#❝ twisted intentions and misplaced loyalty — ❞ (k'in/astra)

[sovereignxfae]

@distopea​ said; 

A light chuckle escaped his lips when he saw how they just frowned so hard trying to read the book that was opened onto his desk. “You’re trying to read the latin version. You can translate it with Terminator.” He said before he dragged the book closer to him, and closed it. They weren’t interested in astronomy, and he wasn’t there to give them a lesson either. That was a side of Astra they didn’t know, and perhaps one he would keep for himself. Yet, as he didn’t wish for them to feel pushed away, he decided to give them a proper explanation. “It’s the line on the Moon or a planet that divides the bright, sunlit part from the part in shadow. People who appreciate astronomy tend to like observing that phenomenon through a telescope.”

He observed them and wondered if it was making sense in their head. But then, he decided to shrug it off and extended his fingers. “Do you have the information I need from your father?” He inquired while he skirted the desk and sat down. He had requested K’in to find a few clients' names inside the Astoria’s files. Of course, it was only to gain precious information. “I’m sure you did a good job. I have total faith in your capacity, K’in.” He purred, but only to encourage them to betray their family a bit more.

Their concentration on the foreign words were just to fill their mind as they waited for him. K'in allowing themself opportunity to be left alone with their thoughts always left them with unwanted thoughts. It’s worse when they’re around him, alarms ring when they’re in the same room but it makes no sense. Warnings flash and they ignore them wilfully-they hold no truth anyway. 

Why would he waste time rather than just do it now. Like everyone else. 

So instead they fill their mind with anything in reach. Even a language they have not even an inkling of knowledge of. They blink when the book is taken. Watching quick hands close it before rushing upwards to meet his face. Their left in shock, as they usually are, but try to cover it up by nodding to his words. 

“Ah, stars. You like them?” Should they get him a gift related to it? Would he need one? As a student to teacher gift, obviously.

At his subject change their head tilts. Their hands turn them around to where they left their bag. On one of the chairs in his office, he said to get comfortable earlier. 

With bag in hand and needed list, K’in settles again in front of the desk. They’ve never been more thankful that their father had no qualms with them working so closely within his office. It made compiling the list quite easy. The list wasn’t long but it was vital. Most of the names were recurring clients of their ‘family’. Underneath each name was what they’re order/needs etc were. 

They thought it would be important to add. Helpful. 

They were being helpful.

“Here! The list. I added some notes too.” They grin, proud to be able to give him what he expected and maybe more. Their nails tap against the desk as they slide over the paper.

[sovereignxfae]

The haze of their almost orgasm leaves their sight blurry and out of breath. K’in comes back to their senses slowly. The sounds of muted foot steps reached them first. Then his touch, cradling their trembling legs, it was only so much of him they could take without being brought back.

They allowed him to move them. Content to let him do as he pleases as long as the praise came in a steady flow before their tongue was light enough to move. They were good. For him, enough that it earned them his affections. 

A whimper left them when Astra played with their sensitive nub. Their hips roll into his palm lightly. Chasing the already building pleasure. Eyes fluttering as the trap their lower lip between teeth softly.

Tongue flicking around the stopper of their piercing. When Astra applied more pressure their breath hitch and their hips buck up to meet him. A silver of molten honey brown is caught and K'in's eyes begrudgingly open.

If he makes eye contact, he wants—needs— something from them. “T-too much?” It was the most they caught before he ordered for the to get their phone.

They swallows down spit as a motivator to move away from his hands and retrieve their phone. It took some feeling around before it was found. Laying underneath the small pile of their shirt and pants.

“Ten minutes, right?” It was hard to set up the timer with shaky, wet fingers but they make do. “I did it.. I'll wait for you to tell me when to start it .”

sovereignxfae​

❛  touch  yourself  for  me .  ❜ (Astra likes to watch 👀)

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[sovereignxfae]

@distopea​ said; 

“Mmh, did I tell you to stop? You read the same line twice.”

Astra lifted his chin up, his lips gleaming with their most intimate fluid, their thighs spread for him. They were holding the same book for more than twenty minutes. It was a very complicated reading - an astrophysical book regarding dark theories about nebulas from another galaxy. It was more than normal that K’in couldn’t even understand one sentence, but he was playing with that on purpose. With predator eyes, he observed them. They seemed to be slowly losing control.

“Read it again. Louder. Don’t mumble your words or you’ll start all over again.” He ordered while two of his fingers parted their lips, the flat part of his tongue attacking their swollen clit once more. He was eating them out for a long time now, each time stopping so they wouldn’t come too quickly. K’in’s voice began to echo again and Astra smirked, using his coated finger to brush their ring of muscles, down their wet entrance. “Don’t stop.” He whispered again while two digits entered her split, the other one still circling her bottom part, before he pushed his knuckle in. He loved the way they moaned.

“K’in.” He looked up again, their legs quivering dangerously. His voice was severe. “You fucked it up again.” He licked his lips and nibbed her inner thigh, leaving a mark there, thrusting his fingers with an agonizing pace. “I’m really going to fuck you in the ass tonight if you keep missing your words. I won’t be gentle with you.” He moved his fingers again, kissed their thighs. “Maybe you want that… You never have been fucked back there?” It was arousing. “If you come right now… I’m going to put it in.” He licked her clit again, this time with a more vigorous pace. He wondered if they would lose control for good, or on the contrary, if they would be able to delay the inevitable.

This was the definition of unfair. Every definition of the word was in play here. This..challenge was unfair in its essence. They refuse to call it a lesson. This teaches nothing but torture and less mercy than the word merciless could ever hope to describe.

K'in is sure that the pages of the cursed book were wrinkled from the way their thumb in pressing into it. Their eyes are blurry, unseeing even with the words dancing across their vision. A breath is sucked in when Astra pulls away from them to scold.

The book was one of his, they don't care much for the stars aside from their images. Said book rests on their nose bridge as they take back the breath he stole from them. Their lips tremble when he demands them try again. If they mess up again it'd be the third time they've started over.

They tried. Brows furrowed even more than before in their haste to make the words make sense. It starts off fine. A lot shaky and they know that punctuations are being ignored. Though they try, when Astra plays with them so carelessly, as though for his enjoyment alone, they eat the next sentence in its entirety. Their knees touch when their body tenses at his intrusion.

The warbled noise escapes them before they even know the. book is slipping from their grip. Every thrust of his fingers earned him a quiet noise. Almost excusable as a huff but it turns whiney at the end. "I'm so—ry. It is- is very hard."

An apology for his troubles albeit they aren't sure if it came out the way it's supposed to. Every touch of his lips makes K'in shudder. At his question, they shake their head stiffly. Too focused on trying to focus. They haven't and they haven't really thought of it otherwise.

Maybe..? They trust him, he seems to know what he's doing.

Whatever merciless god they had been pleading with heard them. He states his conditions, his impossible to hold on to terms before he starts on them. Their hands grab at his hair, pushing as they cry.

Tears fall and they try to shift away from him, "No, no no no. Please, Astra I can't— can't hold it! Sir pleasepleasepleaseplease—"

They babble as their thighs squeeze around his head. Fists tightening around blonde strands as they shake, " 'Sorry. Sorry, couldn't hold it anymore. Unfair..so mean." Words trail off as they convulse, eyes cross when they try to open them.

[sovereignxfae]

21)  for sender to leave several bite marks on receiver’s belly. (Astra and K’in!)

[This is so late. Just answerin' from the ask cause shame T^T]

He said be good. They shouldn't be thinking of doing anything but that. They know that, the urge to erase all thoughts of disobeying is bone deep and entrancing. K'in knows how easy it would be to just sit still and listen.

They know it all too well. Being Astra's ‘good kitten’ time and time again; they shouldn't be tempted by the sight of his bare skin. Shouldn't be tempted to taste that poison apple without the permission of the god they worship. They are so aware that they'll be allowed to have it if they are good for as long as he wants.

K'in knows so well that their mouth waters.

This shouldn't be hard but they do say that even the best pets can be spoiled.

So if they lean into him against his demands, it truly isn’t his fault. Right? If they nuzzle into his happy trail that they so love, they can’t be faulted. Who was it that put it in front of them? 

If they pants heavily against his skin and raise to their knees ever so slightly, just enough to reach above the trail and reach his abs..? His fault, of course! He should be paying better attention. 

If teeth drag along his muscled stomach before closing around flesh, just a smidge above softly..once!..twice! three, four and five? 

Could they truly be blamed? 

Yes. They could. If the harsh fist in their curls is anything to go by, that is. Their scalp burns but they have no regrets. It was worth it. Tasting his flesh on their tongue will always be a reward in and of itself. No matter if said reward was earned. 

So if they don’t hear his through teeth scolding and require a slap across the face for it; who is it to say who was truly at fault?

[sovereignxfae]

@distopea​ said: 

i’m so turned on right now.

you can kiss me.

combo for K'in and Astra!

           From the ‘consent is sexy!’ ask game.

He said the words so plainly. K'in wonders how he does it sometimes. Spout filth without losing eye contact when they always have to either work up to it or be worked up.

The easy confidence that he exudes is intoxicated. Makes their eyes go glassy and make their ears warm. The heat spreads to their cheeks, their teeth nips at their own bottom lip.

“You are?” It sounds pleading. They stupidly hope that they had a part to play in him getting like this. If they weren't would he be here? If they weren't would they sitting-directly- on top of the evidence?

Their blush deepens.

Maybe that's how they find the voice to do all of this. How silly? The need for his approval, no matter how small, is what she works towards. Her orgasm not even a thought yet. For her pleasure is tightly woven into the need to be good.

Her eyes flash to his lips. His breath heavy and fanning against their face—their lips. They swallow and return to his eyes. It's similar to putting down a heavy item for relief but still having to return to it. The strain being too much but you must return to it all over again.

His eyes was their item. One which they wish was theirs alone. Take it from him and keep it safe; be the only who can be graced by those calculating melted gold. Put it in a safe, then another and another until only they know which holds the treasure and only they remember the key.

But they can't. They can't and that's their strain. Fighting against all of these questionable wants and urges. The strain to not kiss him every chance he offers. When they're so close— like now. They are in his lap, straddling, with his hands at their waist. Keeping them content even if barely so. They'd move of they could. He'd tell them they can. Something short, maybe just to please him and they'd do the fastest way possible.

To be the one to have his full attention is a whole thing on its on.

When he says it, to kiss him, it takes time for them to process the way he said it. He was giving permission. Not telling them as he usually would. Two words. All he needed was two words to have them at his mercy but he decided to waste breath to tell them; ‘you can’.

At first they nod dumbly. Tongue too heavy and mindful of the amount of drool they are courting. Though his eyes hood even more. Making pretty dark eyes even darker. Still pretty but with edge. K'in has nothing to do but fight the urge to roll their eyes back and bite a moan in half.

“Hah— okay, thank you. T-thank you.” They squirm in his hold as they lean towards him. Hands brought up to his cheeks to hold him to them. It would be so innocent of it wasn't so messy.

Tongues met first. Teeth followed and then they were lost to it all. Noises lost in the exchange of breath and they'd have it no other way.

[sovereignxfae]

K'in stares as he explains. They like his comparison and how easy it is to follow. Some sort of beauty in the quiet call to manipulation in the phrasing.

Some quote out there— about minupulating a brush to get your desired result. Or something.

They don't spend much time thinking about it. Thoughts circling when Astra smiles. Like he's waiting for them to bite, as if they aren't already sniffing at his hand.

Stupidly. They wish the puff of smoke was blown to them.

The thought is rejected with a twitch of their lip. Frowning at their own foolishness. Small spout of clarity—it doesn't last long but it finds them. They're fumbling. Week kneed and grinning but they can't find it in themself to be too upset about it.

The attention is sweet and they're soaking it all in.

At his next words, they allow a jerky nod. Supressed by the reminder of the weighty stare on the back of their head. Agreeing filled them with a liquid kind of dread.

Their father hates to be tested. In any way.

(Would this be testing him? No. No? They're speaking... competition. Yes. Scoping out.)

Astra speaks on their stance with their father. He agrees with him. On whatever it is, he's found out. Experience is what they need. They admit that. However,the weight their father hands them is less than favourable and can't understand why he keeps them locked up at the base.

Maybe Astra does? Will he tell them?

They're not looking for praise now. Instead, they seek an explanation. What do the two men see in them? Aside from an out of practice heir. They've been told it countless times by their father himself.

What more is there? They want to know. What else is there on their list of value? So many questions. The hand on their cheek goes slack. Falling into their jacket pocket and return to picking at lint.

K'in relaxes when Astra surrenders his questions of their father's looks. The laugh it earned them was a soothe to their frustrating confusion.

“D-dinner? Invite me..?” The blistering need for answers is dampened. He's inviting them out?

Oh. That look.

It shouldn't be so bad..right?

They turn again. Brisk glance back at their father. Astra's change in title makes their brows furrow.

Their father is already looking. Staring. His face blank but they can feel the quiet power in his eyes.

This could work in their favour. They could make it.

“I can make my own decisions.” The words come out quaky but K'in ignores it. “I'll accept the invitation. As long as you can answer some questions of my own?”

As proud as they try to speak the question of whether he really meant it rings through. They'll get what they want.

“O-oh.”

Noticed. He did. That does wonders to their ego. K’in tries to push it away with logic. Obviously he has to be aware of his surroundings. He’s the leader of a well known group though no one’s seen him before. They’re pretty sure that everyone here was threatened to frozen hell and back to keep their mouths sewed.

Their hands find one another and squeeze. He’s close to them. So close that the smoke was flowing right in front of their eyes. Making their nose itch and eyes burn. Blinking in rapid succession, the heir mourns his closeness with shame. 

It’s quiet stupid. Met today and they’re fumbling. Replicating the exact things they hate from everyday media. Feelings at first sight. At the littlest bit of attention they crumble.

Here they are; re-enacting the same exact things. Lucky (or unlucky) for them they’ve always been good at denying the truth. So swallowing down their stupid complaints was easy.

  (Too easy. Strike one.) 

They inhale the smoke that’s been swirling in their mouth. 

“It was, yeah.” Here comes the kind words. Ones that make them warm from the sole of their feet, up. 

It’s detached. They falter some. Correct but it’s expected of them to be right about things like these. Logic. “I’m happy it was. I can’t know how stressful leading something so could be. Even if I’ll do it soon.”

There’s a touch. A pinch. From him. On their skin. Their face. They wonder how warm the skin is. They wonder if it could go under the guise of the pressure he’s applying. They lean into it. 

Hopefully he believes that they’re just mirroring him. Just to spare their already fleeting pride. 

At the mention, K’in turns, hand raising to their sore cheek with wide eyes. The look is stern. Menacing but when standing with Astra, it isn’t all that frightening. 

The ache in their cheek throbs, seemingly sending a sign. It’s ignored.

(Dumb. Strike two.)

“No. It’ll be fine. He–” they wince, “He’ll be fine.” K’in turns back to Astra, disregarding the hole their father is staring at the back of their head. 

“I’d like to not be in his skirt.” They stare up at him. Words on their tongue, ready to fall. 

Would it truly be wise to allow them to tumble off?

[sovereignxfae]

@distopea​​ said: 

His eyes focused on the book in front of him, Astra was casually brushing K’in’s hair. They had shared quite an intense moment together once more, the desire they could experience sometimes turning their session into another messy one. Another way for K’in to explore their sexuality, even if sometimes, Astra knew he was pushing them quite hard. It wouldn’t stop him from feeling this strange admiration for the young person. They were eager to understand, eager to explore. He liked to teach them.

“Are you feeling alright?” He tenderly asked, the pad of his thumb describing a small curve upon their jawline. He watched them with a certain softness, their head laid on his thighs, their body curled against his side. “You don’t need to go home tonight, you can sleep here if you wish.” He invited them for the very first time. Somehow, he didn’t wish to sleep alone. He tugged a strand of their hair behind their ear, and eventually put the book down onto the night table.

“Come here.” Astra purred before he slid himself onto the mattress, dragging their body against his chest. He kissed their forehead, like the most caring lover would do.

K’in is slotted into his side. A warm cheek rested on his thigh. Matching their breathing with his. It takes a while, heart still pumping while they relax into themselves again. They shift ever so often, tangling their limbs with his every chance they got. 

The hand in their hair was approved with a hum. They nuzzle into him when he scratches at their scalp. Pressing a chaste kiss to his skin. Silently they blame the haze they are in, their sleep muddled mind finds the excuse adequate. 

“M’ okay. Just sleepy.” Two fingers touch his wrist. Their thumb joins and rubs circles into the joint. A sleepy smile finds its way to their lips as the action is done. 

The next few actions were lost on K’in. Slipping into the state of awake enough to mumble to the air but tired enough to forget everything else. Maybe it’s stupid, falling so quickly at ease cuddles up with their supposed rival. 

He could do whatever he wanted, in this moment. Their life in his hands. Yet all he does is pull them closer to him. They felt that much. Being moved from the firm comfort of his thigh to his chest; they whine about it to the skin of his neck. 

They fit there so easily. A happy murmur leaves them as they settle down again. A kiss placed on his cheek. “G’night.”

[sovereignxfae]

@distopea said:

leaning into your lover's touch, their fingers tracing down your stomach, their body pressed against you (for K'in and Astra!)

         from ‘a hundred different kisses’ prompt list.

So close. He's so close. They can feel his his heart beating. Calmer than theirs, but it's close behind. Their breath mingles, filling the barely there space between their lips.

They'd beg for a kiss but their voice is lost. Only breathy imitations could be given.

Warm palm presses into their spine. Forcing them to arch further into his side. Legs tangled with his, they squirm under his weight. It's comforting as it is teasing.

“Humph-!” K'in huffs, face scrunching, “Astra, I can't arch anymore—mhh”

They can't. They think. Maybe.

Another hand trails down their stomach. K’in shifts under the touch. Unsure if it tickles or they wish for more. Stomach tensing before they push back up into the fleeting touches. 

A finger catches on the piercing right above their naval. Their chest heaves. A shuddering breath leaves them. There is nowhere for them to run from the touches. 

All too much and not enough. The bruises left behind from their collar bone down to the valley of their breast sting slightly with every huff of breath they take. They try to even their breaths. Calm their racing heart but he always stops them. Makes them hiccup between a breath.

Either with his words—promises—or intent touches.

“You will. I'm guiding you—” the words are punctuated by a nip to their bottom lip. “—so you have no excuse not to.”

[sovereignxfae]

@distopea said:

☠️ give me the good, Astra and K'in?

‘It’s supposed to be this way. This is what I want. This is what he taught me to do.’

“You’re an idiot.” It’s to themselves just as much as it is for him.

Did he really think so lowly of them to think that they wouldn’t do it? He’d given them a gun, pressed it against his chest and expected them to falter.

The worst part is, he was right. They were faltering, they were going to laugh through it and ask him if this was a joke. They weren’t going to but they spared him a glance.

Saw the confidence and the smugness there. Were they so wrong to assume that the gun was empty? So wrong to believe that he was more cautious than that?

The trigger was pulled and they smiled. Grinned. They didn’t know until his gaze turned cold and he fell backwards and landed. They didn’t move until the gun had fell out of their lax grip.

“I’m sorry. I can’t very much help you.”

‘You didn’t do that..he did. He should’ve known better. I am still the mafia heir, after all. He is at fault.”

They kneel beside him, rest his head on their lap. They say nothing, just stare and breathe. There is not much else to do as his breath takes longer pauses than recommended.

They play with his hair until a drop of water lands on his cheek. “Wow, it seems that with all your teases and twisted lessons you made a mark. It was nice being with you, Astra.”

[sovereignxfae]

@distopea said:

[ text ] come over. (From Astra)

They sigh when their phone vibrates on there desk. Setting down the screwdriver they push their rolling chair over to the edge of the desk where their phone lies.

They pick it up and stare at the message, the shock is short lived as it turns to light blush.

[ text ] But I just sat down!

[ text ] Also I'll have you know that you're manners need brushing up.

[ text ] Though, sure. I'll be there in uh 20 mins?

[sovereignxfae]

@sovereignxfae

“please tell me that at least a part of it was real.” (astra and k'in. :c)

betrayal liners (accepting)

They were standing alone in the middle of the dead bodies of their family, desperation twisting their usual beautiful traits into the most horrible grimace. The poison had been served during the dinner party, imperceptible, but deadly, killing all the members of the Astoria except one. Astra has demanded that K’in would be spared from this torture, their life, though, entirely destroyed by the cruelty of one man.

No blood, no gunshots, no violence. His methods were mastered, and surrounded by his most loyal knights, he knew that nothing could stop him anymore. He could have been unsettled by their statement, their voice broken, full of pain and misery, but surely, his own reign was bigger than their crumbling dream. He had warned them, after all. More than once. He was a ruthless emperor.

“Oh, K’in.” He tutted with a soft tone, his golden eyes looking at those bitter tears rolling down their cheeks. “How many times did I tell you that I wasn’t a man to trust?” Another lesson to learn, for sure. They had fallen into his trap, and had bathed into his gentle touch. They had given everything, believing in his lies, trusting him. He was like the wicked serpent sliding himself inside the sheets of the heir, slithering his stories until they would actually have faith in his words.

Now, they were facing the consequences of their own naivety, Astra quite unshaken in the end, savoring the flavor of his victory. He took a step forward, watching how they would now flinch in despair. Pitifully beautiful. “You brought it upon yourself, kitten. You told me each of their secrets, each of their weaknesses…” He dared to cup their cheek, their love for him fading into a profound disgust. It was terrible how much he was enjoying himself. “I’m not the one who betrayed them. You are.”

Astra sighed, before he eventually stopped his motion. He looked aside, Requiem silently waiting for his orders. “Alas, I know that if one wolf stays alive, the flock would never be safe.” He turned around, throwing one last look over his shoulder. It was cold and soft at the same time – a silent farewell.

“Kill them.” He ordered Kaizen, before he slid a cigarette at the corner of his lips, walking away from the massacre scene.

[sovereignxfae]

Their breath had been caught. Staring at the man in front of them their lips parted—not fully agape but close enough. Such a large presence even when he's doing nothing special. Probably already thinking of another meeting to plan, another mission to send his people on.

He seems so well put together. Complicated pieces for a simple, perfect picture.

Then he notices them and teases.

He has an ego. Who wouldn't? Built an empire on his own. Commands respect in any room he's in and one of the wealthiest gangs only rivaled by K'in's family alone.

K'in admits that of they were in his boots they would walk around with their nose so high

K'in's nose flares when his smoke hits their direction. They try to breath shallowly under his gaze. Usually they'd frown at the scent but their discomfort seems unimportant compared to their need to keep his interest.

They close their mouth and swallow. Half nodding before shaking their head when they process the movement.

"I-. No. I wasn't spying. Just—hm—standing here and waiting for you to notice me." They fumble through the words to defend themself, hands picking at the lint of their pockets.

His casual aura doesn't calm them. It works to frazzle them more with their already boiling nerves. Their eyes follow the falling ashes, skin prickling when they hit the floor.

They startle when the box is offered. Plucks one up and out and instantly takes it to their mouth. Just chewing at the end that found their teeth first.

"Oh."

How do you tell someone that they seemed to be calling you so you follow blindly without sounding utterly pathetic? Simple. You don't.

"Yes. It was hard." They look over the railing of the balcony. Dark streets below and they tug at a curl in their eye.

" Thank you for the opportunity and the encouragement to actually do it and not make a complete fool of myself."

sovereignxfae​

Brilliant..they did brilliantly.

He seemed proud. He sounded proud. The praise washed over them. Slowly at first, he’d only spoken one word. They can’t let it get to them so quickly.

What would that say about them? A lot, that’s what.

They chanced a look at him when he starts spewing more compliments. It was nice. He seemed to be generalizing them but it hits them in quick succession. They stare at him as he speaks, it’s captivating the way he works the words.

They fight a smile when he calls him smart. It’s strange. They know but hearing from someone else—someone in a higher authority..feels different.

He stands and K'in breaks out of their trance and back steps to their seat. Not sitting yet but feeling around for their jacket. It seems like the meeting has ended.

Their father taps their shoulder with his cigarette box before leaving and makes guess that he is dismissing them but when they look up they saw his eyes leave them.

They watch everyone file out and stands there with their own thoughts. Filled with ‘should they?’ and ‘could they?’. Before they made the decision themself, K'in is slipping on their jacket and following through the door behind everyone else.

Everyone seems to be in groups. K'in looks around for him, hands in plush pockets of their jacket as they duck behind mild arguments and a little more rowdy playing.

They slip past their father with a haste. He seems to be speaking to a locksmith, whatever could he be wanting to put away now?

They spot him after that. He’s by himself. It seems strange, they thought he’d be surrounded by many. Though they guess it’s a good thing. Privacy. For what? They don’t know but they like the thought of it.

So they make their way to him, “Astra?” Just his name. Nothing else came to mind to say so they let his name fall from their tongue.

The freshness of the evening felt welcomed when he stepped out of the room. He was used to these places with a lot of scents, manly most of the time, with an overuse of cologne. As if manhood could be defined by the strong smell of plants and other artifacts. He preferred to remain subtle, his fragrance always barely lingering. He was a man of manipulation and discretion. All of his schemes were often hidden. He needed all of these men to lower their guard once more, celebrating the new deal rather than truly seeing through his game.

He clipped a cigarette at the corner of his mouth, blond hair casually following the wind. He was observing the city, absentmindedly, slowly forgotten among those loud presences. He listened to their heavy voices echoing against the walls of the patio. Louder and louder each time they were talking more. Astra felt once again in his element – he had manipulated them to bend to his desires, and no one had seen it coming, since he wasn’t the one who had offered that deal. The Astorias would be the one to blame if anything went wrong in the new district, and of course, he already knew that chaotic events would happen. He would push them. They had just condemned them. He was a silent tumor that would take everything they have. 

“Spying on me?” Astra smiled while he turned around, as he had waited patiently to see if K’in would still be entertained by his persona. Golden eyes observed their features, as he remained silent for a moment. They were curious, he could tell. Probably they wanted to have a word, but they didn’t know what topic they should start with. After all, he had expected them to rush here out of adrenaline, and the pleasure to be finally recognized among their new peers. But right now, they were just one person facing another one. Astra wanted them to feel the distance and the gap between them. He was in power and control, while they were still learning.

“Did you wish to talk to me about something?” He tapped on the butt of his cigarette, a certain spark of mischief gleaming in the back of his eyes. Ashes fell on the ground before he eventually retrieved his pack of cigarettes and offered one to K’in. “I know it wasn’t an easy meeting for you.” 

But this time, he wouldn’t say they did well. If they were chasing after another praise, they would have to fall deeper into his trap.

[sovereignxfae]

Brilliant..they did brilliantly.

He seemed proud. He sounded proud. The praise washed over them. Slowly at first, he'd only spoken one word. They can't let it get to them so quickly.

What would that say about them? A lot, that's what.

They chanced a look at him when he starts spewing more compliments. It was nice. He seemed to be generalizing them but it hits them in quick succession. They stare at him as he speaks, it's captivating the way he works the words.

They fight a smile when he calls him smart. It's strange. They know but hearing from someone else—someone in a higher authority..feels different.

He stands and K'in breaks out of their trance and back steps to their seat. Not sitting yet but feeling around for their jacket. It seems like the meeting has ended.

Their father taps their shoulder with his cigarette box before leaving and makes guess that he is dismissing them but when they look up they saw his eyes leave them.

They watch everyone file out and stands there with their own thoughts. Filled with 'should they?' and 'could they?'. Before they made the decision themself, K'in is slipping on their jacket and following through the door behind everyone else.

Everyone seems to be in groups. K'in looks around for him, hands in plush pockets of their jacket as they duck behind mild arguments and a little more rowdy playing.

They slip past their father with a haste. He seems to be speaking to a locksmith, whatever could he be wanting to put away now?

They spot him after that. He's by himself. It seems strange, they thought he'd be surrounded by many. Though they guess it's a good thing. Privacy. For what? They don't know but they like the thought of it.

So they make their way to him, "Astra?" Just his name. Nothing else came to mind to say so they let his name fall from their tongue.

sovereignxfae​

K’in watches as he moves towards his things. A big breath is taken and released, their hands are shaking a bit. They’re happy not to be holding anything or else it may be obvious, if no one noticed yet. They glance at their father; he seems content where this is going. 

That’s good. 

The heir takes the chance to admire–,no, observe Astra. Not admire, observe. Of course. 

They take in his back profile and they wonder if his shoulders are heavy. They want to know if there’s an invisible effort he’s putting in to the even-ness of his shoulders, whether or not he ever crashes under the weight of the power he holds. 

Astra has such a sincere aura of every agony he could bring. Like every bad thing in it’s purest form. The thought is as scary as it is intriguing. K’in finds themself wanting to know what it feels like; from his mouth. It might come out arrogant, passive or just plain narcissistic but they want to know. 

Walking around, knowing that you’ve earned your keep and basking in everyone’s envy and awe like a holy light. They want to know what that’s like. 

They watched him get up and turn back to them. Eyes meet and he smiles, they turn away from him quickly and survey the room. Suddenly embarrassed, they seek refuge in scanning through the other criminal leaders. Their ears itch but they ignore it in favour of rubbing their nose as Astra sets up his things. 

Most of them are staring at Astra though they can’t tell which is out of annoyance, manners or otherwise. Frankly, they don’t truly care. Others take glances at them or pretend to take extra interest in the drinks in their hand. Those facts soothe them some, hopefully no one noticed their gaping enough to be bothered by it. 

When he speaks, K’in flinches, just a small thing. They know he was close but didn’t think he’d reached them so quickly. The soft tone confused them though. K’in blinked a few times before processing his words. From going across the room to seemingly only meet them and a few others, the change was palpable but welcomed. 

“Ah?” K’in side eyed the map trying to give names to the territories when Astra urged them. They look at him and are immediately swallowed by his gaze. They break the eye contact before it was truly made and stared at the red lines, sight a bit blurry. 

“Oh-yes!” They poke their palm and then fished their pencil from behind their ear, “Well the target space is large enough to fit at least two groups if we’re going by the largest getting the advantage here.” 

Their pencil makes a light outline of said territory. Just a reminder to themself of what they are discussing so they don’t go off track again. “If we’re following that line of thought; it would leave The Cleaners and Astoria to come up with an agreement and share the grounds.”

They speak clearly enough that everyone could hear the news. Their eyes scan through the map as they speak to make sure they aren’t missing anything. The words are said plainly, as if read from a textbook, and the room fills with murmurs. They pay the noise no mind-detached from the news. It doesn’t change much for them in the long run anyway, right?

They trace over the map once more and grind their teeth. The spot they’re fighting over was set before a very busy and near center of the black market. Many go in and out of there on a regular basis but with the area being-presumably-owned by two of the highest ranks of groups not just anyone could pass scot free. 

They say as such while biting away at the end of their pencil, “You could charge whoever passes. I doubt that you, as in Astra and my father, would care who goes in as long as payment is received.” 

They nod to themself when they’ve done a final sweep of the map. 

“I’ll leave the negotiations up to you and my father as well as the money conversation.” The detached tone is thawing and they come back to themself. No longer in planning mode they blink a few times. K’in turn to their father, he seems pleased. Small, smug smile on his lips as he swirls his drink. 

They turn to Astra soon after and whisper, “Was that good? No, I mean-was it what you were looking for?”

The heir hopes it is. They don’t think they could handle making another fool of themself. 

Leading his prey wherever he wanted them to stand – that was his favorite little game. Giving them hints, using his silver tongue, until they would believe that it was their idea and their own words. That they came up with it. He loved it more than he could ever express it – because that was his unbreakable power. He was deceiving but he looked honest. He was manipulating but he looked harmless. And K’in was falling right into his trap, eager to please whoever was giving them the slightest attention.

He sipped on his drink and waited for them to expose their supposedly well thought plan. For them, it was a rite of passage. They thought they were entering the big league, eager to prove their intelligence and their skills. For him, he wanted all the leaders around the table to perceive a risk. That the Astoria were quivering on their fragile legs, the weight of their survival carried by someone who was too naïve to rule. There were secret codes in the mafia – never overstep, never over speak, never follow someone you didn’t know.

K’in did everything they shouldn’t in the most scholastically way. It was beautiful.  

Astra put his glass down and observed the rest of the leaders with a small smirk curling the corner of his lips. Now that they were done listening, he needed to strike before the tempest would rage. He gave a firm nod and straightened himself back up. “Brilliant.” He said with a large smile, voice loud enough to cover the growing hubbub, his tone full of promises, full of compliments. Oh, he knew how his students loved to hear those words – they were always looking exactly like K’in right now.

“I must say that the Astorias have a bright future right in front of them. Their heir is definitely a smart one. We couldn’t expect a better solution for this piece of territory. And no one around this table would like to start a gang war, right?” He emphasized his words on purpose, breaking for good those grumbles and other low insults coming from the rest of the audience. No one could defy the idea presented by K’in Astoria. They would have to bend the knee once more and accept those unfair conditions. And Astra, on his side, would make sure that K’in kept earning more power. Because the more they had it, and the more he was winning through their ascent.

Astra stood back up, finished his glass of whiskey with a single gulp and put it back down onto the coffee table. “Now gentlemen, before we let our accountants and other unskilled workers settle the deal and prepare the documents, I suggest we shall take a cigarette break outside.” He eyed K’in for a second before he caught his coat. Like a moth attracted by the light, he hoped they would make the mistake of coming to talk to him… But privately.