the-bats-who-simp

[the-bats-who-simp]

Upon Holy Ground

Chapter 1: Magnolia

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Co-authored by @the-bats-who-simp and @alwaysyourshenry

Warnings: Very light smut (kissing, titty touches, etc.)

Ajax rubbed his back, sore with old age as often happens. He looked sightlessly out on the town fondly, feeling the chill on his face that almost felt like an old friend at this point if not for the small freezing bites it gave him. He remembered his mother, one of the very last women to give birth during the last summer. Her face was always clear in his head, even if the background faded away with the years. His memory could only do so much good. His hair and beard were streaked with silver, his eyes wise and as blue as the summer sky he was born under.

On his back he carried his granddaughter, too young to wear the heavy snow shoes they all had to wear to get around the town. In front of him, sled dogs, happy and rolling around in the snow. For as long as he could remember, it was his job to help distribute food amongst the town. It was a group effort, of course, everybody helped out where they could all things considered. It was in their nature to be considerate and selfless, part of the teachings and values they’d been raised by. Helping those in need, treat others with respect and you’ll receive respect in return. That is, of course, not to say hedonism was frowned upon, far from it. One could indulge and be selfless at the same time. Those two things weren’t mutually exclusive.

Ajax now carried the last of the bread. His grandson, Everest, had made it in the bakery in the middle of town with the last of the ingredients from the last excursion beyond Paradiso’s borders. Not even the cold could get rid of the warmth of a freshly made loaf, perhaps through divine intervention or the insulated carriers he used.

The Preacher and the head of the town, Jamie, was currently out gathering more food though. They always timed it so that they’d always return with fresh supplies the moment the last load had run out. They made sure to make every scrap of fabric and bit of grain worthwhile, not a single bit was put to waste. This time, Jamie left with three of his witches. Eva, Theresa, and Mars. They each had their own specialties that helped the gathering of food, medicine, and other supplies, which was why they were often the ones to go on these extensive trips.

Sometimes other witches would go instead of those three to have time beyond the perpetually frozen stretches of land and time. They’d pile into Jamie’s beat up old truck from the early 1970s with burlap sacks that could carry more than they appeared to and leave for a week or two depending on the necessity. It only happened at most four times a year; Jamie was always very good about cataloging exactly what was needed and how that supply could be made to stretch. It wasn’t the perfect living like the name of the town suggested it would be, but they made it work. In Jamie’s stead, Nora became the new head of town as the oldest official witch amongst them.

Nora always stood at the helm of the ship, so to speak, and now led with great confidence and wisdom. Her eyes glowed golden with divine power, a remnant of the blazing hot sun that used to threaten to burn their beautiful Paradiso to the ground, beautiful pastel shotgun houses and all.

Ajax’s granddaughter, Vivian, named after her godmother, covered Ajax’s snow blind eyes. He had never seen her beautiful face, nor that of his wife, daughter, and grandson. The eternal winter had taken more than just heat and carefree mobility from the villagers over the decades. Back in the beginning, snow came to Paradiso only rarely and only for short periods of time. Nobody knew what the proper steps to take were, so several people suffered. Frostbite, chill-borne sickness, and snow blindness. It saddened Ajax that his children and grandchildren had never known life before. He wasn’t sure how many of his line would never see summer blooms and greenery, if they ever would again. Everyone prayed daily that the summer would someday come back, but as of now, it showed no signs of its return.

Vivian (the Younger, as her godmother and namesake had called her) giggled, sitting high upon Ajax’s back as he climbed up the tall walk to his small, shotgun house, painted a nice robin’s egg blue with white trim. The paint was peeling and the wood was slightly bloated with years of gradual water damage. Even if Ajax couldn’t see it, he knew it was there. It was part of the house’s charm, he said, every single scar bearing a story as they often did. From outside, he could hear the laughter of the town's children, whom his beautiful wife, Athen, often babysat. She had always loved children, and even at her age, she could keep up with the young ones with ease save for the occasional crick and pulled muscle. Other symptoms of the oncoming twilight years of life.

As soon as Ajax walked in, the horde of children scurried over to meet him. They called his name, grabbing his hands and pant legs and dragging him over to a plush rocking chair in the corner.

“Please,” one of the children called, “tell us the stories!”

Ajax could feel the heat emanating from the lightbulb in the tall lamp behind him, reminding him of the stories his mother would tell.

“It was a long time ago,” he started, feeling their eyes on him as they all sat around his feet, “The sun was blazing hot. Everyone in town had sweat creeping down their brow. My mother, Harlow, was one of the very last to give birth before the snow fell. She said that it was so hot in the house that she gave birth to me in an ice bath.”

The children ‘ooed’ and ‘ahhed,’ fascinated by someone who wanted to be cold. They shivered, even with the heat all the way up in the tiny little house. Many of them wore hand-knitted jumpers made by their god parents. The cold was always there, always permeating. It was hard to escape, but they made do. By now it seemed normal.

“And tell us about Jamie!” One girl from the back smiled, clearly having a little childhood crush on the town’s beloved Preacher. Many did, regardless of age or gender. He was a charming man, bearing hair of spun gold and eyes of ocean blue. His smile was the closest thing to sunlight many of them saw most days.

“He was a different man back then, from what I gather.” Ajax said, remembering the blazing heat of the last summer five decades past. The coven had always tried to be transparent about problems in the spirit of integrity and also understanding the villagers weren’t stupid. The flock could always tell when things were going sideways and it was better for everyone to remain honest and maintain that trust. “He has changed a lot for the better. Did you know, Auntie Lili used to be one of his wives?”

All the children gasped, some even pretended to faint. Paradiso’s children tended to have a flair for the dramatic; most of the witches did anyway and that was a behavior very easily replicated.

“It’s true. Then Jamie’s brother came to town and Lili fell in love with him. You know how we’re always taught that love can happen at random with anybody? They’re a testament to that fact.” Ajax continued.

“We all thought that their squabbling was the cause of the Long Winter, but the longer it stretched, the less we were sure that’s what it was.” Athen put in, wiping her hands dry with an old green dish towel. Dinner would be ready soon, the smell of the roast starting to permeate through the house. It made it seem a little warmer inside.

“It caused the heatwave for sure, though.” Ajax added.

“So why is it always cold?” Vivian the Younger asked.

“We don’t know.” Athen said, shrugging her shoulders and sitting on the armrest of Ajax’s chair. “The witches have been trying to figure it out for years with no luck. Mother Juliet willing, someday they’ll figure it out and be able to bring summer back. It’s tragic you children don’t know the joys of swimming in the lagoon or enjoying a sunset in a fully bloomed flower field. I’m even surprised I miss sunburns and sweating during service. It all seems so long ago now.”

“I’m sure someday you’ll see the sun again, darling.” Ajax said, reaching for her hand and squeezing it gently. She squeezed back, resting her body up against his shoulders. Athen looked out the window and let out a great sigh as her husband continued monologuing. Fresh flurries had started floating their way down as the sky grew darker. Night was approaching. She missed the sun, missed when the moon wasn’t just a pale blur in the sky. She missed a lot of things. It was important to be grateful for what they did have, though. Their health, a wonderful horde of children to care for, grandchildren, a place to live, the protection of their witches…

Just not summer.

***

“Viv, hold still, you’re making the line work shakey.” Lili said, using her arm to keep Vivian’s right calf pinned down in her lap, very carefully dragging the thin green Sharpie marker along her skin, now covered in a coil of ivy wrapping all the way around multiple times.

“But I have to move! It’s getting uncomfortable!” Vivian protested, stretching her arms out at her sides, one resting against the back cushions of the sofa they were sitting on.

“If this was real, there’d be no taking it back. You want tattoos, you have to learn to sit still.” Lili chastised, completing the outline of another leaf.

“I’m pretty sure you’re allowed to take breaks when getting tattoos. Besides, Jamie won’t get us ink, so it’ll never be permanent for the foreseeable future.”

“And for good reason, it’s a luxury we shouldn’t waste our resources on when we have a village to feed and clothe, and he knows we’d all start putting half-mad scribbles on ourselves.”

“Yeah because he knows he’d start doing the same thing.” Vivian sat up, yet kept her leg on Lili’s lap. “But I want my roses!”

“You’re such a child, you’ll get your roses when we can afford the ink… and the patience to put up with your hyperactive ass.” Lili waved the marker in Viv’s face as if that proved her point. Vivian put on a mask of indignance as she took the marker out of Lili’s hand.

“Excuse me, Lili, I can sit very still when I know it’s actually a life or death situation. You’re using markers, not needles.”

“You think tattoos are life or death?”

“Not literally, I’m just saying when I know moving would be a bad idea, I can hold still. Sharpie is hardly a permanent decision in comparison.” Vivian let out an impish grin as she shifted her grip on the uncapped marker and drew a green heart on Lili’s cheek. The other witch balked, snatching the marker back.

“Viv! What the hell?” She snapped, wiping her cheek in vain in hopes it would get the marker off. All it did was smudge the ink, making the mark worse. “God, you’re so insufferable sometimes.”

“You love it though.” Vivian said, grinning triumphantly. Lili scrunched her nose in annoyance, getting up close to Vivian’s face with a glare.

“It doesn’t look professional.” She protested.

“Who even cares, we’re not holding service. It looks adorable… and it’ll wash off.”

“I swear to god, one of these days, I’m gonna–” Lili started before she was cut off by Viv lunging forward, kissing her hard. Startled, Lili let the momentum push her back against the sofa’s armrest, Vivian refusing to break away. She only kissed Lili harder, pinning her down with her body weight as one hand gripped her jaw, the other holding Lili’s hip. She felt the whine escape Lili’s lips, making her smirk as she pushed her tongue past Lili’s lips, deepening the kiss. Lili’s arms came up, wrapping around the back of Vivian’s neck to pull the blood haired witch closer to her. The lip colors they were wearing began to smear against each other, a mix of Vivian’s bright red with Lili’s dark plum shade.

“I’m surprised you didn’t pounce sooner…” Lili said breathlessly as Vivian briefly broke the kiss for air. Vivian smirked down at Lili, snaking her hand underneath Lili’s sweater to teasingly caress her breasts.

“I did say I could hold still if I wanted to.” She purred, pulling the sweater off and kissing down Lili’s neck, her teeth gently scraping against the skin. Lili sighed, tangling her fingers in Vivian’s hair the lower the other witch’s mouth went. She had to give credit where it was due, Vivian was notoriously bad at restraining herself from physical pleasures. Her drive and stamina had been the source of many jokes and gentle jabs at her expense over the years. She chose to wear it like a badge of honor, having come from a repressed upbringing that forbade even thinking about anything of the sort. Lili couldn’t find it in her to shame her for it, especially not when she was particularly skilled at what she did.

Vivian’s mouth reached Lili’s breasts, giving a gentle kiss to each one before shooting back up to resume kissing Lili, the open mouthed kisses hot and heavy. Lili moaned against Viv’s lips, her leg moving to wrap around Vivian’s waist and pull her closer. Vivian just smirked, her hand starting to snake down between Lili’s legs. Her fingers ever so gently brushed against the wet mound, searching for the elastic band of her panties to play with.

“Oh… oh, Vivvy… you–” Lili moaned breathily before being cut off.

“I should know by now to not leave you two alone with each other.” A deep voice spoke up, knocking Lili out of her blissed reverie. Her head turned, seeing Alexander leaning on the doorframe of the living room with his arms folded, an amused smirk on his face. Vivian paused her movements, pouting.

“I can’t help it when she looks so tempting!” She protested. Alex just chuckled, approaching the pair with a teasing smile.

“You think everything’s tempting, little rose. You’re almost worse than my brother. Now, would you kindly let me have my wife back?” He said. Vivian paused before smirking, reaching back down and pulling Lili’s damp panties off in a swift motion. She held them between two fingers almost triumphantly for Alexander to see, an impish grin on her face.

“I would, but look at that wet spot my girlfriend made because of me.” She said. Alexander snatched the undergarments away, towering above Vivian with his own smirk.

“You forget I can do the same thing to her… and you, little rose… In fact, if I recall last night correctly…”

Vivian flushed. “You know that just means that Jamie’s going to go extra hard with ‘reclaiming’ me once he gets back… as he usually does.”

“I know, and that’s clearly why you do it.” Alexander chuckled, picking Lili up in his arms and sitting her in his lap, pulling her sweater back over her head and letting her rest her head against his shoulder. Vivian folded her arms and pouted petulantly next to them, although she had a hard time keeping her face straight.

“I’m a ravenous woman.” She said, toying with Lili’s ink black hair, which had grown out long. Lili giggled, burying her face in the crook of Alex’s neck. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her tenderly and planting a small kiss to her forehead.

***

The old model, faded-red pickup truck was heavy with supplies as it made its way back into the town border. One moment, the path was full of trees, the next, an empty vast wasteland of white. It filled him with the same dred as a blank white page does for an artist with no inspiration. He rolled up the truck windows, Mars and Eva sang together to the truck radio, their voices lilting together in an enchanting harmony. Jamie smiled, his partners always sounded so beautiful together.

He shifted the truck into four wheel drive to climb up the snow covered hill. He looked over at the new passenger next to him, her hair a mix between honey and strawberry blonde. Her eyes an enchanting blue just like his. But, her eyes reminded him of flowers, almost the exact same shade as a cornflower.

He smiled at her, her cornflower eyes were wide with wonder as she looked around at all the snow. He could tell how desperately she wanted to play in it, not yet understanding how cold and biting the eternal winter was. He drove for a while, glancing over at her every now and then. Taking in the wonder in her large sad eyes. The old red backpack in the back of the truck held everything she owned. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and took a selfie with Jamie, tilting her body so he could still focus on the road.

“Smile!” she said enthusiastically.

And so he did, he put on one of his most charming smiles, turning away from the road for a second so she could snap the picture before he turned back. She set the picture as her phone lock screen before putting her phone back in her pocket with a smile.

With some effort on the poor truck’s part, Jamie pulled up to the church on the top of the hill. He’d put chains on the tires to help with traction, but in his mind he knew he would need to replace them soon. The tires too, perhaps. Nothing here was necessarily built for the snow, let alone for as long as it had endured. Plants couldn’t grow, the animals burrowed where they could… the feel of an eternal summer had long since eluded them. They all spilled out of the truck like water, taking in the surroundings. He saw the young woman pull her– his– jacket tighter around herself as the chill started nipping at her face.

Her name fell from his beautiful pink lips so easily, like it was the most natural thing in the world, “Magnolia? Would you head inside the church please? There is a surprise waiting inside for you.” He couldn’t tell if the red in her cheeks was from the cold, or reacting to his cadence.

So Magnolia obliged. She carefully walked up to the big sodden church doors and pulled against them until they unlatched and swung open. Inside were three people. Two women that looked reasonably close to Magnolia’s age and a man that bore a striking resemblance to Jamie even through his beard and wire glasses.

Not the surprise she was expecting, certainly, but they smiled at her, pleased to see her. Almost as if they had known her for years, as if they loved her. If Magnolia was put off by it, she certainly didn’t show it.

She smiled back, “Hi, I'm Magnolia!”

The man spoke first, “I am Alexander,” he introduced himself before he gestured to Lili and Vivian, “This is my wife Lili, and that’s Vivian. We are so glad to have you here with us, Magnolia. Welcome to the coven.”

“Coven? Like…witches?” Magnolia asked, her head slightly cocked to the side. Jamie saw Vivian furrow her eyebrows in a similar expression of confusion. Apparently he hadn’t done much explaining before claiming this new girl, bringing her to the town she’d now call home.

“Yes, exactly. Witches. Just like you.” Lili smiled warmly, contrasted by her eyes glowing mysteriously. Entrancing as always.

[the-bats-who-simp]

Upon Holy Ground

Prologue

(All credit to GIF owner)

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Authored by: @the-bats-who-simp

Warnings: None

Once upon a time, centuries ago, the moon fell in love with the sun.

She tempered his fierce heat, he brought light to her surrounding darkness. Their love was pure and passionate, yet entirely forbidden. The moon, Juliet, was a goddess, well loved and respected. Her and her sisters, the stars, guided mortals even in the darkest of nights. The sun, Solaris, on the other hand, was of demonic descent. His light was too powerful, his heat too intense, a false mercy humans worshipped. The sun blinds, burns, and dries, too few seemed to understand that. Juliet didn't care. His love for her was stronger than all of that, and hers for him equal in intensity.

They met in secret, allowing their love to flourish through lies and deception. A goddess should be too good for a demon, a demon too evil for a goddess. In truth, Solaris never wished to cause harm, only to guide mortals in the absence of Juliet, help their crops grow. Juliet thrived in darkness, her light not as pure as some may think. Their imperfections matched together just as well as their divine perfections.

Until, one day, a jealous past lover of Solaris', a demon, went poking about in search of her precious sun, the one she so desperately craved despite him not loving her in return. The demon found Juliet and Solaris entangled with each other and made it known to her fellow demon thralls. Word spread to the gods as well, and the lovers were brought before their superiors. It was decreed that they were to never see each other again, regulated to their respective domains, unable to occupy the same space at the same time.

After begging and pleading, one mercy was granted to the lovers. Once every several years for a single day, they were allowed to meet and converse. Separation cannot totally destroy true love, and thus, on their first meeting after separation, the solar eclipse was born.

On that very first day when the moon and the sun birthed the eclipse, the twins were born. Two sons, each half god, half demon. A personification of the balance between the good and evil in the world, the boys were allowed to live so long as their mother was the one who raised them. The demonic blaze of their father could only be handled in small doses. Eclipses not only became the days the lovers would reunite, but they became the days the boys could see their beloved father. Even if the gods couldn't see it, Solaris was the least evil of the demons, a truth only Juliet and her sons knew.

However, it is said that one day, the twins of the moon and the sun would enter a thousand year quarrel, influenced by their latent demon natures, only concluded once one took the other's life. In congruence, a coven of Moon Blessed Witches will be formed in order to right the balance between the darkness and the light...

And it is they who will be the defense against the true enemy, saving this coil from total destruction.

[the-bats-who-simp]

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Authored by @alwaysyourshenry

Warnings: p in v sex, smut, feels maybe

Lillian, no, Lilith- she still had to get used to her name change- took a shaky breath. She hasn't been nervous to have sex since the first time, but like Jamie said, it was going to be like the first time all over again in a way.

Her first time as a married woman, as his wife, as Lilith instead of Lillian. Her breath and hands shook as she tried to breathe deeply as he came down the stairs.

He was in a particularly gaudy outfit, something he apparently loved to wear in his spare time. He wore a zebra print suit, with a white tassel lined scarf, a black shirt, a long necklace, and a black belt, that had S E X spelled across it.

He took her breath away, though he had been able to do that from the first moment she met him. He had been so handsome in the late afternoon light, so elegant, and moved like chiffon in the wind.

His bare feet hit the stairs, his footsteps soft, as he made his way to the downstairs bedroom, where she lay in wait for him. Jamie never wore shoes, even outside. Rain or sun, he was barefoot all the time. He said it connected him to nature, to the heavens, the sun, stars, and moon.

She tried to take deep breaths, it was okay, she had done this before, so why was she so nervous now? He stood in the doorway, leaning against it, looking at her, huddled in the bed, blanket pulled up to her chin.

"it is okay, my opal, all is well and good. Take deep breaths." His face was changed, which she hadn't expected. He had put on gold eyeshadow, it was concentrated on his eyelids, and then swirled out like sun rays up to his forehead and down his cheeks.

His eyes were her saving grace, deep and blue, like a calm ocean, or the daytime cloudless sky. He stripped slowly, as if putting on a show for her, his muscles were lean and taught, she could see all of him, though he had a tiny little belly, she found that was her favorite.

She wished to put her head there as he let her long hair, tangling his fingers in it. He was beautiful.

More beautiful than anyone she'd ever seen. He was perfect, as if he had been created by the heavens above. His eyes with the sun makeup, his skin glowing in the moonlight, he had been crafted from stardust, and was nearly as old.

Slowly, he climbed into the bed, pulling the blankets over himself from the side and scooting in next to her until their bare skin on their hips was touching.

His hand traced up her stomach, creating patterns like veins or vines, all the same in his mind, "You are beautiful, Opal."

The tips of her ears turned pink, "You really think so?"

"Think? I can see it right here in front of me, I don't need to think about it for it to be true. You are beautiful, that is a fact. But yes, I do think you're beautiful."

He kisses her, slow and soft like only a sweet first kiss can be, but not nearly as awkward. Everything was perfect. With a wave of his hand candles lit and the lights in the room dimmed until they went out completely. The light from the moon streamed in through the window and coupled with the candles made Lilith gold and silver.

The shadows on her face strong and dark as Jamie climbed on top of her, touching everywhere he could reach and kissing and licking her neck.

She moaned softly, tangling her fingers in his soft hair. He moved her legs up into his waist, slowly pushing into her, her voice soft and delicate as summer rain.

He kissed her all over, worshipping her as if it were the last thing he'd ever do, and for the first time ever, she truly felt loved.

Wanted, needed, appreciated.

"I love you," she whispered into his skin, kissing anywhere she could reach. He stopped for a moment, kissing her gently before kissing her earrings, necklace, and untangling her hand from his hair to kiss her ring. All a show of their recent marriage.

"You look beautiful in this light, Opal, absolutely shining."

She moaned as he picked up pace, his hips moving with hers, slotting together perfectly, but he fucked her hard enough that she thought for sure there would be bruises on her hip bones tomorrow. It was perfect. Her back arching off the bed, trying to touch him even more, needing to feel his skin.

"I love you," she repeated, one hand in his hair, the other scratching down his back leaving red lines on the skin. He repeated her words, 'I love you', over and over again as she came, pleasure overwhelming her.

She didn't even notice when he came, still far too wrapped up in her orgasm, he pet her hair as she came down from her high.

She cuddled into his side, humming softly in content as she ran her hand over his stomach, and her favorite part, his little belly.

She fell asleep fast, comfortable and safe in his embrace, he whispered into her hair, "I love you too."

[the-bats-who-simp]

Now Introducing...

A Bat Coven LLC Production...

☆☆☆

~Upon Holy Ground~

The much anticipated sequel to "The Priest You Want" by @alwaysyourshenry and @the-bats-who-simp

☆☆☆

With the thousand year conflict between Jamie and Alexander concluded, a lengthy, but freezing cold peace in Paradiso is enjoyed... that is, until a new foe arises, threatening to destroy Paradiso's Witches once and for all...

Coming soon...

☆☆☆

[the-bats-who-simp]

The Priest You Want

Chapter Ten: Be Patient

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Co-authored by @the-bats-who-simp and @alwaysyourshenry

The winter had been going for the past five years. In the beginning, the summer clothes they had cherished had been burnt for warmth. Nothing was the same anymore. Jamie had almost gone snow blind looking at the snow from his window so often. He had since started making up with Lilith-Lillian-Lili, he often corrected himself in his head. It was something he was still getting used to.

He looked out at the snow, thinking about it all. His eyes still hurt, now sensitive to the bright light, but he thought about the day he met Lili, the moment he saw her, at the town border, unsure of her power, of herself. He remembered the way her long hair blew in the slight breeze as the sun shone on her face and lit up her features in a special way that only used to happen as a kid.

He remembered being barefoot as he approached her, the way her perfume was carried towards him on the breeze as his touching the earth grounded him. He remembered how nervous he was seeing her, but it only just dawned on him how nervous she must have been. He had felt like an asshole ever since it all happened. All he could do was think about the decades worth of complaints against him she had kept to herself, because she loved him.

Loved.

She didn’t love him anymore. That was the toughest part, wasn’t it? Never getting to call her “My Opal” again. No more Wednesday nights. No more late night talks. No more bookmarks that would appear in the book he was reading. He hadn’t gotten a gift from her since the night she nearly drowned.

He would never tell the others, but he cried that morning he heard, when Nora told him in the hopes it would wake him up. And it did, he realized, he had woken up then, but he was still so angry at Alexander and he couldn’t convince himself that going to the guest house was worth it, and he never could. So he didn’t go until the snow storm. And by then, he believed, she didn’t love him anymore.

And she shouldn’t.

He told himself. She was happier with him, with his brother. He was good to her, and she had truly flourished since she had left him. Her hair had grown long, tousled in that perfect way that he remembered in a golden field long ago, right before the 20s. When he had looked at a flapper girl a little too lustfully for his new wife, and she had cut her hair short to match the girl he had looked at.

Her eyes shone like they had when he proposed, but all the time. They just glimmered like stars in the sky, even watching him drop a glass that he would clean up when it shattered. She was happy all the time. She started painting again, and it wasn’t until she picked up a brush that he realized it had been nearly 60 years since he had last seen one in her hand. Since he had seen paint on her face, on these adorable baggy overalls he had gotten her from the market. Back then, she had worn a bralette under the faded overalls, but now she wore a chunky sweater and fuzzy socks as she painted in Jamie’s living room.

He hadn’t looked at her like this in a long time, that was how he lost her. For a man that made the world bend to his whim, he still could never do something in time.

“Jamie, face me please, I’m trying to paint our portrait and you're ruining the composition.” Lili laughed, never looking up at him, David laughed loudly, still angry at Jamie over everything that had happened.

“David already has to paint Nora and Lili in, I don’t want him to have to paint you too,” a quiet chuckle came from in front of the canvas, Lili twirled her finger and a sheer purple sparkly hand gently smacked the back of Alexander’s head.

“Ow!”

“Where is Nora anyway?” Eva asked from the side of the couch.

“She’s upstairs, trying to research a stop to this winter,” Jamie sighed, running his hand down his face.

Nora almost tumbled down the stairs as soon as the words left his lips. Her eyes were wide, her hair wild, and her movements frantic.

“You’re all here! Fantastic!”

“Nora-”Lili cut off in the middle of a sigh as Nora had knocked over some decor in the back during her rush.

“Shhhhhhhhhhhh! I have news!”

Jamie immediately dropped his prop book on the side table by the side of the couch, “What have you found?”

“Jamie is an idiot!” Nora exclaimed excitedly.

David frowned, muttering under his breath, “We knew that.”

“No no, a bigger idiot than we thought! He read the prophecy wrong!”

“How so?” Theresa tucked her hair behind her ear.

“You know that bit at the end, where it goes ‘However, it is said that one day, the twins of the moon and sun would enter a thousand year quarrel only concluded once one took the other’s life.’ It’s wrong! Wife! Not Life!”

“So…I was always meant to be with Alexander?” Lili asked, putting the paintbrush in her bun.

“You or someone else. One of us was always going to end up with Alexander, and no one was supposed to die! Isn’t that great?”

“Wait, You thought we were supposed to kill each other?” Alexander asked, turning to Jamie confused.

“...Yes.”

“Oh my Mother. You would have killed me…” Alexander slumped back against the couch.

“You knew it said wife?”

“It’s our mother’s handwriting, James! Of course! She always knew I'd be alone because you hog, Mom said it was my turn with the wife!”

“What does this mean for the coven?” Mars asked, curling into David.

“What do you mean?” asked Nora, saddened by the fact that no one thought this was as great as she did.

“Well, if Lili isn’t a witch, not by that prophecy’s standards, does that mean we get a new witch?”

“The prophecy doesn’t mention that there has to be seven witches, it just says that there’s ‘a coven’ and not an exact amount.” Nora said.

“Right, but… I don’t know, I feel like we’re still missing someone. Like there’s one more piece to the puzzle we don’t quite have yet.”

“Leave it to Mom to not make this easy…” Jamie sighed. This time Alexander was the one to smack Jamie upside the head.

“You’ve already done away with your dumb ‘days of the week’ bullshit. I don’t think it matters at this point.”

“Ow…” Jamie rubbed the back of his head. “I mean… you do have a point. I thought it made things equal so that everyone’d have a night to themselves, but that seems dumb in retrospect, and conceited. Assuming you’d all be fighting over me…”

“Besides, how are you supposed to regulate Vivian to just one night?” Lili teased.

“Wha- hey! Why am I getting dragged into this?” Vivian protested. “It‘s not my fault…”

“We’re getting off-topic.” Nora cut in. “I agree with Mars on this. It won’t be for a while, but I can tell we’ll have a new one soon.”

“When?” Jamie asked.

“Soon. Just be patient.”

[the-bats-who-simp]

Lilith Origin

October 31st, 1912, Chicago

Lillian Hazel King breathed heavily, leaning against the brick wall, feet sore from running in heels in the rain. Little tendrils of her long ink-black hair stuck to her face. Her heart racing faster than a running horse's hoof beats.

Her head snapped to the left, where the mouth of the alley was. She could hear the heavy footfalls of police officers, running after her. She was further away from the brothel now, but she could feel the panic and fear every girl who was getting arrested felt. She could feel the arrogance of the men, not getting arrested, perhaps even congratulated by the same men arresting young women who had no other way to live.

Lillian quickly ducked behind some trash in the alley, closing her eyes, trying to even and quiet her breathing and be invisible to their eyes.

The police ran by, not looking into the alley that she was almost crouching in. They hadn't caught her, she was lucky she had seen them in time to run out the back, unlike the other girls.

She groaned as she leaned back against the brick wall, rain dripping from her lashes and nose like a romance movie. Two cats emerged from trash on the other side of the alley, purring as they rubbed themselves against her.

"Well hello there, aren't you pretty little things?"

The cats purred and made cute little meows, as a figure emerged from the shadows just in front of Lillian.

"I could say that about you, too." The voice said. From the shadows came a woman in a gorgeous flowing black dress, a very popular clothing color in women's fashion today. And she looked stunning.

The part that took Lillian most by surprise, was the woman's vibrant purple hair, so beautiful and unnatural, so...ethereal. Lillian gulped, suddenly nervous and with a dry mouth as the cats climbed up into her lap and rubbed themselves against her face and neck.

"W-who are you?"

"My name is Nora. I'm here because you're very special, do you know that?"

Lillian glanced to the side, and suddenly there was a man there, tall with dark hair and glowing eyes, "that's David. Don't mind him, he's just here for protection. You're a fighter, and very cautious. Good things to be when you live the life you do."

"You think I'm going to attack you?"

"One can never be too careful. You're very powerful, I can feel it."

"As can I," David said, his voice deep and gruff. He pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit it with the tip of his finger, "you are a very powerful witch, big eyes, all of those things you can do that others can't, haven't you ever wondered about them?"

"Well, I guess so, I mean, it's nothing that couldn't be accomplished by learning..."

David smirked, blowing smoke from his nose, "Feeling the emotions of others, this is a learned skill?"

Lillian looked down at the cats, looking up at her with wide green eyes, "I suppose not..."

"That's all okay, we're here to help you." Nora said.

"How so?"

"We are to take you away from here, bring you to our coven leader," David let out smoke as he spoke.

"Coven?"

"You are a witch, and so are we. I can understand how this would be confusing at first, you haven't been practicing," Nora sat down next to her in the alley, one of the cats now climbing into her lap.

"I just...leave here, with you guys, and that's all?"

"That is all. Our coven leader wishes to meet you. He's very excited for your arrival."

Lillian thought for a moment, looking into the green blue eyes of the orange cat on her lap, "what do you think I should do?"

The cat meowed at her, purring softly as it nuzzled into her neck, Lillian sighed teasingly, "you are no help, though you're awful cute."

"This animal is not your guide, he is not your, how you say, familiar. He cannot help guide your decisions, they are up to you." David said, leaning back against the wall, from this angle he seemed larger than life.

Lillian took a deep breath, giving the cat a final pet before standing up and wiping off her skirt, "I shall come with you."

~~~

When Nora and David showed Lillian the edge of town, her brows furrowed. There was nothing there. It was just an empty field with a pretty river running through it.

"You have to trust. Take a step closer, reach out with your hand, close your eyes, feel it. Feel the magic." Nora said, leaning her head on Lillian's shoulder. Lillian did just that. She took a deep breath, stepped forward, her heels clicking against the brick road, her eyes closed as her face lifted up slightly towards the sun, and she reached out her hand.

It was like a jolt of electricity, it coursed through her, crashed over her like waves hitting rocks on the shoreline. It embedded itself in her very bones, and when she opened her eyes again, squinting through the harsh sunlight, she could see it. Rows of cottages, a large church, two large houses towards the top of the hill, to the side, a cemetery, and below it all, a bustling town square, lined with colorfully painted townhouses with balconies and ivy growing up the sides.

It was beautiful.

Roaming sheep, horses, and cows, deer and alligator in the same river, neither afraid or attacking the other.

Had she died?

Was this what heaven was?

Her parents had been religious back when she had known them. Before they had kicked her out of their farm at 15. She had walked miles to the city, hadn't eaten anything that wasn't on the side of the road for days.

In the distance, she could see a large wooden table and people gathered around it, loading up the top with food. She saw a man at the top turn towards her, and she thought she saw him smile.

She blinked, and there he was, only five feet away, strolling casually closer. When he reached her, he held out his hand, "I'm Jamie."

[the-bats-who-simp]

"Sincerely, whatever"

A fanfic on a fanfic, RE: "The Priest You Want" by @alwaysyourshenry and @the-bats-who-simp . 797 word one shot of David not participating in events XD no warnings, no rating, domestic fluff, David being a grumpy fuck.

“You know what, I don’t give a single flying fuck”, David said, looking at the thick layer of snow growing on his porch. Weather magic was hard enough for him as it was, and with recent debacle he had to handle the Paradiso ecosystem falling apart almost every week, sometimes twice a week. At this point he was determined to let it be.

“Koshka brosila kotyat, pust’ yebutsa kak hotyat”, he mumbled under his nose an old russian rhyme he learned in 1962 on Cuba. Which meant “the cat has abandoned the kittens, let them fucking figure it out themselves”. Or even “let them fuck however they want”, which in this case was becoming more and more literal every day.

Mars has curled up in his cat form near the heater on his favorite fluffy blanket, slightly snoring, the most adorable cat to ever exist. To be honest, a cat form was a good decision for this weather. At least that fur wouldn’t be eaten by cloth moths unlike the fabulous pimp coat David has brought from Miami forty something years ago. A battle with moths was another one he was losing lately. Alas!

He was not exactly honest when saying his reading on Lilith made no sense. It actually made an unnerving amount of sense for him, and the burden of knowledge had told him that it’s none of his business. What was bound to happen, was going to happen, no matter what. In that simple three card reading he saw all the struggle and the horror she was going through, and the inevitability of all that was foretold before David himself was even born, and the fact that it’s actually for the better in the long run.

Reaching through the thick skulls was never a favorite past-time for David. And Jamie’s skull at this point was so thick, there was no brain left. Bone-headed is what he was. “Nope”, David said, looking at the roadmap of the events in the astral plane. Feeling that with this level of being annoyed any attempt on a coversation with Jamie will turn into a fistfight in a matter of seconds, he decided not to engage and spare himself some blood pressure, and focused on the Work instead.

“Shut up and dig, that’s how you reach enlightenment” was his motto of his own invention, a mantra he was saying on repeat multiple times a day for the last two hundred years at least. And it had never let him down. Shut up and dig.

So by the time the snowstorm hit, he already had prepared: a full shed of firewood, a dozen canisters of oil for the generator, forty pounds of potatoes, a crate of canned meat, and four packs of mothballs. He also brought all Mars’s favorite stuff from one cottage to another, so they won’t have to move for a week, at least. He even brought out his largest crocheting patterns,the ones that were too intimidating to do casually.

“I don’t give a single flying fuuuck”, he sang in a sarcastically high-pitched voice, turning his back on the white window and giving the clock a side-eye on his way to the kitchen. Most likely, it will be over in six to eight hours or so, but with everyone being out of their minds it could take a couple more weeks. And he had rituals to perform, and a partner to feed, and many roads cleaned in the village tomorrow. There will be blisters. There will be broken shovels. Most likely he will have to just melt the shit away with a sightly-forbidden quantum physics ritual. But that would be too explicit for the townsfolk, so maybe the shovel it is. Shut up and dig.

The kettle he was filling was actually a gift from Kit, from back when. It was a really good kettle. But it also made him mourn the times when things were normal. When Jamie was not… well, effectively, in fact, a cult leader. “Yeah, sure”, David had said when he first read The Doctrine. And then never payed attention to it ever again. Maybe he should have. But also – let them kittens fuck themselves. No one is fucking working in this houshold.

From his kitchen window David saw a snow penis being erected in his yard. Well, at least Kit is having fun in this weather. The shape was quite nice, too. “Never knew our word artist can sculpt too”, he thought. “Maybe we should buy him some play-dough”.

David knocked on the window and swayed the hot kettle around suggestively. The dick-buliding stopped and his antique china tea set has clanked behind his back.

“If you break it you steal me a new one”, David said, pouring a couple of hot ones.

[the-bats-who-simp]

The Paradiso Saga Masterlist

(Credit to Gif owner)

The Priest You Want

Prologue: Devotion to the Preacher

Chapter 1: The Tower

Chapter 2: Feathers

Chapter 3: Invisible

Chapter 4: Salt in the Wound

Chapter 5: Say You're Mine

Chapter 6: Broken

Chapter 7: Elysium

Chapter 8: Teacakes

Chapter 9: Jamie and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Chapter 10: Be Patient

Upon Holy Ground

Prologue

Chapter 1: Magnolia

Witch Origin Stories

Bound in Soul (Nora) by @jcbbby

My Dear Kit (David) by @affront2god-affectionate

Blood Hair and Sin (Vivian) by @the-bats-who-simp

Lilith Origin (Lilith) by @alwaysyourshenry

Extras

Devotion to the Preacher Part 2 (Not Canon)

Sincerely, Whatever by affront2god-affectionate

Upon Holy Ground Announcement

Lilith x Jamie Smut by alwaysyourshenry

[the-bats-who-simp]

The Priest You Want

Chapter Nine: Jamie and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

(credit to gif owner)

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Co authored by @@the-bats-who-simp and @alwaysyourshenry

Warnings: Smut 18+ (P in V, oral M + F receiving, spankings, dirty talk, praise kink, mentions of threesomes M/M/F), Possessions, Rituals, blood/cutting for ritual purposes, blood/cutting from glass, angst (like, lots of angst), fluff, frostbite, bare feet but not in like a sexy way, man being pathetic, witches

As the nights grew longer, and the days shorter, an eerie cold fell over the quaint and normally quiet town of Paradiso. Only now, the quiet was no longer calm, but one that the villagers seemed to think was coming just before the storm. Like standing in the eye of a hurricane or tornado, about to tear your whole world apart. It was quiet. Almost as if they all had the same abilities as the witches, gossip spread, something was about to happen, and it was all but confirmed for them when the first snowflake fell.

Over the next few days, the town became blanketed in snow, not an inch was left any other color than white, and almost as soon as it was cleaned away, it fell to cover that spot once more. Jamie sighed, looking out of his window over the town. He was upset, but mostly confused, and entirely disturbed. Nothing like this had ever happened in all of his time in Paradiso. Nora and Vivian stood by his side, the white light highlighting how beautiful they were, but he couldn’t look at them. He could only look at the snow in anger and complete confusion.

“Jamie,” Nora whispered, “it’s okay, I’ll figure out what happened.”

“Something is coming. I can feel it. David warned me, and I wasn’t fast enough.”

***

Lilith and Alexander ran through the thick snow, in some places it came up to Lilith’s thighs, and while she was shorter than Alexander, that was still an alarming amount of snow. He held her hand, practically dragging Lilith behind him as he ran through the snow, trying to get out of it before it buried them. The snow came down in sheets so thick you couldn’t see your own hand in front of you, everything everywhere was white, and the only reminder that they weren’t alone in the storm, was their warm hands clasped together.

“Lili! Lili! We’re almost there! I think!” Alexander yelled as the wind whipped around them, and while it wasn’t funny, they both chuckled, the anxiety lifted by just being together. Lilith couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so free, so heard, so understood. It was like he lived in her brain, that she had made him up, crafted him from clay and gave him life. She smiled to herself. There was no way he was real.

They both breathed a sigh of relief as they ran face first into her door, “I just need to get something from here, then we should venture up to your house, it has more supplies.”

Alexander rubbed his hands together as they stepped inside her cottage, trying to warm himself back up as fast as possible, “You want to go back out there? Lili, I’d like to keep my fingers, and my toes… and my nose… and my ears. Really, I just don’t want frostbite.”

Lilith’s eyes sparkled as she walked back up to him, shoving a book into a large crossbody bag. She placed her frozen hands in his, “As if I’d ever let you lose your fingers, and toes, and nose, and ears, you’re far too attractive to lose all that.”

They smiled, pulling each other closer, “How is it that you don’t have a coat?”

“It’s never snowed in Paradiso before, not like this anyway. If it snowed it was only ever so that the kids could have a snow day, it was even in a sectioned off area for sledding.”

“Well then, I guess we’ll have to share mine,” he teased, pulling the ends of his thin jacket around her.

She hummed into his chest, finding him warmer than she thought he would be, “I like it when you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Call me Lili, I like it. It makes my heart flutter…”

He reached his hand up to cup her cheek and she nuzzled into his hand, “You’re my lily of the valley, you are my joy, and my luck, and my love.”

“Are they not also poisonous?”

“They are, but that is your resilience, and your strength. You are stronger than anyone ever gave you credit for. Your beauty is ethereal and deadly, just as you were always meant to be.”

She looked up into his deep blue eyes, his long lashes still dripping water just as the sharp end of her nose did, “You’re good at that, making me feel all the butterflies in my stomach… for so long, I thought they had died of starvation, but now I see they were just sleeping, waiting for you.”

They stared at each other for a moment that seemed to stretch into infinity as they got lost in the specks in each other’s eyes. Counting the little green specks like stars in the night sky before Alexander cleared his throat.

“It’s cold here, it's warmer in the guest house, we can stay there.” Alexander paused, “It’s been a few nights, are you ready to leave with me…do you still want to?”

“Of course I do, I would go anywhere with you.”

Alexander smiled softly, his eyes soft with adoration as he looked at her bright smile, “Then we’ll do it. We’ll leave in the morning, just before the sun comes up over the horizon, we can go anywhere you want, and you will never want for anything ever again.”

He took Lilith’s hand once more as they ventured out into the frozen landscape, though it was far colder this time. The snow had had time to melt a little inside of her cottage. Their clothes and hair were now dripping wet as it quickly froze on them. Halfway up the hill, Lilith lost one of her favorite boots, but refused to stop, even as her toes grew so cold she could no longer tell if they were moving.

“How much further?” Lilith shook hard, almost unable to move, Alexander pulled her close, picking her up in his arms as he walked the last 30 feet up the hill and to the front door of the guest house. He pushed the door open with his back, being careful to not hit her head when the door suddenly gave way and they fell backwards into the house.

It felt as hot as the sun’s surface in there compared to outside, but Lilith didn’t give herself time to feel it at that moment. She quickly rolled off of Alexander and stumbled to close the heavy wooden door. It slammed shut as she fell against it, the couple catching their breaths on the floor.

“It’s starting to melt again, we need to change and warm up so we don’t…”

“Get sick, get frostbite, and die?”

“Exactly. There’s clothes in the bedroom, feel free to take anything you want. There’s a thick sweater in there and some of my gray sweatpants.”

Alexander couldn’t tell if the blush on her cheeks was from the cold weather or the thought of him in gray sweatpants, which he found was something women enjoyed in his anthropological studies. He had always enjoyed watching and learning about other people, even back to the time when he was a toddler, but he had never been a member of a community himself.

Lilith shivered as she stood, her long black dress soaking wet, one boot heel hitting the hardwood floor as she wobbled her way towards the bedroom in the back of the house. Her white lace ruffle ankle socks were soaked through, and so was her velvet corset and hat. She huffed a little, mourning the loss of her boot. In the bedroom, it was warm, but not in a physical sense. His presence, his very being, she could feel in that room, and it warmed her soul a little, like putting on a sweatshirt that smells like the one you love.

She took a deep breath, the room smelled like his cologne, and she looked around at the space she had first helped decorate when she had moved to Paradiso. Her layers of paint peeled off the walls, showing the faded purple that had been there before. The wooden bedframe she had drawn a sketch of was intact, but dusty, and far too many years out of style. The carpet was clean, and still fluffy, but that was simply due to the fact that just after the guest house had been completed, back when it was Jamie’s house, he had moved out to build a bigger house on the top of the hill, and it had started all over again.

The bedsheets Eva had picked out were still on the bed, finally slept in after sitting for so long, Alexander had not made his bed, and the sheets and blanket were messy. His abandoned clothes sat on the floor at the foot of the bed, his stuff strewn around the room, all in eyesight, and not put away. She started pulling clothes out of his suitcases, placing them on the bed when it was not what she was looking for, before eventually folding them back up and placing them carefully inside. Eventually, she found the thick navy sweater and gray sweatpants.

She came out of the bedroom, the bundle of clothes in her hands, “I’ll change in the bathroom so that you can get some warm dry clothes too.”

The bathroom was the same kind of messy as his bedroom, clothes strewn over the floor and his belongings haphazardly placed around, but all easy to see and find. He had a toiletry bag sitting on the white and gray marble countertop, the only things left in the bag were shaving cream and a razor, just in case he had wanted to shave. On the counter he had cologne, musky hand soap, face wash, a small wooden jar with a hand written label saying “Burn Cream,” lotion, and a cup with his toothbrush and toothpaste. Lilith found it somewhat odd that his toothpaste was not mint flavored before she realized that maybe she had finally found someone just like her.

Lilith, who burned her mouth with mint, and had been fighting the burn for so long that she had forgotten that it wasn’t supposed to. She looked up into the mirror, her inky hair sticking to her face, running across it much like pen lines on a white page. She peeled the black dress from her body, looking at her red, almost blue hued skin underneath. The cold was still numbing her, she knew as soon as she had warmed up a little, it would feel like her whole body had an intense sunburn.

If she tried hard enough, she could still remember what the Chicago winters felt like, how cold and crisp the air was, how thin the air felt compared to a sweltering hot day where the very few cars on the streets had tires that were tempted to become rubber puddles on the pavement. This was worse than that. When she was in Chicago, it happened gradually, the leaves turning orange and red like a fire consuming them before they fell off the trees like ash, the nights getting colder and longer, before the snow fell. But even then, the snow had never been this high or this cold, winter had never been so unmanageable before this. It had been far too long since Lilith had experienced cold. She turned on the sink, cold water feeling hot as it hit her hands, she flinched away from it, making sure that she had it all the way to cold instead of all the way to warm.

Little by little, she turned up the temperature until she could feel her hands again. Her skin was still bright red, but now she could tell when she was touching the soft navy sweater. She took a wrinkled towel from the wall next to the shower and dried her hair the best she could before pushing it out of her face and pulling the warm sweater over her head.

She stepped out into the living room, inky hair still dripping down her shoulders and back, where the soft glow of candles made the room feel even warmer than it already was. She took this time when Alexander was away to truly look at his living space, because while the bedroom had mostly been unchanged, he had put down roots in the living room. Her silver eyes, like the moon glinting off a frozen pond, flicked over the bookshelves he had put together, filled with old books, bound in leather. She reached up and gently touched the worn spines, some of which were bigger both vertically and horizontally than her head.

So, he was committed. To reading, at the very least. No one could get through a book like that, no matter how interesting, if they weren’t a committed person. Then her eyes landed on the little potted plants he used as bookends periodically through the shelves. She found that the one he used the most, so much so that at a glance, someone would say it was the only plant on the shelves, were lilies. She felt her eyes grow soft and teary. Between the built-in bookshelves that went up to the ceiling, he had a plush dark green couch, and behind that on the exposed wall, was a gallery wall filled with paintings of the sea, colored pencil drawings of different birds, and beautiful butterflies encased in glass.

The room smelled of vanilla and brown sugar as Alexander stepped out of the room, “Please, make yourself at home. What is mine is yours.”

His eyes were bright, and the feeling Lilith felt in her chest had been gone for decades. She smiled tearfully at him as he walked closer, suddenly concerned.

“What’s wrong Lili, are you okay?”

“I’m far more than okay. I am perfect.”

“But, you’re crying, clearly I've said or done something to upset you.”

“No, no, I am crying because I cannot believe that this, all of this, could be my new life. That someone could possibly love me…as much as I love you.”

“Of course I do, Lili…” Alexander smiled down at her, touching her chin with his fingers tenderly. He paused, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. “You’re shivering.”

“‘S a little cold.” Lilith replied. “Sorry.”

“Never feel bad for saying what you feel. Here, come to bed, we’ll warm each other up.” Alexander smiled, taking Lilith’s hand and pulling her over to the bed, tugging the covers back and pulling her into the bed with him. Lilith smiled, burrowing her face in Alexander’s chest as he tugged the sheets back over them. His smell from this close was almost intoxicating, an aphrodisiac that enveloped her in warmth. Love and care she hadn’t felt in so long. Her shivering decreased, replaced with a powerful feeling that made her tingly instead. Alexander smiled at her in turn, brushing a few stray strands of ink away from her face, the better to see her silver eyes with. Wide, almost doe-like.

“You really do have pretty eyes…” Lilith said shyly. Alexander chuckled.

“Funny. I was just admiring yours.” he replied. Lilith blushed, hiding her face in his chest again. Alexander pushed her face back slightly, smiling. “No, no, don’t hide from me, Lili… I want to see every inch of your pretty face.”

Lilith whined. “What in particular?”

“Well… your eyes…” Alexander leaned in cautiously and pressed his lips ever so slightly to her eyebrows before kissing the tip of her nose. “Your nose…” He moved further, kissing her cheeks, softer than a butterfly’s wings. “Your cheeks…”

“And?”

“Your lips…” Alexander’s eyelids drooped partway shut, leaning in a little closer. Lili could practically feel the heat from his plush lips the closer he got, almost like feeling a small energy field around them. All these days, deep down she’d been holding out in the dwindling hope that Jamie would take her back, apologize… At this point, she had to accept that it wasn’t going to happen. She was leaving at dawn with Alexander and their possessions, creating a new life with each other for company.

It stung Lilith a great deal more than she wanted to admit. Less so over the lost love, but more because she would miss the other six witches. She knew they would miss her, too. Lilith had spent the previous night drafting out extensive letters to each of them, upwards of three pages each and a special bookmark for each of them tucked into the envelopes.

“... Please give Marlowe extra pets and extra catnip in my stead, I know he’ll miss me and I don’t want him to feel slighted. Make sure Kit knows this, too.”

“... I’ll always long for your bread as much as I’ll miss your kindness. I wish you and David many happy summers together.”

Her letter to Vivian was much longer, closer to five pages, “I could never ever resent you for your involvement in this; the attention is addicting and I know you’ve been starved of it. I wish we could spend more time with each other, both as my closest friend in this coven and as someone I grew to love, whether it’s reciprocated or not. I wish you could come with us, but I understand your place is here, much as it hurts me to be separated from you. Perhaps we’ll cross paths once again.” She folded in a rose with that letter, in eternal bloom. They were always Vivian’s favorite.

Lastly, Lilith’s letter to Jamie ended up only being a single sentence on a tear-stained piece of paper:

“I still love you… even if you no longer love me.”

Now, however, staring at Alexander’s lips barely an inch from hers, Lilith herself wondered how true that single sentence actually was. Perhaps deep down… but…

She closed the little distance between her and Alexander, pressing her lips against his. His lips were soft, perfectly soft. Jamie’s lips sometimes had a faint chap to them, but it felt like Alexander’s had always been satin soft, plush. Their lips fit together perfectly, giving Lilith a distinct impression that they almost felt made for each other. Alexander’s hand reached up to cup her face, pulling her closer. Even his breath tasted sweet, even if a little musty from perhaps occasional cigarette smoke. Maybe Lilith should have pulled away and let herself enjoy Alexander’s warm embrace as they dozed off, awaiting dawn.

Instead, she only craved more.

Lilith allowed herself a brief pause to draw in a breath before going in once more, pushing her lips against Alexander’s a little harder, one hand finding the material of his shirt and pulling him even closer. Her lips parted involuntarily and as if on instinct, Alexander’s tongue darted forward, deepening the kiss. It only served to stoke the flames further, Lilith’s leg popping up to wrap around Alexander’s waist as they broke for breath once again, only to chase each other a moment after. Lips, tongue, teeth, raw passion exploding after months of holding out. For a moment, Lilith couldn’t fathom why she’d waited so long. The bliss filled her so completely, seeping into every empty and abandoned crevice of her pride and self worth. Every crack and break mended itself almost immediately in that single moment.

How far could she take this?

“Alex…” Lilith breathed, her eyes fluttering back open slightly as Alexander attempted to nip at her lips again.

“Yes?”

“I want to give myself to you. Completely. If we are to leave tomorrow, I want it to be as a bonded pair…”

“You mean…”

“Yes, I do mean. I need you. I’d sign my soul over to you in a heartbeat if that’s what it took.”

“There… there is a way. A ritual… a bonding ritual. Entwining our souls…” Alexander breathed against Lilith’s lips, lamenting the lost contact, even if only for a few moments. “There’d be no going back.”

“I want to… right now. What do we need?”

Regrettably, Alexander pulled away fully and sat up in bed. His hair was mussed up from Lilith’s roaming hands, his shirt wrinkled. He smiled, sliding around Lilith and standing up on the floor.

“I’m going to make a salt circle and put candles around it. We need rose quartz and emerald as well, also going around. Dried lilac and lavender, crushed that we eat… and something to cut our palms with so we can mix blood.” Alexander said. Lilith shivered. Blood mixing was serious business, no wonder Alexander said the process was permanent. It was more than swapping souls, it was like sharing your whole being with someone… provided that…

“And then we…?”

“Yes. To seal it, we have to have sex.”

Lilith’s cheeks burned, but deep down she knew it’s what she wanted. Maybe in the beginning she’d felt this craving for Jamie, but this felt different somehow. Stronger, more potent. She hid a bashful smile as she climbed out of bed, searching through some of her bags as Alexander lit some candles and created a salt circle next to the bed. She found the right crystals and two small jars of the crushed flowers courtesy of Vivian. Lastly, Alexander pulled a pocket knife out of one of his bags, thin and sleek, almost too pretty to hunt with. The handle was decorated with a faint pattern of ivy leaves carved into the dark wood.

They stepped into the salt circle, placing the crystals around it gently. The flames of the candles flickered as if anticipating what was about to happen. They then each pulled out a pinch of each of the flowers, resting them gently on their tongues to let the floral flavors fill their mouths. They swallowed as Alexander extended the knife’s blade, the candle light dancing across its sharp edge.

“You cut me first?” Alexander offered. Lilith stared at the blade for a moment before nodding, taking the knife in her hand gingerly. She could feel the warmth from his hand still on the handle, providing her a sense of comfort.

“Seems weird to be cutting your palm after I healed it not long ago.” Lilith said, laughing softly before taking Alexander’s hand, palm up. Alexander chuckled in response, although deep down, Lilith could perhaps see it didn’t fully reach his eyes. Regardless, she held the blade against his palm and dragged it across quickly so as to not prolong the pain. Alexander seethed softly as blood began to pool in his palm, running off the edge of his hand and between his fingers to drip on the wood floor below. He then took the knife and Lilith’s hand, turning it to be palm up as his had been. Alexander gently rested the clean edge of the blade against the crease in her palm.

“Deep breath in, Lili.” He said. Lilith complied as Alexander quickly pulled the knife across her palm in a swift motion. She whimpered at the sting for a moment, watching her own blood pool and drip as Alexander’s was. He tossed the knife onto the table and then gently grabbed Lilith’s hand with his own wounded one. They pressed the cuts together, feeling the warm blood spread around their skin and mix together. Lilith could almost feel a tingling sensation, although she couldn’t tell if that was from the wound itself or if whatever magic they were performing was working.

“Last chance to back out, Lili…” Alexander warned her, although he was smiling as he said it. Lilith just chuckled.

“Why would I back out now?” She replied. Alexander then reached forward with his clean hand and tugged at Lilith’s sweater teasingly.

“I hope you don’t mind these getting dirty…”

“They’re your clothes, I don’t mind. Besides, blood’s one of the sexiest things one can see on someone…” Lilith paused to let out a giggle. “Now I’m sounding like Vivian.”

“Well, she does have good taste… I happen to agree with her on this point.” Alexander’s voice was in a low purr, sending heat right through Lilith’s core. She smiled, tugging his sweater up and over his head, sliding the sleeves off of his arms and tossing it to a corner of the room. His chest was barren unlike Jamie’s, yet it felt endearing to Lilith. She saw a few assorted tattoos here and there, but her mind didn’t seem to register it, too focused on just him. Lilith flushed at his shirtless form as Alexander pulled her close to his chest, a smirk on his face and warmth radiating off his skin. Their hands still refused to separate, the blood that had streaked down their palms and arms starting to dry and flake.

“See something you like?” Alexander asked, making Lilith flush. Rather than providing a verbal response, she leaned up and kissed him, cupping his face with her free hand as the tingling in her gut and on her hand grew more intense. Alexander broke the kiss to pull the sweater off of Lilith, revealing her bare chest. A shock of perhaps her remaining dignity ran through her and made her purse her lips, pushing forward against Alexander to hide herself.

“Sorry…” She mumbled. Alexander just cooed at her, kissing Lilith’s forehead before recreating the distance between them.

“You have nothing to apologize for or to be ashamed of. You’re beautiful.” He said.

“So many people have seen my boobs and yet this feels like the first time… or, the first time it truly matters.” Lilith whispered, her cheeks tinting pink again. Alexander chuckled and leaned down to kiss her chest, right above the valley of her breasts.

“Lay down, petal. Don’t burn yourself.” He said, helping Lilith ease down to lay in the middle of the circle. Her chest heaved as her breathing grew heavier, seeing Alexander on top of her like this. He looked like an angel, a halo of light surrounding his head and making his hair shine. No, actually, Jamie had looked like an angel to her once upon a time… Alexander seemed to her a god. Of what, she couldn’t be certain. She barely had time to consider it before Alexander leaned down and captured her lips in another kiss, their bloody hands clasping together tightly, fingers intertwining together. The heat in her gut got warmer with the skin on skin contact. 

Alexander broke the kiss, instead opting to trail his lips along her jaw, down her throat, and to her chest and collar bones. Everywhere his lips touched felt like a hot iron on Lilith’s skin, though not a painful one. He left wet kisses down the valley between her breasts as his hand reached down to ease the pants off of her legs. Lilith kicked them off as best she could, using her free hand to toss them out of the circle as Alexander kissed each of her nipples gently. She let out a faint gasp at the sensation which then turned into a small moan as she felt his mouth start sucking on her left breast. 

“O-oh…” Her eyes fluttered shut as more breathy whimpers escaped her parted lips. Alexander smirked, pulling away for a moment.

“Beauty like this deserves to be worshipped properly.” He said before moving to her other breast. Lilith’s hand shot up and tangled in Alexander’s hair, forming small knots that disrupted the otherwise smooth strands. He didn’t seem to mind, only goaded on further as he started sucking harder. Lilith let out a louder moan followed by his name. The wetness started leaking through her panties once she felt Alexander’s hardening length press up against her, straining against his own gray sweatpants.

Rather than fixing the issue, Alexander instead abandoned Lilith’s breasts and started kissing down her stomach, covering every inch of skin with little kisses as his fingers pushed her panties to the side, exposing her to him. Alexander chuckled, his voice deepened by his lust as he looked closer.

“Soaked right through, love. Do I truly have such a deep effect on you?” He purred, a teasing edge to his tone. Lilith whined.

“You know you do…” She replied.

“Would you perhaps like some help cleaning this up, love?”

“C-cleaning?”

“Mmhm… like this.” Alexander then leaned in close and licked a slow stripe up her pussy, drawing out a long moan from Lilith as her head fell back.

“Oh, fuck…” She gasped, gripping Alexander’s bleeding hand tighter. Alexander repeated the action a few times, moaning at the taste of her on his tongue.

“Hmm… this doesn’t seem to be helping the problem… if anything, it’s made you even wetter. Goodness me…” Alexander teased. Lilith’s cheeks burned before she felt Alexander rip her panties off of her and toss them to the side. She started to protest before she felt him grow closer again, licking a little faster. Any reprimands died before she could voice them, the pressure building up stronger than before. She moaned his name, her hand tugging at his hair to push him further. Alexander silently complied, moving to start nipping and sucking at her clit with an even bigger smirk.

Lilith felt her legs start to shake before Alexander pulled away completely. She whined, looking down at him with sad, wide eyes. Again, she opened her mouth to argue before she was cut off by Alexander going back in, eating her out with an almost practiced ease. Her mind briefly flashed to the idea of previous partners before the pleasure rose too high for her to think straight. She came a moment later, grinding down on Alexander’s face as she cried out. 

“There we go, that’s it. What a good girl you are, love…” He purred, lazily using his tongue to clean up the mess she’d made. Lilith whined at the praise as she felt the aftershock of her orgasm die down. The wound tingled again, but she could tell it needed more.

“Alex, could you lie down, please?” She asked, catching her breath as she felt her libido fire off again.

“Somebody wants to get on top, hmm?” Alexander smirked. Lilith gave a half smile of her own as she leaned up, pressing her hands against his chest to try and get him to lie back.

“Something like that.” She said as Alexander gave in, taking her place on the floor. The tent in his sweatpants had grown almost double in size, briefly making Lilith worry about what lay underneath. She shook the nerves off, understanding her limits as she ran her hands down his stomach, her nails faintly dragging along the way. Alexander smiled at her as her hands reached the waistband of his pants.

“My petal has a little treat for me?” He asked.

“Returning the favor.” Lilith replied as she reached in and pulled his cock out of his pants. She perhaps shouldn’t have been surprised at its size, but it still jostled her a bit. Very similar to Jamie, so luckily she had a basis. It wasn’t like it mattered much since her gag reflex had abandoned her even before she came to Paradiso. It wasn’t a fact she was proud of, but sometimes she thanked the gods for the skill. 

Lilith reached between her legs to gather some of her wetness before stroking his length gently with her hand, smirking when she saw Alexander’s lips part with a short gasp. She let her thumb caress the tip as she started jerking him a bit faster. A low moan from deep in Alexander’s chest escaped the faster she went.

“I sure hope you don’t make a mess, Alex…” Lilith said, smirking. 

“Li-Lili…” Alexander moaned before Lilith leaned down and started suckling on his tip, working her tongue around it slowly, stretching out the sensation. She heard him gasp and felt him buck his hips once as his hand found her hair, holding it in a sloppy ponytail. Perhaps vengeance for pausing her own pleasure previously, Lilith barely gave Alexander time to adjust before she started taking him deeper, pulling out all of her best tricks. The perfect swirl of her tongue, sucking at just the right pressure. Alexander groaned, now unable to hold his hips down as he bucked into her mouth. Where most people would gag, Lilith took it the same way a horse took a whip: go faster. 

Her head bobbed in time with his thrusts, moaning to increase the pleasure. Sucking people off wasn’t always Lilith’s favorite activity; Jamie would sing praises to her mouth in sweet words that now seemed so long ago and… hollow. He usually preferred her on her knees while she did it, however, leaving them sore the next morning. It tarnished her fun. However, she felt like now she wouldn’t mind doing this more often for Alexander. Something told her this wasn’t a usual pleasure he engaged in… and his groans sounded so wonderful to her ears.

The moment Lilith thought this, she heard him groan her name as he came down her throat. Alexander’s grip on her hair loostened as his head fell back against the floor. Lilith graciously swallowed it all before releasing him and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand slowly, savoring the look on his face as he watched her do it.

“Holy… holy shit. I feel like I died and ascended to heaven.” Alexander said, his tone breathy as he tried to recover air. Lilith chose to pout.

“Only heaven? I’ve had men claim that the secrets of the universe were revealed to them after I was done.” She said. Alexander chuckled.

“Those secrets are for me alone, now.” He said with a raspy edge to his voice. Alexander grabbed Lilith and flipped them over so he once again hovered over her. “Your mouth is for my cock only now, yes?”

Lilith flushed, any semblance of control evaporating. “Y-yes, sir…”

“Good girl. And I assume you know that the same rules apply to your pussy?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Right.” Alexander smirked, tossing his pants and underwear away, leaving them both fully exposed for each other. Lilith couldn’t help but marvel at his form, her hands coming up to run up and down his arms. Her fingers traced the muscles that ran along his biceps almost in reverence.

“You’re so beautiful…” She whispered. “Like a marble statue the Ancient Greeks would carve of their gods or heroes.”

“It’s exactly what you deserve. A god.” Alexander whispered.

“That sounds awful close to self deprication.”

“I don’t think of myself as a god. Only the foolish do such a thing, expect to be treated as gods when they don’t treat others the same.”

Lilith sighed. “I never thought of him as foolish, but he’s convinced everyone here that he’s some kind of god to be worshipped. It’s his coven, his witches, his town. His power.”

“The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing you that he was a god.”

“You think of him as the devil?”

“I don’t think of him as a god and he’s done too much damage to even come close to being considered a saint. Gods who claim to do the right thing at the expense of those they care about while begging for praise and worship aren’t gods I would follow or give any damn about. He has power but he’d be nothing without the rest of you. You’re the ones who should be worshipped, not him.”

“And… you worship me? Do you see me as a goddess?” Lilith asked. Alexander smiled, caressing her face with his fingers gently.

“My lily of the valley, my goddess… my everything.” He whispered before leaning down to kiss her again. Lilith wrapped her hand around the back of his neck, pulling him closer as her legs wrapped around his waist. An invitation.

“Alexander, please…” She whispered.

“Goddesses need not beg.” Alexander purred before he slowly pushed himself inside of her. The bliss was almost blinding, a white hot pleasure that completely overwhelmed Lilith as she felt Alexander deeper inside her. Much like their lips, it felt like a missing puzzle piece, her other half returned to her at last. The wounds on their hands tingled again, almost like electric sparks beneath their skin once Alexander was fully sheathed inside of her. They made eye contact, blue eyes meeting gray as what felt like centuries of love and devotion poured out in a wave. The emotion felt almost overwhelming, quickly replaced by carnal desire.

Alexander slid out and thrusted back in, pulling a gasp from Lilith. Delicious pleasure ran through her body, leaving her wanting more. A drug, she was addicted to this feeling, to Alexander. Had she known it would feel like this, Lilith figured she’d have coupled with him sooner. The back of her mind knew that was a lie. For months she held onto the hope that Jamie would return to her, but now it felt so… distant. Her pain, her longing for a man that no longer wanted her.

The false god discarding his worshipper once he had no more use for her.

Alexander knocked Lilith from her thoughts again, his face burried in her neck as he started thrusting harder. It seemed like he was trying to prove his love and devotion to her in tandem with wanting to fuck her senseless. Not like Lilith wasn’t already there, but she knew it would only get better.

“You’re perfect… gods, you’re perfect, Lili…” Alexander groaned into her neck, rutting into her as if in heat, completely lost to his instincts. Lilith moaned, pulling him closer as her hips rolled to match his thrusts.

“I love you… I– god, fuck– I love you so much…” She replied, more moans interrupting her thoughts. “You’re holding back, I can t-tell…”

“Holding back?”

“Alex, please… I’m not delicate, you can go nuts…” Lilith batted her eyelashes, tracing the bridge of his nose with her finger. “Please, sir? Pretty please?”

Alexander growled as he moved Lilith’s leg over his shoulder with one hand, the other resting on her neck as it smeared with drying blood. The angle stretched her muscles, but the pleasure only intensified as Alexander was able to thrust deeper into her, faster. Almost animallistic with how he was growling. Lilith’s eyes rolled to the back of her head as her moans turned to screams.

“Yes, god, yes! Oh… oh fuck…”

“That’s it, my goddess, scream for me… make sure everyone knows how good I’m fucking you…” Alexander growled, grinning down at her. Lilith’s hands flew for something to grab onto, ending up settling for the bedframe with her hand. She felt her climax building up faster than she could even process it, and soon she came hard, soaking Alexander and the floor beneath them. Alexander’s hips stuttered and his cock twitched before he came inside her not long after. They both panted as Alexander rode their orgasms out before he fell down on top of her, kissing her hard as if that was the more important thing. The cuts on their palms fully healed, only leaving the dried blood behind.

“Holy shit…” Lilith gasped. Alexander chuckled, pressing his forehead against hers.

“Soul bound, Miss Lilith. Feels good?” He replied.

“So good.”

The lights in the room flickered as Lilith’s eyes began to flutter. She thought nothing of it at first, until a thought crossed her mind and she jerked back to awareness. She started talking as fast as she could, not even waiting for the spare journal to open and start writing in itself.

“Kit, Kit, please, I know how this looks, and-and, oh gods how do I even start to explain?” She frantically wracked her brain for how to go about this in the best way as the pen stopped and the journal was held up to her face.

I haven’t heard you scream like that in years. Must’ve been good.

“O-oh… well… yes, it was. But Kit, you have to understand, I just… Alexander, he… Jamie…”

There’s no need to explain. I saw you packing and assumed the reasonings you have for such actions. I wanted to come and offer my well wishes when you leave, but it seems I caught you in an… inopportune time.

“We’ve finished anyways, it’s fine. Besides, it’s not like this is atypical behavior for you. You’ve seen me naked probably more than anybody else here, and in the middle of sex for probably half of those times.”

What can I say? I’m an enjoyer of the intimate arts.

“It’s a shame you can’t exactly participate…” Lilith said with a sad smile. The pen started writing again before Alexander interrupted.

“Wait…”

“Yes?”

Alexander looked between Lilith and the floating book for a moment before responding. “It’s your last night here… if you’re okay with it, I’d… I’d be willing to let Kit take the wheel so he could have a go with you?”

“You what?”

Are you serious?

“The poor man’s been stuck like this for centuries and I think you should use your last night here to experience this before you leave. All I ask is that I get control back right when you finish. I want you in my arms tonight. Well… being conscious with you in my arms.”

Lilith’s lips opened and closed like a fish for a moment, the pen twisting around the page in a similar effect. She looked at the book for a moment, raising a questioning eyebrow.

“I’m game if you’re game.” She said.

I don’t need to be asked twice. It’s going to feel a little weird for Alexander at first, but he won’t remember it. It’s like taking a little nap.

“Well… I suppose we’re doing this.”

Alexander smiled and kissed Lilith softly before leaning back. “Tell me how it goes.”

“I will.” Lilith giggled. Alexander sat back against the edge of the bed as Lilith stood up out of the circle, shaking any loose grains of salt out of her hair before laying in the bed. The journal was sat back on the bedside table neatly and she saw the lights flicker again, this time even making the candles shake. Alexander seemed to shudder for a moment as if he’d felt a chill. A few seconds passed before his eyes blinked back open and a boyish grin broke out on his face. He shook his arms and legs out before standing up to face Lilith.

“That was fast.” She chuckled.

“Possession is easier than you’d think. You just kind of…” Alexander… well, Kit replied, making a loop with his thumb and pointer finger and poking his other pointer finger through it. His voice seemed different. It was still Alexander’s voice, just… different. Alexander’s voice was deep, coming from the chest in a gentle rumble. Lilith had never heard Kit speak, naturally, but his tone seemed lighter. That, and it sounded way less… English. She could hear his R’s properly articulated. Lilith rolled her eyes, smiling.

“Five seconds into this and you’re already doing something crude.”

“This is what I’m usually doing, it’s just that only Theresa can see it.”

“I thought you were English? Why don’t you have the same accent Alex does?”

“The dialect of my time is different from theirs. Your modern English is closer to my English. Spelled differently, spoken similarly.” Kit explained, sitting next to Lilith on the bed and taking her hand. He rolled the tips of her fingers between his, fascinated by the contact. Likely his first in centuries. “So… you’re leaving on the morrow?”

“Yeah… I can’t stay here any longer, not when Jamie hates me so much.” Lilith sighed.

“He doesn’t hate you, lambkin.”

“Sure seems like it. He’s barely looked at me in months and before that, it was only to yell at me. Even if he did still love me, why should I hold out for him and see him try to win me back? I doubt it will happen.”

“His behavior is apalling and childish, but he doesn’t hate you.”

“What’s he waiting for, then? I’ve already groveled and then ignored him entirely. He won’t give me the time of day. Face it, he’s through with me.”

“That I can’t answer. But… and I hate to say this, but Alexander’s right. He’s treated you all like worshippers rather than as his equals or, dare I say, his betters. He is or was my best friend, but even I can’t make him see that. He has to look in the mirror and figure that out for himself, and he can’t do that if he doesn’t want to admit it.” Kit sighed.

“So there’s no other option other than for me to just… disappear.” Lilith sighed.

They sat in silence for a while, thinking over the whole situation, all that had happened over the past several months. Then Lilith started thinking back further and further. So many years of wanting attention and affection. She showed up one day and felt enchanted by him, and he seemed happy to meet her, too. She looked back on the proposal fondly, even if that was all that happened wedding-wise. Lilith could see the slow descent downward after that. Not that he wasn’t a good partner or that he just dropped her once she was in his possession… it just seemed like after a while he seemed more inclined to have her worship him and his cock more than their goddess and power.

“Kit… do you think I made a deal with the devil? You of all people should know what that looks like.” Lilith finally said, not meeting his gaze.

“How do you mean?”

“Just… you know, I accepted immortality and witchcraft from the handsome witch king of sorts in exchange for… well, my soul, really. Just another pretty piece in his collection. It’s weird that it never went this… stale with the others.”

Kit thought for a moment. “I suppose in a manner of speaking, you could say that. But the thing is that those who sell their souls don’t ever really get them back or get what they wanted in the end. Consequences mean nothing to them until they’re staring them in the face and there’s no way to take it back.” He smiled and shrugged, gesturing at himself. “I’d say this is you getting your soul back. Like… an investment. You give it up now and then trade it in for something better. It pains me to say as Jamie’s friend, but in the end, he’s just… not what you needed. Alexander seems to be. In all my years, I haven’t ever seen you this happy.”

“Which is why you seem so accepting of me leaving. I doubt you would have felt this way if it was Viv in my shoes.”

“I’m devastated to lose you, but your well-being is the important thing here. I mean… he gave me a chance with you tonight, how can I not support him?” Kit grinned again. Lilith let out a laugh.

“Your advice is very sweet, but let’s not pretend you’re not dying to touch someone properly.” She said, curling a finger to tell him to come closer. Kit complied, crawling on top of Lilith in the bed with a wide smirk on his face.

“It may not be my cock and it’s been a while, but I still know how to please.” He purred, cupping her jaw with his hand. Lilith blushed. “It’s a shame that I’m using Alexander’s body for this; I’d have loved a go with him. He seems like he’s quite skilled.”

“Oh, he is. Alas, you’re stuck with me.”

“I’ll gladly take it.” Kit smiled before leaning down to kiss Lilith. He was surprisingly gentle with it, perhaps understanding Lilith might still have reservations. She instead reached up and pulled him closer, cupping his jaw with her hands as their lips moved together. Alexander’s kissing seemed more romantic, meanwhile Kit likely opted for more shocking passion. He was trying to go softer.

“Kit, it’s okay, I trust you.” Lilith whispered.

“Can I flip you over? It feels more natural…” Kit mumbled back. Lilith giggled and rolled over, getting on her hands and knees. She let her hair fall in tangled waves around her shoulders and down her back. Kit knelt behind her, gripping her hip with one hand while the other ran gently down her back and over her ass. Lilith smirked, pushing back into his touch.

“If you don’t hurry up, I might turn this back on you.” She said, looking at him over her shoulder. Kit chuckled, landing one lone smack to her ass and making her yelp.

“Be patient, lambkin. I want to savor this.” Kit replied lowly. He reached down between her thighs and ran his fingers through her soaked folds, finding the evidence of Alexander mixed with it. Lilith hummed at the touch as Kit scooted closer, lining up with his already hard cock. “Ready, love?”

“I said to hurry up.” Lilith giggled back, moving her hips from side to side teasingly. Kit smirked before gripping her hips and pushing inside of her. Lilith whined at the feeling, meanwhile she could hear the satisfied groan Kit let out.

“Sweet fuck, I missed this…” He sighed, his head tipping back in pleasure. Lilith smiled, pushing her hips back against him again. Kit chuckled at her, running his hand up her back and tangling his fingers in her hair. He yanked on it, making Lilith moan at the pull. “You like this, yes?”

“Yes, Kit…” She whimpered, feeling herself clench around him. Kit groaned as he pulled back out and pushed back in, managing to perfectly hit Lilith’s sweet spot. He chuckled again, low in his throat before he increased his pace, fucking into Lilith like a man starved. In a way, he was, but somehow it made Alexander seem careful with his movements. Kit’s hands found her hips again and gripped them tight, leaving red marks on her skin. It was a perfect tandem. Kit was right; even after all these years, he still knew exactly what to do.

“You sound so pretty, love… I never heard Jamie pull this kind of a reaction out of you.” Kit groaned, slamming his hips against her ass harder.

“Jamie can kiss my ass.” Lilith said, another moan cutting her off. She felt her own arousal dripping down her thighs, going slowly brainless the harder Kit went. Her arms started to shake, bravely trying to keep her supported before giving out completely. She fell forward, landing against the pillows as she continued to moan nonsense into them.

“It’s a shame I only get so long with you… There are so many things I wish we could do together.” Kit purred, reaching down to rub at her clit. Her legs started to shake at that, barely clinging on to any semblance of stability that she still had left. “I’ve been told my mouth is good for things beyond rhetoric or blasphemy. And, of course, those toys we’ve been using to get around Jamie’s nonsense rules. I’d love to see you come undone around a pathetic little toy while my cock is down your throat. In an ideal world, however, it’s Alexander behind you instead of a piece of plastic… imagine it, love. Alexander and I claiming you at the same time. Either using your mouth or… perhaps we use both of your holes down here at the same time… see which one feels better for you. Would you like that, love?”

“Yes! Yes, yes, Kit, please!” Lilith cried, lifting her head away from the pillow to ensure she was heard. “Kit, you’re… I’m gonna… fuck…”

“Go ahead, love. Scream for me while you come undone.” Kit growled as his own hips began to stutter. Lilith screamed as she soaked Kit and the bed beneath them, one of the most powerful orgasms she’d ever had. She gasped for breath as she collapsed to the sheets, yet she still felt Kit fucking her hard and fast, chasing his own high. “Just a little more, love… I haven’t been able to finish in centuries, just…”

Lilith whimpered into the pillow, her thighs shaking uncontrollably as the overstimulation started to hit her. Her eyes squeezed shut as Kit all but roared as he came hard inside of her, only making her whine harder. Kit sucked in a few deep breaths as he pulled out, picking Lilith up and laying her on his side so her head was on his chest, perfectly nestled. Lilith finally regained the ability to speak as she smiled.

“Good?” She asked. Kit laughed, a large, full laugh before he kissed her forehead.

“This was a gift, lambkin. I won’t soon forget it. Even after you’re gone, I’ll sing the sweet praises of your pussy to anybody who will listen.” He replied, making Lilith blush. “I will miss you, love. Maybe someday I’ll see you again and ask Alexander to let me have at it again.”

“I’ll take it as a compliment considering you’ve spent years lamenting the feeling of a cock yourself.”

“Hey, beggars can’t be choosers.” Kit shrugged before kissing Lilith on the lips one more time. “Safe travels, Lilith.”

“Thank you, Kit.” Lilith replied. A moment later, she felt him shudder and his eyes blinked back open.

“Jesus, I feel like I went six rounds with you.” Alexander said, his voice back to its usual cadence. “How hard did he go?”

“Hard enough. It was delicious.” Lilith giggled. “Although we both wished you could have been here to participate. There’s plenty of room after all.”

Alexander smiled, kissing her forehead. “I’m glad I was able to do that for you both. Was that enough closure for you?”

“I think so. I told him Jamie could kiss my ass so I don’t see myself mourning for much longer.”

“Good.” Alexander then reached for Lilith’s hand, his fingers closing around the opal ring around her left ring finger. Lilith’s breath caught in her throat, swallowing hard. Alexander paused, looking at her gently. “Do you still need it?”

Lilith paused for a while, studying the ring and the matching necklace around her neck, aware of the earrings still in her lobes. They all suddenly felt much heavier. Cautiously, she reached up and slowly took the earrings out of her ears and then unclasped the necklace. They really were beautiful pieces; Jamie had said their price didn’t matter to him. But they symbolized that union, now all but broken. She nodded at Alexander as he slid the ring off her finger, taking the other jewelry pieces and resting them on the bedside table. He kissed her finger gently, the small red indent the ring had left feeling so strange being exposed.

Lilith breathed deeply as the candles flickered around them, wax creating pools on the hardwood floor. The candles were halfway burned and melted by this point. She laid her head back on Alexander’s chest, listening to his heart best under her, his fingers combing through her hair. Minutes passed, maybe hours as casual words flowed between them, fatigue slowly sinking its fingers into them. Alexander’s deep voice was soothing as he reminded her that his heart was hers, she could have his life and more if she wanted it. Lilith’s eyes fluttered, eyes hazy after sex but needing to look up at him.

That's when she noticed it. She blinked and it felt like a fog was being wiped away from her eyesight. It was odd; there’d never felt like there was one in the first place. Small things started to come into focus. Some things subtle, some much larger. She could have sworn Alexander’s chest was blank of any ink, she’d made a note of it just a little while ago. What made it stranger was that she knew those tattoos. The tattoos that she knew the shapes of by heart… A lump began to form in her throat as the recognition hit her, although she was slightly put off by noticing that they were in different places now. The heart and butterflies that should have been beneath her cheek, was now beneath her idle fingers.

Lilith’s brows furrowed, a weight building up in her chest. She didn’t know what it meant, but the alarm started building up more within her. When she looked up at Alexander, that's when she noticed his eyes. They were more gray now, they had been pure blue all this time and now they were more similar to hers. And his voice, deeper, raspier…

“Lili? Is something wrong?” Alexander asked her. Lilith’s lips bobbed, trying to put her scrambled thoughts into words.

She didn’t have the chance to articulate anything, hearing a knock at the front door.

***

The snow continued to fall practically in sheets outside. An anxious pit had slowly been forming in Vivian’s stomach that had grown larger and larger over the past three days or so. It had started once the first snowflakes had started to fall and only got worse the more it stuck to the ground. Though, deep down, she knew the snow was only part of the story. Somehow she knew that something was about to happen, something devastating. She didn’t know exactly what it was, but she had her suspicions, especially towards the perceived cause.

She sat on a sofa that overlooked the front porch of Jamie’s house, watching the snow cover everything beyond it. Vivian could see the lights from the town below the hill, although only barely. Jamie’s house was warm at least, there was a fire going that she had spent an hour just staring at, hoping to clear her head. Fires helped her feel more at peace and in tune with herself, like the embrace of a family member. Not that any of Vivian’s family growing up had provided such comforts.

She heard Nora and Jamie in the kitchen cleaning up after their dinner, the domestic sound of water running and dishes clinking together undercutting the fire’s crackle. Jamie had been especially sweet during their time together today, reminding Vivian of the man she knew before everything had gone south. Considerate, down to Earth, just a husband taking care of his spouses. He’d wrapped her in a cocoon of sorts with his favorite blanket, a black one decorated with a white skull pattern while he and Nora had shared an Afghan. Jamie sat in the middle of them, reading them a few chapters of a book, a fantasy novel Vivian had been especially fond of so far. Dragons, undead, noble families at war… and sex, of course.

Vivian was notoriously one of, if not, the horniest of all the witches. The others at least had some of their dignity and restraint left. She blamed her repressed upbringing, but she wondered if it was something else, being the only one who could honestly keep up with Jamie most nights. Even if Nora wasn’t in the mood, Vivian was. Though, where she sat right now hearing the last of dinner being cleaned up, she strangely found herself… not begging to be touched. In fact, the idea almost made her feel uncomfortable. The domesticity of dinner had briefly been undercut by Jamie resting a hand on Vivian’s thigh, not an unusual action by any stretch. If anything, it was tame. She instead flinched at it and Jamie was at least cognisant enough to pull away, smiling at her softly and kissing her nose instead.

Jamie never pushed, never forced anything. He was a good, honest man, Vivian knew that. Even in the solitude of the three of them alone in his house, he still had them thank nature for providing them with their meal as he always had. Vivian remembered one time she’d been impatient with it when she’d first arrived in Paradiso, asking if Jamie wanted them to thank the carbohydrates in the pasta from the pasta salad while they were at it. She’d been punished deliciously for it that night, Jamie making her thank him for every piece of pleasure he would give her. She looked back on that night fondly, an early example of her discovering and embracing her degeneracy.

Strangely, Vivian also remembered that that next Friday night she’d been with him, they hadn’t actually had sex. He was always so aware of their feelings, and that night all they did was kiss and cuddle. Nowadays it was almost like a silent understanding, a demand that if it was your night, you were getting bent over. It had gotten bad right around when Alexander had first shown up, and then worse as time went on after that.

Jealousy evidently was the worst look on Jamie. Vivian then thought about Lilith, her best friend, the dark haired beauty she’d gotten so close with. It made the pit in her stomach worse, all of a sudden extremely aware of the reason for its existence in the first place. Her temples prickled, a telling dead giveaway that her anxiety was peaking. Somehow she could tell that Lilith was about to be ripped away from her and the thought made her queasy. She couldn’t lose Lilith, not like this.

“Viv, are you okay? You look a little…green.” Nora asked, coming back into the living room with Jamie behind her. Vivian swallowed the bile in her throat, trying to get her heart to stop racing, the damned prickling to go away.

“Why don’t you come to bed with us, princess?” Jamie asked her, offering her his hand. Vivian looked at it, knowing that bed was just code for getting a cock in her mouth. She didn’t say anything, instead turning away. She surprised herself with the action. All she’d craved every day was Jamie’s affection, and here she was outright rejecting it. “Viv, darling, come on, don’t be like this.”

“Is everything okay, sweetheart?” Nora asked. Vivian still remained silent, the anxiety and stress starting to swallow her. Lilith was slipping through her fingers and Jamie wanted to, what? Jackhammer into her again? A single tear escaped the corner of her eye, the bile rising for her to swallow again.

“Come to bed, princess, you’ll feel better.” Jamie said, offering his hand again.

“No.” Vivian said, still not meeting anybody’s gaze.

“No?”

“I said no. Jamie, how long are you going to keep up this facade you’ve set up for yourself?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, spare me!” Vivian snapped, finally standing up and glaring at Jamie. Even as the tallest witch, she only came up to his nose. It was still a little jarring and intimidating. Vivian wasn’t angry often, but when she was, she was pissed. “How much longer are you going to keep up this wall you’ve set up for yourself, using Nora and I as your pocket pussies to keep you happy while the rest of the coven suffers because you’re taking your anger out on Lilith?”

“Viv…” Nora said, almost in a warning tone.

“No, you know what, I’m done! Jamie, how fucking blind and deaf do you have to be to not see that all the damage you’re causing because you’re jealous?”

“Me, jealous?” Jamie laughed once. “She showed herself off to Babtiste and then got upset when there were consequences.”

“James Bower, do you not fucking hear yourself right now? You need to wake the fuck up. She brought him to the ritual for study purposes, and you allowed him in! Then you turn around and get upset when he’s watching something you let him watch. This is turning you into a paranoid, jealous freak!”

“I’m right to be worried when he almost seduced you away from me! Or have you forgotten he almost did that?” Jamie hissed at her.

“Yeah, because you were being a dick about my probation. What is even the point of probations? It’s not about teaching us lessons, you’re grounding grown adults rather than just telling them to be more aware next time and teaching them how to improve.”

“She’s right, I’ve been telling you to do away with those for years and you never listen.” Nora spoke up.

“Vivian, you summoned the Sinner, actions like that have consequences.” Jamie said.

“I didn’t mean to! You didn’t need to ground me for a month to tell me to do better, I knew I fucked up and then said I wouldn’t do it again! That’s all that needed to be, you didn’t need to ignore me for a month to get the message across.”

“I was waiting for you to come and ask to be taken off probation!”

“Why, because you wanted to see me grovel at your feet and beg for forgiveness? You’re not my superior like that, Jamie, you’re my husband and we’re supposed to be equals. But you’re also missing the bigger picture here. Once you and I actually talked about my feelings, everything went back to normal and we let it go.”

“You didn’t even give Lilith a chance to explain herself, you just shut the door in her face and then proceeded to ignore her for months. And now you have the audacity to act surprised when she seems happier with Alexander.” Nora said, her tone hotter. “Yes, Jamie, we know it wasn’t just ‘nobody’ at the door.”

“She should have known better after he tried to take Vivian away from us. I was trying to shield you from his influence since he was swaying everybody away.” Jamie protested.

“For like a week! Then they all just started ignoring him, but you were too bull headed to notice!” Vivian yelled.

“She should still know better!”

“No, actually she shouldn’t because you’ve been such an asshole to her and then use Nora and I as your fuck therapy to avoid acknowledging that you’re the problem! Alexander has been nothing but kind to her and you’ve been acting like the world’s biggest dick to her in response. Maybe if you fucking talked to her, you would be so mad about it! Talking worked with me, didn’t it? Why wouldn’t it work with her?”

“You’ve been pushing everyone away because of this. Nobody wants to be around you anymore, the town is in chaos, and Viv and I have been complicit in this for way too long. You’d better grow a pair and apologize to Lilith or your dick is never getting wet ever again.” Nora hissed. “Although I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t forgive you since you’ve put her through months of hell because of your own jealousy. Honestly, she has no incentive to even take you back after all this.”

“Jamie, she’s going to leave if you don’t whip yourself into shape and it would be your fault that the coven fractures. Have you never once considered that the strange weather patterns and the way people have been behaving is your own damn fault? How could you live with yourself after that, pushing her out and taking away someone that I love?”

“I did what I thought was the right thing! Do you think it’s easy managing a whole town and seven witches trying to keep demons at bay? Especially when a threat from the outside comes in and threatens everything we’ve worked for? I should have just sent him home on day one, but I didn’t and now he’s ruined everything!” Jamie roared, his hand coming up and swinging to the side, pushing a glass sculpture over off its display table. It shattered on impact with the floor, sending shards of glass everywhere and bringing the argument to an abrupt stop. The sound seemed to break through to Jamie, his face softening and blinking a few times to clear away a haze.

He turned around and finally registered the broken glass on the floor, his eyes roaming over every piece as if each one was some kind of dead animal. He shoved the table away and knelt down in front of the glass, his hands shaking. Vivian’s hand came up and covered her mouth in shock, not so much at the out of character lashing out, but at what exactly he’d done because of it. Both of Nora’s hands had come up, covering her nose and mouth as her eyes widened.

It was a glass sculpture Lilith had made him right after he’d asked her to marry him. A wedding present, she said it was, even if there wasn’t a full wedding ceremony. Now it was in pieces all over the floor.

“No… no no no no…” Jamie mumbled, his shaking hands coming up to try and scoop up the shards. Blood immediately started dripping from the cuts they formed, yet Jamie didn’t seem to even notice them. He just kept trying to pick up the glass pieces, piling them in front of him as his lip trembled and tears started to fall down his cheeks. He found two larger pieces and gripped them tighter than he should have, more blood falling down his palms and wrists as he tried to push the pieces back together. It was a futile effort and Jamie’s tears didn’t seem to be from the pain at all.

“Jamie…” Vivian said, kneeling down next to him.

“No, no, no, god… I… I didn’t mean to…” He stuttered, still moving the shards to try and fit them together. “I can fix it… I have to fix it, I-I-I…”

“Jamie.”

“It’s not going back together… Viv, princess, please… you have to help me fix it, I have to fix it… help…” Jamie stuttered before he dropped the shards of glass and began to sob. Blood ran in thin red rivers down his hands and onto the floor, creating a puddle that surrounded some of the glass.

“Now do you understand?” Nora asked, kneeling down on Jamie’s other side. “Think of the sculpture like your bond with Lilith. That’s what it symbolized, right? You have to pull it together before you do something like this.” Nora picked up one of the small shards delicately, careful to not cut her fingers. “You’ll break it for good and you won’t be able to fix it.”

“I’ll go find a first aid kit.” Vivian said, standing up. Instead, Jamie lurched forward, gripping Vivian’s hands tight. His blood stained her hands, still dripping.

“No! No, I don’t have time! I have… I have to go find her… I need… fuck!” Jamie stood up abruptly, wobbling on his feet as he rushed for the door. Nora and Vivian ran after him, Vivian tearing the bottom hem of her skirt into two strips of fabric. She caught him before he could get the door, tying them around his hands to try and stop the bleeding. They wouldn’t have time to heal it properly, so this would have to do. Jamie looked at Vivian with wide, almost terrified eyes, a silent word of desperate thanks.

He then threw the door open and ran with them into the blizzard.

***

The cottage looked cold, even colder than the snow under Jamie’s bare feet. He pushed against the heavy door, falling into the room much like how Alexander and Lilith had fallen into the guest house. The room was dark, nearly pitch black, and it took his eyes a moment to adjust. He reached for the beautiful dark oak table he had made for her many years ago, knowing that somewhere on it, there would be a candle and a lighter, but he almost fell when he tried to brace himself against it and found nothing to be there.

He groaned as his body gave out from under him and he fell into multiple hard and sharp corners. Vivian reached over, feeling against Lilith’s dark purple moon and sun patterned wallpaper, eventually finding the lightswitch.

When the warm lights of her living room flicked on, Jamie came face to face with a mountain of cardboard boxes. Each individually labeled in Lilith’s pretty handwriting that he hadn’t realized he had missed so much. Everything was there, everything he thought she loved and cherished, all wrapped up in her cottage and seemingly abandoned. The only box that stood alone was in her bedroom. It was labeled ‘Jamie’.

Nora quickly grabbed the large box before Jamie could get up and see it in the back of the cottage. Inside was everything he had ever given her except for her wedding jewelry. Every shirt that she had borrowed and never given back. Every ring she had stolen from his fingers, especially the ones too big for any finger on her hand, were all lined up on a silver chain, and placed neatly in a box. Everything that had said ‘I love you’, wrapped up in bubble wrap, as if it couldn’t take one more drop, already too fragile and broken.

Nora wiped away a tear as Jamie stumbled in, barely able to stand, sobbing, and feet so numb he couldn’t tell if he was standing or not. Nora tried to shove the box away before he could see it, but Jamie had always been observant. His bloody hands traced the sides of the large box on the floor. Pulling out the love letters he had written her and staining them with blood.

How had everything gotten this bad? How could she look at these and place them away? How could she hide them? The part that broke his heart the most was opening each one and seeing where the ink had been smudged with her tears. Blood and tears now stained these yellow pages, and he remembered how long it had been since he had told her that he loved her. That he needed her. That he couldn’t breathe when she wasn’t near.

And it was all his fault.

***

Lilith realized with horror that these were Jamie's tattoos, but mirrored across Alexander's body, “Lili? Is something wrong?”

She floundered, her mouth opening and closing like a fish as she tried to speak, shock fully taking hold of her. Heart hammering in her chest, pounding against her ribcage and sternum so hard she thought the bones would break. Then, a knock came at the door to save her from what was right in front of her.

Like a dream she couldn't see this whole time, there was Alexander, and now, he looked more like Jamie. Was this her goddess taunting her? Berating her for a mistake she didn't know she had made? Was this real, or was this some kind of horrible nightmare? The kind where all your worst fears come true, and somehow, you are to blame for all of it.

She scrambled to put on her clothes, needing to be covered, maybe then he wouldn't hear her heart trying to lurch out of her chest and hit the floor. She stumbled to the door, tripping over her own feet. The wind carried snow inside as soon as it was opened, a still naked Alexander walking up behind her to see what was going on, just as Jamie looked up. Jamie froze just as Lilith started to speak, “What the fuck ar-”

Jamie fell to his knees, grasping her hips like his life depend on it and burying his face in the little fat pouch on her belly, “Please, please, oh dear god, Lilith, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, please, I need you, I love you, don’t leave me!”

“James-”

“No! No! I’m not James, not to you, never to you, please Lilith, please-”

“Okay, okay, Jamie, why are you bleeding?”

He sat there, stunned for a moment, his mind going blank, he hadn’t expected her to ask, or even to care, “I broke it…”

“Broke what?” Alexander asked, wrapping a towel around his waist behind Lilith.

“Our wedding statue, I broke it on accident and I tried to put it back together and I cut myself.”

“Oh…”She whispered, her voice barely loud enough to hear over the howling wind that fought against Nora and Vivian as they tried to close the door.

“I didn’t mean to, it was an accident, I got angry and it was behind me and I knocked it off the shelf…”

Lilith’s face looked sad, a tear coming to her eye, “I thought you had put that away.”

“What?”

“The statue, I thought you had moved it from the mantle. Somewhere it couldn’t be seen, so it didn’t have to remind you that I and our marriage existed.”

Jamie’s brows furrowed as he looked up at her for the first time, a halo of light around her head, “Why would I ever do that?”

Lilith bit her lip and swallowed sadly, “Because you don’t love me anymore…maybe you never did.”

His brow furrowed further, and he tried to stand, “Where would you ever get the idea that I don’t love you, that I don’t worship you?”

“Maybe it was the ignoring me and treating me like I don’t exist.”

“I didn’t realize that it… I never meant… I’m so sorry.”

“You punished me for bringing Alexander to the ritual when you said I could,” Lilith started listing.

“I shouldn’t have done that.”

“You sent a very rude letter to put me on probation instead of doing it in person.”

“I don’t even know why I did that, that was a horrible thing to do.”

“You slammed the door in my face when I tried to apologize.”

“That was very wrong of me, I should have listened to you.”

“You didn’t come see me after I nearly drowned.”

“I regret that. I should have done more.”

“You were so wrapped up in your jealousy of Alexander that you didn’t even stop to think that maybe that’s what was pushing us all away.”

“Now that you say it, I can see that.”

“I cut my hair because you showed attention to a flapper girl and it lasted all of five minutes.”

“You are far more beautiful than her and I should have told you that.”

“You forced us all to dress like nuns because you were worried that someone else would look at us.”

“I am a horribly jealous man.”

“You yell and you don’t apologize.”

“Nora, Vivian, I’m sorry for yelling at you.”

“You’re excused.” Vivian cut in, barely hiding the smirk on her face at Lilith’s display.

“You yelled at them?” Lilith asked, her tone thin.

“I was upset…please, keep going.”

“You expect to be worshiped like a god when you don’t worship us the same way.”

“Which is so wrong, my mother taught me better than that.”

“You never let Kit inhabit a body, even knowing that this can physically hurt after a while.”

“I didn’t even think about how that would hurt Kit, I'm so sorry.”

“You flirt with all the girls in town and ignore us when we say we have a problem with it.”

“Which is horrible, I should treat your complaints with the same validity as my own.”

“You keep what you know secret, even if it would benefit the coven to know.”

“I don’t want to cause a rift but I can see how that would look bad.”

“We don’t have a communal bed, so we all have to fight for spots with you.”

Jamie stared at his pool of blood on the floor for a moment, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“We built you a house and you didn’t even live in it.”

“I am so sorry, I thought you guys just liked building…”

“You don’t even know my real name anymore, do you?”

“Lilith.”

“That’s not my name. You made me change it, remember? Because it wasn’t good enough for the coven.”

“...No, I didn’t remember, I’m so sorry.”

“My name is Lillian.”

“Your name is Lillian?” Vivian squawked before turning to Jamie. “You made her change her name when she got here because, what, it wasn’t cool enough for you? Are you out of your fucking mind, James?”

“I didn’t even think about how demeaning that was, I am so sorry, Lillian.”

“That’s because you don’t fucking think,” Nora quipped, looking at her nails instead of Jamie.

Jamie looked at Lilith, rather, Lillian, nervously, “Do you forgive me?”

“I do. But I’m not your wife. I forgive you for the hell I’ve been through in these past months, these past years, these past decades, but I no longer consider you my husband.”

“Even if she wanted to,” Alexander said, “we’ve done a bonding ritual. There is no undoing and there is no going back. Lili and I are married now.”

Nora leaned towards Vivian, “Is that…Alexander?”

Vivian leaned towards Nora, “...maybe?”

Alexander now stood tall, his previously pulled up hair was down, he had lost his silver glasses, and his beard was now magically gone.

“I don’t know what the fuck is going on with him, actually,” Lili sighed.

Alexander sat down on the couch, the towel slightly falling apart, “I’m only here because of Vivian.”

“What do you mean?” Nora questioned.

“She summoned me, remember, brother?”

All the witches turned to Jamie, but Lili got the question out first, “did he just say brother?”

“You’re missing the most important part here,” interjected Vivian, “he’s the fucking Sinner!”

“My name is Alexander, but thank you.”

“Wait, is it actually?” asked Jamie.

“...yes. Did you really forget my name too? Mother, you are horrible at this relationship thing.”

“I’ve been calling you The Sinner!”

“Which isn’t my name! Mom didn’t even give me that nickname, that was just you being an asshole!”

Vivian sat down on the floor in a corner, facing the wall and rocking back and forth. Alexander sighed, “It’s why I was so drawn to Viv at first, she summoned me, also, I find her lineage quite impressive.”

Vivian stopped rocking in the corner, looking at the set up on the living room floor, “Wait, is this…the bonding ritual?”

“Yes.”

“So you tried to trick me by saying it was a healing ritual?”

“I wouldn’t say trick, that's a harsh word. More like…no that's actually the kindest word. Yes, I did try to trick you.”

“Why would you do that?” Vivian asked, wrapping her arms around herself.

“I was lonely. I wanted someone to spend eternity with. I’ve been alone since mom left, and Jamie wouldn’t ever speak to me, I just wanted someone to love…”

“So, was everything between us fake?” Lili asked, betrayal clouding her face, “Did you trick me too? Trick me into loving you so you could have a companion?”

“No. No, it’s all real, everything you feel, everything I feel, it’s all true. I never tricked you. I was just…kind when you needed someone, and then it flourished from there.”

“So, where does that leave us?” asked Nora.

“I’ve already done the ritual,” Lili started, “I couldn’t take Jamie back, Alexander is my husband now, but I think I’d like to stay, if that's allowed.”

“I could never ask you to say goodbye.” Jamie bit his lip, almost biting through and now bleeding into his mouth.

Lili then turned to Alexander, sitting on the plush green couch she had admired earlier, the bookshelves and gallery wall framing him perfectly, “I think I prefer you with a beard.”

[the-bats-who-simp]

Blood-Hair and Sin

-A Bat Coven LLC Production-

Written by: @the-bats-who-simp

Summary: Vivian Peterson has been raised by her hyper-religious parents under the belief that she's some type of sin and scourn of the family. They work her harder to make up for it. Although, at some point, a breaking point has to be hit.

Warnings: Religious trauma, abuse, child abuse, burns, brief nudity, very light sexual content, brothels, prostitution, witches.

◇◇◇

"Viv, I'm serious, you have to get out of that house before it literally kills you, or worse." Samuel pressed again, leaning against the Ms. Pac-Man arcade cabinet Vivian was engrossed in. Her eyes darted around the screen, following the round yellow game sprite as it moved around the maze, eating little pellets while outsmarting the little ghosts. Ms. Pac-Man ate the last white dot on the maze before a fresh round of pellets greeted her for the fourth time.

"Samuel, if you keep distracting me, I'll fail before I'm even close to beating this score and you'll embarass me in front of everyone." She replied, not meeting his gaze. Even blinded by the arcade's flashing lights, her peripheral vision saw her friend's blatant eye roll.

"More than that "Little House on the Prairie" dress you have on? That's more embarassing than sporting a six thousand score. You already have the top two spots on this cabinet, you don't need to prove anything." Samuel protested. Vivian jerked the joystick and ran directly into a freshly reactivated Blinky, ending her run with a pathetic electronic whine. Vivian sighed, looking directly at Samuel with a peeved expression.

"Were you even listening to me?" He asked her, his blue eyes boring into her brown ones. Vivian held out a hand, palm up, refusing to dignify him with a response before he compensated her for the loss. Samuel sighed, reaching into his pocket and passing her another of his quarters. She inserted it into the cabinet's coin slot, starting up a fresh round.

"I was listening, by the way, and I don't want to hear it. I have nowhere I could go if I was to run away, or worse get thrown out." Vivian said, her eyes moving around the maze again with practiced concentration.

"You could come with me and we can split our quarters on some McNuggets or something."

"I know nothing about where you live or with whom. For all I know you're trying to lure me away to your hellhole of a house infested with rats and used needles."

"Ouch, Viv. I thought you knew me better than that." Samuel quipped back, earning an eye roll from Vivian.

"And, for the record, my father has a suspiciously keen sense of smell when it comes to fast food. Do you remember when we split that burger a couple months ago?"

"Yeah?"

Vivian just shot Samuel a look, a sad smirk on her face before returning her eyes to the arcade cabinet. Samuel just nodded, watching Vivian finish the round, a new set of pellets illuminating her face. Round cheeks, brown eyes framed by long eyelashes, her lips a perfect dusty rose color, none of which was touched by makeup. Her most discernable feature was, of course, being her bright red tresses cascading down her back, a perfect match to freshly spilled blood.

Vivian's mother harshly straightened it every morning, even the smallest of waves that appeared in it upset her. Vivian accepted it as a way of life, Samuel wondered if it had anything to do with her parents' stick straight hair (had her father grown it out beyond a crop, that is). He never voiced this to her in depth; even if he did, Vivian's understanding of genetics was slim.

"What time is it?" She asked after a while, finishing her third round. Samuel glanced at his watch, pursing his lips.

"Five-oh-three?"

"FUCK!" Vivian swore, once again jerking her joystick harshly, earning her another electronic whine.

"What?" Samuel asked. "We usually stay out for a little longer. Isn't dinner for you at six-thirty?"

"Yeah, but I need to grocery shop, too. I wanted to be at the store by five." Vivian abandoned the machine and grabbed Samuel by his shirt sleeve, running out of the front of the arcade.

"Viv, relax, it's okay, I'll come help, just tell me what you need." Samuel replied, speedwalking next to Vivian. She wasn't much of a runner, both because it made her cough and because she didn't want to get her clothes sweaty.

"Okay, okay, uh... for dinner itself, I need chicken, asparagus, potatoes, I think we need more lemon pepper, too... Peanut butter, the Planters brand, smooth and don't you dare even touch the Peter Pan brand--"

"What do you have against Peter Pan?"

"Nothing, but Peter Pan's a magical boy in a magical land."

"Right... and I thought you liked crunchy peanut butter?"

"I do, but Joseph doesn't and he throws a fit if he doesn't get smooth... God, I never get what I want for food."

The pair burst through the doors of the local general store at about five-sixteen. Vivian grabbed a basket at the same time Samuel did, darting off in different directions of the shop.

Plain Cheerios, one-percent milk-- not two-percent, a block of cheddar cheese, frozen peas and carrots, spaghetti, we still have a jar of tomato sauce at home, don't touch the candy-- you haven't done anything to deserve sweets, you never do, Father needs his toothpaste-- mint, not wintergreen, the freshest beef for the lowest price, broccoli, green beans, and white bread on top-- Father can't stand squished bread.

Vivian and Samuel met back at the till, only slightly out of breath. She roamed her eyes over the selection Samuel had picked out, eyeing the chicken breasts in particular.

"Was that the lowest price?" She asked skeptically.

"By thirteen cents." Samuel replied.

"Chicken gets more expensive by the week." Vivian sighed, passing the baskets to the worker and pulling out her coin purse, praying she had enough. "Good luck to me to explain that to Father..."

Vivian handed over the money as the cashier handed her back her brown paper sacks of groceries and her change, two dollars and fourteen cents. She bid him goodbye and wordlessly nodded to Samuel, parting ways as the sun started to sink behind the distant mountains. It cast a nice orange glow on the surrounding area. Vivian knew, on the other hand, the longer her shadow grew, the less time she had before she had to be home. Hopefully her dinner with her two dollar and extra offering would be enough to please her parents for the night, even if she was cutting it close.

Don't be silly. It's never enough.

The house wasn't very big. It was all one story with a slanted roof, giving the illusion of a second story. Living room, kitchen, dining room, one and a half bathrooms, and three bedrooms. Viv supposed she could count herself lucky that she got one room to herself. Her parents didn't want her sharing with her brothers and her older sister had married and moved out years ago.

Vivian took in a deep breath before pushing the front door open, struggling with her bags while trying to get her shoes off. No dirt should be tracked in. Using her toes, she delicately placed them perfectly in their designated spot and moved through the living room to the kitchen. She set the sacks down and started pulling things out, setting aside the ingredients for dinner near the stove. Her eye caught the price label on the plastic covering the chicken again, silently groaning over the slightly higher than usual price.

"You're a bit later than usual." Vivian's mother said deceptively calmly, sliding into the kitchen. Angela's dark brown hair was tied in a tight bun at the base of her head, very faint gray streaks shooting through it. Vivian had tried buns for a while, trying to avoid the straightener, but her hair always fell out soon after.

"Register was having trouble." Vivian lied evenly through her teeth, carefully moving the bread to the breadbox as if transporting crown jewels.

"Your hair didn't hold as well today." Angela said, her eyes flicking up and down. What had started the morning as straight sticks had turned into waves, the hairs near the top of her head full on curls. Vivian swore silently, knowing sweat and running was the cause. Well respecting ladies don't run, they don't get sticky. She instead shrugged.

"It comes loose sometimes. You know how it goes." Vivian replied, reaching for her coin purse and passing it to her mother. "Two-fourteen. Prices climbed a bit more today."

Angela took the coin purse silently and left the kicthen soon after. Vivian exhaled and went to preheat the oven before washing her hands. She never really understood why her parents held her in such contempt in particular. They were lenient with the boys and Rebecca wasn't treated nearly as cooly. Though, then again, Rebecca didn't--

Vivian shoved the thought away, rubbing at her arm before grabbing a knife to free the chicken from its packaging.

***

Mashing potatoes by hand always left Vivian with a strong cramp below her right thumb, but she never dared voice it. Everyone took their potatoes with butter except for Joseph, her youngest brother, he took his plain. Angela liked pepper on hers, her father liked garlic. Vivian chose garlic, butter, salt, and cheese. Isaac always jeered her for adding cheese. Vivian always ignored it.

Vivian had made it a habit to eat quickly so she would be the first one done. She was expected to take dishes to the kitchen and wash them as soon as someone was done, regardless if she was finished eating or not. Her food would always be cold by the time she wss able to get back to it. "A wife must drop everything to please her husband," her parents would say. Vivian knew better than to bite back with something sarcastic.

Vivian's oldest brother, David, was the last to finish, so she grabbed his plate the second he ate his last bite, hardly giving her a thank you for the service or complimenting her cooking. David left and before Viv could return to the kitchen to clean it, her father stopped her.

"Vivian, come to the living room once you're done." Silas said tonelessly.

"Yes, sir." Vivian replied, skittering to the kitchen with a racing heart. Odds were good that she was about to be reprimanded, and odds were even better that she'd go to bed crying because of it. Still, it was better to not keep her parents waiting, so she couldn't even take her time with the washing. The sponge still shook in her grasp.

Vivian put the plate on the rack and moved to the living room, finding her parents standing in front of her father's sitting chair. It was one of the nicest things in the house, leather with a nice knitted blanket over the armrest. Viv knew it as the chair she sat in when she was going to get chewed out, as did the other Peterson children. Her parents' logic was that they wouldn't want to sit in Silas' big comfy chair if they associated it with being punished.

Vivian sat in it graciously, her posture perfect and a neutral expression on her face, looking at her parents expectantly.

"I assume you know what this is about?" Silas asked. Vivian swallowed.

"I promise, that was the cheapest chicken by thirteen cents." She blurted.

"Yes, because that store owner is a damned crook. But that's not what this is about."

"It's not?" Vivian blinked. If it wasn't the chicken, then it was only going to get worse. That would have been her getting off easy.

"No. Your mother noticed your hair was stringy and the sweat stains on your dress. It only got to sixty-three degrees today."

"Yes, sir."

"You ran home, didn't you? Because the register was having trouble?"

There was no point in denying it. "Yes, sir."

Silas' lips flattened and curled up slightly. More dangerous of a sign than a poisonous bug flashing their colors to ward off predators.

"How many times must you be told to not lie? I'll give you exactly one chance to correct yourself." He said thinly. Vivian began to sweat.

"I...I lost track of time."

"Why did you tell your mother that it was the register? Someone else's fault?"

"Because... because..."

"Because you were at the arcade again. With that boy we said you couldn't see." Silas spat. Vivian went from sweating to freezing, a chill pumping through her veins that made her heart pound faster than a jackrabbit.

"I-I-I..."

"Entering a place of sin, frivolity, let alone with a boy we forbade you from talking to. Vivian Eve Peterson, what do you even have to say for yourself?" Angela snapped.

"What problem do you even have with Samuel? He's the only person who's ever nice to me." Vivian replied before she could stop herself.

"Because he just waltzed into your life one day and tempts you to do sinful things. How can we even be sure he hasn't desicrated you?"

A shot of anger ran through Vivian, emboldening her. "He has not, I'm still pure. But it's just an arcade, it's not like he takes me to whorehouses."

Silas' eye twitched. "Those places are distractions and full of sin. Shallow, superficial lies, deviations from the word of the Lord, full of gambling, violence, magic, and countless other things."

Vivian had no idea where her courage was coming from.

"Who are you to condemn violence when you beat us raw whenever we disobey?" Vivian hissed, standing up out of the chair. She could see her father getting angrier and she felt a strange satisfaction in it. She continued. "And of course the one time someone is nice to me and doesn't see me as the weird religious girl everyone else does, you forbid me from seeing him. You're setting me up for failure."

"What makes you think you deserve kindness, girl?" Silas spat in her face. Vivian hardly flinched.

"Because it's not my fault you treat me like shit. I was born and you immediately wrote me off as an affront to God. The only reason Joseph exists is because you couldn't let your last child be such a sinful creature. What the fuck made you think your newborn daughter was a crime??" Vivian yelled, pulling out swear words she would have been slapped for on a normal day.

"Your mother believed she saw an angel before you were born, promised you would turn out good if we named you Vivian. It was a false prophet and your hair turned that hideous shade, a sign of your sin." Silas snapped.

"My sin?? How was that my fault? It was Mother's vision and you went along with it. That was your decision that you're punishing me for. Do you realize how fucking insane you sound?"

"Your mother took it as a sign she was forgiven. You're the production of sin. Your mother broke her vows and slept with someone else to get you. You're an unclean child I only allowed in my house because we wanted to keep you from being seduced by Satan. It was our obligation."

Vivian didn't seem as blindsided by the news as one might have expected. Instead, she grinned up at Silas. "You abused and fucked up a child just because of a mistake your wife made. No, you know what, I'm glad she did. That way, my father's not some abusive, narcissistic piece of shit!"

Silas was at that point where he was so beyond angry, he seemed calm. He held out his hand and Angela produced a small bottle, passing it to him. Vivian's eyes widened, suddenly realizing how far over the line she lept. Her brothers and Rebecca had often had the belt as their punishment, maybe some flown fists if they were bad enough. Vivian on the other hand was privy to a special punishment, one her siblings couldn't receive in the same way.

"We do have other ways of proving your sinful ways, girl." Silas said, almost too calmly. He uncorked the bottle of clear liquid and poured some in his hand, a small puddle resting in his palm. Then, he threw it right at Viv.

All poor Vivian could do was scream, feeling the white hot burns splash onto her face. She was lucky it didn't hit her eyes; she went blind in her right eye for a week once. Silas grabbed Vivian by the arm and yanked her dress sleeve so it tore off at the seams. He held her wrist tightly before pouring more of the liquid on her arm. Vivian let out an even louder wail, so loud her voice broke before she took a breath to scream louder. An angry red burn ran down her arm, perfectly matching the shape the holy water had taken when being dripped onto her skin.

"You screamed when you were baptized. One dunk and you wailed louder than you did when you were born. Red as the little devil baby you are."

Vivian sobbed, trying to wrench her arm free from Silas' grasp, begging for it to stop. All he did was pour again, further aggrivating the wound and making Viv's vision go blurry from pain.

"Stop, please! Momma, make him stop!" She sobbed. Angela didn't give a single sound of reply, just watching from behind her husband. Silas then poured the last of the holy water on Vivian's arm, making sure to splash a few more drops on her face to produce more angry welts.

Vivian finally screamed so loud and so potently. The lights in the house flickered and the walls shook, knocking the portrait of Jesus off the wall and causing the glass to shatter. The crosses hung around flew off their mounts, clattering to the ground nearby.

Vivian felt the grip on her arm completely loosten, and she ran for the front door, seeing her parents cowering together as the walls continued to shake. Viv had no idea what she had done, she knew this was her doing, but she felt... proud of herself, empowered almost. Over the roar of the trembling foundation and flickering lights, she yelled.

"If you think of me as a sin, then think of me as a fucking sin. I'm much happier being a devil than whatever box you tried to forge for me through abuse. If I ever fucking see either of you again, I'll do much worse, I assure you."

Vivian threw the door open and ran into the night, leaving the now stilled house behind her.

***

Vivian hadn't exactly thought that far ahead when she ran. She was proud of herself, finally able to breathe for the first time in twenty years. At the same time, all she had on her was a torn dress, socks... and one special item. Guided by the light of the full moon, she sat behind the arcade, closed and locked for the night. She reached into her bra and pulled out a tiny wooden jar labeled in Samuel's oddly clean handwriting: "Burn Cream."

Vivian's burns couldn't be treated with the usual creams the stores sold, so one day Samuel came to her with a special blend he'd created that cleared the wounds up pretty quickly. Burns could happen anytime, so she always kept a jar of it on her person just in case. Before that, they always took weeks to heal and Viv hated constantly having to say they were cooking burns. Nobody ever believed her, but nobody ever pried, either.

She scooped a little of the cream onto her finger and spread it over her arm, the slight sting making her seethe. She applied the rest on her finger to her face, making the welts vanish within a few minutes. Her arm, on the other hand, would probably take a full day to heal.

She took the time to process and try to figure out her next move. Finding out she was the product of adultery should probably have shaken her more than it actually did.

In reality, she almost felt relieved. She didn't have a psychopath as a biological father. It made her curious, wondering what man could have possibly charmed Angela Peterson away from her husband. No wonder her mother's eyes got shifty when sermons would focus on remaining faithful.

The angel was interesting. Vivian wasn't honestly fully convinced of a higher power, but clearly something had visited her mother and had the power to change Vivian's hair color just from giving her the name. It could have been a lie, but nobody's hair could have grown that particular shade of red naturally. Vivian felt proud of her blood red hair, especially now that she knew why it was such a shame to her parents. The straightening made sense now, too. Curly hair wasn't a trait seen in any of her family members. Clearly her mother wanted to try and pass Vivian off as less of a great shame.

All in all, Vivian was quite happy with herself and her decision to run away. She wasn't sure what to make of the house shaking, but it made her curious. Maybe there was something more to her than she thought.

In the meantime, though, Vivian had no money and nowhere to stay. She supposed she could try and track Samuel down, but she had no idea where to start, and word might get out quickly about what happened. Most people would slam the door in her face when asked if they would help at best. Vivian shuddered thinking of the worst. No, she had to flee town, quickly. She'd be leaving Samuel, sure, and it pained her, but he'd probably be better off without her. God only knows he might be forced to cut her off anyways.

Thinking of Samuel reminded her of a conversation they'd once had. Rumors of the old building next to the laundromat with a basement. Password protected. A secret sex speakeasy of sorts, different than most brothels since this one allowed for same sex mingling. Vivian had called Samuel crazy for believing it, but after paying closer attention to the building and the people going near it, it didn't seem so far-fetched. She wouldn't ever admit to Samuel that he was right, though. She hated "I told you so's."

Finding a brothel and... what, working at it? An ultimate sin, selling your body for pleasure, let alone for other women to touch. Vivian's literacy in sex was limited, but what she did know was that asking if it was normal to want to kiss girls had gotten her slapped silly, yet it didn't disuade the thoughts, far from it. Second, she found that the thought excited her. Working in a pleasure house, it made her stomach flutter and her lower regions tingle. Besides... she needed the money and she had no other way to find employment. What a shame.

Vivian dusted off her skirt and slunk behind buildings, paying close attention to the streets and surrounding areas. By now it was probably close to midnight, yet Vivian was the furthest thing from tired. Even after resting, her adrenaline was still pumping.

Forty minutes later, she rounded the back of the laundromat and found her destination. A brick building, two stories high with one singular window blacked out by paint or a curtain. The sign above it advertised as being a secondary entrance for the laundromat, but please use the main entrance.

Vivian studied the door, looking somewhat normal save for a mail slot being close to eye level for her. Hesitantly, she knocked on the door.

The supposed mail slot slid open from the side and a pair of green eyes greeted her, looking her up and down curiously.

"Yes?" A voice asked her. No turning back now.

"I-I... My name is Vivian and I'm... interested in employment... here?" She replied. The eyes narrowed.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty... I've been thrown out of the house and I don't have any means of supporting myself or other options." She said. The eyes looked at her for a moment before the slot slid shut and the door unlocked with a click. Vivian slid inside, finding herself in front of a larger man with a broad build. Handsome, if a little scruffy.

The space was small, mostly consisting of a stool the man likely sat on and a stairwell leading to another door, well lit. She could hear faint sounds coming from the other side. Talking, music, perhaps... moaning? Vivian's pulse quickened again.

"Miss Jenevelle is who you need to talk to. Down the stairs, to your left, door's hard to miss, 's got lilies on it." The man told her. Vivian nodded.

"Th-thank you." She said, running down the stairs and pulling the heavy wooden door open. Immediately all her senses were assaulted. Dim yellow lights illuminated everything, music played from unseen speakers that Vivian could almost feel in her chest. It smelled of perfumes and sweat, and people mingled and chattered with each other. Her eyes flicked around, seeing nearly naked women in red lacy underwear either clinging to poles, dancing sensually, or getting close with patrons. Vivian saw one with blonde hair and brown eyes sit in a ginger woman's lap, licking the side of her face as she guided the woman's hands to her barely covered breasts. The display sent an explosion of feeling in Vivian's core, excitement and... perhaps arousal? She saw a few mostly naked men here and there, wearing red underwear that left little to the imagination. She blushed, turning left and quickly locating the door decorated with lilies.

A woman with dark hair in two braided buns on top of her head sat at a desk, writing on some papers and mumbling to herself. The office wasn't overly decorated, about as bright as the rest of the brothel with plants and a stack of vinyl records on a shelf. The player sat next to it, a record of what Viv somewhat recognized as Phil Collins played. The woman looked up at her, wearing a thin yet warm smile.

"Can I help you, sweetheart?" She asked.

"I-I... I'm Vivian, your... doorman let me in." Vivian stuttered.

"What a pretty name. I'm Miss Jenevelle, I run this place. You must have had a good reason for Damon to let you in." Vivian blushed at the compliment.

"W-well... I've just been thrown out of the house. My parents are... very religious, you see, and I... it's complicated. But I have no way to support myself and no connections... a friend of mine mentioned this place and I was hoping to... seek employment?"

Jenevelle chuckled, standing up. "Quite the leap for you, I see. You're of age, I assume?"

"Twenty as of April."

"This is truly a last resort for you?"

"I don't know where my friend lives and I'd suspect he'd be forced to distance himself from me. It's a small community and my parents have labeled me as a sin, demon spawn..." Vivian's eyes turned down to her still healing arm. Jenevelle seemed to notice, but didn't push the issue. She seemed to understand the whole story then and there.

"I assume you're... untrained in this type of work?"

"I'm a virgin if that's what you're asking. Although I've... heard little bits and pieces. I-I like men, but I find myself more drawn to... women..."

"I figured as much. Most places wouldn't offer that option, so you had to come here."

"Sure."

"You do realize what this line of work entails, right? It's not as glamorous as you may think. Things can happen and I can only protect you from so much of it."

"I know. But I figured this would be better than most of those other places. I just need some... training and then I'll do whatever I need to do."

"Right." Jenevelle pulled out a tape measure from her pocket. "Dress off, please."

Vivian blushed and undid the buttons of her dress, sliding out of it and letting it pool around her ankles. Her underwear was entirely unremarkable, almost embarassing. Jenevelle started taking measurements around various parts of Vivian, waist, torso, thighs, bust (Vivian felt butterflies again at that point), shoulders, neck, among other places.

"No hesistation, huh?"

"No use hesitating in a place like this."

Jenevelle smiled, putting the tape measure away. "Would you need lodgings?"

"Please."

"Any allergies?"

"No... but tomatoes make me squirm."

"Squirm?"

"It's a texture thing." Vivian whispered sheepishly. Jenevelle chuckled.

"I can't handle bananas, it's fine. Any perfumes you like?"

"I never had any, but I like vanilla, lavender, and the smells of a campfire. Wood, fire, smoke... Cigarette smoke is nice, too, although I don't... smoke..."

"I'll see what I can find, maybe I'll let you sample some I have and see what you like. I assume you don't know how to do makeup, so I'll have someone else do it for you." Jenevelle paused, inspecting Vivian's face. "Although you do look pretty without it already, especially with that beautiful hair of yours."

Vivian blushed hard enough that it could have matched her hair.

"I can already tell you'll be a favorite here. Now, you have a smaller bust but wider hips and shoulders, so I'll give you this for now." She passed Vivian a set of red underwear identical to the ones the girls wore outside. It was lacy, decorated with roses and shiny from the satin material underneath. Jenevelle also passed Vivian a red satin robe that went to her knees.

"Go ahead and get changed, sweetheart. Do you want me to turn around?"

"N-no... it's okay. I'll have to get used to this at some point."

"Good girl." Jenevelle purred, making Vivian blush even harder, making her feel even more fluttery and made her lower area even more tingly. As if on autopilot, Vivian stripped out of her underwear and slid the lacy red set on. The cups were slightly too big, but it was comfortable otherwise. Very comfortable. Vivian almost felt even more confident in it, perhaps spiced by a lingering feeling of shame knowing the list of sins she'd comitted in the last ten minutes alone.

She didn't find herself caring anymore.

Vivian slid the robe on and tied it closed, picking up her old clothes and unceremoniously tossing them in the trash by Jenevelle's desk. They spilled over the edge, but neither cared. Jenevelle rested her hand on the small of Vivian's back and guided her back to the office door.

The crowd seemed as lively as ever, the music still beating and the smell only growing thicker. Viv wasn't sure where exactly Jenevelle was taking her, but she did catch a few peoples' eyes as she passed. Two men eyed her with small smirks, three women watched similarly. One of them Viv was close enough to hear call her a pretty little fox. Vivian blushed at the praise, staying close to Jenevelle while hiding her smile. The attention, she liked it. Far more than she expected. She was never considered anything close to cute, let alone pretty or beautiful. She could get drunk on this feeling, she was sure of it.

Jenevelle sat Vivian down in a booth similar to that of a restaurant in tbe back corner, a smile on her face.

"See? Favorite. Let me go get a few things and then introduce you to the other girls." She said, kissing Vivian's forehead and blending back into the crowd. Vivian blushed, observing the crowd eagerly as the fluttery feeling refused to go away. She sighed contentedly, leaning back against the booth's seat.

"Charming place." A new voice said, feminine. Vivian opened her eyes and looked to her right. She was greeted by a pretty young woman with pale skin, glasses, tattoos, and pale purple hair. Viv's heart started thudding again.

"I-I'm... I..."

"It's all right, sweetling, I'm not expecting any services. You're new here."

"Do you come here often?" Vivian asked.

"No. This is my first time. It's a shame, though, I'm sure the others would love it here. Especially Kit."

"Others?"

The purple haired woman smiled. "Vivian, do you believe in witches?"

"You know my name?"

"Yes, and I know you've recently been kicked out of the house after a last straw incident with your hyper religious and controlling parents. You made the house shake and the lights flicker. It was practically a beacon you set off." The fluttering stopped, replaced with disbelief mixed with curiosity.

"How did you know about that?"

"Like I said, that was practically a beacon you shot out. We'd heard that the last witch had been born and we've been waiting for the right time to come and find you."

"Witch? We? What are you talking about?"

"You, Vivian, are a witch. The last of the seven witches in our coven. We live in a village called Paradiso, protecting this world from demons and other dark forces. My name is Nora, and I've been tasked to find you, as I was the others."

"Miss, have you had too much to drink?" Vivian asked, concerned. Nora just laughed.

"No, I promise. I know this sounds insane. It sounded insane to me, too, at first. I was the first witch to be found all the way back in the 1400s."

"You don't look a day over twenty-five."

"We're immortal. So, too, will you be. Vivian, shaking the house was only a fraction of your potential, and so potent so soon, too."

"Are... are you asking me to just drop everything and go with a total stranger to a witch coven several states away?" Vivian asked.

"You have nothing to your name, Vivian. As charming as it would be to be in this line of work, it's not for you. You have potential for greater. Something more than you ever expected to be. Just... please, at least allow me to explain to you on the way there. It's a long journey and it's more comfortable than in here."

Vivian pondered the strange woman, Nora, for a moment. She was by far the most unique woman she'd ever met. In looks and her knowledge. Vivian's outburst was something she was willing to take to her grave, not take as a sign of latent witchcraft abilities...

Then memories started to flicker in her mind. Mixing things like flowers and lotions in bowls, trying to bring home pets she found in the park, mumbling incoherent things that just... came to her. Vivian was punished for these things, of course, but even despite that, she continued to do it.

And, truthfully, she trusted Nora. More than she trusted Jenevelle, certainly. The warmth in her chest here was different than the adrenaline and excitement from earlier. Nora made her feel at ease, calm, like she'd found a missing piece.

And, really, it sounded like fun. Worth a shot; she'e be no worse off than if Nora was lying. Vivian suspected she wasn't, though.

"Miss Jenevelle will be back soon. We'd better go." She said. Nora offered Vivian her hand, which she took eagerly. She felt a spark at the contact, beyond normal static electricity. Vivian smiled as Nora pulled her out of the seat and through the crowd. Out the door, up the stairs (Damon didn't even seem to notice them), and into the abyss of night, guided by the full moon.

[the-bats-who-simp]

The Priest You Want

Chapter Eight: Teacakes

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Authored by @the-bats-who-simp

Warnings: Implied/Referenced Sex, Nudity, Author is Inexperienced With Tarot Card Meanings, Angst, Fluff, Ghost Shenanigans, Historical Liberties, Witches

“At least the temperature’s going down.” Theresa noted, swirling her tea in its cup around, making curly patterns in the top with the little bit of milk she’d added. “That means the tension’s breaking.”

“Yeah, ‘going down,’” Eva snorted. “There was snow on the outskirts of town. From the look of it, more will be coming, too.”

“He’s only making things harder than they need to be. We just went through this with Viv only a few months ago and that resolved itself eventually. This feels different somehow.” Theresa’s tea made a perfect whirlpool shape in its cup as she kept spinning. She looked at it for a moment before taking her teaspoon and stirring it the rest of the way.

“He’s being a dick.” Eva said flatly.

“Whatever is going on there, Lilith’s been completely hidden away from us. Mentally, spiritually…” David said, compulsively shuffling his deck again. He pulled out a spread of three cards and laid them facedown on the table before flipping over each one. The Wheel of Fortune, Nine of Swords, Two of Cups. “It’s been the same pull every time I try, watch.” He gathered the cards up again and reshuffled his deck, fanning them out and had each of the others pick one card. Theresa picked close to the side, Mars and Eva picked closer to the middle. David took the cards back, did a short shuffle of those three, and then laid them face down flat on the table. He flipped them over and revealed the same three cards in the exact same order.

“And those cards mean absolute nonsense when put together.” Mars said quietly.

“What about Vivian and Nora? Or Jamie?” Theresa asked. David reshuffled and grabbed three cards. Emperor reversed, Knight of Cups reversed, Three of Swords. Theresa raised an eyebrow. “Jamie, I take it?”

“Clear as day. For Vivian…” David shuffled again. The Lovers reversed, The Chariot, and The Queen of Cups reversed. He shuffled one more time. The Hanged Man reversed, Queen of Swords, and The Moon. “And Nora.”

“I take it you haven’t been able to read Alexander?” Eva asked. David shook his head and collected the cards. He still continued to shuffle them, a nervous gesture that had been growing more frequent lately. “He’s such an oddity. Shows up out of nowhere, charms witches left and right, and we can’t get any reads on him. I don’t trust him.”

“I don’t think any of us do. Perhaps it’s his history with the occult that shields him.” It was a half hearted excuse, they knew. “I wonder if Lilith and Vivian were targeted or he would have been happy to catch any of us… or maybe he’s just a really nice guy?”

“We don’t know if his intentions are inherently malicious.” Mars said.

“Everything’s been going wrong ever since he got here, I’d say that’s pretty damn malicious.” Eva responded icily.

“Like him or not, he did save Lilith from drowning.” David inclined his head to the empty fifth seat, a teacup floating above it. Theresa looked at the empty space for a moment.

“He says, ‘After Jamie sent her fleeing from his home in tears. Is it any wonder Lilith sees Alexander as some type of Prince Charming?’” The teacup tipped backwards, spilling all over the floor. Theresa sighed, going to find a rag to clean the spill up. “Kit, I’m not going to give you more tea if you keep forgetting and spilling it.”

“Is he pouting?” David asked as Theresa moved the rag with her foot, refusing to bend down and give the ghost any ammunition.

“Of course he is. Kit, that’s the second time today. You get tea as a courtesy, but you can’t drink it.”

Another pause.

“Don’t be rude, I’m being honest.” Theresa rolled her eyes and sat back down. The teacup floated again and then turned upside down, spilling its remaining contents onto the floor. Theresa glared at the empty space, but chose to back down. Seemingly one-sided arguments often proved to be a funny passtime, but this was a serious discussion and sometimes disengaging was the best route. The mangy Calico cat bearing the ghost’s name that had been prowling around finally lept up into Theresa’s lap and curled in, purring.

“I saw him bite at Jamie the other day.” Mars spoke up.

“He’s just as irritated as we are. It’s no different than Eva keeping the animals away from him.”

“The ones he likes. So be it if the mosquitos have their feasts.” Eva shrugged.

“There won’t be any mosquitos here for a while if the weather keeps doing this.” David replied.

“I saw Nora bring over a new scarf to Delilah the other day.” Eva said.

“Oh, wow, Nora gives a gift to her new godchild as a welcome gesture, how shocking! Do tell us more, Eva.” David rolled his eyes, grabbing a teacake off of the plate in front of him.

“I’m just saying, Nora can tell it’s getting cold and nothing’s changed. The crops can already feel the chill and she’s said nothing to us about it.”

“People are going to start asking what’s going on. We control the weather, we try to keep the snow at bay for a while to help people’s crops grow.” Theresa added. “Transparency is always what we strive for and we’ve already been too cagey about The Situation for people’s liking. Whispers are already going around, rumors.”

“So how do we fix it?” Mars asked, reaching up to start touching his hair, one of his own nervous fidgets.

“Knock some sense into Jamie, for one thing.” Eva said. “He can’t just keep fucking Viv and Nora and expect the situation to just solve itself. He needs an intervention or some type of therapy, not more pussy.”

“Do they even know that they’re not exactly helping by being his bed warmers?” Mars asked, his voice even quieter as he started fidgeting with his hair more. David pursed his lips, taking off his hoodie and passing it to Mars, hoping it would provide some type of comfort. Mars slid into it graciously, the coverup a bit large on him. His hand wormed up to the table to grab a slice of bread from one of the several loaves he’d made recently. The witches had more bread than they knew what to do with from all his stress baking as of late.

“Judging by the cards, I think they’re at least somewhat aware of it. On the other hand, it’s hard to resist that charm, I think we all can attest to that fact.” David said.

“Charm isn’t a bandage for being an asshole. Slapping him upside the head a few times and giving him a good stern talking to might be a good start.” Eva said, folding her arms. “He’s actively pushing Lilith away and his own stubborn pride won’t let him see that he’s the problem here.”

“A thousand years to work on his communication skills and nothing to show for it.” Theresa said, waving some catnip leaves in front of Marlowe’s face. The cat reached up and snatched them, chewing on the treat with a satisfied scrunch of his nose. Theresa looked back up and sighed. “Kit, stop, the cat barely gets high from it. You’re not missing out on much…” A pause. “Stop behaving like a child or you won’t be invited anymore.”

“Times like this are when I really wish the rest of us could see what he’s doing.” David said, staring at the empty space his old friend invisibly occupied.

“He’s making a lot of rude gestures at the moment.”

“My point still stands.”

“We need to figure out what we should do about this issue. Several of our god children have mentioned seeing Lilith and Alexander going around town acting like lovers in domestic bliss. They’ve kissed many times.” Eva said. “If Jamie’s not gonna be the bigger person and apologize, we have to find some way to make Lilith see reason.

“This is her reason, though. Think about it, Jamie’s been a massive ass to her in ways he wasn’t to Vivian when she was in the same position. Alexander comes along and makes her feel loved and seen. Kit’s right, he’s become her Prince Charming, and it certainly doesn’t help matters that he happens to look like Jamie.”

“Did we ever even address that? None of the villagers seem to see the resemblance, but it’s pretty damn obvious, don’t you think?”

“I think it’s merely a coincidence, if anything.” David said. “If the others can’t see it, perhaps we’re looking too deeply into it.”

“It’s hard to read his energy, but I see genuine intention in his actions and I don’t see evidence of ill intent.” Mars added. “On the other hand, ever since Lilith closed herself off to follow him around, I haven’t been able to get a read on her energy or her future. It’s muddy, like a scrambled signal or a messed up painting.”

“I fear the damage this is causing may become permanent soon. We have to figure something out, especially because our little micro-aggressions don’t seem to be doing much good.”

“Jamie’s skull is too thick for it to get through to him.” Eva said.

“Eva…” Theresa replied. Eva raised her hands in surrender.

“I think he owes everyone an apology after this is all I’m saying. Us for putting us in an uncomfortable position that forces us to just watch and hope for the best, Nora and Vivian for using them as his fuck-therapy, and Lilith most of all. She’d better make him grovel.”

“Let’s hope his pride doesn’t get in the way of that for too much longer before he does something he’ll really regret.”

***

“I have this bad feeling his pride is pushing this into the realm of beyond saving.” Nora said quietly. She and Vivian sat across from each other at the end of Jamie’s bed, their knees to their chests. Jamie himself was fast asleep just a couple of feet away. Sweat still covered his body, as it did for Vivian and Nora. The blood-haired witch seemed exhausted herself, staring longingly at Jamie for his warm embrace as they slept.

“It’s pretty obvious he’s just using us to warm his bed in order to make Lilith jealous… she already feels bad enough though, all he’s doing is adding insult to injury. I don’t know what he expects her to do. She’s extended olive branches and he’s refused them. I just feel bad because I like the attention…” Vivian sighed, resting her chin on her arms laying across her knees.

“I can understand it…” Nora replied, reaching over and resting a hand on Vivian’s comfortingly.

“You know, seven spouses, one night for each of them… I get that’s how we keep it fair, but I like being doted on, treated like his favorite. Sex or cuddles every night, threesomes, getting to do all the fun rituals… I had five other siblings growing up and the only times I was singled out were to punish me for being demon spawn.”

“Religious trauma can fuck someone up, it’s understandable why you like how this has been going for you… but at the same time…”

“Recognizing the damage it’s doing to the coven.”

“Precisely.”

Both witches looked over at their sleeping husband, watching him snore softly for a few minutes. His snores were never annoying, always strangely soothing. Asleep, he looked calm, almost like the weight of the world didn’t apply to him in sleep. His hair was a bit unruly, endearingly so even if its cause was sex. It felt sacred to look at, almost like a blessing in the form of a sleeping angel.

“Gods… if Mother Juliet were here to see this in person, she’d be appalled, I think.” Vivian whispered. “Does the growing cold indicate her disapproval? Maybe that’s what the heat wave was.”

“She doesn’t communicate through the weather, at least not in that way. Passively it’s the way the flowers and crops grow, the way the animals behave, the way her blessings reveal themselves. She’s never spoken directly through one of us while you’ve been here, but sometimes if she needs to get something across quickly and directly, she’ll use one of us as her voice.” Nora replied. “This weather is our doing.”

“Broiling tension, and now it grows colder as we grow more distant… splintered. I hate it when it’s cold, I hack up a lung when I move too much and my face freezes off. The novelty of snow wears off quickly. It snowed for over half the year where I grew up.”

“It’s easier to add layers than subtract them.”

“More layers make me uncomfortable. I’d rather set myself on fire to keep warm.”

“You like setting fires anyways. We’re getting off track.”

Vivian sighed. “It’s gonna blow up in his face before he tries to fix anything. He’s not gonna see his errors until they’re too big to undo. We’re gonna lose Lilith and everyone’s gonna be miserable.”

“You especially. You’ve been very close with her ever since you first showed up. Disconnecting the circuit of seven is the last thing we need.”

“But how do we make him see what he’s doing? Really see it and understand how badly he’s fucking everything up? Do we withhold sex or something?” Vivian looked at Jamie again and pouted. As infuriating as Jamie was being, she hated the idea of detaching herself from him again.

“At this point, I think he needs to see it for himself. Something will eventually give, I can feel it.” Nora replied.

“And if he doesn’t?” Vivian asked. Nora pursed her lips and sighed, following Vivian’s gaze.

“Then we watch him suffer the consequences of his actions and hope another witch comes along someday.” She said hollowly. Tears started to drip down Vivian’s cheeks.

“I don’t want Lilith to go…” She whispered, her voice breaking. Nora opened her arms and let Vivian crawl over to her. She held the younger witch tightly, gently rocking her back and forth while stroking her hair.

“Shh… it’s going to be okay, sweetling… Everything will work out exactly as they’re supposed to.” Nora said soothingly. Vivian sniffed, refusing to break down into sobs lest she wake Jamie up.

“The strange thing is… I don’t feel like it’s Alexander stealing her away… That’s how you all saw it when he was charming me. Jamie’s the one pushing her into his arms… and from what I’ve seen, she’s… happy. Genuinely happy. It feels different than when he was with me. Affection, sure, but mostly lust… Lilith’s been very chaste with him from what I’ve seen… not that I’ve seen much after she blocked us out.”

“She’s falling in love with him...” Nora said, her voice a gentle monotone.

“Nora… I think she already has.”

***

The lagoon had luckily not yet been touched by the oncoming cold’s chilling fingertips, meaning it was still free game to swim in. Lilith giggled as she jumped in, splashing Alexander with a spray of surprisingly clear water for a swamp. Lilith only wore a bra and underwear, meanwhile Alexander’s whole chest was on display, wearing nothing but boxers. Yet, strange as it was to admit for Lilith, there wasn’t inherently anything sexual in her thoughts about the circumstances. They were just swimming.

Alexander chuckled as he wiped the water out of his eyes once Lilith surfaced again. “You didn’t answer my question, though, what’s up with Kit?”

“What do you mean? He’s just there. If Theresa’s to be believed, he’s usually doing something rude or vaguely sexual. She’s the only one that can really see him since she’s so connected to the spirit realm. She sees ghosts all the time and she learned how to read lips so Kit didn’t have to waste energy with the journal all the time. I think sometimes he forgets he’s being watched and then does something crude for her to call him out on. Lots of sticking his face between our legs…” Lilith replied.

“So he’s as much of a degenerate as they say he was?”

“Completely. There have been many times where Theresa has to ask on his behalf to see someone’s boobs.”

Alexander smiled. “That’s not exactly what I was asking, though. I moreso meant to ask how exactly he got here. Vivian didn’t say much.” Lilith swam up to Alexander, taking his hand so that she could pull him to the bank of the lagoon. She leaned against it, the canopy the trees created shielding her face from the sun save for a few small beams.

“Well… In 1593, Jamie, David, and Nora were the only witches at the time. Kit almost was one, more like an honorary member than anything. At some point, though, the English government seemed like it was planning on arresting him or killing him for the rhetoric he was spewing. You don’t casually call the Virgin Mary a whore and call Jesus gay without some type of repercussions back then. So, he gathered the three of them and asked for help in faking his death. They offered him to come with them, but he gave some vague reasons for declining. They took a corpse from a man hanged the day prior, stabbed it, brought it to court, and testified as to what had happened. The court ruled it a murder in self defense and threw the body somewhere in Deptford. Kit got away and the others fled soon after.”

“So they gave fake aliases, delivered a fake testimony… in order to fake their friend’s death?” Alexander asked.

“Say what you will, but not many friends would go to those lengths for someone. Anyways, that’s not to say they lost contact with him permanently. They enlisted Shakespeare’s help. Kit stayed in his basement or somewhere close by, writing sonnets in code in order to get messages to the others and publishing them under Will’s name. Sonnet number 25 is one of his. They went to the New World next, stupid as it was with all the witch trials soon after, but whatever. Kit still wrote his way to one way communication with his friends until Will passed away. Naturally the sonnets stopped and so did any semblance of contact.

“I’ve never been told the details, but at some point one of their pens starts moving on its own across some paper. They figure out pretty quickly that it’s him after he finally passed away himself. He gives detailed instructions on where exactly his body is and tells them it’s kind of hard to stay connected since they move around nomadically so much. So… that’s how and why Paradiso was founded. They moved here, set up a permanent settlement, and buried Kit’s body here so their friend could always stay close and connected. That big purple wisteria tree at the tallest point in the cemetery is where he’s buried.” Lilith smiled. “Theresa couldn’t accurately describe the joy she saw when he realized she could see him.”

Alexander listened intently, absorbing every word eagerly as if it was gospel. Lilith blushed, feeling warmth bubble in her chest at having such a rapt audience. It had felt like ages since she was last listened to, let alone this excitedly.

“So… was that literally the entire reason for the settlement existing?” He asked her.

“Well, not totally, I think they’d been thinking of finding a permanent place for a while at that point, but they’d been given a real excuse because of Kit. Now he lives on as a little degenerate ghost… He could theoretically possess and inhabit a body but Jamie won’t let him.”

“Why not?”

“I mean, it’s not really Kit’s body, so he feels like it’s somebody else touching his witches and it bugs him. Secretly I think he’s just worried about Kit charming them away from him, but he won’t say it out loud since Nora would rip him a new one for sure.”

“Like I’ve charmed you?” Alexander teased, smirking. Lilith giggled and blushed, hiding her face in his chest.

“That’s different.” She protested.

“Different how?”

“Because you didn’t pull me away, he pushed.”

They let the silence hang for a little bit, sitting in the water in each other’s embrace as the nature sounds surrounded them. The run of the River Styx into the lagoon, the sound of the katydids buzzing, the alligators roughhousing nearby… A whole multitude of sounds one could spend all day trying to individually pick out.

Even if Lilith had almost died there not that long ago, she still saw the lagoon as a sanctuary, a peaceful place. She liked sharing it with Alexander, too.

“I… I think the cake I made is done chilling. We can go back and frost it if you want…” She said quietly.

“Another thing you didn’t tell me about. Why exactly did you make a cake?” Alexander asked her.

“Why not? You don’t always need a reason to bake a cake, no more than for making bread or fresh pasta. It’s fun.”

“Fair enough.” Alexander smiled, gently taking Lilith by the waist so he could help her out of the lagoon. Not that she needed it really, but it did feel nice. The water was cold against her skin, but it felt hot where his hands had touched her. Her face burned likewise as Alexander followed her out and grabbed their clothes to dress back into. Lilith wrung out her hair as best as she could before she took Alexander’s hand and walked with him back to the guest house. To be honest, Lilith wasn’t sure how long it had been since she’d spent the night in her own cottage. It felt almost uncomfortable. No, as of late she’d spent the night in the guest house with Alexander.

Initially he’d offered to sleep on the sofa while she took the bed several times, but she insisted she was fine to sleep there while he kept the bed. It lasted all of a few hours before Lilith awoke from a nightmare and ran to Alexander for comfort. She crawled into bed with him before he could even think of protesting. Honestly, he wasn’t going to anyways. They’d slept in the same bed ever since, finding comfort and warmth with each other even as Paradiso started to grow slightly cooler.

They arrived back soon enough and Lilith immediately went for the ice box, pulling out the three layered chocolate cake, thick layers of vanilla buttercream between the cake layers. She then grabbed a large mixing bowl that was on the counter wrapped in cloth to keep the extra icing inside from going stale. She hummed as she went, taking a spatula and spreading the cream over the cake in a smooth pink layer. It was almost unnerving how crisp and exact the frosting looked. Even the small nicks and imperfections in the surface seemed like they were planned out. Alexander just sat in a chair at the table behind her, watching her work with a warm smile on his face.

Lilith then found the small vial of pink food coloring and added some more drops into the leftover frosting, blending it in to darken the color. She scooped it into a piping bag and started crafting perfect dollops on the top, perfectly spaced apart.

“Alex, come here for a sec.” She said. Alexander was on his feet in an instant, right at her side.

“Yes, Lily?” He asked. Lilith just smiled and squeezed a little bit of the frosting onto his finger, silently telling him to taste it. Alexander smiled at her, halfway to a smirk as he stuck his finger in his mouth. Lilith naturally felt the blush tint her cheeks, but refused to let on where her thoughts were taking her. Instead, she put some frosting on her own finger with a smile. She batted her eyelashes as she reached up to him, seemingly offering him her own finger to sample from. His smile fully formed into a smirk as his lips parted.

Instead, Lilith reached up higher and smushed the small bit of frosting onto the tip of his nose. Alexander gave a small noise of surprise before he laughed, wiping the frosting off of his nose with his finger and putting it on the tip of her nose instead.

“You’re adorable, you know that?” Alexander asked her. Lilith’s cheeks tinted pink again, a close match to the frosting on her nose. She then got up on her tip-toes and kissed him softly. Alexander eagerly kissed her back, cupping her face with both of his hands as if afraid to drop her. Lilith in turn set the piping bag down and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck to pull him closer.

She felt Alexander’s tongue against her lips and she instinctively pulled away, blushing even harder. Alexander’s eyebrows furrowed a bit.

“Was that too far?” He asked.

“W-well, no, not exactly, it’s just…” Lilith trained her eyes on the cake on the counter. “I’m scared of taking it too far in case…”

“In case he comes back for you?” Alexander finished the thought. Lilith nodded dejectedly.

“Although at this point I think I’m just deluding myself. If he hasn’t wanted me back yet, why would he want me now?”

“He doesn’t deserve you, Lily.” Alexander said bluntly. “It’s not right to treat you like this. If he ever tries to get you back, you’d better make him work hard for it.”

“At this rate I think I’ve started to just accept the fact that that’s not going to happen. The idea of just… running away seems more tempting every day, to escape the shame and torment… with you, ideally.”

“Really? You’d run away with me?”

“Of course, with who else?” Lilith asked. Alexander didn’t really have an answer for that.

“You’d… really leave all this behind to just… run away and live with me? The other witches, the village, all of it?”

“Honestly I feel like there hasn’t been a place for me here in a while. I’ve already felt like I’m being pushed out, so why not just do it myself instead of being told to and leaving in disgrace? I’d miss the others, sure, but someone else will come along, surely. I’ll exist in their memories and… I think I’d be content with that.”

Another long silence took over as Lilith’s words hung in the air. Alexander gently took Lilith’s hand and ran his thumb over the back of it, contemplating.

“Then let’s do it. Run away.” He said. Lilith looked up, her eyes surprisingly bright despite the circumstance.

“Really? We can?”

“Of course. Why couldn’t we? We have free will… We can go anywhere you please, I’ll make sure to give you everything you could ever want or need. I’ll try to be perfect for you.”

“I think you already are…” Lilith blushed, hugging him tightly. “Just give me three days to get everything gathered and situate myself.”

“Anything you want, Lily.”

[the-bats-who-simp]

The Priest You Want

Chapter Seven: Elysium

(all credit to Gif owner)

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Warnings: Nudity, Non-Explicit Smut, Mentions of Threesomes, Mention of F/F and M/M relationships, Angst (lots of it), Fluff (a little of it), Vomiting, Religious Imagery, Witches.

Authored by @the-bats-who-simp

Co-Authored (but very lightly) by @alwaysyourshenry

Here it was hazy and bright, golden and warm. The bright summery flowers reached up to their waists as they looked into each other’s eyes. His skin glowed in a way she thought only stars could. His eyes shone like when the sun hits the water just right, but just like the ocean, he was mysterious and alluring.

“I have something for you,” He smiled, his pupils blown out a little when he looked down at her.

Her brows furrowed, “You do?”

He nodded, pulling a little black box from his pocket and opening it for her. Inside, was a fully matching set of opals. A necklace, earrings, and a ring, all set in a beautiful shining silver.

“Jamie…you shouldn’t have! They’re beautiful…how much did this cost you?” He pulled the necklace from the box quickly clasping it around her neck.

“It doesn’t matter how much it was, Dove, you deserve them,” He kissed her forehead, holding her hand in his, “Though, I do have a question to ask you.”

She smiled, eyes bright and shining, “As if I would ever say no to anything you asked.”

He got down on one knee, holding the box back up to her, “Lilith, would you marry me?”

~~~

It was dark, and although a blanket was on her she was cold. A wet cloth was pressed to her forehead, it still clung to some heat. The curtains were drawn, but she could tell it was light outside. Slowly, she scooched up in this unfamiliar bed. She brought her hand up to her face, but noticed heavy bandages around her wrist and shallow cuts on her palm.

“Oh good, you’re awake.”

Her heart leapt up in her chest, a smile starting to form on her face before it fell back down, she had thought he was Jamie.

“Where am I, Alexander?”

“My house. Well, we're still in Paradiso, but this is where I've been staying,” he peeled the cloth off of her forehead, setting it aside..

“Oh…well, thank you,” Lilith leaned back into the pillow, fatigue claiming her limbs again, “what happened?”

Alexander drew back, “You don't remember?”

Lilith shook her head, looking down at her bandages, clearly applied with care, but somehow, for some reason, it made her feel warm and fuzzy.

“Lilith, you almost drowned, I found you on the bank of the river Styx with alligators.” Alexander told her seriously. Lilith paused, staring ahead at nothing for a moment as the memories slowly but surely returned. They were hazy, but clearing up.

“And… I wasn’t eaten?” She asked. Alexander blinked before chuckling softly.

“No, of course not, sweetheart. Those alligators love you, they pushed you to the riverbank so you wouldn’t drown.”

Lilith tried to push herself up in bed, only moving slightly before flopping back down, sighing. “Could just be those meats I’ve fed them.”

“Perhaps…” Alexander paused, looking at the dark circles under Lilith’s eyes. “What… what happened last night? How’d you end up in the river in the first place?”

Lilith looked up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to clear the rest of the haze clouding the previous night. The voice, the handsome stranger laying beside her, the rush of water, so cold, so bitterly and bitingly cold… broken bridge, broken wrist, sprained ankle, skinned knee…

Jamie.

Lilith felt nausea overwhelm her, the horrible memories flooding in all at once. She gagged, doubling over the side of the bed. Alexander already had a bucket ready for her, catching the bile that she coughed up. He held her hair out of her face, shushing her soothingly as she expelled what little was in her stomach.

“It’s okay, there you go… you’re okay, sweetheart.” He said calmly. Lilith spat out the last of the gunk and sat back up, flopping down onto the pillow. Tears started to flow down her cheeks and she let out a great, heaving sob. Alexander leaned over and cupped her face with one hand, brushing a tear away with his thumb, only for it to be replaced a second later. “Hey, hey, sweetheart, what happened? Did something happen last night?”

“Jamie, he-he-he doesn’t love me anymore!” Lilith sobbed. Alexander blinked, his breath catching.

“Whatever makes you say that?”

"I went to see him and he was with them, on my night! And he- he slammed the door in my face"

“With who?”

“Nora and Vivian…” Lilith blubbered out. Alexander thought for a moment.

"But it was your night, why would he slam the door in your face and invite them into bed?" He asked her.

"He put me on probation, through a note! He never does that! And he signed Bower instead of Jamie with a little heart. He doesn't love me anymore!" Lilith sobbed.

"Shh, calm down, sweetheart... Why did he put you on probation? You've done nothing wrong." Alexander shushed her again.

“I invited you to the ritual…” Lilith replied dejectedly. Alexander’s face twisted.

"Oh... Well, you didn't know he would be so against it. He let me in, even, why is he punishing you for it?" Lilith continued weeping, burrowing herself under the covers.

"Because he doesn't love me anymore, and what he doesn't want he’ll get rid of."

"Sweetheart, of course he loves you. That's such a small thing to throw away decades of love and marriage over..."

“Not if he’s been waiting for a reason.”

“Then has he been pulling away lately?” Alexander asked. Lilith thought for a moment, poking her head out from the covers. Her cold-reddened cheeks paled a bit.

"I can't remember the last time he wanted to have a real conversation with me..." She admitted.

“I see…” Alexander pursed his lips before reaching over to the bedside table and holding out a bowl of soup. It had cooled a bit, but it was still warm. Lilith could smell tomato and some garlic. Her stomach turned regardless. “You’ll feel better if you eat something.”

“I don’t want to eat anything.” She said.

“Lily.” Alexander looked at her sternly, holding up the spoon. “This will help. I don’t want you cold, sad, and harboring an empty stomach.”

"Why can't I harbor anything? You're harboring a fugitive."

"You're not a fugitive, you're one of the seven witches of Paradiso. If anything, I'm the fugitive here."

"He doesn't want me anymore, he'll start looking for another witch to take my place soon enough."

"Lily, you're being irrational, I'm sure of it." Alexander held up the spoon again. "Now, you have to eat. Drowning isn't good for your health. Soup is."

Lilith finally relented and carefully took in bites of the soup. It was lukewarm by now, but it tasted good. Really good, actually. She kept eating the bites he offered her. A few minutes of relative silence passed before she spoke up again. "Did I ever tell you that I almost drowned as a human?"

“No?” Alexander seemed taken aback by the change in subject.

"There's a lot I haven't told you about my human life then. There was this little lake in the town I grew up in, just outside of Chicago. I snuck out one night and walked until sunrise just to get there. I got tangled in the weeds at the bottom, luckily there was an older boy there who saved me." She explained, the roughness in her throat clearing up a bit. Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Luckily he was there then..."

"Very. He was actually the reason my parents kicked me out, they thought we had...you know, which made me worthless to them." Lilith trailed off. Alexander frowned, feeding her more soup.

"That's barbaric. I'm sorry."

"I was homeless for a long time, walking closer to the city every day and stealing from farms along the way, until I found a brothel that took me in…” She paused, her lips pursing as if she thought she’d spilled too much. “Anyway, um...how'd you find me?"

“Oh, uh…”

***

Since losing Vivian as a companion, Alexander had essentially lost his proverbial “training wheels” when it came to interacting with the village and its inhabitants. It hadn’t proven to be a problem until he realized that his cupboards were empty again. It was late, but if he left quickly enough, he should have enough time to get down to the general store for some food. It made him a little sad, remembering going with Vivian early into his stay. Her proverbial god-daughter ran the store, and Alexander hoped Tanya would grant him the same grace alone.

He clumsily gathered food into a basket and dumped a few coins from here and there at the till as Tanya bagged his food. She’d insisted that he didn’t need to pay; she had nothing to use the money for, but didn’t feel like protesting that much.

The moon had risen by the time he crossed the bridge back to his guest home again. It sounded creakier than usual, but he didn’t pay much mind to it. He had to pass through the witches’ circle of cottages to get to his guest house, hopefully not causing too much of a disturbance. In the distance he could see the lights on in Jamie’s house on the hill looming over the circle, the church even more imposing in the darkness on the next hill over. Alexander had a clear view of it from his bedroom window.

Alexander passed through the circle, aware of each cottage as he slunk past. David’s light was on, Nora’s wasn’t. Theresa and Eva were home, Mars wasn’t. Vivian wasn’t either, and neither was Lilith. Hers was the last cottage he passed by, but it was different from the other empty ones. Her front door stood ajar, a certain chill going up his spine seeing it. He thought for a moment about leaving it alone, at first assuming she just forgot to close it. Break-ins weren’t commonplace anyways. Still, a bad feeling seemed to settle into his stomach.

He shifted the brown paper sack of groceries in his arms and poked his head in through the door, looking around for a second. It was completely dark inside.

“Lilith?” He called out. Stupidly, he thought, why would she be home if her lights were off?

Almost as if in response, a single candle flickered to life. Alexander squinted before stepping inside. Perhaps it was a breach of privacy, but his gut told him to keep going. By the light of the candle, a notebook flipped open and a quill pen wrote a single sentence across the page:

“She’s gone to Jamie’s.”

Alexander pursed his lips, his heart rate slowly climbing back down. If she was at Jamie’s, that probably meant she was okay. It was Wednesday night, he remembered, of course she’d be there…

Then again, where were Nora and Vivian if not at home? Once again, that sinking gut feeling sank in. It couldn’t hurt just to check, could it? Just to be sure that she was okay? If she was in trouble, he didn’t want it on his conscience if he could have done something and chose not to.

Alexander gave a small word of thanks to Marlowe before going back to his guest house, setting the bag of groceries on the counter and haphazardly putting perishables into the ice box before leaving the house again. There was a small cluster of trees he pushed through to get to the hill Jamie’s house sat atop. All the houses in Paradiso had an old world shape to them, but in this light Jamie’s seemed particularly intimidating. The lights were on, but that didn’t bring any comfort.

His steps faltered as he heard what sounded like moans coming from an open window. Alexander’s cheeks flushed, briefly wondering if he should just turn around and forget he heard anything. A few things gave him pause from that idea. One, there were definitely at least two girls inside with Jamie. Two, one of them sounded suspiciously like Vivian, the only one whose moans he was at least vaguely familiar with… Three, lastly, he was pretty sure amongst other lewd things, he heard Nora’s name get thrown around… meaning he couldn’t be sure if Lilith was there or not.

It took a second for him to pluck up the courage, but eventually he took a breath and knocked on the front door. The moaning didn’t stop, so he knocked again, a little louder. He heard Jamie let out a frustrated groan before he could only hear Nora and Vivian’s cries. Alexander gulped as he heard heavy footsteps approach the door.

Angry bull was probably the first thing that came to Alexander’s mind seeing Jamie when he all but threw the door open. His head had been poised downward as if expecting someone shorter. Jamie tilted his head upward to match Alexander’s eyes and somehow seemed to get angrier. The second thing that came to mind for Alexander was maintaining full and unbroken eye contact with Jamie, absolutely refusing to look down and get a single glance at his fully out and exposed cock. Jamie almost seemed to be daring Alexander to look down, gaining another excuse to tell him off.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Babtiste?” Jamie’s tone was venomous, practically spitting Alexander’s name back at him. The occultist swallowed hard.

“Is Lilith in there with you? She’s not at home, so I assumed–” Alexander started before Jamie cut him off.

“No, she isn’t.”

“Do you know where she is, then?”

Jamie shrugged dismissively. “No. It’s not my problem.”

“Isn’t it? She’s your wife.”

“It’s not. My problem.” Jamie hissed. “And it’s none of your concern, either. Now, if you’d kindly piss off?”

“She’s your wife, you should be concerned about her.” Alexander pushed. Jamie growled low in his throat. In the background, Nora and Vivian’s cries peaked and quieted.

“You stay the fuck away from my spouses. Lilith knows the rules of probation and if she chooses to bitch and cry a river about it, that’s on her. Now, I said fuck off. I won’t ask you nicely again.”

Alexander balked, shocked for a moment. What in the hell was Jamie talking about? Did he always behave like this, treat his beloved witches like this? A lump formed in his throat that he swallowed quickly as he and Jamie stared each other down for a moment. His lips formed a thin line as he steeled his resolve. A strange wave of calm flowed over him, undercut by simmering rage he wouldn’t dare let out. Instead, he chose to back down.

“I thought you were supposed to be the good one.” Alexander said before turning away and walking back down the hill. He heard the door slam hard behind him and the sounds of sex resume quickly, although it sounded even more aggressive than earlier. Rather than returning home, Alexander went back to Styx to think for a bit.

To his surprise, the old bridge had collapsed into the river. The water even seemed more aggressive than usual. The alligators hissed and growled and Alexander sighed. Even the river was angry and he still had no idea where Lilith was. He looked at the alligators flapping around as if they were either fighting over meat or trying to get his attention. Their snouts seemed to point downstream repeatedly as if telling him to follow… that’s impossible, though. Alligators weren’t very communicative.

…Then again the alligators were more intelligent than regular alligators. He looked back at the bridge, then the choppy water, and the frantic water beasts.

“Lilith knows the rules of probation and if she chooses to bitch and cry a river about it, that’s on her.”

Alexander then panicked and ran down the bank of the River Styx, hoping it wasn’t too late.

***mm

“I was out on a walk since it was a nice night and I heard you scream." Alexander said, shrugging as he looked at Lilith in bed. She raised an eyebrow.

"I don't remember screaming, but I guess I must have when I fell...that bit is all fuzzy."

"Yeah... you're okay, though. I'm right here for you."

"None of it feels real, like it was all just a horrible nightmare."

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart…” Alexander sighed, letting the silence hang for a while as he fed Lilith more bites of soup. It was almost robotic in movement, but comfortable. Eventually, Lilith spoke up again.

“Has… has he even… come looking for me?” She whispered. Alexander’s heart sank.

“...no… Not that I know of.” He admitted. Lilith deflated, flopping back against the pillows as more tears leaked down her face.

“So… he really doesn’t love me anymore…”

"Lily, I'm sure he does, he's probably just angry." Alexander said, although in the back of his mind he knew it felt like a lie. He thought for a moment before continuing. "Are you jealous? Of Vivian and Nora?"

“Maybe… and only Jamie really calls me Lily.”

“Oh… sorry, do you want me to use Lilith?”

“N-no… it’s okay. I like it.” Lilith whispered. Alexander smiled softly after a moment.

"If you're... if you're sure… It's okay to be jealous of them, by the way. They have something you want."

“His attention.”

"Right. His love, your Wednesday night... and it doesn't seem like he does threesomes very often..." Alexander said quietly. Lilith’s tears built up again.

"Not unless it's a special occasion." She whispered.

"Is that something you would want?"

"Sometimes, but not always..."

"With Vivian? You two seem especially close." Alexander asked, his cheeks tinting pink.

"With Vivian, sure, but sometimes I just want to feel special..." Lilith shrugged.

“You are special, Lily… Sorry... I just thought I saw a picture of you and her at some point." Alexander said sheepishly. Lilith knew the one he probably meant, an older photo of her and Vivian when Lilith was teaching her how to slow dance. They were very close together, bodies, gazes, and lips. That photo sat on Lilith’s bedside table at home, Vivian had a copy of it on her wall next to her bed, and Jamie himself had one on the living room wall… last she checked, at least.

"You probably did, we’re very close… or… we used to be…"

"I'm sure she still loves you, Lily. Just because she holds Jamie's attention doesn't mean she doesn't like you anymore..." Alexander suddenly paused, blushing deeply as a thought crossed his mind. "Did... have... you and her... ever...?"

Lilith blushed. “We… we have…”

“I see.” Alexander cleared his throat, the images flooding his mind before he could stop them. Vivian and Lilith’s bodies entangled together in a heated passion, Vivian’s fluffy red hair everywhere like flames to the dark coals of Lilith’s hair. Them together seemed like the most natural thing to him, kissing and touching… Perhaps he… Alexander coughed to clear his lewd thoughts before continuing. “Sorry, I was just curious…”

“Fair enough. We’re very pretty.” Lilith replied. Alexander felt his heart thump in his chest, as if he could tell Lilith had read his mind.

“Y-yes... very much so... b-but I assume that, ah, f-free love is normal here, no?" He stuttered.

"Not...not really. Jamie requests to know of any and all side relationships, like David and Mars.”

“Would you have wanted one with Vivian? Like theirs?”

Dammit, why was he pushing this so hard?

"Maybe, I don't know. It's not like she would have wanted one with me..." Lilith shrugged a little dejectedly.

“What makes you so sure of that?”

“She’s always looking at Jamie.”

"Well, don't you all? Besides, I do think she really likes you..." Alexander paused. "Does Jamie know you both have... previously coupled?"

“Yes, he knows.” Her tone seemed aloof.

"Did he encourage it? Or did he seem like he wanted to dissuade you from it?"

“He didn’t seem like he really cared…”

"I see…” Alexander sighed, telling himself to drop the subject. ”Sorry I keep asking about this... I just think that you both would be... good together."

“Maybe we could have been.”

“You still could be.” Alexander finally chose to put an end to the conversation altogether. He looked at the bowl of soup and saw that it was empty. Smiling a little, he pulled it away. “Look at that, you ate it all.”

Lilith gave a sad little chuckle. “And I still feel as awful as before.”

Alexander chose to not take that as a slight against his cooking.

“Well, you have soup in you now, Miss ‘I’m-Not-Hungry.’” He smiled, reaching over and handing her a glass of water. “Now drink.”

“Could it maybe be something stronger?”

“Water first. Drink.” Lilith rolled her eyes and took the glass.

“Okay fine.” She tipped the glass back, swallowing the water in full gulps. Really she was quite thirsty; the soup was a bit salty.

“There you go, good girl, now…” Alexander said absently, taking the glass from her and getting out of his seat to go to the kitchen. Lucky enough, since Lilith felt her face burn and her stomach clench with butterflies and something else. She took in a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself before Alexander could come back. The regret at drinking all the water so quickly washed over her quickly. He returned a minute or two later, holding a black campfire mug in his hand with steam curling over the top.

“What’s that?” She asked.

“Coffee. Just the way you like it.” Alexander passed her the mug gently.

“Sugar and almond milk?”

“Just like you showed me.”

Lilith stared at the precious coffee for a moment before back at Alexander sheepishly. “Do you have any caramel?” Alexander smiled at her, disappearing back into the kitchen before re-emerging with a small squeeze bottle of caramel topping. He handed it to her and sat back down, watching her pour an honestly obscene amount into the coffee. The liquid had raised practically to the rim of the cup, forcing Lilith to sip it a bit before she stirred the caramel in. Then, she allowed herself a deep sip and smiled, leaning back in bed with bliss on her face. Alexander smiled himself.

“I like seeing you smile.” He said.

“This feels like home.” Lilith replied. Alexander’s hand came up and stroked her hair gently with a warm smile. Lilith blushed, leaning into the tender touch, perhaps unconsciously as she held the mug.

“I’m glad.”

“Can I stay here with you?” Lilith asked abruptly. Alexander gave pause before relaxing.

“Of course, sweetheart. Stay as long as you need.”

“I might end up staying forever.”

That caused Alexander’s heart to pound. He feared Lilith would hear it.

“I-I wouldn’t… mind.” He stuttered.

“You wouldn’t?” Lilith asked him, perhaps surprised. Alexander looked at her innocent face, round and doe eyed, and managed to find calm within it. He smiled.

“Not at all.”

***

Service was always at 11 AM on Sundays in the little church atop the highest hill. It was one of the few times the townsfolk crossed the river Styx into Jamie and his witches’ territory. There wasn’t an outright barrier, per se, it’s more like it was generally encouraged to tell someone if you planned on crossing over in case you saw something you probably shouldn’t have. Everyone in general knew of the goings-on every night and the special nights scattered around and took it in stride. The cemetery was behind the church on a protected hill, so visiting loved ones made habits of making plans known in advance.

The main bridge across Styx was still being prepared, so everyone in the meantime had to cross the bridge at the other end of the Styx and the bridge across its delta, the Lethe. Nobody really minded. They were less used and thus less weathered.

The church seemed small on the outside, but no matter what, it could always fit every single villager that attended service, upwards of hundreds. Attendance wasn’t mandatory, but most people came anyway. In actuality believing in the power of Jamie’s witches or the legends they were told wasn’t forced either. Questioning and critical thinking was encouraged, education, both basic and higher, of the world beyond was encouraged (Jamie even personally paid for any loans you would accrue), curiosity and investment in sciences was encouraged. The witches never wanted you to believe in them just because you “had” to, because it was what you were raised in. Many times villagers would tell the witches that they didn’t believe in their magic or in their stories of demons, and they were still treated the same as always. Eva would still be over on Tuesday to help you fix your gutter.

Maybe the gutter seemingly fixing itself at her mere presence would be proof enough for you.

Paradiso was a utopia indicative of its name, those who left never really could stay away for very long. They’d always be received with open arms as if they’d never left, as well as anybody else they’d brought in from the outside world. Everyone knew and loved everyone. Children went to bed happy and healthy, spouses and partners could fall in love a hundred different ways and could stay that way. Passed loved ones were never really gone for good. The weather could even be picked depending upon people’s needs or the emotions of the eight wielders of magic protecting the town.

This Sunday, though, the church was hot as if reflecting the slowly broiling tension of its caretakers. Paradiso was experiencing a mild heat wave at present, so maybe people should have been a little bit concerned. It was odd how suddenly people seemed to become slightly more aware of just how reliant and susceptible they were to the witches’ whims. If something was wrong, they should know about it. Maybe some of them should bring it up with Jamie at some point, what the problem was and was there any way they could help? Maybe if they looked close enough, they could see it.

Everyone always usually thoroughly enjoyed his sermons and little rituals, but with the sweat beading down everyone’s necks and their pocket grimoires only going so far to act as makeshift fans, the hour seemed to go on for ten.

For Lilith, it seemed like an entire eternity.

The witches had all gotten to the church about an hour early that morning since a new child had been born a few days prior. Children born in the day had morning baptisms, those born at night had evening baptisms, and this particular boy had been born just before noon. Mars was the “godwitch” to the last child, another little boy named for Apollo. Lilith was supposed to be next in the rotation. In actuality, when she’d gone to the new parents’ cottage to see the baby, Vivian and Jamie were already inside to provide the newborn’s first blessings, meaning she would be the godmother. Lilith had cried in Alexander’s arms for two hours after.

Baptisms were for the families only, luckily enough for Lilith so the whole town couldn’t notice her shame. They couldn’t have known she was supposed to be the one to bless their son. Vivian had suggested the name Ajax, the parents heartily accepting it. Vivian liked strong warrior names… Lilith thought Thomas fit the boy better, but it wasn’t her place to suggest. It should have been, though. It should have been her to hold the swaddled child while Jamie dripped lavender and rosemary infused water on the forehead, her to crush the other herbs and say the blessings. No, she could only watch from the side with the other five witches, mumbling spells and charms of protection.

She was already a mess inside by the time service started, standing in the far corner of the dais of her own volition rather than face the shame of being told to do so. Her mask of black lace scratched at her skin, the sweat making it cling almost painfully to her cheeks and forehead. There was a new mild jealousy that arose seeing Vivian and Nora’s face open and on full display. The top of Vivian’s full, dark lips didn’t even seem sweaty.

Today’s service seemed to have an emphasis on understanding and avoiding the lure of demons. Jamie would never outright say “temptation” since many times he’d almost jokingly emphasized that “they weren’t Catholics” and following through with temptations and curiosity was a good, healthy thing. He never outright confirmed or denied that Kit had helped write their doctrines, but it was implied.

Lilith couldn’t help but feel targeted, though. Vivian had been dressed down on her probation pretty thoroughly, at least two services going over how not to summon demons and the Sinner himself. This felt more personal, however, being wary of strangers trying to lure, entrap, and steal you away. Strangers that had already proven to be problems.

If Alexander was being such a bother, why not just kick him out, then?

The service ended after what felt like years and Lilith was itching to just escape and go home. She watched a little girl from the village offer Jamie a bluebell, which he accepted heartily, kissing the top of the girl’s head and sending her on her way with her parents. Vivian received three red roses, Nora a loaf of bread. Someone even handed Theresa a clump of catnip. There Lilith stood alone by a bucket of ice water, hesitant to get herself a small cup to cool herself off with.

She saw Jamie wipe his forehead with the back of his hand and glance over in her direction at the bucket. Lilith’s heart raced for a moment, hoping and praying that he’d ask her for water. Just one single acknowledgement of her existence. He’d hardly even looked at her in the past few days, let alone spoken to her. Not even to yell at her, chastise her, punish her personally. He did that with Vivian on her probation and that was a much worse offense. He at least spoke to the others not involved, even if they didn’t spend the night with him much anymore. He even fed some of the woodland creatures with Eva the other day. It was infuriating, why was Lilith getting slighted so badly?

Being proactive, she grabbed a cup and filled it with water, exactly two cubes of ice the way Jamie preferred. Not ice-less, but not teeth freezingly cold. And, to her surprise, he looked at her. Direct eye contact. A fleeting second. His eyes went to the cup and Lilith slightly moved her hand forward as if in offering. His eyes never returned to Lilith’s face, instead turning to Vivian with a dazzlingly bright smile.

“Vivian, princess, would you mind going to the water bucket and getting some for me?” He asked her, brushing his lips against the shell of her ear. Vivian giggled and nodded, Lilith felt her heart sink. Vivian bounced over and got a fresh glass of water, as well as one for herself with no ice. Vivian never put ice in her drinks, she gave Jamie four cubes without even a second thought. She passed it to him happily, he thanked her tenderly, and kissed her softly on her perfect lips. He sipped it, not even a single comment about the extra ice. The oversized frozen cluster slid down and bumped his upper lip, startling him. Vivian just giggled, sipping her water as Jamie, for some reason, smiled at her.

The cup fell out of Lilith’s hand with a clatter, splashing water everywhere. The bottom hem of her black robes were soaked, yet nobody seemed to really notice. Nora did, though, glancing over at Lilith just in time to see her tear her mask off with tears in her eyes and flee the church out through a side door. She pursed her lips and looked at Jamie, smiling and nuzzling his nose against Vivian’s cheek, making her giggle even more. A bad feeling settled in the eldest witch’s stomach.

“Vivian, come with me for a minute?” She asked. The youngest witch nodded, offering Jamie a quick kiss before taking Nora’s hand. They walked out the same side door Lilith had run through, managing to spot the fleeing witch all but tumbling down the hill and running into the tree cluster below.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Vivian asked, probably a little stupidly.

“She ran off, I think Jamie upset her.” Nora responded, seeing Lilith emerge from the other side of the trees, rushing past the guest house and further away until she was just a speck in their vision.

Vivian thought for a moment and then blinked. “You don’t think that she was the one who showed up on Wednesday night, was she? He seemed angry and tossed a box aside… and I haven’t seen her much since then…”

Nora just grabbed Vivian’s hand again and pulled her down the hill, running after the fleeing witch.

***

Running and sobbing was taxing. Lilith’s chest burned, her vision was blurry, and she felt bile rising in her throat. It felt scratchy and it throbbed, something in her mouth tasting metallic. She couldn’t find it in herself to stop running, though. She had to get away, far away from the church, from the other witches, from Jamie himself. His eyes on her had become the last thing she could fathom wanting, not when they were full of contempt for her. She passed the guest house she now called home more than her cottage, but didn’t stop even then.

Away, away, I have to get away, I can’t stop, I must not stop… it hurts, good God it hurts, everything hurts… Make it stop, someone please, make it stop hurting…

“Lily! Stop, wait!” She heard a voice call behind her. Again, her instinct was to think it was Jamie, but by now she knew better. Even then, she still couldn’t stop. A small hill crested above her and she kept running, straight to the top. Flowers bloomed that reached her waist, a swaying weeping willow tree shaded her partially from the noon sun. Finally, her legs gave out from underneath her and she collapsed into the weeds, dry heaving and sobbing into the dry soil. Her ears rang, everything hurt. Had she had anything in her stomach, she likely would have thrown it up.

Make it stop, please, just make it stop…

“Lily!” She heard Alexander come up behind her, panting as he crested to the top of the hill. “What happened? Sweetheart, are you okay?”

“I was right! He doesn’t love me anymore! Alexander, he doesn’t love me anymore!” Lilith sobbed into the dirt. The occultist looked at her, chewing his lip both as if to contemplate another question and in pity.

“Did he say as much to your face?” He asked her.

“No, but he may as well have. He barely looked at me, and there was so much disdain in his eyes!” Lilith sobbed, her fingers digging into the soil. Alexander sighed, gently wrapping his arms around her waist to pull her to her feet, wiping her tears away with his fingers. More spilled over, so instead he chose to pull her in closer to hug her, resting his chin on the top of her head and stroking her tangled hair. He could feel her tears wetting the front of his shirt, yet he didn’t mind it.

“Shh… it’s okay, Lily… it’s okay, I’m here.”

“How can I keep living here? He hates me.”

Hate seemed like a strong word, especially so quickly, but as much as it hurt to admit, Alexander couldn’t come up with an argument to the contrary.

“We’ll figure it out, sweetheart… I promise.”

“How? He won’t even breathe in my direction!”

“Lily… just breathe, okay?” Alexander cupped Lilith’s face and looked her in the eyes, imploring her to listen. “Breathe with me?”

Lilith nodded. “Okay… okay.” She began to match his breathing, slow, even breaths in and out. She was shaky at first, a few sobs escaping her lips. Alexander gently took her hand and rested it against his chest so she could feel the steady beat of his heart. It was a strange comfort to her, and the gasping sobs slowly ceased.

“There we go... just breathe, relax... you're okay... I'm right here, sweetheart." Alexander said quietly. Slowly, Lilith’s breaths evened out, a shallow calm slowly seeping in. “That’s it, good girl…”

Under the beats of Alexander’s heart, Lilith felt calmed, his breaths and hers matching. When she opened her eyes once more, her garden of doors stretched out in front of her. All of them were open, nine in total. The wind fluttered, brushing her hair across her face as she took long and short glances at each one. Alexander’s door stood opposite Jamie's, her own reflection staring back at her. Jamie’s door loomed imposingly over her in that reflection, and she moved away, brushing past Vivian’s door before finding hers. It was only open about an inch or two and beyond it, it was dark. She stared at her door for a moment, seeing it exposed and open around everyone else’s. They were all connected to each other, and now it made Lilith feel too exposed, too much like an open book even if she was closing off.

She slammed her door shut.

Lilith looked back at Alexander’s door, the amorphous mirror rippling almost inviting her in. She raised a finger, poking it to make it ripple. Her image distorted for a moment before settling back down. Choosing to seek her last source of comfort, she splashed right through.

She woke up back in Alexander’s warm arms, inhaling his woodsy, spicy scent. It was different from Jamie, she thought.

"My mind is closed for business, sweetheart. Right now it's all about you." Alexander said, a teasing edge in his voice. Lilith giggled, looking up at him with a bright adoration in her eyes. The sun hit her face, perfectly highlighting her cheeks and lips. Alexander brushed her last tears away with his thumbs.

“I just wanna feel special… loved.” Lilith whispered, her face inching closer to his. Alexander slowly grew closer the more they spoke, his warm breath hitting her lips and nose.

“You are… I promise you are.” He replied.

“Will you show me? I can’t see it.”

“Of course… you are so very much loved… I promise…” His lips finally met hers, kissing her so deeply as if he wanted to infuse every single ounce of adoration and promises into her with just their lips. It felt like fresh air to Lilith, finally able to breathe again after being so constricted and sidelined. Her hands came up and tangled in his golden hair to pull him closer, as close as he could get. She didn’t want to let go, never wanted to pull away and dare become separated. Alexander released her lips only for a moment, catching his breath before kissing her again, harder. His tongue pushed past her lips, almost begging for her taste, her touch, everything about her. For the first time in a very long time, they both felt whole. Complete.

From behind the willow tree, Nora and Vivian watched, concern slowly creeping through them. They suddenly lost the ability to sense Lilith, then they found her entangled with Alexander, an aura of calm and happiness radiating from her. Vivian answering Alexander’s siren call had been one thing. This felt like something else entirely.

[the-bats-who-simp]

Enjoy your angst, witches >:)

The Priest You Want

Chapter Six: Broken

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Warnings: Smut 18+ (Nudity, Threesome F/F/M, Fingering, Oral - F Receiving, Daddy Kink, Praise Kink), Major Angst, Water Trauma, Ghost Shenanigans, Anxiety/Panic Attack, Witches

Co-Authored by @the-bats-who-simp

The sun came down in golden rays that day. The birds chirped happily in their trees, and squirrels chased each other around trees, almost playing tag in the tall grass. The flowers were vibrant, and the grass was dewy, but this was all in stark contrast to the mood in Paradiso. Deep in the woods, the alligators hissed, a far more accurate representation.

Lilith had felt good when she woke up that morning. She made her fresh bread and collected herbs, and now she was drawing out a little design for a new bookmark for Jamie. She always wanted them personal to the book, like it was something that belonged in that world. Jamie would spend afternoons with her, huddled under the largest, shadiest tree in Paradiso. There, he would read excerpts and tell her about her latest book, letting the joy of storytelling consume his bones.

And, she would watch as he got bright, like the golden sunset as he talked about these things he enjoyed. He would flip through the pages, letting her catch glimpses of highlighted lines, and his messy scrawl in the margins. She would lean into him, biting her nails as he smiled, reading the book.

Now, that golden sunlight that almost shone through his skin was gone. Now in her doorway stood Nora. Not an unwelcome sight by any means, but more times than not having Nora show up unannounced meant something was wrong.

“Uh… good morning, Lilith. How are you today?”

“Well, I was okay, now I’m worried.”

“Yeah, I’m… not exactly known for being the bearer of good news, am I?” Nora chuckled sadly.

“It’s nothing against you, Jamie just seems to prefer you giving bad news over him…”

“Yeah, uh…” She then passed Lilith a folded piece of paper awkwardly, as if it would bite her if she kept holding onto it. “He told me to give you this.”

Lilith took it, looking down at what would normally be his messy scrawl. This was very neat, a kind of cursive she hadn’t seen him write in since they met, “Bad news?”

“Well… I’ll let you read it yourself. I have something to do this morning, but… I suppose I’ll be seeing you.”

Lilith took a deep breath as Nora walked off, almost speed-walking away. The heavy wood door slammed closed as soon as her foot moved out of the way, though a fluffy slinky body wormed its way in before the door closed fully.

The fluffy cat meowed up at her, stretching out on the floor before moving to climb up her leg.

Lilith chuckled, “Well hello there Marlowe, does Theresa know you’re here?”

Marlowe, a black and orange cat blinked up at her blankly with his orange eyes, his long white whiskers shooting out in all directions like fireworks. He pawed at her leg again before she picked him up, flopping him on his back to be carried like a baby through the little cottage so Lilith could read the note she feared so much.

In her bedroom, she let Marlowe jump from her arms and onto her fluffy blankets, he purred loud and deep as she crawled into bed and he curled up in her lap.

“Are you ready, Marlowe?” Marlowe was already fast asleep.

Slowly, she unfolded the note, his writing pristine, not a good sign to start with, and as the words sank into her like ink on the page she started to sob.

~~~

She stayed locked inside that house all day, never leaving, only walking out into the living room to let Marlowe out before she shuffled back to bed. Face stained with tears, eyes sunken and red. On her bedside table stood a faded picture of her and Jamie from the winter of 1912. She took one hard look at it before turning it towards the wall, she couldn’t see his face right now, it hurt too much.

To see the way that he looked at her then as she looked towards the camera, her heart ached, it hadn’t been like that in a long time. He hadn’t looked at her like that in maybe 20 years, always far too consumed in everything else to spare a glance her way.

The lights flickered, she pulled the blanket over her head, not wanting him to see her like this, “Not now, Kit, please.”

The blanket was yanked from her face, a book and pen hovering close.

What is wrong, lambkin?

Her lip started to quiver again, “He put me on probation! With a note! He couldn’t even tell me in person! He made Nora deliver it!”

Oh dear, what happened that may have caused this?

She put her face in her hands, “I don’t know, I didn’t do anything wrong…”

She felt the bed dip next to her, the shape of an invisible body creasing her sheets. He stayed there with her for a little, neither of them moving or speaking, just simply existing in the same space.

“Kit?” She asked, after a few hours of silence.

Yes, lambkin?

“I don’t think he loves me anymore…”

Speak not the words of a fool, lambkin.

“He did it in a note, Kit… how else am I supposed to take that?” The tears gather in her eyes once more, “He has grown tired of me…”

A note does not mean-

“He always does it in person, Kit. He never puts people on probation through notes. He signed Bower, not Jamie with a little heart, he called me Lilith, not… not…”

You do not have to continue. If only speaking the name he calls you gives you this much grief…

She leaned back, falling further into the soft pillows, “I don’t know what I did to deserve this, Kit.”

She could almost feel his hand graze over hers, the feather quill playing with the strands of her hair.

Tell me everything that happened, lambkin.

Lilith sniffled, wiping tears from her cheeks, “Well, I was sitting on the bridge over Styx when Alexander came over and sat next to me, we talked for a while, I healed him, I brought him with me to the moon ritual-”

You brought him to the moon ritual?

“Well, yeah, he studies us and our stories! It felt like it was important for him to see…”

Do you see where that may have gone wrong?

Lilith thought for a moment, “Oh.”

It’s okay, lambkin, you can fix this, you just have to apologize to him, hear him out, explain where you were coming from.

“Okay, yeah, I can try that… Should I bring him his bookmark?” The feather traced along her cheek, and from what she could tell, this meant yes.

She gathered the courage to get out of bed, requesting that Kit cover his eyes so he didn't see her in her underwear. Though, she giggled as she felt the father trace her thighs.

“Kit!” She rolled her eyes, the lights flickered once more as he left her alone. She took a deep breath, slowly wrapping his new bookmark in his favorite wrapping paper, a black and purple one with shiny silver moons, suns, and stars.

She wrapped it perfectly, and wrapped the new book she had gotten from the market for him, excited to hear his reaction at seeing her highlighted passages and perfect handwriting. A love letter halfway through, sealed with her deep red kiss mark.

It was cold and dark when she left her cozy cottage, Marlowe the cat rubbed himself up against her leg but abandoned her as she started walking up the steep path to Jamie’s house. His door was tall, and she hadn’t realized just how scary it looked until now. Lilith took a deep breath, playing with her fingers for a moment, trying to fight the anxiety in her chest, in her heart, in her brain that screamed at her, telling her to go back. To turn around, to leave, to forget his presents here and go back to bed.

She whispered to herself, “You can do this, he’s your husband, he’ll understand.”

Then she knocked, and waited. And waited. And waited. Until she saw him, right there in front of her, but her heart sank instead of rose the closer he came. It was Wednesday, it was her night, and yet, those were not her kiss marks he was covered in.

He did not smile when she saw her waiting there for him. He looked annoyed, maybe even angry as he looked upon her, almost through her. He opened the door, leaning into it, almost completely naked. A heavy stone grew in her throat, the gift suddenly heavy in her hands.

“What do you want?” His voice was deep, raspy, the same way he would speak when they were in bed together, but clearly, even on her night, it was someone else warming his bed. She opened her mouth but no sound came out.

“Hmm?”

Lilith cleared her throat, desperately trying to gather her thoughts, “Umm…I know it's been a while-”

Jamie cut her off with a cruel chuckle, “Yeah. You could say that.”

Her heart sank further, anxiety scratching at her throat so hard she had to clear it, “I wanted to talk about what happened…”

“What happened,” he paused, looking back into his home for a second before turning back to her, “doesn’t matter anymore.”

Her hand rose to the necklace Jamie had given her when they first met, a clear opal set in silver, she fiddled with it nervously, biting the inside of her bottom lip, “Does…does that mean I am forgiven?”

He chuckled, grabbing the presents from her hands, “Not a chance in hell.”

Then the large imposing door slammed in her face, tears quickly gathering in her eyes, her throat closing so tight she struggled to breathe. She could feel it then, the way her heart shattered like fragile ceramic. A quick short gasp fell from her open lips as the tears slid down her cheeks and she struggled to stay standing.

She looked at her now empty hands, her fingers reddened from the cold, with sheer and utter disgust. In that moment, she picked apart everything, but mostly the way his ring looked on her finger.

Through her blurry vision, she peeked through the crystalline pane of glass, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her husband, the man who had broken her far more than anyone else ever could. The window then seemed to crack open on its own, ever so slightly, enough so she could peek inside further and hear what was going on.

Part of her wondered if it was Jamie's doing. She hoped not, hoping he wasn't genuinely that petty…

Lilith then spotted a shock of bright, blood red curls facing away from her, and her heart thudded in her chest. What was Vivian doing in Jamie's room on a Wednesday night… naked, no less.

"Who was that?" Vivian's voice, naturally halfway to an alto pitch, asked, sitting back down on the edge of the bed, partially obstructed by the bottom edge of the window and wall. Jamie thought for a second, looking at the perfectly wrapped gifts in his hands.

His lips pressed into a hard line as he tossed them carelessly to the side of the room.

"Nobody, princess, don't worry about it." Jamie said, holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger tenderly. Lilith felt a hard, wet lump in her throat, burning as she felt her heart break almost impossibly further. Nobody? Was… was that all she was to him?

"You're sure?" Another voice asked, obstructed from Lilith's view. The lump in her throat got hotter and heavier recognizing Nora's voice. Why was Nora there, too? Wasn't one intruder on her Wednesday nights enough for him?

Evidently not.

"I'm sure. It's nothing to worry about, my loves." Jamie said, smiling warmly, which quickly turned more mischievous. He pulled Vivian from the bed and gently guided her down to her knees in front of him. The red-head licked her lips tantalizingly as Jamie cupped her chin gently. His other hand came down to the boxers he wore, his thumb gently tugging on the elastic. "Now… I believe we should return to what we were doing before we were so… rudely interrupted."

"Yes, Daddy." Vivian nodded before she leaned forward, taking the elastic band between her teeth and dragging the boxers down Jamie's legs, his semi-hard cock springing free again. He stepped out of the undergarments, flicking them to the side with his foot before bringing Vivian back to her feet. He leaned down and kissed her hard, wasting no time in pushing his tongue into her mouth to make her moan.

Jamie looked in the bed's direction, curling a finger towards him with a wide smirk. Nora then appeared in Lilith's view as she slipped out of the bed, her purple hair already slightly tousled. She came up behind Vivian, running her hands down the younger, yet slightly taller witch's perfectly pinched in sides and wide hips. Nora's lips found the back of Vivian's neck, leaving soft, sensual kisses along the column of her throat.

It was an interesting sight aesthetically. Both Jamie and Nora were covered in tattoos and other markings, making Vivian's virgin skin all that much more obvious. Lilith had remembered Vivian talking one day about tattoos she wanted, yet had never gotten around to getting. It made her look more innocent, despite the fact that the situation she found herself in was the furthest thing from it.

"What a pretty girl you are for us, princess…" Jamie whispered as Nora's hand came up to hold Vivian's jaw from behind, granting her clearer access to lick a line up Vivian's neck. Jamie's fingers trailed down Vivian's stomach gently to reach between her thighs before they disappeared inside her with a lewd squelch. Vivian choked out a gasp as her knees gave out, falling backwards into Nora as they all went to the floor with her.

Nora pulled Vivian so the blood-haired witch's back was to her front, her hands roaming around Vivian's torso. She seemed to whisper things into Vivian's ear that Lilith couldn't have heard even if her ears hadn't started ringing. Nora gently cupped and squeezed Vivian's breasts, her thumbs brushing against her nipples to pull high pitched gasps from Vivian.

Jamie smirked as he appeared between Vivian's legs, moving her legs so her thighs rested on his shoulders.

"Please, Daddy, please use your mouth?" Vivian pleaded pathetically. Jamie chuckled, flashing his perfect grin up at her that could make anybody weak.

"Of course, princess… I have to keep my good girl happy, don't I? I have to please my two favorite witches like they deserve, don't I?" He said, his voice thick and raspy with obvious lust.

"We're your favorites?" Vivian asked innocently.

"Of course… tonight could never be about anybody else…" Jamie then dived in, burying his face into her pussy to elicit a loud moan. Vivian reached up to grab Nora's hand as tears finally fully blurred Lilith's vision, unable to watch any more.

Lilith blinked slowly, unable to process what she was seeing, and unable to tell how long she had been standing there, supporting herself with one hand on Jamie's expensive house.

She fell down his stairs when she stepped back, but she didn't think about the pain that shot through her wrist or ankle, paying no mind to the blood pooling at her knee. All she wanted to do was get away. As long as she was near that house, she couldn't breathe, so she went as far as her legs would carry her.

Only when she had collapsed onto the bridge above the river Styx, was she finally able to breathe again. And when she did, all she could do was sob. Her back and ribs ached as her lungs tried to pull in any breath before she cried it away.

At some point, when her tears had run dry, she had gone numb. She looked up at the stars, and tried to distract herself with their stories, but everywhere she looked, she could only think of him, only see him.

His name and eyes written in the stars as if the universe wanted to taunt and torture her with something she had but lost. She wiped the tears that had gathered once more, the skin beneath her eyes threatening to tear, so irritated by her constantly wiping the tears from her face.

She breathed slowly, moving slightly to get more comfortable on the old wooden bridge, before suddenly it collapsed, throwing her into the cold, alligator infested water below. At first, she tried to swim to the surface, but only swam further down, unable to see anything in front of her.

She started to lose her breath, her lungs aching in her chest, throat burning, head pounding in her skull. But, Lilith thought this was far more enjoyable than her heartbreak. Her suffocating, her choking on the water was far more pleasant than the way he looked at her. Sneered at her, in the moment, she almost welcomed death like an old friend, one she hadn't seen in a long time.

A friend she had a falling out with, and had never expected to see again. Just as she was ready to give in to the darkness, she felt scales under her, pushing her to break the surface. Her eyelids were heavy as she opened her eyes.

And next to her was a man, one she had never seen before, but he was very handsome. His eyes were the same green that the leaves were, his hair the same color as Jamie’s hot chocolate.

“It's okay lambkin, I'm right here. I'll wait here.” His fingers were warm against her cheek, as he smiled sadly at her. If she hadn't been mistaken, she could've sworn she saw tears gather in his eyes.

Her voice was weak and hoarse, “Kit?”

“I'm right here, I won't leave you lambkin, I promise. I'll stay right here.” A stray tear slipped down his cheek, and one slipped from her eye back towards her hair. He brought her hand up to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

She could faintly hear a voice in the distance, it called, but she couldn't make out what it was saying. Kit placed her hand back down as she gave into the darkness

[the-bats-who-simp]

SOUPS ON, WITCHES

The Priest You Want

Chapter Five: Say You're Mine

(credit to gif owner, I don't recall who made it)

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Warnings: Smut 18+ (oral f receiving, p in v, dirty talk, boob play, squirting, mild masturbation, sir kink, mentions of threesomes, mentions of bondage, spanking, choking, hair pulling, daddy kink, praise kink, mild degradation kink, cockwarming,) general nudity, blood, rituals, questionable woodland fire safety (they're witches it's fine,) google translate Latin, witches

Co-Authored by @the-bats-who-simp

His lips were soft, perfectly soft, moving in sync with hers as if they were meant for each other. Alexander's facial hair tickled Vivian's face, but she didn't register it, too wrapped up in the kiss and how wonderful it felt. It felt incredible to finally be touched again, to be held and kissed, treated like a rare beauty. Her fingers tangled in his hair, silky and golden, to pull him in even closer. Alexander understood the message clearly enough, pushing his tongue into Vivian's mouth to deepen the kiss. She gasped, her heart pounding.

Alexander's hands moved down to her blouse, holding the black fabric in his hands as if it was personally offending him. Vivian's right leg came up and wrapped around his waist, her heel against his lower back. His hips rotated once, brushing up between her legs to elicit a gasp from Vivian. Alexander smirked into the kiss, pressing against her clothed heat only protected by panties. Her skirt had been pushed up long ago. He started consistently grinding down on her, rewarding him with her moans growing higher in pitch and volume. 

Alexander's hand snaked up to the neckline of Vivian's blouse, his knuckles brushing up against her rising and falling cleavage. He didn't wait for permission, he just tugged. Not hard enough to rip it, but her shoulders became exposed and her breasts held in place by a lace bra greeted him. That garment Alexander had no problems ripping off, fully exposing her breasts to him. He pressed his chest down so it lay atop hers, providing Vivian with more friction. 

"Fuck…" Vivian whimpered between her wanton moans. Alexander reached up, cupping her jaw to hold her head in place so he could kiss her harder. The blood still lightly seeping from the cut on his palm stained her chin.

"My princess sounds so pretty when she swears…" Alexander mumbled against her lips, sending heat straight to Vivian's core. Her eyelids fluttered, her moan loud enough and her bliss potent enough to drown out everything. 

A second later, she felt the warmth of Alexander's body be ripped away from her. She whined, her body re-orienting itself as she felt the cold air hit her exposed skin, sending goosebumps up her arms.

"Don't ever touch her again. She's mine, do you understand? Mine!" A voice that sounded like Jamie's snarled. Vivian's head turned to the side to see what was happening. Had Alexander been wearing a shirt, Jamie would have been gripping its collar. Instead one of his hands gripped Alexander's shoulder while the other dug into his neck, his nails biting into the skin.

"Jamie, wait!" Vivian cried out, sitting up on the ground and covering her breasts with one arm as she tugged her blouse back up. Jamie ignored her other than throwing her a beyond-enraged glare, his blue eyes sunken and his teeth bared. He turned back to Alexander, reaching down to grab a discarded shirt to slam into his chest before quite literally throwing the occultist out of Vivian's cottage. Jamie slammed the door, breathing hard through the deep growl in his throat.

"Jamie?" Vivian spoke up again, her voice a weak whimper, shaky as the rest of her body as tears brimmed in her eyes. Jamie spun around, his face still contorted in rage as he looked at her. Vivian seemed to physically shrink under his glare, backing up an inch or two. 

"What the hell were you thinking?? You invite this man into your cottage, start performing unknown rituals with him when you know you're not supposed to, and then you let him touch and almost fuck what's mine? How could you do this, how could you betray me like this??" Jamie had stomped over to her, standing over her and making her shrink even further. "He has invaded our paradise and then you let yourself fall under his sway and turn you into his filthy slut? You're mine, you understand? You're mine!'

Vivian burst into tears, cowering under her husband's harsh gaze and words. "I just wanted to be loved!" She cried. Jamie sneered, too overwhelmed by anger to let her words sink in. “Listen to me, Jamie! Look at me! I want to be loved!” He ran his hand over his face, feeling the stubble that had started to grow there. 

“You say that as if I do not give you love!” He shouted, the walls of the cottage threatening to shake. 

"You have not! Not recently! I feel like a ghost standing next to you! You can hardly look at me! Even now!" 

Jamie spun around to face her, "That is not true!" 

"You may as well talk to Kit more than me! You act as if I do not exist!”

He scoffed. She moved closer, her knees rubbing uncomfortably against the wooden floor, “Listen!”

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before he looked down at his wife on the floor, her chocolate brown eyes looking up at him, brimming with tears. He felt his anger ebb away as he looked into her eyes, her very soul, his heart hammered in his chest. 

“Listen to me, really listen this time.”

He did not give any indication that he was paying more attention to her words this time, other than that his blue eyes stared directly into her soul, feeling it wrap around him like he had missed so dearly. 

“You have not loved me, you have not looked at me, your love feels conditional, and all I have ever wanted was for it not to be.”

He looked down at her confused, “What do you mean?”

“Your love feels conditional, I must do everything right to get a kind word, I must never be wrong, I can never truly breathe because I am afraid you will not love me anymore if I choke. And when I do fuck up, you take that love away, you do not look at me even when I have proved I am sorry. You extend my punishment because you do not believe in me.”

Jamie fell to his knees to look her in the eye, “Love, that is not true at all. I believe in you more than you could ever understand. If you could only see yourself the way I see you, a goddess,” He caresses her hair, “the very blood that runs through everything that lives. I have failed you, because you do not believe that I love you.” 

"That's all I wanted to hear." Vivian whispered as Jamie slammed his lips down onto hers, pulling her body into his and tangling his fingers into her blood red locks. Vivian smiled into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Jamie. This is where she belonged. In Jamie's arms, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. 

She pulled him down on top of her, shifting the salt circle around and barely managing to avoid one of her candles. Jamie pushed it to the side so her hair wouldn't catch fire before leaning down to kiss her again. He brushed some loose salt grains out of her hair before pushing himself up again to get a proper look at her. Vivian's eyes had darkened, her pupils blown way out as she breathed hard. Her eyelashes fluttered, sending a jolt of heat to his crotch. 

"You're perfect." Jamie said, caressing her face with the back of his knuckles gently. "So perfect… and I'm sorry I made you feel like anything less."

Vivian managed to wiggle out of her blouse fully, exposing her chest to Jamie with a playful smile. He matched it, throwing away his blazer and pulling off his white button-up, the buttons flying off as he ripped it open and tossed it aside. Vivian reached up to touch his chest, tracing his tattoos with reverence as he chuckled. Jamie took her hand, kissing the pads of her individual fingers as he stared into her eyes, love and lust pouring out in perfect tandem.

Both of Vivian's hands reached up to cup his face, pulling him in for another kiss. His tongue pushed past her lips, deepening it and eliciting a small whimper from her throat before pulling back. 

"Would you rather be in your bed?" Jamie asked her. Vivian shook her head.

"Take me here. Right here. I can't wait any longer, it feels like it's been a lifetime since you've touched me." She replied breathlessly. A smirk pulled its way onto Jamie's face.

"Well, that simply won't do, will it? I'll have to fix that right away. Can't have my pretty little witch left unsatisfied…" he said teasingly before kissing down her jaw and neck, sucking hickeys to plant as much evidence of his claim over her as possible. Vivian whimpered, her fingers tangling into his hair.

Jamie's mouth eventually reached her chest, looking up at her from between her breasts. He kissed the valley between them before moving to suck on her left breast, his tongue swirling around her nipple. Vivian gasped, more whimpers spilling out as she gripped his gold hair tighter. Her hips started to jerk upwards, brushing against his hardening length under his pants. His eyes fell shut at the friction as he moved to her other breast, sucking even harder.

"Jamie, please…" Vivian whispered, her head falling backwards as she panted. She felt his mouth pop off of her breast.

"Tell me what you need, love." Jamie replied, his thumb brushing her hip.

"You." She replied. "Just you."

Jamie lifted her hips and pulled her skirt and panties off, exposing her dripping heat to him. He smirked, running two fingers through her folds and examining her slick.

"Awe, is this all for me, love?" He asked. Vivian nodded, her cheeks burning. Jamie chuckled, sticking his fingers into his mouth and sucking the slick off. A self satisfied groan rumbled in his throat, finally tasting Vivian again. "I had forgotten how good you taste, love. Perhaps you'd allow me to have another?"

"Please…" Vivian whimpered. Jamie's face was already between her legs, smiling up at her as his arms hooked around her thighs to pull her closer. He gently kissed the top of her folds before giving a single small kitten lick to her clit. Vivian gasped, her eyes falling shut.

"So sensitive… my poor little witch hasn't been touched in so long." Jamie cooed before giving her a long, slow lick all the way up her pussy. She moaned, her arms resting above her head and clenching into fists. Jamie repeated the action, only much faster as Vivian grew wetter. His tongue swirled around her clit, his eyes never looking away from her face the further it twisted in pleasure. 

He put his mouth fully on her, sucking her clit as he moaned at her taste, only making Vivian moan louder. Her thighs began to shake and her hips lifted off of the ground. Jamie moved an arm to pin her hips back down as his tongue moved, thrusting into her hole. Slowly at first, but his speed picked up the louder Vivian screamed his name. Her hand came down to grip his hair as she shuddered, her orgasm building too quickly for her to hold back. 

She came a second later, thoroughly soaking his face. Jamie took it all, his eyes fluttering shut as he helped Vivian ride out her orgasm before kissing her clit again and hovering back over her. His chin shined with her slick as he grinned down at her. Vivian panted, her eyes slowly opening back up with a lazy smile.

"I don't remember the last time you squirted like that. I've been blessed today." Jamie said, kissing Vivian passionately and forcing her to taste herself on his lips. She whimpered into it, gripping his hair if only to muss it up further.

Jamie sat back on his knees, quickly undoing his belt and pulling his pants and underwear down and off. His hardened length sprung free, making heat rush to Vivian's stomach. This was what she had missed the most, feeling him inside her, claiming her, pleasing her. Jamie crawled back on top of her, caressing her sides and stomach with a look of pure love on his face. Her thighs instinctively spread, welcoming him back to her. A coy smirk crept onto her face as her hand reached down between her legs, gently stroking her folds.

"My pussy's missed you so much, sir…" She said breathlessly. "Wanna feel you inside me again. Been so cold and empty."

Jamie grabbed her wrist and pulled it away from between her legs, pinning it next to her head with his own smirk on his face. "The rules still apply, love. No touching yourself unless I say you can. Good girls keep their hands to themselves and let me do all the work."

"Sorry, sir…"

"No need to apologize, love. I've been neglectful and I need to make it up to you. Now… are you ready?" Jamie's hand found Vivian's hip, his thumb circling it as his cock teased her folds. Vivian nodded frantically, licking her lips. Jamie's eyebrow quirked up. "Use your words."

"Please, please, sir, can I have your cock, please?" Vivian begged, her brown doe eyes prickling with tears. Jamie's cocky smile returned.

"Now, how can I deny my pretty girl after such sweet begging?" He asked before lining himself up with her entrance and slowly pushing inside of her. Vivian's head fell back with a loud, long moan, gripping Jamie by the shoulders. His hand came up, gently pulling her head back down by the jaw. "Eyes on me, love. Watch me claim you."

Once he had pushed all the way in and given Vivian time to adjust, Jamie slowly pulled back out and thrusted inside again. A gasp blew out of Vivian, pleasure pulsing through her. He continued pushing in and out of her, making sure to take his time and enjoy the feeling of Vivian's warmth around him. He wanted to make love with her before he thoroughly fucked her.

Jamie's hips slid against Vivian's, his pubic bone brushing against her clit to pull more gasps and moans from her. Vivian's hips jerked up into his, a silent plea for him to speed up.

"Faster, sir, please… need you to fuck me, make me yours…" She whimpered.

"You're already mine, love. You've always been mine and you always will be. Say it." Jamie replied. Vivian's eyes fluttered, only a weak moan escaping her lips. Jamie's hand gripped her chin, forcing her to stare into his brilliant blue eyes, darkened by lust. "I need you to say it. Say you're mine. Please."

"I'm yours. Always yours." 

That was all he needed. Jamie's hips roughly jerked forward, making Vivian cry out as her hands found his hair again. His thrusts picked up speed until he was pounding into Vivian, tears gently flowing from her eyes as her legs wrapped around his waist to pull him impossibly closer.

"Feels so good, sir, feels…" Vivian paused, a moan cutting her off. "Feels so fucking good…"

"Yeah? I'm making you feel good, love? Am I fucking you good?" Jamie asked, grinning.

"So good… oh, don't stop, please don't stop…"

Jamie gripped her hips and flipped them over so Vivian was sat upright on him. He thrusted up into her, gripping her hips tightly, surely to leave marks from his fingernails in her flesh. She bounced on his cock in sync with his thrusts, her head falling back in pleasure as her messy red hair fell in waves down her front and back. Jamie's eyes flicked back and forth between her blissed out expression, her bouncing boobs in his face, and watching his cock disappear inside of her as they took their pleasure from each other.

"You're a goddess… my goddess, my perfect, powerful little witch. So beautiful." Jamie said, just letting the words spill out.

"I'm yours… your perfect witch, your goddess." Vivian echoed, her legs trembling.

"Oh, you're being such a good girl for me, love. I can't wait for you to be a good girl for me all the time again." Jamie reached down and started rubbing Vivian's clit as she continued to ride him. She screamed his name as well as a string of swears.

"'m gonna… fuck, I'm gonna…" she whimpered.

"You're gonna cum for me, love? Go ahead, cum, cum on my cock…" Jamie panted, his own hips beginning to stutter.

Not a second later, Vivian screamed as she came, soaking him underneath her as her head fell back. A few sloppy thrusts later, Jamie released inside of her with a loud groan, his eyes falling shut. Vivian breathed hard as she collapsed down onto Jamie's chest, her face nuzzling into his neck. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her as his hand brushed through her hair, stringy with sweat.

"Missed you, Jamie…" she sighed contentedly.

"I've missed you, too, love," Jamie replied, kissing her forehead tenderly. "I love you… so much. More than you'll ever know. Always and forever… but you really should watch your language, saying such filthy, naughty things to me."

Vivian just smirked smugly.

***

Lilith listened to the babbling sounds of the river Styx. Letting the sounds of Louisiana wash over her like rolling thunder. She breathed deeply, her feet dangling off the rickety bridge. Heavy footsteps came up behind her, though she did not turn to see who they belonged to.

“Do you mind if I join you?” Though his voice was identical to Jamie’s there was something distinctly Alexander in it. Perhaps it was his pattern of speaking, though that too was almost identical to Jamie’s as well. 

“No,” her voice was a breeze, “not at all.”

The bridge creaked unhappily as Alexander came to sit next to Lilith, his shirt messy, though she did not seem to realize it as she looked out at the sparkling water. 

“It’s very peaceful here, for sitting above alligators on a bridge that could collapse any second.” Alexander smiled. Lilith giggled, kicking her feet, almost touching the water, if she stretched her foot out she could make ripples in the water. 

"This is where I come to think before our full moon rituals." 

"A beautiful thinking spot." He took his glasses off and wiped the dust off with the bottom of his shirt. He took a few deep breaths as he put them back on, scooching to sit close enough to Lilith for their knees to touch. 

They sat in a pretty silence, to only the sounds of nature and each other’s breathing. She looked out towards the horizon, the setting sun turning the sky a vibrant pink as she waited for night to fall. 

She closed her eyes, letting the emotions wash over her, a pure ecstasy from Vivian and Jamie. She smiled. They had finally made up it seemed. She could almost smell the bread that David and Mars were baking together. Seeking out the witches this way was almost walking through open doors standing alone in a golden field. For some, the door did not even exist anymore, like Nora. Walking through the Alexander door felt different, it looked different too. When standing outside the doors, one could look in. Like David’s, she could see him baking bread with Mars, but when she walked up to Alexander’s door, it was like she was staring at the surface of calm water. 

She could only see herself, and when she reached out to touch it, her finger created ripples in the mirror. It scared her for a moment, then fascinated her. She reached towards the mirror again when she saw something on her hand as she reached out. A thick red cut creased her palm, and she flipped her hand around immediately to get a better look at it, but it wasn’t there. 

“Interesting…” Lilith’s voice was slightly echoey here, almost dream-like. She held her hand back out towards the mirror again, seeing that same cut across her palm. She moved closer to the door through the tall grass. 

Lilith pushed her fingers past the surface, watching the mirrored water ripple around her fingers unnaturally, then pulling her hand back immediately. Her head tilted to the side, her dark brows furrowing. She stepped even closer, almost close enough that if she breathed she would touch the water. 

More than anything, she needed to know what was beneath the surface. What secrets did he hold, and what had to stay hidden? 

Lilith took a deep breath and closed her eyes before she pushed past the mirrored surface. When she opened her eyes again she was met with warm lighting. A street at night, a warm cafe. 

“You seemed to be meditating, I wondered if you'd be able to come here,” Alexander called out from behind her. 

“Where are we?” 

“A cafe I found in Chicago, though that’s not incredibly important, is it?”

“No, I suppose not,” Lilith looked around the dark street. The cafe sat on the corner of the block, ivy growing up the brick walls and contrasting with the red decor. Alexander sat at a two-person table next to the window, lighting him in soft yellow and red from the neon OPEN sign. 

He slid a coffee for her across the table, tempting her to sit down with him. She hesitated, and he smiled charmingly.

“I’d bet you have a lot more power in here than I do, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say that…”

“If you didn’t you wouldn’t be here at all. I can’t get into your head like this.”

She still did not move, standing in the empty street that faded to black nothingness behind her. 

He smiled, scooching the coffee closer, “Sit, please, you're not in any danger here.”

She sat, wrapping her hand around the coffee cup, silently surprised by the fact that it felt warm. She looked at him with curiosity, “Is there any reason you chose a cafe?”

He shrugged, slightly shaking his head and pursing his lips, “Cafes are comfortable. They’re warm, they're a sort of…refuge. Besides all that, coffee is always nice.”

“I do love coffee, I have since I was a human,” she takes a sip, releasing a deep sigh and a nervous laugh, “Jamie doesn’t like it when we drink it. I always have to hide it when I have a cup.”

His head slightly tilted to the side as his brows raised and he frowned, “Why would he not like you having it?”

She fiddled with the lid nervously, only looking at the black plastic, “I don’t know, I never really asked him. I guess I just decided not to fight that battle.”

“Well,” Alexander sighed, “if he’s so against it he should have a good reason. One that he's willing to tell you. If I were you, I’d ask him the next time I got a chance.”

Alexander smiled before continuing, “But, there’s no such rules here.”

Lilith looked up from her cup, smiling, “Good. I’ve missed my coffee.”

He glanced around the street, watching where it turned into an inky blackness as Lilith sipped her coffee, “Can you look in other people’s minds? What does Vivian’s look like?”

Lilith giggled, going slightly red in the cheeks, “I’d say that right now, it probably looks like Jamie on top of her.”

Alexander’s cheeks went pink at the thought as he chuckled, “She’s missed him a lot. I’m glad he’s accepting her back. I didn’t mean to come between them…”

Lilith nodded as she sipped her coffee, “I’m glad they’ve made up, but I’m also glad that you were there for her when he was taking one of his…breaks.”

“He loves her a lot… he threw me out of the cottage when I got too close,” He rubbed his neck with a wry smile, stretching it to release the tension. 

“Which reminds me,” Lilith took his hand in hers, looking down at his palm, “you’re hurt.”

“Oh, that? It’s just a scratch, It’ll heal.”

She rubbed her thumb over his wrist, tracing the purple veins, “It’s not just a scratch.”

“I’ve had worse, there’s no need to waste your energy on me.”

A smile broke across her face, though she kept it hidden in her hair before looking back up at him with a fake peeved expression, “Who are you to say who I can and can’t waste my energy on?”

His blue eyes widen in panic, and he stutters out, “That-That’s not what… I’m sorry, I…”

Her shoulders shook as she laughed, a giant smile taking over her face, “I’m teasing you. You’re okay…for now.”

He let out a long exhale, “Sorry. It’s just that you have your moon ritual tonight and I don’t want you to spend your divine energy on a cut.”

Her silver eyes sparkled in the light from the cafe, “The ritual is a top-off. It helps us renew our energy, if there were any time to help out with a cut, it would be right before.”

He let out a deep laugh, though he looked down a little embarrassed, “Shows how little I know. I’ve studied the legends of the bog witches for years and yet I know nothing about how you operate.”

Lilith’s jaw dropped and her brows shot up, “Bog witches!? Should I be offended?”

“No! No of course not! But… you know, you’re in Louisiana, there’s rivers and alligators and swamps… you’re bog witches. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.”

Lilith laughed, “Bogs and swamps are different! Bogs are acidic, swamps are wetlands. We are swamp witches, I can even prove it to you.”

Alexander leaned forward with a grin, “Okay, then prove it.”

Lilith leaned forward to match, close enough to feel his breath on her face, “Come to the ritual tonight.”

He backed up a little as he blinked in surprise, “The moon ritual? I thought outsiders weren’t allowed.”

“Not if we don’t invite them. I just invited you.”

Alexander flushed, “Oh…well…thank you, sweetheart.”

“Since you’ve been studying us, not well might I add because you call us bog witches, you should see how we actually operate. You know, since you know so little.”

He smiled, “I’m honored.”

“You should be,” she leaned back in her chair, arms crossing over her chest, “no one who’s not part of the coven in some way has seen this ritual before.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair as well, “Well, then I promise the secrets of your trade are safe with me.”

Lilith looked at him for a moment, not saying anything, “You’re very charming. I see why Viv took to you so fast.”

Alexander smiled smugly, “Viv has excellent taste…and so do you.”

Lilith chuckled, “If you weren’t sowing so much chaos I might really like you.”

“Creating chaos wasn’t my intention…I can’t help what happens when I'm taken in and treated so well by such lovely witches.”

Lilith leaned in again, resting her chin on her palm and slightly biting her lip, “Maybe we treat you so well because you’re so handsome.”

He leaned in close, lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on his hands, “Is that so? Coming from you, that’s quite the compliment.”

She smirked, leaning in even closer, their noses almost touching, “You look just like my husband, but if he had a beard and glasses, of course, I think you’re handsome.”

“Unfortunately, I don't have such an eloquent excuse for thinking you’re rather pretty.”

“Other than that I’m a supernatural witch who’s been this beautiful since 1912?”

“I’d still think you were beautiful even if you weren’t a supernatural witch.”

A flash of Lilith’s past rose in her mind, she scoffed, “A lot of men certainly thought so.”

Alexander made a confused, slightly panicked face, “Have I offended you?”

“No, no, if anything I have offended myself.”

“How so?”

“My human life… it was complicated and depressing, you could not have known.”

“I’m sorry… I suppose it is not my place to press,” he paused for a moment, “We'd better get going to the ritual.”

“I suppose it is probably time,” She reached across the table for his hands, slowly unlacing his fingers until she could hold his injured hand. She licked her thumb and wiped it across the cut. He cringed at the sting, before it went away. When she removed her hand from his, the cut was gone. 

His eyes open wide, “Incredible.”

She smiled sweetly at him, “Time to go.”

When Alexander blinked, he saw the river once more, and Lilith sat there, still swinging her feet as if nothing at all had happened. He looked down at his hand, finding a shiny, already fading scar. 

“I- how did you do that?”

Lilith smiled at him, standing up, wiping the dust off of her ass, and holding out her hand for him to grab, “I’m magic, remember?”

***

The katydids, crickets, and bats chirped as everyone gathered in the clearing. Jamie stood at the entrance, giving a peck to each of his witches as they filtered in as the sky grew dark. David and Nora started setting up stones and firewood for their bonfire, Mars and Theresa gathering the evening's offerings. Vivian walked up to Jamie as he welcomed Eva inside with a short kiss and a smile. She leaned into him, letting the sounds of the woods encompass her senses. Jamie gave her a smug smile, tugging on the black blazer she was wearing… his blazer, the only thing she was wearing.

"It's nice to see you two back together," Nora said, approaching them with a smile as the short silk robe she wore fluttered in the light breeze.

"Now I have two of my witches to help warm my bed at night…" Jamie replied, kissing Vivian's neck. She giggled. 

"Have the others not been coming to you much lately?"

"They've been more interested in spending time with each other," Nora said, gesturing to David putting flowers into Mars' hair. She turned back to Viv, leaning in close to whisper into her ear. "But that means we get to use the nights they aren't."

Vivian's eyes widened excitedly. "You mean I can sleep with Jamie more than once a week?"

"Mmhm. They're not using them, after all… Maybe some nights you and I can even share him…" Nora smirked, caressing Vivian's cheek with a finger. She giggled again, flushing as Jamie let out a smug smile, licking his lips.

Then, Lilith appeared from the shadows, a smile on her face as she dragged Alexander behind her. Jamie's nostrils flared, suddenly angry at seeing the occultist again, let alone at such a private event.

"Lilith… What is he doing here?" He growled.

“He studies our stories, I wanted him to see our most important ritual, he won't tell anyone!”

"I didn't okay this. I don't want him… ogling what doesn't belong to him." Jamie wrapped an arm around Vivian's waist, pulling her close with a low snarl.

“He won't be ogling! He’ll be studying! He’s a scholar who studies us! Studies you! He won’t even be taking any notes,” Lilith steps closer, her wide silver eyes looking up at him pleadingly, “Please?”

"I promise nothing will leave this clearing. I won't tell anyone or treat this as a… strip tease?" Alexander seemed like he wasn't sure what the right term was. Jamie growled even lower.

"Did she tell you?" He hissed.

"I know absolutely nothing," Alexander assured him, now even more bemused. Jamie looked at Lilith again, raising an eyebrow.

Lilith placed her hand on Jamie’s chest, “Please Jamie? Pretty please? I’ll do whatever you want later, just let him learn from us?”

Jamie looked at Nora and Vivian as if to ask their opinions. Vivian shrugged.

"I have no problem with it." She said, Nora took a moment before sighing, turning to Alexander directly.

"No notes, just observe. And from right here, no need to get any closer." She said.

"Understood." Alexander nodded, smiling at each of them before sitting against a tree, one knee bent and the other leg stretched out. Jamie's lips pursed before scoffing, taking Vivian's hand to lead her and the others to the bonfire.

Lilith stripped and threw her clothes at Alexander, giggling and running towards the fire. All the witches circled around the fire, letting it warm their skin so they could ignore the chill of the night air. 

They each gathered their offerings, whispering under their breath before throwing them into the fire. The fire danced, changing colors in different spots. 

Jamie stood on a tall flat rock focusing himself and closing his eyes, Alexander leaned forward, listening intently for the start of the ritual. The flames danced in his eyes as his shoulders hunched down, his legs straining to support his new position. 

Jamie’s voice was haunting and deep as he started the chant, ”Mater Luna!”

The Witches started to walk around the fire, repeating his words, their heads tilted back to call up to the moon. 

“Soror Astra!” Jamie called again, and they repeated, still rotating around the fire. 

Soon their voices grew melodic, they followed the tune Nora had started so long ago, “Duces Nostri Erunt, Tuam Fortitudinem, Obsecro Ut Benedicat Nobis, Ad Maleficis…”

They sang the words as they danced around the flickering rainbow flames, completely losing all sense of time and space and yet it also being all they could feel. 

Alexander tried not to get any closer, but the witches looked almost as if they were moving too fast for the eye to see, parts of them were a blur as they spun and danced. They took his breath out of his lungs, his brain almost couldn’t process what was in front of him. 

The wind whipped around them, moving their hair almost as if they were underwater. They moved like ribbons in the wind, or perhaps incense smoke, he hadn’t ever seen anything quite as graceful as them. His eyes flicked over all of them, which Jamie seemed to notice. 

He hopped off his rock and started to dance with Vivian, letting his hands glide all over her. She rested her head back against his shoulder, oblivious to where Jamie’s eyes were. Her hand traced down his neck and onto his chest, her eyes blown out wide as she looked at him. She licked her lips, tracing his cheekbone and jawline. Jamie offered her a coy smirk as he turned her around so their chests were pressed together. His hands found her hips and pulled her closer as Vivian’s arms came up and wrapped around the back of his neck. She could feel his growing hardness against the front of her waist, pulling a soft gasp from her. 

Jamie ran his hand up and down Vivian’s side, his thumb brushing against the side of her breast once or twice. Vivian’s eyes widened, blowing out even further with the most starstruck expression. She giggled, leaning up towards him.

“You’re getting started a bit early, aren’t you?” She asked, batting her eyelashes. Jamie just smirked, removing the wide-brimmed hat he wore and placing it on Vivian’s head. She giggled again, touching the edge of it before stretching upwards to kiss him. His hands reached up to grasp her face, holding her head in place as he pushed his tongue into her mouth to draw out a gasp. Jamie pulled back and pulled her in close to him so her face was in his chest, his hand stroking her back gently as his eyes sought out Alexander. Surely by now, the occultist could see that Vivian wasn’t going anywhere. She belonged to Jamie and he wasn’t going to let his precious little Vivian fall back into his clutches.

But Alexander’s eyes weren’t on Vivian at all.

Jamie followed Alexander’s line of sight and landed on the very witch who had insisted he come, insisted that he wouldn’t oggle what wasn’t his, insisted that he would merely be learning. 

Rage bubbled inside him like boiling water, even though at that particular moment, Lilith didn’t seem to notice Alexander's eyes on her as she spun, arms raised with her wrists together like when Jamie tied her to the bed. 

Jamie pulled Vivian closer, rolling his hips against her ass as the rage started to consume him. The fire hid his burning anger as he watched Lilith notice Alexander’s eyes on her, and smile. 

***

Vivian let out another pleasured cry as she felt the sting from another smack to her ass, her face burying into the pillows beneath her. Jamie pulled her closer by the hips as he continued to pound her from behind, groaning each time she clenched around him. He reached down seeing her head had fallen, wrapping his hand around her throat to pull her back upwards.

"What did I say? I want to hear you scream for me." He hissed. "You want to be my good girl, don't you?"

"Yes! Wanna be your good little slut!" Vivian cried. It wasn't super frequent, but she loved it when Jamie got possessive and fucked her like this. Her limits were probably a lot further out than Jamie assumed. Being the young sunshine of the coven that she was, her innocence was probably and frequently overestimated. "Oh… fuck, feels so fucking good, Daddy…"

"Daddy?" Jamie grinned. "You don't pull that one out often, love… maybe we should use it more often, hmm? I do so love hearing you say it."

"Yes, Daddy, please…"

"You wanna be Daddy's good little slut, love? Then I'll treat you like a fucking slut."

Jamie's hold on Vivian's throat loosened, instead grabbing a fistfull of her hair by the scalp and pulling her head back as his hips slammed into her ass, thrusting deeper into her. Vivian screamed, letting out swears and moans as she felt herself grow impossibly wetter. Jamie moved her legs so they wrapped around his waist, only her arms on the bed to keep her supported. The new angle sent her flying straight to cloud nine.

"Please don't stop, Daddy, don't stop… so good…" she moaned, everything going fuzzy.

"You're mine, love. I need you to say it. Say you're mine!" Jamie snarled into her ear.

"I'm yours! Daddy, I'm yours!" Vivian paused to gasp, her whole body shaking in ecstasy. "I'm Daddy's good little slut…"

"That you are, love, such a good girl for Daddy. Now cum for me, now!"

Vivian didn't need to be told again, screaming as she came for the fourth time that night as Jamie came inside of her for the second. She flopped down onto the bed, panting hard as tears leaked onto the sheets. Jamie pulled out of her and took her gently into his arms, laying against the headboard as he brushed the sweaty hairs out of her face. She smiled up at him, clearly worn out.

"I didn't go too hard on you, did I?" He asked her. Vivian shook her head.

"Mm-mm. Felt good… wish you'd be like that more often." She said, her voice already faint. Jamie chuckled, kissing her softly. "Can I warm you, tonight?"

"In just a minute, love. I have to do something very quickly. You can go to sleep and I'll slip back in when I'm done."

"Okay…" Vivian sighed, her eyes already shut and soft snores emerging from her not a minute later. Jamie smiled at her, gently moving her to lay on the pillows under the covers before leaving the bed and finding his desk. Still nude, he sat down and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, lighting the candle at the corner so he could see.

His lips pressed into a hard line as he thought about what exactly he wanted to write. Once he wrote the first word, it all flowed out, every emotion, every thought. After he was done, he folded it and wrote Lilith's name on the front. He left it at his desk for now, blowing out the candle before the wax had even begun to drip. He'd ask Nora to deliver it in the morning.

He moved back to the bed, watching Vivian for a moment as the loving smile returned. Jamie blew out the remaining candles and climbed under the sheets, pulling Vivian close. Carefully, he slipped back inside of her, causing her to let out a small whimper in her sleep before she stilled. She smiled, curling further into his chest with happy, mindless babbles. 

Jamie kissed her forehead, turning his head one more time towards the note he left on his desk before he let his eyes close and sleep take him.

***

Lilith, 

I hereby place you on probation. From this moment on you are not allowed to participate in rituals, church, or formal social gatherings. You will be informed when you are allowed to participate once more.

I am very disappointed in you and your actions. You did not behave for the greater good of the witches tonight and invited an outsider to a sacred event. You did not clear any of your choices with me, or the other witches until moments before the event. There are no words other than I am disappointed in you. 

-Bower

[the-bats-who-simp]

The Priest You Want

Chapter Four: Salt in the Wound

(credit to gif owner, I don't remember who made it I'm sorry)

A Bat Coven LLC Production

Warnings: blood, self harm, Jamie has a panic attack and cries so hard that it rains in Paradiso, some almost smut

It had been a few months since Alexander had appeared in Paradiso that day. His captivating presence took the witches’ eyes off of their husband, his golden hair sticking to his skin. He was just like everyone in that way, his lips slightly parted as if that would help him cool down. Beads of sweat ran down his face. 

But there was something unique about him. Well, not quite unique, because it was something every witch had felt before but could not immediately place. The sharp duality of him that mystified and confused them. Drawn to him in an attempt to seek out answers, even though none of them knew that's what it was. 

The only witch who was still spending their nights with Jamie instead of Alexander in this strange new curiosity was Nora. The purple-haired witch didn’t feel the same pull to Alexander that the other witches did. Her eyes narrowed every time she saw one of them walking with him, and even more confused and concerned when it was Vivian, who had still not made up with Jamie. 

Neither Nora nor Jamie seemed to see how Alexander’s allure had faded just as quickly as it had come for nearly every witch, but they now spent nights together instead of with him. The way his boot-clad feet stomped everywhere he went, the way his once charming smile was now twisted in a seemingly permanent scowl drove his beloved witches into their own beds instead of his. 

Everywhere Alexander went, Vivian and, perhaps surprisingly on occasion, Lilith followed. Whenever asked, the two would almost automatically respond that it was because they wanted him to feel welcome there. Even if everyone but them and the townspeople knew that he was indeed not welcome at all. 

It had happened a few times already that either of the witches had been cornered by one or two of the others, “What are you doing?”

Their eyes wide with something close to but not quite fear. 

Their lips would part, beginning to answer before the one who cornered them would cut them off once more, “Do not, I repeat, do not give me that bullshit answer you keep giving everyone.”

“It’s the truth!” The girls would exclaim, “You all leave him alone now! He’s lonely!”

“Look around, look at the chaos he has brought us, you should not be around him. The sooner he leaves, the sooner life can return to normal!”

Yet, the girls still followed like puppies, excited when he would give them attention, their eyes bright and joyful. Alexander could only give them more attention if their sweet smiles and gifts were his reward. They were each beautiful, hauntingly so, the kind of beautiful one would see in a Peter Paul Rubens painting. In some lights he could swear that he could see brush strokes. They took his breath away. 

Looking at Vivian picking flowers in the field, unaware of his eyes on her, he could see flashes of a different life. One where he had been around when she was. One where he could have found her first. One where she could be his wife. He knew that these were only fantasies, that she was Jamie’s but it almost helped him sleep at night. 

Nora placed her hand on Jamie’s shoulder, his jaw clenched, his hand shaking as he stared out the window above his kitchen sink into the flower field behind his house. She slowly removed the cracking porcelain cup from his hand before she had to find his first aid kit, and just as the scars were starting to fade too. 

“It’s okay,” She would turn him away from the window, her hand on the side of his face. Moving so that his eyes were on her instead of the floor. 

She started breathing slower and deeper so that he could follow, “It’s certainly not okay! He’s targeting her specifically! I just know it.”

Her hands traced lines down his arms as he took a few more deep breaths, her hands coming to a stop once he was holding them, “I believe you, it is worrying, definitely. Vivian is spending a lot of time with him lately.”

He held the back of her hand against his cheek before kissing her knuckles, “What have you seen, Heart?”

“I’ve,” Nora hesitated for a moment, her eyes falling to the floor before Jamie caught her chin, forcing her to look back up at him. 

His ocean-blue eyes bore straight into hers as he whispered, “What have you seen, my heart?”

“I have seen many things, some worse than others, but none damning enough that you should do something drastic.”

Their faces were a hair away, his lips almost on hers as his finger still held her chin, “Heart, tell me.”

Nora’s eyes closed, unable to help her reaction with him this close, “He plays with her hair, he picks flowers for her, some to put in her hair, others as little bouquets. I've seen him weave a few flower crowns for her. He’s held her hand to help her across the old bridge. They have picnics along the river bank, she bakes him little treats and lays her head on his shoulder as they talk.” 

Nora stopped for a moment, turning her head away from Jamie, a guilty feeling building up in her chest, he pulled her attention back to him. 

“Is that all, Heart?”

She looked at the floor again, “No…”

“What else?” His thumb traced her cheekbone over and over again, trying to pry the words from his precious witch, who he had never seen so nervous before. 

“He went to town this morning, he bought her one of the stuffed animals from the shop. A little red dragon, an amigurumi one…”

Jamie’s jaw clenched once more, thinking back to the night he won her a teal dragon that was bigger than she was. The soft pink light made her look angelic, creating a halo around her bright red hair. She had kissed him that night, he could almost feel it on his lips once more. The color drained from his face, thinking about her reaction.

Jamie almost couldn’t bring himself to ask, “Did…did she kiss him?”

“No, Jamie. She’s never kissed him, I promise.” 

“Then we were lucky,” He turned from Nora, tears brimming in his eyes, “I can’t let him take her. I have to fix this, I can’t, I won’t pretend like this isn’t happening.”

Nora rubbed his back, leaning around him to watch as tears fell from his eyes and hit the floor, his head bowed. 

“Then you’ll get her back. Hope is not lost, Jamie.”

“How do I do this? I’ve never felt… I’ve never felt this way before. Like I could lose one of you. Is this what drowning feels like? I can’t breathe.” His breath was shaking as he started to sob, letting the emotions consume him. 

All around Paradiso, a wave of deep sadness was felt as Jamie sobbed, hiding in Nora’s chest and his own bedsheets. But, not all felt the wave of sorrow. Vivian still picked pretty flowers in the field, none the wiser. 

***

Rain poured down in Paradiso, leaving disappointed kids looking out the window and Vivian and Alexander drenched as they ran towards her cottage, he held his thick black jacket over Vivian’s head as his white shirt became sheer. 

She giggled as she struggled to unlock the door, handing a bundle of lilac and lavender to Alexander as she fiddled with the old door. The door squeaked as it finally swung open. The room was warmly lit by Vivian’s candles that never went out and never melted, their aroma filling the air with a scent Alex thought was certainly uniquely hers. 

She laughed almost hysterically as her back hit the door, closing it behind them, “That storm came out of nowhere!” 

Her long red hair dripped endlessly like it was still storming on her. The cute beachy waves tightening up into more defined curls. Water dripped off her lashes and onto her cheeks, and once more Alexander was reminded of just how strikingly beautiful Vivian was. He felt his heart rise in his throat, this home was so her. The shelves were dotted with shiny crystals and stacks and stacks of books. 

“Where would you like me to put these?” He asked nervously, squinting to see from behind his raindrop-coated glasses.

She ran her hand through her wet hair, motioning to the left where the kitchen was, “I use the bottom cabinets for drying lavender and lilac, you can hang them upside down in there. I have dried ones that are ready to come out. There's already a towel at the bottom to catch anything.”

Alexander kneeled on the floor as he tried to figure out how to hang the flowers, another door behind him softly clicked as it opened and closed, by the time he had figured out how to hang the flowers, Vivian had come out. Her arms were full of spare clothes. 

“I’m not sure how well these will fit but it should be okay, you and Jamie look to be around the same size.” 

"Thank you," Alexander smiled, slowly unbuttoning his dripping wet shirt in the middle of the living room, dropping the cloth onto the coffee table before starting to unbuckle his pants. 

Vivian turned away quickly, Alexander chuckled behind her, “Shy?”

Vivian felt a shiver creep up her spine as he brushed against her to grab the clothes from her hands. His breath along her neck and the side of her face, her breath caught in her throat, almost tempted to close her eyes and lean into him. 

She could almost feel him smile against her skin, “Still shy?”

Her words were shaky, quiet, breathy, “Yes.”

She felt his deep chuckle rattle her bones, “Shame, you’d like what you saw.”

He stepped away and she still couldn’t breathe, wanting to turn around, to look at him so badly. She had only felt this exact way with Jamie before. Her eyes were closed so tight, even as she turned her head so he could see her profile. He grinned like the Cheshire Cat, satisfied for now. 

“I’m decent now.” 

“Somehow I doubt that.”

“Ouch, Viv, I thought you knew me better than that.”

Her doe eyes fluttered open, landing on his still bare chest. Her hand immediately flew up to cover her eyes, “You said you were decent!”

“I lied. Do you forgive me?”

His skin was almost burning against hers as he pulled her hand from her face, but her eyes were tightly closed underneath. 

He kissed her knuckles, “Won’t you please open your eyes? They’re so pretty, please let me look into them.”

Her lashes fluttered, but she kept her eyes on the floor, he tsked above her, softly pulling her chin up.

“There you are,” his brow furrowed slightly as he studied her face, his eyes soft and his voice low enough to shake the earth, “you’re beautiful.” 

Her expression told him everything he needed to know, “You’re more beautiful than any flower, crystal, or star in the sky.” 

Vivian scoffed a little, “That’s not-”

“It is true. You’re just not able to see yourself the way I do, but I will do everything in my power to show you and remind you just how beautiful you are.”

His hand played with the bright red strands of her now damp hair, it felt like the temperature in the cottage had gone up at least fifteen degrees. He bit his bottom lip, sapphire eyes focused on her lips, thumb now playing with the bottom one. 

And then, his touch was gone. It would have been like she imagined it all had it not been for her burning cheeks and the tingling where his thumb was grazing her lip only seconds before. 

His head tilted in a curious way, similar to how a puppy would when looking at something it didn’t understand, “Pretty crystals and gems, do you mind if I pick one up?”

She was flabbergasted, how could he do a 180 so quickly? She stared blanky at him, “Go ahead.”

She looked away for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts when she heard a sharp hiss. Her head snapped back towards Alexander. 

“It’s sharp,” he laughed as blood dripped into the other hand’s palm.

“Oh my god!” Vivian rushed over immediately, taking a look at his hand before rummaging around in both the bathroom and the kitchen. 

“Vivian, it’s okay, really, barely hurts at all now. No need to stress yourself over me.”

“You’re still bleeding!”

“I’ll be okay, I promise. I’ve survived much worse.” He held his hand applying pressure in an attempt to slow the bleeding.

“I have an idea since we can’t find the first aid kit.”

“You do?” Her eyes were wide and bright as they looked up at him, like how one might look at shooting stars. 

“You know how I study the occult?”

“Yes?”

“A few years ago, I found this grimoire, there’s this healing ritual I memorized for exactly this-”

“Exactly this?”

He rolled his eyes, “Okay, maybe not exactly but you get the idea. I need you to make a salt circle, big enough to fit us both.”

Vivian waved her hands, sliding every piece of furniture in the living room against the back wall, piled high against the window. She was almost ghostly, not making a single sound as she circled the room, creating a ring of salt behind her as it poured from her hand. 

“Do you have a mortar and pestle?”

She looked at him incredulously, perhaps even almost offended, “I’m a fucking witch who enjoys baking, what do you think?” 

He laughed, “Point taken. I need you to crush some dried lavender and lilac.” She disappeared into the kitchen, and without a sound, returned holding a jar of each. 

“I use it for tea.”

“Excellent, could you grab your emeralds and rose quartz from the shelves?”

“So what am I doing with all this stuff?” she huffed. 

“Well,  you’re going to place the emeralds and rose quartz around the outside of the salt circle, then you’ll join me in the middle, and we eat the dried flowers.”

“That’s it?” Vivian’s face was screwed in confusion. She shrugged before carefully placing the emeralds and rose quartz on the outskirts of the circle. 

  “Good girl.” 

Heat flooded Vivian’s body, her breath knocked from her lungs. Her voice was squeaky as she asked, “Is there anything else?”

  “Thank you for reminding me, darling, we also need candles and a knife.”

Vivian laughed, “What on earth would we need a knife for? You’re already hurt.”

“We need to replicate the wound. The ritual makes me heal just as fast as you do.”

Vivian’s lips parted in surprise, eyebrows shooting up, “I heal at the same rate a human does unless…”

“Unless?” Heat filled Vivian’s body again, trying to force the mental image of Alexander on top of her out of her mind. 

She shook her head, “It’s stupid now that I think about it.”

  “Somehow I doubt that.” He smirked, parroting her words from earlier. 

“We only heal fast if we have sex.” Now it was Alexander’s turn for his eyebrows to shoot up. 

“Well,” His head tilted a bit, his eyes growing darker by the second, “I think we can do that…”

Viv was a little taken aback that he would so readily accept this and suggest it, “I’m not sure if it works with non-witches.”

“I don’t want to pressure you to do anything you don’t want to do, I’ll heal no matter what. It’s up to you, darling.”

She bit her lip a bit, looking at the blood that dripped from his hand and had started creating a puddle on the floor, “We’ve already set it most of the way up, let’s just see how it goes and then move forward from there.”

Vivian quickly gathered her candles, the flame of each an astounding dark blue, placing them in the shape of a star, which Alexander quickly remarked wasn’t needed, but Vivian had always been theatrical. 

Vivian then joined him in the circle, holding the jars of dried flowers and the knife. She looked down at the shiny blade nervously, Alexander’s deep voice in her ear, “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, I’ll heal without it if you’re not comfortable-”

Before he could say another word, Vivian had sliced her palm open. He quickly pressed her bleeding palm to his, allowing the blood to mix and intertwine as it flowed down their arms and hit the floor. 

She laid back, her hair splaying around her head like a red halo, his fingers ran over the side of her face, resting his weight on his knees as he hovered above her. His thumb played with her bottom lip once more, until she eventually parted her lips take it into her mouth. 

“Keep your mouth open for me, darling,” he smirked, his hand dipping into the jars of dried flowers that lay nearly forgotten next to her head. 

She shivered under him, making sure to keep her mouth open as he dropped the dried flowers in, and then into his own mouth. 

“Swallow for me, princess.” Vivian moaned softly, unable to stop herself before it escaped. He dropped from his hand to his elbow, face even closer now, hand in her hair and tracing patterns on her cheek. 

“Jamie calls you nicknames, doesn’t he? He calls you ‘love’, right?” His eyes up close reminded her of a jellyfish, they were almost iridescent in this light. 

  Her voice was breathy, almost a moan as her hips begged to buck up for friction, “Yes.”

“Do you want me to call you anything?” His chest was pressed against hers, his voice now actually vibrating her bones like she thought it had before. 

“You can if you want to…”

“Of course I want to, what shall I call you, hmm?” his tongue darted out to lick his lips as he looked at hers, the glasses almost falling off his face. 

“Anything you want, I suppose…”

“Anything?” His smirk grew, his eyes darkening as his hips lowered onto hers, causing her to moan at the friction he had finally given her. 

  “Yes.”

“Well, I could call you princess, or sweetheart, or sweetling, but I have one in mind I like better than all the others.”

  “You do?” His hips rocked forward again, causing her head to fall back, her neck stretching out towards him, where he licked a line.

His voice was deep and possessive, “Mine.”

Then, the door caved in. 

***

Jamie had finally gathered himself together enough for the rain to stop pouring so hard. It was still misting with Jamie’s inner turmoil. The hills were lusciously green, the leaves of trees dripped rain into his golden hair as he walked down the hill towards Vivian’s cottage, it was time to make his apology. 

It was time to admit something he never thought was all that possible, he was wrong. She shouldn't have been on probation this long, she knew that, he knew that. He was only driving a wedge between them to keep up this act. He didn’t want to pretend that she wasn’t all he thought about when he went to bed. 

He was haunted by her sad eyes. As he walked, he gathered the pretty flowers that lined the path, loads of all different colors and shapes. Each beautiful, unique, holding a lesser but similar beauty to that of his love. 

He breathed deeply, leaning over a puddle to make sure he looked perfect for her when he heard it. He was confused at first, it was so faint he didn’t recognize the sound, but then it came again. His blood boiled as he realized it was a moan. He gripped the flowers tightly, his vision going red as he kicked in the door, to see Vivian and Alexander on the floor of her cottage. Covered in blood and salt.

[the-bats-who-simp]

My dear Kit

A Bat Coven LLC production

Warnings: not really, there is swearing, discussions of mortality, mentions of people having sex. Otherwise it's quite gen.

My installment into the Paradiso-verse by @alwaysyourshenry and @the-bats-who-simp, it's my prequel fic for their "The Priest You Want" fic. (they're multiplying, oh no)

The whole text is just letters between David and Kit Marlowe in the spring of 1593.

****

"My dear Kit.

You’re being ridiculous. Can I be honest with you? I’d like to be very honest with you, since you were nothing but brutally honest with me in the past. You’re being Ridiculous, I emphasise.

First of all, let’s begin with the less recent one: I’ve seen, with mine own two eyes, you leaving IN THE MIDDLE OF A RITUAL in quite a rude manner, breaking the circle, just because the result was not to your immediate satisfaction. Dr. Dee was of a better opinion of you, I had to apologize on your behalf. My opinion about you as a person hasn’t changed, I’ve always thought of you as too dramatic for your own good, that doesn’t prevent me from being your friend. My opinion of you as a witch, however, has indeed suffered. Whilst I’m still holding you in high regard for your POTENTIAL, for your capabilities and insights, it seems to me you are a LAZY FUCK, my friend. Lazy, lazy, lazy. As a cat that ran into a fish shop and ate so much he can’t move.

Which brings me to the point that is causing this letter to appear on your doorstep later today. What are those sexcapades you’re conducting? Not your regular ones, mind you, I’m talking about Eleanor and James. You can distract yourself with anything you want for however long you need, I know your priorities are with your writing, and keeping your mind distracted helps you not getting stuck. I respect that. But you’re keeping them distracted too! Last full moon you had them for three nights in a row, probably for days too; I had to perform all three of our jobs myself, creating substitutions for them out of some rocks and twigs, like a peasant, (which I am). Why is this? Jamie’s energy is off the charts, kudos to you for that, but I’m not sure Nora can perform anything really, barely standing up straight, poor lass. I would’ve had envy, but I’m mostly concerned.

I’m happy for your happiness, all of you, but don’t impose your disorderly attitude onto others. Some of us has to work, you know.

And what is it that I’m hearing about you wanting to leave the workings entirely? With all my love and affection, sincerely, fuck you. You are very frustrating, my dear friend. Please explain yourself even if you’re not planning on improving the above situation.

Your very annoyed, David."

****

"My darling David!

Your annoyance is highly amusing for me, I don’t know what are you so excited about. Both Jamie and Nora are grown-ups and can make up their own mind. If you cannot understand someone being in love, don’t complain about sour grapes and let people be happy. That being said, I’m sorry I got you so riled up, and I am terribly sorry you cannot stop working even for a couple of days. A nice drinking binge would do you plenty of good, hear my advice, otherwise you’re starting to sound like a priest, and not a fun one like our dearest James. Sorry we missed your mass, padre. Full moon happens every month and is not going anywhere, and human bodies only live for for so long. Those are the priorities, not the words themselves or my whimsical muse.

You’re also always welcome to join our “sexcapades” any day you want. I promise you that you won’t be walking straight either. My door is always open, et cetera.

As for me leaving… Please understand that this is very difficult to me. I am calling and calling, again and again, and I don’t feel like I’m being heard even, let alone gratified with an answer. I am watching our good Doctor conducting his summonings while I myself am unable to see those who he’s talking to. I am making bloody sacrifices and hearing only silence. This is very easy for you, in your tower of privilege, to orate about The Work and commitment and allegiance, but you are so, so loved. You never knew the disapproval of the “other side”, you don’t know what it feels like to not be worthy of Devil’s attention. I was hoping that at least my play would speak of my worth, would be beneficial somehow in gaining an audience, but all I got was one dream and oh so short resolution on a piece of paper. It was approved. How nice. When I am gonna be approved? What do I have to do? Do you even know how utterly terrifying the silence is? Have you ever heard it?

Don’t give me your lectures and wise words when everything you do is made of gold and burning like a thousand suns. I don’t even want to be you, you may be surprised about it, but I’d rather be myself. I don’t want to be Jamie or Nora either. Can I just walk my own way, will you bestow that gift upon me? I’m sorry if I’m harsh, but you really are getting quite insufferable, darling. Go touch some grass maybe, hug a tree. For a witch in close connection to Mother Nature you seem so utterly disconnected. People have lives. Not everything is a ritual or serves a higher purpose. Do you know the joy of being purpose-less and care-free? You should try it.

The lack of response is what making me want to leave and live my silly human life to the best of my ability. Does that explanation satisfy your highest standards?

Your very disillusioned, Christopher."

****

"My dear Kit.

Your letter has annoyed me even more by breaking my heart, whatever has left of it, but it also helped me to gain some insight on the matters that were eluding my attention before. I thank you for that.

I still, however, think that you would gain a lot of favor just by simply working. That is all that ever counts, truly. I saddens me that you just seem to be not liking the process so much and only seeing it as the means to an end. Which is fair, not everyone is in love with the magick itself. I really thought you were, though. Well, that’s just unfortunate.

Have you tried to ask Jamie about it, though? You’ve barely mentioned him in your letter, but he is powerful beyond your wildest imagination, and very naturally so. While Dr. Dee takes a scientific approach, which I admire, he lacks the conductive properties our good pastor has. Jamie does have a direct line to the places you wish to reach. Have you tried asking him? Or could it be that your sensual obsession with him is in fact an attempt at communicating, which you’re avoiding to tell me?

I wish I could help, but the only advice I ever have for anyone is simply “work more”, and it’s not very helpful for you in this situation. I’m sorry. I wish I could.

Please join the circle this friday, if possible. You are missed.

With best regards, your friend David.

I hate you."

****

"David, I really wish you would open the door just once so I won’t have to spend precious paper and the time of my life writing to you all the things that could have been just simply said out loud. Your habit of never opening to anyone knocking is really getting at my nerves. I know you hate talking and you know I hate writing more than necessary, seems that this predicament is unsolvable between us. One day I’ll begin either breaking your windows or scream my messages to you from the outside, for the whole street to hear.

Nevertheless.

David, you inept fuck.

While I do love you and hold you dear to my heart, you are completely unable to see anything further than your own dick. Do you really think it never once occured to me to ask father James to connect me with his contacts? Do you really think I would complain so pathetically, squirming as worm, if my goals were within my reach? I will relay to you what had happened, even though I would wish for you to guess. And you shall be able to guess, rightfully so, in one take. “It is very dangerous,” – he said. “You do not know what you wish for,” - he said. “Don’t open the doors you don’t know how to close,” - he said. Do you seriously suggest I push the protector FROM demons to connect me WITH demons? Because I tried, Lord knows I tried, and despite all his power his alignment won’t let him help me. I don’t know how do you tolerate that man. He is worse than you when it comes to his work. Maybe that’s what you have in common, Lord help me.

I’m not joining your silly circle of pundits, I’m done. I wish you would join our circle, instead. You could at least provide us with some frankincense fumes while we’re doing the deed. You’re good at being a substitute priest while Jamie is busy otherwise. That is one thing I gotta hand to you. And I know for a fact that Jamie misses you, even though he is too proud to admit it. Your refusal to participate is ridiculous. Am I so repulsive to you? Ah, who cares really. I am almost done with this kind of magick too.

I am going away soon. One might even said I plan on dying within a month. I’m sorry if I’m not leaving you the forwarding address: I want this getaway to solve the problem of your immortality and me getting older. That is the thing I wanted to tell you in person earlier today, if only you’d opened your damned door. I am vain, and the though of getting older while my lovers are forever young pains me. And I won’t be joining your coven, for the reasons I hope you might understand, for I don’t wish to explain them to you. So there’s that.

Please give me a good funeral. The particular arrangements are left with you-know-who you-know-where.

Very tired of your bullshit, but still with affection, Christopher."

****

"Oh, Kit.

You are severely overreacting and I am very tired of dealing with your hysterics, so I feel like your departure will be for the best. Please know that I will miss you and will grieve you as if you were truly dead. You are one of the very best friends I’ve ever had yet, if only you were not so unbearable.

If you truly made up your mind about remaining mortal, I won’t stop you. I also won’t be stopping you from enjoying your love for as long as you’re planning. I don’t think you need me there, not really, but for the sake of parting on good terms I will hold a candle and burn some incense near your bed, I owe you at least that. You’re not repulsive, you’re just very tiresome and I see you more like a brother, and you know this perfectly well. I find it amusing how your self-deprecating humour rather shows how utterly in love with yourself you are, that even slightest disagreement puts you into the spiral, Void forbid someone don’t comply with your wishes. You are but a baby. I could not possibly handle an eternity by your side. I still wish you would join us. But the decision is made, so be it.

If there ever will be a day when you would wish me to bury you for real, I will do this. I will hold your hand and guide to the other side. If there ever will be a day you decide not to leave the mortal plain after all, I will provide you with a suitable stone to bind your spirit. That way we can keep getting tired of each other for centuries more until you decide to go finally. There are ways of dealing with mortality one way or another, find me if you ever decide on something.

I am not going to solve your problems any further, since it seems to me that you yourself have no intention of solving them. You love your problems. You love your drama. Have fun with it.

Cheers, mate.

With best regards, David."

****

"My darling David.

You hurt me with you words. I am offended and upset. If you saw my eyes behind your window yesterday, it was me standing in the rain to reproach you for being so harsh.

Jokes aside, I never actually asked you to solve any of my problems. That is your weakness, you always try to solve everyone around you, but ever once did I see you solving yourself, darling. Sincerely, shut the fuck up and please take a good care of yourself, and leave my bleeding to me. My troubles do not need solving, they are my bread and butter, they are what makes me great. I thrive on the heartbreak. My latest heartbreak is over the Devil himself, for I am indeed very ambitious. But at the end of the day it is just something to make my days more interesting.

If ever get bored of being mortal, I’ll find you. Don’t hold your breath though, because I find you just as insufferable as you find me; I hate you, you little righteous Hell-obsessed freak. Leave me be, Jamie and Nora need you much more than I do. Take a good care of them too, though; otherwise I will come to haunt you.

I’ve set the date for my departure, so if you still want to join us I suggest you hurry up, your time is running out. The moon is gonna be full again soon. Let our last dance to be a magnificent one.

Very benevolent today, your very mortal Christopher."

[the-bats-who-simp]

Bound in Soul

~A Bat Coven LLC Production~

Written by: @jcbbby (thank you for our Nora-gin story :3)

Summary: A witch practices her craft in secret, hoping and praying for companionship in a world she doesn't fit into. When Nora meets a mysterious stranger, suddenly everything clicks.

Warnings: Rituals, Blood, Self Harm (? It's for a ritual), Witches.

☆☆☆

The breeze blew across the tall grass as a pair of gentle bare feet brushed past, rustling quietly with each step. She had made this trek to the hilltop countless times before, her own sacred hill just on the outskirts of London. This was where she first discovered her powers, where she conducted her first spell, where she always held her full moon ritual. The full moon was special to her, there was always so much energy associated with this celestial event that always seemed to amplify her manifestations. And on this full moon night, she carried out her usual pilgrimage to the hilltop, waiting until the moon was high in the sky, and the villages had wound down as the city folk returned to their residences.

Witchcraft was punishable by death in this year of 1420, meaning she had to practice in solitude. This would sometimes weigh on her, the loneliness. While she kept her craft a secret, sparing her life, this also meant that she was rather an outcast from the general population around her. She lived alone, in a small shack on the edge of the city, often spending her time in the woodlands caring for the wild rabbits and foxes. She loved the companionship she found in them, but as time went on, she felt directionless and isolated. There had to be more out there for her, she must have purpose if she had these abilities…

She knelt in the grass, her silk robe parting down the middle allowing her to feel the earth against her skin. From the small satchel she brought with her she pulled out a small white candle and placed it in the empty lantern she had carried before lighting it. Inhaling the crisp air, she closed her eyes to center herself, visualizing her desires. She smiled, seeing her visions of companionship, friendship, a calling. Slowly raising herself up, she came to her feet and opened her eyes, turning her gaze up to the moon. Then, she danced. She began twirling herself around, raising her arms up above her head, circling the lantern in rhythmic tempo; she was in her own world, honoring the lunar energy, just as she always did.

What was not usually part of her ritual, was the gaze of a stranger from the darkness that she had yet to notice. He was dressed in all black, blending in with the void around her. He smiled to himself as she danced around her meager flame, enamored with her confidence; enamored with her. He could sense the powers within her, of course he could. Slowly, he began to approach, the rustling of his boots against the grass causing her to gasp and still in her movement.

“Who’s there?” Her voice wavered. “I know how to fight.”

From the shadows, he came into the glow of her lantern, illuminating him to her. His tousled blonde hair, resting neatly from beneath his black hat, and his eyes. They were the first thing she noticed, his sapphire blue eyes glistening in the firelight. For a moment, she let herself get lost in them, until he spoke to her.

“Peace, my dear. I mean you no harm.” His warm, deep voice flowed to her ears. He held his hand up in caution. “Honest.”

She maintained her distance, eying him as best as she could in the darkness. While she was indeed wary, there was a calm that his presence brought her. She somehow believed him, that he would not harm her. That he would never harm her. Still, she could see that he was wearing a metal cross around his neck, shining in the light of the flame. A clergyman. They were a threat to each other on paper, she had seen countless witch hunts carried out by men who dressed just as he did. But she felt no danger standing in front of him. Instead, she felt bashful. His beauty and charm alone could make the devil himself blush.

“What brings you all the way out here all alone? It’s awfully dangerous for a woman to be out on her own this late, wouldn’t you say?” He asked. She could feel his sincerity, but still was cautious.

“I could ask the same of you.”

“Just taking a stroll in the moonlight on a peaceful evening…” He paused to look up to the sky. “On a full moon.” He met her eyes.

She felt her breath catch in her throat. “I’m not a witch.” She blurted quickly.

The stranger smirked, raising an eyebrow. “No?”

“No.” She kept her gaze locked with his, her fingers tingling, ready for anything.

“Well, does this non-witch have a name?”

“…Nora.”

“Nora.” He smiled. “I’m Jamie.” He held out his hand to her, inviting her to shake.

As their hands connected, Nora felt a surge of energy like she never had before. There was nothing to be seen, but it felt as though her body had been illuminated by his touch and like her feet had lifted off the ground. As if she had suddenly, finally come to life. A shimmer from the cross around his neck brought her back down to earth, though she could have stayed in that moment for longer.

“You’re with the church?” She asked, recoiling her hand.

Jamie chuckled lightly. “Yes…well, sort of.”

Nora’s face contorted as she cocked her head.

“Well, see…” He leaned closer. “I deal with demons and spirits…not exactly angels and God.”

Her eyes widened as she took a sharp breath, side-eyeing him. “You’re… you’re not like the others, are you…?” She whispered.

He grinned softly and shook his head. “And you’re… not like the others either, am I correct?”

Nora held his gaze, feeling the walls she had trained herself to keep up simply crumble away. In a split second, she fully resolved to give in to him. Her gut had never steered her wrong before, something she was very prideful of. She bit her bottom lip gently as she lowered her head into a nod.

“I could tell. There’s great power in you. I can sense it.” Jamie’s grin stayed soft across his lips.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing, if you don’t want it to.”

Nora stared for a moment, pondering what his words could mean. Something was pulling her to him like a magnet, tethering him to her. Such that no matter what would happen, she knew she would never be able to rid her mind of him.

“And… if I do want to?”

Jamie smiled again, the corners of the smile reaching his eyes. “Then it could mean everything.”

Nora quickly gathered her lamp and asked him to come to her home for tea. They had only just met, but she could feel herself falling into his orbit. Whatever he could give to her, she would accept it readily. They made their way back down the spiraled pathway that wrapped around the hill, Nora’s lantern and the full moon cascading down along with them.

A cobblestone walkway led them to a humble thatched-roof cottage, covered in overgrown ivy vines and surrounded by wildflowers. On the side of the home, there was a small herb and vegetable garden against the outside wall. Nora welcomed him inside the cozy shack, inviting him to take a seat at the kitchen table while she started a fire for the tea. Above the fireplace, a few articles of clothing hung from a clothesline, along with several bundles of flowers and herbs, drying out. Jamie smiled as he looked around. Countless books were sprawled around with various herbs and flowers set beside them, there were drawings and plants, and a small apothecary table with a mortar and pestle. A true witch’s cottage.

“Forgive me, it’s a bit of a disaster in here. I rarely host company…” Nora said quietly, placing the kettle over the flame.

“No, it’s quite nice. You’re very invested in your craft.” He smiled.

She returned the smile before turning to stoke the flame. After a few moments, the kettle began to whistle. She brought the small pot over to the table where Jamie sat, pouring the steaming amber liquid out into an ornate teacup that sat in front of him, before pouring one for herself and taking a seat in the other chair.

“Sugar?” She asked, gently pushing a tray of sugar cubes toward him on the table.

“Thank you.” He plucked one between his fingers and dropped it into his cup with a quiet kerplunk.

“So…” Nora began, stirring her own cup. “How did you know I was a witch?”

Jamie gently blew over his tea. “What, aside from the full moon ritual?” He smirked, taking a sip.

Nora playfully rolled her eyes. “Okay, that was obvious…But how did you find me up there? I’ve been going to that hilltop for ages for various rituals and workings, and not once have I ever been disturbed.”

Jamie cleared his throat. “This may seem quite far-fetched but do stay with me. As I mentioned, I deal with demons and evils. I have been doing so for a very long time…longer than you may even comprehend.” He sat up, leaning forward closer to the table. “I’m…I’m immortal.”

Nora’s eyes widened, but she remained still and attentive.

“You see, this is my charge. That I roam, protecting those on this mortal plane from the evils that lurk in the shadows and places unseen... There is an ancient text that tells of a prophecy of these dealings. You see, I am meant to gather a circle of powerful witches meant to assist me in this- “

“-and you found me.” Nora finished in a whisper.

Jamie nodded. “I hadn’t yet come across a witch, or at least once powerful enough that I could sense it. Until I found you.”

Nora stared slightly off to the side, in thought. “It was all meant to be…” She said quietly. “We were meant to find each other, weren’t we?”

“It truly seems like it.” Jamie smiled. “Nora…there is one further detail… This prophecy, to be fulfilled, involves these witches being bound to me. They are to become my spouses.” He paused a moment, standing up and coming to kneel beside the seated Nora. “I realize what I’m potentially asking of you is of immense weight but, would you join me? If so, do you understand what this would mean for you?”

Nora met his gaze. This morning, she had woken up alone again, carried out her typical routines, now mundane in their ritual, directionless in her movement. Now, this man before her, charming and endlessly alluring in his aura was offering her all she had been wishing for. Companionship, a purpose, a duty, and community. How could she say no? She leaned forward toward in.

“Jamie...I would like nothing more.” She smiled, taking his hand. “All my life, I’ve been an outcast. I’ve been on my own. I’ve maintained a craft that felt at times pointless. This…this would be everything to me. You would be everything to me, I swear it.”

Jamie returned her smile, lifting her hand to place a gentle kiss. “Then so it will be… This calls for a ceremony. We must be bound by blood, according to the prophecy.”

“On the hill, at first light. It seems only fitting.” She grinned.

“An excellent idea, my love.” He came back to his feet.

Nora let out a gentle scoff. “You called me ‘my love’…it sounds so warm coming off your tongue. I could get used to hearing that.” She batted her eyelashes, feeling a heat rise to her cheeks.

He reached up and tenderly took her chin in his hand. “I’m happy to keep saying it… but remember darling, there will eventually be others.”

She smirked, grabbing him by his hips, pulling him into her. “Well, then all the more reason to get on to the honeymoon until the others come along.”

The two of them spent the next few hours waiting for day to break, giggling and smitten, as if they were children up past their bedtime. They discussed each other’s dreams and desires, their upbringing, their values. Years worth of knowledge to the average courtship, but a mere blink of an eye to soulmates. As the warm glow of the sun rose over the hills, Nora readied herself, changing into a simple white dress and weaving flowers into her hair. Together, they ascended the same hill they had met on in the darkness.

At the top of the hill, under the dawning sun, Nora pledged herself to Jamie, and he to her. Jamie brandished a small dagger, dragging it across the flesh of his open hand. The blood seeped from the gash, a red delta filling the creases of his palm.

He dipped his other hand’s thumb into the small pooling liquid and anointed her forehead with a thumbprint. “Bound in mind.” He then anointed her chest with another print. “Bound in heart.”

He reached out, gesturing for Nora’s hand, which she gave with a tender smile. Carefully, he dragged the blade across her open palm as well, drawing a slight wince from her lips. He offered a kind look of assurance before returning the dagger to its place on his hip. He pulled her arm towards him, taking her red stained hand in his own firmly. From his pocket, he pulled a rope and began wrapping their two dripping hands together.

“And forever we shall be…” He wove the last bit of rope around their hands, tucking the end into the already wound cord. “…bound in soul.” He smiled.

Nora looked down at the two of their hands woven together, their blood mingling together, signifying their now unbreakable union. She felt whole. “Do you now get to kiss the bride?” She smirked.

Jamie grinned wickedly, leaning down to plant a tender yet passionate kiss to her soft lips.

“My witch.” He pulled back, looking into her brown eyes and ready to give her the world.

“My preacher.”