingers toying with your hair is nothing. He’s playful when he’s in a good mood. Pantalone's favorite hobby is to tease and you know you’re the perfect target for it. He’s become an expert in making you blush.

Sometimes he worries about you though. He worries you’re not what you appear to be. That you know too much and that it’s a matter of time before it all comes crashing down. The result of his worries are that you are watched more than anyone else. Your room is often searched on a regular basis and he tends to test you more than the rest of his staff. He's fed you with trading tips, gossip, and fake Fatui secrets more than once, only to never have it get back to him. The fact that you pass every single time endears you to him. He finds it relief that out of everyone around him, he can rely on you to do as you're told.

The results of his diligence surrounding you yields an unexpected result. He comes to know you far better than any of his other servants. He’s aware of the boring things like your background and your family situation. He doesn’t find those parts terribly interesting. What he prefers are things like your perfume/cologne, what type of underwear you like, how you sound when you touch yourself. It’s terribly untoward to want to know that information. Pantalone knows that, but he doesn’t care. He’s gone past the point of no return where you’re concerned. He makes your life his business, even if he shouldn’t.

Eventually though, it all becomes too much. You do your best to ignore his less than palatable qualities, telling yourself others had it worse. But that didn’t mean you didn’t find yourself praying to the local archon about what you should do. You knew he wasn’t the most wonderful of people, but he pays you well enough to not mind or so he says. You try to grin and bear it, even if it grinds you mental health to dust, you try. But there comes a point where you can’t. When you have enough and ask to leave. Your request is denied. He advises you to reconsider. Pantalone is a powerful man and powerful men are more than capable of changing people’s minds should they need too. He should hate to have to employ such tactics with you. He doesn’t make a specific threat, but the implication is there. Your family, your friends, even you are all in his grasp. None of you would be safe from his wrath should you decide to invoke it. When you waiver, he switches tactics and softens his words. Pantalone tells you that you’re the best he’s ever had, that he can’t do without you. He needs you. It does little to convince you.

Pantalone purposefully ignores the main issue, which is his ever increasing hold on your life. He knows he’s been aggressive when it comes to you. The flirting, the nightly massages in his bed, the complete replacement of all your undergarments. It’s all too much for you. He’s too close. He respects that you want to be professional. He admires it. How many of his employees would jump at the chance to be in your shoes? How many would take advantage of his good will and fleece him for all they could? You? You just want to do your job. It’s a comforting thought. Too bad he had other plans for you.

In his effort to keep you, he offers a solution to one of your many woes. If his business dealings are a problem, then he understands. His work isn’t the most pleasant thing in the world and you sitting at his side 8 hours a day like the pet he thought you to be was a poor use of your time. Even the most loyal of dogs needs space, and so do you. He suggests that you come to him after hours, in the mornings and the evenings, as a way to give you a break during the day.

At first it’s a welcome change. His office had become a suffocating place. The issue had been made worse with the knowledge that your entire life had become his without you even knowing it. Now that you didn’t have to be in there, it is your hope that things can go back to how they were at the start. You believed that, until you walked in on him in a specific state of undress. The first time it happened, you thought it was an accident. You averted your eyes, apologies spilling from your lips as you hoped to appease him. He’d merely laughed off, telling you he was sure he could find a way for you to make it up to him. The fifteenth time it happened, it was all too clear what his motives really were. The fact that he insisted on a pedicure while wrapped in nothing but a towel had been mortifying. He only added to your humiliation by spreading his legs so you would have the perfect view of his semi erect c*ck while you worked. Afterwards, you were compensated for your trouble in the form of a small necklace and a half hearted apology. He assures you it won’t happen again, even though you both know it will. When it does, his feet have your full attention. He thinks it’s cute how you blush. How you try to conduct yourself with some level of decorum despite his c*ck being in your direct field of vision. It’s such a shame you’re so uncomfortable with it all. Perhaps it’s just a matter of being shown things can only get worse, especially for those who are chosen to occupy Pantalone’s private life.

He starts slow. That necklace he gave you as an apology, he wants you to wear it wherever you go. Since you aren’t in his office anymore, the uniform standards can be relaxed. Your hair doesn’t have to be so nicely coiffed. He’d like you to leave it undone or down. Your uniform seems uncomfortable, perhaps you should loosen it or better yet, stop wearing it. After all, he’s bought you some very nice things to wear underneath of it. Such a shame he never gets to see them. He’d like you to change that. Oh, you picked that for today, tsk tsk. How did something so modest get in the mix? Here, let him help you fix that. In fact, you’re such a mess when it comes to your normal outfits. Not to worry, he’ll decide what you wear for him from now on. Oh, but you’re so far away. Your room is on the other side of the house, Pantalone knows just how to fix that.

You want to scream. You want to run.

He knows it’s coming. Pantalone knows you well enough to know that your first instinct will be to run. He lets you try. It’s amusing to watch. How clever you think you are for stashing away one of the maids uniforms when you think he isn’t looking. How ingenious of you to stash your meager belongings near your chosen escape route. Pantalone almost had them moved, just to mess with you. But he opted not to. The game was more fun if you thought you were catching him off guard, at least until you actually managed to catch him off guard.

Pantalone had several key events coming up. The house would be quiet, the guards would be busy, he would be distracted. It would be the perfect time to make your escape. What a fool you made of him. He had never considered that you would choose to leave on a normal day, in broad daylight no less. It made sense though. Who would question one of the maids leaving the house, especially when it was at the height of the day, when Pantalone had neither the time nor the inclination to chase after you.

It’s late evening before anyone notices you’re gone. By then it’s far too late to launch a search. Your tracks are well and truly hidden by the night’s sky. Come the morning, the Gods blessed you further by sending a torrential downpour to erase any further traces of you. Pantalone isn’t one to be swayed by time or weather though. He’s a patient man. What kind of Harbinger would he be if he didn’t know how to hunt someone as harmless as you? It may take him a day, it may take him a year, but he will find you. When he does, well he has a nice golden cage all prepared, just for you.

[genshin--side--piece]

Does anyone else headcanon that Pantalone punched Dottore in the face when he got back from Sumeru? Like the fucker walks in the door, Pantalone is in full on mourning because he thinks Dottore's dead, and Dottore's just like "babe the wildest sh-" and that's all he can get out before Pantalone's fist connects with his face.

Naturally Pantalone is relieved the crazy bastard is still alive, but he only tells Dottore so after Dottore fixes Pantalone's broken hand.

[genshin--side--piece]

At some point I feel like hoyo needs to give us Kaveh's reaction to Alhaitham burning Azar's shit to the ground. Not for the comedy, though it would be awesome, but for the fact that if Alhaitham had failed, Kaveh would have been completely fucked. Due to the exile, Alhaitham's house, personal property, and money would have been seized by the Akademiya. Kaveh would have returned to Sumeru City homeless and penniless. Worse than that, Kaveh would lose the closest thing to a family that he has, for the sake of Alhaitham trying to do the right thing.

In the current environment, I wouldn't mind Kaveh being a little clingy just because he is fully aware of what could have happened and what he could have lost had things not gone to plan.

I can also see Kaveh not having the best impression of the traveler since Kaveh likely associates them with trouble.

[genshin--side--piece]

Eagle Eye

Warnings: None Streamer AU - Survival Type Game, based on Escape from Tarkov but not Escape from Tarkov

I'm sorry for this. It possessed my brain and would not let me go until I wrote it.

You sniped him. 

You sniped him. It was all Ayato could do to hold his composure as both your names scrolled across the kill feed, along with the distance of said shot. A 263m snipe. His jaw dropped slightly. There was just no way. He had been bunkered down, well hidden from view. It was impossible to think that you had seen him from that distance, let alone hit the shot. You had to be cheating, there was no other way. 

“Calm down everyone.” Ayato was quick to laugh the sting of defeat off in the hope that it would ease the blur of accusations of stream snipping that were flying through his chat. It didn’t. Instead, the messages only got faster. “It was merely a lucky shot.” Or so he wanted them to believe. “Still, I’d like to check something. Thoma-” Ayato clicked out of the game he was playing and opened a browser window. “Did you happen to grab the name?” His ever diligent mod was one step ahead of him. A link quickly appeared in Ayato’s private discord, along with a clip of the kill for posterity. Ayato ignored the clip, not wanting to acknowledge Thoma’s odd sense of humor. Instead, he chose to click on the link, pulling up your stream. 

You were a smaller streamer, with a handful of viewers. He wasn’t terribly surprised. As your stream loaded, he expected bragging or screaming or even celebrating. That was usually the case with stream snipers. They would hunt him down, get their clip and then tag him on every social platform in existence, just to get their supposed clout. It was the cost of being one of the bigger streamers, or so he had been told. But once the stream loaded, there was none of that. You were calm, distracted even as you continued to rummage around for loot. The chat wasn’t filled with pats on the back or being spammed with clips. In fact, your chat was fairly silent. There was only one congratulations on the shot and that had come from your Mod. It hadn’t even been clipped for posterity. Ayato was confused. “Hm.”

He tilted his head, while furrowing his brow. Did you not know who he was? 

“Well chat-” You smiled, which oddly enough caused Ayato to smile. The warmth in your expression helped to ease some of the sting from earlier. Ayato allowed himself a moment to bask in it, much in the way one would bask in the sun. He liked the feeling it gave him. He liked the feeling you gave him. There was something about you that helped put his mind at ease, despite this being his first time seeing you.“I suppose we should start heading for the extract point.” You pulled up the menu to check how much time you had left in your raid. “I think we’ll have just enough time to swing by our favorite spot before we head out.” Ayato raised an eyebrow to that. You weren’t going to claim your prize? You were just going to leave it, leave him there? The sting from earlier returned. As much as he loathed stream snipers, he loathed your disinterest in claiming his in game tags for yourself even more. You had practically shot him from across the map. Even if you didn’t recognize him, surely you wanted the bragging rights for the elimination? 

Then as if someone had possessed his body, Ayato typed it; What about the Yashiro Rascal elim? He visibly flinched when realized what he’d done. Your chat wasn’t nearly as active as his. His message lingered on the screen. Sitting comfortably in the middle of the window, highlighted as a first time chatter for all the world to see. Ayato couldn’t help the blush that crept its way across his cheeks.

Your eyes flew over to the new message, while your smile grew wider. “Hey there, welcome in!” There was a brief moment where your eyes met on the screen and a small wave. “Thanks for joining-” You then went into what he guessed was your usual spiel of introducing yourself to him. Not that he heard any of it, he was too entranced with watching your lips move. Your voice was amazingly pleasant. It had a calming effect that seemed to wash away any of his previous worries, at least until his in game username passed your lips. The sound of you saying the name Yashiro Rascal snapped him right back to reality. “I don’t really collect tags or anything.” You paused long enough to take a shallow breath. “I’m not sure I’ll even have time to find them. I have my favorite loot spot I like to go to. Is Yashiro Rascal someone important or something? You’ll have to forgive me-” Your smile turned bashful. “I’m still new to this game. I don’t really know any of the big name players yet.” Ayato’s eyes grew wide in surprise while his long forgotten chat blazed with shocked comments as they all had the same revelation he had just had. You really didn’t know. The fact that you had just taken out one of the biggest streamers in the game had gone completely over your head. You thought you just hit the shot of your life on someone you assumed was just another casual player. 

Ayato couldn’t stop himself, he didn’t even try to. He laughed. He honest to archon laughed. It was refreshing really. Most of his streams were filled with endless hours of sweating while he was being hunted by every clout chaser on the platform. He couldn’t even show his screen on entry for the fear of being attacked before he ever had the chance to loot. Sometimes that didn’t even work. Most of his streams had begun to feel tedious and uninteresting. He almost hated doing them. If the game didn’t do the viewership numbers it did, he would have abandoned it ages ago. Before he met you, he still might have. Now he wasn’t so sure. You were still strangers to each other, but it had only taken a minute with you to remember that games could be fun, that they should be fun. Ayato began to wonder just how fun they could be with you.

“You know chat-” Ayato glanced back at the camera, giving it one of his signature smiles. “I think I’d like to try something new.” He took a sip of his boba as he watched his chat emphatically agree. “Duos seems like a fun idea. They seem rather nice, do you think this person would like to join me?” Could you be persuaded to join him was more like it. Ayato had no idea if you played with randoms or viewers and sadly, he was both. Even if he was a big name, it was presumptuous of him to think you would want to team up. Maybe you enjoyed playing on your own. It was rude of him to just barge in on your fun, simply because you’d done the unthinkable. 

Slowly, he saw a few familiar names trickle into your chat. Much to his horror, they launched right into insisting you team with him. It caught you off guard. He could clearly see the confusion on your face. “Wait… who?” Your eyes came up to the camera. “Are they-” There was a flicker of recognition in your eyes. “Are you watching me right now?” Ayato visibly cringed. He knew the intentions were honorable. He knew the people who had found you meant well, but he loathed that they felt entitled to interfere. He’d merely suggested that you game together. As far as you were aware, he was just a new viewer. He hadn’t even asked you to play yet. It was entirely unnecessary to bully you into doing something that you didn’t even know about. “Calm down everyone.” Ayato’s smile faded into a more stern look. “Let’s not run them off before I’ve even had a chance to ask them. Leave them be.” Your chat went nearly silent. There was the odd comment, but the pressure was mostly gone. It gave Ayato the opening he needed to pop the proverbial question. 

Yes, my apologies. Would you like to team up? I’m an experienced player. I can give you some pointers if you wish.

Your surprise was all too apparent. It was cute when you stumbled over your words, especially as more of his chat began to find their way to your stream, filling your chat box with messages and follows, eventually drowning his messages with their own. It was mildly frustrating, because he had liked having all of your attention, but he couldn’t blame his viewers. He’d spent the last  ten or so minutes just watching you. They were bound to get curious and find their way over to you eventually. That didn’t mean they had the right to take you away from him.

“Oh wow, so many new people! Are they with you too?” You furrowed your brow slightly. “Uh wait-“ You sucked in a portion of your lip, pinching it between your teeth as you began scanning what he guessed was your chat. Ayato nearly keened at the site. You were getting more adorable by the second. He almost couldn’t stand it. Much to his regret, he wasn’t good at hiding it either. More than one person had said something about him being smitten and before too long it picked up steam in both chats. “Where did you go?” Ayato was quick to respond.

I’m right here. My apologies, they’re from my chat. Please ignore them if you wish. We’ve been watching you since you sent me back to the lobby and they all decided to come say hello.

You smiled again, satisfied that you had found him. It made him happy that he made you smile. He hoped he could do it as many times as possible before the night was over. “It’s alright.” You paused, clearly pondering his question. “I generally run solos but-” Your smile grew larger. “I don’t mind trying duos.” The celebration in both chats made Ayato chuckle. He had to admit it was a relief not to get publicly rejected in front of so many people. “How do I contact you? Can I just DM you through the platform or is there a better way?” Ayato found himself one step ahead of you. He was already in the process of getting everything ready when you asked.

Allow me to reach out to you. I keep my DMs closed. Just respond back with your info once you get my message.

Within seconds he had his information over to you. It was actually embarrassing how quickly he sent it, but he hadn’t been this eager to co-op with someone in a very long time. The thought of playing a game or two with you seemed far more enticing than the idea of running solos for the rest of the afternoon. You promptly responded, your info being passed to Thoma before either of you could blink. “Thoma, can you set up a chat between the two of us?” He was already on it. Ayato hadn’t finished asking when the convo with the three of you popped up on his private discord server. “Alright chat, let’s all try to behave, shall we? We don’t want to give them the wrong impression.”

Is that advice for chat or you? You’ve done nothing but smile at them since you joined their channel. You haven’t been this infatuated since Tomoki introduced his seasonal boba flavors. Ayato ignored Thoma’s comment, merely rolling his eyes as he changed chat servers and began the call between himself and you. He hated that he was acting so obvious, but it was difficult for him to help. His curiosity had been peaked by you. He wasn’t able to ignore it for the sake of staying aloof.

He started the call, watching you through the screen as he waited for you to answer. There was some hesitancy on your part. Ayato could see it as you sat on the other end, letting it ring. You were nervous. Having strangers join you was always a gamble. They could be perfectly fine or they could be perfectly wretched. It was hard to know. Even Ayato had to admit to the jitters he felt in his own stomach as he waited on you to click the button. He never did this. His brand was everything. Endorsements, sponsorships, years of hard work all depended on him being careful. One wrong move, one wrong word and it would be all over for him. That’s why he generally stuck to a very tight knit group of friends that he knew were safe. They understood what his reputation meant to him and they were happy to oblige him when it came to keeping his public image safe. Offering to play games with a complete stranger was unlike him. Basing it off a feeling was even more unlike him, but for whatever reason, it didn’t deter him. It only urged his desire for you to answer the call on.

Ayato focused his eyes back to your stream, carefully watching you. It was apparent you were searching for something and by your reaction, he only had one guess when you found it. You were looking for him. Ayato didn’t try to hide his smirk, nor did he bother to stop himself from giving you a little wink as you stared. After all, turn about was fair play. Being the equitable man that he is, Ayato was more than happy to give you a show. Your reaction to it was priceless. 

You buried your face in your hands, a deep blush spread across your cheeks, causing him to chuckle. You poor thing. 

I thought you said you were going to behave. I know rascal is in your name, but can’t you hold it in until you say hi to them? If they get any redder, they’ll turn into a tomato. Another small chuckle slipped past Ayato’s lips at Thoma’s comment. Sass me again and you’ll find out how much of a rascal I can be next time I see you.

“Hello?” Ayato’s eyes quickly jumped back to the call, finding that at long last you had answered him. He breathed a silent sigh of relief that for the moment, the worst was over. That was one hurdle down. Hopefully there wouldn’t be too many more to go. “So sorry” His relief gave way to a soft smile. “I never do this. It dawned on me that maybe I should verify you aren’t a creep before I answer.” Ayato nodded, noting the slight apprehension in your voice. “It’s alright, I understand. I’m the same way. Though I suppose I had the upper hand when it came to research.” He heard you let out a small laugh. “Yea. You’ve uh-” There was another awkward laugh as he watched you turn away from the camera in a vain attempt to hide how crimson your cheeks were. “You’re him.” You rolled your lips, flinching at the vagueness of that comment. “You’re the Yashiro Rascal guy-” There was a heavy pause before you decided to finish that statement. “Aren’t you?” There was a hesitancy in your voice that made Ayato a little nervous. For a second, he swore you almost sounded a little scared. But then again, who could blame you? The game itself had a reputation for toxic trolls. You snipe a bigger streamer and suddenly they’re in your chat, inviting you to game with them? The action, while friendly on his part, had to feel a little suspicious to you. Especially when embarrassing content creators on social was all the rage. “Listen about the shot- I 

“Don’t worry about the shot. I’m not mad about it.” He added a little lilt to his voice to help put you at ease. “I’m actually extremely impressed by it.” That earned him a small smile. You nodded, letting some of the tension in your body ease. “I should actually apologize in advance to you. It’s been awhile since I’ve played duos and I have little doubt people will come for us. It might make for a rough afternoon.” “That’s alright. Duos just means that I watch your back and you watch mine, right?” That’s exactly what it meant. Ayato couldn’t be more delighted to hear it. “There’s just one thing.” You paused, taking a deep breath. “What should I call you?” Ah yes. That. “I mean it’s cool if you call by name or whatever, but I’m not sure what to use for you. Do you prefer your gamer tag or your streamer name or something else?” He thought about it for a moment, deciding he didn’t like any of those options. 

Using his online persona implied to him that this would be a one and done. Ayato didn’t want that. He didn’t want you to vanish from his life the second you were done.  It was silly to think that he was reacting this way after such a short interaction, but he couldn’t help it. He didn’t collect friends like he did boba cups. His fame made good people to have in his life hard to find. Most of the time he hung around his sister or Thoma or possibly Itto, when Ayato could find him. Having someone else he could talk to, having you to talk to, even if it wasn’t all the time, felt right. “Um, are you still there?”

“Let’s make this simple, just call me Ayato.”

[genshin--side--piece]

Masterlist

Guess who got Shadow Banned.... again. Since it's a side blog, we'll see if they release it. In the meantime, I'll be importing some of the old content here and creating a masterlist.

All stories will go to AO3. I can no longer trust Tumblr. Warnings are included.

Capitano - ??? of the Fatui Harbingers

A Worthy Sacrifice Spoil of War A Rose and Winter Warnings: Slightly Dark, Implied Forced Relationship, Imprisonment, Implied Innocence Kink, Implied Voyeurism, Implied Somnophilia, Implied Non-Con, 18+, My Bad Writing, Reader is of legal age, G/N Reader

Diluc Ragnvindr

A Matter of Trust Warnings: Graphic Content (Blood and wounds), Implied Capture, Implied Prisoner, Implied Nudity, Light Bondage, Probably OOC for him NSFW, 18+, Reader is of legal age, G/N Reader

Kamisato Ayato

Eagle Eye Warnings: None Streamer AU - Survival Type Game, based on Escape from Tarkov but not Escape from Tarkov

The Paper Doll Warnings: DARK CONTENT, contains nsfwish themes, gender neutral reader, contains nsfwish themes, stalking, manipulation, toxic relationship, unhealthy relationship, captivity, implied kidnapping, Reader is of legal age, G/N Reader 18+ | Minors DNI

Pantalone - 9th of the Fatui Harbingers

The Manicurist Warnings: Minors DNI, 18+, Yandere themes, Yandere Behavior, Sexual Themes, Power Imbalance (Master/Servant), Dark themes, Dub Con, Non Con, My bad writing, Anything Else I Missed, If you are not into this kind of content please don't read it

Reader is not the Traveler, G/N Reader

Pierro - The Director of the Fatui

The Director's Paramour Warnings: NSFW, 18+, MDNI, implied kidnapping, implied imprisonment, implied drugging, dub con, power imbalance, mind control, my bad writing and silly ideas, anything else I may have missed, If you are not into this kind of content please don't read it

Reader is not the Traveler, Reader is of legal age, G/N Reader

Maîtresse-en-titre Warnings: Minors DNI, 18+, Yandere themes, Yandere Behavior, Sexual Themes (No Actual Sex), Power Imbalance, Dubious Consent, Forced Consent, Dark themes, gn reader, My bad writing, Anything Else I Missed, Reader is of legal age, G/N Reader

[genshin--side--piece]

Maîtresse-en-titre

Warnings: Minors DNI, 18+, Yandere themes, Yandere Behavior, Sexual Themes (No Actual Sex), Power Imbalance, Dubious Consent, Forced Consent, Dark themes, gn reader, My bad writing, Anything Else I Missed

Finally got that Pierro C*cking Capitano out of my head. Enjoy.

A service. A sacrifice. A duty. 

Even as you stood outside the ominous doors to what was the Jester’s domain, your husband's words rang loudly through your mind. An honor above all. That’s what he had called it. To be chosen by the director himself to serve the Fatui in this way. The pride that had reverberated in your husband’s voice had nearly made you sick then. The echoes of it served to further unsettle your stomach now. How could he be proud? How could he be happy that another man wanted you? How could he be pleased that someone else was about to lay his hands on you, and most grievous of all, how could he ask you to go along with it? A stuttering breath slipped past your lips as your eyes dropped to the floor. The concept that your beloved husband, your knight, your savior would ever ask such a thing was nothing short of vile. The vows you had made to him, made to each other were sacrosanct in your mind. They served as an inviolable promise between yourself and Capitano. They spoke of the love and commitment you had made to each other. How could he, despite his righteous nature, cast them aside so easily? The answer to that was simple. The devil who currently held you outside of his door had gotten in your husband’s ear.  

Your entrance to the Snezhnayan court had been a quiet one. Your husband, despite his status, wasn’t much for personal fanfare. Unlike some of his brethren, he had no need for ostentatious carriages or trumpets announcing his arrival. Capitano preferred stealth to openness, calm to chaos, simplicity to complexity. A plain carriage had driven the two of you onto the palace grounds, where you passed by the notice of the crowd who lingered outside the gate. Despite your husband’s good reputation, you had been grateful for their lack of interest. Your poor body wouldn’t have been able to handle dealing with the attention you would have received. The slipping and rocking of the carriage against the icy streets had done little to help the severe bout of motion sickness that you had suffered under since you had left home. Despite numerous pleas to the Hydro Archon for their blessing, the seas hadn’t been kind to you. The ship had spent most of the journey being tossed around like a ball in a tin cup by the waves and storms that had plagued it. As a result, you had spent the better part of your journey in bed, with your husband hanging close to your side. Upon your arrival to the land of ice and snow, Capitano had insisted you be taken to the palace to rest and recover from one journey, before you made a second leg of the trip to his estate in the heart of Snezhnaya’s countryside. In his words, he wanted you happy and well. At the time, you were grateful for his care. Now, you silently wished you had been a tad more observant. If you had, you would have noticed the single star shaped pupil that began to follow you everywhere you would go. 

“Excuse me” The intrusion of a soft voice broke your train of thought. You jumped back slightly, your heart leaping into your throat at the thought of being found lost in your own thoughts. The imposing doors in front of you had opened, and in the space between them, stood a smaller man in a Fatui uniform. He gazed at you with a rather curious expression, utterly confused as to why you were silently standing outside of the director’s apartments, staring at the floor. “Apologies-” Your cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I-” You didn’t even know what to say or how to excuse it. How could you? What reasonable explanation was there for questioning your own life choices outside of the Jester’s door? 

Those that sought his favor often haunted the hallways leading to his office or the grand space that was the Tsaritsa’s throne room. The dimly lit corridors that lead to his private apartments were devoid of any life. You had no viable reason to be here beyond the actual purpose for which you had been summoned. Hence his curiosity. “I suppose this isn’t the best place to stand.” He gave you a forced smile. “Unfortunately not.” His hands tightened around the edges of the doors. “If you’ve come to speak with the Lord Director, then I’m afraid he’s indisposed. At present, he is expecting an important visitor and has asked not to be disturbed for the remainder of the evening. If you have an emergency, then I can see if there is a harbinger lurking about.” 

A harbinger. There were quite a few nearby. You had passed the rich one and the short one on your way here. They had been discussing some matter of state that you were ignorant of. The new one, who you hadn’t been introduced to, had been sulking about as well. He had been standing a few paces off the short one, presumably ready to intervene should things get too lively with the rich one. Conspicuously absent though, was your husband. It had been your sincerest hope to pass him on your way here, if nothing else than to see him, but you had not. Capitano had been scarce since you had agreed to this little rendezvous. Part of you began to wonder if it was by design. “If there is no emergency-” You turned your focus back to the man in front of you, gently shaking your head. “Then may I be of service?” You hesitated, which wasn’t entirely appreciated on his part. “Not to be rude, but I am on my way to fetch someone. If you have no business here beyond blocking my lord’s doorway, then I ask that you go elsewhere.” The urge to take him up on that offer was strong. Archon help you, if only you could. You would run as far as your legs would carry you and never look back. There was just one issue with it, your husband. You doubted he would appreciate you making a fool out of both of you simply because you were scared of what was waiting for you on the other side of the door. “I-” You took a deep breath, summoning all the courage you had to finally speak to him. “I believe I may be the one you were sent to fetch.” His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “The lord director sent for me this afternoon.”  

“You’re Lord Capitano’s spouse?” He sounded about as impressed as he looked, which wasn’t very. You fidgeted under his gaze, hating how he silently assessed you. Had you been in a better state of mind and not ready to fall apart, you would have scolded him for it. “Finally.” You raised an eyebrow at him. “Where have you been? The lord director is most displeased.” You forced the heavy lump that formed in the back of your throat down. It hadn’t been your intention to displease anyone. The fact that you had, didn’t bode well for the remainder of your evening. “For-” He was quick to cut you off. “You’re terribly late. Were you not instructed on the time?”

“I was.” You briefly hesitated, your mind rapidly trying to find some excuse as to why you had tarried. “I got lost.” The excuse was a lame one, but it was the best you could manage considering the man’s harsh stare made your stomach flop around inside of you. “This place is so large. I had to forego the usual tour as I was unwell when I arrived.” The look on his face told you all you needed to know; he didn’t buy it. 

Detailed instructions, including directions, had been provided to you. There had even been an offer for one of Pierro’s assistant’s to show you the way, lest you actually get lost. To claim that as an excuse for your tardiness after turning the guide down was literally the most idiotic thing you could say in the moment, but you had nothing better. Telling him you didn’t want to be here wouldn’t help, nor would admitting the real reason as to why you had been summoned here. Even if he already knew, the idea that you would tell one of Pierro’s lackeys that you were here to bed his superior was too humiliating for words. It was easier to let him think you were an idiot. For the time being, it spared you the blushes of him thinking any worse of you. “I see.” He took a step back, pulling the doors open for you. “Then I trust then that you are aware that should you make him wait in the future due to your own personal incompetence or otherwise that you will suffer the consequences of your actions.” Your heart leapt into your throat at the very thought of the repercussions the Jester could make you suffer, should you displease him again.

The man, who later you learned was named Evgeniy, led you through the dimly lit foyer of Pierro’s apartment and down a small passage to what he described as a sitting room. The room, like the foyer, was unlike the rest of the palace. It possessed the same grandeur as the shining halls of Zapolyarny, but here the gilding here had long faded to a dull shine. The wax of dimming candles coated many of the surfaces that weren’t covered with papers or books, with the large fireplace being the main source of light in the room. The flickering light helped to emphasize the wear on the cold marble floors. Entire paths in the polish had been worn away due to years of use. To you, it seemed that the faded glory of the space reflected the age & experience of the man who occupied it. 

Evgeniy cleared his throat, drawing your attention to a table at the far end of the room. Your eyes took in the piles of papers, refusing to see the large figure hovering over them. It was your rather foolish belief that if you did not acknowledge Pierro’s presence, then he wasn’t really there. It was a belief that you clung to as Pierro lifted his eye from the paper he had been reading, to meet both your and Evgeniy’s gaze.    

“Ah” The annoyed edge that grated against his tone softened as he took you in. “At last.” With a flick of his fingers, Evgeniy bowed, swiftly leaving your side in silence. Your eyes followed the smaller man, silently imploring him to stay, but he didn’t. He gracefully exited the room offering both of you a second low bow before he was gone. “Good evening.” Your head snapped back in Pierro’s general direction, finding that he had moved closer. “I understand you’ve been unwell since arriving in our fair country. Hopefully I’m right in assuming that you’re now on the mend?” You had, but tonight wasn’t really all that good for your recovery. Your stomach felt like it had been tied in a knot and your whole body felt wobbly. Briefly, you considered whether or not that could be your saving grace. You were already as pale as a ghost, you wondered if you could get away with a fake fainting spell to avoid the inevitable. “I-” One look at him told him it was probably best not to try it. He was already annoyed that you had been late. You doubted he would allow you to get away with a bout out illness, real or otherwise. “I am, Lord Director.” A quick bow to him followed. “And you? Are you well?” He gently smiled at, closing the remainder of the small distance between you. “I am faring better than I was ten minutes ago.” You inwardly cringed, forcing an apologetic smile onto your face when he stopped in front of you. “I thought that my illustrious Captain might have changed his mind. He’s been terribly worried over your health. He had concerns you might not be up to the task. How nice to see that wasn’t the case.” You forced a small smile, trying your best not to shake too much when you nodded.

“No, my lo-.” You faltered when he gently reached out, the tips of his fingers brushing against your cheek when he tucked a few stray hairs behind your ear. “Lord.” There had been an excuse prepared. You’d been suffering from a headache, the clothes didn’t suit, your hair didn’t fix, but one stern look from him silenced them all. He neither needed nor wanted them. Why should he, when they wouldn’t change the fact that he finally had you?

Pierro pulled away from you, gesturing for you to take a seat on the small sofa that was situated in front of the fireplace. Between them was a low table with a highly decorated porcelain and metal drink set resting on top of it. As you moved closer, the faint smell of cinnamon and turmeric, mixed with the rich aroma of coffee filled the small space. You perched yourself on the end of the sofa, watching him as he drifted by you to take a seat on the opposite end, near the drink set. “You’re shivering.” The ache in holding your shoulders as stiff as possible had given way to it. You couldn’t hold it in any longer. Not when the source of present woes was sitting a foot away from you. “Poor dear, allow me to warm you up.” 

He began pouring the coffee, both of you knowing the cold had nothing to do with your shaking. Still, Pierro seemingly ignored the real cause, choosing only to smirk at you once he had finished with your cup. “I do apologize for calling you so late.” He handed you the ornate cup, his gloved fingers caressing the tips of yours. Much to his amusement, you were quick to pull back, clutching the warm porcelain to your chest. “I had intended a dinner for you.” He turned away from you again, busying himself with his own cup. “It’s fitting for the first night we’ll spend together, that we have dinner first, but I do not yet know your preferences. I thought to serve you some Snezhnayan delicacies, but regrettably I lost track of time. Something came up that stole my attention from my plans for this evening.” You had to silently wonder if it was the same thing that stolen Capitano from you this afternoon. He had promised to visit with you after you had agreed to this little fiasco, only for him to back out at the last moment. You had been devastated. His apology for his abrupt cancellation had come in the form of the outfit he had wanted you to wear for tonight, as well as a note that simply told you to do your best. “I do hope coffee is an acceptable substitute for now.” He finished pouring, setting the pot to one side. 

Pierro looked up, his eye connecting with yours once again. It was oddly nice to see Pierro’s face, even if he was terribly frightening. The one quality you disliked about your husband was that he never allowed you to see what was hidden under his mask. You spent all your time speaking to a dark void. During your swift courtship, it had made him difficult to read. You had to learn his moods and preferences based on his voice. Not the easiest thing, considering he rarely showed any emotion beyond calm. It had been your hope that perhaps he would let you see his face once you were married, but that wasn’t to be. He only chose to remove his mask when he was assured you were asleep or when he opted to employ a blindfold to shield your eyes in the waking hours. You had pleaded with him to reconsider both courses. It would make things easier between you if he did, but he always gently refused. You were told that the discomfort regarding his mask was temporary. Once the two of you arrived in Snezhnaya, it wouldn’t be a problem. You learned what he meant by that upon said arrival. Your life together at sea quickly became a life lived separately on land. Capitano’s presence in your life had been reduced to that of a dark spector in the doorway of your bedroom bidding you good morning and good night. Your days were empty or at least devoid of his person. Efforts to see him were in vain. His assistants and secretaries all fed you the same excuse. He was far too busy. You were always asked to return to the apartment by way of the path that took you past the director’s office and wait for your husband to return home. 

Pierro’s pursuit of you was in no way subtle. It didn’t need to be. As the Director of the Fatui, the Jester had carte blanche to do as he pleased. The only person that could hope to reprimand him was the Tsaritsa, and even then it was doubtful that it would ever happen. He had her wrapped around his little finger, just as he did everyone else. It was testament to how charismatic he could be. You almost wished you could fall under the same spell the others had, at least then your present situation might be tolerable. 

“You are so very lovely.” His voice brought you back to reality. “Perhaps once Capitano has departed for his next mission I can make it up to you.” There was an odd smile that ghosted its way across his pale lips. His eye left yours, traveling over your exposed neck and down across your shoulders. “We’ll know each other better by then.” You didn’t pay his gaze much attention, because your mind had focused on one singular thing, the word departed. You couldn’t stop what  color you had from leaving your face. “He’s-” You nervously swallowed, forcing the bile that had shot its way up into your throat back down. “He’s leaving?” Somehow, you managed to force out a little laugh. “We uh -” Your lips pressed themselves together into a hard thin line before you finished your thought. “We only just arrived.” In your mind, the stay at the palace was supposed to be temporary. “Surely you’re referring to us journeying to his estate in the country.” And not that you were being abandoned to Pierro’s care.

Together, you had planned to see the sights of Snezhnaya with your beloved husband. He had promised you so many things to make up for the rather botched and rushed wedding you had had. One of them had been a proper honeymoon of sorts. The rough nights at sea had been calmed with dreams of morning rides through the snow at his estate, while the afternoons would be spent by the hearth of the fire as he told you stories of battles won. Now all of that was reduced to ashes at the mention that Capitano was going away again, without you. Your horror at the thought had to be apparent. Why else would Pierro’s gentle chuckle resonated in your ear? “How terribly awkward.” The Jester’s weight shifted and you felt him inch closer. “I would have hoped he would have told you, but perhaps you didn’t see him before I sent for you.” In the back of your mind, you knew Pierro had insured you hadn’t heard, but for whatever reason you tried to tell yourself that’s not what had happened. In Capitano’s haste to apologize for canceling your plans, he had forgotten to mention the trip. “You have my sincerest apologies my cecilia, but this can’t be helped.” He ran a cool hand over your face, ripping you away from your thoughts. The coffee cup nearly flew out of your hand, but Pierro was quick to steady it with his other hand, preventing it from spilling all over your clothes. He held you like that, the warmth of his hand radiating through his gloves. His fingers took it upon themselves to stroke the back of your hand, while his smile grew. “I was advised you can be a bit jumpy. You needn't worry though.” His free hand came to rest on your shoulder. “It will only be for a few months. You’ll have me to keep you warm while he’s gone.”

There was something in his tone that made your stomach roll. The inference that this wasn’t a one time thing nearly suffocated you on the spot. All at once, everything became too much. The air was too thick, the room was too hot, his hands on your body were too heavy, he was too close. Your mind, along with the room, spun as the panic that you had tried to quell finally took hold of you. The cup in your hand made it’s way to the table beside you as you tore yourself away from the sofa. He tried to grab hold of you, but his fingers weren’t fast enough. You managed to slip away, bolting for the nearest wall. It was your hope to put as much room between you and him as possible, without trying to get past him to get to the door.

“I can’t do this.” You did your best to calm your ragged breathing and pounding heart, but nothing helped. All you could do was stand there and toy with your fingers as you gazed at him with what you felt was absolute agony written across your face. It was your hope that your own internal conflict over the situation would be apparent enough that he might take pity on you and excuse you for the evening. Unfortunately, the Jester wasn’t that magnanimous in his victory. The determination to claim you far outweighed any emotional discomfort you might be having at the moment. So much so, that he met your outburst with complete apathy. He even dared to let his amusement at your actions show when a small smirk played across his thin lips. It was almost as if he was expecting it to happen. It was then that you stupidly realized he had. 

According to many, the man in front of you was eternal. The Fatui had been born by his hands centuries ago, ripped from the ashes of the old world and built using the remains of his homeland. In the time since the Fatui’s founding, Pierro had built himself into a formidable figure. Mysterious and daunting at every turn. He was a weaver of destinies, a decider of fates and a ruler of harbingers. Snezhnaya’s very soul laid in the palm of his hand. Sadly, your soul and your whole future laid in the palm of his hand. He could decide it here and now and no one could save you from it. He wouldn’t even need to call the guard. Pierro was more than capable of handling you on his own. It would be nothing for him to force you into whatever fate he decided, should he need too. 

A chill went down your spine, causing your whole body to shiver. It was hard not to wonder how many other individuals had found themselves in this same position you found yourself in now? How many of them had been willing? If they had been resistant like you, what had been done to make them willing?  He sat where had you left him, intently studying you with that cold, cutting stare of his. The only sound that filled the room was the crackle of the large fire as it buried ominously on the other side of the room. You noticed the way the light from the flames danced their way across his handsome features. You saw the demonic shapes and shadows that they cast, giving the Jester a devilish appearance. The malevolence reflected in the crystal blue orb only seemed to emphasize it even more. “I- I love my husband.” The words spilled out in a thick, jumbled mess as you did your best to stop the tears that were now pricking at the corners of your eyes. Neither had any real effect. Pierro sat as still as a statue, letting you have what he would later describe to you as your little tantrum. 

For now though, duty be damned. You didn’t want to be here. The vows that you had made, while rushed, had been spoken with your entire heart. You had sworn on the altar of your archon to be faithful to your husband. To break that vow, even with Capitano’s consent, felt wrong. The entire situation felt wrong. Surely he had to know that. “You have my sincerest apologies, my lord, but this isn’t right. This isn’t me.” He remained silent, still holding you fast with his gaze for a moment or two longer before he finally responded. “New brides really are the sweetest of flowers. How fortunate Capitano is to have found himself such a lovely one amidst the wilds of Teyvat.” You furrowed your brows in utter confusion. “I’m sure your assertions of love and devotion will warm whatever heart he may have.” But it would do nothing to save you from Pierro. “Perhaps it will be enough to spare you from his disappointment when I tell him you refused me.” A light, breathy laugh broke that thought. “But then again, he does hate being disappointed, almost as much as he hates dereliction of duty.” You were beginning to hate that word almost as much as you hated how it was being used. It wasn’t your duty to be here anymore than it was your duty to mop the floors or light the fires. Your presence here was the result of Pierro’s control over his subordinates and nothing more. The concept that he expected you to pleasure him as if it was an act of service was revolting. “I suppose he could spare you his wrath since you are his most beloved spouse. After all, your refusal is coming from a place of fidelity. I imagine he is honor bound to be obliging.” He paused for what you assumed was dramatic effect. “But I would doubt it.” You forgot your own discomfort long enough to ask the one question you shouldn’t have asked. In part, because you had to live with the reality of the answer. “Wrath?” Capitano had never once raised a hand to you. The thought of him even trying sent another shiver down your spine. He had always been deliberate with his touch. Capitano understood his strength. It was nothing for him to leave marks or bruises without trying. It would be nothing for him to strike you dead should he try to. “He would never-” The confidence in that statement failed when Pierro laughed at it. The words to finish it died on your tongue. 

Slowly, the older man stood, groaning slightly as his body shifted despite its stiffness. It was the first indication that you had seen that Pierro might possess some human qualities. “Your husband believes in the fulfillment of one's duty, regardless of whether you view it as personally honorable or not. Service to the Fatui, Service to the Tsaritsa-” Service to the director. “Come before everything else. He will not tolerate failure where it is concerned. He expects nothing short of perfection in his soldiers and he will expect nothing less of you.” Orders were orders. “Should I tell him that you have displeased me, then I have little doubt he would do all that he could to correct it.” Your eyes dropped to the floor at the thought of that. You used the last scraps of your denial to tell yourself that your husband wouldn’t go that far, that he wouldn’t force you into another man’s bed, but your presence here was already proof that he would. You hadn’t been begrudgingly sent as some kind of sacrifice to Pierro’s wanton desires, you had been gift wrapped in the finest Capitano could afford and presented with pride to the director like a prize at a fair. Despite his endless professions of love, in the end, your husband had been all too happy to give you away to a man he deemed his superior. “I-” Your mind spun at the possibilities of what could happen if you didn’t do as you had been told. For the first time, you saw the man your parents had seen. They had told you he was dangerous. They had warned you he would bring you nothing but ruin. They had done all that could to stop you from making what was now the biggest mistake of your life, but you hadn’t listened. Instead, you stupidly believed you were getting your promised happy ending. You had run away with him, marrying him on the bow of the ship that had brought you here. You had laid with him night after night dreaming of a brighter future. You had prided yourself on being so smart. How could you have not seen that your shining knight wasn’t your savior, he was your villain? 

The sound you made was inhuman as your back collided with the cool wall behind you. The scratchiness of the wallpaper against your neck and shoulders exacerbated the waves of panic that were shooting themselves through your body. Across the way, you heard the faint sound of Pierro’s boots shuffling their way across the plush area rug as he closed the gap between you two. “Perhaps my cecilia is seeing the reality of their situation.” He stopped an arms length away from you, the tips of his ornate boot barely coming into view. “If you are, then I may not have to tell your husband about your misstep after all.” You looked up at him, blinking back the tears that freely spilled over the apples of your cheeks. “Your concerns regarding the morality of the situation have been noted.” And promptly ignored. “Since this is our first night together, I will give you a choice.” Or at least the illusion of one. In truth, there was only one choice and it had already been made for you, by two men who were not you. 

You leaned against the wall for support, watching his long fingers as they reached into his side jacket pocket for something. “You may choose to take my hand and willingly follow me to my bed. If you do, then I can be persuaded to forget your hesitancy regarding this matter, provided you are obedient from now on.” You swallowed, continuing to stare up at him. “Or you may drink this.” He produced a small vial from his pocket, holding it up with two fingers. “It will render you unconscious-” A small chuckle slipped past his lips. “Or at the very least render you incompetent enough to where you won’t remember this night. But-” He drew the moment out for his own personal amusement. “It will render you piliant to whatever punishment I deem is fit for you.” Much his delight, you failed to stop the small whimper that had been building in your throat from escaping. The word punishment added a whole new level of terror to an already frightening situation. Pierro wouldn’t punish you lightly. While he had enjoyed your skittishness in the beginning, you had clearly tried his patience. Men like him didn’t enjoy being tested. So far, he had been generous with you, but you knew it wouldn’t continue. Pierro commanded loyalty, he commanded respect. His expectation was that you would fall in line and do as you were told. If you disobeyed, he would make sure you would never do it again; either by his own hand or via Capitano’s. 

“I should warn you though.” He gave you a cruel smile, spinning the small vial between his lithe fingers. “Should you opt for the potion, I will make up for your lack of memory come the morning.” There was another cold laugh that followed that. Your only reaction was to shrink back, pressing yourself further into the wall. What should you do? What could you do? Take his hand in the hope that he hurt you less tonight versus the pain you could feel come the morning? Then there was your husband to consider. What would you face once you returned to your shared apartment? How would Capitano cope with the idea that you had behaved badly? Would he be proud that you had done all you could to remain faithful, despite his very clear consent, or would you face further punishment because you had proved an embarrassment to him? 

A new kind of horror filled you.  

You couldn’t help but falter, the lump in your throat feeling as if it would choke the very life out of you. Your knees failed, buckling under your own weight. You didn’t register that you were on the floor, nor did you register that Pierro had followed you, kneeling next to you as the reality of your situation crushed the last of your resistance under its weight. “Come now child.” The lilt in his voice was unmistakable. He tried to mask it with concern, but it was still there. He had enjoyed watching you break right before his eyes, just as he enjoyed the fact that the game between you was over. Now all he had to do was take you how he wanted you. 

Helplessly you watch as Pierro reached out, brushing the tips of his gloved fingers over the line of your jaw, testing the proverbial waters. You flinched, but you didn’t pull away from him, earning a hummed approval. There was no point in resisting him. If you ran, you would be stopped. If you screamed, you would be silenced. If you fought, you would be punished. There was no escape. All he would allow you was to submit to him, willingly or otherwise.