#giann x vyn

[qiangweirosa]

meetings and beginnings

"A story of Vyn's first day in Stellis."

relationships: vyn & giann & ailine, giann/ailine tws: none! wc: 2021 extra: this was supposed to be a multichapter fic with ailiannovyn buttt i got lazy + vyn 5th bday is supposed to be about his name change so im posting this anyway

read on ao3!

Vyn jolted awake. He felt the plane shake, and a voice sounded over the speakers, the words only half-reaching his brain as he struggled to situate himself.

He looked out the window. Right. Stellis City. He must have arrived. 

He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, internally wincing as he saw his transparent reflection in the glass, his appearance anything but presentable. A sigh left him and he tried his best to fix whatever he could.

Once that was done and his glasses were once more on his face, Vyn took a look at his belongings and made sure he had everything. The plane had landed by now, and everyone was already starting to stand up and gather their bags, but Vyn stayed seated for now. He pulled out his phone, turning it on and switching the airplane mode off. Notifications soon started appearing on his screen, the last one showing a message sent only a few minutes ago.

“ You should be landing soon, correct? ”

Right as he clicked on the message and opened it, the other person started typing again.

“ I knew it. ”

“ Take your time, we’re almost there. ”

Vyn sent a simple response, acknowledging the words before putting his phone in his pocket again. The door was finally open, and people were starting to get off. Vyn didn’t have to wait too long to leave the plane – not many people traveled from Svart to Stellis, if he was being honest –, and soon enough he was walking through the foreign airport, going through the final checks before being free.

The fatigue was starting to weigh on him, despite having dozed off for almost half of the flight, and he was looking forward to just settling down already. It was early afternoon in Stellis by now, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he wouldn’t be against a meal at the moment.

Just as he thought of pulling out his phone to check if he had gotten any new messages, a voice called out to him – though it did take him a second to realize he was being talked to. He’d need to get used to being called by his new name.

“Dr. Richter!”

He turned his head to see two figures approaching him: Giann Von Hagen, he recognized from their previous exchanges, though the woman beside him was unfamiliar. He still greeted them with a polite smile and nod, walking to meet them halfway.

“Mr. Von Hagen. I was just about to message you.”

The said Mr. Von Hagen waved a dismissive hand at him.

“Please, no need to be so formal. Just call me Giann. Oh,” he gestured to the woman beside him, “this is my fiancée, Ailine. I hope you don’t mind her tagging along with us.”

Vyn shook his head and watched as Ailine bowed before doing the same.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Richter. I’m Ailine Weiss. Giann told me a lot about you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine, Miss Weiss.”

Giann insisted on carrying Vyn’s belongings for him, despite the man’s protests — and they soon arrived to the car that was meant to drive him to his new house. Once all of the baggage was settled inside the vehicle, the three of them sat in the back of the car as the driver started it up. Ailine spoke up first, most likely in an attempt to eradicate any chance of an awkward silence settling, Vyn noted. 

“I hope your journey here wasn’t too rough? Svart is quite a ways away from Stellis.”

Vyn was sitting next to the left car door, leaning slightly against it. He straightened up and leant slightly forward in order to look at Ailine while responding — Giann sitting in between the two was hiding her almost entirely.

“Ah, it wasn’t too bad, thankfully. I will just need to adjust to the time difference, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Ailine gave him a smile accompanied by a polite giggle — despite their efforts, Vyn could see their reservations towards him. They were clearly keeping up their professional fronts — not that he could blame them, though. They were practically strangers still, and Vyn was doing the same anyway. He didn’t think about it much longer though, as Giann cleared his throat and spoke up in turn. 

“We’ve been taking care of your house, so it should be all ready for you to settle in. All necessary appliances are present, and the water and electricity should be on already, but if you have any problems just give me a call and I’ll have someone fix it.”

Ailine added right afterwards, leaning forward the same way Vyn had earlier. 

“That reminds me, I’ve looked into some stores that sell furniture and decorations of great quality. I’ll have Giann send you their addresses later, if you’d like.”

Vyn hummed, a small smile dancing at his lips. 

“That would be lovely. Thank you for all the help you’ve given me, I appreciate it.”

The two reacted in tandem, chuckling in response and shooting each other a glance upon noticing that.

“It’s only natural. We hope to welcome you into Stellis as well as possible.”

Ailine expressed her agreement, and the small talk came to a stop. Vyn fell into thought, slumping ever so slightly against the car door again. He had looked into the neighborhood his new house would be in — Hemingway Heights, Giann had told him. The neighborhood was nice, from what he had seen. Well taken care of, and the area surrounding his street had quite a few stores, so he would have places to go at least. On top of that, it was the district made to promote higher education, which meant many universities and research institutions would be close to his living place. Giann had also sent him pictures of the house he had found him — it was more than enough, he thought. A definite downgrade from the Duke’s palace in Svart, but Vyn didn’t need such unnecessary space anyway. 

He was just glad to have a garden, and enough room to properly arrange everything he wanted. 

Images of Stellis’ streets flashed through the window as they drove, the quiet chatter between the two fiancés next to him serving as background noise to his thoughts. Soon enough though, they were stopping, and the door he was sitting next to was opened. He stepped out to finally take in his new house in person for the first time, taking note of every detail he could see. It was exactly as Giann had described it — he silently appreciated the man’s attention to detail and all the care put in meeting Vyn’s criteria. 

“You seem to like it, correct?”

The voice of the very man he was thinking about sounded next to Vyn, and he turned his head to meet a smiling face — quite smug-looking, if Vyn were to look closer — as Giann inquired. A chuckle left him and he pushed his glasses back up on his nose, looking back at the front before answering. 

“Yes. It’s exactly as you described. I must thank you again for all your efforts.”

“Please, it’s my pleasure. I’m glad to have met your expectations.”

The driver had already placed all of Vyn’s baggage on the front porch, and soon enough he was being welcomed inside, Giann and Ailine both following behind him. The house smelled nice, and looked clean — Giann wasn’t lying when he mentioned he had been taking care of it until now. He had asked Vyn thoroughly about his opinion on the arrangement, and while Vyn could see a few things he would move eventually, it was overall perfect. 

Once they had toured the house and garden, the group found itself once again in front of it and talked. Ailine checked the time and looked up at Vyn right as they were about to share their goodbyes. 

“Dr. Richter, I don’t suppose you’ve eaten since your flight, have you?”

After a hum of thought, Vyn replied. 

“I have not, no.”

Before he had the time to add anything, Giann cut in. 

“Well it’s already dinner time, so why not join us for it? My treat.”

Ailine gave a protest at the last part, to which Giann responded with a bashful laugh, and Vyn gave a smile. Who was he to refuse an invitation, after all? Besides, he had to admit he was really hungry, and wasn’t sure he wanted to make dinner himself. 

“Of course, I would love to.”

The smiles the couple sent him lifted his spirits, and they were soon on their way once more after they had decided on a restaurant to take him to, for his first meal in Stellis. 

Giann and Ailine had chosen a restaurant owned by the Weiss family, Vyn had been told on the way there, to guarantee him a great first experience, Giann said. The restaurant was clearly luxurious: and they were led to a private table, secluded from the other guests in the restaurant. Since Giann had already offered to pay — not without another complaint from Ailine —, he ushered Vyn to order whatever he wished for and not hold back. Silence fell among the three of them as they looked over the menu, and Vyn carefully weighed the different options in his mind. Finally they placed their orders, and engaged in more idle chatter — though Vyn found himself curious about his hosts.

“So, Miss Weiss, your family owns this restaurant?”

Ailine glanced towards him and nodded. 

“We do, yes. The Weiss family is known for its hotels and restaurants. It’s why we are Pax’s partners, actually.”

Vyn gave a hum of acknowledgement, chuckling to himself before looking towards Giann instead. 

“Seems like Pax invests in just about anything, doesn’t it?”

Giann laughed in return, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a wider smile than he had given Vyn before. 

“Well, it is a good idea to invest in several areas. It allows Pax to help development and to build relationships. I mean,” he gestured towards Ailine and their rings, “Ailine and I would have never known each other, nor gotten engaged, if our families weren’t business partners.”

“That’s true.” agreed the mentioned fiancée. 

Their dishes arrived not long after, Vyn enjoying his light — and free — dinner with the company of his two new acquaintances. 

It was already late into the evening when the group finished their dinner. Fatigue was catching up with Vyn — and he wanted nothing more than to lay down into his bed and get a good night’s rest. Giann and Ailine offered to drive him back, and at the risk of relying on them too much for a day, he accepted. He didn't have much of a choice anyway, really, what with still being unfamiliar with the city and having relatively no way to get to his house on his own — and there was no way he would risk trying out public transport this late into his first day in Stellis. 

Finally, he was back in front of his house, saying his goodbyes to the couple for the day. Giann looked at him through the window of the car, giving a final list to welcome Vyn properly. 

“You can get in touch with Stellis University from 8am to 7pm, weekends might be trickier though. As for myself and Ailine, well, just text me anytime and I’ll get to you as soon as possible!”

Vyn thanked him once more, nodding as Giann went on about everything he might need to know — despite Vyn already being aware of most of those anyway. It was a kind gesture, so he didn’t say anything. Finally, Giann was done, and he grinned.

“At the risk of repeating myself: welcome to Stellis, Dr. Richter. It was a pleasure finally meeting you in person.”

And Vyn smiled in response.

“It was a pleasure as well, Mr. Von Hagen, Miss Weiss. I will see you next time.”

The two drove off, and Vyn finally settled into his new bed, in his new house, in this brand new city, ready for his first night. 

[surely-galena]

idk how often lead paint are used (if at all)

but for total shits and giggles, in the crackiest way possible, i imagine marius using lead paint, sometimes accidentally drinking the paint water

and then someone tries to assassinate him with poison and it doesn't do shit because as it turns out, the poison isn't as strong as lead and marius sort of built a tolerance to lead poisoning on accident.

cue assassin freaking the fuck out because the poison had no effect

idk where that came from

Hi Rose!! :D

I did some surface level research for this ask because I thought that lead paint wasn't used any longer, but that's actually a myth... just not in the way I thought it was. When I think of lead paint, my mind goes to historical artists who poisoned themselves through their paintings, but the articles I skimmed were all about lead paint used for industrial/homeowner purposes. There is, however, Lead White paint for artists, but this is pretty expensive because it isn't produced as much and there are safer alternatives for artists to use, too. Money isn't a problem for Marius, so let's say he ends up using the fancy lead white oil paint for his art.

I read through this transcript of an episode from This Podcast Will Kill You on lead poisoning (tw for discussions around child experimentation) and essentially, adults are at lower risk than children because they don't absorb as much lead into their system. Also, absorbing lead through inhaling it is much worse than ingesting it because it gets into your system through your lungs. So even if drinking lead paint water sounds bad (and likely is), it would probably be much worse if Marius had been exposed to lead dust. Both are still bad though!

Plus, since lead has a sugary taste, Marius would probably be able to identify that he was drinking paint water on his first sip (and hopefully spit it out). If he doesn't... then Marius what are you doing.

Now I couldn't find a good source on this, but according to this Wikipedia article on Mithridatism (building up an immunity to poison), it is not possible to build up a tolerance to heavy metals (e.g. lead). This makes sense to me, but take it with a grain of salt since I didn't find anything to back this up.

Also, in the scenario with the assassin, let's say that Marius did somehow have a tolerance to lead poisoning. The chances of the assassin using lead would be a lot lower compared to something fast and lethal (belladonna and cyanide immediately come to mind but you may have to fact check that). So Marius would have an immunity to a different kind of substance and would still end up getting poisoned.

But say that nothing happens to Marius, like you said, and the assassin starts freaking out (as they should). Then this implies that Marius has either knowingly or unknowingly been building up a tolerance to a different kind of poison than lead (which means he's been going through symptoms of mild poisoning over and over again), and not only that, he's been continuously poisoning himself to keep up that tolerance.

Who's responsible for that?? Vyn and Luke, in some attempt to save their friend before he gets assassinated in the future? Giann von Hagen, bragging about his tolerance to X poison to Marius and thus putting ideas into younger Marius' head? Payton, who somehow predicted what kind of poison future assassins would use???

I hope I didn't lose you with all that rambling, haha. It's still a great scenario even if I didn't focus on the comedy/crack part as much, thank you for the ask!!

[actualbird]

hey, who made the NXX logo? 

this is the NXX logo ingame in the NXX HQ meeting room projected into the room for some?? reason???? (thank you @surely-galena​​ for pointing this out in this post. now that ive seen it, it endlessly perplexes me)

but yes, i bring this up cuz like. while this looks to be a simple enough logo, No Logo Is Ever As Simple As It Seems. every logo on earth was wrought into this world by a graphic designer. i am not a graphic designer but i work in advertising with graphic designers on branding projects and logo design is tough work!!!!! even when it seems simple, that simplicity was BY (MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, EXCRUCIATING) DESIGN!!

so somebody had to have made this logo for the team. the Team Logo

but this team is top secret, highly confidential. so they couldnt have just hired anybody. 

and i assume that this logo was set up early in the nxx team days, during the OG NXX Team where the members were only neil, vyn, and giann

and giann? well. he knows an artist

but that artist isnt on the team (yet)

and thus i present to you a speculative excerpt from a video call that happened circa marius’ florence days where giann commissions his brother

marius: and....i get no info on what this project is???? at all?? what the fuck? u do kno that a good logo needs Context, right? giann: the context is. Serious. Sleek. Cool. marius: wow, that helps a lot, as if there arent 938492349328 things that are also serious, sleek, and cool in this world giann: juST PUT THE LETTERS N AND X IN THERE SOMEWHERE marius, playing it up: FOR SHAME!!! YOURE SHOWING SUCH DISRESPECT FOR VISUAL CREATIVES, HMPH!!

heres another thing that comes with logos and branding: brand books. i also had to work on these at my job and brand books can get long as hell, depending on how strict the branding is gonna be. itll include everything from letter kerning, the protected areas around the logo, the maximum reduction size, the primary typeface and secondary typeface, the COLORS, etc.

and marius doesnt seem the type to half ass anything, so he makes a brand book

and hes lovingly passive aggressive in it

and thus the preface in the brand book goes:

"This book will serve as a guide in using the brand identity. It must be closely followed to ensure that the brand is presented correctly and clearly across all communications despite the fact that the one who commissioned the artist was doing the bare minimum of what could be considered communication on this project. [...]

neil and vyn read over this (while giann has his face in his hands) and briefly wonder who the hell giann commissioned for the logo and branding before shrugging and moving on cuz theyve all got more important stuff to be thinking about

anyway, once marius is brought onto the nxx team, he walks into HQ and sees his logo projected in the room is like “giann, you motherfucker....”

[tearsofsimping]

Do you have any themis ships(apart from mc x the love interests)?

I've got quite a few and they're probably all niche

The ships:

Marius x Luke - my beloved crackhead otp who share 2 braincells when together

Rosa x Kiki - They're so cute together, I love their character interactions

Giann x Vyn - There's no hetero explanation for them creating the Giannovyn Mental Health Research Centre together

Artem x Not Coming Home in 10 pulls

[alstroemeriadissonance]

Rebound (NSFW)

WARNING: NSFW at the end, in case it gets a bit too long and you mistake this for having a fluff ending. This isn't an NSFW-focused work by itself, but...well. Stuff lead there because Vyn.

Vyn x Rosa

Vyn showing a few degrees of unhinge.

Summary: Rosa finally takes up Dr. Richter's offer in tending to her emotional health after her break up with Artem. Luke helps out because some bones may need breaking.

Rosa: Dr. Richter, are you free?

Vyn: For you, always. Tell me what you need.

Rosa: Thanks. I think I'll take you up on your offer for a consultation. I need someone to talk to.

Vyn: Where are you? I will go pick you up.

Rosa: Oh, no. I'm actually nearby if you're still in the research center. Are you still there?

Vyn: Yes. Just go straight to my office. I will keep the door unlocked for you. Do not mind the sign on the door, I will be here waiting for you.

Rosa: Thanks Dr. Richter. This means a lot to me.

Vyn set down his phone back onto the desk.

It would have to be a dire situation for Rosa to finally break and cave into accepting his offer. At very short notice, no less.

He stood up from his desk, and with hands clasped on his back Vyn faced the windows overlooking the verdant open grounds of his mental health research center, typically used for the patients' supervised outdoor walks.

But I will not get ahead of myself. I will hear what she has to say, first.

He pulled on the cord for the venetian blinds, raising them just enough to allow more light to spill into his office.

Vyn didn't want the somber lighting to further agitate Rosa--her state of mind was not apparent anywhere in her text messages, which were innocuous, but given context especially based on his knowledge of how Rosa would rather exhaust her own resources and capabilities before asking for help...

Vyn shook his head. He already said that he should not get ahead of himself, but here he was, already worrying for his rose. His rose. The subconscious usage of the possessive pronoun has him chuckling derisively at himself.

Artem had already claimed the prize that Vyn had so immensely coveted.

It took Vyn more or less a year to get over that fact--but for the sake of his work on Giann's Project NXX he kept quiet and had withdrawn from the race, so to speak--paying his feelings no more mind than he would other flights of fancy.

He heard the door to his office being opened.

Finally.

Vyn's eyes went wide by a tiny fraction.

The Rosa that stepped into his office was--for want of better word--wilted.

While her physical appearance itself was pristine with not a hair out of place and work attire still impeccable, it was her overall posture that took Vyn aback: shoulders slumped, a hand gripping her other arm; lips trembling, having difficulty making eye contact with him...

All out of character for his lovely, vibrant rose. His rose.

"Rosa, I am here," Vyn said, softly yet firmly. "Before anything else...come to me."

He stood there, arms opened wide to receive her.

Vyn must have looked like an angel to her with his white coat and arms outstretched. For when Rosa finally looked at him, her face twisted in agony and she let out a huge sob that she obviously held in for such a long time.

Rosa barreled into Vyn's waiting arms, crying loudly against his chest.

"Ssh. Everything is okay," Vyn murmured as he caressed the back of her head, letting his fingers comb through her auburn hair, the tender gesture repeated over and over in an attempt to soothe the distressed Rosa. "Let it out. There is no one else here but you and me."

His other arm encircled her back, pressing her securely against him--a quiet reminder of his presence in the midst of her overwhelming anguish.

It took everything he had not to kiss her forehead, to kiss away her tears, as he badly wanted to do at that moment.

Vyn bit the inside of his cheek hard, until he could taste iron in his mouth. Now is not the time, damn it.

They stood there in the middle of his office for a while, with Vyn holding Rosa close to him; Rosa crying all over his chest and moistening his tie, shirt, and the upper part of his waistcoat with her tears.

After several minutes of full-blown weeping Rosa managed to regain hold of herself and, with eyes red and puffy with crying she still managed to slip out an embarrassed laugh. "Oh, I--are you like this with your patients, Dr. Richter?" she said, then her eyes widened a bit as soon as she realized what she just said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean--"

Vyn smiled gently. "Of course not. I am like this because you are my closest friend, Rosa, and you did call me that back when masqueraded as travelling psychic and assistant, did you not?"

"Yes, I remember, Dr. Richter." Rosa bit her lip.

She is clearly beside herself. The softness in Vyn's eyes hardened at the idea that something, or most probably someone, had caused his Rosa such distress.

"Come, let us have you sorted out." Vyn gently steered Rosa towards the couch set in the corner he reserved for psychotherapy work. "Take a seat there, get comfortable. I shall prepare some tea for you."

Vyn deliberately took his time with preparing the tea in order to give Rosa enough time to let herself get comfortable. The less mental barriers to deal with, the better.

After ten minutes he came back with a tray bearing a pot of his personal mint-lavender tea blend, expertly balanced on his hand. "For you, my lady," he murmured as he set down a cup on the table in front of her, filling it with purple-tinged steaming liquid.

Rosa took a deep breath, inhaling the floral-infused steam. "Just being here makes me feel better already," she said, smile wistful.

Vyn took his seat off to the side, just by her peripheral vision. "I am glad it is working," he said. "I take pride in my tea blends."

They sat in companionable silence for what seemed like forever.

Vyn understood that Rosa may have difficulty broaching or talking about the troubling subject. Since he was not on the clock nor was he being paid for the service--this was his Rosa after all, his friend in need-- he did not see the need to prod the conversation along.

Rosa, after finishing her cup, finally found the words:

"I...well. Artem and I broke up."

Vyn, being in the middle of refilling Rosa's cup, spilled a fair bit of liquid onto the table. He hurriedly blotted out the small puddle with tissues grabbed from the nearby tissue caddy.

"I see," he murmured. "I am sorry to hear that."

"Mhm." Rosa wrung her hands, visibly frustrated. "I...ah. It's so hard to talk about why it happened..."

"Let us not be concerned about the circumstances, my dear Rosa," said Vyn, back in his seat on the sofa a respectable distance away from her. "Instead, let us talk about you feel. That is why you found your way here, is it not?

"Just to be clear," Vyn continued, "I am not a specialist on couples therapy, if you are seeking counsel on how to repair your relationship. However," he steepled his fingers over his lap. "I can help you with processing your feelings, and to be perfectly frank that is my main concern now, first and foremost."

Rosa nodded. "I won't ask the moon from you, Dr. Richter." She smiled bitterly. "After the things I told him, I...I don't know..."

"Is it alright if I ask some prying questions?"

"Of course, Dr. Richter. I did seek out your help..."

"When did the break up happen?"

Rosa paused, as if mentally counting the days. "It was...more than two weeks ago. I remember because..." she bit her lip. "We just went off at each other after a major client engagement that lasted well into the evening..."

Vyn's expression darkened, thankful that he took a seat where Rosa could not see his face unless she turned towards him.

Two weeks. Two weeks of holding in such grief; and still seeing the source of her anguish day to day for work...

Vyn would have to chide her for it sometime, but not now. Right now Rosa's feelings should be front and center. "Two weeks is a long time to deal with this pain unassisted, Rosa." he murmured. "Did you have anyone to talk with about this, apart from me?"

"No. It's just you, Dr. Richter." Rosa fiddled with the handle of her teacup. "Everyone else...either they're connected with Artem and our work in some way or another," she sighed. "It...it wasn't easy. It actually took a leap of faith for me to decide to call you."

She took a deep breath. "It's--its all getting too much for me."

"And I am glad you had faith in me at least, my dear Rosa." Vyn whispered. "How do you feel now?"

"Just terrible." Rosa fought tears from running down her cheeks. "Terrible. Can I tell you about it?"

"That is what I am here for, Rosa," Vyn said. "I am here to listen. Go ahead."

"Whenever it's quiet, especially at night when I'm about to sleep, I--I replay the time when we had the argument that led to the breakup." Rosa's lip trembled. "It feels so horrible, being alone at night with those thoughts. I couldn't go through the night without taking sleep medication."

She was about to wipe her tears with her sleeve, when Vyn held her arm in place to stop her from doing so.

He reached over to her face with tissue in hand. Carefully, he blotted the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Vyn then pushed the tissue caddy closer to her edge of the table. "Sorry for the interruption," he whispered softly. "Go on."

"I feel miserable and lonely every night, Dr. Richter." She laughed derisively at herself. "I told him all these terrible things--and all I've been thinking about is how miserable I am, being lonely as a result. I am a terrible, selfish--"

"I will have to stop you right there, Rosa," Vyn cut in. "First of all, whatever the circumstances that led to your breakup, your feelings are valid. You are hurt. You are lonely. These two are not false." He pursed his lips. "Acknowledging these feelings does not make you terrible, nor selfish."

Rosa kept silent.

"You will need to accept your feelings, Rosa," Vyn said, in calm and measured tones. "You cannot just deny them because of what you think you could have done, on hindsight. Nor should you castigate yourself over matters that are over and done with."

"But..." Rosa winced. "Artem have had good reasons. I..." her voice trailed off. "I was an utter fool for demanding more time from him..."

This caught Vyn's attention. "The cause of your fight was him not having enough time for you?"

"Somewhat." Rosa rubbed her temples. "Now that I'm talking about it, I really feel like an ass--"

"Stop that, Rosa," Vyn said, a tad too tersely than he had intended.

"Dr. Richter?"

He sighed. "Mind, I am not like this with any of my patients. I am merely speaking my mind more openly because you are my friend."

Vyn stood up and moved to the seat next to her, close enough for him to hold her by the shoulders and look into her face directly, his amber-gold eyes holding warmth for her. Yet, at the same time the same eyes pierced through her with firm determination.

"I do not want to see you castigate yourself over matters that are over and done with, Rosa," he repeated his words from earlier. "You were never the type to just wake up and tell yourself, 'oh, today is a nice day to piss off my boyfriend, mayhap I shall do just that.'"

This prompted a small chuckle from Rosa.

"No, Rosa, you had a good reason to raise grievance with him. This I fully believe and even stake my life on," Vyn gently squeezed her shoulders. "Do not invalidate your feelings and decisions from that moment that led to your break up. The last thing that you want is...you losing the support from your own self."

"But this is just like you, Dr. Richter," Rosa's smile was tinged with sadness. "You never let me take any blame. There's always an excuse for me..."

"Do you think of me that lowly, Rosa?" Vyn's smile was twisted. "That is a good way of saying I am a manipulative bastard with ulterior motives."

She swallowed. "N-no! I meant, you are too kind...is all..."

"Heh." Vyn's smile was too taut. "Be that as it may, I can see you being quick to make excuses for Artem, who, I have to emphasize, is the source of your anguish right now."

He finally let go of Rosa's shoulders, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"I do not doubt that there were good times in your relationship, but there have been well-documented tendencies for those grieving after a lost relationship to obsess and fixate over those better times, to the point of forgetting why a break up has even taken place."

Vyn took a sip. "I am seeing it in action right now, with you.

"You need to remind yourself why you felt the need to raise grievance with Artem. Why the argument happened in the first place. Journals, lists, anything, as long as you sit down and think about it. Maintain a certain equilibrium in your thoughts."

Rosa nodded. "O-okay..."

"Do you want me to teach you a small trick that may help?"

"A trick...?"

"Yes. One that may help when your thoughts try to lead you to misery again." Vyn set down his cup back onto its saucer. "Give me your hand, please." He reached out a hand to her.

Rosa placed her trembling hand on his.

"Good." Vyn pushed her long sleeves back just enough to reveal her delicate wrist. "Now, I need you to do something for me."

"What is it?"

"Think about Artem." Vyn's eyes carefully watched Rosa's face for tells or any microexpressions. "Think about the 'good reasons' he may have had that you mentioned earlier. Think about the good moments that you miss having with him."

It did not take long for tears to threaten to spill out from Rosa's eyes.

Seeing this, Vyn pinched the delicate skin on the underside of Rosa's wrist with his thumb and forefinger, prompting a surprised cry of pain. He did not let up, and even twisted the soft skin in his hard pinching, leaving a pink mark on her skin when Rosa finally wrenched her wrist away from his firm grip.

"Ah! Dr. Richter, what the f...?!"

Vyn chuckled. "I shall gladly accept all profanities you would hurl at me, my dear Rosa, as I rightfully deserve it. No need to restrain yourself with saying fuck."

"Yes, but what the fuck Dr. Richter?! That really hurt!"

"That it does, but have you noticed something else as well?"

"What? Aside from you giving me a welt on my wrist?"

"For the last few seconds after I pinched you, did you still think of Artem?"

Realization dawned on Rosa's face. "Oh. Oh, no. Actually...yeah, no." Rosa rubbed her wrist. It still stung from the doctor's assault.

Vyn only smiled. "Yes. So, what I need you to do, is when your thoughts start going that way, you should pinch yourself. Hard. Hard that it causes enough pain for you to stop whatever you are thinking about that moment. Painful enough that you are prompted to stop your thoughts from spiraling downwards."

"Haha..." Rosa rubbed the faint pink welt that Vyn inflicted on her. "Are you like this with your patients too?"

"For this type of case, I just give them a rubber band to wear that they can snap onto their wrist." Vyn smirked. "But for you, you needed an extra painful pinch from me."

"Okay," Rosa grinned, a sincere smile that Vyn was glad to finally see. "Not only that, every time I pinch myself, I'll probably consider it as a tut-tut from you, Dr. Richter."

Vyn had to laugh at that. "If you think of it that way, I suppose you are not wrong."

===

Sunset already coalesced into deep purple-orange skies when Rosa finally bid goodbye and left the office, leaving Vyn to do minor clean up before he himself left for home.

All things considered he did not actually follow the prescribed therapy procedure; instead he pushed onto her his methods on how she should get over the break up--get over Artem, in particular, if he were to be entirely honest with himself.

He could have slipped in a few words to give his NXX colleague the benefit of the doubt. But instead he...

Supposing they mend their relationship, that their break up was only temporary? Suppose Rosa accidentally let Artem know about how her consultation with me went?

She would not do it deliberately of course--he trusted her as much--but Rosa was well known for wearing her heart on her sleeve.

Vyn, after hanging the tea towel by the small sink in his office, buried his face in his hands.

Fuck.

===

It proved to be quite an eventful moment in the NXX Headquarters, after a month-long hiatus since their last meeting.

Vyn could already hear Marius's obnoxious noises pestering Luke as he descended the stairs leading to the NXX basement proper.

Upon opening the conference room door, he was not surprised to see Artem and Rosa seated apart, a few chairs between them, silently keeping to their tablets.

Unfortunately, Marius had also noticed this. "Eh, Missy, why aren't you with your Arty-poo?" he said, smirking. "Are you guys fight--"

"Instead of butting into other people's affairs, Marius, do you have the laboratory results we needed from your Pharmaceuticals?" Vyn cut in, voice a bit louder than usual.

"What do you take me for? Of course I have, it's already currently displayed on the screen." Marius jerked his thumb towards the holographic screen laid across the wall in front of them.

"Well, that is good then," Vyn said brusquely as he took one of the seats between Artem and Rosa. "And? Your report?"

"What the--are you trying to get on my case this early, Vyn?" Marius muttered.

"That's because you're being an insufferable idiot already at 11 am in the morning, Marius," Luke said, his chin propped on hand, expression clearly irritated. "Just shut up, will you? I just want this over and done with so I don't have to do overtime with my other duties."

Vyn mouthed Luke a silent "thank you"; Luke only shrugged.

"Oh, so the NSB mole is playing nice with the NXX psychiatrist, Marius said, voice laced with arsenic. "What, has there been some development that PAX needs to know about, with NSB in particular?"

Luke only groaned.

Vyn silently crossed his arms.

Artem, for his part, spoke up. "Marius, if we can just start with your report on what PAX Pharmaceuticals have gathered for the past month, the sooner all of us can get to our respective day duties."

"Well yeah, but that doesn't answer the question why you're not seated with Ro--"

"MARIUS!" Vyn slammed his fist onto the table. Every pair of eyes were on him now--this was the first time they heard him lose composure, much less shout--witnessing a historic moment where Marius von Hagen finally pushed his usually cool and composed tutor, the esteemed Dr. Vyn Richter, into losing his utter shit.

"I am not in a good mood right now, Marius--I have a headache coming on, and I have no intention of hearing you blather on while every one of us are eager to get to our other duties. Now. Your report. Please."

Marius could only blink. "Fucking hell. Fine."

The next two hours were spent deliberating on each member's reports. Vyn carefully observed the behavior of the erstwhile couple seated at his either side; thankfully they were mostly fully functional at work mode, and neither Rosa nor Artem were avoiding from interacting with each other as long as the interaction was limited to work-related activities only.

Good. It seems that I was worried for nothing--maybe I should have let Marius run his course and observe how Rosa would take his inquisition. Vyn deliberated with himself as he rifled through the new files gathered from everyone on his tablet. On the other hand, she was in too vulnerable a state the other day, to take jabs. Maybe it would be good to err on the prudent side.

And as the meeting came to a close, Vyn called for Rosa. "I will need your assistance with a certain case I am looking at. Can I bother you with this before you return to your office?"

"Oh, um." Rosa looked at Artem, who in turn threw a look at both of them. "Mr. Wing, I'll just stay here for a bit--"

"Who will drive you back to the office then?" Artem asked, voice clipped.

"I will, naturally," Vyn said, his piercing gold gaze meeting Artem's cerulean. "I will take her to your office on my way to the research institute. It is of no consequence to me." His voice was still gentle, yet laced with an edge that brooked no argument.

Artem and Vyn stared at each other silently for several seconds, until Artem finally said, "Fine. I will need her in time for our client meeting in a couple of hours, Vyn. Make sure she is back in the office by then."

"This will only take her less than an hour." Vyn said. "I will drop her off as soon as we are done."

"You'd better." Artem pulled away from his stare-off with Vyn and shows himself out the door.

Vyn and Rosa waited until they could hear the main door of the NXX section close behind Artem.

"Rosa, tell me--if he broke up with you, surely he would not have displayed such a possessive streak?" Vyn said as he gestured for Rosa to take a seat by the conference table, taking his own seat next to hers.

"It's...complicated, Dr. Richter." Rosa smoothed her skirt with a hand. "I...I don't know. It is like he's waffling between us needing to be apart, or be together." Rosa bit her thumb.

"And he still offers you to give you a lift to these NXX meetings?"

"He insisted. To be honest I'd rather take a taxi on my way here, but he's been adamant that we keep to our old...habits. For show, I believe." Rosa's eyes went downcast, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her skirt.

"That is hardly healthy nor helpful to either of you." Vyn noted. "Especially you, Rosa. How do you feel about it?"

"Terrible. Confused. Sometimes scared," Rosa sighed. "I mean, I trust Artem, despite what's happened, but..."

"But...?"

"Speaking with him...always makes me end up doubting myself. Like, for example. During the drive to our meeting earlier. He was picking an argument about whether or not we should stay apart," Rosa huffed. "Funnily enough he himself can't give a definite answer to it."

"Ah, but," Vyn tapped his fingers onto the table. "Suppose he is like that because he wants to get back with you, but knowing Artem, is just too awkward to bring up the possibility properly?

I am mostly asking this for my benefit. But to hell with it.

"I thought of that, of course," she said, shaking her head. "But I...after our talk the other day, I realized that yes, our fight happened because he was too focused on his work." She laughed bitterly. "I also realized that was probably the reason why I became his girlfriend; I was part of his work, so who better than me, right? It was like him setting up his work environment as a microcosm of life itself."

Vyn listened intently, his gaze never leaving Rosa's face.

"If it's not about work, then it is not worth looking at, if he could help it. This also extended to our relationship...we used to watch movies together, but ever since Themis took off as a reputable firm, high profile clients just came pouring in and suddenly there's no more breathing room for even dates anymore...dinners are always used to discuss about work.

"It felt...too constrained. And the way he tended to dictate how I conduct myself in public, like him not letting me accept alcohol in social events...it was..." Rosa struggled to find words.

"Suffocating?" Vyn hazarded.

"Yes, that." Rosa ran a hand through her hair. "And to think I was only able to gather my thoughts properly regarding this, because I heeded your advise in spending some time writing down the negatives of my relationship with Artem. I truly needed to sit down and take the time to think about things."

Vyn hummed in reply. "I am glad you did so."

"You've never let me down, Dr. Richter. Now, what about the case that you needed my help with?"

"We are currently working on it, right now," Vyn smiled.

"Huh?" Rosa blinked. "Oh."

"I had you stay for a bit so I can check in on my friend. I hope..." Vyn paused. "I hope you could find it in yourself to lean on us--on me--more, now that you are actually in need, Rosa. Imagine my chagrin when you told me this has been going on for two weeks without turning to anyone for help."

"I didn't want to trouble anyone. Especially since I thought it was my fault. You know," Rosa rocked a bit in her chair.

"And you know now that it does not matter whose fault it was. What does is that you found yourself in a situation that you want to extricate yourself from."

How quick am I to suggest that she remove herself from the relationship, instead of encouraging her to smooth things out with Artem.

Vyn found himself smiling darkly. I truly am fated to burn in the fires of hell, should there be one reserved for me when I die.

Rosa reluctantly nodded. "Y-yes..."

"That aside, have you been eating well?"

"Um. Ever since Artem hasn't been coming by to cook, I'm now back to calling for deliveries."

Vyn cocked an eyebrow. "That is not good. In this precarious situation you are going through right now, you need to make sure you are well-nourished. Hmm." He tapped his fingers on the glass table, once again. "Would you mind if I send you a care package sometime soon?"

"Care package...?" Rosa asked. "That sounds vague. Should I be scared?"

Vyn laughed. "Ah, there is the cheeky Rosa I know and love..."

He blinked when he realized what he had just said.

Rosa did not seem to notice, her head still tipped to one side inquiringly.

Good, she was always slow to pick up on these things. This was not the first overture he threw her way, and she was always none the wiser. Vyn inwardly sighed in relief.

"If you are scared of receiving sandwiches and pastries, then maybe, yes, feel free to be afraid?" He gently ruffled Rosa's hair affectionately, before standing up and offering her a hand.

"Come, I still need to make good on my promise to Artem to deliver his ex-girlfriend to hi--"

Rosa may have pulled on Vyn's hand a bit too strongly, as the both of them yelped in surprise and sent sprawling onto the cold floor of the NXX conference room, with Rosa falling on top of Vyn.

"Ouch...Dr. Richter, are you okay?"

Vyn groaned slightly. "I am good, but...your elbow just poked at my ribs a tad harder than what I can ignore..."

"Oh god, I'm sorry!" Rosa rolled off Vyn and fussed over him, particularly at the left side of his ribcage that she accidentally elbowed. "I am so terribly sorry, and after all the good that you've done for me!"

"There's no need to worry, Rosa," Vyn muttered as the haze of pain gradually dissipated. "All I will get is a bruise, and an amusing memory to go along with it." He was still lying on the floor, waiting for the pain on his ribs to subside.

"Just give me, hmm. Five minutes. Then I will get up."

"And if you're still not feeling okay after five minutes?"

"Then it means that you have broken some of my ribs and you, Rosa, will be responsible for it." Vyn smirked, or rather tried to smirk, from where he lay on the floor, his coat spread out underneath him.

The scene made for an amusing sight.

Rosa wrung her hands. "Oh, but--argh. Rosa, you utter dolt."

"I will pinch you again if you insist on castigating yourself for everything, even accidents such as these." Vyn drawled.

"Dr. Richter!"

"I jest," Vyn smiled as he closed his eyes. "I hope you do not mind me closing my eyes. The glare of the overhead lamp is just getting to me."

Eyes closed, Vyn fell quiet, pretending to nap. It was clear that Rosa tended to berate herself if she was allowed to, and he was not going to be her sounding board of her self-hatred if he could help it.

A long period of silence followed, and Vyn could almost feel himself slipping to unconsciousness, when--

He felt sweet warmth pressing upon his lips.

Surprised, his eyes fluttered open, only to see Rosa's face over his as she kissed him.

Rosa...? Vyn could not believe what he felt, what he saw.

He had perfect control of his faculties, yet he was still caught unaware by the woman who filled his most of his waking thoughts--or did he deliberately lay there, prone, unconsciously setting up a situation where she could do anything she wished, if she wanted to? After all of the little, coincidental, absolutely not deliberate suggestions he threw at her?

Sometimes I do not know myself anymore, was his thought as he gathered Rosa in his arms and pulled her closer to him.

This is dangerous.

Breath shuddering, he opened his lips to receive her kisses, reveling in the sensations of her tongue exploring his lips, his mouth, and eventually entwining with his own.

Rosa is appreciating him. Tasting him. Vyn felt a strong jolt of something in his chest that he would have difficulty describing to his dictaphone the next time he would do his self-assessment. Limerence? Surge of oxytocin? Dopamine?

His mind went on overdrive, reflexively trying to make sense of the situation as Rosa moved over him, having her way with him.

Vyn caught himself moaning softly as Rosa's tongue ran across his lips.

Rosa's auburn hair spilled over the sides of his face, like the moon blotting out the sun in a spectacular eclipse. The scent of her floral shampoo and perfume saturated his senses. The wet sounds of their kissing blocked the loud humming of the air conditioner--everything is now Rosa.

Only Rosa.

Vyn could feel his arousal growing, and he shifted a little to keep Rosa from accidentally feeling how much he wanted her right now.

No...not yet.

However, Vyn still wanted more, regardless of what situation led to that sweet moment. He tightened his hold around her, one of his hands threading through her soft tresses as he pushed down at the back of her head, pressing her face closer to his.

Rosa. Rosa. All of his nerve endings sung at the culmination of his adoration for her, from the very moment she waltzed into his study, toppling down his house of cards...

He allowed himself a soft sucking of her probing tongue. More.

More.

A trail of saliva connected their lips as Rosa pulled briefly from their kiss, only to break off once she spoke. "Dr. Richter...I...." She swallowed. "I really should not say I did not know what came over me, but..."

"That is fine," Vyn breathed against her lips. "Not everything has to be planned. But," he tilted his face up to meet Rosa's lips with his to sneak in another quick kiss. "This is rather ill-timed. You do understand this."

Vyn licked his lips, relishing the traces of Rosa's flavor left on them. "I really should stop this, Rosa. I really should. But since you started it," he sighed longingly. "Can I be permitted to be selfish, just a for little bit?"

Please. I have waited for so long. I have been made to give up on my wait, but I have never stopped waiting, have I?

He wanted to say those words, and more, but he already had Rosa in his arms, pain in his side be damned, and is that not the only thing that mattered this very moment?

"Can you kiss me a little bit more? Before I send you back to your office?" Vyn's amber-gold eyes betrayed the long-simmering yearning that he held for her.

He reached out a hand to cup Rosa's flushed cheek. The warmth filled his chest with a strange kind of hunger that he never knew he was capable of feeling, until that very moment.

Rosa nodded. "Yes." She bit her lip. "I...I am a dolt in more ways than one, Dr. Richter...but I suppose now is not the time to talk about it."

"You are right," Vyn said, his gentle voice touched with a little impatience that he could not hold back. "Now. Kiss me. Please."

That which had stoppered this dam has been so sweetly removed.

And Rosa, once again, blotted out everything in the world that wasn't her.

===

One week had passed rather uneventfully.

Vyn did deliver on his promise to send Rosa a care package, not once but three times; he had them sent on the days that he knew to be especially stressful for her, based on her usual temperament whenever he struck conversations with her during those days: Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday.

Sunday bore a basket filled with sweet dessert and pastries, bearing with it a promise of sweetness that she should look forward to throughout the rest of the week: happy, pastel-colored assorted macarons, a whole round of Tarte Tatin--which Vyn painstakingly had to spend several hours experimenting with several types of apples available in nearby groceries--and with a touch of whimsy he added a bowl of alcoholic Christmas pudding.

("Dr. Richter, why did you give me Christmas pudding in the middle of July?" Rosa had asked him over the phone, stifled laughter poorly hidden. He had answered, quite blithely, "It is Christmas in Australia. Merry Christmas.")

Monday, the most stressful day, had Rosa receive mostly comfort food, all of which she was surprised to receive from a doctor such as Vyn: a tub of premium black forest ice cream; a simple homemade spaghetti, its recipe adjusted to allow for more meat; and decadent fudge brownies that would earn even Vyn a frown from a dentist.

("I thought the entire point of you sending me these is to nourish me properly?" Rosa had laughed over the speaker phone. "Why are you sabotaging not only my diet, but my blood chemistry results too?" To which Vyn had replied, "I did say I would send you nourishing food--and it is your emotional health that I seek to nourish, Rosa dearest. I said no lie.")

Wednesday was a more elegant affair: it was a wooden box filled with an assortment of cold cuts, assorted cheeses, chocolates, and two small bottles of red wine--each enough for a single glass serving--to go along with the finger food.

("This is just perfect for unwinding right in the middle of a busy week, Dr. Richter. Thank you." "Never you mind, Rosa. Enjoy the end of your hump day.")

Friday evening finally arrived, and Vyn, still in his office, contemplated whether or not to ask Rosa out for dinner.

If that moment back in the NXX conference room did not happen, he would have long dialed her number and invited her out already to a restaurant of both their choosing--or she may have him recommend a place, as she was always wont to do when she was still unattached--yet after that tender moment, on the cold hard floor of the conference room, no less...

Vyn spun his smartphone between his fingers, deep in thought.

I can no longer hide behind the laughable pretense of 'close friend'. Nor could I explain this off with simply keeping tabs on her emotional well-being.

I am already stepping in and courting her, am I not?

Vyn absent-mindedly performed his sleight-of-hand routine with his phone as he further delved into his thoughts. Should I have stopped her, then, before it progressed and made my feelings known? No, she needed affirmation that she was still desirable. Another rejection would have been--

The phone slipped out of his hands, launching it into the air and snapping Vyn out of his reverie. He managed to catch the device before it hit the floor, much to his relief.

Who am I kidding? Why am I using Rosa as an excuse? I wanted it. I want her so much. I want her so much it hurts.

His mind made up, Vyn was about to put Rosa on speed dial when his phone finally rang.

It was her.

"Rosa--" He was about to smile, but the moment he heard her panicking voice his free hand clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Stay put, Rosa. I will be there. Yes, I am making my way there now."

===

"Dr. Richter!" Rosa immediately pulled Vyn inside her apartment the moment he knocked on her door.

"I am here," he said, enveloping the shaken woman in his protective embrace as soon as he closed the door behind her.

This time he did not restrain himself from kissing the top of her head. "Shh. I am here. There is nothing to be afraid of."

"It's my fault!" Rosa sobbed against his chest, her fists gripping fistfuls of his shirt. "I didn't--I--"

"One at a time, Rosa, there is no need to hurry," Vyn whispered as soothingly as he could. "Come, let us sit on your sofa--"

As he led her to her living room, he immediately saw why she was crying uncontrollably.

Her living room was an utter mess. Someone had very clearly intruded her home in a fit of rage: several of her things were strewn across the floor, a table lying on its side, shards of ceramic scattered along one corner of the floor where a large vase was thrown off its place by the windowsill.

Rosa recoiled at the sight of her ravaged living room.

Vyn took a deep breath to compose himself.

"Rosa, look at me," he whispered, summoning as much tenderness as he could for her sake. "Ssh, look at me."

Sniffling, Rosa raised her tear-stricken gaze to meet his.

Vyn then pressed one of her hands to his chest. "Follow my breathing," he whispered softly. "Can you do this for me, Rosa?"

Rosa nodded silently.

"Good. Let us do this together."

Vyn bent down to press his forehead against hers, inhaling and exhaling deep breaths. He slightly exaggerated his own breathing, so Rosa could feel each rise and fall of his chest under her palm.

He kept at it, until he could feel Rosa's breathing finally synchronize with his.

Having calmed down, Rosa hugged Vyn tightly, letting her head rest against his shoulder. "Dr. Richter, I..."

"Let us sit you down first." Vyn sat down on one end of the sofa, patting the space beside him. "Come, sit beside me."

"He...he came here earlier. It started out fine," Rosa sighed as soon as she sat down beside Vyn, nestling her face in the crook of his neck.

Vyn said nothing; he listened intently as he put his arm around her shoulders.

"He came here because he wanted to make up with me. He...asked for another chance." Rosa pressed her body closer to his, as if seeking more of his warmth. "He came in unannounced--he knew the passcode of my door."

"I was...I was in the middle of writing in my journal, when he came to talk. Stupid me left it open on the table...I was shocked by his sudden visit, I guess?" Rosa laughed at herself in disdain. "I was totally not ready for visitors. Especially him...so I went to the kitchen to get him something to eat."

Rosa sighed. "When I came back from the kitchen, I saw him reading through my journal. That...that journal I specifically bought to organize my thoughts and feelings, like you told me to."

Rosa wrung her hands; Vyn, having noticed it, took her hands with his own, cradling them gently in the warmth of his palm.

"So there's only a few pages written in. It's...fairly easy to find the pages where I listed down all the negatives about my relationship with him, to remind me, as you said. I did list down the happy things and memories we did share but...the bad clearly outnumbered the good.

"I suppose it hurt his ego."

Vyn finally found it in himself to speak. "And he did this?" His voice came out shaky. "Artem did this?"

"N-not yet." Rosa started to fiddle with Vyn's long, tapered fingers. "He was hurt, yes, but not enough to go amok. He did start a huge row about it, but it wasn't until he found the bottle of wine that you sent me that things went downhill."

"He drank the wine I gave you?"

"Remember when I said he didn't like the idea of me drinking alcohol?" Rosa half-smirked. "He figured out that it was a gift--I didn't say from whom, of course--but he decided that he'd drink it so that I couldn't."

"Artem the stupid, fucking lightweight," Vyn muttered darkly. "So, inebriated, he did all," he gestured towards the chaos in the living room. "This?"

Rosa nodded.

I will get him.

He did not voice his fury for Rosa's sake. "First things first, Rosa. Dearest," he nuzzled her hair. "Let us change the passcode of your main door. You do know how to do that, right?"

"Yeah."

"Do you need assistance?"

Rosa shook her head. "No. No, but...I'd like you to come with me so you'd know the code as well. For emergency purposes."

Vyn blinked at her. "Rosa, I... I am honored that you should choose me for such an important and intimate role. Are you sure?"

Rosa nodded. "You're the one who's been showing up for me so far. Well, you and Luke."

She then stood up to fetch something in her loft bedroom.

"Luke has been helping you as well?" Vyn asked as he padded over to the side table that had been toppled over, standing it upright and setting it back in its proper place.

"Yes, I've started sharing my troubles with him. I guess you can say that I was encouraged after I saw how much you supported me." Rosa descended the stairs that led from the loft, card key to her door panel in hand.

Luke. Of course. The only one other person in the current NXX roster with a good head on his shoulders.

"I'm going to reset the passcode now. Come with?" Rosa asked, rather shyly.

"Of course."

After Rosa changed the locks and handed Vyn a copy of the keycard for safekeeping, he had spent the entire Friday evening until early morning helping her clean up the aftermath of Artem's drunken rage.

They managed to get the living room back to its usual spotless state, sans many of personal effects, which had to be thrown out and replaced.

Vyn took over the task of creating an inventory of the damaged property after he tucked the weary Rosa into bed.

He would go over the inventory with Rosa later, so she could provide the estimated monetary value of each should things escalate and require ammo for litigation purposes.

For now, there is a more pressing matter that needs taking care of. Vyn put a number on speed dial.

"Luke. This is Vyn." A pause. "Yes, I know this is an unusually early time for me to call. Can we meet?"

===

"Holy hell, Vyn, you look terrible," Luke muttered as he opened the door of his antiques shop.

"Yes. I know. I have not gotten a chance to sleep yet." Vyn resisted the urge to snap, as he was wont to be when sleep deprived. He was here for Luke; he needed the detective's assistance.

Luke raised his eyebrows. "Oookay. I suppose this is something serious, for something to get between you and your precious sleeping time." He ushered Vyn to his quarters on the second floor of the building. "Coffee or juice?"

"Coffee, if you please," Vyn muttered as he took a spot by the floor table, sitting on the carpeted floor cross legged.

Vyn felt his senses stir a little bit towards wakefulness once Luke placed a mugful of instant coffee in front of him; tendrils of coffee aroma teased his sense of smell. He inhaled deeply, trying to grasp at whatever capacity to stay awake he still had left.

"It's nothing that you're used to, Vyn, but that's all I have," Luke said as he took his place opposite Vyn. "So. What's up."

"Rosa." Was all Vyn could say between gulps of instant coffee. He hoped the mere mention of her name could already clue him in.

"Shit. What did Artem do?"

"Went amok in her living room. Scared our Rosa so much she called for me." Vyn finally set the mug, now empty, back on the table. "She almost cried herself to sleep."

"Fuck." Luke took a deep breath. "I assume she's okay now? Since you were with her and all."

"Sleeping when I left, yes."

Vyn ran a fingertip across the rim of his mug, eyes growing even more bleary. He could feel himself nodding off. "I spent the entire night helping her clean up."

"Damn it. Damn it." Luke muttered. "She should've called for me."

"That is precisely why she called me, and not you," Vyn pursed his lips. "She knew you'd go off and break his bones the moment she confided to you about this."

Luke snorted. "I'd do much more than that."

He then crossed his arms. "And yet, you're here, roping me in anyway despite what Rosa feels about me getting involved. Why?"

Vyn looked at Luke, his face unreadable except for the slight tinge of fury that spilled out of his eyes.

"Because some bones may need breaking."

===

It only took an hour into working with Luke to tell Vyn that he had made the right choice calling for the detective.

While Vyn and Marius were both well-versed when it came to higher-level analytical work and resource-pulling that the NXX project required, Luke's prowess clearly showed when the task at hand demanded covert fieldwork and tracking.

For example, determining a specific person's daily routine, their preferred travel routes, where they parked their car...

And since the person they were tracking was a close colleague, the results were expedited from Luke's usual two days to a mere hour, by virtue of Luke knowing exactly where to look.

"Yeah, so. If you want us to corner him somewhere before Monday," Luke began, poring over printouts of various logs.

"There is a good chance of doing so when he gets back from his weekend drive out to the mountains. Tomorrow evening," Luke determined.

Parking logs, tollway timestamps, even a listing of places where Artem tended to use his credit cards every weekend. Vyn pored over the sheets of paper onto which myriad numbers were printed, signifying the times when each transaction had occurred, and where.

"I would not even ask how you can legally get your hands on this kind of information," Vyn murmured as his eyes lazily scanned a listing of where Artem used his card on Saturday last two weeks ago.

"That's the thing, legal isn't a word that applies to us exactly." Luke murmured as he installed a backdoor that would temporarily enable him to gain access to the parking lot's CCTV network. "And that definition was granted and approved via legal means."

"Meaning, no one should end up on your... Shit list."

Luke shook his head. "Mm, I'm not so petty as to use my NSB privileges if I want to deal with personal matters. I'd much rather break arms. I find it a more eloquent method to put my point across."

"Meaning, no one should end up on your shit list," Vyn repeated, brows now raised.

"Except when it comes to Rosa," Luke said as he hit the Return button. "When it comes to her I will use every means I have at my disposal. Childhood friend, you understand." He cracked his knuckles.

Vyn felt that the message was also meant for him, somehow.

"Anyway, Vyn. I've asked you many times, but--are you sure you want to do this?" Luke looked away from his retro CRT terminal to face Vyn.

"I am an incognito government agent, so this work is best left to me. You, however...you have a lot to lose, should this get out. Prestige, standing--"

"Prestige and standing can go fuck themselves," Vyn muttered as he massaged his temples. He still hasn't had any sleep, and it was already almost noon. "As long as that idiot insists on hovering around Rosa while she's still hurt--" Vyn bit his lip, becoming increasingly irritable.

"You don't even sound right anymore, Vyn," Luke's brows furrowed. "If you can't drive yourself home, feel free to crash here if you want."

Vyn let out a ragged sigh. "Yes. Yes, I suppose you are right." He pushed himself away from the table where Luke worked, padding towards the small corridor that led to...somewhere.

"Uh, Vyn, my bedroom's that way," Luke jerked his thumb to the direction opposite where Vyn was headed. "My bed's yours. Knock yourself out."

"Thank you."

"Just sleep. I've taken care of everything; all that's left is what needs to be done tomorrow."

===

Sunday evening.

Artem parked his sports car into his usual spot, after his usual drive through the mountain paths. Having turned the ignition off, he let himself settle a little bit longer in the car seat.

He groaned and almost hit his head against the wheel. The entire point of taking his usual weekend drives was to cool his head off.

Yet this time not even the drive through the entire length of the mountain pass through Cloudbreak and beyond could do anything to quell the guilt and shame of what he did to Rosa the other night.

I should have stayed away. I should have stuck to whatever we decided and stayed away.

Cursing himself inwardly again and again, he unlocked and kicked open his car door, then closing it behind him with a loud slam.

"Whatever did the car do, for you to lash out at it so?"

Artem quickly looked behind him, towards the direction of the very familiar dulcet voice.

Vyn stepped out of the shadows behind a nearby SUV, his hands in his pockets. "Good evening. Fancy meeting you here, Artem." He smiled genially, as if they met by chance across the street, or in a grocery.

Certainly not a greeting from a man who most certainly lay in wait to ambush him.

"Vyn. What do you want?"

The doctor slowly inched towards him, hands still in his pockets, smile still plastered on his face. "Nothing. Just a short chat, is all."

Vyn did not show any signs of slowing down his approach towards him and Artem had to take a few steps back, until his leg hit the still-warm hood of his car.

"Why do you look like you have seen a ghost? It is only me." Vyn took out his right hand to adjust his glasses.

"Vyn, what--"

A manic, blazing white-hot anger flashed across Vyn's eyes as he lunged at Artem--who raised his arms to try and defend himself-- throwing his full weight at him, pinning the taller man onto the hood of his car.

Vyn's arm pressed hard against Artem's throat, causing debilitating pain as he shifted his weight to press even harder, threatening to asphyxiate him if Vyn bore down just a little bit more.

The doctor's other hand caught Artem's thumb, bending it far backwards, just almost far than what is anatomically possible, prompting Artem to try and scream in pain--but could not, as no sound could escape his throat with how hard Vyn was pressing down on it.

"Just a man to man talk, Wing," Vyn hissed. "You have two choices. First option, is you or Rosa be given no less than a month's leave from work, and the both of you go no contact with each other for that period. It is the simplest option with the least consequence.

"Second option, is you insisting on hurting Rosa by keeping contact with her, and if you take that option I will exhaust all means to sabotage your search for your mentor. Remember this. I never, ever deliver empty threats."

"I will let go of your throat now, Wing--if you do anything out of place you will leave this parking lot with a missing limb," Vyn said, his low voice almost a growl.

"Now, answer me--which option will you take?" Vyn lifted his arm off Artem's throat only slightly.

Thinking that it was his chance to retaliate, Artem started to grab at Vyn with his arm, only for it to be pinned back down onto the hood, only this time with a switchblade pierced through the cuff of its sleeve, barely missing Artem's wrist and his radial artery.

"I said, if you do anything funny you will leave here with a missing limb," Vyn said, his voice and face now completely devoid of emotion. "Or do you want further demonstration of what I can do?"

Artem remained defiant. "Richter, you do know what the consequences are of whatever you are doing, yes?"

"Of course."

"Then you do know that I can sue you for--"

Vyn let out a sharp laugh. "Oh yes, do waggle that pathetic sword at me, won't you? What a good way to shutter down the NXX project and lose all chances of you ever seeing your mentor again.

"Just to be clear--I am not afraid of the consequences of everything that I do. In fact," Vyn's lips curled into a slight smile that did not quite reach his eyes.

"I intend on going to your office tomorrow to see Ms. Taylor, and explain exactly why one of you--you or Rosa--has to go on a month's leave. I have already prepared Rosa's full psychological assessment, and also photographic evidence of the damage that you inflicted in her very home."

Artem's eyes widened.

"So, Mr. Wing," Vyn pulled out the switchblade out of Artem's sleeve.

Only to bring it down once again, this time ominously stabbing the very narrow space between Artem's middle and ring fingers. "The option that you will take. Which will it be."

"Man, for someone as vicious as you, Vyn, you sure are taking too much time." Luke moaned as he approached them. "That's not too good, you know? Just gives the man time to compose himself and plan how to take action."

"Luke?" Artem spat out incredulously. "You're in on this too?"

"Huh?" Luke's head tipped to one side, as if he just heard a silly question. He cracked his knuckles. "Of course I am. You made Rosa cry, you fuckwad."

Then, to Vyn, "Step aside. I'm taking over so we can have this over and done with."

Vyn shrugged. "Have it your way," he said as he removed and folded the switchblade in one swift motion and rolled off Artem.

"Alright, showtime. So what'll it be, Artem? You gonna fuck off for one month or what?" Luke asked casually as he raised his fist.

===

"Well, easy does it," Vyn grunted as he carried one of Rosa's new plush chairs into her living room.

"I think that's the last bit, finally," Rosa breathed as she wiped the sweat off her brow.

They had spent considerable time receiving Rosa's new furniture. Vyn did not tell her yet that it was Celestine who quietly handed him the money for them to spend buying the replacement furniture, including other home items that were damaged last Friday night.

That was a problem that would be tackled later on.

For now, Rosa's comfort came first.

Vyn was about to unpack one of the boxes containing some newly ordered stationery items when Rosa caught his hand.

"Rosa, is something the matter?" Vyn inquired, his head tipped to one side.

"Mm," Rosa hummed as she shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. I...I just wanted to thank you, is all."

Vyn smiled, his amber-gold irises glittering in the sunset that streamed through her large ceiling-to-floor windows. "You are welcome. You are my dearest, closest friend, after all."

"Are we still friends at this point, Dr. Richter?"

"Yes." Vyn said as he observed Rosa's face for her reaction. And there it was, that tinge of disappointment barely hidden.

"As long as you keep on calling me Dr. Richter, then yes, I think we are only friends."

"Then..." Rosa moved closer to him, her arms gingerly encircling his torso. "If I call you Vyn...?"

"If you call me Vyn then it means that you have accepted me into your innermost circle." Then, with a softer, gentler voice he whispered, "Will you accept my affection this time, Rosa?"

His smile was laden with longing, the touch of his fingertips across her cheeks singing loudly of how much he had pined for her for the longest time, even when he had lost her to someone else.

Rosa's reply came in the form of a kiss. Standing on tiptoe, she reached out her arms and coiled them ever so gently around his neck, pulling Vyn's face close to hers.

She moaned softly as this time it was Vyn tenderly probing her lips with his tongue, tasting her with a hunger barely held back lest he devour her fully.

Their tongues met and danced hungrily, igniting a fire inside him.

"Rosa, please...I have waited far too long for this moment," he breathed against her lips as his hands slid to her waist. "Can I have you?" His heartbeat was beating fast and hard against his ribcage; the only way to quell his excitement, it seemed, was finally having the woman who so filled his dreams day by day day...

"Yes," Rosa whispered. "Vyn...I want you."

With a sharp intake of breath Vyn slipped his hands underneath her blouse, letting his hands roam the warm bare skin of her torso--letting her warmth dispel the constantly cool temperature of his skin.

He unclasped her bra, and, his breath shuddering with the sweet and heady mixture of excitement and need, he deepened their kiss; his hands felt and tested the swell of her breasts. "Rosa, Rosa," he murmured in between kisses and touches of tongue on lip. "Rosa, how beautiful you are...

"I need you."

Rosa giggled. "Vyn, we are still in the middle of my living room, do you want to move to the bedroom?"

"The living room which we have put together with our own hands," Vyn whispered as he pulled Rosa close to him, leading her to straddle his thighs as he sat on the new plush chair. "What better place to celebrate our new love?" He asked as he pulled her blouse over her head.

"Vyn, it's much comfortable on the bed!"

A soft laughter escaped Vyn's lips, his smile slightly devious. "Consider this my small revenge for you having stolen a kiss when I was lying, hurt, on the cold hard floor of the conference room."

"I'm sorry for that, but-ah!"

He then bent over to capture a nipple with his lips, his tongue swirling around the nub and teasing it into an aroused, hardened peak. His breath came hot and heavy against her skin as he savored and took his time sucking lightly on her breast.

"Vyn, god, that feels...nice..." Rosa whimpered as she unconsciously moved her hips, grinding her wet arousal that how had seeped through her underwear and slightly soiling the crotch of his pants.

The arousal in Vyn's pants was unmistakable, but he was determined to take his sweet, sweet time--he had waited for so long, delayed gratification was but a little game to him now that he has the woman of his dreams writhing deliciously upon his lap.

"It feels nice?" Vyn hummed as he moved his lips onto her other, neglected nipple. "You taste nice, my dear." As his lips and tongue worked their magic on Rosa's breasts his hands gathered her skirt around her waist, revealing her blue panties underneath.

Rosa bit back a moan as Vyn's hands caressed the tender skin of her inner thighs, his electric cool touches sending tendrils of pleasure coursing through her core. "Vyn, please," Rosa moaned. "Stop teasing me!"

Vyn's mouth let go of Rosa's breast with a soft pop. "Teasing? I am doing no such thing," he drawled as he licked his lips. "I am merely...thoroughly enjoying you. Your taste," he licked her earlobe. "Your sound. Your smell, how you touch and how beautiful you are."

"I am glad that you are such a romantic, Vyn, but...oh god yes..." Rosa squirmed as Vyn finally slipped two fingers inside the garter of her underwear and massaged her clit. She started grinding against the sweet ministrations of his fingers over her sensitive bud.

"I rather like how you sing," Vyn murmured as he concentrated on doing experimental touches on Rosa's slit, the pad of his forefinger drawing circles around her clitoris. "Sing for me more, will you, pet?" Never letting up his sweet assault on her clit, Vyn let his middle and ring fingers dip inside her wet, dripping sex.

"Vyn!" Rosa cried. "Please, I'm near," she started grinding harder into his hand, her voice strained with utter need. "Don't stop, whatever you are doing--oh god...!"

Vyn felt her come undone around his fingers, his hand never letting up his sweet stroking until Rosa had come down from her orgasm high.

When it was time for him to pull out his hand, his fingers were totally drenched with her slick, and Vyn made a show out of licking and sucking his fingers clean of her wetness. "You taste utterly delicious, Rosa," he murmured, his eyes hooded. "Next time, I will eat you all up."

Despite just having come down from an orgasm, Rosa still felt a coil of excitement unravel down her loins at hearing his lewd declaration.

"I will take you now," Vyn said, voice now sultry and low. "I have waited for so long," he whispered as he quickly undid his belt buckle and the buttons of his pants. He kicked off his pants and underwear from his ankles with such urgency rarely seen from the usually calm and composed doctor.

Rosa rubbed his now-freed cock against her wet slit, her own fluids mingling with the precum that dripped from his tip.

"Now, Rosa," Vyn said rather hungrily, "Sit on me. Please."

She did not need any further prodding, with a moan she impaled herself, inch by inch, onto his aching cock. He filled her so wonderfully that she could only moan and sigh at every inch that went inside her, until he was fully hilted.

"Oh god, Vyn," Rosa cried as her hips started to move. "Fuck me harder, won't you?"

"I...I wanted to make this last as much as I could," Vyn groaned. "But I suppose that would be hard to do on our first time."

"Stop being such a romantic and just do me!" Rosa cried.

There was something immensely erotic about being bossed around by his woman who needed him so much that she couldn't wait to be fucked out.

Vyn grinned. "And the lady shall be thoroughly fucked," he said as he stood up from the chair, planting Rosa into the plush leather.

He gently pulled her ass toward near the edge of the seat, and hooked both of her thighs over the armrests of the chair. The position made for a rather lewd display, her slit stretching out just enough for her small hole to pucker open.

"Ah, you just look delectable," Vyn whispered hungrily as he knelt in front of her, his cock at just the right angle to penetrate her. He braced his arms over the armrests--pausing for a brief moment to let his tongue slide against hers--and plunged right in.

"Hahh--yes," Vyn hissed as he started to move. His thrusts started out slow yet deep, slowly picking up the pace as soon as he finds himself chasing his pleasure.

All composure, all romance had been blotted out of him as his need to come slowly took precedence--Vyn's moans intermingled with Rosa's into a most exquisite duet that filled his senses. This is it, this is what I have been waiting for.

The overwhelming sensations washing over him quieted that part of his brain that tried to rationalize what made him drown in euphoria. Dopamine, norepinephrine, limerence; none of them seemed to matter anymore. The only real thing is Rosa writhing, moaning, wanting him, and his need for release--

"Rosa," Vyn breathed, his voice strangled. "I'm about to...where do you want me to come?"

"Inside," Rosa moaned, her hand slipping between them to accelerate her second orgasm to time it along with his. "Come inside me, please!"

With a guttural moan Vyn threw his head back, pushing his cock inside as much as he could, as he flooded Rosa's insides with his come.

===

"Vyn," Rosa whispered as she idly drew circles on his chest with a fingertip. "What did you...what did you do with Artem? He never dropped by the office for a week now, and Celestine is not telling me anything."

They were still seated on the plush chair that they made love in; Rosa sitting on Vyn's lap. The position was such that it was entirely possible that a second round would be necessitated.

Vyn made a non-committal sound. "He took a month's leave, upon our...recommendation, is all."

"Really?"

"Yes, really," Vyn planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. "One of the reasons Artem went off like he did was the close proximity between you two even after you have broken up...it was hardly the healthiest arrangement for either of you."

"I...see." Rosa sighed. "I still feel like a dolt--I...I took the safe bet and chose Artem over you. I did see glimpses of how you looked at me before, but..." she smiled sheepishly. "I really thought that I was not deserving of you, that whatever hope I had of you looking at me that way was just my wishful thinking."

"I am sorry, Rosa...that was completely my fault." Vyn caressed her cheek. "I was too caught up in making myself dependable for you that it seemed to backfire on me, making me appear too unattainable."

Rosa laughed. "That is such a roundabout way of humble bragging, Dr. Vyn Richter." She kissed him on the lips. "But that is so you."

"Mhm. I suppose. You would have to forgive me, then, if I overcompensate from time to time? I have to indulge my petty, insecure, overcompetitive sides after all," he murmured, rattling off his less desirable traits that he was all too aware of.

"Yes. I accept it. I accept all of you."

"As I do you and yours, Rosa."

[nightkarmaqueen]

Epiphyllum and A Mother’s Wishes - Marius von Hagen

----- Epiphyllum and A Mother’s Wishes || Marius von Hagen x F! Reader

Summary : The warmth of a mother is something unfamiliar for the Young CEO of PAX Group. But there is a flower that blooms beautifully which is the only intermediary to connect the son and the mother. In his name, there is a sweet wish from his mother for him.

WC : 1912 Words.

Warning : Grammar errors, angst with comfort, spoilers about von Hagen Family, Marius von Hagen : “Twilight Beauty” spoilers, Isabella’s Lullaby reference, etc.

A/N : I should have posted this before Vyn's post yesterday. By the way, was I the only one who thought that Giann would be more hotter than Marius? I mean, LOOK AT HIS SILLUETTE ON THE WILL OF TREES AND HOW GENTLE HIS VOICE IS!

     NO matter what it is, it was a very absurd and strange feeling for Marius von Hagen. The warmth of a mother, they say. Something the young CEO never felt. But a mother's heart will never be far from her children.

     You entered the PAX Group building. Their young CEO called you last night and asked you to come in the morning. Marius intends to ask you for help regarding the disputed land that he will use for the latest project of PAX Real Estate.

     "Good morning, Ms. [Y/N]. Mr. von Hagen is waiting for you in his office,” said a front receptionist who immediately led you to Marius.

     However, just as you turned around, your eyes saw a middle-aged man walking towards you. Even though his amethys eyes started to fade its color, warmth still radiated from his eyes and faint smile.

     "Chairman von Hagen," you bowed, greeting the man as politely as possible.

     "It's good to see you here, [Y/N]. I didn't expect my son to call you this early just for a date. Does he need your assist as a lawyer?” asked the man who was none other than Austin von Hagen, father of Marius von Hagen and your future father-in-law.

     Hearing the word 'date' your cheeks immediately heat up. You tried not to get carried away by the atmosphere and ignore it. “Work hours have just begun, Chairman von Hagen. Even though he's a bit childish, Marius can't possibly ask me out during the work hours."

     The retired CEO couldn't help but laugh softly. “Young people who are in love. You both remind me of myself and Marius' mother when we were young."

     You don't know what to say. But on the other hand, you are very happy Chairman Austin approves your relationship with his son. Haven't answered Chairman Austin’s question, you immediately cleared your throat and answered. “And regarding the previous question, you are right. Marius asked for my assistance with the disputed land issue that he will use for the new real estate.”

     The chairman just nodded. "I see. I'm sure this is a project that my eldest son had left. Marius did discuss this with me a couple days ago.”

     Knowing that the topic of Giann von Hagen was very sensitive, you immediately shut your mouth, not intending to continue the conversation and pushed Chairman Austin instead.

     "Ah, and [Y/N], because by chance you and I are both here, I have something to give you,” Chairman Austin continued.

     “Something, Chairman von Hagen?” You look confused.

     Chairman Austin nodded. “If you can, would you please follow me to my office for a moment? It won't be long. My son won't mind waiting a little longer for you, won’t he?" he asked. He looked at the receptionist who originally intended to take you to Marius. “You can go back to your desk. Let me be the once who escort Ms. [Y/N] to my son's office later."

     “Then I’ll excuse myself.”

     After making sure the receptionist returned to her desk, Chairman Austin invites you into his room to give you something according to the plan.

     Arriving at his office, Mr. Austin immediately opened his glass cupboard. You just stood there, a little nervous about what would Chairman Austin gave you.

     Chairman Austin took something out of the cupboard. He puts it on the table, making you question yourself even more. A small dark blue box.

     Answering your curiosity, Chairman Austin opened the box, revealing something you wouldn't expect. "I've been meaning to give this to you since I found out that you and my son went to see these flowers last weekend," Chairman Austin explained.

     “Chairman von Hagen, this is…” you trailed off, having a hard time to say what was in the box.

     The pure white petals, the perfume smells when the box is opened, and the warm memories that radiate from inside. As they say, like the real flowers, you can't describe the beauty of the item inside the box. Like an Epiphyllum that will not wither and will bloom forever.

     "You're right, this is an Epiphyllum hair ornament belongs to my late wife. I gifted her this hair ornament after she finished her Epiphyllum painting. I'm sure Marius has already told you that." You could see Chairman Austin's pale amethyst eyes glistening with memories.

     Chairman Austin looked at the hair ornament with warmth as if replaying his memories with his late wife. “When she was pregnant with Marius, she would walk around in Epiphyllum's garden wearing this hair ornament. She always said that her unborn son would have hair as beautiful as the night sky, eyes as clear as amethyst gems and skin as white as Epiphyllum petals. And all those words really came true. The present Marius was born from all of those wishes.”

     Somehow, you want to cry, but you find it rude to be like that. “M-Marius never met his mother. He said that since childhood Marius could only see the portraits of Miss von Hagen's and hear her voice through the recordings of voices she recorded in her lifetime."

     Marius' father nodded. He lifted his gaze to you. "Therefore, it would be a pity if this hair ornament was only put on display." He psuhed the box to you. "This is yours now, [Y/N]."

     You widened your eyes in surprise and a little panicked. “Chairman von Hagen, how could I possibly accept such a precious thing from you? This is Miss von Hagen's hair ornament. I would feel very guilty about taking something of hers."

     Chairman Austin smiled warmly at you. “[Y/N], my daughter,” he called you. Hearing the nickname, your cheeks turned red again. “Seeing how much my son treasures you, sooner or later you too will become the lady of von Hagen House.

     And with that, cat got your tongue.

     “If you feel bad about wearing this hair ornament, then let's just say that my wife and I left it to you. How about that?" he asked again. “Also, it would be nice if I could see you wearing the hair ornament now and show it to my son.” A father's warm smile painted on his face.

     You stared at the Epiphyllum's hair ornament. Your hands tried to reach for it hesitantly before you finally picked it up slowly as if you were afraid of breaking its fragile petals.

     After putting on the hair ornament, you turned to the mirror wall in the Chairman of the PAX Group’s office.

     Again, you were taken by surprise. Marius always teases you about how beautiful you are, but you can't believe the effect the hair ornament has on you was that huge. Is this really me? you thought.

     Mr. Austin nodded with a satisfied smile. "It suits you."

     Hearing that, you smiled sweetly. “Thank you so much, Chairman von Hagen. I'll treasure this for the rest of my life!”

∘◦ ✂ ————– ✂ ◦∘

     "Marius, sorry I'm late. Vincent said you were waiting for me," you greeted the young CEO.

     "Oh, missy. I am willing to wait for you until the end of this world.” And here comes the dramatic Marius. "But really, you're ten minutes late, missy."

     “I said I’m sorry!” you protested.

     "It doesn’t matter. I'm a kind ... boss." Marius trailed off. He was frozen in place when he lifted his eyes and saw you.

     That left you stunned and looking at Marius, confused. "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?” However, when you noticed his eyes were starting to tear up, you were even more shocked. "Marius, what's wrong with you?" You walked behind his desk, where Marius was sitting.

     “Missy, t-that is…” Marius seemed to have a hard time continuing his sentence. His eyes keep observing your face.

     "Is something bothering you? Why are your eyes teary like you're about to cry?” If you're being honest, you're freaking out. It's not like Marius at all.

     When you were in front of him, Marius immediately hold your waist tightly. He looked deeply at you. His hand cupped your cheek, aware of a gaze that could somehow fill an empty hole in his heart that he thought no one else could fill.

     "Marius. What a beautiful name, Austin. He also looks a lot like you.” A woman's voice rang in Marius’s ears. He couldn't possibly remember it. But in the voice he always heard from the tape the woman left behind, Marius kept imagining her saying that, just like what his father and brother had told him.

     “Marius, my son. Marius. Like the name your father gave you, be brave, my dear. Don’t be weak or afraid. let the light in your heart lead the way. Life won't be easy, but Marius, I want you to know that I'll never be far from you." Tears started to roll down her cheeks. "Live happily with your father and brother, with those who always support you, and with them who love you and treasure you very much."

     Chairman Austin at that time could only look away, unable to see the kind yet painful expression his wife made. There wasn't a single doctor in Stellis, not even the best doctor in the world could save Miss von Hagen.

     “Marius, my son. I truly … really love you. I love you with all of my heart. Marius.”

     Back to an inevitable reality. Tears were already running down Marius' cheeks. But for the first time in his life, he felt that the hole in his heart was finally filled with warmth.

     “My brother said our mother used to have an Epiphyllum hair ornament that she used to wear when she was pregnant with me. I-I didn't know my father still has it and now it's in your hands,” Marius said honestly in a slightly trembling voice.

     "Oh, Marius," you cooed. You don't have the heart to tease him. You hugged him, letting him sink into your arms. "Does this look bad on me?" you asked.

     Hearing that, Marius immediately pulled himself from your embrace. “No, of course not! You look so pretty wearing it on your hair!” Marius protested. You're trying not to blush too much with that spontaneous compliment.

     Marius looked at you with his still teary eyes. You wiped his tears away. The young CEO seemed to have a hard time finding the right words. He grabbed your wrist gently and swallowed his saliva hard.

     "Missy, I don't know why, but I miss her. I miss my mother," Marius whispered. "I don't have any memories with her, but I feel like I miss her so much that I feel so empty."

     But after that, Marius smiled sincerely at you, not like the mischieve smile he used on you usually. “I think you can fill that little void for me. Father says my mother wants me to live happily with someone who loves me so much. Do you love me, missy?”

     Falling into this rare tenderness, you smiled. “Do you need an answer that you already know? Of course I love you, you brat!”

     As beautiful as the Epiphyllum flower that blooms at night, as warm as the hugs and whispers of a mother's lullaby at the end of her life, and as sweet as memories he never even felt.

     Like her wishes hidden in a name, Marius von Hagen grew up brave and lived happily with you, just as his mother whispered to him shortly after he was born.

See you at the next work. Have a nice day/night.

[samsspambox]

greetings, sam! if i may, i’d like to ask a question regarding a possibility you suggested in the tags of @/surely-galena’s post regarding giann not having a sprite

it was suggested that giann’s lack of a sprite may allude to him having lost his memory and you had raised the possibility of giann wanting to lose his memory. i’m curious as to why you had thought so 👀

although it’s perfectly understandable if you do not wish to answer as it has been some time since the theory was posted!

have a pleasant day ahead!

: ⚜️

good morrow fleur-de-lis nonnie!! that's a fancy emoji u got there jksbdcbjks you're always welcome to ask questions here! and i'm not about to pass up a chance to put my theory-approved tinfoil hat on!

you're right, i did suggest that giann could've wanted his memory erased! now, here's the thing: i guess i can say this is a theory within a theory. this is kinda relating to my giann is a filthy mastermind theory in which giann fakes his own kidnapping in order to hide from... someone idk. but his best chance at survival is hiding.

now, we know dr. richter is capable of hypnosis. this practice can suggest the mind to do different things, it's how some people are able to quit smoking, break phobias, or just change their behavior. (consult ur doctor to see if hypnosis is right for u lmaooo that's my legal disclaimer here). in popular media, at least, hypnosis fucks with your memory. if we take the bit in the giann is a mastermind theory, the one where he's hiding in plain sight at the giannovyn mental research center, then it makes sense for him to get his memory wiped. he's out of the playing field, might as well make sure that he stays out until vyn is ready to bring him back into play (as per a mutual agreement. you can't hypnotize someone into doing something they don't wanna do.)

alas, as you've said, it's been a while since this theory was posted. what are my thoughts now? well, it's not looking pretty, people. so: giann is one of the only people without a sprite that is important to the story. take marius' personal story 4: the main perpetrator of the impersonation was someone who's sprite was introduced that same chapter. giann was introduced in a flashback via marius' rrg card. so, following this logic: i don't think giann is going to get a sprite. i feel like he's dead. galena does a really good job as breaking down why she thinks giann is dead in the post you linked (and i shall also link here) and after a good chunk of the year and how i see the story progression going, i stand firmly with galena on this one.

theres also a thing i've been thinking about related to this and ironically, the fic i'm writing. galena, in her post, talks about how memory is an important part of the game, and also links this post by zak about memory. why is this important specifically? because of the effects of the nxx drug/flora x/X03A. i have a running theory on luke being affected by the drug which then leads to his illness, and in his anni card it states that it's neurological. it checks with how the drug itself works: "It affects the brain in many different ways. In children still developing it causes delays in growth. In adults, it makes them unstable, prone to depression or other mental ails." (that's,,, a quote for the fic i'm writing LMAOO) so who's to say the drug doesn't cause memory loss? what if giann is afflicted with the same stuff luke has, only it's worse on him? that the reason he doesn't have a sprite is because he lost himself?

*shrug* there's a lot of things that it could be. the theory holds up if you look at it through that lens, but i'm more inclined to say that they offed giann. after all, that makes for more conflict in the nxx and sometimes conflict drives the story. it all depends on your point of view.

thank you so much for this question fleur nonnie! i hope you stick around!!!

[devilberries]

~Tears of Themis~

Marius royalty au

Part ii coming out soon with Marius x femMC

Pressure.

Marius Von Hagen knew pressure very well. In fact, he was acquainted with pressure since he was born. Pressure had been holding his hand since he learned how to walk, and it’s always stuck by his side.

Pressure weighed on his back when he became prince. Pressure weighed on his back when he sat with the neighboring royal children. Pressure weighed on his back when his brother ran away. Pressure weighed on his back when he became the crown prince. Pressure weighed on his back when his parents both grew old and ill.

Pressure weighed on his back when he became king.

And here he sat on the throne. It felt uncomfortable, like he didn’t belong there. The elbow rests of the golden chair were cold, unwelcoming. The seat itself was big. He felt like a small child, sitting there.

It reminded him that he was only king in name. At least, that was what people kept saying. He almost believed them. He really should. After all, how could he rule a kingdom he was never meant to rule?

Was this why his brother left? Were the responsibilities too much? Was this why he ran away, leaving all the heavy burdens behind for his pitiful younger brother?

Marius slumped in his seat defeatedly. It wasn’t like he could ask his parents for help when they were both ill in their beds.

But now that there was a change in power, advisors, military commanders, and neighboring kingdoms were watching for a chance to swoop in and eat up Marius. They were waiting for him to slip and fall, using it to their advantage. They would try and try to manipulate Marius, the ignorant younger prince who only knew how to draw.

He heard the whispers in the long halls. He knew of the names they conjured up for him. He could feel the contempt through their fake smiles.

“Your Royal Majesty,” one of the advisors coughed. Marius snapped out of his daze and looked at him. The advisor furrowed his eyebrow and stated, “As the king of this nation, it would be wise not to mindlessly daydream in the middle of a meeting.”

Marius could hear another counselor scoff under his breath, “King? He’s no king. Just a foolish child wearing a crown.”

He raised eyes at the two men calmly.

“Tell me, old man, who is my father?”

The counselor stared back at him with caution as he answered, “His Royal Majesty King Austin von Hagen.”

Marius smirked when he heard his voice quiver. “Alright, and what is my brother’s title?”

Whispers rush between the men along the long table. It was an unspoken rule not to speak of the original crown prince. They could feel the tension suffocate them.

“H-His Royal Highness… Prince G-Giann von Hagen.”

“Good!” Marius smiled, praising the old man, who sat there, sweating buckets of water. “Now,” he stared straight into his eyes, “what is my title?”

“Y-Your Royal Majesty… King Marius von Hagen II.”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Marius waved his finger at the counselor. “That’s not what you said a few seconds ago. Tell me, oh, wise counselor.” He walked behind the old man, towering above him. He placed his hands on his shoulders and asked, “What did you call me?”

The silence was loud. Everyone could only look down, ignoring the counselor. Marius could feel the man shake beneath his touch.

He knew this wasn’t the life he was meant for. He knew that he was better off painting somewhere far away from the throne. Marius knew he was an incompetent king.

But a king nonetheless.

When the man said nothing, Marius whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear, “That’s treason, you know? What should we do with you, hmm? We could,” he traced his finger on the shaking counselor’s neck, “slit your throat. Hang you. Maybe both. Or wait,” he snaked his arm around the man’s shoulder and harshly grabbed the man’s cheeks with one hand.

“We could cut that tongue of yours out.”

As if that triggered something in him, the man began to sputter out words, begging for mercy. He’d be on his knees if he could, but he didn’t dare shove Marius away. The young king cringed when he felt the man’s snot and tears drip down on his hand. Hastily, he pulled away and called for the guards.

As they forced the counselor away, he screamed and cried, but they all fell on deaf ears. Marius turned to the others who sat there with pale faces.

“I think it’d be best to end the meeting here today. Good day, everyone.” He turned to leave, and everyone let out a sigh of relief, until he turned around. They all flinched and attempted to compose themselves. “Ah, by the way,” he eyed each one of them carefully. “I wasn’t joking when I said that was treason. If I hear a single one of you utter a word about my father, brother, or me, I will cut your tongues out, and let it be known that your families won’t be spared.”

He swiftly exited the room and headed to his parents room.

Pressure trailed behind him, so he walked faster. It was a hopeless attempt, as it caught up to him in no time. He paused his movement and clutched his chest, taking in heavy breaths. The shame and embarrassment clouds his vision, while fear blocked his hearing. He was simply alone, facing his fellow friend pressure once more.

He could tell it was mocking him. He could hear its laughs as it pointed at him, calling his crown unbefitting of him, a faux king. He could feel the judgement of its eyes as it stared at him, his glimmering jewels and badges and oversized cape.

Even with all the riches and gold covering him, he felt so naked.

When he felt its hand on its shoulder, he turned and yelled at it, hoping the nightmare would end.

“Get away from me!”

There he was, Vyn, his Royal Tutor, hand in the air as it was shoved away by Marius, and wearing a surprised expression on his face.

He quickly erased whatever trace of shock he had on his face and inquired the boy, “Should we skip todays lessons, Your Royal Majesty?”

Marius blinked back at him, not comprehending what he had just said.

What just happened? Did he shove Vyn?

Vyn saw his visible panic and gently placed his hand on his shoulder. The poor boy looked at him with fear.

“Your Royal Majesty-“

“Don’t call me that,” he whispered with closed eyes. “That’s not me. I’m not…”

“Oh, but you are,” Vyn said. “Let’s talk somewhere more private, shall we?”

No words came out of Marius, so the Tutor pulled the depressed king along with him into a private guest bedroom. He softly pushed Marius to sit on the bed, while he himself sat on the chair, watching the boy.

“How do you feel?”

Marius stared at the ground emptily. “Can I answer you honestly, Vyn?”

“Of course. You can tell me anything… Marius,” he added that at the end carefully. The boy let out a relieved sigh once he heard Vyn drop the honorifics.

“You really don’t have to call me all those things in public either, Vyn.”

He smiled, “That would be rude and almost treasonous. Didn’t I teach you that?”

“Argh,” Marius bent over, covering his face. “Don’t even mention the word treason near me again.”

“Why? What’s wrong with that?”

Marius looked up, and Vyn chuckled at his distressed expression. “I may have gotten mad at someone for talking shit about me, so I sent him to the chambers and threatened to cut his tongue off…”

Vyn raised an eyebrow, “Was it someone from the Council?”

“Yeah, it was,” Marius sighed.

“Well, it was very irrational to say, at the least, but at least you took the initiative to use your power. That’s the first step of being a ruler.”

“But I don’t want to be a ruler, Vyn. You know that. This,” he got up and spread his arms out, pointing to himself, “none of this stuff feels right. Being King doesn’t feel right. I don’t feel right. Everything is just so…” He trailed off, rubbing his eyes hard to stop the tears.

Vyn sat there patiently. He watched as the boy just a bit younger than him fall apart. He knew it would happen one day. No, in fact, he hoped it would happen. Perhaps this was Marius’s way to free himself from this mess of a kingdom he was born it.

The Tutor was smart. He was intelligent enough to be a military strategist, maybe even be King, but he was unlucky. He was born with commoner blood, yet maybe he was grateful to have been a mere peasant, a mere servant to serve a spoiled prince because he realized being born with royal blood didn’t mean you were lucky; you were just crushed even more by the endless expectations of thousands of people who entrust their lives to you.

He knew what Marius was going to

Everything was just so suffocating.

———————————

It took a while for Marius to stop crying. Vyn chuckled to himself thinking about it. How old was he? Twenty-one, right? Twenty-one and still weeping like he was five.

“Marius.” The boy who was sitting down on the bed, hugging a soft white pillow, looked up with puffy eyes. They decided it was best to stay until his eyes were a bit better in case word spreads that the King is a big baby. “If the pressure makes you too anxious, how about visiting the Themis Temple?”

“Temple? But I’m not religious,” Marius sniffed.

“I know that, but it might calm you a bit. Visiting the temple may bring peace and tranquil for your mind. Plus, I heard the priests and priestesses there are very kind and welcoming to all, despite social and economical differences.”

The boy raised his eyebrow when he heard the words “welcoming to all, despite social and economical differences.”

Was there really such a place that would overlook such things?

“Plus, I hear that they have this intriguing… we’ll call it ‘tradition.’”

“What do you mean by that?” Marius questioned.

“Well, you see, they believe that all the Head Priestesses that are born inherit Themis’s blood. I hear the Head Priestess as of now has a daughter who is coming of age to become the next Head Priestess, so they’re having this event, almost like a ritual to perform on the girl.”

Marius furrowed his eyebrows. “Ritual?”

Vyn nodded, “Yes, a ritual. I’ve only heard rumors, since the last one was forty years ago, but, apparently, the girl gets hot water poured all over her. It’s suppose to symbolize inheriting the burdens of the last Head Priestess and to make her feel the injustice of this world weigh down on her.”

Marius frowned. That sounded more like torture. He felt pity for the girl. She seemed similar to Marius, born with responsibility and pressure, with a role she never asked for.

“How about you go with me right now? We can use our study time to see whether or not you’ll like it. Plus, I believe it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”

“But won’t people recognize me?” He inquired.

“The question you should be asking is not that, but if you ‘want’ people to recognize you.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t want people to know,” he grumbled.

“Then we shall dress as normal aristocrats. Come now, I have plenty of clothes that will suit you. You’ll have to make due with a commoner’s clothes, Your-“

“Don’t even think about addressing me like that,” he sneers. “And I don’t mind about wearing commoner stuff. I don’t care for this social hierarchy at all.”

Vyn whistles, “How cute, coming from a person of privilege.”

“You know that’s not what I mean!”

“Right, right, of course. I’ll just have to trust your word then. Now, shall we get dressed?”

The two exit the guest bedroom and head to Vyn’s, which was a couple doors down the hall. They walked side by side. Though the servants and maids whispered among themselves, Marius was occupied with his thoughts.

He couldn’t get his mind off of the girl. Perhaps it was infatuation, or genuine curiosity. He created an illusion in his mind.

In his fantasies, he would speak with the girl. He would ask if she felt proud to be part of this bloodline of Goddess’s, or if she felt as if such a position did not suit someone like her. In his mind, she would hesitantly tell him her true thoughts, that she didn’t want to burn under the wrath of the burning water. He would say he felt the same, that he had always been crushed by the constant expectations of the people. He would hold her hand and promise that he would save her, that the two of them could run away together, and she would agree. And together they would-

“The advisors weren’t wrong about you and your constant daydreaming,” Vyn chuckled as he flicked his forehead. Marius flinched, groaning out loud as he slapped his hand above his eyes. The Tutor turned the knob and held the door open. “Hurry now; we wouldn’t want to miss the performance, would we?”

Marius huffed and stepped in, shoving the Tutor along his way. Inside, Artem sat at Vyn’s desk, reading a few documents. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, and his face wore a tired expression with the visible frown and disheveled hair.

It would be best not to piss off the Royal Justice.

“Artem,” Vyn called out. The grumpy man turned away from his papers and nodded at Vyn. When he noticed Marius, he heaved himself up to properly greet his king, but Marius quickly stopped him.

“Hey, sit down. I don’t need to hear any more honorifics than I should, and I would really hate hearing them from you.”

Artem sighed as he sat back down, pinching his nose bridge. “Sorry, I’m just completely exhausted right now. Work has been so swamped lately.”

Marius softened his eyes. “Is there anyway I can help you?”

The Royal Justice shook his head, “No. If you assisted me, word would spread that I am incompetent. There’s already enough rumors spreading around the castle.”

He had already known how brutally honest Artem was. Still, he could never get used to it. It ticked him off how Artem brushed him off like that; it felt insulting.

Before Marius could say any retort, Vyn placed a hand on his shoulder. “Artem, how about we all take a break?”

[miharus-fics]

A Truth or a Lie

Notes: 

This may include spoilers?

This is not canon, it is a fic written by me with some aspects based on what is provided in game

If you are looking for a part of the fic in game and you cannot find it, then it was written by me.

The fic is based on the timeline before episode 3 of the main chapter

Chapter 1

“We have a lead as to who currently has a supply of Noxious X Xeno-gene samples. This may be our only chance to retrieve the samples and destroy them before they find out that we have caught on,” Neil Humes explained to Giann. “We mustn’t let a repeat of the past epidemic occur again. It is ironic how people have witnessed what this gene-destructing bacterium can do, yet they believe that it can do the opposite and repair genes.”

“Do you really think that they’re keeping the samples here based on the lead, professor? A warehouse seems too obvious a storage place, let alone NXX samples.”

Neil nodded at Giann, and showed him the package they managed to get their hands on. The package was being sent to “Moonriver Pharmaceutical Laboratories”, but the address was the same as the warehouse. 

“So are we assuming that the warehouse is just a guise? If you look up the address, the search results say the building is a ‘Nutrition Supplement Warehouse’.” Giann asked Neil

“Yes, that is most likely the case. No illegal organisation would like to be discovered by the public,” Neil replied, “However, it is not the right time for us to infiltrate the lab and retrieve the samples, the security will be much higher during the night than day. Let us come back tomorrow, for now we shall go home and note down anything useful that may help us.”

The two decided that Neil would be the one in possession of the package for further research later that night. They parted ways for the day, and Giann reported to the rest of the NXX investigation team about their plan to infiltrate the guised lab tomorrow to retrieve the NXX samples. 

“Don’t worry Marius, we’ll send a signal via the two way radio if we need backup for anything. I’m not that reckless to go running into a lab with a bacterium that could start another epidemic.” Giann sighed as Marius was fussing over him about the risks, “Besides, Professor Humes is coming with me, he isn’t that reckless either, and he’s taught Artem so I’m sure we’ll be fine.” 

Artem started speaking, “Marius, Professor Humes would never put his students in danger, let alone anyone from this investigation team. Giann will be fine, I am certain of it.” With that, Marius reluctantly stopped nagging Giann, and wished him luck in the mission.

“Artem, do not forget about your own case. Simon’s case will not solve itself, and Rosa will need help if you are to invite her into this investigation team.”

Artem turned around to see Vyn. “Yes, I will work on my case with Rosa. I still need to explain this whole thing to her, and make sure she has a few days to consider it before accepting.”

The other NXX team members were still discussing the case regarding Simon and Gordon Grant when Giann arrived home. About to rest, there was the sound of a notification from his phone, it was an email from Neil. 

“To Giann,

After opening the package and confirming what was inside, it is safe to say that there are traces of modified NXX in this medication. I can not tell whether they have developed this themselves in another lab, and are sending it to the disguised one, or if there are other labs that have now acquired NXX. There is no time to wait for tomorrow, we must infiltrate the lab today and retrieve the bacterium samples before more drugs are developed. I will meet you at the same place we discovered the package, come alone as we will be easily spotted if too many people come along. Bring the two way radio, so if we need to split up we will still have contact. 

I request that you do not bring your GPS locator either, due to the fact that if someone gets ahold of it, they can bait the other NXX investigation team members out if they make them think you’re hurt or in trouble. 

Wishing you luck during our mission

-Neil Humes”

After reading the email, Giann felt uneasy at first, but as he trusted Neil, he decided to go with what he had requested. He quickly sent a text message out to Marius and set out.

“I’ll be going to that lab with Professor Humes now, I’ll tell you if I run into trouble or need help.”

[qiangweirosa]

first kiss

" Giann forces Vyn to tag along to a formal event. Vyn can’t refuse anything Giann asks.

aka my hc for giannovyn first kiss!! "

relationships: giann/vyn tws: none wc: 1526 extra: set in pre-canon, absolutely devastating fluff and very self indulgent

read on ao3!

The bright lights. The people walking everywhere around the venue, talking amongst each other. The loud noise surrounding him. The oh so obviously painted on smiles, masking whatever thoughts their owner had in their mind. The quick glances they shot him when they thought he wasn’t paying attention, whispering with their companions. 

Vyn hated formal events. 

He thought he would finally be free from them when he had left Svart. Unfortunately, Vyn happened to have a very forceful friend who insisted on the psychiatrist accompanying him - Giann. 

And now Giann was nowhere to be seen, most likely talking to a business partner or whatever - frankly, Vyn couldn’t care any less, all he knew was that he really, really needed to get out of this place and of the crowd. 

He had been observing the venue for a while, swirling his drink in his glass. Finally, after some time, he spotted an exit to a far away balcony, in a less crowded side of the venue. He placed his - still untouched - glass down on the closest surface he could find, and headed towards that exit with quick strides. 

The fresh air felt liberating. He was right; there weren’t many people on the balcony, leaving him to take a breath and relax on his own. Vyn removed his glasses to run a hand down his face; these types of events really drained him out. He didn’t know if he would have the energy to drive home today - maybe he’ll simply crash at Giann’s like he used to. 

Vyn replaced his glasses on his nose, and walked to lean against one of the railings. He could feel the cold metal through his sleeves - cooling him down slightly. This outfit was suffocating, but it was a gift from Giann, and he couldn’t not wear it. 

He also didn’t have any other outfit fitting for such an event anymore, but that was another thing. 

Hair strands fell in front of his face. His head swayed slightly to the faint rhythm of the music, soothing him. As much as he didn’t enjoy these events, he had to admit the music was always something to look forward to. His fingers danced on the railing, following the beat, a low hum coming from his chest. 

Steps sounded behind him. Vyn tensed up. He quickly glanced to his right, his head moving to find the source of the steps. Just as he saw a familiar head of purple, he heard the voice of its owner. 

“Don’t look so startled, it’s just me.”

Giann offered him a smile as he walked to reach him. Vyn relaxed. He fully turned to face his friend, a light frown on his features. 

“Where were you?”

Giann’s smile fell. He glanced away, leaning on the railing next to Vyn. 

“I’m sorry. Some business partners started talking to me and I couldn’t get away. Before I knew it I had lost sight of you.”

A beat passed, and Giann looked back up at Vyn. 

“I hope you held up well, though.”

The psychiatrist huffed, a roll of his eyes accompanying the noise. Still, Giann could see the corners of his lips twitching up. 

“Of course I did. Are you sure that you held up without me?”

Giann laughed. He leant closer to Vyn as he did so, a teasing glint shining in his eyes. 

“No, not at all. I was about to break down, actually. I can’t live without you by my side.”

He threw his head back and placed the back of his hand on his forehead dramatically, his other hand on his heart. Vyn let out a laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. 

“You’re so dramatic.”

“Don’t act like that isn’t what you wanted to hear.”

Another beat passed. Silence fell onto the pair, the music from the orchestra inside wrapping around them. Vyn’s gaze fell onto the lights inside; Giann’s gaze fell onto Vyn.

“Would you care for a dance?”

Vyn turned his head towards his friend once more, watching the hand outstretched towards him with skeptical eyes. 

“I beg your pardon?”

Giann’s cheeks flushed. He looked down for a second, hesitating, before looking back up at Vyn. 

“Me, you. A dance. Or are you not interested?”

Vyn blinked a few times. His face felt warm. It felt warmer the longer he stared at the man in front of him, looking somehow even more beautiful than usual as he blushed and looked at him nervously. 

Vyn took Giann’s hand in his. 

“I’d love to.”

Giann stood back straight, pulling Vyn close to him. The proximity caused Vyn to look up - their height difference suddenly feeling much realer. A hand settled on his waist, and he placed his on Giann’s shoulder. 

They felt stiff. Giann led with a step, Vyn following. Their stares never leaving each other, letting their muscle memory do the work. Vyn could feel Giann’s breaths on his face. He could also feel his heartbeat on his chest - unusually fast, probably matching his. 

They danced along to the music, no words spoken between them. Vyn turned under Giann’s hand, already craving back the heat of his touch on his waist. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. 

The dance lingered on. As they stopped, the two of them bowed, their intertwined hands still holding each other. Vyn brought Giann’s hand up to his face - pressing a gentle kiss to it. The music came to a quick halt; most likely to allow the musicians to take a breather before the next piece, and for the guests to move around the venue. 

The two men stood up, still standing just as close to each other. Giann’s hand floated right above Vyn’s waist, not quite touching him. His eyes softened, a smile on his face. 

“How about another one?”

Vyn chuckled, replacing his hand on Giann’s shoulder, mirroring his smile. 

“As if I’d ever refuse.”

And they kept on, swaying to the rhythm and enjoying the closeness in silence. 

Another dance - and another - and another. Giann invited him relentlessly, bringing him close to him again the very moment he was about to slip away from his grasp. 

Vyn felt lightheaded. No; he felt intoxicated, intoxicated by Giann. He couldn’t get enough of him, his head empty save for thoughts about the man that was holding him so carefully in his hands. 

Giann dipped him once more; Vyn held on, his arms wrapped around the other man’s neck, their faces so close he could feel his warm breaths on his face. 

Oh how he wanted to kiss him. 

Another turn. Another bow. Vyn and Giann kept dancing. 

Giann dipped him again - this time, as Vyn braced himself to raise back up with the music, Giann faltered. 

With a hand leaving Vyn’s and moving to hold the back of his neck, Giann leaned in and pressed their lips together. 

Vyn felt his heart skip a beat, the blood in his body rushing to his face - he took so long to react, and yet Giann hadn’t pulled away. Giann was greedy, and his greed involved devouring his companion’s lips until the sun rose, it seemed. 

Still, it seemed his greed was inferior to his body’s physiological needs, for Giann still pulled away to take a breath. He stopped himself right before leaning back in for another, Vyn finding himself chasing after the lips that were on his just a second ago. Giann leant his forehead against Vyn - they had stood back up since, the world seemingly forgotten as they stared at each other and spoke in a whisper. 

“You’re irresistible. I don’t know how you expect me to not want you. However, if you don’t share my feelings, tell me now and I’ll stop all advances.”

Vyn huffed, frowning in frustration. He grabbed onto Giann’s collar.

“You’re a stupid man, Giann.”

He mumbled, right before pulling Giann into him again, pressing their lips together again in a second kiss. 

Giann was slightly surprised; he quickly recovered, a smile coming forth through the kiss as he reciprocated. 

And even as they pulled away to steal breaths, Vyn and Giann found themselves unable to keep away from each other, their lips finding each other over and over and over again, kiss after kiss.

Vyn was pushed against the railing of the balcony - Giann caging him in. 

“I love you.” murmured in between two kisses. “I love you.” once more. “I love you.” yet again. Giann was punctuating his confession with his kisses and nearly making Vyn’s brain short circuit. 

He grabbed Giann’s face, slightly pulling him away and holding him into place a few inches away from his face. 

“I love you too.”

And he watched his face flush, an embarrassed smile taking over Giann’s expression. He kissed him once more. 

“Say it again.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“I won’t. You heard me loud and clear the first time.”

“You’re so mean.”

Vyn sighed. 

“Fine. I love you too.”

Giann’s face brightened. 

“Again.”

“You’re just like a puppy sometimes, you know?”

Yet Vyn couldn’t deny the request despite his best efforts, repeating the words over and over again until Giann was satisfied. 

[qiangweirosa]

grief

" Vyn and Ailine see each other again, almost a year after Giann's disappearance. "

relationships: giann/vyn, giann/ailine, ailine & vyn, ailine/vyn (if you squint), marius & vyn, ailine & marius (but for like a split second) tws: hurt/comfort, angst, loss wc: 878 extra: i am the ceo of giannovyn. pretend this fits the tot timeline correctly. vyn and ailine's relationship can be interpreted as romantic or platonic!

read on ao3!

Vyn wasn’t sure when they had drifted apart.

The last time he had seen Ailine was over 3 months ago; they didn’t really keep in touch anymore. Both of them had isolated themselves. The last few times he had seen her, she looked like a mere shell of her past self.

She tried to keep up the illusion that she was doing well. She tried to pretend that she was still optimistic. But Vyn was a psychiatrist, after all; and before that, he was her close friend.

He could see the eyebags growing deeper under her eyes each time they saw each other. He could see the red tint and slight puffiness of her face, most likely having been crying not long prior. He could see the way her body grew thinner, her skin paler, and he could see how she was shaking ever so slightly whenever he was brought up.

He couldn’t really blame her. She was his fiancée, after all; childhood sweethearts, engaged and ready to get married. They had even asked him to help plan their wedding. And now they couldn’t even be sure it would ever take place.

He knew he shouldn’t give up hope. But Vyn had never been an idealistic person, preferring to see things as they were, to the risk of coming off as rather pessimistic at times. Still, it wasn’t like he could simply give up on the thought of the person who meant the most to him being okay.

A person leant onto the railing next to him.

“You cut your hair.”

An observational statement. Vyn didn’t even need to look at her to know who spoke up; he could recognize that voice anywhere.

“I did.”

Silence fell onto the both of them. It had been like this before as well; Vyn and Ailine didn’t necessarily need to speak to spend a good time together. They had often spent hours basking in each other’s company in silence, simply appreciating the presence of the other.

The silence this time, however, held a different aura.

“You told me before that hair holds memories.”

His head lowered. Of course she could see through him, as much as he hated the idea. Or, well, the idea of anyone else seeing through him; Ailine being able to wasn’t so bad. He stayed silent for a little while. She knew not to rush him.

“It’s been almost a year.”

She nodded. 

“It has.”

Vyn took a deep breath, before answering. Vulnerability had never been his strong suit.

“It reminded me too much of him. He’s the one who encouraged me to let my hair grow. He liked to play with it.”

A pause.

“Every time I looked at myself, I thought of him.”

Ailine looked at the scenery below them, quietly listening. The wind blew through her hair, sending it flying behind her.

“I get it. Everything I did reminded me of him in some way. I was miserable for a while.”

She paused as well, most likely to gather her thoughts. As Vyn shot her a glance, he could see that one look on her face; the one she harbored whenever she was thinking of words to say to cheer him up.

And perhaps to cheer herself up at the same time.

“I don’t think Giann would want us to be burdened by his disappearance like this.”

Vyn felt his chest tighten. So far, they had been dancing around the topic, not daring to speak his name or to say what happened out loud. He knew this wasn’t good. He was a psychiatrist, for god’s sake; he knew avoiding the topic forever was a terrible coping mechanism. 

He shook his head to bring himself back to a proper emotional state, back to listening to Ailine’s words.

“I think… He’d want us to keep on living. So, I’d like to think he’d support us in our decisions.”

He tilted his head in confusion, a frown etching on his face. ‘ Our decisions’ ? 

Ailine must have noticed - of course she did -, because she giggled lightly and answered him.

“I got rid of a lot of my belongings. Well- most of them I placed in boxes and hid somewhere in my house, but I did throw a few things away.”

She paused to look back at the sight below the railing, taking a shaky breath.

“Still, what I’m trying to say is, your decision is justified.”

Vyn nodded, a chuckle of his own escaping him.

“Thank you for the reassurance, Ailine.”

She moved closer to him, gently placing her hand over his. He allowed her, turning it around to intertwine their fingers together.

“You’re welcome, Vivi.”

They stood there in silence, their bodies close to each other as they stared into the distance. It would be hard to move on, Vyn knew that much, but at least, for that very moment, he could enjoy the comfort.

Vyn eventually broke the silence, his tone suddenly colder than it had been earlier.

“Oh, right. Marius has been whining forever that you haven’t been visiting him. Do me a favor and go see him, if only for the sake of my sanity.”

Ailine laughed, rubbing her thumb across the back of Vyn’s hand.

“I’ll make sure to do so, don’t worry.”

[qiangweirosa]

dear to me

" Vyn had clear and definite opinions about the members of the NXX. "

relationships: vyn/giann, vyn & nxx, giann & vyn & neil, vyn & neil tws: angst, loss wc: 850 extra: i am the ceo of giannovyn

read on ao3!

Vyn had clear and definite opinions about the members of the NXX. 

Artem? Infuriating most of the time, but contrary to what seemed to be popular belief, they could have civil conversations. His company wasn’t all that bad, and they often found themselves working together in silence. An acquaintance or a colleague, Vyn would call him.

Marius? Absolutely insufferable. The youngest of the team, and yet he knew exactly just what buttons to push to make Vyn want to leave him in a ditch. He tried to spend as little time as possible near him; or at least that is what he tells himself. At least he was a good student.

Luke? He was tougher to define, as Vyn hadn’t known him for as long as the other two. He was helpful, both smart and physically strong, and Vyn appreciated how reliable he could be. Still, he made a mental note to ban Luke from the vicinity of the kitchen last time he had stepped there. 

Rosa? The only one he would willingly call a friend. She was helpful as well, and he enjoyed her company greatly. They shared quite a few hobbies together, and she was receptive to anything Vyn would introduce her to, willingly accompanying him to outings even if she didn’t know much about the topic or the place. He hadn’t quite shared as much of himself as he did with her in a while.

Well, that was for the members of the current NXX. When it came to the previous ones, his opinion was more… complex. Vyn would like to believe nobody betrayed the team, but he wasn’t nearly that naive, and he knew one of the missing two had to be a traitor. That certainly didn’t make it easy; he had enjoyed Neil’s company. He was entertaining, and a good mentor. As the oldest out of the three, he typically took the lead on their missions, and Vyn had even come to think of him as a reliable person. Still, so many clues pointed towards Neil’s guilt, and as much as he didn’t enjoy considering the possibility that he could have sold the team out, he couldn’t stay in denial forever.

The hardest part came with defining his opinion about Giann. Like with Neil, Vyn knew there was a possibility Giann was the traitor, but he was much more ready to deny that, no matter what his morals told him. He couldn’t possibly think badly of Giann. No, that would make all of his thoughts negative, and Vyn knew that wouldn’t be good for his mental state.

He remembered this one time he was tutoring Marius, and while he was a good student, he still tried to distract Vyn in order to slack off sometimes. He had ended up asking him what he thought of Giann, since the two were friends. 

(“Friends”, Vyn laughed. Definitely friends.)

Vyn had had to stop himself from going on and on - and giving Marius what he wanted - about Giann, and told Marius to go back to his work.

Giann had been everything in Vyn’s world. When he had just arrived in Stellis, Giann had approached him and made sure he was living comfortably, until he could support himself. He made sure Vyn was doing well, and visited him everyday, invited him over or out, and would even try to include him to his friend group.

(Vyn had gotten along well with Ailine, but that was about it.)

Giann made Vyn feel happy. He had this unfamiliar warm feeling in his chest whenever they were together, a feeling that made him want to open up, and give his entire self to Giann. This was so reckless. He was aware of it; opening up and showing so much of himself to someone he had known for such a short amount of time was definitely dangerous. But something about Giann had made him unable to stop himself.

And so, over the course of the almost two years they had known each other, Vyn had found himself changing from Giann’s influence. “To be loved is to be changed”, he had once read; he remembered thinking that was a stupid saying, that changing for someone that loves you was not a good thing. Yet when he kept track of his daily recordings, he could tell that Giann had changed him, gradually, into someone better, happier, and not lonely anymore.

And when Giann and Neil disappeared, he was suddenly alone again, alone with his thoughts and his heavy heart and the memories of the fleeting touches and the brushing of lips and the gentle hands in his hair and all the gifts and the whispered words that only he held. Vyn was alone with the memory of Giann, clinging onto the desperate hope that he would one day come back.

Vyn’s opinion of Giann was so complex, tainted by feelings and emotions and regrets, that if someone were to ask him once more what he thought of him, he would only be able to give his usual smile and call him someone dear to him.

[alstroemeriadissonance]

Chiaroscuro (Part 1 of 3)

Marius x Vyn

In which both men are ever so slightly unhinged

Warning: Angst, a bit of violence, suggestive scenes. Not yet NSFW, that comes in the next chapters.

Chiaroscuro - The arrangement of light and shadow.

"Can you summarize to me what I just explained to you, Marius?" Vyn sighed, adjusting his glasses as he put down his tablet on his student's oil-and-acrylic-paint streaked table.

He had acquiesced to his student's request for today's tutoring session to take place in the latter's atelier. Apparently Marius wanted Vyn--the silver-haired, golden-eyed half European--to be his model, but with Vyn's schedule thoroughly packed, this was the compromise that he was able to come up with: have Vyn model for him during their private tutoring session.

Marius had promised to present him the finished painting--he only wanted to practice portraiture using the impasto technique, or so he claimed.

And so Vyn found himself seated on a stool placed onto a slightly raised platform, with a table pulled in front of him to use as a makeshift lecturer's table. It was only a change of setting and did not pose any inconvenience, at least on his part, and so the tutor had no choice but to accede.

The audible strokes of charcoal against canvas briefly paused, as if Marius ceased his sketching so he could put more thought behind his answer.

Then the scratching sounds picked up once again as the younger resumed working on his undersketch. "Social Psychology. You were talking about the concept of obedience.

"You were talking about order, higher status, and power as key factors to obedience," Marius murmured, his tone empty as his focus was most likely channeled towards committing Vyn's likeness onto canvas.

"Yes. You pay attention, at least," Vyn commented as he rested his chin onto his palm, an elbow planted on the table. "Can you at least tell me one of the two experiments I just discussed with you?"

"Before that...hold that pose, will you, Vyn?" Marius reached out for his gum eraser to amend part of his sketch and started redrawing a portion of it to portray him with his chin on hand.

"Very well then." Vyn decided to humor his student, just this once.

===

It certainly took much effort for Marius to gather his pluck and set things up in such a way that he could corner Vyn Richter in a place where the latter would not have the option to ignore nor dismiss his advances.

What Marius meant by advances was a complicated thing, entirely. Especially when he wasn't being honest with himself. What exactly does he want from Vyn Richter? Why Vyn Richter?

Ever since he was but a young child Vyn Richter has always been his brother's--Giann's--best friend, the mysterious, exotic friend from overseas. During those carefree, bygone days they would hang out together as they waited Giann to be released from his ever-increasing responsibilities.

Sometimes teenager Vyn babysat little Marius; he did not have much to offer to a small boy apart from stories of a land far away, and so his idea of babysitting was to regale Marius with stories and numerous trivia, minutiae that would seem interesting for a boy ten years of age.

But this does not exactly explain why Marius--already fully grown up and having assumed all of Giann's responsibilities--was seeking out a certain answer from Vyn.

If Marius were honest with himself, the answer was simply that he had imprinted on Vyn as time passed, he of the strange silver hair and golden cat-like, observant eyes. Vyn, who even as a teenager spoke with velvet-smooth politeness yet words laden with sharp barbs that gripped the target with brutal bouts of insecurity. Vyn, who Marius had found extremely fascinating, a veritable fount of underhanded mischief and trivia, and of stories.

Marius...inevitably, secretly latched onto Vyn, looking up to him as a reference on how to act accordingly, most especially when they started to foist responsibilities on him. Marius used to ask himself inwardly "What would Giann do?" whenever he faced a conundrum, but now that he had gotten a good grasp of how politics of kowtowing worked, that question was eventually edged out with "What would Vyn do?"

For Marius, a young man saddled with responsibilities at such a young age and forced into early adulthood so much that he did not have enough time to figure out what it meant to be self-sufficient: did being "self-sufficient" mean for him not to depend on other people for his various needs? Including emotional needs?

Marius von Hagen's net worth alone could buy a sizable portion of Stellis; he could set the question aside for financial and material needs for now.

Emotional needs, however, are a different story. Ever since Marius could remember, he has been taught to rein in his sentiments, to stop wearing his heart on his sleeve, so to speak, and if he wanted anything he should keep his cards close to his chest so the object of his desire will not be poisoned into something that can be used to manipulate him.

Right now, at this very moment, Marius von Hagen wanted a certain something from Vyn Richter.

What exactly it is, he does not know for sure--and so, Marius does not exactly know what cards to hold close to his chest. All he knew is that he had to speak with the nexus of his thunderous, overwhelming desire for something that his own sense of self-preservation was still trying to hide from himself.

Why Vyn? What is it about Vyn?

And back to the question, what did Marius mean by advances, now that he has the man alone in his atelier?

He himself does not know. All he knew was that, for some strange reason, his underdrawing for Vyn's portrait has the man's soft lips excessively detailed.

===

"The Zimbardo Prison Experiment, Vyn," Marius said in a bored tone, his charcoal stick still scratching against canvas. "It got out of hand and had to be aborted because the participants got too far into their roles and people got tortured and psychologically abused."

"Correct. And why did that happen...?" Vyn crossed his legs, shifting his weight on the seat as his left leg already started to sleep.

"The theory that most people let themselves go ham when they're ordered to hurt people?"

"More or less. Can be better worded, but that is the spirit of it."

Marius finally set down his charcoal stick with a clack on the easel's tray. "Undersketch is done, thanks Vyn."

"You do not need me to sit here anymore?"

The student stretched his arms. "Would be nice if you still do when I lay on the paint but...I think I'll go take a break for now." Marius stepped off his stool and removed the canvas from the easel. "Here, have a looksee of what I have done so far."

Vyn knew how talented Marius was, and he already guessed early on that his student was the alter ego of the famous painter Z, but he still let out a gasp when his eyes beheld the sketch: it was of him, of course, and exceptionally detailed as expected, but it certainly raised the question of Is this the way he sees me?

The Vyn on Marius's canvas was exceedingly beautiful.

"Well?" Marius grinned. "Great, yeah?"

"Hmm," Vyn rubbed his chin with his thumb, making a show of thinking out loud. "Do I not look a bit too feminine in this sketch?"

"Really now?" Marius examined his handiwork. "I really wouldn't call it 'feminine', but it'll look different and a bit more abstract once I paint over it. Impasto is all about texture and shadows, y'know."

"Alright. If you...say so." Vyn's gaze does not yet leave Marius's sketch, or impression, of him.

Then, after a pause, "Rembrandt is Z's main inspiration is he not? And is not Rembrandt at the forefront when it comes to impasto?" Vyn peered into Marius's gaze, gradually becoming restive.

"Why practice impasto, Marius? Or should I say, Z?"

"Ah, well."

"Out with it, Marius," Vyn crossed his arms. "Tell me the real reason why you called me out here. Judging by how you are acting, this is not related to our joint work in NXX."

===

And the cat is out of the bag.

Marius had to admit that the cover story he came up with--practicing portraiture using impasto--was pretty lazy. And Vyn was right; Rembrandt was one of the pioneers of the technique, and Z is the modern day Rembrandt: master of light manipulation in paintings. It didn't require two doctorate degrees to put two-and-two together, or rather, figure out that his excuse simply did not make sense.

Perhaps he secretly wanted Vyn to figure it out on his own. That would make things easier.

He looked down to meet the shorter man's piercing golden gaze.

"I'm trying to figure that out myself, Vyn," Marius murmured, finding that his palms suddenly went cold, hoping against hope that his tutor did not detect his nervousness.

Of course he did. Vyn was perceptive that way, and didn't he know Marius for more than a decade already?

Should I tell him now? Should I gun for it now? Marius would have had no difficulty making snap decisions in front of his board members--but the secret behind that was that he simply did not care much about the repercussions when it came to the fate of his family conglomerate.

But the man in front of him, he was another story entirely.

Here I am, look at my heart, I am wearing it now on my sleeve.

"I am not in the mental capacity to switch to psychotherapy mode, Marius." Vyn's voice came flat. "It is already past eight in the evening and I am quite mentally spent. If you are not comfortable with talking about it, which you clearly are not, then I shall be taking my leave."

Vyn was about to move away when Marius, without thinking, grabbed the other by the shoulders and captured his lips with his own.

Marius, who at that moment only had oh shit I really truly royally fucked up as his sole thought, pulled Vyn close to him, so close to him that the shorter man's feet was lifted off the floor.

Vyn's lips had slightly parted, out of shock perhaps, but Marius did not care at that point; he took it as his chance for his tongue to slip inside to seek out and slide against Vyn's.

Breathe in. Breathe out. His breathing somehow alternated with Vyn's, both shallow and fast. A guttural moan rose from his throat as he relished Vyn in his mouth: was that candy he just tasted? Or one of the fancy desserts he liked to make in the NXX lounge kitchen?

Marius's arms snaked around Vyn's upper body even tighter, perhaps out of desperation to prolong the moment when he still has his object of confused obsession in his arms, before both of them sober up and deal with the consequences of his split-second impulse.

"Mmph," Vyn started to strain against his grasp, pulling his face away. "Hahh--I hope you do know what this means?"

"...sorry," was all Marius could say as he let Vyn go, the latter's shoes landing on the atelier's wooden parquet floor with a clack. "I'm sorry Vyn."

The tutor covered his lips with the back of his slender hand, gaze utterly cold and furious.

So furious, that he did not have any words to say at that moment.

All Marius could do, under the absolute zero stare of his teacher--one of the only few remaining direct ties he had with his missing brother--was to open and close his fists as he averted his eyes out of guilt.

He bit his lip, and swallowed, before he mumbled almost inaudibly "I need you."

"What did you just say?"

"I need you, dammit!" Marius finally managed to wring the words out of his chest. "I don't even understand why, fuckit Vyn, maybe your psychiatrist head can make sense of what I can't?" His voice was trembling, almost manic.

"...since when?" came Vyn's oddly calm question.

"Since forever, Vyn, I can't give you a definite answer since it's from way back and I can't exactly say it out loud, can I?!"

Don't wear your heart on your sleeve. Never show emotion should you desire something. Doing so will only guarantee that they will poison your object of desire into something that can be used against you--

"Tsk."

The dismissive sound from Vyn's lips preceded something that Marius would never have expected from the older man: In only a matter of two seconds Vyn bent his legs ever so slightly, pivoting his hip so his right knee sharply hit the back of Marius's left knee with such strong force that it sent the younger, taller man stumbling to the floor.

Before Marius could even recover Vyn threw his entire weight onto the student's back, grabbing both of his arms and pinning it to his lower back.

Immobilizing him.

"What the fuck, Vyn?" Marius exclaimed.

Vyn dug his knees into the younger's back where the kidneys were located, prompting Marius to yelp in sharp pain.

The doctor then let up the pressure on the kidneys, and bent over to whisper directly to Marius's ear "One of the things I absolutely abhor, little von Hagen, is someone taking away my control. My. Control. Do you understand?"

Marius truly did not know how to react, much less respond; this was the only time that he had seen Vyn lose his composure, the only time he had seen Vyn employ anything close to physical violence.

Or is this his real face? Is this what he keeps hidden behind his polite smile all these time?

"Do not think that since we are acquaintances through your brother you are free to have your way with me, Marius," Vyn hissed, this time applying pressure onto Marius's bound arms. "You may be heir of your family's little business, but in my eyes you will always be beneath me. Beneath me, Marius! Do not forget this."

Somehow Marius found it in himself to laugh. Despite the painful hold the doctor was employing on him at the moment, the entire affair seemed so ludicrous, so farcical that he let out a laugh despite each shake of laughter sending spasms of pain on his back where his tutor had quiet cruelly perched his feet and knees on.

"Ah, if only I listened to those old farts," Marius exclaimed in between self-derisive laughter. "I wouldn't be kissing the floor right now. Pfft. Haha. Goddamnit."

Vyn remained silent.

"Well, I'm at your mercy right now Vyn, if you want to kill me go right ahead," Marius murmured, letting his body go completely lax, his face resting onto the recently-waxed wooden floor. "Can't guarantee you'd be able to get out scot free 'course, but I'm sure you can talk your way out of it."

With a loud sigh Vyn rolled off Marius's back, freeing his student from his vice grip, and stood up to straighten his white lab coat.

"Ouch. Goddamn," Marius moaned as he pushed himself off the floor to a sitting position. "Damn it, Vyn, you really should quit your teaching and just join the NSB--"

"They will just say that I stand out too much," Vyn, now standing over Marius, bent over him. With gentle fingertips he tilted his student's face to his. And slowly licked Marius's lips.

"Wait, what--"

"Shh." Vyn brought his lips to Marius's, helping himself to a slow, indulgent kiss, him towering over his student still prone on the floor. "This is what you wanted, right?"

Marius's breathing hitched, and with both hands cupped Vyn's face as they locked lips, their tongues entwining with each other.

"Mmm," Vyn hummed as he surfaced for air. "You should have talked with me about this first, Marius. You know very well I am well-equipped to help you process this."

"Yeah, well."

Don't wear your heart on your sleeve. Never show emotion should you desire something. Doing so will only guarantee that they will poison your object of desire into something that can be used against you.

Vyn pulled away and straightened his coat's lapels and sleeves. "Should I still expect the finished painting, Marius, or do you now abhor my very presence?"

"Give me two weeks."

"Very well."

"Vyn?"

"Yes, is there anything else?"

"Look at me, please."

Vyn, standing over Marius who was still sitting on the floor, coolly stared down at his student, his gold eyes still holding that slight spark of cruelty.

From Marius's vantage point, all he was seeing was Vyn, who at that moment looked quite fey--Vyn's head blocked the overhead LED light affixed to the atelier's ceiling, and from Marius point of view this gave the doctor an appearance of having an ethereal halo around his silver-haired head.

The surrounding light cast a full shadow over Vyn's face, a direct contrast to the heavenly halo.

And this detail Marius committed to memory, to apply to the finished painting.

"Marius?"

"Nevermind, Vyn. Just a study for the painting."

"I shall take my leave then."

"Yeah. Sure."

After Vyn closed the door behind him Marius buried his hands in his face, groaning all the while.

What the fuck is happening? Does he want me to court him with fucking flowers? Does he want me to fall off the face of the earth?

What the fuck should I do?

===

Exactly two weeks later Vyn received a package directly from Marius.

It was the finished painting.

He brought it to his room, still wrapped, and carefully snipped the packaging ties, tape, and unraveled the numerous layers of cardboard and paper that protected Marius's latest work.

Vyn's eyes widened ever so slightly as soon as he beheld Marius's portraiture of him. He was not a complete stranger to impasto, however his only prior experience with it was limited to looking at the paintings from a safe distance.

With Marius's work in his grasp he could finally touch--gently--the ridges and swells of undiluted paint applied onto the canvas, the hallmark of impasto work. The texture cast different shadows depending on the light source.

The entirety of the paint slathered onto canvas formed an approximation of Vyn's likeness, his expression quite bored, yet with a small smile playing on his lips as his chin rested on his hand.

Vyn quite liked the finished product.

Well then, to place this where it belongs.

Vyn did not let Marius know but he eagerly anticipated the arrival of the painting, and so he prepared a spot on the wall in his bedroom specifically for it.

He was about to hang the canvas onto the hooks when he noticed a small strip of paper sticking at the bottom of the canvas.

It was a note, saying "Light source from the right - M"

"Hmm. I guess that can be arranged." Vyn went ahead and hung the painting on the wall, then fumbled in his pocket for his smartphone and with it dimmed most of the lights in his room, leaving only the lampshade--placed on the nightstand located to the right of the painting--still turned on.

And Vyn gasped, then chuckled in amusement.

The once-bored Vyn on the painting was essentially replaced with one with a more cruel glint in his eyes, and the shadows had stretched out the once-small smile to a cold, ruthless grin.

That brat.

Still chuckling, Vyn walked over to his nightstand and opened the topmost drawer, fishing out a photo frame.

It was a picture of him and Giann.

Vyn gently touched Giann's face on the picture frame.

"Whatever shall I do with your little brother?"

[surely-galena]

Notes on Main Story 6.1

Excluding 6-01 and 6-15 because I didn't really have anything to say there

6-03

Neil left a month after Artem joined the NXX, which he says was Oct 2029

And oh I've only just realized this, but the dub I listen to has the voice actors pronounce NXX as "N-two-X" when I've been saying each letter (like DNA). I'm... probably still going to continue saying it as NXX though

At that point, he tells MC it was only Neil, Vyn, and Giann -- so we can assume the order of member accumulation goes Vyn -> Artem -> Marius -> MC -> Luke

Whoa Neil and Giann disappeared within two weeks of each other? Ouch

Oooh MC did know Neil 'personally' in the sense that she was in one of his classes! Nice to have that confirmed

Okay okay also I knew that Artem's father was a judge because spoilers but the highest title? *immediately adds Artem to the list of practically Stellis royalty*

Huh, Artem's parents' English names are Kimberly and Bryan? Okay, cool

"if we get into anything dangerous during the investigation," artem says. ha. foreshadowing (and then MC saying his identity makes him a target ohhh)

But also it kinda makes you think, if Artem hadn't been brought up as this kind, respectful person, he might have ended up as someone who'd have no issues using their parents' names to get what they want

North Stellis is a no-go area. Got it.

6-05, 6-07

MC getting mad over Jovi trying to guilt trip Artem (even if she didn't actually say anything due to the current situation) is so sweet

Also MC wanting to laugh over the idea of Baldr's involvement is so funny to me

6-09

Oh? cutting to Marius for a quick second, cool

Nooo not MC forgetting to eat again!! I love that she's dedicated to her work, but she needs to take care of herself or we'll get SR 'In Sickness or in Health: the Sequel'

MC: we need to do this now! and this! and this!! It's very urgent!!

Artem: no.

MC: ???

Artem: we need to eat 🤨

"regarding nutrition intake, you currently have a reputation of 0" OOF

Artem telling MC to prioritize self-care? I can respect that

Also him telling MC he'll take care of her work meals is tugging at a found family fic idea for me... I'll just throw that into the ToT fic google drive folder

6-11, 6-13

Artem? With Velcro sneakers? GOOD CHARACTER AMMUNITION, I'll find a way to sneak that into a Marius insult somehow (also Sam if you're reading this, I see what you mean by your light up shoes post and I nod enthusiastically in agreement)

Note for future reference: Artem's books consist of law, philosophy, filmography, sci-fi, and foreign books (not too sure what the latter means but he speaks German I think so they're probably just books in another language)

The Artem Swimming Thing (slightly later addition because I forgot I had thoughts on this) (is this 6-15? maybe I do have thoughts on 6-15 after all)

3 minutes 42 seconds? THAT'S VERY SPECIFIC FOR *cough* PLOT PURPOSES

Artem swimming a lot actually might explain the broad shoulders! I swam a lot when I was younger -- less so now because covid -- but you can tell because my shoulders broadened as I grew up (maybe possibly due to genetics but swimming was at least a partial factor as well). So that's interesting!

Other thoughts

Chapter 6 has a very clear focus on Artem. Nothing wrong with that, but it's interesting to me because the story so far has taken the time to make sure MC has at least one case with each boy so far (partially to introduce the reader to each of their characters)

We have ch1: Luke, ch2: Vyn, ch3: Artem, ch4: Marius, and ch5: Luke again. This led me to believe that it was a cycle and character focus would go in that order, but this chapter proves that is not true at all

Which means the character cycle is broken (perhaps slightly ironic, considering the chapter title is 'A Vicious Cycle')

I have my own theories as to which of the remaining two (Marius and Vyn; the order of the cycle may be broken but for equality reasons the story can't favor one character too much -- and thus all four must be covered before the cycle restarts) ch 7 and ch 8 will be focused on, but that's spoiler territory so nothing to say there

Also here is my Zak ToT bingo card so far (link to the plain template)

Overall 6.1 was fun! Looking forward to 6.2 in two weeks :D