#Cheslock x reader

[hantaslittlearsonist]

✮ 𝓈𝓂𝓊𝓉 ✮ — ❤︎ 𝐹𝓁𝓊𝒻𝒻 ❤︎ — ☂︎ 𝒜𝓃𝑔𝓈𝓉 ☂︎

/𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

Ｌｏｎｇｆｏｒｍ

✮ ᴘᴜʀᴘʟᴇ ʙᴜʀɴᴏᴜᴛ, ꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ɢʀᴇᴇɴʜᴏᴜꜱᴇꜱ. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤/𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ✮ 11k .AO3

✮❤︎☂︎ ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛ ʟᴇᴍᴏɴ ᴅʀᴏᴘꜱ. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤/𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ☂︎❤︎✮ 16.5k .AO3

✮ ɪʀᴏɴ ᴅᴀɢɢᴇʀ ᴏɴ ꜱɪʟᴋ ꜱʜᴇᴇᴛꜱ. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤/𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ✮ 5.8k .AO3

✮❤︎☂︎ ᴡᴇʟʟ ɪ'ᴅ ᴀꜱᴋ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴏᴜʟ (ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴍɪɴᴇ). 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤/𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ☂︎❤︎✮ 3.3k .AO3

✮ ᴀ ꜱʜɪɴʏ ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴇᴄᴋʟᴀᴄᴇ. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤/𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ✮ 3.8k .AO3

Ｄｒａｂｂｌｅｓ

❤︎ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴇꜱʟᴏᴄ�� ᴘᴜᴛ ᴏɴ ᴍᴀᴋᴇᴜᴘ ❤︎ .AO3

❤︎ ᴋɪꜱꜱɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴇꜱʟᴏᴄᴋ ❤︎ .AO3

❤︎ ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴍᴜꜰꜰɪɴ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ❤︎ .AO3

/𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲

Ｌｏｎｇｆｏｒｍ

✮ ꜱʟᴜᴍʙᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ, ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤/𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭/𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ✮ 2.6k .AO3

Ｄｒａｂｂｌｅｓ

❤︎ ᴠɪᴏʟᴏᴄᴋ ᴋɪꜱꜱ~ ❤︎ (warning: kinda lewd) .AO3

❤︎ ᴠɪᴏʟᴏᴄᴋ ᴅᴀɴᴄᴇ ʟᴇꜱꜱᴏɴꜱ ❤︎ (warning: kinda lewd) .AO3

☂︎ ᴠɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴇᴛᴇʀ ᴘᴀɴ ꜰᴀɴ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴄʜᴇꜱ' ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ☂︎ .AO3

𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬

☂︎ ᴄʜᴇꜱʟᴏᴄᴋ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀᴇ ☂︎ .AO3

[sempsimps]

cheslock / reader with a crush

little idea i had a while ago, where you struggle with playing piano, and cheslock comes and helps before leaving again, and you get quite confused, i guess.

it was drudge time, i always finished my work beforehand, so i spent my time practising this song that i was finding difficult, but once fully played, it sounded amazing. so i sat in the music room, the annoying piece of scripture in front of me as i awkwardly stretched my fingers, trying to figure out this one note. It never sounded quite right. in frustration, i slammed my hands down on the keys and let out a small sigh, lowering my head onto the instrument, which it let out a sad strangled cry from my face being on it.

"oi get off of 'er"

my head shot up, and so did the keys as i looked towards the voice in fear. i instantly noticed that it was the purple house prefect, and i panicked in my reply.

"i am so sorry! im just getting really frustrated...."

"Well, that's great and all, but don't take it out on Estie."

"Estie? t-the piano you named it?"

"so what if i did?"

"Sorry, uh, just surprised"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, what do you need help on anyway?"

"Oh, uhhh, just this one note I'm struggling with, I don't get how my hands could possibly move over to play this at the same time, and it sounds funky"

"Oh, thays easy"

Chelock walked over swiftly and moved to lean over my shoulder, letting a small hum out while reading the sheet music, giving another hum before his hand moved above mine the remaining one shifted my hand over one key. It was so simple, and he was only doing a small favour, but his body felt too hot against mine, I felt my face flush in heat at the closeness. 'no no no don't think like that he is a prefect, and he probably doesn't even have time for this, let alone anymore.' his voice snapped me out of my trance.

"See if you just move that over here, and it's immediately better"

I was slightly frozen, so my hand movement was still stiff, but yeah, it was way easier to play. a smile made its way across my face, but it dipped as I felt the prefect move.

"Alright, well, I'm glade I helped and all that. but don't hurt Estie, or I'll give ya a Y got it?"

"Right, got it, sorry, again"

And just like that, he left. my words fell on deaf ears at that point. the lingering touches on my hands stayed for what felt like an eternity, and my face was warm. but I shake it off and start to play this song again with the advice, which sounds a lot better. 'god, he's good with his hands. Wait, hold on-' I shake my head to clear the thoughts. But my mind did wander to him at lunch later that day 'I wonder if he would - no, never mind, it's stupid'.

Aaaaaaaaaa I don't know how to end shit so here I guess anyway hope that was okay a little short but it gets me back into the swing of writing and I need to get more emo twink content out I have a lot in drafts almost ready to go so this is just that start i promise and i have lots of Gregory becuse i am a simp for that man

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

How about ❝ you’re my favorite person in the world. ❞ With Cheslock?

things that you want to hear.

❝ you’re my favorite person in the world. ❞

as a Cheslock simp all I can say is SOBBBB THIS MAN!!!!

You’re not sure why feelings sometimes hit at the oddest times.

The fact is that they do, though. Once in a while, your boyfriend CHESLOCK will do something rather mundane, or maybe he might just be doing nothing at all… and your heart will do a little jump inside your chest.

It doesn’t take much to remind you that you’re absolutely head over heels for this man. In some moments, it’s him grinning at you like a cheeky kid who’s just told a dirty joke for the first time. In some moments, it’s his hands lingering on your skin, as if he can’t imagine treating you any other way but carefully. In some moments, it’s his eyes looking down and focused on a piece of music, lips moving silently as he runs it back in his mind, appearing so unlike his usual self.

In this moment, it’s how he prepares for a show at Funtom’s Music Hall.

Their newest song has been practiced to death by the five of them, but there’s added pressure on Cheslock, because he’s the only member of their group who plays an instrument in addition to singing and dancing. He’s rosined his bow and is going over the parts which tripped him up in his first rehearsal, keeping time by tapping his foot. The words are almost spat out under his breath; he’s concentrated on the actual notes to play on the violin.

So lost in his final practice, he looks the most ‘himself’ as he ever has. This is how he was meant to exist ― a muted smile on his face, playing arpeggio with his bow bouncing over the strings, his appearance put together and yet unraveled all at once.

The violin rests comfortably between his chin and shoulder… like the way he holds you occasionally, with your head cuddled in that same spot. Even though he’s got sharp attention on what he’s doing, his eyes are half-lidded. He’s done it a million times before, and yet he hasn’t lost his passion.

You think maybe that’s what you like about him. This is what he does because he loves it, he’s honed his talent because this is what he enjoys doing.

How many other people do you know who are like him?

It’s not your fault, really, that you’ve suddenly walked over and wrapped your arms around him. He’s used to your affection by now, so really all he does is drop his violin while giving you a little snort. “Oi, wanna give me a good luck kiss, do y’?”

“Maybe. I saw you over here looking so cute, and I just couldn’t resist. You know…” It’s been promised, and you fulfill your end by pressing your lips to his cheek. Right under his eye where that scar of his cuts through like a crack in porcelain. Just as beautiful as the rest of him, far as you’re concerned. “You’re my favorite person in the world.”

His laugh comes out in a barely-there breath, his head tilting toward you like a sunflower looking for light. “Goddamn. There’s a big claim if I ever heard one. How do y’ know that if y’ ain’t met most ‘f the other people?”

You squeeze him tightly round the neck. Another kiss, this time just below his jawline. If only you had enough time, you’d shove him down and kiss every inch of his skin. “I just know. There can’t possibly be anyone more my favorite than you. I love you so much.”

“Aaaah…” A throaty moan escapes him before he can even think better of it. “Love y’ too, darlin’. You’re talkin’ so sweet t’ me… but the show’s about t’ go on. I gotta go get in position.”

With that he arches his head back, pressing a kiss to whichever part of you he can reach at the moment. “Meet y’ in a little bit for the after-party, though,” he smirks. “Think y’ll still wanna see y’r favorite person then?”

A small gasp leaves you at the contact, and you giggle. “I still want to see you now and you’ve not even left yet.”

His cheeks pink up, and he carefully extracts himself from your grip. “Aw, don’t worry, yeah? Absence makes the heart grow fonder ‘n’ all that shite, haha.” He gives you one last kiss, making it enough to hold you over… even though it’s really not, of course. “For the record, y’re my favorite person, too. See y’ in a little bit, love.”

Although you’re left alone as the curtain rises, you can’t complain.

Being backstage is so much better than having a front-row seat.

[undertaker1827]

Could you do some headcanons about what Edward and Cheslock are like when they’re in love with somebody? Like how the would act, if they’d be affection, etc. thanks!

Absolutely! First time I’ve written for Cheslock, so I hope I did him justice!!

Masterlist

-

Edward

So I feel Edward would be a bit more subdued than Cheslock

Not in a bad/uninterested way, just that he’d be a little quieter/less charismatic about the whole thing

Like people would know the two of you are in love, but he’s not the type to scream it from the rooftops

He would definitely be affectionate though

But again more subtly

I think a lot of hand holding would be the main thing with Edward, or linking arms, him putting his arm out a little so you can rest your hand in the crook of his elbow

He’s very much a bow and then kiss your knuckles/back of your hand type person, quite the gentleman in every way you can think of

When it comes to PDA, he’s certainly comfortable with all of the above

But really not much more than that

He might give you a goodnight/goodbye parting kiss on your cheek or your forehead if you’re out in public, but only a brief one (might need to persuade him with puppy eyes)

That said, if a situation unfolds whereby you are threatened, uncomfortable or otherwise in some sort of danger, all of the above goes out of the window

Gone is the quiet, well spoken person you’re so used to and that you have come to love

He is replaced immediately by someone who would give his life if it meant saving yours, who will do anything to protect your honour and integrity

Edward is incredibly protective when it comes to your safety and well being, so god help anyone who threatens that

If it were a physical threat, he would immediately have a sword to hand with his other arm held out to the side, keeping you firmly behind him where he knows you are safe

If words are being used as weapons, he can take part in a battle of wits as skillfully as he can fight with any blade

He wouldn’t be possessive, but he would want to protect you in absolutely everything, and he will not tolerate anything negative being said about you

He won’t tolerate you being negative towards yourself either

Of course he makes sure you know you can talk to him about anything at all, however silly or unimportant you think it is, but he will be firm with you if it turns out you’re upset with how you look or some other aspect of who you are

He will tel you why that part of yourself is as beautiful as every other, not letting you believe for one second that there is anything at all wrong with you

He loves you dearly and thinks you’re perfect in every way; he won’t let you put yourself down like that

Cheslock

I feel like for you to be in a relationship with Cheslock, you’d have to be something more of a wild child yourself

I think Edward would be with someone a touch more refined, but Cheslock is there for pretty much any type of person who knows how to have fun

You’re part of a rock band? So was he at one point, let’s make a new one

You want to learn a new instrument? He’s probably already mastered that one, and he is more than willing to teach you (he’s better than any professional teacher, trust me)

You’re female but you don’t want to wear dresses or you’re male and you do? Your preferences are entirely yours, he will literally never judge you

That’s kind of a recurring theme with Cheslock - it doesn’t matter what you wear, how you act or anything else, he won’t ever judge you

That said, if somebody else is doing they judging, they are very quickly going to regret

He is not beyond starting a bar fight style brawl for the sake of protecting you from someone else’s horrible words, make no mistake

He can do the whole battle of words thing, but he’d rather just have an actual fight, win it, then be done with the whole thing

When it comes to PDA, he probably has less boundaries than you do

Not embarrassed in the slightest about anything

And arm slung around your waist to keep you close to him, you tucked into his side under his heavy winter coat when it gets cold, passionate kisses with people watching

He welcomes all of it

I think he likes/would seek out physical contact more often than Edward

He’s not touch starved or anything like that, he just enjoys the closeness, as well as knowing that you enjoy it too

If on the other hand, you happen to be touch starved, you won’t be for very long

The two of you would probably share a lot of kisses, arms hanging over shoulders and the like in a way of displaying more casual less ‘pretentious’ as he’d call it affection

Also, despite the tough exterior that so many people get put off by or are nervous of, I get the feeling he really likes hugs (I have nothing to base that on other than the vibe I get)

Like Edward, he wouldn’t become possessive of you

He trusts you deeply, but more importantly than that, you are perfectly capable of being independent and making your own decisions, which is something he is definitely not going to stand in the way of

Anyways, he is a very affectionate partner to have, and is very supportive in everything you do

[hantaslittlearsonist]

Guess who'se writing another Cheslock Fic ~

(please ask me about it)

[hantaslittlearsonist]

❤︎ 𝐹𝓁𝓊𝒻𝒻 ❤︎

ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴇꜱʟᴏᴄᴋ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴏɴ ᴍᴀᴋᴇᴜᴘ

Watching Cheslock put on makeup is... A whole experience. He prances around his room, blasting music so loud there's no way it doesn't bother his neighbors. Not that he cares. He doesn't have a vanity or a small mirror of any sort he can sit at to do this no, of course not. He stands or sits at the silver-framed full length mirror that leans against the wall at the end of his bed. He sings along to whatever song his phone pops up from his shuffled "liked songs" whether it be Motionless in White or Seb Lowe, he knows all of the lyrics. Sometimes he even fingers out the melody into the air, pretending to hold his violin with his left hand as his right buffs on more black eyeshadow.

Once he's done with the eyeshadow though, the real fun begins. He whips out his trusty eyeliner pen (NYX Epic Ink, obviously), leans in as close as possible to the mirror and oh so carefully drags the tip of the pen over his skin from the outside of his eye to just before the middle of his eyelid. He does the same for his lower lash line, careful, mediculous, quiet, for once, staring at his reflection open-mouthed with more focus than he has for anything else. Well, maybe one or two other things but pretty much anything else.

When he's managed to get his eyes to look like sisters (not twins), he moves on to accentuating his scar. The one on the left side of his face, light pink, indenting a three-ish inch (7cm) line over his eyebrow, eye and the top of his cheek. Honestly, he was lucky to make it out with the vision in his left eye intact... Whatever. He traces, less carefully now, over the line with his eyeliner, dragging the scar out all the way down to his jaw and making a fork at the bottom.

'Like one of those old Victorian dolls, see?' He had jocked a couple times, 'The porcelain ones that crack like that when you drop them.'

After doing a once-over of his outfit, little top-big bottom or big top little bottom, depending on his mood, he usually stacks on a miriad of necklaces and bracelets and rings and tightens the balls on his piercings, taking special care of his tongue ring. He swallowed it one time and it would not happen again. He moves on to his hair, making sure every spike is in place and sometimes complaining about how dry it is because of the bleach...

Next is your favourite part, when he gives you a little spin, the various chains on his clothes clinking together merrily. And even better, when he slinks over, wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you close with his usual confident cat-like grin. And he's so warm — a space heater, really — and even though his chains and the studs on his jackets dig into your skin, you don't mind, you want to wrap yourself up in him and never let go.

His lips are a little chapped, a little dry when he kisses you. But they're gentle, careful but still firm. He licks into your mouth, only for a moment, enough to let you feel the sleek hard metal of his piercing.

'Alright, you ready?' He checks. You grin. 'Let's go, I'm starving.'

[hantaslittlearsonist]

ᴡᴇʟʟ, ɪ'ᴅ ᴀꜱᴋ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴏᴜʟ (ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴍɪɴᴇ)

Y/N has an... interesting relationship with Cheslock. Which is to say: they hate him. Sort of.

They've always been "the smart kid" and they won't let go of that title quite yet, not even as a 21 year old university student. They cannot allow someone else — let alone someone like Cheslock — get better grades than them. And yet here they are, studying as hard as they can, just to be sure to keep the top spot they're competing for.

When Soma suggests Y/N join him in taking Cheslock's favourite elective, Philosophy, they jump at the opportunity. They'll do better than their rival and then rub it in his face. Turns out, philosophy is a lot harder than they expected...

What will happen when Y/N realises that Cheslock had the exact same idea as them and took their favourite elective?

Will they learn to recognise their self-worth? Will they grow to get along with Cheslock?

Only I know. If you will, come along with me — your humble author friend — on Y/N, Ches and their friends' insanely long rollercoaster of a third year in university.

Tags:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Alternate Universe - College/University, Weston School is a uni and in Paris, all the characters are in their 20s, Academic Rivals to Lovers, Slow Burn, Parties, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Alcohol, just general uni activities, gender neutral reader, Reader's nickname is Red, so much studying, Reader has Impostor Syndrome, Cheslock (Kuroshitsuji) has impostor syndrome, you get a little trauma and so do you!! everyone gets trauma yey, Cheslock (Kuroshitsuji) has an older brother, Bad Parenting, Beach Episode, Maurice fucks up a group project, Anxiety Attacks, Cheslock and Reader base their entire self of worth on their grades, Cheslock and Reader learning not to do that, it ain't healthy, gifted kid burnout vibes, Suicidal Thoughts, Smut but that's for laaaate

[hantaslittlearsonist]

I think 𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝙸'𝚍 𝚊𝚜𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 (𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎)'s Cheslock would notice if Reader wears silver or gold jewlery

This is very important to me 🥺

[hantaslittlearsonist]

How the FUCK do I write banter

[hantaslittlearsonist]

U should really tell us a little bit abt it

Please.

Okay ^-^

For now it's called "Well, I'd ask for your soul (but it's already mine)"

It's an academic rivals to lovers where Reader and Cheslock are fighting for the top spot in their class in French university (Paris). They take each other's favorite class (and the class where they have the best grades) to prove that they're smarter than each other but turns out those classes are HARD and they need to help each other if they want to pass them so they end up spending a lot of time together and falling for each other.

They both have their own reasons (ISSUES) for wanting to be the best in the class... Violet gets a romantic subplot where he dates an OC of mine... Yeah!

Feel free to ask for more details ^-^

[hantaslittlearsonist]

no one:

Cheslock: Holds his violin like a guitar

[hantaslittlearsonist]

[hantaslittlearsonist]

Iron Dagger on Silk Sheets

You're a hit-person for hire. You've been paid to kill the elf-prince. Unfortunately he's very pretty and you get distracted. 

Porn for the sake of porn really ;)

This took me ages to write so please enjoy ^-^

Warnings: Alternate Universe - Fantasy; Elf Prince!Cheslock; Hit-person!Y/N; gender neutral reader; same as Purple Burnout; no gendered words are used for Y/N; Shameless Smut; Enemies to Lovers; Knifeplay; Light Bondage (Ches pins Y/N down by the wrists); Fingering (Y/N receiving); Hickeys; Hair-pulling; Cheslock has a Daddy Kink; Cheslock has way too many piercings (Ear; tongue; nipple; belly-button; genital); since it's a fantasy AU Cheslock has storm powers (he's a storm elf); Erotic Electrostimulation because lightning ya kno; oral (both giving & receiving); Overstimulation; oh and attempted murder lol

5.8k

He was sleeping. Perfect. 

The moonlight shone silver through the gap in the heavy magenta curtains highlighting the rich mahogany wood of the bed he lay in. Your target. His long snowy hair was fanned out like a halo on the purple silk-covered pillows his head rested on. Only a glimpse of his black undercut was visible from the way he was positioned. His ears, long and pointed, confirmed his identity as they were bejewelled with glittering studs, chains and gems. Only Elven royalty were allowed to wear such jewellery. 

You sighed and turned to lean against the wall by his window, the person who had hired you really wanted him dead. Prince Cheslock of Eglarest Ithilien was your most famous target yet and thus your most expensive. You had answered the coded letter your employer had sent you with one of your own, detailing your price and insisting that you wanted to be paid 70% before you did the job. Once you had received your money you had started scouting. Looking for cracks in the castle security and learning the guard’s schedules. 

And now you were here, standing on Prince Cheslock’s balcony, your back against the wall and a dagger in your hand, basking in the moonlight. The sky was clear and the air warm, a crisp breeze blew your cape out to the side gently. You shook your head and let the wind push the hood that shrouded your face in shadow off. The city sprawled out below, mostly asleep though a few taverns remained open, their lights cutting sharply into the velvety darkness. What a beautiful night to commit high treason. 

Silent like the graves of your previous victims you slid your dagger between the vertical mullions of the Prince’s glass door, flicking your wrist to undo the latch that kept it closed. You froze as the two halves swung open with ease, too fast, anxious they might bang into something and wake your target. Nothing of the such happened, the doors trajectory was cushioned by the thick curtains that hung half-open in front of them.  Wondering why rich people didn’t let their windows and doors creak, just in case someone like you was… after them, as you padded into the room. You moved noiselessly to the side of his bed taking in the unusual smell of rain that hung in the air. 

Your form cast a shadow across his pillows as you stilled. Just to make sure it was him, you told yourself, you detailed him.  His hair shimmered, almost glowing, even without the moonlight to shine on it, long and smooth and light, the way the hair of royalty should be. Your fingers twitched around the hilt of your dagger, wanting to reach out and stroke it, wondering if it was as soft as it looked.  Your eyes shifted from the Prince’s hair to his forehead, youthful and unblemished by age though you knew he was over 100 years old. That was the thing with Elves, they aged slowly, only reaching true adulthood at 90.  Prince Cheslock’s long, graceful eyelashes cast a feathery shadow over his cheeks. It was a shame really, that you were about to slit his throat, the rumours were true, he was beautiful. You almost wanted to slip into the room next-door, where his older brother, Crown Prince Violet, slumbered to investigate the whispers about his inhuman perfection.  The slightly raised white scar that crossed his cheek only added to how stunning he was. You wondered how he had received it. Surely no Prince fought the way commoners had to. Right? 

You slid onto Prince Cheslock’s bed, the mattress depressing imperceptibly under your knee. You held your breath and in one move, you dropped your full weight against his body and pressed your dagger against his neck. It sparkled on his skin like the most expensive of necklaces.  He jolted awake, his surprised jump jostling you and almost making you lose your footing. His eyes were startling as they stared into yours in shock. Beautiful like the rest of him and glittering with intelligence. His irises were citrine peppered with gold flecks that drew you in, making you question why your employer wanted him killed. The prince’s eyes flashed with something incomprehensible and the crisp smell of rain intensified. If you weren’t certain he was mortal you would have bowed down to him as a god.  You shook your head to rid yourself of the thought, damn Elf magic. 

‘Any last words, my liege?’ A cruel smirk curled its way onto your lips as you pressed the sharp edge of your dagger against his skin. This was always your favourite part of your job, feeling your victims tremble under you. It gave you a sense of power nothing else ever could. Prince Cheslock’s eyes widened in what you were sure was fear. So sure. 

But then he smiled, cat-like. 

In a split second you were flipped on your back, your dagger was jerked out of your hand and suddenly you were on the other side of your weapon.  ‘How about… “Who sent you?”?’ Prince Cheslock’s tone was filled with reminders of his position, he pronounced his words perfectly, slowly, unafraid. His voice was sleep-addled, yes, but it was deep and caramel-soft. It made something in you melt, you blamed Elf magic again. Against your better judgement you answered the Prince’s question.  ‘I never know who my contractors are. Sorry, my liege.’ 

He pressed your dagger into your throat, threatening to cut. Your breath hitched and you tried to burrow into the bed to get away from it, your hands up by your head to try and seem less threatening.  ‘How do I find them, then?’ Prince Cheslock questioned.  ‘That, I can answer.’ Some sass had ebbed into your tone. ‘They sent coded letters to the spot everyone sends coded messages to and I picked them up. You could probably trace the line back to them.’ 

He huffed in annoyance. It seemed you had been too cryptic, on purpose, of course. ‘And I have to keep you alive so you can take me to “the spot everyone sends coded messages to”. Correct?’  ‘Correct.’ A small smile cracked your lips.  ‘Unfortunate.’ He said, irritated. Even with anger etched across his face the Elven Prince was still so handsome. His earrings caught the light as they hung from the cartilage of his ears, glittering in the moonlight and swaying slightly. His hair was swiped all to one side, over his shoulder. It shone in a strange silver-white curtain, blocking off your view of half the room. 

Something shifted. The crisp atmosphere started to turn slightly stuffy, filling with electric anticipation as he leaned in close. ‘I suppose you will have to stay here then.’ His breath fanned, hot, over your face. You shivered against his silk sheets.  ‘The door’s locked.’ He informed, dropping the overformality from his words.  ‘Why-’ You started, confused.  ‘I can see your blush, you know?’ Prince Cheslock teased.  ‘What? My liege, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ You tried to deny, but you knew you were wrong. You could feel the blood rushing in your cheeks, heating up the skin.  ‘Don’t lie.’ He chuckled, leaning back and sitting over your waist so he could take weight off the arm that was supporting him above you, keeping the dagger against your skin. You flinched as he brought his now free hand to brush the outside of his ring and pinky finger over your cheek. ‘The proof is right here.’ 

You wondered why Prince Cheslock was being so gentle. You had tried to murder him minutes ago. He could easily hurt you and still “keep you alive” like he had said. So why..? 

‘I like your outfit.’ He commented out of the blue. You didn’t answer, too surprised to even react. ‘It looks comfy and practical, easy to move in. Am I right?’ He probed. ‘I- Yes. I suppose it is comfortable, my liege.’  ‘Drop the “my liege” will you? There’s no-one here to reprimand you for not being polite.’  ‘Yes, my-’ You cut yourself off before you repeated the word again.  ‘Good.’ He said, firm. The dagger was just held there now, no longer pressing into your skin. ‘What’s it made of?’  You blanched. ‘Come again?’  ‘Your outfit!’ He insisted.  ‘Oh. It’s a mix of black cotton and Fae silk.’ 

Prince Cheslock made a strange little noise of understanding. ‘The Fae silk, it makes it stretchy.’ He announced, sure of himself. He was right. You nodded.  His free hand, the one not holding the dagger, came to stroke along the hem of your tight tunic, right over the side of your rib-cage. Even though you were certain he was just inspecting the fabric, a curl of sticky arousal wrapped itself around your abdomen, making you pull your legs together and inhale shakily. 

‘You’re so-’ You started, the words tumbling out of your mouth before you could stop them. ‘Yes?’ the elf egged you on. You pressed your lips into a thin line so you wouldn’t say anything stupid or inapropriate to the man who’se life you had just threatened.  ‘So weird? Different from what you expected? Come on, out with it, little criminal.’ He prodded, his voice teasing, a smile tugging at his lips.  ‘Pretty.’ You breathed.  ‘Pretty?’ He repeated, a laugh in his voice.  ‘Yeah.’ 

Prince Cheslock leaned down, balancing his weight back onto his free arm. His face was an inch away from yours when he stopped, his head tilted to the side and his eyes twinkling with amusement.  ‘You’re pretty too, Y/N.’ You took in a sharp breath, surprise and arousal battling in your mind. How? How did he know your name? Had he known you were coming?  You started panicking, wriggling and trying to get out from under him, your heart racing. 

‘Hey, it’s okay, little criminal. I saw one of your wanted posters just yesterday in the next city. Seems you’ve been stealing jewellery. Haven’t you?’ His voice was soft and purposefully calm.  You relaxed a little. Wait- He had called you pretty? You looked around the dark room, to try and find the audience that was privy to Prince Cheslock’s joke but found only moonbeams and furniture. 

He watched the realisation that you were attracted to each-other dawn in your eyes with a half-smirk. You took a shaky breath, trying to force your brain to plan an escape but all it would focus on was the prince’s slightly parted chapped lips. 

You shouldn’t. 

You couldn’t.

Fuck it. You would. 

You leaned up, putting your weight on your elbows, until your lips were so close to Prince Cheslock’s that you could feel the warmth of his skin. ‘Kiss me?’ You whispered. 

There was a heartbeat where neither of you moved. His pupils expanded, hiding most of his citrine irises and then suddenly you were shoved against the cool silk sheets with his mouth on yours.  Your heart raced, no-longer from fear, his lips were unusually staticky as he kissed you, sending painless jolts of electricity through your skin. Though the elf still held your dagger against your neck you arched up into his warmth. You hummed quietly as he nibbled on your bottom lip, his hair tickling your ear. 

‘Please touch me.’ His voice was desperate as he pulled away barely long enough to speak. How could you refuse him, he was the prince after all.  One of your hands found purchase on his lithe waist, rinckling his grey satin tunic, the other crawled up his back to stroke at the nape of his neck. He moaned quietly against your lips as your fingertips ghosted up his spine to take purchase in his incredibly soft hair. 

Without breaking the kiss or dropping the dagger Prince Cheslock freed his legs from the plush duvet that was tangled around them. He ran his free hand up your shin, making you shiver and adding to the knot of arousal that was building in your core. Not giving it a second thought you let your legs fall open, making space for him. He rolled his silk-clad hips into yours with a muffled moan. You could feel the swell of his arousal against you, pressing into the apex of your thighs and making the last few sensible thoughts you had left burst into smoke.

The hand you had at his waist stroked over his abdomen, pushing his tunic up so you could feel his skin. It was deliciously smooth against your palm as you explored the light valleys his toned muscles created. Prince Cheslock dipped his head to the side and parted his lips to swipe his tongue against your lip as the pads of your fingers met metal. You sucked in a surprised breath at the realisation he had jewellery pierced through his belly button. He used your temporary distraction to lick into your mouth, pressing a warm metal ball against your tongue. 

Your brain wondered vaguely how many piercings the prince had as you stroked the tip of your tongue against the metal in his mouth. Your hand ventured down past his belly button, following his faint happy-trail to the hem of his trousers. His hips stuttered against your touch and he pulled back from your kiss, a line of spit connecting you for a few seconds before it broke and dripped onto your chin. Without thinking, you licked it off. 

Prince Cheslock gathered your hands with his dagger-free hand and, holding your wrists in his long fingers, pressed them into the pillows above your head.  ‘Can’t have you touching me there, little criminal.’ He said, his voice breathy. ‘I don’t want to cum just yet.’ 

He kissed you again, his lips more bruising than before. If your previous kisses had been leisurely, kissing for the sake of kissing, this was kissing with a purpose. It felt like he was trying to mould your lips to his, so you could never kiss anyone else without wishing it had been him. Your arms twitched, wanting to wrap around him and tug at his hair but he pressed down against your wrists so you couldn’t wriggle free. 

He dragged the dagger down your neck and over your collarbone. You were torn between trying to get away, knowing how sharp it was, and angling your head so the blade had more access. 

‘I have clothes you can wear. I’m going to cut yours off.’ He informed.  Your stomach twisted in anticipation as he brought the blade under the collar of your tunic. You really should have thought about the consequences of leaving the castle in the youngest prince’s clothes but at the time you couldn’t have cared less. The idea of letting Prince Cheslock rip the fabric you were wearing was just too enticing. 

The cotton and silk mix stretched at first as he pulled the dagger towards him. Then with a ripping noise it fell away and he sliced through the rest of the tunic, all the way down to the bottom. The blade finished its trip just above the cincture of your tight pants. 

As he cut through your waistband he tugged against the fabric and in turn it added pressure to your core. A moan was forced out of your mouth as he went to kiss you again.  ‘Hmh- Prince Cheslock-’  The elf stayed half an inch away, teasing.  ‘Drop the formalities, little criminal. I won’t add it to your record.’  You didn’t answer, simply arching up into him, trying to connect your lips as he tore your dagger through the fabric of your pants. He leaned back with a smirk, just enough to stop you from kissing him.  ‘You can kiss me when you call me Ches.’ He paused, glowing eyes watching you consider whether it was a good idea to indulge him. ‘Or Daddy. That works too.’ 

You almost laughed at the prince’s strange request but the coil of arousal in your abdomen tightened when the title left his lips. He had said it so casually yet you could hear a demand laced in his low voice.  He guided one of your legs to fold up towards his blade as he sliced the fabric, leaving you with only one pant-leg left, otherwise completely exposed. Prince- No. Ches. Ches tossed the dagger down on the pillow near your head, it made a muffled thump as it landed and tightened his fingers around your wrists.  ‘Say it.’ He insisted, his eyes shining pleadingly. 

‘Ches…’ You whispered.  ‘No.’  You swallowed your pride.  ‘Daddy.’ The word rolled off your tongue almost like a prayer. Like a wish. Ches’s eyes sparked with an electric desire as he smashed his lips into yours. The hand not wrapped around your wrists coming to grip the now bare skin of your waist, his blunt but pointed nails digging into your skin almost painfully. 

As Ches’s hand explored your skin the smell of rain became more obvious and you came to the realisation it was coming from him. His mouth left yours and strayed down your neck, leaving stinging kisses on your skin.  Your lips free, you managed to whisper;  ‘You’re a Storm Elf.’  Ches chuckled, the vibrations of his laugh against your throat making your eyes flutter.  ‘What gave me away? The hair, the eyes or the grey-tipped nails?’ He dug his sharp teeth into the crook of your neck, sucking hard. 

‘The smell. You smell like thunder and rain.’ You gasped, your voice cracking.  Ches hummed against your skin.  ‘I suppose it does make it obvious. But…’ He trailed off seemingly concentrating.  The air buzzed with static and suddenly an arch of electricity connected his hands, shocking into your skin in lightning-like patterns. It didn’t hurt, per-say. The electricity stung, yes, but in a way that made you arch into it more, rather than try to get away. ‘This. Is the biggest giveaway.’ 

You lay in stunned arousal for a few seconds, long enough to make Ches second-guess himself.  ‘You didn’t like that did you? Sorry.’ He hurried to apologise. ‘No. I didn’t like it.’ You smiled, teasing. It wasn’t every day you would see a prince being insecure. ‘I loved it. Do it again. Please… Daddy.’ You moaned and leaned up to connect your lips with his, licking into his mouth in search of his piercing. 

His lungs swelled with a proud breath. Ches brought his free hand up to run his charged fingers over your chest. You twitched with the stinging pleasure the sharp zaps of electricity forced through your skin. He pulled away from the kiss to watch as he ghosted his thumb over your nipple, you looked too. Small arches of blue-white lightning connected his digit and your skin prettily. 

‘Wow.’ You breathed. Ches grinned and added power to one final zap, making you jerk and moan before training his hand down between your legs.  He hovered his fingers over your underwear and locked his citrine eyes with yours.  ‘Can I?’ He checked. You nodded immediately, wanting nothing more.

Ches’s fingertips pressed into you just right through your underwear. The fabric pushed against your sensitive spots forcing all the air out of your lungs at once in a drawn out whimper. You couldn’t help but roll your hips into his hand, chasing the pleasure of his touch. His fingers flickered with electricity again and it arched straight through your nerves making your body try to jerk away but his hand was firm against you and it followed as you squirmed and moaned.  A few more of those and I’ll be cumming on the spot. You thought, your mind almost blank with desire.

You struggled against the hand pinning your wrists down, wanting to touch him. He gave a mean grin and pressed your hands further into the pillow before kissing you bruisingly. He slid his tongue between your lips, pressing the ball of his piercing against the inside of your mouth languidly. You gave a muffled moan and he pulled back. 

‘You want something, little criminal?’  ‘Please…’ You begged, ‘Let me touch you.’ ‘Like you won’t take the opportunity to stab me.’ He smirked. ‘I won’t! I swear!’ Your voice cracked as you pulled desperately at his hold on your wrists.  Ches sighed. ‘Fine. But only one hand.’ He freed your right hand, the one the furthest from the dagger that still lay on his pillow, and threaded his fingers through those of your left, pressing it into the silk below. 

Your now free hand grabbed the front of his tunic and pulled him down for another kiss as you rolled your hips into his palm, getting close. Static buzzed around you again as Ches charged his fingers. The zap was enough to hurtle you off the edge. Your body tensed for a second and suddenly you were chanting “Daddy” into the prince’s mouth.  ‘There you go…’ Ches praised. You’re so good for me aren’t you?’ 

You didn’t answer the question as you panted, your hand tangled in his hair at the nape of his neck tugging to expose his neck. There was a red line where you had pressed the dagger, you licked it apologetically. He tasted like metal and petrichor and whatever expensive soap he used. He hummed at the feeling of your tongue against his skin.  ‘You can mark me, if you want. Just not anywhere obvious.’ He murmured as you dragged your lips down the column of his neck. 

An idea formed in your head. You used your left foot to push against the sheets and leverage yourself on top of Ches. He looked so beautiful under you. His tunic was pushed up around his rib-cage, exposing his silver belly-button piercing, a pretty green stone glittered where it was set into the ball of the piercing. You kept your fingers interlocked with his as you shuffled down so you were sitting between his shins. 

Keeping eye-contact you leaned down, your bottom lip trapped between your teeth as you shot him a teasing smile. As your mouth approached the expanse of skin just under Ches’s belly-button your lips parted so your tongue could precede them. He shuddered as you made contact, licking slowly up his faint happy-trail. You latched your lips onto his skin, just to the side of his piercing and sucked. By the time you were done Ches was squirming, his fingers tugging at your hair and breathy little whimpers leaving his mouth. 

‘Is that hidden enough?’ You drawled, breath fanning over his skin and making him shiver.  ‘Yeah.’ He breathed, using his purchase in your hair to make you come up to kiss him.  You straddled his hips and pushed down a little, pressing your ass into his arousal. Ches let out a sweet “ah” and his hips jerked up to meet yours, the fabric of his pyjamas silky-soft on your skin.  You rolled your pelvis slowly against his, teasing as you kissed. 

The elf seemed to get tired of you tormenting him after a little bit and flipped you onto your back again, his hips nestled between your thighs.  ‘You really want this?’ He murmured against your collarbone.  ‘Yes.’ You breathed. ‘Please.’ 

Ches sat up with a smirk letting go of your hand so he could push your thighs further apart. He slid down, kissing your skin as he went, the silk sheets made a waterfall-esque noise as he moved. He pressed a teasing open-mouthed kiss just above the band of your underwear. You squirmed, trying to get him to touch lower. He grinned up at you, wrapped his long fingers around your hips and pressed you further into the mattress. A silent order to not move.  The prince tugged at your underwear and you lifted your ass so he could pull it off. Once it was free of your legs he dropped it off the side of the bed. 

‘Try not to be too loud, yeah? We don’t want my brother to wake up and alert the guards.’ Ches requested, his voice deep with arousal. You nodded in reply and threaded your fingers through his silky hair as he brought his head to the apex of your thighs.  He licked a strip up your inner thigh leaving a chilled sensation in his wake. You pulled on his hair, trying to make him touch you where you needed him. He gave in and pressed the ball of his tongue piercing into your sensitive spot. Your back arched at the sharp pleasure, sliding easily against the silky sheets. 

Ches pulled away for a second to spit on two of his fingers then smoothed them against your hole. The pressure was nice, but not enough, you rolled your hips, trying to get him to push inside. The elf chuckled lowly and finally slipped his fingers past your entrance. You moaned at the burning pressure, locking eyes with him.  His irises glinted and grinning he shot an arch of electricity through the digits inside you. You threw your head back against the prince’s plush pillows from the mush of pleasure and pain coursing through you like lightning. Ches sucked at your sensitive spot, curling his fingers and making the knot in your abdomen tighten. You tugged at his hair almost in an attempt to pull him away. You were going to cum again and fast. 

Ches moaned, the vibrations of his voice making your legs twitch. You thought it was from your hold on his hair but then noticed that his hips were humping into the mattress. You shot towards your high as the elf curled his fingers aiming electricity purposefully at the spot that had you seeing stars.  Your hole fluttered around his digits as you balanced on the edge of release. His lips pulled into a smirk against your skin before they gave a hard suck, forcing you to cum. One of your hands slapped against your mouth to muffle the moans of “Daddy” that you couldn’t help from tumbling from your lips. He lapped up your release with a happy hum, still pressing the pads of his fingers into your walls. You whimpered and tugged his hair so he would stop. But he kept licking you through pleasure and straight into overstimulation. 

‘Hah- Ches~ Too much!’ You whined. Finally he pulled away, his lips glistening with your release.  ‘You okay, little criminal?’ He leaned over you with a smile, his hands pressed into the mattress by your hips.  You took a deep breath in an attempt to stop panting. ‘Yeah.’ You used your purchase in his hair to reel him in for a kiss. You could taste yourself on his lips and feel his satisfied smile.  ‘I almost came in my pants.’ His voice was high with amusement and surprise. ‘Wanna keep going?’ He murmured against the corner of your mouth.  ‘Yeah.’ You gave a nod and kissed his jaw before he sat back on his heels. 

Ches made you lift your hips so he could stuff a plush pillow under your ass. The dagger that had been resting on it slid off the side of the bed and landed against the rich carpet with a muffled thud. The prince’s earrings glittered in his ears as he pulled his pyjamas off. You let your eyes roam his smooth skin taking a sharp breath when you caught sight of the metal pierced through not only his belly-button but his nipples and his cock.  He caught you staring. 

‘I have 23 in total.’ Ches said, running the tip of his finger over the jewellery in his dick. The hoop at his tip was decorated with what you were almost certain was a tiny ruby set into the ball. You almost wanted to steal it. It would fetch astronomically high prices, especially considering where it had come from. The elf had three parallel bars through the skin in the middle of his shaft; they looked like the rungs of a silver ladder as they glinted in the moonlight.  You reached out and wrapped your fingers around the prince’s bejewelled cock. Ches sighed out a sweet “ah” at the contact. For some reason you had expected the piercings to be cold but they were just as warm as the rest of him. 

Wrapping your legs around his waist you guided his tip to your hole. His hand replaced yours and he tapped his piercing against your skin before pressing it inside. The stretch burned so much you winced. Ches leaned down to kiss along your collarbone, sinking his cock until his thighs were flush against your ass.  ‘Tell me when to move.’ He whispered, his breath warm against your throat. 

It took you a few minutes of Ches kissing your neck for you to get used to the feeling of him inside of you. Once you were you started whining quietly and trying to press his cock deeper. He caught on and started gently rolling his hips into yours. Sparks of pleasure shot up your spine with each thrust. You weren’t sure if he was using his electricity or not at this point but you really didn’t care. It just felt so good. 

‘More-’  ‘Yeah?’ Ches’s voice was teasing and held an undertone of pride as he adjusted his thrusts to be a bit harder. They jostled you up the slippery sheets, almost making you hit your head against the carved hardwood bedstead. Lightning arched between his hands where he held your hips steady. You wanted to watch but every thrust was forcing your eyes to roll back. 

The prince pulled your legs up over his shoulder and let go of your hips so he could lean over your body effectively folding you in half. From this angle the piercing at his tip hit your soft spot straight on.  In an attempt to muffle the lewd noises that were leaving your lips without your permission you bit into the flesh of your hand. Ches made you stop almost instantly. He kissed you, his tongue stroking gently against yours in a stark contrast to how hard he was thrusting into you. Regretfully you broke the kiss so you could pant for air. 

A sudden zap of energy coursed inside you, forcing all your muscles to tense. Your hole clenched around Ches’s dick and he let out a sweet broken moan that really didn’t help. How were you already this close again? A nimble lightning-covered hand came to stroke at your core. Your body arched up into Ches’s, pressing your chest into his in a way where you could feel his nipple piercings. That was all it took. 

You came with a drawn out moan, spasming around the prince’s dick. Hyper-aware of the piercing at his tip that was pressed into your sweet spot. He kept thrusting slowly, helping you ride out your high as you panted and squirmed under him. After a few thrusts the pleasure coursing through you became too much. Your core ached from the overstimulating friction of Ches’s cock. With guilt tangled in the curls of pleasure still messy in your brain you grasped the prince’s shoulders. 

‘Ches- Hurts.’ You whimpered.  ‘Sorry..’ His voice was breathy as he pulled out.  You felt bad about leaving him without making him orgasm.  ‘Can I- Can I give you head?’ You struggled.  Ches shook his head, his sleek hair catching the moonlight. ‘You don’t have to. I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself.’  ‘I want to.’ You defended. He gave a soft smile and let you guide him to lie on his back. 

You slid down the bed to position yourself in a mirror to what he had done earlier. Sitting between his calves you took a second to admire him. The elven prince's hair fanned out on the pillows his head was propped up on making it look like he had a halo. His hands were up by the sides of his head, palms up. It would be so easy to reach for your dagger. So easy. But you didn’t. Instead you admired his soft, milky skin glittering with piercings and covered in a thin sheen of sweat.

You took Ches’s dick in your hands. One gripping the bottom of the shaft and one coming to rub over his tip. He hummed a high little moan when you pressed your thumb nail gently into his slit.  ‘So pretty.’ He almost missed your whispered praise. His cock twitched in your hands.  You leaned down and licked the prince’s inner thigh making him shudder. One of his hands found your hair and tugged it so you would lick him where you needed. 

You took his dick into your mouth, tasting the salty sourness of his pre on your tongue. You licked the piercing at his tip and his hand tightened in your hair. Smiling as best you could with a cock in your mouth you sank your head down until his head bit into the back of your pallet. Ches’s back arched and he pressed down on your head, trying to force you down further. You let him thrust up with a sweet moan. His other hand came to join his first, fingers tangling in your hair and pulling almost painfully. The elven prince’s high-pitched whines filled the room as he essentially fucked your face. His fingers sparked with electricity shooting numb pain down your spine.

His cock kicked against the back of your throat. He let out a broken moan, his fingers tightening in your hair and suddenly your mouth was filled with a warm sticky tangy liquid.  ‘Don’t- Don’t swallow!’ Ches pleaded, pulling your mouth away from his dick. You did as he asked and he sat up, drawing your lips to his parted ones. He licked into your mouth, his pierced tongue searching out the flavour of his release. You snowballed with him until some dripped down your chin and onto his stomach. He gave a saccharine smile as he swallowed the mix of saliva and cum.  ‘Thank you, Y/N.’ He whispered as he brought his mouth to yours again, pressing a sweet kiss against your lips. 

The prince lay back down into his silk sheets, a pretty peach-ish glow decorating his skin. He reached out a hand to invite you to lay with him. You hesitated, tomorrow would be messy if you didn’t leave before the sun came up.  Seeing your reluctance, Ches's face morphed into a child-like pout. You gave in, flopping against the mattress and he grinned. You didn’t dare think about the morning as you drifted off, wrapped in soft satin and warm arms, the pads of your fingers mindlessly playing with the piercings in the elf prince’s ear. The moon was forgiving of what you had just done but you doubted the sun would be.

[hantaslittlearsonist]

[hantaslittlearsonist]

we be writing the smut for the Bittersweet epilogue today ^-^ and the end of chapter 5 of Flying Saucers (Eddie Munson/Reader on ao3)

I'll try to post both today

(link to Flying Saucers: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40958637?view_full_work=true plz read the warnings)

[hantaslittlearsonist]

ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛ ʟᴇᴍᴏɴ ᴅʀᴏᴘꜱ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 2.

You fix your situationship with Ches, have some fun and cry. A lot.

5.7k

@butterfl1ies I finished this for you, hope you enjoy ^-^ (there's an epilogue too, if you're interested, it may or may not contain smut)

The next two days were tense to say the least. You stayed away from Cheslock, preferring to spend time with Serena. You explored the town and the surrounding countryside, chatting about common interests and marvelling over the beauty of the place. You weren’t too surprised when your new friend informed you that her and Violet were soulmates. It explained why she always seemed to appear wherever he was.  Serena talked you into going to visit the lonely house, you hadn’t shut up about it during your explorations and she eventually got tired of hearing about the place. 

You hiked up the small hill to the house. From close up the paint looks in an even worse condition, chipping away around the windows and drips of grey rain water. An old woman with snow white hair curling down past her shoulders was picking at a messy flower bed with gloved hands. You almost left, not wanting to be a bother. But just as you started backing away she looked up and smiled. 

‘Hello dear.’ her voice was soft in the way you would expect warm milk with nutmeg to sound if it could speak.  ‘Um… Hi.’ you croaked. ‘Are you one of the children who stay at the hostel in town?’  You were an adult but you didn’t correct her. ‘Yeah.’  ‘I suppose you heard my story and are looking for advice.’ ‘I am… Sorry to bother you.’  ‘Come in for some tea, dear.’ she beckoned, removing the gloves and setting them on the windowsill next to the door. 

The inside of her home was covered in decorations from the 80’s. It would have felt tacky if it hadn’t been obvious by the pristine state of the side tables and vases that these objects were loved. Ms O’Leary flitted around the kitchen as you sat awkwardly on her painfully orange couch. The cushion covers were worn but the place where a hole must have formed was patched up with a blue and white patterned piece of fabric. 

‘Here you are dear, I only had Earl Grey.’ she apologised as she handed you a pretty pastel green mug full of steaming tea. It was a little too warm for hot drinks but you weren’t about to complain.  ‘Do you want sugar, or biscuits?’ she offered.  ‘Oh I’d love a biscuit.’ you admitted.  Ms O’Leary smiled softly and pulled a metal biscuit box out from the bottom level of the coffee table. She opened it and explained the biscuits inside. You went for a simple “Sablé”. It crumbled deliciously in your mouth, sweet and buttery and crunchy.  ‘This is delicious, thank you.’  ‘I’ll give you the recipe then.’ Ms O’Leary smiled. 

There was a pause in the conversation where you both sipped your tea. The tangy flavour of the drink filled your mouth and you were surprised at how comforting the warmth of it was.  ‘You have worries in your eyes, dear. Care to tell me what’s wrong?’  You hesitated but once you started speaking you couldn’t stop.  ‘There’s this guy… he’s so sweet and kind and pretty… But he’s not my soulmate. Even though I’ve only known him for 5 days.. There’s something there. I haven’t even thought about it because it feels like I’m cheating on my soulmate…’

Ms O’Leary sighed.  ‘Ah yes, the red string is strange. It connects you to the person who is going to be the most important to you. Whether that person is a lover, a friend or even an enemy is for you to figure out.’  ‘So why do people expect me to marry my soulmate?’ you asked, your voice wavering in what you thought was frustration but was really sadness.  ‘I don’t use the word soulmate. Linked is more sensible. Often when people see two souls linked by fate, they immediately assume that they should be lovers but that assumption is quite often wrong. I had friends who were Linked, a lesbian woman and a gay man. There was no possibility they ever could have been lovers because they were attracted to the opposite gender. One day the link suddenly made sense. The three of us got into a car crash,’ as she said this she ran her fingers down a long jagged scar on her forearm, ‘and Finn pulled both his Linked and myself out of the car. He saved his Linked’s life that night. That was why they were tied together by the red string.’ Ms O’Leary paused for effect. ‘So you see, your Linked is only someone important, they do not have to be your love, only if you want them to be.’ 

You considered this new information. If two people who are as incompatible as a gay man and a lesbian can be soulmates, there must be a reason you weren’t in love with your soulmate.  ‘I don’t want them to be. I want to go back to when we were only best friends. It feels like I lost them because of the string.’  ‘You don’t always have to go along with what people want you to do. You know that, don't you, dear?’ ‘I know.’ You answered in a huff.  ‘So what about your new friend?’ Ms O’Leary asked.  ‘What about Cheslock?’ You were confused.  ‘What are you going to do?’ You sipped your tea to avoid answering but the old woman kept looking at you expectantly.  ‘Nothing… He’s stringless so if we did have… something, he wouldn’t need to worry. But I’m not. I’m engaged.’  ‘You’re engaged to your Linked, correct?’ Ms O’Leary checked.  ‘Yes.’ You were a little irritated by the question. Wasn’t it obvious?  ‘Do you love your Linked?’  You sighed. ‘Not the way people expect me to.’  ‘I don’t expect you to.’ Ms O’Leary commented. ‘I don’t think anyone in this town expects you to. You should try loving the way you want to instead of the way you think you’re expected to. Even if it does only last a few weeks.’ 

Your heart swelled with hope. Should you? You wanted to try but you weren’t sure you could deal with the consequences.  ‘Are you sure this is a good idea? What if I can’t go back?’ You asked before downing the last of your tea.  ‘Then you don’t have to go back. You’ll find a solution, dear. You’re smart.’  With that the old woman stood up and pushed her hair behind her shoulders. She took your mug from you and put it into the sink before asking if you wanted another biscuit for the road. You thanked her profusely as she slipped you another “Sablé” and a small piece of paper with the recipe to make them scribbled on it. 

XXXX

You arrived back at the hostel after the sun had set. Everyone was either eating or preparing to go to bed but Cheslock was neither in the kitchen with Agni and Soma nor in the dorm with everyone else. You noticed with a smile that Serena and Violet were sitting on Serena’s bed, one hand each on a phone and sharing a pair of earphones. Serena looked up when you entered and gave you a small wave before returning to whatever her and Violet were watching. You head up to the last place you hadn’t searched you could think of. 

The roof of the hostel was flat with a belly-button-high barrier running around its entirety. It was littered with waterproof beanbags and hanging chairs of various colours and a couple of plants that were well and truly flourishing. Lit by a couple of sun-charged lamps the plants and the stark white floor glowed in a warm yellow light.  A sad violin melody drifted to your ears from the other side of the roof. Cheslock’s lonely figure was sitting on the corner of the barrier, his legs dangling over the street. His hair was down and the slight breeze blew it in graceful waves. Styled like this it looked like it was all white. 

You worried that he may lose his balance and fall off the roof if you surprised him so you just watched as he played. You recognised the piece Cheslock was playing but you couldn’t figure out where it was from for the life of you. A small smile tugged at your lips when you noticed a packet of lemon drops on a beanbag nearby. 

Minus the sleeveless leather jacket Cheslock could easily have looked like a prince. No, you corrected yourself, like a Fae prince. The light from the street-lamp shone around him, lending the air around him a halo-like effect. He looked ethereal, fictional. Your brain struggled to understand that he was real and right there and that you had to fix the mess that had been created between you. 

Cheslock finished the piece he was playing with a more hopeful flourish and set his violin on his knee, holding it by the fret. You deliberately brushed up against a plant, making a rustling noise as you stepped towards where he was sitting.  ‘Hey.’ You said quietly.  ‘Hi, I heard you come up.’ He matched your tone, soft and imbued with something akin to sadness.  ‘I wanted to say sorry about the other day. Soulmates are kind of an uncomfortable subject for me.’ You tried to explain.  ‘They are for me too, Love.’  ‘Tell me if you want to stop talking about this.’ Cheskock nodded. ‘I met my soulmate when we were kids.’ You explained. ‘We grew up together, really close, as best friends. Last year they asked me if we could try being more and I agreed. I kinda felt like I had to, like it wasn’t my choice to make… Same thing for when they proposed.’  He sucked in a loud surprised breath. ‘You’re engaged?’  ‘Yeah… I took off my ring when I got here. I don’t know why.’ 

Silence settled over you, only broken by the breeze making a wind-chime tinkle and the repetitive chirping of cicadas. Your thoughts drowned out the quiet background noise, rushing so fast you could barely catch what they were saying. Maybe you shouldn’t have told him. Did he hate you now? Because you weren’t… available? Would he refuse to talk to you ever again? A stabbing pain coursed through your heart as you envisioned the rest of your holiday without Cheslock. You didn’t like that, not one bit. You had to fix this. 

‘I don’t love them.’ You hurried to add. Cheslock tilted his head to show he was listening. ‘I mean I love them but only platonically… I don’t know what I’m going to do when I go home. This trip is an engagement gift from my friends.’ He hummed in what you hoped was understanding.  ‘They were all so happy for me…’  ‘What does this have to do with me?’ He asked in a flat voice, looking straight out into the night. You flinched internally at his tone.  ‘Ah- well… would it be wrong for me to…’ you struggled. ‘Listen Cheslock…’  ‘Ches.’ He corrected you.  ‘Ches… I can’t explain it but I feel a kind of connection to you. I hope it doesn’t make you uncomfortable.’ He handed you his violin and swung his legs back onto the roof, hopping slightly as he landed.  ‘Different from the connection you have with your soulmate?’ he asked, taking the instrument back. Your heart fluttered as your eyes met.  ‘Yeah… Stronger. Minus the platonic…’ He stared, surprise obvious in his expression. ‘I’m sorry.’ You apologised. 

Cheslock turned from you and your heart dropped into your uncomfortable jelly sandals. He placed his violin reverently onto the beanbag with the lemon drops then faced you once more. A gentle hand reached out to wrap its fingers around your left wrist. He stood with his head turned down at the white floor, his face hidden by a sheet of white hair but illuminated by a nearby lamp. Cheslock pushed his hair back with his free hand and caught your eyes. The nightlight gave his eyes a childlike quality, a sweet spark.  ‘Don’t be.’ He smiled. 

‘What?’ You had lost track of the conversation, distracted by how pretty he was.  ‘Don’t be sorry, Love. I feel that connection too.’ You watched, your heart in your throat as your soulstring swirled around your connected hands. You almost made yourself believe you imagined Cheslock saying that but you can’t. The reality hit you and suddenly your stomach was an olympic gymnast doing backflips.  ‘Really?’ Your voice had gone all squeaky, embarrassing. ‘You don’t hate me for cheating on my soulmate?’  Cheslock shook his head with a light smile.  ‘Doesn’t count as cheating if you’re only with them because everyone expects you to be.’ A bittersweet flavour filled your mouth, as though you had eaten an out of date lemon-drop, sticky and a little gross but you smile back. 

XXXX

You spent the next three days glued together, getting to know each other and to care for one another more and more. Who would have known that two people who weren’t soulmates would have so much in common and yet enough differences for conversations to still be interesting?  Eventually it felt like you had known Cheslock for your entire life. 

How could you not? The two of you were sitting on Ches’s bunk swapping stories. The conversation had started off discussing music and had ended up with you comparing your favourite classic Disney movies.  ‘No, I swear, Atlantis was my bi awakening.’ Ches laughed quietly, his shoulders shaking with the effort of keeping quiet. Your cheeks hurt from how much smiling you had been doing.  You shushed him, afraid you might wake the others up.  It really shouldn't have been so hysterical but something about the air and the company that night was just so good. 

You managed to stop giggling, taking deep breaths in the glow of Cheslock’s phone screen. You tried not to look at him because you were definitely going to start wheezing again if you did. His laughs died down next to you as he leaned his head against your shoulder.  Your legs were folded under you and were starting to get a little uncomfortable, his knees kept bumping into yours every time he shifted.  Ches took his head off your shoulder to peer down at a notification he had just received then looked back up. Your eyes locked with his and time seemed to slow. 

The breath caught in your throat when Cheslock quirked his head to the side with a small smile, his hair was down and still slightly damp from the shower he had had earlier. He was so pretty, ethereal really. His body moved forwards only slightly before returning to its original position, like he was hesitating to get closer to you.  Ches’s eyes sparkled in the glow of his phone as he took a deep breath.  ‘Can I kiss you Y/N?’ He whispered.  You didn’t answer, instead you launched yourself at him, mashing your lips to his. 

As much as you wanted to be able to say that your first kiss with Cheslock had been soft and sweet, it really wasn’t. Your lips mashed together bruisingly and your teeth clashed from the matching idiotic grins you were sporting. One of Ches’s hands held your hip, his black polished fingertips digging into you through your pyjamas while the other cupped the back of your neck. You were holding yourself up from crushing him completely, your legs had wound together to the point where you weren’t sure where you ended and he began.  You pressed firm kisses into his lips, smiling every time you pulled apart. His lips were exactly the way you had expected, slightly chapped from his habit of picking at the fragile skin but soft and warm all the same. 

As you shared this moment a sticky warmth bloomed from your chest and seeped into your bones. No matter how hard you tried from now on, you knew there was no way you would ever be able to stay away. Shit leaving is going to hurt. You ignored the thought, opening your mouth to lick into Ches’s. His tongue met yours and slowly slid over it. He tasted like toothpaste, you had to pull away to smile again. 

Cheslock slid the hand he had on your hip down to squeeze your ass, taking advantage of the break to ask if it was okay. It was. You connected your mouths again, it was a real struggle not to smile constantly. Ches used the hand he had on your ass to pull you forwards so your hips would press into his. Now that you were flush against him you could feel the rhythm of his breathing. It reminded you that this was real, that you weren’t dreaming.  He captured your bottom lip between his teeth and bit down, careful not to hurt you. You moaned quietly, blood rushing in your ears. 

A sudden shuffling of blankets made you freeze. Cheslock quickly pulled back, your lips making a sweet “chu” sound as they separated. 

Violet shuffled across the room using his phone’s torch to light his way. He paused when he noticed your bed was empty and flashed the light up to Ches’s. You snapped your eyes shut and forced your breathing to slow, pretending to sleep. You felt the man under you do the same.  The zap of adrenaline of almost getting caught making out at two in the morning tapered out as you felt tendrils of real sleep weave their way into your mind.

XXXX

You let out a tired groan at the blinding light that shone right in your face. Everything around was comfortable, a lithe arm was wrapped around your ribcage, its hand hanging lightly against your back. Your cheek was squished against a slowly moving chest, your face unfortunately for you was turned towards the ceiling, a ray of sunshine shining right on your forehead and into your eyes. 

As much as you were comfortable you were starting to overheat, sweat pearling down your spine in a futile attempt from your body to cool you down. You wiggled yourself into a position where only your legs were still touching Ches’s.  His eyes blinked open slowly, taking in his surroundings and landing on you. 

‘Hey.’ He said, his voice deep, gravely and sleep addled.  ‘Hi.’ You fought the blush that was threatening to creep across your cheeks. 

You looked up at him. Light freckles you had never noticed before peppered the bridge of Ches’s nose and the squish of his cheeks. The sun made his eyes almost glow, illuminating the childlike spark that his pupils always held. He smiled down at you drowsily. 

‘You wanna go to the beach?’ He asked.  You nodded, hitting your head on the pillow in your enthusiasm and he laughed. 

The sea filled your senses, the sound drowning out everything else and calming your racing heart. Walking down to the beach had been tiring to say the least. Ches’s large hand was wrapped around yours, slightly sweaty but you couldn’t bring yourself to care. The smell of brine, dry seaweed and sun-drenched sand gripped at your lungs. You were sure you would remember this. 

A loud laugh cut through your contemplation, Mey-Rin and Soma were chasing each other through the shallow waves, Agni watching from a beach towel a safe distance away. Violet and Serena were huddled in the shade of a parasol chatting animatedly. 

‘Y/N! Cheslock!’ Called Soma, waving over at you so you would come and join them in the sea.  ‘You’re late!’ Mey-Rin shouted to you. You smiled guiltily.  Ches slipped his hand out of yours and jogged over to Soma, who immediately started splashing him. Mey-Rin walked over to meet you on the beach. 

‘You two were so cute earlier so we didn’t wake you up.’ She grinned. ‘I have photos though.’ She added, gesturing vaguely in Agni’s direction where you assumed she had left her phone.  Your stomach grumbled. Mey-Rin laughed.  ‘Wanna get ice-cream?’  You nodded quickly, having skipped breakfast to come straight down to the beach.  ‘Let’s grab Serena too.’ You added. 

The three of you walked through the shallow waves towards the other end of the beach where a small ice-cream shop stood.  Mey-Rin skipped in front, kicking at seaweed and picking up small shells as Serena and you talked.  She told you that Violet and her had figured out they lived close by in London and had already made plans to meet up to go to Serena’s favourite museum.  ‘I’ve gotta say, I’m jealous.’ You admitted. ‘Why?’  ‘I don’t think Ches wants to keep in touch after this.’ Serena shot you a confused look. ‘What do you mean? Have you even seen how he looks at you? It’s like he thinks you were made on purpose by Aphrodite or something.’ She laughed.  ‘What?’  ‘I swear, if you asked him for a star he’d learn how to pilot a rocket ship and go get you one.’  ‘Okay fine, let’s say he did want to keep speaking. It wouldn’t be a good idea anyway because of my whole soulmate mess.’ You sighed as your trio walked into the ice-cream shop.  ‘Ah. This is depressing, let’s change the subject.’ Serena waved a hand as though to dispel the sad atmosphere the conversation had created.

Mey-Rin ordered a blackberry sorbet in a cone with a wafer. She grinned as she immediately bit into it after the vendor had handed it to her. Serena and you winced, biting ice-cream, criminal. Serena got a scoop of vanilla in a tub with a miniature spoon. She scraped the neon purple spoon over the ice-cream before inspecting it closely before sticking it in her mouth.  ‘Hm. This is good.’ She commented.  After discussing with Mey and Serena you decided to order a scoop of vanilla and one of blackberry in a cone. The tangy slightly crunchy blackberry was a perfect contrast for the creaminess of the vanilla. 

Your trio strolled back to where your friends were. You watched as Soma tackled Ches into the waves, both of them disappearing for a few seconds before they re-emerged, both completely soaked. Cheslocks carefully done up hair flopped over and dripped on the shoulder of his drenched t-shirt.  He looked over at you with a grin. 

‘Gonna give me a taste?’ He called.  ‘Come here then!’ You shouted back. 

He ran out of the waves, lifting his knees comically high and sped up the beach to where Agni was sitting and reading a book. Ches peeled his shirt off and dropped it onto his friend’s feet earning a surprised but irritated cry of protest from Agni.

‘What’d you get?’ He asked. As he jogged towards you. You didn’t answer very fast, too busy watching a drop of water slide from his collarbone down between his pecs and into his belly-button.  ‘Uh Vanilla.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘And blackberry.’  ‘Blackberry? Epic! I love that shit. Come here.’  Ches wrapped his long musician’s fingers around your wrist and pulled the ice-cream towards him. He held your eyes as he stuck out his tongue and licked a stripe up your fingers where you hadn’t noticed blackberry sorbet had dripped. He licked the ice-cream too, his lips pulling into a crooked grin as you let out a shuddering breath, trying to quell the arousal that had started to pool in your gut. 

‘Hey!’ Wailed Mey-Rin. ‘No horny in front of us thank you!’ She grabbed Cheslock’s still dripping forehead and shoved it away from your hand playfully.  He laughed. ‘Sorry.’ He said in a sing-song voice. You couldn’t pull your eyes away from his lips that had been stained purple by the ice-cream. 

That night, your dorm gathered on the roof for a barbeque and drinks. The food was expertly prepared by Agni, of course. You smiled and sipped a mojito in a champagne glass that Edward had handed you as you watched Mey-Rin and Soma dance to a tune Ches was playing on his violin. You could see Serena swaying in tempo on the beanbag she shared with Violet as they smiled and chatted quietly, cut off from the rest of the party.  Your eyes were drawn by Ches as he launched into what seemed to be the chorus of the song he was playing. It was a happy but melancholy tune with fiddle inspirations. He played dramatically, moving way more than you knew was necessary to play the violin, his hair which he had fixed back into its usual deathhawk bobbing as he hit every beat with his whole body. He was really pretty, so kind and smart and handsome in his emo-esque clothes. You had never expected to fall for someone like him but now you had, you felt like you should have known you would. It had been so easy. 

When Ches finished his tune you asked him what it had been. He grinned and said it was his own version of “Lemon Drops” by Raynes. He had felt it was fitting for the situation.  It made sense to you, the song was cheery but bittersweet, like Ches had sensed you were thinking about how you would always be each-other’s biggest “what if”, a few moments earlier. 

XXXX

The second-last day came and went way too fast. The weeks had blended into each-other in a haze of adventures and greek summer sun. Your time with Ches was running out, the thought was constantly on your mind in the second week, tainting the sticky sweet memories you were making with something acidic. 

You stood by the bus stop, hand in hand with Ches, painfully aware that this was the last sunset you’d ever watch together. You looked out at the beautiful colours that the sun was painting over the horizon, slightly annoyed that the weather didn’t match how you felt inside. Ches’s long fingers that were threaded with yours tightened a little as he took a deep breath.  ‘You know,’ he started to get your attention, you leaned your head towards him to show you were listening. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever cared about someone like this… but you already have someone else. You don’t need me.’  Thorny tendrils of sadness wound themselves around your heart. ‘I’m sorry. I love you.’  ‘Then leave them. Leave your soulmate and stay with me.’ Ches said, his voice cracking at the word “stay”.  ‘I can’t.’  ‘You like your comfort too much.’ It wasn’t a question.  ‘Yeah. I’m sorry.’ ‘I’m not worth the discomfort of the change.’ 

You wanted nothing more than to stay here forever, in this small homey village you had started thinking of as your home over the past two weeks. But something was holding you back. You wanted to kick yourself and scream until you figured out what it was so you could get rid of it and be with him. With Cheslock. But you couldn’t. 

‘Ches, I wouldn’t just lose my best friend, all of my other friends would hate me for it. And don’t even get me started on my family.’  ‘I get it,’ he sighed, ‘I’m not good enough for you to give up everything. I wish I was surprised.’ He sounded like he was about to cry, his voice and the hand you were holding trembling with emotion.  You pulled him into a hug, your nose pressed against the crook of his neck and arms wrapped around his waist. He didn’t reciprocate, standing there stiffly.  ‘You’re worth the world Ches, you deserve someone who’ll love you without doubting themselves. I’m not that person, but I can assure you I’ll never forget you. You’ll always have a place in my heart.’ You said, your lips ghosting against his skin just above the neckline of his white tank top. You weren’t sure he had even heard you because of how quiet you had spoken until he wrapped his arms around your shoulder and squeezed you.  ‘But you won’t stay.’  Your eyebrows pulled together heart stinging from being forced to leave Ches.  ‘I can’t. But I can love you until the very last second we have together.’ 

Ches sniffed and suddenly you were both sobbing, clinging onto each-other so hard you both struggled to breathe. 

XXXX

The last day, the one everyone had been dreading had finally arrived. Most of the day was spent cleaning up the hostel and tracking down everyone’s belongings. You and Ches weren’t the only ones who were sad about having to leave. You caught Serena and Violet hugging tightly on the roof as you searched for Mey-Rin’s battery pack. Soma was less energetic than usual and Elisabeth and Paula had run off to the beach one last time, followed closely by Edward who was shouting at them to come back and pack their bags.

As you gave Mey-Rin her battery that you had found behind the bread box in the kitchen for some reason, she told you she hoped she would see you again next year. You didn’t have the heart to tell her you were probably going to be going on holiday with your soon to be spouse.  Everyone bundled together in the kitchen for one last meal, fishing into big bowls of salad and plates of meat kindly prepared by an exhausted and slightly mopey Agni. You learned from Ches that he had spent the whole night tracking down Soma’s expensive watch (it was on the roof in a plant pot). This made you smile sadly, knowing that you wouldn’t get to participate in this organised chaos again. 

Mey-Rin and Soma, in a bout to get everyone (and their own)’s spirits back up, badgered Cheslock into playing a tune after desert. He stood at the end of the table, wearing the same studded leather number he had sported on the day you all arrived and a pair of ripped black jeans. He played the most emotional piece you had ever heard, his eyes closed and his fingers fast against the strings. The tune finished with Ches’s hand sliding up to play a perfect harmonic on the D string.  Unfortunately the performance hadn’t made anyone feel better, just more depressed about having to leave this all behind. 

Around two hours later the bus parked at the stop and honked loudly to signal its presence. Everyone packed their suitcases and souvenirs into the hold and suddenly you were driving away from the tiny Greek town you knew you were all going to miss painfully.  Ches slipped into the seat next to you with a sigh. Neither of you spoke much, preferring to sleep, using each-other’s shoulders as pillows for most of the way. By the time the bus got stuck in traffic going into the city where the airport was you were chatting quietly about your (impossible) dreams. 

Your busfull trooped into the airport, unusually quiet. Everyone was getting ready to say goodbye as they checked their flights. Ches tugged gently on the sleeve of your shirt to get your attention.  You followed him a few metres away, wondering what was going on.  He reached up and unclipped a thick shiny silver chain from around his neck. You expected it to be a bit heavy but were surprised at how comfortable it was as he reached round to fasten the clip behind the nape of your neck. He gave a downhearted smile as he centred the silver padlock pendant against your sternum. 

‘Just to make sure you don’t forget I exist too fast.’ Your heart squeezed in your chest.  You searched your pockets for something to give him in return, only coming up with a couple of shells and your engagement ring. You held it out on your palm. ‘I could say I lost it.’  ‘Don’t. I don’t need a souvenir to remember I love you.’ That was the first time he had said it out loud. Your stomach gave a bittersweet flip-flop. He chuckled sadly and you followed suit. 

Ches took a deep breath, trying to stabilise the emotions that were threatening to overflow.  ‘Listen… If you ever change your mind… You know where to find me, right?’ He asked.  You laughed a little. ‘Yeah.’ as you went to add a dumb joke a slightly robotic voice called “flight 187 in direction of (insert place where you live) now boarding at gate three.”  You swallowed a ball of thorns as you realised that’s your flight. Cheslock noticed too. ‘You should go.’ he said, taking a step back towards the group.  ‘I should…’ You trailed off. ‘Can I get a goodbye kiss?’ You asked tentatively. 

Ches didn’t answer. He grabbed your waist and connected your lips. He sucked gently on your bottom lip before swiping his tongue over it, asking for permission. You parted your lips, your eyes fluttering. He tasted like the lemon lollipop he ate on the bus, bittersweet but delicious. You took a shuddering breath, on the verge of crying as you stroked his tongue with yours and wrapped your arms around his shoulders. Your bodies pressed together like they too were dreading to be separated.  You fisted the back of his leather jacket, the studs digging into your skin as he tried to pull away. You pressed a few more gentle, sad kisses against his now familiar chapped lips before you let him go. 

Taking a step back you realised that Ches had tears pouring down his face, ruining his eyeliner. In the same breath you noticed your face was wet too, eyes blurry from your emotions. ‘Bye… thanks for everything…’ You sniffled, turning and walking away, unable to hold Ches’s sorrowful gaze anymore. 

‘Bye Y/N! Have a good flight!’ Chorused Soma and Mey-Rin, adding another stab of pain to your collection.  ‘Bye guys!’ You called and started jogging, partly because you didn’t want to miss your flight, partly because if you looked back you were going to miss it on purpose. 

Boarding passed in a flash and suddenly you were sitting in an uncomfortable plane seat, staring out of the window at the great expanse of Greece from the air.  ‘Fuck.’ You muttered, the pain of being forced away from your new friends becoming a little too much. You wrapped your black-polished (by Ches, of course) fingers around the padlock, full on sobbing now, holding onto the pendant for dear life. 

XXXX

The next few weeks passed by in a haze of stress and bittersweet memories. Your soulmate commented on your new necklace. You said it’s from a good friend you made on your trip. If they noticed that the sparkle in your eyes was tears, they didn’t say.