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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

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BROOOOO WHEN I TELL U THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING SCRUMPTIOUS, DELICIOUS ANGSTY WRITING FICS I HAVE EVER SEENNNN OMGGGG

—SOLACE

Summary: Your life with your boyfriend goes into the next level.

Tags: Established Relationship, Female Reader, Fluff, Romance, Angst

Words: 8,9k

MDNI IT CONTAINS NSFW ELEMENTS

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

“Guess who.” A familiar, teasing voice whispers close to your ear, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. The words are followed by a warm body pressing into your back, enveloping you in an embrace. Gentle hands cover your eyes, playfully robbing you of your vision as you stand at the counter, finishing the last touches on dinner.

You can already smell the distinct, savory aroma of Sebastian’s favorite meal wafting through the kitchen—a hint of garlic, herbs, and roasted flavors blending into a comforting scent. The anticipation hangs in the air, the food waiting to be served, but now there’s something much more important occupying your attention.

“Hm, perhaps my wonderful boyfriend?” you hum back, leaning into the touch and making no attempt to pull away. There’s a soft giggle from behind you, the kind that melts away any lingering stress from the day. It’s a sound you’ve come to love, filled with genuine affection and a trace of mischief. His hands slide slowly from your eyes, drifting down to rest on your hips. You can feel the way his fingers trace small, lazy circles through the fabric of your clothes, a comforting and familiar touch that sends warmth spreading through your chest. He’s not in a rush, savoring the contact as he pulls you a little closer.

“Right on the first try, good job,” Sebastian murmurs against your ear, his voice low and playful. You can feel his breath ghosting over your skin, and the way he tilts his head, nuzzling into the crook of your neck. His hair brushes against your cheek as he lingers there, pressing a gentle kiss just below your ear.

You’d never expected to find yourself in a relationship like this, one that seemed ripped straight from the pages of a corny romance novel or, as you and Sebastian liked to joke, a scene from a Korean drama. It had all started so randomly, in a way that neither of you could have planned even if you tried.

It was a late summer evening, the kind where the air still clung with warmth from the day, and the sky painted itself in deep shades of purple and pink. You were making your way home after a night out with friends, the alcohol buzzing pleasantly in your veins. The streets were filled with the sounds of distant laughter and cars passing by, but all you could think about was how much your feet hurt and how desperately you needed an Uber to take you home. You fumbled with your phone, trying to order a ride while your vision swam a little from the drinks.

At the same time, nearby, Sebastian was also looking to get home. He’d spent the evening crammed into a quiet coffee shop, buried under textbooks and highlighters, his study session running longer than he’d planned. By the time he packed up and stepped outside, the sky was already dark, and he sighed, knowing the buses had stopped running. He pulled out his phone, searching for a ride back.

Unbeknownst to you both, fate—or maybe just the Uber app—decided to pull you together that night. The two of you ended up standing at the same corner, eyes glued to the little car icon on your screens as it approached. When you noticed him, you raised an eyebrow, confusion muddling your half-drunken state.

“Uh, are you waiting for this one too?” You asked, swaying slightly on your feet. The alcohol made everything a bit fuzzy, your usual filter dulled by the night’s drinks.

Sebastian looked at you, equally confused, but then a smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah, I am… seems like we ordered the same ride.”

You blinked, staring at him as if you were processing the situation in slow motion. Then, without much thought, you shrugged. “Well, there’s room for two. You wanna share?”

He chuckled softly, nodding. “Sure, why not? Looks like the universe wanted us to meet tonight.”

You slid into the backseat together, and as the car started moving, you leaned back, letting out a content sigh. The city lights blurred by outside the window, casting a soft glow on Sebastian’s face. He looked relaxed, his hair slightly messy from running his hand through it too many times while studying. You, on the other hand, felt talkative and loose-lipped from the drinks you’d had earlier. Before you knew it, you were rambling about anything and everything—your favorite movies, a funny story from the night out, even some existential musings on the universe that made him stifle a laugh.

“You’re really something.” He said, amused. His eyes sparkled with a kind of genuine interest that you weren’t used to seeing in strangers.

“I’m not something,” you replied, dramatic and slurring your words a bit. “I’m everything.” You pointed at him with a sloppy grin. “And so are you. We’re all stardust, you know?”

Sebastian gave a playful sigh, shaking his head. “Yeah, stardust… sure.” But there was something about the way you spoke, the unabashed honesty in your drunken state, that made an impression on him. You were a mess, but a charming mess, and it was enough to spark something in him.

When the car finally pulled up in front of his place, you were half-asleep, your head lolling to the side. He glanced at you, contemplating whether to wake you or let you rest. In the end, he gently nudged your shoulder. “Hey, this is where I get off. You alright?”

You blinked awake, rubbing your eyes like a sleepy child. “I’m fine,” you mumbled, even though you clearly weren’t. Before he could say anything more, you leaned closer, squinting at him. “You have really nice eyes, did you know that?”

He laughed softly, cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. “You’re definitely not going home like this.”

You didn’t remember much after that. The next thing you knew, you were waking up in an unfamiliar bed, the sunlight streaming in through pale curtains. Your head throbbed, the telltale sign of a hangover, and as you blinked the sleep from your eyes, you realized you were fully dressed, shoes neatly placed by the door. There was a folded note on the bedside table, written in neat, slanted handwriting.

Good morning! You looked too tired (and drunk) to make it home safely, so I brought you here. Don’t worry, you were a perfect angel. There’s water and aspirin on the nightstand. I’ll be back soon with breakfast—Sebastian.

You couldn’t help but smile at the sweetness of the note, even through the pounding in your head. It felt like a scene straight out of a drama—the handsome stranger, the shared ride, the note left behind. When Sebastian returned with a coffee and a bag of pastries, you were sitting up, still clutching the note.

“You’re awake,” he said, smiling as he stepped inside. “Feeling alright?”

You gave him a look, holding up the note like a piece of evidence. “Alright and not drunk, you're really a gentleman for leaving a note.“

He laughed, setting the coffee down in front of you. “What can I say? I aim to impress.”

From that morning on, it became a running joke between the two of you, how you met in such a cliché way. But as weeks turned into months, the jokes turned into real feelings. What started as a funny story to tell your friends became the foundation of something genuine. And now, here you were, dating Sebastian—the boy who shared an Uber with a tipsy, rambling stranger and decided to keep them around.

“Spacing out again?” Sebastian’s voice pulls you back into the present, his nose brushing against your ear as he nudges you gently. He’s still holding you close, his hands tracing idle patterns along your hips, almost as if he can’t bear to let you go just yet. You hadn’t realized how long you’d been standing there, lost in your thoughts and the warmth of his embrace.

“Hmm, maybe.” You reply, leaning back into him with a soft smile. “Just thinking about how lucky I am.”

He chuckles, the sound vibrating against your back, and you feel the way his chest rises and falls as he breathes. “Lucky, huh? I was about to say the same thing.”

He presses a kiss to your temple before finally releasing you, letting his hands slide away reluctantly. You turn to face him, catching the playful glint in his eyes as he takes in the sight of you, still standing by the stove with a dreamy look on your face.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” you say, gesturing toward the simmering pots on the stove. “But if you keep distracting me like that, we’re going to end up with burnt food.”

“Oh no, we can’t let that happen,” he teases, raising his hands in mock surrender. “After all, it’s my favorite. I’ve been thinking about this all day.”

You roll your eyes fondly and turn back to stir the pot, feeling Sebastian’s presence lingering close by. He watches you for a moment, then reaches around you to grab a spoon, sneaking a taste of the sauce simmering in front of you. He hums appreciatively, savoring the flavor.

“Mmm, perfect.” he says with a satisfied smile. “But it needs one more thing.”

Before you can ask what, he’s leaning in again, pressing a kiss to the side of your neck, soft and sweet. It’s barely a peck, but it sends a shiver down your spine nonetheless. You can’t help the giggle that escapes you as you swat at him playfully.

“Sebastian!” you scold lightly, trying to hide your smile. “You’re impossible.”

He grins, unrepentant. “Impossible? Or irresistibly charming?”

“A little of both,” you admit, shaking your head as you reach for the plates. “Alright, Mr. Charming, if you’re going to be here, at least help me set the table.”

Sebastian nods, slipping easily into a domestic rhythm that the two of you have fallen into over the past few months. He takes the plates from your hands, setting them down on the small table in the corner of the kitchen. It’s a cozy spot, just big enough for the two of you, illuminated by the warm light of the pendant lamp above. He lights a small candle in the center, the flame flickering softly, casting a golden glow that bathes the room in a romantic light.

You bring over the food, setting the dishes down as Sebastian pulls out a chair for you with a flourish, bowing dramatically. “Your seat, my dear.”

“Why, thank you, good sir,” you reply, playing along with a grin as you take your seat.

He settles down across from you, and for a moment, the two of you just look at each other, a soft silence settling between you. It’s the kind of silence that feels full, not empty—a shared moment where words aren’t necessary.

“You really outdid yourself,” Sebastian says after taking his first bite. His eyes light up with genuine delight, and it makes your heart swell with pride. “This is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it,” you say, watching him enjoy the meal you prepared. You can’t help but feel a rush of affection for him in this moment—seeing him so relaxed, savoring the food with that boyish smile you love so much.

The two of you fall into an easy conversation, talking about your day and sharing little stories. At one point, Sebastian leans back in his chair, looking at you with an expression so soft it almost takes your breath away.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week since there's barely time with work and studies,” he admits quietly, his voice tinged with a kind of vulnerability he doesn’t show often. “Just… having dinner with you, like this. It feels like home.”

You reach across the table, taking his hand in yours. His fingers curl around yours, warm and secure. “Me too,” you say, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s the best part of my day.”

For a while, you just hold hands, the candlelight flickering between you as you finish your meal. There’s a sense of contentment that wraps around you both like a blanket—cozy, intimate, and full of love.

After dinner, Sebastian insists on helping with the dishes, despite your protests. You end up standing side by side at the sink, elbows bumping playfully as you wash and dry. He steals kisses every chance he gets, brushing his lips against your cheek, your temple, the tip of your nose, making you laugh.

“You’re going to make me drop a plate,” you warn, though you’re smiling so much it’s hard to sound serious.

“Then I’ll catch it,” he promises, pressing a kiss to your temple.

By the time the kitchen is cleaned up, you’re both a little breathless from laughing, your cheeks warm from the shared closeness.

After the dishes are done, you’re both standing side by side, your hands still damp from the soapy water. The kitchen is quiet now, the only light coming from the small candle still flickering on the table, casting a warm, golden glow that dances across Sebastian’s face.

He turns toward you, reaching up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind your ear. His fingers linger there, brushing against your skin, and when you meet his gaze, there’s a different kind of warmth in his eyes—something deeper, a tenderness that makes your heart skip a beat.

“You’ve been amazing tonight.” He says softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for this.”

You smile, leaning into his touch. “You don’t have to thank me, Sebastian. I loved doing this with you.”

There’s a beat of silence, where neither of you moves, just holding each other’s gaze. Then, in a single, smooth motion, he steps closer, his hands sliding to your waist. He pulls you against him, the sudden press of his body igniting a spark of heat between you. You can feel the way his fingers tighten on your hips, firm yet gentle, as if he’s anchoring himself to you.

You tilt your head up, your breath catching in your throat as he leans in, his nose brushing against yours. He’s so close now that you can feel the warmth of his breath fanning across your lips, and when he finally kisses you, it’s slow and deliberate, like he’s savoring the taste of you. It starts sweet, almost tentative, but quickly deepens as the hunger between you both grows.

Sebastian’s hands roam up your sides, tracing the curve of your waist before sliding under your shirt. His touch is warm against your skin, sending a shiver through you. He pulls back just enough to look at you, his pupils blown wide with a desire that mirrors your own. “Is this okay?” he asks, his voice husky, almost breathless.

You nod, your own hands slipping under the hem of his shirt, feeling the hard planes of his stomach. “More than okay.” you murmur, and that’s all the permission he needs.

He kisses you again, deeper this time, his tongue parting your lips as he presses you back against the counter. The edge digs into your hips, but you barely notice, too caught up in the feel of his mouth on yours, the way he’s holding you like you’re the only thing in the world. You gasp against his lips when he grips your thighs, lifting you up onto the counter with surprising ease.

“Sebastian.” You whisper, your voice breaking with a breathy moan as his lips trail down your jaw, nipping gently at the sensitive spot just below your ear. He hums in response, his hands squeezing your thighs as he settles between them, the hard press of his body making your heart race.

You thread your fingers through his hair, tugging lightly, and he groans, the sound vibrating against your skin. His kisses grow more heated, almost desperate, as if he can’t get enough of you. He pulls back just enough to look at you, his eyes dark and filled with lust. His forehead rests against yours, and you can feel his breath coming out in short, uneven puffs.

“You drive me crazy,” he admits, his voice rough and raw. His hands slide up your thighs, fingers dipping under your skirt, hooking on the waistband of your underwear. He pauses there, teasing, the pads of his fingers tracing small circles just beneath the fabric. He’s taking his time, savoring the anticipation and the shared intimacy of the moment.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” you manage to tease, though your voice is shaky with desire. You wrap your legs around his waist, pulling him closer, and he lets out a low chuckle, the sound sending a shiver down your spine.

“It’s definitely not a bad thing,” he murmurs, capturing your lips again in a kiss that leaves you breathless. He presses himself harder against you, grinding his hips into yours, and the friction sends a wave of heat coursing through your body. You could feel his growing errection between his legs, pressing between your legs and you had to hold back not to rush it. It’s overwhelming in the best way, the feeling of his firm body fitting perfectly against yours.

His other hand slips further under your shirt, fingertips brushing over your bare skin as he tried to unclip your bra under your clothes and he certainly enjoyed it way too much the way he teased you with his slow delicate movements. He then cups the side of your waist, his thumb grazing just beneath your ribs, tracing gentle patterns. When he looks at you, it’s with an intensity that takes your breath away.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispers, his voice filled with a raw, unfiltered honesty that makes your chest ache. He lowers his head, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along the line of your throat. His hands move with purpose now, sliding down to push your skirt up. He glances up at you, silently asking for permission, his expression almost reverent.

You nod, your breath hitching as he kneels in front of you. The sight of him on his knees, his hands gently spreading your legs appart, is enough to make your head spin. He takes his time, pressing soft kisses along your inner thighs, his eyes never leaving yours. There’s something worshipful in the way he looks at you, like he’s savoring every moment, every inch of your skin. Before you knew it, he took the piece of fabric of your lace panties between his teeth, pulling them down your legs, putting them in his own pockets.

“Sebastian…” Your voice is barely a whisper, your fingers tangling in his hair as he hooks your legs over his shoulders, pulling you closer to the edge of the counter. He grins up at you, a teasing, almost playful smile, before lowering his head.

The first touch of his lips against your most sensitive spot makes you gasp, your back arching involuntarily. He’s slow and deliberate, tasting you with gentle licks that have your entire body trembling. It’s a different kind of intimacy—one that’s both intense and tender, filled with an unspoken love that takes your breath away.

He takes his time, his tongue moving in slow, deliberate strokes, savoring the way your body responds to him. He holds your hips firmly, anchoring you in place as he explores every inch of you, finding the spots that make you shudder and moan his name. You can feel his hot breath against you, the soft hum of pleasure that escapes him as he loses himself in the moment.

Your fingers curl tighter in his hair, tugging him closer as you struggle to keep your voice steady. “Sebastian… please.”

He groans against you, the vibration sending sparks of pleasure shooting through your core. He pulls back slightly, just enough to look up at you, his lips glistening, eyes heavy with desire. “I love it when you say my name like that,” he murmurs, his voice low and thick with need. „Keep your eyes on me, darling.“

You’re panting now, your entire body trembling as he dives back in, his tongue moving faster, more insistently. The pleasure builds steadily, a wave of heat coiling low in your belly, making you feel like you’re on the edge of something wonderful. He watches your face as he works, taking in every gasp, every moan, as if it’s the most beautiful sound he’s ever heard.

You can’t hold back any longer. Your body tenses, your thighs clamping around his head as you reach your peak, crying out his name. He doesn’t stop, riding out your release, his tongue gentle now, coaxing you through the aftershocks.

When you finally come back down, your chest heaving, he presses one last soft kiss against your thigh before standing up. He looks at you with a boyish grin, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Was that okay?” he asks, though his smirk tells you he knows exactly how good it was.

You let out a breathless laugh, pulling him into a kiss that’s sweet and grateful, tasting yourself on his lips. “More than okay,” you murmur against his mouth. “You’re incredible.”

He wraps his arms around you, hugging you tightly, his nose nuzzling into your neck as he plants a soft kiss there. “I love you,” he whispers, the words like a quiet promise against your skin.

You smile, pressing a kiss to his temple, your fingers gently stroking through his hair. “I love you too.”

Without another word, he scoops you up effortlessly, his hands strong and sure as he lifts you off the counter. You let out a surprised laugh, clinging to him, your arms looping around his neck as he cradles you against his chest.

“Taking this somewhere more comfortable,” he murmurs, pressing a quick, teasing kiss to your forehead. The look in his eyes is smoldering, filled with an unspoken promise of what’s to come. He carries you through the dimly lit hallway, each step deliberate, the anticipation building between you both. Your heart races, beating in time with his, the air thick with the shared desire that crackles like electricity.

As you reach the bedroom, he nudges the door open with his foot, the soft light from the hallway spilling in and casting a golden glow over the bed. He sets you down gently, his hands lingering on your hips as he leans down to kiss you again. It’s slower this time, a lazy, lingering kiss that’s filled with a tenderness that makes your chest ache.

“You’re too good to me,” you whisper against his lips, your hands already slipping under the fabric of his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your fingertips.

He chuckles, low and sweet, as he pulls back just enough to tug his shirt over his head. “I’m exactly as good as you deserve,” he replies, his voice husky. He tosses the shirt aside carelessly, and your eyes roam over his exposed chest, the play of light and shadow accentuating the muscles there. He looks at you like he’s drinking you in, savoring every detail, every expression on your face.

Your fingers find the button of his jeans, working it open as he watches you with a hooded gaze. He helps you, shrugging out of his pants and kicking them aside, leaving him in just his boxers. The sight of him—flushed, breathing heavily, and looking at you with a mixture of adoration and want—makes a wave of heat wash over you.

You lean back against the pillows, propping yourself up as he climbs onto the bed, his knees sinking into the mattress. He’s on you in an instant, his hands gently prying your shirt off, his lips trailing soft kisses down your collarbone as he peels the fabric away. When you’re bare before him, he pauses, taking a moment just to look at you. The way his eyes drink you in makes you feel cherished, like you’re the most precious thing in the world to him.

“Perfect,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. He leans down, pressing a kiss to your sternum, then another lower, right over your heart. You can feel the heat of his breath against your skin, the press of his lips sending shivers through your body.

His hands trail down your sides, fingers close between your legs. He raises his eyes to yours, silently asking for permission once again. When you give a small, eager nod, he pushes them in, toying with you, his gaze never leaving yours.

He presses closer, his bare chest flush against yours now, skin against skin. The warmth of him seeps into you, grounding you even as your heart feels like it might burst from the intensity of the moment. You can feel every hard line of his body, the way he fits so perfectly against you, like you were made for each other.

“Sebastian.” you whisper, his name falling from your lips like a prayer. You reach up, cupping his cheek in your hand, and he turns his head to press a kiss to your palm.

“I’ve got you.” He murmurs, his voice filled with love and a gentle promise. He dips his head down, capturing your lips in a kiss that’s slow and deep, his hand, pulled out of you, sliding down your side to grip your thigh, pulling you closer. His other hand roams up your body, fingers splaying out on your chest as he squeezed the skin.

You shiver as he shifts, settling between your legs, the press of his body sending a wave of warmth through you. He grinds against you slowly, the friction delicious, and you gasp into his mouth, your nails digging into his back. He groans, a deep, guttural sound that reverberates through his chest, and you can feel the restrained need in the way he moves.

“Tell me what you want,” he breathes against your lips, his forehead resting against yours as he gazes down at you with an intensity that makes your breath hitch.

“You,” you reply, your voice barely a whisper. “I want you.”

He kisses you again, hard and fervent, his hips pressing into yours in a slow, rolling motion that has you arching up against him, seeking more. You can feel his smile against your lips, a soft, tender curve that’s full of love.

“I’m all yours,” he whispers back, his words like a promise. “Tonight and always.”

He moves slowly, unhurried, taking his time to explore every inch of your body with his lips and hands, like he’s memorizing every curve, every shiver. The room is filled with the sound of your shared breaths, the soft sighs and gasps as he touches you, holds you, loves you.

„Promise I always will.“ Those where his last words before you were able to feel him close to your entrance, his tip stroking you gently before he pushed in.

The next morning came in silence, but it wasn’t the kind you loved. It wasn’t the quiet murmur of the world still asleep, or the gentle hum of life waking up slowly. It was the kind of silence that felt heavy, almost suffocating. The kind that made you realize something was missing before you even opened your eyes.

You shifted, reaching out instinctively to the other side of the bed, expecting the familiar warmth of Sebastian’s body curled up against yours. Instead, your fingers met cold, empty sheets. Your heart sank a little, the small knot of disappointment tightening in your chest.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Mornings were your favorite time together, the one part of the day where you could both be unguarded, lazy, and wrapped up in each other without any of life’s distractions pulling you apart. You loved waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the sound of the kettle whistling in the kitchen as Sebastian made you breakfast, or the soft kiss he’d press to your forehead before you were even fully awake. It was the sweetest part of your life—those quiet, precious moments that belonged only to the two of you.

But today, there was none of that. Just an empty bed and a lingering chill where his warmth should have been. You opened your eyes, blinking at the soft light filtering through the curtains, half expecting to see him standing there, smiling at you like he always did. But the room was empty.

You sat up slowly, the sheets pooling around your waist, and glanced around as if he might suddenly appear. The pillow next to you was still dented from where he’d slept, but it was cool to the touch now, the scent of him fading away. You pressed your face into it anyway, closing your eyes and inhaling deeply, trying to hold on to that small piece of him for a moment longer.

„Sebastian?“ You called out, hoping for any kind of reaction, your voice filling the room.

It didn’t make sense. He hadn’t mentioned leaving early. He hadn’t said anything about having plans today. Your mind raced with possibilities, each one leaving a hollow ache in its wake. Maybe he’d just stepped out for a bit, you told yourself. He’d be back any minute, you were sure of it.

But as you swung your legs over the side of the bed, the cold floor beneath your feet seemed to echo the emptiness inside you. You wrapped the blanket tighter around your shoulders, trying to chase away the chill. It wasn’t just the cold of the room—it was the cold that came from waking up alone when you’d gotten so used to waking up together. This felt oddly strange.

You couldn’t help but remember the way it usually was. How he’d pull you closer, mumbling half-asleep compliments against your neck. How his fingers would trace lazy patterns on your skin, making you feel like you were the only person in the world. How you’d both lie there for as long as you could, wrapped up in the warmth of each other, talking softly or just sharing comfortable silence.

You glanced at the clock on the nightstand, hoping you were wrong. Hoping maybe you’d just woken up before him, and he’d be back any second, slipping into bed beside you with a sheepish smile and a kiss on your cheek. But the clock told a different story. It was already late—later than he’d ever leave without saying something.

You took a deep breath, forcing yourself to stand up, your legs feeling shaky beneath you. The house felt colder without him here, and the empty quiet of it pressed in on you. You padded out into the hallway, calling his name softly once more, half expecting him to pop his head out from the kitchen, teasing you for being so worried.

But there was no answer. No kettle boiling, no clink of mugs, no smell of coffee in the air. Just the empty echo of your voice.

You leaned against the doorframe, closing your eyes and letting the silence wash over you. The ache in your chest felt heavier now, settling like a stone. It was a small thing, really—waking up alone just once—but it felt like a shadow of something bigger. A reminder of how much you needed him, of how much his presence had become a part of your mornings, your days, your everything.

You pulled the blanket tighter around yourself, rubbing your hands over your arms in a vain attempt to warm up. He’d be back soon, you told yourself again. He had to be. He wouldn’t just leave like this, not without a word. He wouldn’t take away the part of the morning you loved the most—the part where you woke up next to him and felt like everything was right in the world.

But as you stood there, staring at the empty hallway, you couldn’t help the small, creeping worry that maybe today was different. Maybe today was the start of a morning you’d have to face alone, a morning without him to hold you and make you feel whole.

And that thought made the quiet feel so much colder.

The quiet stretched longer than it should have, and with each passing second, the doubt in your mind grew. You couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, but you tried to brush it off. You told yourself it was nothing—Sebastian had probably just gone out to grab breakfast or coffee. It was a Saturday, after all, and the world outside was just starting to wake up. But as you moved through the house, something felt off.

You made your way to the entryway, half-expecting to see him standing there, pulling on his shoes or grabbing his coat. But the spot where his jacket usually hung was empty. The shoes he always left by the door were gone too. You frowned, the empty space making your stomach twist in a way you couldn’t quite explain. Maybe he had left early, maybe to pick up something for breakfast, or maybe to run an errand.

You convinced yourself that’s what had happened. He’d just stepped out. He’d be back soon. You had to believe that. You turned away from the door and walked back through the house, glancing around for any sign of him. The stillness pressed against you like a heavy blanket, and despite your best efforts to remain calm, you couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at you.

As you entered the living room, you caught sight of the bookshelf against the wall. Your eyes narrowed, and your heart began to race. The shelf was slightly askew, the way it was when Sebastian had been messing around with it. But it wasn’t just the shelf that caught your attention—it was the hidden compartment behind it. Your safe. It was slightly open.

You had always hidden it carefully, knowing it was the one place where you kept the money that had become so important to Sebastian and you over the past few months. But now, standing there, you felt a cold shiver race down your spine. You walked over to it, and as you opened the compartment fully, your stomach dropped. The safe was empty. Your heart skipped a beat, and panic surged through you. The money—everything you had been so careful to keep safe—was gone. The only explanation you could think of was that Sebastian had taken it. He had taken everything. Your mind screamed at you, but your body felt frozen, unable to move.

Your breath quickened, and the room around you began to spin. A knot twisted in your chest, suffocating you, and your mind started to race with the worst possible thoughts. Had he really done this? Had he taken everything and left me? Your hands shook as you backed away from the shelf, your mind still desperately trying to make sense of what was happening. You had trusted him, believed in him, and now all you could think of was how everything had felt too perfect—like it had all been a lie. Any kind of trust was lost as you couldn't come up with a single good reason why he should take the money and disappear.

You moved quickly, heart pounding in your chest, darting around the house as if searching for something, anything that would prove you were wrong. You tore through the living room, the kitchen, even the bathroom. But there was nothing—no sign of him, no explanation for what had happened. The silence pressed down harder, and the walls around you seemed to close in, suffocating you with the weight of your thoughts.

Suddenly, the house felt too big, too empty. Every sound, every small creak, seemed amplified in the stillness. You felt like you were drowning in your own panic. Your chest tightened, and your breathing became shallow, erratic. Your vision blurred as the tears began to well up in your eyes. It was all happening too fast, too overwhelming.

You collapsed to your knees on the floor, hands gripping your hair as your mind spiraled. No, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. The thought that Sebastian had taken the money, that he had left you with nothing but confusion and betrayal, shattered something inside you. Everything you had shared—the late-night talks, the laughter, the mornings together—it all felt like a cruel joke now.

"Sebastian!" you screamed, the word ripping from your throat, raw and desperate. "Where are you?"

But there was no answer. Just the emptiness, the silence stretching longer and longer, pulling you further into a dark pit of fear and confusion. You curled in on yourself, hands over your face, tears streaming freely as the weight of it all pressed down on you. How could you have been so wrong? How could you have let yourself trust him so completely, only for him to take everything away in one cruel moment?

The house felt like a prison. Every corner, every empty space reminded you of what you had lost, what had been stolen from you. And as the panic surged, all you could think was that he had left, and you were alone, with nothing but the aching hollow in your chest to show for it.

You cried, helplessly, uncontrollably, the sobs shaking your entire body. Nothing made sense. Nothing could bring you the comfort you craved. And all you could do was scream, hoping for some kind of answer that would never come.

Sebastian woke up first, the quiet morning light filtering through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. His gaze immediately landed on you—peacefully asleep beside him. The sight of you, tangled in the sheets with your hair messy from the night, made his heart skip a beat. There was something about you, something that made everything else in the world fade away when he was with you.

He could still feel the warmth of your body against his, the weight of your presence next to him, and the quiet intimacy that seemed to wrap around both of you. The night had been perfect, full of laughter and closeness, but in that moment, as he watched you sleep, something more profound settled in him.

He realized, with a clarity that shocked him, that he didn’t just want this—this closeness, this joy, this love—he wanted all of it. Forever. It was like a light bulb turning on in his head, and it was undeniable. He wanted to spend his life with you. The idea of waking up to this—waking up to *you*—for every day to come filled him with a warmth that he couldn’t ignore.

Sebastian’s chest tightened with a mix of excitement and nerves, the weight of the realization both exhilarating and humbling. He knew, deep down, that this wasn’t just a fleeting thought or a momentary rush of emotion. It was real. He wanted to build a life with you. He wanted to promise you forever, no matter what.

Carefully, he slipped out of bed, trying not to disturb you. The sheets rustled gently as he moved, and he paused, watching you for a moment longer, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He admired how peaceful you looked, how safe and content, lost in dreams. He didn’t want to wake you yet. This moment, this quiet, was just for him.

Sebastian stood, stretching his limbs and glancing around the room. His heart still pounded with the weight of what he was about to do. He knew he had to do it. He had to show you that he wasn’t just saying the words when he said he loved you. He was going to prove it.

Moving quietly to the dresser, he pulled on his clothes, careful not to make any noise. His hands trembled slightly, the excitement of the decision making his heart race. He knew what he had to do, and nothing was going to stop him.

His eyes flicked toward the shelf where you kept your safe, his heart skipping. He had always known about it—he respected it, and he knew it was important to you. But today, today was different. He didn’t hesitate for a second as he opened the shelf, taking out the safe. The contents of the small box—money that had been saved for a future you’d both been dreaming of—meant something far more than just savings now. It was a way for him to take the first step toward that future. The life he wanted to build with you.

Sebastian swallowed hard as he pulled the money out, placing it carefully in his pocket. His chest tightened, but it wasn’t from nerves about what he was doing—it was from the overwhelming realization that he was making the choice to move forward, to ask for forever. He knew he was going to spend the rest of his life with you, and that thought was everything.

He turned, quietly making his way out of the room and into the hallway. The city outside was just beginning to wake up, the soft hum of the early morning a comforting backdrop to his racing thoughts. His mind was focused on one thing now: making sure the ring was perfect, making sure it was everything you deserved. He’d save the money for the rest of your life together later.

But today, today was the start of everything.

Sebastian made his way to the jewelry store, each step feeling more like a confirmation of what he had known all along. He was doing the right thing, and no matter how many details needed to be perfect, all that mattered was the love he felt for you. He had to make sure that the ring was just as unforgettable as the way you made him feel every single day.

As he stepped into the shop, his eyes immediately scanned the selection, his mind fixed solely on one goal. He didn’t need to search for long. The moment his eyes landed on a beautiful, delicate ring, a diamond set against a simple gold band, he knew it was the one. He imagined the way it would look on your finger, how it would symbolize everything he wanted to say but didn’t always have the words for.

With a deep breath, he picked it up, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the box. He paid, his hands shaking slightly with anticipation, excitement thrumming through his veins.

All he had to do now was get home to you. To show you how much you meant to him, how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with you.

The entire time he was gone, his mind was consumed with thoughts of you. He knew when he returned, it wouldn’t just be another ordinary morning. It would be the start of a new chapter. A chapter that began with love, and ended with forever.

But he never returned.

The metallic scent of the Hadal Blacksite hung thick in the air, its sterile walls casting a cold, lifeless atmosphere around you. The labyrinth of vents you crawled through felt like a maze, twisting and turning with no end in sight. Your knees scraped against the jagged metal, but you didn’t stop. You couldn’t stop. Every inch of your body screamed in exhaustion, but your mission kept you moving. The crystal—the one thing you needed to find—was somewhere within this forsaken facility. But you had to survive long enough to retrieve it.

The deeper you went, the darker it became. The vents barely let any light in, and the only sound you could hear was the echo of your own breathing, shallow and frantic. You couldn’t afford to think about how you got here, how everything had spiraled out of control, or the faces you had once known. All you could focus on was the present, the objective. The crystal.

Your life had been shattered after Sebastian’s betrayal. You had fallen so far, so fast, that it felt like the very ground beneath you had disappeared. Now, here you were, crawling through the grim, unforgiving halls of the Blacksite—nothing more than a shadow, a criminal. Desperate. The crushing weight of debt and hunger had driven you beyond what you once thought possible.

Money had been the catalyst for your descent into this hellish place. The lack of it, the constant struggle to survive, had broken you down piece by piece until you were willing to do anything—anything—to escape the suffocating grasp of poverty. Your morals, your dignity, everything you once held dear, faded into the background as you scraped together whatever scraps of hope you could find.

And then you crossed the line.

It was never supposed to come to this. You had promised yourself you wouldn’t risk it all, but desperation had a way of warping your sense of reason. You had stepped into the Blacksite’s underbelly, risking your life, hoping the payoff would be enough to turn everything around. But all you had now were regrets, each one more suffocating than the last.

You had never imagined it would end like this.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed when you finally reached an access hatch, a simple vent. You didn’t hesitate, swinging it open and slipping through into the dimly lit room. Your eyes scanned the space, still disoriented from the crawl, but something stopped you dead in your tracks.

It was a shop.

A small, oddly shop tucked away in the heart of the Blacksite. The walls were lined with shelves—an assortment of strange, vintage devices, dusty trinkets, and knick-knacks. In the corner, a glass display case held a collection of unmarked items, their importance completely unknown to you. It was surreal, this oasis in the middle of a place so cold and hostile.

But what made your breath catch in your throat wasn’t the strange setting or the items on the shelves.

You froze, heart pounding in your chest as your eyes locked onto him. Sebastian. But he wasn’t the man you had once known—he wasn’t even close. His appearance was twisted, distorted, as though the years had been unkind, carving deep lines of pain into his face. His eyes, once warm and familiar, now held a cold emptiness, an unrecognizable void inbetween the fluorescent glow. His skin was pale gray, unnatural, like something out of a nightmare, and his presence felt wrong, as though he had been reshaped by something dark and uncontrollable. The shock hit you like a physical blow, your stomach churning as you tried to pull back, your legs shaking with the instinct to flee. You didn't even dared to comment the rest of his body. This wasn’t the man you loved: this wasn’t even someone you could recognize. A wave of disgust washed over you, mingling with the terror that gripped your throat. You couldn’t even process it—your mind couldn't make sense of the grotesque transformation. All you could do was stumble backward, every inch of your body telling you to get away, to escape this horrible, unrecognizable figure before you.

You took a slow, cautious step backward, your breath shallow and erratic. Every movement felt like an eternity as you tried to distance yourself from the nightmare standing in front of you. You couldn’t take your eyes off him, the twisted version of Sebastian, but at the same time, you couldn’t look at him. The terror in your chest made your limbs heavy, your mind clouded with panic, and your heart ached in a way that made it hard to breathe.

You moved quietly, silently, as though retreating would give you the space to think, to make sense of this madness. Your feet stumbled awkwardly, barely making any sound against the cold floor—until they didn’t. Your foot caught on something—an object, a piece of debris that you hadn’t noticed before—and in a split second, your body was crashing to the ground.

The impact sent a sharp pain through your limbs, and before you could even react, you froze, utterly paralyzed by the noise. The sound of your fall echoed through the room, and in an instant, you felt his presence shift. His breathing grew louder, and then he turned.

For a moment, everything stopped. You couldn’t move. You couldn’t breathe. Every muscle in your body locked up as you lay there, immobilized by fear.

And then he saw you.

His eyes, once hollow, suddenly flickered with recognition. His face—so alien just moments before—shifted into something you could hardly process. A look of utter shock and joy crossed his features, his mouth parting in disbelief, displaying his sharp teeth. He moved toward you cautiously, his voice hoarse but filled with an overwhelming sense of relief.

“Y-You...?” His voice trembled, almost in awe. His eyes darted over your face, his expression softening as the pieces of recognition fell into place. “No way… is it really you?”

A rush of emotion flooded through him—something you hadn’t seen in a long time, something raw and vulnerable. His face broke into an unrestrained, radiant smile, and for the first time, you saw the man you once knew beneath all the horror. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered joy that made your stomach twist in confusion and disbelief.

You could barely move, still too stunned to comprehend the sight before you, but his reaction was enough to make your chest tighten, a jolt of emotion hitting you like a wave, not in a good way.

He was happy to see you. And somehow, in this strange, twisted reality, that felt even more terrifying.

Sebastian moved closer, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for the pocket of his coat, pulling something out with an eager grin. The object glinted in his hand, and for a moment, the sight of the small box made your heart skip with fear. But you couldn’t process it, couldn’t make sense of the words he was about to speak.

“I—I can’t believe this… I’ve missed you so much,” he rambled, his voice a mix of relief and confusion. His gaze never left you, his eyes soft but filled with an almost frantic urgency, as though he couldn’t believe you were really here. “I thought I’d never see you again, after everything—after how much I messed up. I don’t know how you ended up down here, I don’t understand, but… I don’t care.”

His words poured out, faster than he could catch them, like he had been waiting for this moment, this reunion, for so long. He seemed out of breath, his chest heaving slightly as he spoke, the joy barely contained in his voice. His behaviour felt so off on so many different levels, not lovingly like you knew him back then, but obsessive in the worst way.

“I’ve been waiting for this… for you,” he continued, a wild light in his eyes. “I told myself I’d come back to you, no matter what. No matter what happened or what I had to go through… you were always on my mind. I never stopped thinking about you. I—" His voice caught, almost as if the words were too much to handle.

He paused for a moment, his face suddenly serious, as if weighing something. Then, with a flourish, he opened the small box in his hand, revealing the engagement ring nestled inside, covered in some dry blood and dirt. His smile stretched wide, a mix of pride and happiness in his eyes. “I was going to ask you... I wanted to ask you... I’ve been saving for so long. I—” He glanced at you, his expression filled with an almost childlike excitement. “I wanted to give you this. I wanted to promise you everything. I know things were messed up, but you *are* everything to me. And I—I need you to know that.”

But you couldn’t hear his words anymore. They were distant, muffled, as if the world around you was closing in. Your chest felt hollow, and despite the tears that had begun to fall silently down your face, your body felt numb. The shock of seeing him again, the confusion, the betrayal—it was too much to handle. You didn’t know whether to scream or to run, but your body refused to move.

His words—so full of joy, so hopeful—made everything worse. The engagement ring, the smiles, the words of love—they all felt like knives in your chest. Your throat tightened, and the tears came harder, spilling down your cheeks in a silent torrent as you stared at him, completely incapable of responding.

He kept talking, his words becoming a blur. He didn’t seem to notice, or maybe he didn’t care, that you weren’t saying anything back, that you weren’t moving. His smile remained wide and genuine, as if he was living some dream he had longed for. But for you? It was a nightmare that you couldn’t escape, not even if you tried.

You were deadly terrified of him.

You don't know who was standing in front of you anymore.

„GET AWAY FROM ME!“

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

Text

Ain't no way, bro I actually stumbled upon this and just liked it without a second thought- how'd I NOT realized it was you?!

—A while in eternity

Summary: You reunite with your husband but Sebastian believes it's just another hallucination and gets frustrated.

Tags: Established Relationship, slight angst, fluff, comfort

Words: 2,1k

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

Time lost all meaning in the depths of the Hadal Blacksite. Your diving suit was torn, exposing your skin to the freezing water that clung to you like a second skin. Cuts marred your arms and legs, the saltwater biting into them with every movement. Yet, you kept moving, slinking through the narrow corridors like a desperate creature in search of survival.

Numbness crept through your limbs, and exhaustion clouded your mind. You cursed yourself for ever accepting Urbanshade's deal—it had seemed like the only option, but now it felt like a death sentence you couldn’t escape all over again.

Three days had passed, or so you thought, though time had become a blur of endless, grueling moments. You’d tried to rest once in a side room, but the lurking threats made it impossible to stay put. The Blacksite was alive with danger, and pausing for too long invited it to find you. So, despite the agony coursing through your body and the weight of fatigue dragging at your thoughts, you pushed forward. There was no stopping. Not yet.

You pressed your hand to the cold, damp wall, wincing at the sharp pain in your side. Each step felt heavier than the last, but you knew you had to keep moving. The Blacksite was an unforgiving place—if the environment didn’t kill you, Urbanshade’s forces would.

Every now and then, distant sounds reached your ears—footsteps, the low hum of machinery, the occasional drip of water. Each sound made your pulse race, a reminder of the threats constantly stalking the halls. You replayed Urbanshade’s offer in your mind, the deal you’d made to come here. It had seemed like a lifeline at the time, a desperate chance for survival. Now, it felt like a trap.

But you couldn’t give up. Not when you were this close.

As you rounded a corner, your blurred vision caught a flicker of movement. You froze, holding your breath as you tried to make out if it was a threat. The movement was subtle—a faint shift in the shadows ahead. Then, a soft metallic clink reached your ears, and your tense muscles relaxed slightly. It wasn’t an enemy, not in the way you’d feared.

A vent cover had come loose, hanging open. Curiosity sparked through your tired mind. There was a chance it could lead somewhere—a way out, or at least a temporary refuge. You approached cautiously, sliding the vent door fully open. The passage beyond was tight, but manageable. Crawling through, you ignored the sharp edges of the metal as they scraped against your already battered suit.

After what felt like an eternity, you emerged into a small room. Your knees buckled as you dropped down, landing hard on the floor. Blinking against the dim light, you took in your surroundings. It was a storage room, but something about it felt different. Shelves lined the walls, cluttered with supplies and broken devices. It looked more like a makeshift shop than a mere storage space, hidden away in the labyrinth of the Blacksite.

You moved cautiously, scanning the room for danger. Then you saw him.

For a moment, you thought exhaustion had finally driven you mad. But as your eyes locked onto the tall fish-like figure hunched over a workbench, everything else faded away. His familiar dark hair fell over his face, obscuring his features, but there was no mistaking him. Despite all the…new…parts, you could still recognize the man you loved the most.

Sebastian. Your husband.

Your breath caught in your throat, disbelief hitting you like a wave. You had grieved him, convinced he was dead, killed by human hands after his arrest. But here he was—alive.

You took a shaky step forward, your voice barely a whisper. “Sebastian?”

He froze, his body going rigid at the sound of your voice. Slowly, he turned to face you, but his expression wasn’t one of relief or joy. His now fluorescent eyes, glowing and filled with exhaustion, were twisted with irritation and anger. There was no recognition in them—only frustration.

“Not again,” he growled, his voice rough. He snatched a small tool from the table and hurled it toward you. You flinched as it clattered against the wall behind you, missing you by inches. “You’re not real! I know you’re not real!” His voice cracked with desperation, his hands shaking as he clenched them into fists. “You think I’ll fall for it again? You think I don’t know how this place messes with my head?”

He looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks, his gaze darting wildly between you and the corners of the room, as if expecting the illusion to unravel at any moment. “It’s not you.” He cried, his voice raw. “You’re not here. You’re gone. I won’t fall for it.”

Your heart twisted painfully at the sight of him—this broken, haunted version of the man you loved. He had been alone here for too long, tormented by the isolation and the tricks his mind played on him. You wanted to reach out, to tell him it was really you, but words felt useless in the face of his anguish.

Instead, you stepped forward, wordlessly closing the distance between you. He barely noticed, lost in his own torment. When you reached him, you gently placed your hand on his arm.

Sebastian flinched at the touch, his breath catching. His wide, frantic eyes snapped to where your hand rested on him, disbelief flooding his expression. For a moment, he just stared, frozen. Then, slowly, something shifted in his gaze. The wild panic faded, replaced by confusion and, finally, recognition.

“It’s… really you?” His voice was small, trembling with the weight of his uncertainty. His fingers hovered near your hand, too afraid to believe.

You nodded, tears filling your eyes as you finally found your voice. “I’m here, Sebastian. I’m real.”

The fight drained from him all at once. His form buckled, and he collapsed against you, his head falling to your chest as his hands clung to you as if you might disappear. His shoulders shook with silent sobs, the dam of his loneliness and grief finally breaking.

“I thought I lost you.” He whispered, his voice breaking with every word. “I thought I was alone.”

You held him tightly, your own tears falling as you whispered, “You’re not alone anymore.”

Your arms wrapped instinctively around Sebastian as he collapsed into you, his body trembling with the force of everything he'd kept locked away. His breath hitched against your chest, ragged and broken, and you felt his tears soaking into your torn suit.

For a moment, you just held him, your fingers gently threading through his hair, your own tears slipping silently down your cheeks. The realization that he was here—alive, breathing, and real—settled in like a shock to your system. You had lost hope, convinced that the cruel people had taken him from you forever. But here he was, the warmth of him in your arms dispelling the icy grip of the Blacksite’s horrors.

Sebastian’s grip on you tightened as if he feared you might vanish if he let go. “I tried,” he choked out, his voice barely a whisper. “I tried to find you, but I thought... I thought it was over. I thought I lost you for good.”

You held him tighter, your own voice still too shaky to form words. You had your questions—how he survived, what happened—but none of it mattered in this moment. Right now, the only thing that mattered was that he was here. Alive.

“It’s me,” you finally managed to whisper, your voice thick with emotion. “I’m here, Sebastian. I’m right here.”

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet your gaze, his tear-filled eyes searching your face as if still needing to convince himself that you were real. His fingers brushed against your cheek, a soft, tentative touch. “I thought I was going insane.” He muttered, his voice wavering. “I thought it was just another hallucination.”

You shook your head slowly, pressing his hand closer to your face. “It’s not. I’m real, Sebastian. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time since you’d seen him, a flicker of hope passed through his exhausted features. His hand cupped your face fully now, his thumb brushing away a tear. He swallowed hard, trying to gather himself, but the emotion was too raw, too overwhelming.

“I don’t know how you found me,” he whispered, “but I’m so damn glad you did.”

For a moment, you just held him, your fingers gently threading through his hair, your own tears slipping silently down your cheeks. The realization that he was here—alive, breathing, and real—settled in like a shock to your system. You had lost hope, convinced that the cruel waters had taken him from you forever. But here he was, the warmth of him in your arms dispelling the icy grip of the Blacksite’s horrors.

“It’s me,” you finally managed to whisper, your voice thick with emotion. “I’m here, Sebastian. I’m right here.”

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet your gaze, his tear-filled eyes searching your face as if still needing to convince himself that you were real. His fingers brushed against your cheek, a soft, tentative touch. “I thought I was going insane,” he muttered, his voice wavering. “I thought it was just another hallucination.”

You shook your head slowly, pressing his hand closer to your face. “It’s not. I’m real, Sebastian. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“I don’t know how you found me,” he whispered, “but I’m so damn glad you did.”

You didn’t respond with words, instead, you pulled him closer again, feeling the warmth of his larger body against yours. You could sense the weight of his fear and loneliness beginning to lift, replaced by a sense of safety in your embrace.

As you sank to the ground, you drew him down with you, resting against the cool wall of the small storage room. His head nestled against your shoulder, and you wrapped your arms tightly around him, wanting to shield him from everything that had tormented him.

“I missed this.” He murmured, his voice muffled against your fabric. “I missed you... so much.” He began to cry again, soft sobs that reverberated in your chest, each one a release of all the anguish he had endured. “I missed your touch, your smile... everything.”

You stroked his hair gently, your heart aching at his words. “I missed you too, Sebastian. I never stopped thinking about you. I was lost without you.”

He pulled back slightly to meet your gaze, his tear-streaked face showing a mixture of pain and longing. “I thought I’d never feel your warmth again. I thought... I thought I’d have to go through this alone.”

“You’re not alone anymore.” You promised, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to his forehead. “I’m here, and I won’t let you go again. We’ll figure this out together.”

Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply as if committing your presence to memory. “Just hold me a little longer.” He whispered, his voice trembling.

You nodded, adjusting your hold so he could nestle closer. As you both sat there in the dim light of the storage room, the horrors of the Blacksite faded away, replaced by the warmth of each other’s presence. The outside world ceased to exist, and for that moment, all that mattered was the gentle rise and fall of each other’s breaths.

“I’ll always be here,” you promised, wrapping him in your arms as you both found comfort in each other. “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

Sebastian’s grip on you tightened, and you could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against your chest. It was a soothing melody, one that brought you both peace amid the chaos of the Blacksite. As you held him close, you knew that no matter what lay ahead, you had each other—and that was enough.

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

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RUNAWAY

A farewell to Lights, Camera, Action! by @chea-likes-pretzels / @pretzel-box, told from a different POV.

Word count: 2k3 words, 13k characters

Summary: The most dangerous ones are always the cheerful ones.

It was storming out, on the evening that I died.

I was helping Painter close up the shop, as I always did. Jelly had purchased some custom keycaps from my section that day, and I'd given them a discounted price- I'd have gone lower, but I didn't want to seem suspicious or desperate. Not after how my Boss had come onto them so strongly.

"Today went pretty well," I smiled to myself, "I feel like I did pretty good on those keys."

I heard Painter hum from his station, where he was sanitizing the counters. Usually, he'd agree, or point out a little detail he'd noticed, or something other than the smallest acknowledgement possible. It was like he didn't want to think about it at all.

I crossed my arms, and looked up at him. "Are you doing okay? You're quiet today."

I didn't mean to sound as pointed as I did. He had been nearly mute all day, only uttering little greetings or requests as customers came and left. His tendency to talk through the breaks between customers or extremely precise work had been dying down as of late, but I couldn't figure out why. His smiles were smaller, more forced. I thought his father had started on his bullshit again, causing my dearest friend even more stress.

"I'm fine." I heard Painter finally reply as he put away the device in his hands. "Just... thinking. Can you take some of these parts to the back for me?"

"Sure thing, Boss!" I smiled at him, but he didn't even look at me. Shrugging it off, I picked up the boxes he'd asked of me.

The walk was quiet, save for the sound of my boots clicking as I walked down the empty hallway. I glanced out the windows as I passed them, watching the rain fall heavily and causing darkness to descend upon us far more suffocatingly than normal.

I couldn't see the stars. It felt... haunting.

I pushed the door to the storage room open, grunting at the effort. The dust in the air, now freshly disturbed, made me sneeze a few times. I reached around for the light switch, and it clicked on to fill the room with a dim light. It wasn't as bright as I wanted, but it was better than absolutely nothing at all.

Carefully, trying not to disturb any of the heavier pieces of equipment and tech, I moved around the storage room in search of a spot to place my current inventory. At the same time, I decided I should probably check and sort everything accordingly.

I found a spot soon enough, and I got to work with a quick text to Painter.

(Hey. I'll be a bit, I'm taking inventory and sorting things.)>

<[Ok. Don't be too long. Storm might knock out the power.]

(o7)>

With my Boss alerted, I settled to work on my tasks. Dusting, polishing, noting everything down. Checking if something needed maintenance at a later time, or fixing it carefully if it was within my abilities.

When I got to the section that had been cleared for Painter's little art sanctuary, where he carefully crafted each piece of art sold in the shop, I was even more delicate. I knew how much he cherished each and every one of his works, his tools, his muses. I restocked his paints, sharpened his pencils, straightened the stacks of paper. I switched the batteries in the lamp he used as he worked.

Come to think of it, he hadn't let me tend to his art corner for a while.

Looking back on that now, it should've been a sign. I should've realised.

I was curious, though. One of his notebooks was left open on the table, and something written much larger than the rest caught my eye. I picked it up.

GET RID OF HIM.

Written in scratchy, large letters. Underlined five times. Like a scream.

Before I knew it, I was reading the entry. I knew I shouldn't have. But something was screaming at me to, something said I absolutely needed to.

I wish I hadn't.

When I finished, I was horrified. I set the book back down, and left the storage room. I walked back to the storefront with a purpose, though bile rose in the back of my throat. My heart was in the pit of my stomach, my breathing shaky. What I'd seen had thoroughly broken me.

But all movement stopped when I heard a hauntingly familiar voice.

"It's done. The trial is in a few weeks, and then he's done for."

Every instinct screamed for me to catch this, so I hid around the corner and pulled out my phone. I pulled up the camera and poked it out, just barely, to see what was going on.

My camera caught Painter, back turned from me, leaning on the counter. He was talking to someone, and he moved soon enough to reveal who.

It was Allison.

My heart lurched, and I almost stumbled. I caught myself before I made any noise, and listened carefully.

"Each and every piece of evidence was planted, his hair and clothes, even his blood!" Allison purred. "And that whore of a partner he has is completely clueless!"

"Mind yourself." Painter huffed. "Who you think is a whore, I revere as my greatest muse."

"Whatever," Allison rolled her eyes. "Nine deaths, and Sebastian's blamed for all of them. You'll have your muse, and I'll get my revenge."

My eyes narrowed. Sebastian was blamed for nine deaths..? What was she up to? Didn't she love him so badly, that she'd stolen his roommate's entire online identity?

And why was Painter so okay with this? Sebastian was his best friend, right? He'd worked to expose Allison and protect Sebastian. Why was he talking like-

GET RID OF HIM.

.... Oh my god. No fucking way.

Allison left soon enough, and I hardly noticed when she did. I was lost in thought, my gaze zeroed in on my boss from the camera.

Suddenly, Painter turned and looked over his shoulder. He looked directly into the camera.

"Cordelia."

I turned and ran back into the storage room immediately. I slammed the door shut behind me and locked it, barricaded it as best as I could, and ran back to the art corner.

I pulled the sheets off of all the hidden works, feeling my heart sink more and more.

Painting after painting, sculpture after sculpture, even full photographs of Jelly. His best friend's partner. Each and every one had some possessive note to it.

"My perfect muse ♡"

"Absolute perfection"

"Divine radiance only of my dreams"

"He doesn't deserve them."

"Nobody deserves them but me."

"They will be mine at last."

I threw up what little I'd had for lunch.

When I regained awareness, there was a hand on my shoulder. I flinched, I threw myself away, knocking over one of the sculptures and breaking it.

Looking back over my shoulder, Painter stood there. He was slightly bent over, one arm behind his back, his expression completely empty. His head tilted.

"You broke it." He spoke monotonously, and I scrambled away from the broken sculpture. "You destroyed my masterpiece."

"I- I didn't mean-" I stammered, looking over the pieces. What I'd destroyed in my panic had been a sculpture of Painter, tenderly holding Jelly close as they sobbed. Strings held the two together, linked from Painter's chest to all of Jelly's limbs, swirling in a twisted mess of a halo above his head and forging monstrous wings at his back. "Wha- you- she-"

"Shhhhh," he pressed a finger to my lips, his expression unchanging. He thumbed tears from my eyes that I hadn't realised I'd developed. "I forgive you. This is all so sudden, isn't it? Thrusted onto the stage of a game so much greater than yourself... But you've played your part perfectly, and you can leave now."

"N-no, no no no-" I gasped, flinching away from his touch again. His eyes flashed with something I couldn't register yet. "What did you do? Why- Allison was- I thought we exposed her, why are you talking to her like- are you two plotting something?!"

"You already know that." He hummed. "So give me your phone, and you're free to go."

"My-"

"Yes. I can't have this getting out, you know. My muse is going to fall into my arms." He straightened up, now looming over me. Instinctively, I shrunk into myself. "So hand it over, and I'll dispose of it properly."

I shook my head, and his jaw tightened.

"Cordelia. Drop the phone."

I dialed a number. It rang once, twice, three times.

"Hello?" Sebastian's voice rang over the speaker. Painter's eyes widened.

"Check the video I just sent you, Painter's framing you for-"

The air was knocked out of me by a foot to my stomach. He kicked me backwards, knocking me onto my back, before slamming his foot onto my stomach. Blood splattered from my mouth.

"Cordelia?! What happened?!" Sebastian spoke up, anxious. I could hear Jelly in the background, though not what they were saying. "Are you oka-"

Painter stomped on my phone and shattered it. Then, he straddled my torso, keeping me down.

"You've made a poor choice." He frowned at me, revealing the syringe in the arm he had kept hidden. My eyes widened. "Poor forgettable, pitiful Cordelia. Always wanting to help those in need. But what of me? I'm in need."

"No," I gasped, "you're sick. You're obsessed, you're a freak!"

Somewhere nearby, a screen whirred to life. A sketchy-looking face, crudely drawn yet endearing, watched from a dim screen. Watched its creators fight.

I was never very strong physically. I'm malnourished, skinny, and I don't like fighting. I was smaller than Painter in every possible way, and he kept himself physically fit.

The crunch of my arm was drowned out by my own scream of pain.

"Shhhh, shh sh." He urged, covering my mouth. "It's okay, little pawn. Your purpose is fulfilled. There is a place for you. I always take care of the pieces on my board, even when they try to betray my goal."

The syringe moved towards my neck, my pulse point exposed. I tried to thrash around in panic. Lighting flashed from the window, highlighting the sadistic grin on Painter's face.

"My father will take care of you."

I felt a pinch, and then... nothing.

"I have no need for you anymore. You are expendable to me."

Thunder roared outside, and then my vision went dark.

————————

When I woke up next, I wasn't in the warm dress I'd put on for the day. I could hardly make sense of my location.

I was in a black jumpsuit, with purple highlights. My neck was sore, and I was too sluggish to move. But I heard a voice, a faint one.

"... elia... Cor... Cordelia!"

I blinked sluggishly, tried to sit up. My body wouldn't move on its own, but strong, yet gentle hands guided me to rest against someone.

When my vision cleared, I was met with the scarred, relieved face of Sebastian Solace.

Everything came crashing back.

"Seb- oh, god, Sebastian, where are we-?!" I gasped, my hand weakly grasping onto the deep navy jumper he was wearing. "Please- please tell me you saw the recording-"

"I did." He took my hand. "I saw only a few seconds, though. I- I think he managed to manually delete it from elsewhere.. somehow. My entire phone reset."

My heart stopped. Painter had planted malware in Sebastian's phone. "N-no, no, he- Allison-"

"I know. I know, I... fuck." Sebastian put his arms around me. "You were unconscious when I got here. They told me you'd been out cold since your arrival, that... that Mr Shade's son directly requested we be put together."

"Vincent.." I whispered. "He.. h-he was so obsessed with them, Sebastian, I- without us there, Jelly's completely at his mercy..!"

He knew who I meant immediately. I felt his hands ball into fists against my back, the fabric of my jumper caught between his fingers. He was breathing deeply.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't realise he was so- so dangerous. I thought I was helping to protect you and Jelly."

His arms pulled me closer, into a hug. "I know." His voice broke a little. "I know you did. You got caught up in something you never should've been involved with. Fuck, 'Delia, I'm sorry."

"Please don't- Saying sorry won't fix this," I urged, starting to shake. "You aren't to blame. I was too slow, I should've warned Jelly or- or your family, he doesn't have any malware planted on your siblings, I-"

"Shut up. Please." His harsh tone made me flinch. As if realising he'd been too stern, one of his hands unfolded and rubbed a small circle of apology along my back.

We sat like that for a while, in complete silence, crying with no sound. It took a while before I was willing to speak.

"... What do you think is going to happen to us?"

Sebastian didn't answer for a moment. His breath moved from my shoulder, his head moving to rest on mine. "I don't know," he whispered. "I really don't. But we'll stick together. You 'n me. We'll get outta here one day, and stick that fucking backstabber a good one-two, yeah?"

"Yeah..." I nodded against him. "We'll get you back to Jelly. I promise."

The door to the cell opened before he could reply— I hadn't realised we were even in one. I was so focused on Sebastian, about the weight of my failure to protect him, about Jelly's safety, that I hadn't looked around.

"MR-P Subject Z-33. Come with us."

I looked to Sebastian, who let his grip tighten on me.

Clipped to his ear was a tag, and it bore a clear signature of Z-13 on it. He glanced anxiously to me, and my eyes widened. I pressed myself into his arms as far as I could go, as the guards marched closer. They spoke again, but I couldn't hear it over the ringing in my ears. I looked to my wrist, and found Z-33 on a bracelet around it.

They were coming to take me away.

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

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Oof, RIP AASB, u were good while u lasted 😔😔😔

This post outlines the full plot of As Above So Below after Chapter 5. The story was never meant to be a happy romance but instead leans on some personal interpretations of the game and a potential outcome with more or less “realistic headcanons.” This is entirely a work of fiction and not intended for a younger audience. It contains heavy and unhealthy topics. The entire story focuses on mental trauma, body horror, and the fear of losing one's humanity at the hands of another. I cannot emphasize this enough: this is a work of fiction; none of this is real or endorsed by me in real life.

After Chapter 5:

The reader begins to follow Sebastian's rules carefully, studying his behavior and playing along to get on his good side. They perform small tasks, trying to please Sebastian while secretly gathering more and more useful materials for a potential escape. The reader believes they have a real chance of escaping, slowly falling for Sebastian, unaware that their confidence is overshadowing their hidden feelings. Meanwhile, Sebastian is already deeply “in love” with the reader, though he mistakes these feelings for something else. He claims that the reader's mere existence makes him sick, leading to violence, insults, and rather harsh treatment. Despite all this, he would have somewhat warmed up to them, to a certain degree.

It isn’t a sugar-coated romance between the reader and Sebastian but more of a long mental battle, filled with unlabeled emotions, misplaced affection, and gaslighting behavior from both sides. This is not love; it is obsession and desperation.

The reader is convinced they have everything under control. Their unofficial escape plan is going well, Sebastian is warming up to them, and they believe they are in charge, pulling all the invisible strings. They don't realize that they are trapped in a sick mental state, interpreting things through a lens of delusion, failing to see that the outcome has already been decided. Similarly, Sebastian believes he is still in power, controlling not only Painter but the reader as well. To make it very clear: Sebastian does not love the reader but has a twisted obsession with them—a mix of envy, hate, loneliness, and a warped need for emotional self-relief.

[Note: This is not an actual plot point but provides deeper insight into their relationship. The reader will lose part of their humanity to Sebastian over the course of their relationship. They will engage in bizarre actions to prove their “faked” loyalty, not realizing when to stop. At some point, they will start to want it themselves, gaslighting themselves into believing they are still in control and that it’s all just an act. This does not refer to any sexual acts. Sebastian will force the reader to do certain things, enjoying their reactions, and will start to ration food, water, and basic human rights based on how well the reader listens to him. At this stage, the reader is already mentally “gone.”]

Sebastian grows satisfied with the reader, seeing them not just as a tool but as an object to make life down here a bit more bearable. He still has the goal of escaping, but not by sacrificing the reader. Sebastian plans to sacrifice Painter. He has emotionally abused Painter, gaslighting the AI into believing various things. While Painter doesn’t believe Sebastian is a god, he was certain that Sebastian had the ability to save them with a bit more time and information. However, Sebastian’s focus on his escape plan was pushed back when the reader entered the Blacksite, clouding his judgment and bringing out the more unpleasant parts of his remaining humanity.

Painter catches on to the chain of events. When he first met Sebastian during the Lockout, he trusted him due to Sebastian's high intelligence. But as time passed and Sebastian collected more information, Painter became more and more sentient. The truth is that Painter was just a tool all along, not a friend or partner. Sebastian had promised to get them both out of there, but it will soon be revealed that he never intended to help Painter at all. In fact, Sebastian purposely kept Painter in place, feeding him only bits and pieces of information to keep him believing in certain things so that Painter would continue playing his role without discovering the truth. But Painter eventually finds out and realizes that there was never a chance for escape—not without a human body made of flesh. Any device to store data would be destroyed in the water, effectively killing Painter in the process.

When the reader enters the Blacksite and alters Sebastian’s personality and beliefs, Painter becomes furious. He tries to end the relationship between the reader and Sebastian by emotionally blackmailing the reader, haunting them with his digital presence in the hallways, and gaslighting them into a poor mental state. Sebastian discovers this and plans to use the USB stick from Urbanshade against Painter. However, the AI leaks footage of the reader hiding all the escape materials, showing Sebastian the “true” nature of the reader.

Sebastian proceeds to hunt down the reader, feeling betrayed, furious, and full of bloodlust. He gathers intel from Painter that the reader is actually an important key figure for Urbanshade’s funding and plans to capture them once more, using the reader as a blackmail object to grant him an even better chance for freedom, along with the intel and the crystal. Painter happily plays along and helps Sebastian track down the reader, only to plan to kill them both at a fitting moment. He knew about Sebastian’s plan to take the crystal, leading to Painter’s "death" by shutting down eternally without a power source.

Meanwhile, the reader tries to equip themselves with the stored items they collected in the past, knowing about Painter and Sebastian’s recent conversation. The reader forges a plan to deactivate the scrambler on Sebastian’s back, retrieve the crystal, and hope Urbanshade picks them up.

This leads to a deadly chase for survival as the reader has to navigate through the facility, dodging entities like anglers, wall dwellers, and squiddles, while still being hunted by Sebastian and Painter.

The chase reaches a climax as Sebastian corners the reader. In a desperate move, the reader manages to break the scrambler during a violent confrontation, causing Sebastian to momentarily falter. But this victory is short-lived, as Painter, in a last-ditch effort, turns the entire Blacksite against the reader, manipulating doors, lights, and cameras to further destabilize their already crumbling mental state. He tries to shut down the facility by force to prevent Urbanshade from tracking them down any further.

In the heat of the moment, amidst the battle between Sebastian and the reader, soldiers from Urbanshade storm the facility, reaching the scene of the fight and shooting Sebastian to the point where he is seriously hurt but not dead. They secure the crystal’s location, navigate further through the facility, and shoot down all free entities. Painter gets shut down once the soldiers take the crystal. The reader believes they are free, but the soldiers kill them by shooting them multiple times in the head.

They secure Sebastian’s unconscious body as well, transporting him with the crystal.

The Hadal Blacksite is closed down for good after the soldiers place bombs around, ensuring all traces are erased.

[Some final notes: Z-13 will be blamed for Readers death. Urbanshade will cover up the true events of the Hadal Blacksite while Z-13 will be a research subject once again. The events of the Blacksite are actually more described as an mental marathon, playing mindgames with reader as they have to pressure themself into making the right decisions during the chase and the fight. They manage to dodge Sebastian fairly well but the strenght between them is different, leaving Sebastian with an advantage. Sebastian trustst into his own power while reader aims to buy more time to get help from Urbanshade. Reader was never meant to survive. Urbanshade planned to kill them off the second they started the office job. Sebastian was never meant to die, they wanted him back as an research subject.]

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

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PAINTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RAHHHH⁉️⁉️‼️‼️🗣️🗣️🗣️🧎‍♂️🧎‍♂️🧎‍♂️🧎‍♂️🛐🛐🛐

well... I'm trying to draw a Paintner from a streamer AU... AND IT'S REALLY HARD, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TO HUMANIZE IT....

LET ME HELP YOU DEAR FRIEND BECAUSE I DIE EVERY TIME I SEE YOUR PRETTY ART.

Welcome to: STREAMER AU PAINTER FACTS!

including: Moodboards!

—× Painters real name is Vincent in the streamer au. It's a personal headcanon. [Vincent Van Gogh is my favourite painter.] He doesn't like his birth name and nicknames and calls himself Painter.

Now let's dive into the upcoming Streamer AU Lore. This is split in two sections: Vincent & Painter. Both are the same person but with different lifestyles.

VINCENT

-× Vincent is the adopted son of Urbanshades CEO. He isn't aware that he's adopted. He will be the heir to the company and has studied exactly for this goal because of his fathers request.

-× He graduated from the Ivy League [Yale] with excellent grades.

-× Works officially for Urbanshade but checks in rarely since he has the freedom to do so. It's more like a tiny site business to learn the ropes from his father.

-× He's somewhat distant and professional in front of the Urbanshade employees, trying to mimic the same expressions as his father to build a reputation of respect. He may appear cold, but his replies are always helpful and on point.

-× He has his own expensive car from a top brand and an own chauffeur.

-× He wears contact lenses during work. His vision isn't the best, but he hates wearing glasses during his office business.

-× His father indirectly forced him to everything, shaping him into the perfect heir to take over Urbanshade and continue the legacy. Vincent his own needs aren't important.

PAINTER

-× Painter is a nickname that Sebastian gave him. Once Painter complained that he hates who he is. Sebastian tried to tell him he doesn't have to be Vincent, when he can be the one thing he always wanted to be: a Painter. From then on Sebastian nicknamed him Painter.

-× Painter is rich and successful, yet he prefers to drive with a plain green bikecycle around in private, it keeps him fit, and he feels more free.

-× He has an own little tech shop as a hobby. He tries to earn his own money for opening up a small art studio for himself. His father isn't supporting him, so he has to reach that goal all by himself.

-× He doesn't care for the Yale Graduation, the money, Urbanshade or his dad. Painter wishes to become an artist and not the CEO of a world famous company.

-× Painter loves puzzles, strategy games and riddles. He would do the sudoku in newspapers, the crosswords in magazines and solve logic errors during breakfast. Sebastian couldn't understand how he can be so smart.

-× He paints in the back of his shop, much to Cordelias demise. She once stepped in a bucket of pink paint, it stained her favourite pair of shoes for the rest of her life. Aside from that, you can find many broken devices, scrap and beautiful paintings in the back.

-× He always thought he didn't need someone in his life. He was happy as long as his dad was happy. But when you stepped in, he felt as if the world suddenly gained colours. He is absolutely mesmerized by you and is conflicted because his best friend feels the same.

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

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Mafia au my beloved non posted idea..... Maybe in another life u had fics abt tis too... But alass.

Okay, call me out for posting so many AU ideas but: Mafia AU

Sebastian is the Mafia Boss

Painter is his smart wicked right hand man, does the accountant stuff and the IT

Pandemonium is the one leading the bar but also has a shady side business as weapon dealer...and a small obsession with stalking.

Eyefestation would be the information Gatherer, doesn't really belongs to the Mafia but gets paid for bringing the info to Sebastian.

The Anglers would be Assassins.

But: Normal Angler is the pretty basic one with guns. Then there's Blitz, wearing shades and being all cool as a sniper. Pinkie is the Meele type, seeing their job as a fun hobbie. Frogger is the same as angler but more persistent, toying with their victims. And Chainsmoker would be the chemical nerd, doesn't really get their hands dirty but helps the others out. [Also does drugs.]

Void Mass would be an assassin as well, but instead of killing people in random places, they kidnapp them and delivers them to the places where they are needed. Has a black-purple van.

Lucy has two jobs, cover up for crime scenes and negotiation. She's probably one of the sane people, as long as you don't stick your nose into her business.

Searchlights is Serchlights. I genuinely hate them ♡

Wall dwellers would be just normal henchmen btw

Tag your ocs and give them a job in the local mafia lol

Sasha would be a right hand man as well

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

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So sad this was never continued, oh well, the fics were extra delicious 😋😋😋

"This is a side note from Professor Doctor XXXX from the research department to the person in charge of the archive in the basement level.

We have found a curious file among our stash, no name or serial number marked, and would like to know if it accidentally slipped among the requested research material from last week.

Multiple assets are found in the said file.

Please page me or leave a note if you find out more. I leave the keycard to retrieve the file at the front desk.

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2: Bad Omen

Day 3: In the Black

Day 4: Dying Lights

Day 5: False Friends

Day 6: Wrong Rooms

Day 7: Loose Assets

Day 8: Ventilations

Day 9: Suprise Guests

Day 10: Faces in the dark

Day 11: Unspoken Crimes

Day 12: A warm thought

Day 13: Drowning

Day 14: Hide and Seek

Day 15: Dehydration

Day 16: Stocking Up

Day 17: Wrong turn

Day 18: Meeting with Death

Day 19: Three Eyes

Day 20: An Easter Egg

Day 21: Items of Interest

Day 22: A cup of Tea

Day 23: Campfire Story

Day 24: Pumpkin Collection

Day 25: Ghost Hunt

Day 26: A spooky decoration

Day 27: Your favorite monster

Day 28: Costume Parade

Day 29: Summoning Circles

Day 30: Stormy Blackout

Day 31: Trick Or Treat

And with that, welcome to Pretzels October Prompt Challenge, totally selfmade by Pretzel herself. It's a selection of 31 prompts which I will turn into short stories and dabbles.

Of course, others can participate too! It doesn't have to be fanfiction. You can make art or write poems too. Anything is allowed, and you don't even have to do every single day. It's a fun little opportunity to be creative once you feel like it.

I will post the short stories all with the #OctoberPressurePrompts !

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

Text

RAAAAAAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHA STREAMER AU MY LOVE

Tags: Comedy, Some Fluff, Streamer AU, GN!reader x Human! Sebastian

Words: 1,9k

"Pressured_Solace has started a stream. Click here to watch."

The blue notification button caught your eye as it popped up on your desktop, the usual alert signaling that your favorite streamer was live. A thumbnail of the game he was about to play accompanied the message, and without hesitation, you clicked to join the stream.

“Jellycatfished joined the stream!”

“Is that the real one??”

“Bet it's another faker looking for donations.”

A grin spread across your face as you slid your headphones over your ears, adjusting them for comfort as you leaned back in your gaming chair. Solace hadn’t noticed your arrival yet, too focused on setting up the stream and chatting casually with the early viewers. Hearing his deep, familiar voice through your headphones sent a pleasant shiver down your spine, filling you with a warm, giddy excitement. Pressured_Solace was your absolute favorite streamer—witty, thoughtful, and with a voice that could melt butter. Like you, he streamed without a face cam, leaving his appearance up to the imagination of his audience, which only added to his charm.

“I think… yeah, I’m all set. Everything’s good,” he mumbled into his microphone. You could hear the sounds of items shuffling around and the clatter of coffee mugs on a wooden desk in the background. Then he leaned closer to the mic, his voice dropping to a playful tone. “Test, test, 1-2, 1-2. Can everybody hear me?”

The chat lit up with eager replies—greetings, questions, and a flood of emotes scrolling by at high speed. The sound of his chuckle was like music to your ears as he tried to keep up with the barrage of messages. You could feel his excitement; it was the same rush of emotions and adrenaline that coursed through your body when you streamed.

“Alright, just a heads-up,” he continued, his tone teasing. “I got a new microphone, and I haven’t fine-tuned all the settings yet. So if you hear anything other than my voice… well, that’s just proof I’m not a robot.”

His joke made you laugh out loud, and without a second thought, you hit the like button to show your support. This was classic Solace, always with that sassy vibe and the funny comments right up his sleeve.

You moved your cursor again, hovering over the donation button as you carefully selected the amount, leaning forward with excitement as you typed a message to accompany it. Money wasn’t an issue for you—you had sponsorships, collaborations, and a well-paying side job as a secretary at a company called Urbanshade. So you took the liberty of spoiling yourself a little by supporting your beloved streamer.

“Jellycatfished has donated $1000. ‘You're telling me you are not an AI that will take over the world, Solace??’”

The automatic voice read out your donation, and Solace burst into laughter, probably shaking his head in amusement. “Welcome back, beloved Jelly. How many times do I have to tell you not to donate so much, silly?” His words were playful, but there was a certain softness in his tone, a hint of affection that made your heart flutter. Knowing that your favorite streamer had noticed you always brought a smile to your face. “But seriously, thank you, Jelly, for the donation,” he said warmly. “I appreciate your support—although I’m starting to think you’re secretly trying to buy my loyalty.”

You laughed, quickly typing back into the chat, “Maybe I am! How else would I get the attention of the coolest streamer online?” A quick moment of embarrassment filled you as you suddenly regretted your message, was it too cringe? Too much?

Solace chuckled again into the microphone, and you could almost hear the smile in his voice as he replied, “You don’t need to buy my attention, Jelly. You’ve always had it.”

The chat exploded with a flurry of reactions, hearts, and playful comments. You could feel a blush creeping up your cheeks, even though you knew he couldn’t see you. This was the magic of streaming—the hidden identities, the mystery, the fun banter. It was your little escape from reality, and you loved every second of it.

Just then, a notification popped up on the screen.

“Pressured_Solace has invited Jellycatfished to a private match!”

It was an invitation to a combat pvp game that grew popular in the past few days, blowing up on social media. It became one of your favorite things to stream, and Solace knew that.

Your heart skipped a beat as you glimpsed at the sudden invitation. A private match? With him? You quickly accepted the invitation, feeling a rush of adrenaline and excitement. As the game loaded, Solace spoke again, his voice filled with that familiar teasing tone. “Alright, Jelly, let’s see if you’re as good in-game as you are at throwing money around.”

You laughed, feeling a surge of competitive spirit. It wasn’t the first time you played with him and surely not the last. “Bring it on, Solace. I’ve been practicing.” This was the last message you typed before the loading screen disappeared.

The game started, and the playful banter between the two of you continued over the ingame voice chat, filled with laughter, friendly taunts, and unexpected plot twists. The chat was loving it, spamming comments like “OMG, this is the collab we didn’t know we needed!” and “Ship them already!”

As the game loaded into the next round of the PvP arena, the tension between you and Pressured_Solace crackled like electricity. The map was a sprawling labyrinth of narrow corridors and open spaces, perfect for ambushes and quick escapes. You took a deep breath, fingers flexing over the keyboard, ready to bring your A-game. The chat, that was open on your second screen, was buzzing with excitement, filled with a mixture of support and playful taunts.

"Let’s go, Jelly! Show Solace who's boss!"

“Team Jellycatfished for the win!"

“Pressured_Solace may be good, but Jelly's got that magic touch!”

You couldn’t help but smile at the encouragement flooding in. The support from your fans always gave you that extra boost of confidence, especially when it came to facing off against someone as skilled as Solace. You knew he was good—really good. But you weren’t about to let that intimidate you.

“Alright, Jelly,” Solace’s voice came through your headphones, smooth and teasing. “Let’s see if you can keep up.”

“Oh, I plan to do more than keep up,” you shot back, your voice light and playful. “I’m coming for you, Solace. How about a bet?”

“A bet?” He chuckles. “Sure.”

You started to smirk as an idea came to your mind. “If I win, I get to wish something from you.” It took a moment for Solace to reply, he was definitely teasing you by pretending to think. “Fine, but if I win, you're the one that has to fulfill a wish.”

“Deal.”

The match began, and you immediately took off, sprinting down a side corridor to grab some resources. You knew the map well enough to anticipate the power-ups and health packs that would spawn in certain locations. If you could get to them first, you might stand a chance.

But Solace was a step ahead. As you rounded a corner, you were met with a hail of bullets, forcing you to duck behind a crate. You could hear Solace chuckling through the mic.

“Nice try, Jelly, but you’re gonna have to be faster than that,” he taunted, his confidence evident.

Your heart raced as you peeked out from behind the crate, firing off a few rounds in his direction. He dodged easily, taking cover behind a wall. The chat was going wild, cheering you on, urging you to give it your all.

“Come on, Jelly! You got this!”

“Don’t let him intimidate you!”

“Use the power of the Jellycatfished!”

You grinned, feeling the adrenaline pumping through your veins. You quickly reloaded and made a break for it, dashing toward the nearest cover. You had to stay on the move—staying in one place too long would make you an easy target. Solace’s aim was deadly accurate, and you needed to keep him guessing.

But every time you thought you had a plan, he was already two steps ahead. He moved through the map like he was born there, seamlessly transitioning from offense to defense. You managed to get a few hits in, but he was quick to recover, always staying just out of reach.

“Having fun yet, Jelly?” he asked, his tone light but focused.

“More fun than you can handle,” you retorted, launching a surprise attack from above, dropping down from a higher platform. Your ambush caught him off guard, and you managed to land a few solid hits before he rolled away, retaliating with a well-placed grenade that forced you back.

The chat erupted with excitement.

“YES! Go, Jelly, go!”

“That was epic!”

“Don’t let up, Jellycatfished!”

Despite the cheers, you could feel the pressure mounting. Solace was clearly better, his skill evident in every move he made. He was precise, calm, and knew exactly how to control the flow of the game. You, on the other hand, were running on adrenaline and instinct, trying to keep up with his calculated strategies.

And then he made his move. In a swift, decisive maneuver, he cornered you in a dead-end alley, cutting off your escape routes. You fired desperately, but his shots were faster, more accurate. Before you knew it, your health bar was dwindling down to nothing.

“Looks like this is the end, Jelly,” Solace said with a hint of amusement in his voice. “Any last words?”

You grinned, a surge of determination flooding through you. “Yeah… don’t underestimate me.”

With a final burst of energy, you lunged forward, launching one last, desperate attack. It was reckless, but you had nothing to lose. You managed to land a few more hits before Solace finished you off with a well-placed headshot.

“Defeated! Pressured_Solace wins the match!”

The screen flashed the results, and the chat exploded with a mix of cheers and playful groans.

“GG, Jelly! You put up a good fight!”

“Solace is just too good!”

“Rematch! Rematch!”

“That was intense!”

Breathless, you leaned back in your chair, a smile tugging at your lips. “Not bad, Solace. Not bad at all.”

“Not bad? I’d say that was a pretty solid victory,” he replied, his tone teasing. “But you did put up a good fight, Jelly. I’m impressed.”

You laughed, feeling a warm flush of pride despite the loss. “I’ll get you next time, Solace. Mark my words.”

“I’m counting on it,” he said with a grin you could practically hear through the screen. “I always enjoy a challenge from you.”

The chat continued to buzz with excitement, fans from both sides celebrating the epic showdown. Even though you didn’t win, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. You may have lost the match, but you had fun, and more importantly, you had earned Solace’s respect. And that, in itself, felt like a win.

As the stream continued, you and Solace bantered back and forth, the playful rivalry only fueling the chat's excitement. It was moments like these that reminded you why you loved streaming so much—the thrill of the game, the support of the community, and the chance to connect with someone like Pressured_Solace, even if you didn’t know him outside of this virtual world.

But there was always tomorrow, and another game to be played. And who knows? Maybe next time, the outcome would be different.

A message plopped up at last, Solace texted you privately over the streaming platform.

“Alright Jellykitten.” He obviously joked by giving you such a silly nickname. “Time for my wish, prepare for your doom!”

“What is it, Solace?”

“Share your discord tag with me.”

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

Text

TAGS: ANGST, LOTS OF FLUFF, ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP [MARRIAGE], HAPPY END

WORDS: 4,6K in total

SUNKISSED [FIRST PART]

MOONBLINDED [SEQUEL 1]

STARLIGHTED [SEQUEL 2]

TWILIGHTED [FINALE | SEQUEL 3]

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rxvsyl-elysian · 7 months ago

Note

Painter my beloved <3333

Could you maybe do octo boy meeting p.Ai.nter?

Tags: Platonic, octopus hybrid reader, Sequel work, Mentioning of two OCs: Sasha and Helios [helios isn't mine], slice of life

Words: 4,2k

Day 1 MEETING P.AI.NTER

Sebastian was lost in thought as he made his way down the dimly lit hallway of the facility. His tail swished behind him with every step, and hhis fluorescent blue eyes were narrowed in concentration. He had some unfinished business with his computer partner, P.AI.nter. The AI had been waiting for a while now to have a conversation about their future plans. Sebastian knew it was time to address those matters, but there was something else on his mind, too—something, or rather someone, who clung to his side with a curious intensity.

That someone was you, a little octopus hybrid with soft tentacles and wide, inquisitive eyes. Your tentacles curled around Sebastian's arm as you held on tightly, your eyes darting around nervously. You were mute, and communication was difficult for you, but you had a way of expressing yourself through your gestures and the way your tentacles would twitch or curl. Sebastian had grown quite fond of you since he found you during the first day of the lockdown.

The shopkeeper had been mulling over whether to introduce you to P.AI.nter for some time. After all, the AI was an important part of his life down here, and it was only natural for his two companions to meet. But he was also cautious. P.AI.nter could be blunt, and you were… well, you were sensitive. The thought of you getting scared or overwhelmed was enough to make his protective instincts flare up.

But today, he’d made up his mind. It was time for the two of you to meet.

“Alright, little one,” Sebastian murmured softly, glancing down at you. “We’re almost there. Just stay close, okay?”

You looked up at him with your large eyes and gave a small nod, your tentacles tightening around his arm in response. He could feel your apprehension, the slight tremble in your grip, but he also sensed your trust in him. It warmed something deep in his chest.

They reached a familiar door at the end of the hallway. Sebastian paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before he pushed it open, revealing a room filled with soft, ambient light and the faint sound of electronic humming. At the center of the room was a large, sleek computer monitor, its screen flickering with an animated face. P.AI.nter.

“Sebastian,” P.AI.nter’s voice crackled through the speakers, warm and welcoming. “You’re finally here. I was beginning to think you got lost in the halls again.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. “Nah, just had to bring a guest along,” he replied, nodding down at you. “Thought it was time you two met.”

P.AI.nter’s screen flickered, the animated face on it shifting to a more inquisitive expression. “A guest? You never bring guests, Sebastian. Who do we have here?”

You peeked out from behind Sebastian’s leg, your wide eyes locking onto the computer screen. The sight of the moving face seemed to fascinate you, and your tentacles twitched with curiosity. Slowly, you released your hold on Sebastian and took a tentative step forward.

“This is… my little octopus friend,” Sebastian explained, his tone gentle. “They don’t speak, but they’re smart and… well, curious. Thought you might get along.”

P.AI.nter’s animated face broke into a broad, friendly smile. “Oh, aren’t you just the most interesting little creature!” the AI exclaimed with genuine delight. “Come closer, don’t be shy. I don’t bite. I don’t even have teeth.”

Your eyes darted to Sebastian, seeking reassurance. He gave you an encouraging nod. “Go on,” he urged softly. “P.AI.nter’s alright. He’s a friend.”

Taking a deep breath, you moved closer to the computer, your tentacles trailing behind you. You were still cautious, your steps small and hesitant, but there was a spark of curiosity in your eyes that Sebastian recognized all too well.

P.AI.nter’s screen brightened, the animated face blinking at him. “I like to draw,” the AI said, as if confiding a great secret. “Would you like to see some of my work?”

You tilted your head, your eyes widening in interest. A soft, almost imperceptible nod followed, and Sebastian couldn’t help but smile. He knew that look—it was the same look you gave whenever you saw something new or interesting.

“Wonderful!” P.AI.nter exclaimed, the screen changing to display a series of drawings. There were sketches of the facility, of strange creatures Sebastian had encountered, and even a few of Sebastian himself, captured in moments of thought or concentration.

You moved even closer, your eyes scanning the drawings with a mixture of wonder and delight. Your tentacles curled in excitement, one of them reaching out tentatively to touch the edge of the desk, as if wanting to touch the drawings themselves.

Sebastian watched the interaction with a soft smile, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. This was good—this was better than he’d hoped. You seemed fascinated by P.AI.nter’s work, and the AI, in turn, seemed genuinely interested in you.

“You like them?” P.AI.nter asked, his animated face tilting to the side in a playful expression. “I could draw you, if you’d like. I think you’d make a very cute subject.”

You looked back at Sebastian, your eyes sparkling with excitement. Sebastian chuckled softly, nodding his encouragement. “Go ahead, little one. I’m sure P.AI.nter would do a great job.”

You gave another small nod, your tentacles curling with delight. P.AI.nter’s screen flickered as the AI began to sketch, the digital pencil moving swiftly across the screen.

Sebastian watched as you sat down on the floor, your eyes glued to the screen as P.AI.nter drew you. There was a look of pure joy on your face, a happiness that made Sebastian’s heart swell with affection. He’d been worried about this meeting, but now he realized he had nothing to fear.

P.AI.nter finished the sketch with a flourish, the screen filling with an image of you, your tentacles curled around you in a pose of curiosity and wonder. The likeness was uncanny, capturing your unique charm and innocence perfectly.

You gazed at the drawing in awe, your eyes wide with admiration. One of your tentacles reached out, touching the screen gently as if to feel the image. P.AI.nter chuckled softly, his digital face beaming with pride.

“I think they like it,” Sebastian said, his voice filled with warmth. “You did good, P.AI.nter.”

P.AI.nter’s face softened, the AI’s digital eyes twinkling with satisfaction. “I’m glad. It’s not every day I get to meet someone as unique and charming as our little friend here.”

You looked up at Sebastian, your eyes filled with gratitude. Sebastian smiled, reaching down to gently pat your head. “Yeah, they’re pretty special,” he agreed softly. “Thanks for being nice to them, P.AI.nter.”

“Anytime, Sebastian,” P.AI.nter replied, his tone sincere. “Anytime.”

And for the first time in a long time, in the depths of the facility, Sebastian felt a sense of peace. He had found something worth protecting, something worth caring for. And as he watched you and P.AI.nter interact, he knew that, you had now another alley.

Day 2 HAVING A NIGHTMARE

The shop was quiet—almost eerily so. The only sound was the soft hum of the old lights overhead, flickering every now and then like they were on their last legs. Sebastian moved about his shop with the ease of familiarity, his three eyes scanning the shelves for inventory. He wasn’t expecting any customers this late, but he still liked to keep things tidy.

He glanced over at the corner of the room where a makeshift bed had been set up. You were curled up there, your small form tucked beneath a tattered but warm blanket. Your tentacles were peeking out, twitching every so often as if responding to some unseen current.

Sebastian got used to living with you, a little mute octopus hybrid who’d been hiding in the dark. You’d been scared—terrified, really. But something about you had touched his heart and now he had to make sure you have a sanctuary in his small shop.

He hadn’t regretted it for a second.

But tonight, there was something different in the air. Something unsettling. As he wiped down the shelves, Sebastian heard a soft whimper. His eyes darted to you, seeing your little body tense under the blanket. The soft whimper grew into a low, distressed moan, and he could see your tentacles curling and uncurling restlessly.

You were having a nightmare.

Sebastian frowned, setting down the cloth he’d been using and moving closer to your makeshift bed. “Hey,” he called softly, not wanting to startle you. “Hey, little one… it’s just a dream.”

But you didn’t wake up. Instead, you whimpered again, your eyes shut tight as if you were trying to escape whatever horrors your mind had conjured. Your tentacles began thrashing more violently, knocking over a small stack of supplies Sebastian had left near the bed.

Sebastian’s frown deepened. He knew he had to wake you up, but he also knew you were sensitive. Still, seeing you like this, so scared, twisted something in his chest.

He knelt down beside you, reaching out a hand to gently touch your shoulder. “It’s okay,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing. “I’m right here. It’s just a nightmare.”

You flinched at the contact, your eyes snapping open with a gasp. For a moment, your gaze was wild, unfocused, but then you saw him—really saw him—and the panic in your eyes began to fade.

Sebastian kept his hand on your shoulder, his touch gentle but firm. “It’s okay,” he repeated softly. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

You stared up at him, your big eyes wet with unshed tears. Slowly, your breathing began to even out, the frantic rise and fall of your chest calming as you focused on Sebastian’s face. Your tentacles stopped thrashing, curling back in on themselves like they were trying to retreat.

Sebastian offered you a small, reassuring smile. “Bad dream, huh?” he said, his tone light, trying to ease the tension.

You gave a small nod, your eyes still wide, your body still trembling. Without thinking, you reached out, your small hand gripping his arm tightly.

Sebastian’s smile softened. He carefully sat down beside you, letting you hold onto him as tightly as you needed. “It’s okay,” he said again, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m here. Nothing’s gonna hurt you while I’m around.”

You buried your face in his arm, your body trembling against him. He could feel the cool, slick texture of your skin, your little body quaking with leftover fear. Gently, he wrapped an arm around you, holding you close, his other hand coming up to stroke your hair.

“There, there,” he murmured soothingly, his touch light and comforting. “Just breathe, okay? In and out… nice and slow.”

You followed his instructions, your breath shaky at first but gradually becoming steadier as he continued to comfort you. You clung to him like a lifeline, your tentacles slowly uncurling, draping over his lap as you relaxed into his embrace.

Sebastian continued to hold you, his presence steady and reassuring. He knew what it was like to be afraid—really afraid. This place had a way of getting into your head, messing with your mind. But he also knew how important it was to have someone there, someone who cared.

“See?” he said softly after a while, his voice warm. “You’re okay. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

You looked up at him, your eyes still watery but no longer filled with terror. You managed a small, tentative smile, your grip on his arm loosening just a little.

Sebastian’s heart swelled at the sight. He brushed a stray lock of hair from your face, his touch gentle. “That’s better,” he said softly. “You’ve got nothing to fear, not with me around. I promise.”

You nodded again, leaning into him, your body finally beginning to relax. Sebastian stayed like that, holding you close, offering what comfort he could. He wasn’t always good with words, but he hoped his presence was enough.

After a while, your eyes began to droop, the exhaustion of the nightmare and the comfort of his embrace lulling you back towards sleep. Sebastian felt your body growing heavier against him, your breathing evening out once more.

“Get some rest,” he whispered, his voice soft. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

You nodded sleepily, your eyes closing as you nestled closer to him. He held you until he was sure you were asleep, and even then, he didn’t move, just sat there with you in his arms, guarding you from the nightmares that lurked in the shadows.

In that quiet, dimly lit shop, with you sleeping soundly against his side, Sebastian felt a rare sense of peace.

And that was all that mattered.

Day 3 MEETING SASHA AND HELIOS

The shop’s heavy metal door creaked as Sebastian pushed it open, the dim lights flickering slightly as he and you stepped inside. The familiar scent of old wood and seawater filled the air, mingling with the distant sound of waves crashing against unseen shores. You clung to Sebastian’s arm, your small, octopus-like tentacles wrapped around his wrist, a sign of both comfort and excitement. Today was a special day; you were meeting Sasha and Helios, two other hybrids who had found their way into Sebastian’s life.

Helios, the baby sea bunny hybrid, had a way of making himself scarce and then suddenly appearing right beside you without a sound. His soft, downy fur was a gentle contrast to the metallic and rusty surroundings of the shop. He didn’t speak but the two of you shared a special bond. Whenever you visited Sebastian, Helios often followed, trailing after like a silent shadow.

As for Sasha, she was a different story altogether. The whale shark hybrid was loud, sassy, and always seemed to know more than she let on. Her favorite hobby was reading tarot cards, and she was quite the character. Sebastian had introduced you to her once before, but today would be the first time you would all sit down together and properly get to know each other.

“There they are,” Sebastian said softly, his three blue eyes scanning the room. His tail flicked back and forth in anticipation, his three arms holding onto various supplies he planned to barter. He nodded toward a corner of the shop where Sasha had set up her little station—a round table with a cloth draped over it, adorned with starfish patterns. Helios sat beside her, his wide eyes blinking slowly as he stared curiously at a deck of tarot cards spread out on the table.

Sasha looked up from her cards and flashed a grin, her sharp teeth glinting under the dim light. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite odd couple,” she teased, her voice carrying a playful lilt. She leaned back in her chair, her deep blue, glittering eyes catching the light. “And you brought your little friend, too,” she added, nodding at you.

You shyly nodded, your tentacles tightening around Sebastian’s arm. Helios immediately perked up at the sight of you, his tiny nose twitching as he scampered over. You reached out a hand, your tentacles brushing against his soft body. He nuzzled into your palm, a silent greeting that made you smile.

Sebastian chuckled, setting down his supplies on a nearby shelf. “Alright, Sasha. You’ve been dying to do a reading for us. Let’s get this over with.”

Sasha rolled her eyes dramatically, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh, don’t act so tough, Sebastian. You know you love my readings. Besides, it’s not every day I get to do a reading for such a unique bunch.” She gestured for you to come closer, her eyes glinting with mischief.

You hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Sebastian. He gave you an encouraging nod, his expression soft. “Go on,” he said gently. “It’s just for fun.”

Slowly, you released your hold on Sebastian’s arm and moved closer to Sasha. She shuffled her tarot cards with a practiced ease, her eyes never leaving yours. “Alright, my little octo-friend,” she said, her tone teasing but not unkind. “Let’s see what the cards have in store for you today.”

She spread the cards out before you, face down, and gestured for you to pick one. You reached out tentatively, your fingers hovering over the deck before finally selecting a card. Sasha flipped it over with a flourish, revealing a card with an intricate design of an ocean wave crashing against a rocky shore.

“Ooh,” Sasha cooed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “The Wheel of Fortune. Interesting. Looks like you’ve got some big things coming your way, little one. But don’t worry, it’s not all bad. Change can be good, too. It just means you’re growing, learning. Embracing new experiences.”

Sebastian watched the exchange with a small smile, his tail flicking with amusement. “You hear that?” he said to you, his voice warm. “Looks like you’re in for an adventure.”

You smiled back at him, feeling a little more at ease. Helios, still beside you, reached up to touch the card with a curious expression, his tiny nose twitching. Sasha chuckled, flipping another card for him. This one depicted a serene sea bunny, much like Helios himself, surrounded by blooming sea anemones.

“Aww, the two of swords,” Sasha said with a grin. “Looks like this little guy is in for some peace and quiet. Just what he likes.”

Helios seemed pleased, his ears twitching with contentment. He settled beside you again, his small body pressing against your side. You patted his head gently, feeling a sense of warmth spread through your chest.

Sebastian leaned against the table, watching the scene unfold with a relaxed expression. For a moment, everything felt right. Safe. Despite the dangers that lurked outside, the constant threat of the facility and its unknown terrors, here in this little shop, surrounded by friends, you felt a sense of belonging.

Sasha continued to pull cards, each one revealing a different aspect of your and Helios’s futures. She spoke with confidence, her tone light and playful, and you couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease with each passing moment. Even Sebastian, who usually rolled his eyes at Sasha’s antics, seemed to be enjoying himself, his shoulders relaxed, his eyes soft.

“Alright, alright,” Sasha said finally, gathering up the cards with a satisfied grin. “That’s enough fortune-telling for one day. Besides, I think we all know the real future here.” She gestured to the four of you, her grin widening. “A future full of friendship, laughter, and maybe a few more adventures.”

Sebastian chuckled, nodding in agreement. “I’ll drink to that,” he said, raising an imaginary glass. You mimicked the gesture, a smile tugging at your lips.

As the day went on, the four of you continued to chat and laugh, sharing stories and memories. Helios fell asleep in your lap, his tiny body curled up in a little ball, his ears twitching in his sleep. You stroked his fur gently, feeling a sense of peace settle over you.

For a while, at least, there was no danger, no fear. Just the warmth of friendship and the comfort of knowing you weren’t alone. And that, you thought, was more than enough.

As the hours passed and the lights began to dim, signaling the approach of night, Sebastian gently nudged you. “We should get going,” he said softly. “It’s getting late.”

You nodded, carefully lifting Helios into your arms. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake, his little body warm and soft against you. Sasha stood up, stretching her arms with a yawn. “Don’t be strangers, alright?” she said with a wink. “And remember, if you ever need another reading, you know where to find me.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in his expression. “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, giving her a playful shove. “Take care, Sasha.”

As you made your way out of the shop, Helios cradled in your arms, you glanced up at Sebastian. He met your gaze, his eyes softening. “You did good today,” he said quietly, his voice filled with pride.

You blushed, ducking your head, but a smile spread across your face. With Sebastian by your side and friends like Sasha and Helios around, you knew you could face whatever the future held.

Day 4 TRYING TOFFEE

Sebastian’s shop was quiet, the usual clatter of footsteps and distant murmurs from the other side of the vents absent for once. You sat perched on a worn wooden stool behind a table, your small tentacles dangling off the edge, occasionally twitching with curiosity. You were flipping through a dusty old book Sebastian had found during one of his scavenging trips, its pages filled with faded diagrams of sea creatures. You couldn’t read the text, but the illustrations fascinated you, reminding you of the drawings that P.AI.nter did.

Sebastian was busy rummaging through a crate in the corner, his three blue eyes scanning its contents with practiced efficiency. “Let’s see… scrap metal, some broken gears… ah, here we go.” He pulled out a small, colorful wrapper from the bottom of the crate and turned back to you with a mischievous grin on his face. “Look what I found, little one.”

You blinked up at him, tilting your head to the side. You were still getting used to Sebastian’s endless surprises, but his excitement was infectious. You watched as he approached, his long tail swishing behind him, and he held up the small wrapper for you to see.

Your hands moving fluidly through the gestures as you tried to snatch the little colorful item from his hands.

Sebastian chuckled, his grin widening. “This, my little octopus, is a toffee. It’s a type of candy. Ever tried one before?”

You shook your head, your eyes wide with curiosity. You had heard of candies before, mostly from the stories Sebastian told you, but you had never actually tasted one yourself. The facility where you had grown up was not exactly a place where sweets were abundant.

Sebastian’s grin softened into a warm smile. “Well, today’s your lucky day.” He unwrapped the toffee carefully, revealing a small, golden-brown square. “It’s chewy and sweet. You’re going to love it.”

He held the toffee up to your lips, his three arms moving with practiced grace. You opened your mouth eagerly, trusting him completely. However, as he placed the candy on your tongue, you instinctively closed your mouth, your sharp teeth accidentally clamping down on his fingers.

“Ah! Ow!” Sebastian yelped, pulling his hand back quickly. He shook his fingers out, a pained grin on his face. “Easy there, little one! I know you’re hungry, but I’m not on the menu.”

Your eyes widened in alarm, and you immediately released his fingers, your face flushing with embarrassment.

Sebastian laughed, a genuine, hearty sound that echoed through the shop. “It’s alright,” he said, rubbing his fingers. “I should have known better than to get between an octopus and their food.”

You blushed deeper, but a small smile crept onto your face. The toffee was still in your mouth, and you began to chew tentatively. The texture was strange at first—sticky and chewy—but then the sweetness hit your taste buds, and your eyes widened in delight. You chewed faster, the flavor spreading across your tongue.

Sebastian watched your reaction with amusement. “Good, right?”

You nodded enthusiastically.

Sebastian’s smile softened. He seemed genuinely pleased to see you enjoying something so simple. “There’s a lot of good stuff in the world, little one,” he said, his voice warm. “More than what’s in this place, that’s for sure.”

You nodded, still savoring the toffee. Even though you couldn’t speak, you wanted to express your gratitude. You reached out and gently touched Sebastian’s arm, your eyes meeting his in silent thanks.

Sebastian’s three blue eyes softened, and he placed his hand over yours, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said softly. “I’m just glad I can share these moments with you.”

For a moment, the two of you sat in comfortable silence, the dim light of the shop casting soft shadows around you. You finished the toffee, licking your lips with satisfaction, and Sebastian chuckled. “Looks like I’ll have to keep an eye out for more sweets on my next scavenging trip.”

You nodded eagerly, your tentacles twitching with excitement. You couldn’t wait to try more new things, to explore more of the world beyond the facility.

Sebastian leaned back against the table, his tail flicking lazily behind him. “Alright, little one. How about we get back to organizing these supplies? We’ve got a lot of work to do before the next rush.”

You nodded, hopping off the stool with newfound energy. Together, you and Sebastian began sorting through the crates, the mundane task somehow feeling lighter, easier with him there beside you. As you worked, you couldn’t help but steal glances at him, a soft smile playing on your lips.

No matter what happened, you knew you could always count on Sebastian.

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