#jamil is barely held together

[nezumi-wonderland]

Choosing Someone Else

Scenario: They fail to confess in time and you end up with someone else

Characters: Ace Trappola, Kalim Al-Asim, Azul Ashengrotto

Tw: angst, reader is yuu

Ace

When Ace first realized his feelings for you ran deeper then just friendship he panicked

He did everything possible to convince himself that it wasn't that at all, you were his best friend afterall

It took a while for him to come to terms with and even once he had, he was in no hurry to confess

You had been together from the start and he'd never admit it but he couldn't picture his life without you

You two were friends and there would be plenty of time to confess in the future

He was content to just be by your side for now

How was he supposed to know that Jack wouldn't hesitate to confess to you first?

The day had started off pleasantly warm, not that Ace could enjoy it cooped up in Heartsybul, a mountain of work assigned to him by Riddle, Deuce sitting across from him just as lost.

"You're too giddy, henchman, it's weird!" Ace heard Grim before he saw the two of you enter, a huge, dopey (very cute) grin plastered on your face.

"What's got you so happy?" Ace demanded, hiding his ever warming cheeks with an air of annoyance.

"Did something good happen?" Deuce smiled.

"I got confessed to!" You giggled. The floor seemed to drop out from under Ace.

"What?" He blanched, "Who? What did you say?"

"Jack, it was really romantic actually." You blushed. The sound of your voice faded away as Ace focused all of his energy on not crying, or screaming, or begging you not to date Jack, please please please, you shouldn't be dating anyone that wasn’t him!

He tried to be happy for you two, he really did

But as cheesy as it sounds he quite literally felt his heart break at the news

Watching you be romantic with Jack of all people made him sick to his stomach

He'd do his best to cover it up with jokes and sarcasm

"Get a room would you?" He'd roll his eyes at a particularly sappy display of affection

Jack held your hand in such a soft, intimate way, it made Ace seethe. He could do that too you know? Hold your hand in his, cradle your head in his lap for you to rest on, walk with his arm around your waist, feed you from his plate, kiss your cheeks everytime you passed in the halls. He could do all that and more a hundred times better then Jack. But you never looked at him the way you looked at Jack, so much love and adoration in your eyes, no Ace was just your best friend. The word friend rotted on his tongue and sent a new wave of sadness through him. You wouldn't have picked him anyway, at least that's what he has to tell himself otherwise the thought of what if would suffocate him.

Kalim

After Jamil's overblot you and Kalim spent quite a bit of time together

He found himself always seeking you out

Everytime he walked in a room, he'd glance around, trying to spot you

He knew soon after that he liked you more then a friend and he was going to confess to you, he really was!

But there was an entire plan, it had to be romantic and grand, you deserved nothing less

That many flowers took an awful long time to ship though

The flowers were only a week away from arrival when Kalim snuck down into the kitchen for an evening snack, stopping dead in his tracks when he heard the voices on the other side of the door

He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on you and Jamil, but he hadn't wanted to interupt you either

"I've liked you for a while now," Jamil's shy whisper could barely be heard through the door. Kalim repressed the happy giggles that threatened to bubble up.

This was great! Jamil was confessing to the person he liked (when had Jamil started liking someone!?!) And he would start dating them and then Kalim would confess to you and you could all go on double dates!

"R-really?" Kalim froze when he heard your squeaked reply. Jamil wasn't confessing to just anyone. He was confessing to you.

"You don't have to reject me, I know you're too nice, I'll get over it," Kalim's mind was at war, one side hated the sound of his friend's voice so sad sounding, but the more selfish part of him wanted you to reject Jamil, say you didn't like him, say you liked Kalim.

But you didn't, you accepted Jamil's feelings and even confessed your own.

Kalim had cried the entire night, everytime his sobs subsided into sniffles a new wave of heart break would crash over him and start the cycle over again

The flowers came and Kalim had opted to throw a celebratory party for you and Jamil instead

Jamil was incredibly embarrassed and seemingly a bit exhausted but you seemed so happy, thanking Kalim for his blessing and promising to take care of Jamil

And the fond smile on Jamil's face was the last thing Kalim needed to see to know that he would never reveal his feelings

He wanted nothing more then for the two most important people in his life to be happy, even if it didn't involve him

Kalim was walking through the Scarabia gardens by himself, Jamil had left a little less then an hour ago for his date. A fate that Kalim would hear about later from you, he had gotten used to hearing you gush about Jamil, something he understood well enough, Jamil was awesome afterall! Sure his heart remained in shattered pieces, but your love struck smile was like a balm, a reassurance that Kalim was doing the right thing. And Jamil talked about you just as fondly, even if he was slightly more elusive about it and wasn't that the best outcome? The both of you happy without having him in the way.

Azul

Azul did not like you

That would be silly and dumb

And he was not silly or dumb thank you very much

Sure you were the only other person he let just lounge in his office, but offering you a little peace and quite would be beneficial to him in the long run (even if he hadn't quite figured out how yet)

And yes everytime you mentioned craving something in particularly it would suddenly appear on the Mostro Lounge menu, but Azul had just been happening to think about it too!

It was honestly amazed him that you hung around him so much anyway, what with how the two of you met and all

How could he possibly like you?

It wasn't until Floyd came skipping into work, a long, frankly ugly necklace swinging in the air from where it hung around his neck

"What are you wearing?" Azul questioned a blatant look of disgust on his face as Octavinelle students worked to get the lounge ready for opening around them.

"Oh this? Shrimpy gave it to me~" Floyd sing longed.

"I take it the confession went well then?" Jade chimed in.

"The what?" Azul demanded.

"Shrimpy said they love me too, now they're mine~"

Azul should not be on the verge of tears, he shouldn't care at all. So what if your taste was so bad that you would date Floyd when you could be dating him? You were missing out, he was far more successful then Floyd.

Despite his insistence that he didn't like you, you weren’t even really friends, as soon as the office door shut behind him and he was alone the tears were impossible to stop

Afterwards he fills his mind with work, stuffing it so full that there was no room for anything else

But the change in his life was undeniable

You no longer came to his office, perfering to be served by Floyd of all people

Where before you had been a near daily ocurance it was now impossible to talk to you without Floyd present

And you were sickeningly sweet together

Floyd always hanging off of you and you relaxing into his touch, how you feed the eel and gave into all of his demands happily

Azul did not care who you dated, you were just a magicless human with nothing to benefit him in the slightest, no money, no status, and no power. So why did it hurt so much everytime you were away? What about your presence in particular made everything feel so much brighter? If Azul didn't know any better he would say you were poisoning him some way. But Azul did know better, knew that you were too kind to ever do something like that. It had gotten to a point where he could no longer lie to himself. He liked you. He liked you more then he could ever voice out loud. But you were with Floyd, who despite everything was Azul's friend (even if he'd never admit it aloud). And why would you like Azul anyway? He was no where near good enough, not yet. He needed to work harder, be more successful, and even if that didn't make you like him back, maybe it would help him forget how much he liked you

[temiizpalace]

☆┊YOU DREAM OF ME??

SUMMARY: entering the dream world was such a strange feat.. especially seeing yourself in somebody else’s dream.

CHARACTERS: jade leech-centric

GENRE: fluff, crackfic

WARNINGS: you act cringe because jade leech is a cringy guy with wattpad fantasies + BOOK 7 SPOILERS + canon divergence (some dialogue is not exact cause i lowkey forgot, some moments didn’t actually happen, and i shortened it a lil so i don’t have to write too much)

NOTES: while writing this, it turns out someone else had a similar idea so i was hesitant to upload the writing. however, I’ve decided to anyways. that being said, crediting said individual is still in order since they had the idea first.

please check out @.paralleljoys post here (IF ANY ISSUES PLEASE SEND ME AN ASK, TY!)

reader is g/n, reader is yuu

🐬∘˙

you didn’t expect this. nobody expected this, actually.

jade leech, cunning, observant, quiet, and mysterious. he was one to keep his cards close to his chest and play it safely to ensure the best outcomes. and yet, here we are, in said eels dreams. a look inside of his thoughts, how he truly saw people, how he—

“jade you’re so cool! i love love love love loveeee the way your mind works sooooo much!” a voice, sounding similarly to yours, chimed. “fufu, you flatter me, my pearl..”

your jaw dropped, grims jaw dropped, you can hear idia falling out of his seat from behind the screen, jamil’s eyes had never been opened wider, floyd cringed, silver looked away, ortho could barely compute, and sebek had the most genuine disgust written on his face.

was that you? you thought azul and floyd looked stupid, BUT THAT WAS YOU? jamil slapped a hand over grims mouth, preventing the direbeast from cackling his lungs out at the sight of your pathetic image. “MYAHAHA, HENCHMAN YOU LOOK SO STUPI—“ “keep quiet.” jamil mutters, slightly smirking. you could tell he was also containing his laughter, making your face change in hue.

“eww, no way. i knew jade was all lovey dovey with the prefect but i dont wanna watch it. what a sap.” floyd groans, looking at dream you, real you, then at jade. “i dont wanna watch this either! if you guys are embarrassed how do you think i feel?!” you murmur, hiding your face in shame.

“my pearl, open wide.” jade grins, holding a piece of shrimp in his hands. “oh my, jade you sweetheart!” you giggle, opening your mouth so jade can feed you. idia snickers, holding back a laugh. you can practically see his smug expression in your mind. “he has the fantasies of a trashy middle school fanfiction, what comedy gold.”

silver clears his throat, trying to regain the attention of the group in order to free jade from his dream. while everyone with a logical mind held an equally logical discussion, you, floyd, and grim were too focused on the scene before you. “jade, you and shrimpy should just get married.” dream floyd grins, pushing you two together.

“agreed. you both are a match made in heaven!” dream azul says in between sobs, wiping his tears away with one of his tentacles. “why, what a splendid idea! azul, please make arrangements right away. we shall wed at once, my dear.” jade chuckles, holding you close in his arms. “j-jade!? i don’t know what to say..”

“do you not wish to marry me?” he asks, his thumb tracing your chin. his voice was low, yet soothing at the same time. “it’s not like i don’t want to..” dream you mumbles, avoiding his eyes by looking at the ground with a pout. REAL you, on the other hand, can’t bear the sight of it anymore. neither can floyd. or grim.

“let’s continue to overcome hardships and conquer many mountains together.” jade laughs, pulling you all in by the shoulders. as the dream variants of jades loved ones cheer, floyd swims in and swoops down, attacking his brother and his dumbed down dream him.

“I CANNOT STAND IT ANYMORE!” floyd grunts, scowling at his dear brother, who held an expression of shock. “f-floyd? there’s two of you..?!” he stutters, looking at his dream twin and his actual twin. “they’re mirror images of each other! how can you tell them apart!” azul exclaims, wiping his eyes to get a better look.

“who is this? can i hug you and eat you? hehe.”

“i originally thought you weren’t interested in other people, but you have a limited memory. “i dont eat dance and eat shrimps stuck in between rocks.” floyd scoffs, staring at his dumbfounded doppelgänger. “floyd.. doesn’t eat shrimps.. or dance..?” jade ponders, feeling his mind begin to waver.

“jade! im scared!” dream you screams, curling up in the boys arms. your eyebrow twitches, tired of the humiliation you witnessed thanks to jades horrible imagination. following your impulse, you run out with floyd, despite the shouts of your name.

“PREFECT! GET BACK HERE! WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHIEVE?!” sebek shouts, but his voice falls on deaf ears. he made a point though, what were you doing? it’d be much safer to just stay back and watch this play out, so why the hell are you trying to get involved?! “p-pearl?!” jade gasps, eyes wide in disbelief.

“th-there’s also two of you.? what in the seven is going on here?” he swam back slowly, unraveling the scene before him. two brothers, two lovers (well not officially..), and a whole school of students that seem familiar, but unsure as to where.. you could tell jade was beginning to wake up! it’s only a matter of time..

“jade, don’t be fooled. floyd shouldn’t be that ugly bastard, he should be more innocent and cute. and look at [MC], they love you so much they don’t know what to do with themselves! don’t be tricked by that fraud.” azul sneers, pointing at you and floyd, much to your dismay. just taking a glance at floyd was enough to be able to tell he was this close to breaking every bone in dream azul’s body and frankly you don’t blame him.

“i see.. floyd has been very charming to his relatives and my pearl wouldn’t leave my side so quickly,” jade hesitates, glancing at his two brothers. “i should go. they all really need me.” he smiled politely, swimming towards what once looked like his loved ones, now forming into large piles of dark goo. as jade was nearly consumed by the darkness, floyd swims past quickly. you stood on the eels back, landing a hit on dumb dumb floyd, crybaby azul, and cringe wattpad you.

“I DO NOT SOUND LIKE THAT.” you finally yell, catching nearly everyone’s attention. “it’s no use. we have to help out.” jamil sighs, lifting his magic pen. “let’s go!” silver shouts, rushing into the spot where you and floyd had already began your attack. as the fight rages on, the others serving as a distraction for jade, floyd had continued to land hits on the watered down versions of yourselves with ease before they finally shouted for help.

“it hurts! help us, jade!” dream floyd cries. “rescue us, jade!” azul cries. “oww! protect us, jade!” dream you screams, finally catching his attention. “how dare you! you fake. get behind me, i got this.” jade hisses, attacking floyd directly. you felt your balance falter on floyd’s back, slipping before falling near the vents. “prefect!” ortho shouts, rushing over to catch you til you fell into jamil’s arms safely. “it’s not safe, the vents are crumbling due to the fighting. retreat for now!” he directs, running towards a safer location.

“your carelessness nearly got you killed, prefect.” jamil sighs, looking down at you with a concerned yet tired expression. “sorry, i just couldn’t take it anymore!” you groan, crossing your arms angrily. “you can set me down now, jamil.” you pat his arm, breaking him from his daze. “..right.” he mutters, placing you down gently. they began to discuss different ways to wake up jade, before sebek finally settled on just electrocuting them.

“be careful, sebek.” silver reminds him, patting his shoulder before the boy ran out. “pierce the cloudy sky, lightning! living bolt!”

the tweels stop their fighting, electricity trickling all over their body leaving them temporarily paralyzed and passed out. after a few moments, their eyes fluttered open, being met with millions of other stares. “jade!” azul shouts, pushing floyd at the way with a grunt. “thank goodness you’re alive! i could’ve lost my cute subordinate!” he sniffles, causing jades eyebrow to raise. “..cute subordinate?”

“i’ll cry if jade is gone! don’t go anywhere!” dream floyd sighs with a dopey expression. “jade you idiot! you could’ve gotten seriously hurt and id never forgive you!” dream you sobs, rushing over to hold his hand hastily. “hm. that’s strange. the floyd and azul i know would never say something like that.” jade scoffs, looking at the two with disgust.

“huh?” they gasp, staring at him as if he said something crazy. “was sebek’s lightning so powerful, jade is finally starting to awaken?” silver mumbles, raising a finger to his chin. “awaken.. why am i here in the first place..?” jade groans, recollecting his thoughts slowly. “so.. i am a student at night raven college.. on land? agh.”

“my head feels like it’s going to split!” he winces in pain, holding his head as he shouts. all his memories finally began to come back to him, all the moments he had during the year turning the gears in his mind til he was finally back to his senses. “how could i possibly have forgotten something so important?” he huffs, looking back at the doppelgängers behind him.

“floyd would never act so obedient, he’s much more domineering. azul would give orders to others without putting himself in danger as much as possible.” he pauses for a moment, staring at your fake before shaking his head. “[MC] would have never acted so defenseless. what an embarrassing feat. i was acting quite strange.” jade sighs, turning his back towards the trio.

they had all began to complain to jade, asking why he would believe such fake things. dream you broke into tears, curling in floyds arms with a sob. jade would be lying if he said he wasn’t a little jealous, but it’s not the real you so he’ll hold back. a little. they all clung onto jade, begging him to reconsider his decision before he finally spared them a word.

“can you please not touch me? creepy.” with a quick slash, the floyd and azul clones were reduced to goo. jade looked at the fake you, slightly hesitating at your trembling figure. alas, they were spared no expense and fell back into the darkness, crying his name and dragging out each syllable.

“no mercy..” idia stuttered, chewing on his nail. “he was protecting them with his life, only to end them once he realized they were fake.” jamil states, scratching his chin while replaying the scene back in his head. “scary..” idia murmurs. “finally awake, jade?” floyd punches his brothers arm, earning a chuckle. “yes, thank you.”

they share a laugh before hitting each other suddenly, startling each and every one of you. “floyd, you dare have hurt your own brother? i thought my whole body was going to fall apart. have you no mercy on your own blood? how terrible.” jade wiped away a tear, floyd not buying it for a single second.

“jade leech.” his banter was cut short by the sounds of your voice, your stern tone telling that this will not end well for him. “w-why, [MC]! how might i be of service.?” jade smiles, remaining his composure well. “don’t “how might i be of service” me! you have some serious explanation to do once we’re out of this stupid dream.” you scowl, staring him down with an intimidating glare.

jade, seemed unfazed. he was certainly embarrassed, but who is he to let it show? “oh dear, is it quite wrong for one to dream of their mate while asleep?” he shakes his head, catching you off guard. “mate?” everyone collectively questions. “uhm, yeah. do you guys not notice?” floyd scratches the back of his neck as if it were the most obvious thing.

what the hell is he talking about? mate? what.. when? that’s.. it’s not possible. “what are you on about, leech?” you sneer, causing him to grab your hand with a smile. “would you care for me to show you?” he grins teasingly, pulling you in til you rested on his chest. “hey! why you—“

“enough. you two are more than free to discuss this mishap after malleus is defeated. right now, we’ve got bigger problems to focus on.” jamil frowns, separating you two from each other. “..right. im not done with you yet.” you glare at the eel in front of you, much to his amusement. “i look forward to it.”

despite the topic being held for later, you couldn’t help but let jade’s words and fantasies linger in your mind for a moment longer. the statements he had said, the actions he had performed, all of it made you feel.. special.

“he dreams of me?”

A/N: i got lazy at the end whoops. anyways what if i write a jamil one?? double anyways what if jamil and jade love triangl— *gunshots*

im not used to writing long fics for characters by themselves and i think you can tell

date published: 8/22/24

© temiizpalace — do not copy, steal, or put my work into ai. thank you!

[solxamber]

Romance Clichés With: Azul Ashengrotto

Cliché: Objecting to a wedding (with a little twist)

Others: Leona ; Vil ; Kalim ; Idia ; Jamil ; Riddle

Azul sat at his desk in his office, pen poised, tapping thoughtfully as he contemplated what had become his primary preoccupation lately: how to tell you he was in love with you. It was strange, really, to be brought to such an embarrassing level of angst over something as ridiculous as romance.

He had been calm and calculated through all kinds of treacherous deals, survived the most unruly of contracts, and even faced the wrath of certain dorm leaders. And yet, here he was—totally, desperately, in love.

The problem, of course, was how to bring it up without appearing half as desperate as he actually felt. He could already hear Floyd’s teasing if he ever caught wind of it. Not that Azul would ever admit it, but he might be… hopelessly, pathetically desperate. A shudder of horror ran down his spine.

“Alright, Azul,” he muttered to himself, smoothing out his vest. “You’re a businessman, a negotiator—you can handle this.”

But he hadn’t factored in one tiny detail: you were so busy that week, you barely had time to look in his direction. Every time he thought he had an opening to finally confess, you would dash off on some new errand, looking distracted. Azul was beginning to think you might not even realize he existed.

One afternoon, when you came in looking particularly absorbed, he thought, Alright, maybe I just need to be patient.

But then you said, “Azul, can Mostro Lounge handle catering for a wedding reception?”

He blinked, entirely taken off guard. “A… wedding reception?”

“Yeah,” you replied, flipping through some papers as you looked at the lounge thoughtfully. “Also, can you do a big spread? You know, food for a few hundred people?”

Azul’s heart did an odd stutter as he absorbed your words. A wedding… Surely, you didn’t mean your wedding, right? Right? He felt his pulse quicken, but he nodded, doing his best to appear calm.

“Yes, Mostro Lounge can cater… sizable events,” he managed, his throat oddly dry.

“Oh, good,” you said, looking relieved. “Could you put together a sample menu sometime? I’d love to see what the possibilities are.”

You seemed distracted, almost… giddy. Azul’s nerves were fraying with each passing second, but he held it together. It’s just an event, maybe they're organizing for a friend. It doesn’t mean—

But then, the twins ambled into his office later that afternoon. Floyd sauntered over, that unnerving grin plastered across his face. “Shame, Boss. Guess they're tying the knot with someone else, huh?”

Azul’s blood ran cold. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Jade chimed in, eyes glinting with unholy amusement. “Our prefect is planning their own wedding. I heard them talking about the caterers—thought you would’ve figured it out.”

Azul froze. No… it can’t be…

“Yeah,” Floyd continued, clearly relishing his shock. “They’re talking about the reception, catering, the whole deal. Sounds like a big one, too!”

Azul’s brain short-circuited as he tried to process this bombshell. He’d thought… well, he hadn’t thought you would actually marry someone else. Suddenly, an image of you in a wedding with some faceless stranger standing beside you flickered in his mind, and he shot up from his desk, knocking his pen off the edge.

“Where… where are they right now?”

Jade and Floyd exchanged glances, a wicked grin growing on Floyd’s face as he pointed toward the lounge.

Without a second thought, Azul tore out of his office, heart pounding. He found you near the dining area, still sorting through event plans, and before he knew what he was doing, he blurted, “Wait!”

You turned around, startled. “Azul? Is everything alright?”

“No, actually, it isn’t,” he said, words spilling out in a rush. “I—I object to this wedding!”

There was a beat of silence before you blinked, baffled. “Wait… what?”

“The wedding!” he cried, nearly breathless from both panic and embarrassment. “You can’t just— I mean, I didn’t think you were… I mean, I thought…”

You raised a brow, looking both concerned and a little amused. “Azul, what are you talking about?”

He stared at you, realizing too late that he hadn’t exactly… clarified his feelings. The few bystanders who had overheard him began to chuckle, and Azul’s face turned the deepest shade of red you’d ever seen.

“Well,” you prompted, folding your arms with an amused smile, “care to explain yourself, Mr. Ashengrotto?”

Azul opened his mouth, then closed it, absolutely mortified. “I… I thought it was your wedding you were planning.”

He could feel himself spiraling into a pit of despair as laughter rippled through the lounge. You, however, just looked at him, touched and amused all at once. You stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder, and he felt his pulse quicken.

“Azul,” you said gently, “I was planning this for a friend.”

Azul’s shoulders sagged in sheer relief. He let out a breath, and for the first time in his life, he genuinely didn’t care that people were laughing at him. Because you weren’t marrying anyone else, which meant—

“Oh,” he said faintly, face still red as a sunset.

You chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the moment far too much. “Did you really think I’d go through all that trouble to plan a wedding just for myself without saying a word to you?”

“I… I might have,” he admitted, glancing away sheepishly.

You laughed, stepping even closer. “You really think I’d do that to you?”

Before he could answer, you leaned up and kissed his cheek, leaving him in stunned silence as the last of his anxieties melted away. “I take it you don’t want me planning any weddings unless it’s with you, hm?”

Azul felt his heart lurch, and though every fiber of his pride fought it, he nodded, his blush deepening. “…Yes. That would be… preferable.”

“Well,” you said with a grin, “how about we just start with a date?”

He stared at you, relief and joy mingling into a grin that he just couldn’t hide. “I would… like that. Very much.”

Floyd’s cackling erupted from behind you both, and Azul shot him a murderous glare, but he couldn’t find it in him to care too much—not when he had just won the only prize he truly wanted.

Masterlist

[jetsamsoul]

Litsening in ˖°

A/N: this is not a 3some fic!! Kalim is evesdropping ^.^!!

tags: Jamil x gn!reader x Kalim // kinda cuckholding, voyeurism, mentions of bdsm, blood (kalim bites his cheeks)

wc: 1.2k // ao3

Muffled moans and wet slaps infested Kalims mind, his ears and cheeks flushing red as he pressed the side of his face against the wooden door in front of him. It wasn't his fault he was here. His original plan was to ask Jamil if he wanted to try a new recipe Cater gave him during club. What he wasn't expecting was to hear you and Jamil having sex.

To Kalims luck, the hallways were empty. No one would see how helpless he looked, leaning on the door to hear all he could of you and Jamil. His body pulsed with each whine or groan he heard. Knees bumping together, Kalim leaned forward, pushing his hips into the thick wood that separated him from you two. Just the simple friction from that had the boy weak. With each thrust of his hips, a new idea formed in his mind on what was happening in the room. Were you blindfolded? Thrown into skimpy lingerie? Restrained by smooth ropes? Or by Jamil's bare hands? It didn't sound like he was being gentle. Did Jamil let his hair down? What positions was he contorting you into? Each pound felt rough, almost demanding of each whorish whine coming from you. Vivid images flooded Kalims mind. He couldn't focus on one thing to think about. The simple idea of you two fucking in front of him excited him. Why did Jamil need you all to himself? Why can't he have you all to himself? Why can't he have Jamil all to himself? 

Kalim bit his lower lip, holding back from moaning out loud. No one can know what's happening, what he's doing out here. That he's pathetically rubbing his hardened dick on Jamil's dorm door to receive pleasure that no one else will give him. A hand lifted to massage his nipples through his shirt. His other hand pressed against the doorframe to support his weak body. The housewardens chest raised and fell rapidly from holding his breath, afraid you or Jamil would hear and stop. What would he do? Would he care? Considering how loud it seemed, he wondered if it was on purpose. 

"Fuck...'y feel good?" Jamil huffed, pressure from his movement making the bed squeak beneath you both. He groaned, pushing his bangs out of his way swiftly. 

"y-nhgh yes..feels so good.." Kalim muttered to himself, his head dropping down with a whiny exhale. The hand that had been holding onto the door frame moved down, grasping Kalims clothed cock. He could tell precum was spilling out, a wet spot already forming on his pants. His hand rubbed his length, the rest of his body leaning onto the door for support, his ear still pressed closely against the door. "Jamil,,hah..louder..nh.."  

As if he had heard Kalim from his bed, Jamil moaned loudly as his thrusts sped up. Kalims body twitched, his mind going foggy the closer he got to his climax. Jamil's voice was inaudible to Kalim by now. only curses and a series of words making it to his head. Kalim began to thrust his hips into his hand, his eyes wincing shut. 

Kalim made sure to keep up with Jamil's pace, slowing and speeding up when he heard him do the same. He even began to moan in unison with you, as if he could feel everything you were feeling. He was jealous that he wasn't able to be in Jamil's room. That he was stuck doing it all himself. Not being serviced like he usually is.

The sounds of you and Jamil blended with Kalims quiet moans, his dick twitching in his hand. He quickly shoved his hand past his boxers, taking his soaked dick into his bare hand.

While desperately stroking to finish, he bit his lips shut so hard he thought they might bleed. With one final push and a shamefully loud moan, he released into his hand and on his boxers. No longer able to hold back the relieved sounds of pleasure he had held in so well. You climaxed just as soon as Kalim, your moans drowning him out. Your climax was followed instantly by Jamils. He buried his face into your neck, breathing heavily through his teeth as his cum dripped and poured down onto your stomach. 

Jamil's eyebrows furrowed at the messy sight he created, sitting up as he recovered from his high. "Fuck..let me clean you up.." he quickly expressed, moving his position to let you sit up as well. With one last heavy sigh and a kiss on your forehead, he stood up to grab a towel meant to wipe you down. 

Kalim flinched up, pulling his hand out of his pants the moment he heard Jamil seemingly getting up from his bed. He worriedly checked his surroundings, his mind finally clearing up as he processed all of what he had just done. Minutes passed like seconds, the sound of a door handle snapping Kalim out of it. A gasp left his mouth as he backed away from the door as it opened. Jamil was on the other side, eyes widening at the sight of Kalim. His brows furrowed as he stepped out of the door to shut it, knowing you were still naked on his bed. Kalim shamelessly tried to peek in the room as well as he could before the door shut, his eyes shooting back up to Jamil when he heard the door shut. 

"Kalim. What are you doing here? Why are you at my door like this.." 

Kalim gulped, words taking far too long to come out and explain to Jamil. Pulling himself together and remembering why he was originally there he responded as cheerful as usual, 

"Ah! I was just going to ask if you were getting hungry! Cater showed me this recipe I want us to try out! Were you..uh” he held back a grin. “busy?" 

Jamil's eyebrows furrowed with frustration, replying through gritted teeth. "Yes, I was busy. I was finishing up a few tasks that I could complete alone. But I suppose it is about time for me to start up dinner prep. Isn’t it?" Jamil looked Kalim up and down, suspicious of his flushed appearance and offputting question.

Kalim pouted, frustrated that he knew it was a lie. He knew what Jamil was doing. Or rather, who Jamil was doing.

"Ah..I see!.." Kalim smiled, "do you need any help? I can give you the recipe and help collect ingredients~!" He swayed closer to Jamil as he spoke, taking his phone out to open his messages. 

"Fine. That’s fine, give me a few minutes and I'll come get you from your dorm room." 

Kalim nodded, turning to begin the walk. 

"Alrighty~! I'll keep an ear out for you, Jamil!"

Jamil raised a brow slick with discomfort from the housewardens remark. Watching as Kalim waved goodbye to him as he walked further and further out of his sight.

 Kalim smiled to himself. couldn't have Jamil figure out that he had been at the door much longer than a few moments. If Jamil never found out, he could listen in as much as he wanted. 

ଳ˖°

© 2024 JetsamSoul - All plagiarizing, translating transporting, modifying, etc. is prohibited.

[vviipers]

1.1k words. (twst) najma viper & fem! reader. (twst) jamil viper/fem! reader.

He was a gift from the esteemed Asim family.

When he and his sister bowed before you and your advisor, his sellers had labeled them both as "anything you could ever want in a human; a cook, a knight, and," you'd stopped listening around then.

You were dismissed before you could properly meet them.

Najma, the younger sister, was assigned to be by your side. Morning, afternoon, and throughout the night, she'd quickly grown comfortable talking your ear off whenever prompted— she'd even do so whenever when you were turning in for the night, animatedly telling you stories from her hometown while you both curled up in your overly large bed.

(It was important to call them stories and not tales. She always had that glint in her eye that just screamed she was reminiscing on happy memories. There was the widest grin on her face even as sleep tried keeping her grip tight, limbs just barely containing themselves from kicking out.)

Najma Viper was a breath of fresh air in such a suffocating palace. Day in, day out, learning how to be prim and proper for when you were inevitably married off to some far-off prince for political reasons; she was a much-wanted change in your monotonous routine.

If Najma was the splash of color in your life, Jamil was a small grey dot that blended in with all else in your life.

He was as quiet as a mouse— or more fittingly a predator waiting to strike. Had Najma not greeted him in that always discreet, always equally silent way she did, you wouldn't have known whenever he was watching from around a corner or inside a shadow.

Jamil was also assigned to you. Not as closely as Najma, but he was always there.

Watching.

Waiting.

The closest thing you could compare him to was a knight, even if he never dressed in the suits and uniforms others did. He kept his weapons concealed, his hands flat against his thighs, but he never seemed to tire. He could fight as well as Najma could— if not better— but he'd never show as much if he didn't need to.

When he joined you and Najma on your inevitable escapades, he'd always trail a distance behind you. Always quiet, never participating in conversation unless he was saying it was time to return home. It was easy to forget he was there if he wasn't breathing down your neck, looming over your shoulder when Najma's threats weren't enough.

You thought he had evil eyes. A chance glance over your shoulder during one of those adventures told you as much.

There was always a stormy cloud swarming itself around his equally grey irises. You told Najma you thought as much as she helped you prepare for a festival. He had stormy eyes that were ready to pelt the world with rain, sleet, and hail at a moment's notice while she held heavy mist within hers.

She had laughed and asked if she held that same evil within hers.

You shook your head and puckered your lips when she pinched your cheeks together, keeping your head still so she could apply a muted crimson shade of lipstick. A sweetheart through and through is what you told her once she let you go.

You don't hold a proper conversation with Jamil until Najma falls ill from poison on your plate.

You're brushing strands of hair from her sweat-slicked forward when he enters the guest bedroom just across from yours.

It's the room she'd been assigned when she first joined, but it's uncomfortably bare aside from the essentials; all of her personal items finding home alongside yours at your insistence. In the short month they've lived in the palace, her belongings have managed to take up as much space as yours.

Jamil jumps at the opportunity to do something with his hands when she wakes briefly. She asked for a quilt to be removed and a cardigan (one of yours, of course. She loved them because she thought the outrageous price of them made them feel better), tossing and turning within the bed until you placed a chilled towel on her forehead and neck

He'd darted off quickly before returning with a sheepish look. You told him you'd retrieve the cardigan if he took care of the blankets. It takes you less time than you spend to find her favorite, shifting foot-to-foot outside of the cracked door to give them a moment alone.

It's the gentlest you'd ever seen him. Fluffing her pillow, holding her head up as he keeps hold of the water cup— it's hard not to think it's an entirely different person standing at Najma's side.

"You can stay with her," you say in a quiet voice. It was a demand more than an offer, holding the cardigan out as you approach. Jamil wordlessly helps Najma sit up, holding her steady as you slip her arms through the sleeves.

As he lays her back down, there's a deep frown worrying itself on his lips. It's worse than usual. Less filled with disappointment or annoyance and more wary. "I can't," he says, equally as soft.

You want to roll your eyes as you round the bed to pull the curtains closed. Najma relaxes further into the mattress as the light decreases, hand sweaty around yours when she reaches out to hold it. "You will."

When he opens his mouth, you cut him off with a wave and gesture for him to sit. He does, keeping his side to you as he carefully watches Najma's face. "I'll file it as an official leave of absence. There's nothing you'll need to concern yourself with other than your combined health."

You'd both left it at that.

It took two and a half weeks for Najma to get back on her feet.

During those two and a half weeks, you'd think you could say you bonded with Jamil.

He begrudgingly switched shifts with you when it came to watching over her. Moments in your day that were supposed to be used for studying were instead spent pulling away hair and wiping down dirty faces while he left for the market to buy medicine and light foods.

Pulling conversation with Jamil was like pulling teeth. If it weren't for Najma, you're sure you'd still only know his first and last name.

Najma snickers when you tell her what you've noticed. It's in her last days of recovery and you tell her of how he's a control freak, how you saw him dance because she was homesick, and how, for the first time in the short time you've known them, you finally saw him with an expression that wasn't excessively stressed.

"You like him," she hums in a sing-song voice while you card your fingers through her hair. A giggle leaves her when you gently knock your fingers against her scalp to get her to stop. "You like him and he's the reason you've been shelving marriage proposals!"

You do, and he was— but it's not as though you were going to act on anything.

[the-broken-truth]

Al'akh Al'ashghar - Jamil Viper [Platonic Yandere] [Male Yuu][Part 2 of 3]

Summary: After the accident, you awaken in a room at Scarabia Dorm while recovering from your poisoning. Jamil has taken the responsibility of taking care of you, but there's something mysterious behind those silver eyes of his. You can't shake off the feeling of unease around him. What is he hiding, and what could be the reason behind your discomfort around him?

Notes:

Al'akh Al'ashghar means 'Little Brother' in Arabic; considering Jamil's Name means 'Handsome/Beautiful' in Arabic, I thought this would be fitting to use. (I don't speak Arabic - I used Google Translate)

This story will be told in the Second POV.

Jamil will refer to the reader as 'Yuu' - if you so choose, replace Yuu with your own name.

PARTS: ONE | TWO (YOU ARE HERE) | THREE

Your body was warm - almost as if you were sleeping in the sun or under a large heating lamp for reptiles, but the lack of light hitting your eyelids made it clear to your awakening mind that there was little to no light around you. Your throat was dry and begging for water. Your body was relaxed and laying on something soft, almost like a cloud while something with a decent amount of weight and warmth was pressed against your chest and up to your next. You wanted to wake up but your body wasn't allowing you to - leaving you to stand in the dark void of your mindscape.

You stood in the endless void, thinking about how you ended up here and everything that led up to this moment in...whatever time it was in the waking world.

You remembered the invitation to Scarabia for a Grand Dinner, personally written by Jamil as he stated that you were going to be his personal guest during the party; what he meant by that, you were not entirely certain.

You remembered getting dressed, leaving Ramshackle with Grim, and arriving at Scarabia a few minutes before the scheduled time on the invite before being stopped by Jamil himself, who asked if you had any consideration to his offer of joining Scarabia Dorm as a permanent resident. However, you told him that you were not interested in joining Scarabia and left him standing there when Kalim arrived and pulled both you and Grim from the Vice Prefect of Scarabia.

Dinner soon came after that and everything was going well until the food actually came; Jamil served you and Kalim personally, even gifting you a custom cup made of silver with your name on it as a thank-you for everything you had done for Scarabia and himself.

You talked.

You ate.

You drank.

And that's when everything went to Hades.

You could feel your life slipping through your fingers as the poison started coursing through your veins and stealing your breath away until Jamil took you into his arms and poured the antidote that he happened to have on him down your throat; he held your and caressed your face while cooing you into calming down and slipping into an unconscious state of mind.

You were lying in a comfortable bed, wrapped in warm blankets that were helping to thaw your cold body. Your vision was hazy, and you could barely make out the ceiling of the Scarabian Room. You wanted to move, but your body felt incredibly heavy, and you could barely lift a single finger. Suddenly, you heard the sound of the door opening, and the light from the hallway briefly illuminated the ceiling before the door closed once again. You then heard the sound of glasses gently clinking together, followed by the warm glow of a lamp on the nightstand hitting your face. You summoned all the strength you had left to turn your head towards the source of the light, coming face to face with Jamil Viper, who had a concerned look in his eyes and was holding a serving tray. The tray included a small water pitcher, a glass, and a bowl of soup with a piece of bread sticking out of it. As you tried to speak, Jamil shushed you and placed a warm hand on your cheek.

"Shhh, Al'akh Al'ashghar. Your throat is too dry due to your body being dehydrated from the poison in your system." Jamil grabbed the glass off the tray and filled it with the water from the pitcher before using his other hand to lift your head gently and placed the glass to your lips, "Drink slowly. Can you do that for me?"

With a nod from your weakened head, Jamil slowly fed you the glass of water; the refreshing liquid soothing your cracked throat. Once the glass was empty, your throat was still sore from being dry for so long but you were able to speak softly.

"What...happened?" You asked.

"I have inspected the food and drinks, and everything appeared to be fine. However, upon examining the cups that the drinks were served in, I found traces of a quick-acting poison on the rim of your cup. I am unable to comprehend why someone would poison you and not Kalim. The only assumption I can make is that the intention behind poisoning you was to get you out of the way so that the perpetrator could have an easier chance at getting to Kalim." Jamil exhales before lowering the hood on his head. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you, Al'akh Al'ashghar, I should have been more careful."

"G...Grim?" You asked in a hushed voice.

"Don't worry, I contacted the Adeuce Duo and had them pick Grim up and return him to Ramshackle; they are going to take care of him until you get better. From what I learned, the poison is going to remain in your system for about 2 weeks." Jamil reached into his pocket and pulled out a pill bottle, opened it, and took one pill out before holding it up to your lips, "This medicine is going fight the poison, but it's gonna make you sleepy. Here, take this and I will feed you your dinner and you can go back to sleep."

You look at the pill before opening your mouth and allow Jamil to place the pill in your mouth and follow it with another glass of water before he feeds you the soup, bread, and one last glass of water before he makes sure you are comfortable before leaving the room. You looked at the ceiling for a while before the effects of the pill took hold and you closed your eyes and drifted off into an unconscious state of mind.

Every day, you wake up when the sun rises, and Jamil brings you breakfast. After feeding you, he helps you take a shower in the attached bathroom, dresses you in fresh clothes, and gives you another pill to take. You fall asleep again until your classes are over. Kalim and Jamil then come to visit you, telling you about their day. Jamil later forces Kalim out of the room and stays with you until dinner time, when he brings you food, feeds you, and gives you another pill. You fall asleep once more, and the cycle repeats itself the next day. Despite this routine, you have not gotten stronger, and you know that the time frame of Jamil's estimate of the poison remaining in your system has passed.

While your body has not improved since the night you were poisoned, your mind has become sharper and you know how to count. Since your time in this room, you have counted 14 sunrises - 14 days - 2 weeks.

Even if your count was off, a conversation that you overheard yesterday confirmed your count and made you even more suspicious about what really was going on here:

Your eyes were closed as you attempted to fall asleep without the aid of the pill since Jamil was taking too long to get back in the room when you heard two people talking outside the door; you slowed your breathing and tuned into conversation.

"They came back again, today." A Member of Scarabia said.

"You made sure to send them away, correct? I don't want them around my Al'akh Al'ashghar." The sound of Jamil's Voice came in response.

"Yes, Vice Housewarden. We explained that the Prefect was rested and should not be disturbed... Sir, they get getting angry with the delays; other members of different dorms have been coming to see him and we have been turning them away per your request, however, they are getting annoyed and we even had to stop a possible fight. They are starting to say that we should return to Prefect to Ramshackle and..."

"No." Jamil cut him off, "My Al'akh Al'ashghar will remain here, with me, where he is safe. Soon enough, those annoying insects will forget about him and will stop coming here. Once everything is put into place, I will move on with what I have planned. Now, you are dismissed and let me know if Kalim needs me. I need to tend to my Al'akh Al'ashghar & I do not what to be disturbed if it's not important."

As per your recollection, that particular day kept playing back in your mind, leading you to contemplate other things. It all started with the night you were poisoned. Jamil, the one who invited you, had informed you that the poison was found solely on the rim of your cup, which was different from everyone else's. While others were served drinks in golden cups, yours was silver, and it was easy to distinguish it from the rest. This struck you as odd since it was the first time you were served in a different cup while attending parties and dinners in Scaraba. You couldn't help but wonder why Jamil had given you a silver cup while everyone else drank from golden ones.

The second strange thing was the fact your body was still in the same condition from 2 weeks ago, showing no improvement and still weak as ever; you needed someone to aid you and Jamil refused to allow you to see anyone else who were not him or Kalim, even then, he barely allowed Kalim to see you.

The third issue that concerned you was the disappearance of your cell phone. A week after your poisoning, you asked Jamil if he had seen your phone. He explained that he had kept it in his room because he did not want the constant ringing to disturb your rest. However, when you asked him to return it to you so you could talk to your friends, he dismissed your request. He said he had already informed everyone that you were okay and refused to give it back. After that conversation, every time you asked Jamil to return your phone, he refused to discuss it.

Upon analyzing all the available information, you arrived at the conclusion that Jamil was intentionally keeping you weak to prevent you from leaving Scarabia and maintaining control over you. However, you lacked evidence to support this claim. You had some time to ponder on this when Jamil arrived with your breakfast and a glass of water, with the intention of making you take a pill. Jamil assisted you in sitting up, served you breakfast, and instructed you to open your mouth to take the pill. He placed the pill in your mouth, but before you could drink the water, there was a knock at the door, prompting Jamil to leave the room to attend to it.

This was the moment you were waiting for.

After spitting the pill out of your mouth, it landed on your bed. With the limited strength you had, you managed to hide the pill between the mattress and the headboard under your pillow. Just then, Jamil walked back into the room and made you drink some water and swallow the pill. Fortunately, he didn't notice that you didn't actually swallow the pill. Jamil smiled at you and gently laid you back down before taking the tray and leaving the room again. You closed your eyes and allowed yourself to drift back to sleep.

You woke up after an hour or two to find that Scarabia was still empty of other students. You realized that your body felt lighter than before and you summoned the strength to lift your hand from under the blanket, which worked. This confirmed your suspicion that Jamil was using pills to keep you weak and tired so that you couldn't leave him. It was clear to you that your mission now was to pretend long enough to regain your strength and escape Scarabia when everyone was asleep. However, it was easier said than done. Then again, as the Prefect of Ramshackle, you had to find a way to get back to your life and away from Jamil.

It had been a week since you embarked on your mission, and by some means, you had managed to avoid taking any more pills. This was either because Jamil was constantly distracted or you had tricked him. As your arms grew stronger, you began throwing the pills out the window into the vast sea of sand. However, you held on to the very first pill that you had spat out, as you intended to give it to Progressor Crewel for analysis. Your body was now strong enough to execute your final plan, but for that, you needed to wait until nightfall.

The sun was finally gone.

The Halls of Scarabia were cricket silence empty.

It was time to move.

Removing yourself from the bed, you grabbed the hidden pill and placed it in the pocket of the Scarabia Outfit that Jamil placed you in earlier in the day. Shoeless, you crept over to the door and placed your ear on it it make sure no one was in the hall before you slowly opened the door, slipped through the crack, and closed the door behind you softly before you started looking around to see where you were in Scarabia. The door should not be too far away but you knew if you broke out into a sprint right now, Jamil or someone else was going to find you.

Exhaling, you started silently stalking through the halls of Scarabia like a phantom when you stopped in front of Jamil's Room; you knew that your phone was in there but you knew it was too much of a risk; Jamil was Kalim's Protector and he had better hearing that you. If you tried to enter his room, he was going to catch you and only Sevens know what he would do to you after finding out you caught on to his plan. You needed to get out of Scarabia, you could come back for your phone later.

You kept moving until you were right next to Scarabia's Main Opening, that was when you booked it down the path and through the mirror, ending up in the Hall of Mirrors before you took a sigh of relief. You turned your back on Scarabia's Mirror before you made the long trip back to Ramshackle: Sleeping in your own bed, Seeing Grim and the Ghosts, Talking to your friends again... That is all you want at the moment.

If only you knew the reaction of a certain Vice Dorm Warden when he found that you were gone when the sun rose.

[TO BE CONCLUDED IN PART THREE]

@universallyweaselwobblermuffin - Outro? Please?

[hathay]

dancing with jamil lil drabble gave me the idea of dancing with sebek, im sick let me indulge, so bare with me🥰

(by the gods kasdan do NOT read this)

just imagine y’all practicing dancing for some reason, each person on their own, but sebek notices how you are so completely off at points. as one of malleus’s highly held retainer he cannot just sit by and let some human continue their pitiful dance without it being corrected. with that he’d go to you and declare he just absolutely has to teach you the correct way to do the dance, you’re simply shamefully bad at it. just,,, don’t point out how beyond whatever his words say, when he takes your hand into his, and he places his other on your waist, how red his cheeks start to grow. i would also advise against pointing out how the tips of his slightly pointed ears are growing red, as well as how he seems to be avoiding your gaze rather diligently. it’s not blush he plainly would state, he’s just embarrassed at how much you lack the ability to dance, he supposes he has no other choice but to help someone in need.

he would correct your footwork, totally NOT stumbling over his words as he gazes down at both of y’all’s feet moving together, his breath hitching as he realizes the situation he put himself in. sebek would be internally scolding himself because how could a fae such as himself become so flustered by simply teaching a human, of all people, to dance!! he only seems to blush more as this goes on, his voice raising to tell you he ISN’T BLUSHING, it’s definitely just cold where he is teaching you how to dance. then it hits him like a train all over again, he is teaching you how to dance. you are barely a foot apart, your hand resting in his, he’s practically stopped breathing due to the feeling of how perfectly your hand fits in his. your hand on his shoulder is just another reminder of the proximity of you both. his stoic attitude falters for a minute as you both lock gazes, his widening a bit at the realization that he wants to be able to be in this situation with you more, this close to you more. asking him aloud if he is alright will just cause for him to attempt to regain his composure, stepping back and claiming you will resume lessons (one’s he literally just made) to better your dancing tomorrow, after all, he doesn’t want you to wear yourself out, you don’t have his stamina he proclaims. in his flurry to leave you can’t help but notice him extend his fingers out, flexing them, then bringing them back into a ball. the feeling of your hand in his still lingering, a showcase of his guarded and up righteous self starting to unravel, and you completely at fault. though, he doesn’t seem to mind. pride and prejudice style fr

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Yuu can do it!

Part 71

First - Previous - Masterlist - Next

“Now, Jamil-san, if you wanted control over the Headmaster, you merely needed to ask,” Azul said, crouching a safe distance away, a cold smile playing across his lips. Someone’s phone hovered by his head, trembling just slightly in the air, as if the wind magic holding it up was slightly unstable. “I’m in the habit of granting wishes, you know.”

“You…” Jamil said, looking lost.

“I happen to know quite a lot of… unsavory information that the Headmaster surely wouldn’t want to come to light.”

(Azul’s eyes, briefly, flicked to Ito. They merely raised an eyebrow in return.)

“And what do you want for that information?”

“I’m afraid that you don’t have any bargaining chips in this scenario, not anymore. I believe I could get quite a lot from you for this alone.”

Azul snatched the phone out of the air, peering down at it through his glasses for just a second, before smiling and tapping a few buttons. He turned the screen around to show a picture of Jamil strangling Ito.

Jamil flinched.

“This is quite a distasteful sight, don’t you think?” Azul said. “A mage picking on a poor, magicless human.”

Ito gave a halfhearted laugh. “That’s rich coming from you – don’t think I forgot how many times your ‘BFFs’ beat us up.”

Azul ignored them, but they had expected that so they weren’t particularly offended.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to cut this conversation short for now. If I make a deal with you in front of them, I might be murdered.”

“What?” Jamil said.

“Hiya!” said Kuroki, from far closer to Ito’s head than they’d expected. He held his ‘gun’ in a lazy hand, but the threat was definitely still there. “I suggest you let go of them. Now.”

Jamil was quick to do so, backing a few steps away from Ito, his hands in the air.

Ito sighed. “Kuroki, you –.”

They were dragged, roughly, to their feet. A hand slid into their pocket and pulled out Azul’s phone.

“You’re on thin ice right now,” Enma said, waving the phone a few times before throwing his arm around their shoulders, dragging them into his side. “We knew you were up to something, but I’ve gotta admit — you being on his side was a little surprising. Care to explain?”

Ito winced. “I felt bad for him –.”

“Nice try, you’re incapable of pity,” Kuroki said.

Ito crossed their arms over their chest.

Enma pressed a kiss to the top of their head. “We’ll talk about it later.”

We absolutely will not, Ito thought, flashing a hesitant smile his way.

But their attention was quickly stolen away from that impending problem, because Kalim’s voice floated past their ear, wavering with just barely restrained tears:

“Jamil?”

Jamil flinched. Hard. “Kalim? You – how much did you hear?”

“All of it, from start to finish,” said Jade. “Your entire conversation, from the moment you left the lounge, was streamed from my smartphone.”

Jamil’s eyes blew wide as abject terror set in. “No – no, you didn’t.”

(Ito’s eyes flicked to meet Kuroki’s. He shook his head, minutely. So, no, it wasn’t actually streamed, just recorded. But that didn’t make things much better.)

“We did! You’re famous, Umihebi-kun! You had, like, five thousand viewers at your peak!”

Everyone grimaced for a second at Floyd’s new voice. It was… weirdly deep. It didn’t suit him at all. It was also entirely out of place right now – the comedic note was not suiting their current genre.

Kalim, hesitantly, reached out and touched Jamil’s arm. “It’s not true, is it?”

Jamil pressed his lips together thinly.

“Just – I’ve always fallen asleep at random times. Tell me – tell me that’s what’s going on.”

Jamil still wouldn’t talk, his eyes on the floor. Silently, he shrugged Kalim’s hand off of him.

Kalim was quick to put it back, a tinge of desperation in his voice, now, as he said, “You wouldn’t do any of that, right? You – we’re best friends! You wouldn’t –.”

“Don’t. Don’t say that,” Jamil said, finally. “We’re not friends. You – own me, Kalim! We aren’t friends!”

Kalim flinched back a step.

Jamil snorted, once, at the sight. And that opened the floodgates. He doubled over, laughter spilling from his lips, until he seemingly couldn’t stand anymore, crashing to his knees, only holding himself up with a single hand.

“Ja – Jamil –.”

Jamil’s eyes shot up to look at him. His hair had come undone during the fall, cascading around his face messily, leaving him looking almost deranged.

“Don’t touch me,” he said, the grin on his face far past the point of mania. “I’m fucking sick of you. Four years! All I wanted were four fucking years away from you! I figured, if I could just – exist for a while and see what it was like to be a normal person, I could go back once I graduated and be – content with my life. But no! You wouldn’t even give me that!”

He gave another crackling peal of laughter.

The air around them felt thicker than it should have. Filled with anything but oxygen. Every inhale ached, leaving their head dangerously light.

Kuroki stumbled, crashing into Enma and Ito, clinging to their shirts to stay halfway upright.

“It – it doesn’t matter, though. I’m doomed!” Jamil said. “Forget four years away from you – I’d be lucky to make it to tomorrow! So, do me a favor, and get out!”

Ito blinked.

Their head felt clear. Which, in their opinion, was a win.

They were also falling through the air at high speeds, though, so it was hard to feel particularly happy about this.

Ito, dully, watched the ground get closer.

Hm. Wonder how much that’ll hurt.

Maybe, if they were lucky, it wouldn’t hurt at all!

(They were never lucky, were they?)

A body went crashing into theirs, and the air was stolen from their lungs.

They flipped themself over.

They weren’t the only one who was falling.

A glance down showed Jade and Floyd plummeting through the air.

A glance up showed Kalim and Azul.

Kuroki was the furthest up. A bright blue light shrouded his body. He was getting further and further away by the second. Perhaps Grim was trying to slow his descent. But Kuroki was, of course, far heavier than the monster. And it wasn’t as if Grim was particularly adept at magic. There was no way he’d be able to save him.

Everyone was passed out cold.

Enma was the only other human who was currently awake. He was the one who had crashed into them – seemingly on purpose, as he was gripping their shoulders, desperately screaming something that was lost to the wind.

They squinted at his mouth.

Ki… mi…  mo… wa… ta… shi…

What?

They could only shake their head.

Enma looked devastated. Arms wrapped around them, so tightly that it was almost hard to breathe. He tucked his face into the crook of their neck.

Well, they supposed there was really nothing they could do but wait for the ground to hit them. They didn’t have any magic, and the people who did have magic weren’t waking up…

Their mouth went dry.

There was one way they could think of.

Back in their world, it was said that, if you saw the dead, they would offer their hand to you. For an introductory shake, to help you to your feet, to hold you. And, if you accepted, they’d take you home with them.

(Back in their world, it was said that, if the dead reached out to you, they weren’t intending on taking you anywhere nice.)

They weren’t entirely sure what would happen. Or if anything would happen.

Last time they had held hands with anyone without gloves, however briefly, they had been yanked into Kuroki’s body. They weren’t sure what that had meant – maybe, if they were all already in Hell, there simply wasn’t anywhere else they could take him. Or maybe it didn't mean anything at all. They’d been hit with a botched potion at the same time, maybe they really had just fucked up that bad, and Ito touching someone’s hand wouldn’t do anything at all.

They worried their lip.

Enma was trembling, terrified. It was nothing like the elated expression they had glimpsed back when they had been fighting Leona’s Overblot. They wanted to think that that was a momentary lapse in judgment, but they had a sinking feeling that the difference was only that Ito was, supposedly, in danger as well.

They swallowed, thickly.

Well, they had to try.

If they offered Enma their hand, they knew he would take it, no questions asked.

And, hey, if they were right about the three of them being in Hell, it wouldn’t even be a problem! Nothing would happen! They’d all hit the ground, of course, and that would suck, but it wasn’t like they could die a second time. And, even if they could, they’d come back. Hell wouldn’t allow their torture to be cut short that easily.

(For the first time ever, they found themself hoping that they were right.)

They peeled one of their gloves off, watching it zip away from them. It whizzed past Azul’s ear, just shy of whacking him in the face.

Aw, man, that would have been funny –.

They started frantically searching Enma’s pockets. If Enma noticed, he didn’t care, pressing closer to them, as if trying to become one with them.

Their fingers locked around a small box, and they pulled out Azul's phone.

They looked at Azul. Falling above them.

They let go of the phone.

The phone went slamming into Azul’s shoulder, and the boy’s eyes fluttered open. For just a second, he was drowsy, his eyes just barely peeking open. His lips tugged downward in annoyance. And then realization hit him, and he jolted, his expression alight with horror.

He briefly fumbled through his pockets before a cane materialized in his hand.

It's almost funny, how the most impossible problems can be solved with just a little bit of magic.

They stopped falling. Abruptly. Somewhat painfully so.

(It was nowhere near as abrupt as hitting the ground would have been.)

They heard Enma groan.

They heard Enma groan!

They peeled his face out of hiding, peering into his eyes, and found that he was wide awake. Alive.

They glanced past him and saw Kuroki floating far above them.

Elation bubbled out of them in a brief laugh, and they were quick to press a kiss to Enma’s nose.

“What were you trying to say earlier?” they asked.

Enma smiled. “Doesn’t matter now.”

They raised an eyebrow. But, frankly, Enma didn’t need to know what they had just been thinking, so… he could keep his secrets.

“You’re always more affectionate when we nearly die,” Enma said. “Maybe I should ‘almost die’ more often.”

“Absolutely not,” Ito said, rolling their eyes. They took his face into their hands. “You already do that way too much, young man.”

Enma blinked in surprise. Briefly, his eyes flicked to the side, as if to confirm that one of their gloves was off.

Hesitantly, he lifted a hand, as if intending to put it over their own, hold it there – hold it.

They felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over their head.

They yanked their hand away.

Something in his expression dimmed.

They tucked his face back into the crook of their neck.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Shouldn’t rush you. You’ll – you’ll come to us when you’re ready.”

I’m sorry, they thought. I can’t risk it.

~

They landed, delicately, on the ground.

Azul looked exhausted.

But not nearly as exhausted as the Leech twins and Kalim, who were still passed out cold.

Kuroki stirred almost the second he touched the ground, before Ito and Enma could even properly detangle themselves and run over. He looked remarkably pale. He kissed the sand. Some of it surely got into his mouth, and the taste couldn't have been good, but he didn’t seem to care.

“If I ever leave the ground again I’m fucking killing everyone,” Kuroki announced.

“Aw, even if I pick you up?” Enma asked.

“Especially if you pick me up,” he said. His eyes flicked over Ito and Enma, and a complicated expression made its way across his face, before he smiled. “Nice to know that, despite your best efforts, you two are still alive.”

Ito crossed their arms over their chest. “Why do you think I’m suicidal? Enma, I get –.”

“Hey?!”

“– but I haven’t done anything to give that impression!”

“You just have the vibes,” said Grim.

The three Yuus looked at him, frowns on their faces.

Grim hung his head. “Fake slang again?”

“... no, you used it right,” said Kuroki. “I dunno. It feels weird when you do it.”

“Aren’t you three cold?” Azul asked.

The Yuus looked up. The other people were awake, now. Apparently. Not that they particularly cared about them.

“Nah,” said Ito.

“Is it cold?” said Kuroki.

Floyd’s mouth swung wide open (like a harlot) and, when he exhaled, the air in front of him steamed up.

Kuroki’s eyebrows knit in confusion. He looked down at himself, at the goosebumps littering his skin, at the way he was trembling just slightly.

“Adrenaline,” Enma said, flashing a (clumsy) thumbs up.

“Or hypothermia,” said Jade.

They considered this.

“Ooooh,” they chorused, in unison.

“What’s a 'hypothermia'?” Grim said, raising a paw.

“When people get too cold, they die,” Floyd explained, none too gently.

Well, his weird, too-deep voice was gone (Azul must have nullified their contract), so at least it wasn’t putting them even more on edge.

Not that it helped that much. Grim’s eyes widened in horror. He turned to his henchmen. “Well – well, I can warm them up –!”

“We don’t need to deal with another Overblot,” said Azul, shaking his head. “But we do need to get them out of the cold –.”

Ito frowned. “Viper-senpai Overblotted?”

They tried to remember, but… their mind came up more-or-less blank. They certainly remembered that Jamil could have Overblotted, his emotions had been running high, but the Overblot itself...

“Ah, yes, you were the first one to fall under his control,” said Jade. “Perhaps because constant exposure to Viper-san’s magic has weakened you to it… or because of a certain willingness you may possess to being controlled by him.”

(Enma and Kuroki, apparently reminded of Ito’s ‘betrayal’, sent them twin glares out of the corners of their eyes. Ito winced just slightly. Damn. They should have stayed quiet.)

"That's not the point," Floyd said. "We should get going before we've got bodies to bury."

Well, that wasn't a pretty image.

Needless to say, they started walking.

“Kalim-san? Are you coming?” said Jade.

Or not.

“Perhaps his hypothermia is setting in faster than we thought,” Azul muttered. “He’s shaking quite a lot…”

Ito glanced back.

Kalim was crying.

“Pendejos,” Ito muttered under their breath.

Then, they sighed and detached from their little huddle of friends in favor of walking over to Kalim.

“Senpai?”

Kalim sniffled, wiping at his tears frantically. “I’m – I’m just – one second, please.”

Ito hesitated, briefly. They rather liked the idea of not getting involved in someone’s emotional breakdown. It was awkward. No thanks.

But they also remembered that night in the tunnel, when the desert had rained.

Azul was right, they really didn’t need to deal with another Overblot.

(And, perhaps, despite what Kuroki claimed, they were capable of some level of empathy. They could understand, better than most, just how much moving past the denial phase of grief sucked.)

They – slowly, giving him ample time to push them away – reached out and set their gloved hand on his shoulder.

They weren’t sure what would cheer Kalim up, but they could make an educated guess:

“Do you need a hug?”

Kalim didn’t answer. He simply threw himself into their arms. Sobbing into their shirt.

They sighed, hugging him back.

“It's all my fault… I drove Jamil to the brink without even realizing it.”

Ito shook their head. “It’s not your fault. Not really.”

“Yeah,” said Kuroki. “It’s Viper-senpai’s fault.”

Ito sent him a glare. “You don’t even believe that.”

“Who’s to say,” said Kuroki, batting his eyelashes.

They fought the urge to roll their eyes. It wasn’t what Kalim needed right now.

“It’s neither of your faults. Okay? He’s not even mad at you. You’re, like, impossible to be mad at. I think that makes it worse, actually… he’s mad at what you represent… Basically! You’re both trapped in an unfair system. Blaming each other – or yourselves – isn’t going to help anything.”

Kalim sniffled. “Then what would help?”

“Uhhh…” said Ito.

“You’re being too nice,” Floyd cut in. “It’s kinda disgusting.”

Kalim blinked. “It is?”

“Yes,” everyone chorused.

Ito pinched the bridge of their nose. This school…

“Just say you’re going to punch him in the face or something. Like a normal person,” said Floyd.

“That’s not normal! Or the point! Listen, senpai, Viper-senpai is lashing out at you because he feels trapped,” Ito said. “It’s not on you… or him, really. It’s just unfortunate circumstances.”

“Yeah, he’s got a sad backstory, but that doesn’t mean he should lash out like this,” said Enma.

“Of course he shouldn’t,” Ito groaned. “But wouldn’t you do the same?”

“I vote you lash out back,” said Kuroki.

“Yeah. Crying is gross and weird and awful. Hit him instead,” Floyd agreed, nodding vehemently.

“He certainly deserves at least one hit. If someone were to betray me in the way Viper-san just betrayed you… they wouldn’t get the chance to do it again,” said Jade.

“Jamil wouldn’t betray me!”

“He just did, though,” said Enma.

“It’s okay to denounce him as a traitor, he is one,” Azul said.

Ito worried their lip. “Guys, come on, you’re not helping…”

“Not trying to,” said Grim.

Ito kicked some sand at him. It didn’t even close to hit him, he was hovering a good meter off of the ground, but Grim still quieted, so Ito took the win.

“If you’re not going to help, don’t say anything,” they said. They pointed at the horizon. “Start walking. This is, like, the only decent guy in this whole school, you are not allowed to ruin him.”

“If he gets ruined that’s Viper-senpai’s fault, too,” muttered Enma.

They pointed more aggressively.

Enma rolled his eyes and held his hands up in mocking surrender.

After a second, Azul spoke up: “It’s not your fault in the least, Kalim-san. You were born into a high social class. Anyone with that kind of upbringing would take a lot of things for granted.”

“Add on your naturally innocent disposition…” said Jade.

“Umihebi-kun took advantage of you for something you can’t control, Rakko-chan.”

There it is, Ito thought, spitefully.

“So… Jamil is… bad…?” Kalim said, slowly, sounding out every syllable.

“YES!” said everyone, in unison.

(Ito’s “No” was solidly drowned out.)

“In that case, I'd better get back fast! I need to punch him and call him the traitor he is! I owe him that much!”

Enma and Kuroki cheered.

(Ito, briefly, tipped their head forward to rest on Kalim’s shoulder, groaning. They had started all of this by comforting Kalim, but now they needed comfort. “I tried,” they said, to no one, since clearly no one was listening to them.)

“Small problem with that plan, Rakko-chan: we ain’t getting home anytime soon.”

Oh. Right. They were stranded.

Oooooh, they should have concentrated on that. Now that they were thinking about it, the cold was biting through their clothes. They grabbed Kalim by the arm and dragged him with them to join the small huddle of humans around their resident fire-themed monster.

“They’ll freeze if we try to walk back,” said Floyd, his arms crossed over his chest. “And I don’t think they’ll be able to run like this.”

“I’m not sure we have many other options,” Azul said, somewhat mournfully.

“If we were underwater, we might be able to swim back in time, however…” Jade knelt to pick up a handful of sand, as if to emphasize his point that there was no place drier than a desert.

Kalim perked up. “Underwater?”

Azul sent a wry smile his way. “Floyd and Jade can easily outpace brooms when they're in their true forms. But we can't exactly create a river for them…”

“Oh! I can!”

“... WHAT.”

Rainclouds gathered overhead, and the three mermen watched on, stunned as water began to pour down in sloughs. A river began to form before their very eyes.

The Yuus shuddered under the torrent of rain. As if it wasn’t already cold enough…

Not that Ito concentrated on that for long.

“Why are they stripping?!”

~

As they made their way down the steps to Scarabia dorm, Ito noted that the air wasn’t quite as thick as it had been the last time they were there. It was still slightly hard to breathe, but that was solely due to the ink staining the air. Their head no longer pounded, so Jamil must have lessened the reach of his mind control spell.

(Or, maybe, he had already run out of magic reserves, and ‘Jamil’ was no more. Ito would prefer if that wasn’t the case – they weren’t particularly fond of the idea of seeing the guy's corpse, after all.)

They kept their eyes on the floor. Dead beetles littered the stairs, making it hard to find a place to step.

They made it down to Scarabia without any major incidents, though.

Not that this was a particularly good thing. Frankly, a delay would have been appreciated.

In the largest banquet room, Jamil sat at the head of the table. A giant snake lumbered behind him, swaying just slightly to music that Ito couldn’t hear. Nestled in the snake's fangs was a giant inkwell.

It was already halfway full.

“Didn’t know Jamil liked parties…” Kalim mumbled.

Ito’s eyes flicked to the many people walking around, trays in their hands.

It wasn’t a party. These people were making offerings before an altar.

Enma lifted a food-laden tray from one of their hands.

The person didn’t even seem to notice. They still had their hand out as if they were holding it, even.

Their expressions were completely flat. Emotionless. Even the ones that usually smiled. Their faces were entirely lax, their smile lines a thing of the past.

It was unsettling.

Ito didn’t want to look at it anymore.

They picked up a pitcher.

Kuroki grabbed a nearby cornucopia and hugged it to his chest.

They exchanged glances, before walking forward as one, making their way over to Jamil.

The mages were quick to follow suit, even if they were a few minutes late.

Ito presented the pitcher to Jamil.

Jamil chuckled, grabbing the pitcher and drinking straight from it, downing the entire thing in one go. He raised the empty jug in the air in a strange kind of toast.

“Bring on the food! Bring on the drinks! Today we celebrate the disposal of the old, useless king, and the crowning of a far more deserving successor!”

“Here here!” chorused the few people holding drinks.

Jamil grinned like a drunk man – perhaps he was drunk on power.

“I think I understand That Fool, now,” Jamil said. “Anything you could ever need, at your fingertips… ah, it’s easy to get carried away!”

“Not that you would!” someone piped up.

“Only you could wield this much power safely!” another said.

“Only those deserving of this kind of power can do so!” said yet another.

Jamil chuckled. “Yes, yes, keep the praises coming!”

Azul, always quick on the draw, said, “I never realized what a gallant figure you cut.”

“That throne looks like it was made for you,” said Grim, looking slightly jealous that Jamil got to sit in one.

“I love your hair,” said Ito, entirely truthful.

(Yes, Jamil’s hair was currently made of snakes. What can they say? He made it work. They were slightly jealous.)

“And?” said Jamil.

“It is hard to believe anyone ever mistook you for average, your eyes betray your intelligence,” Jade said, barely managing to hide a smile behind his hand.

“You’re objectively attractive,” Enma said.

(Jade narrowed his eyes at Enma, no longer looking quite as amused.)

“This is all true…” Jamil nodded along. “Anything else?”

Floyd shrugged. “Your shoulders are very broad. Very manly.”

“You look sooooo strong and powerful!” Kalim said, beaming.

Jamil jumped at the sound of his voice, though, his head swinging around to look at Kalim.

“Aw fuck,” said Grim.

They were swarmed in seconds.

… well, all of the mages were. The Yuus were left alone, funnily enough.

“I don’t know whether to be insulted or not,” said Enma.

Kuroki glanced at Jamil, making sure he was properly distracted, and then he pulled a handful of blackberries out of his cornucopia. He popped one in his mouth, and smiled.

“Dude, these are so good. Try one.”

Enma raised an eyebrow, but pulled out a pomegranate. He seemed skeptical but, once he tried it, he lit up. He grabbed Ito by the wrist, prompting them to take something for themself.

Ito accepted an apple, absently biting into it (it was surprisingly juicy) as they watched the mayhem.

Azul, Jade, Floyd, and Grim went to work beating down the hordes of students that were sent their way. They weren’t particularly hard to take down, from the looks of things, they appeared to be just as mindless as zombies, so their tactics were painfully juvenile. They weren’t really that big of an issue… or, at least, they wouldn’t be, if there weren’t so many of them.

Kalim seemed to be struggling to lift his pen against any of his dormmates.

This was unfortunate for him, because Jamil had quite the vendetta against him, and all of the dorm members were absolutely aiming for him.

“Jamil! You’re a coward and a traitor!” Kalim yelled, the phrasing ever so slightly awkward. He was really bad at being ‘mean’. “If you want the Housewarden seat for yourself, then fight me for it!”

Jamil laughed. “If you can’t beat a few random students, you would have never won against me, anyway!”

Kalim’s expression steeled, and he finally turned his wand on another student.

The student hit the wall head-first.

“Oooooh, shit, that looks like it hurt,” Kuroki commented.

“Would it kill you guys to help?!” Azul snapped, his usual decorum gone.

“I mean. Maybe,” said Ito.

Azul probably would have sent a glare their way, but then someone bit him, so he had bigger issues.

Oh. So the zombie imagery was getting more blatant by the second. Oof.

The Yuus looked at each other, briefly.

And then, in unison, tipped their heads back and groaned, their shared braincell protesting the idea of fighting yet another Overblot.

But they were already there, and Ito supposed letting someone die was immoral or whatever…

“Hey, guys,” said Enma, still staring at the ceiling. “Do you remember the mines?”

His friends’ smiles went sharp.

Ito hummed and pulled out the mirror shard they had grabbed what felt like years ago at this point. They weighed it in their hand for just a second, before tucking it back into hiding.

“Viper-senpaaaaiiiii,” Enma whined, flopping against the table dramatically. “Why won’t you attack us?”

Jamil gave them an incredulous look. “Because I’m not stupid?”

Kuroki scowled. “Everyone underestimates us. You’d think I’d get used to it, but it still sucks –.”

“I’m not underestimating you,” Jamil said. “You three have been involved in stopping three separate Overblots. I’m not intent on getting on your bad sides.”

The Yuus blinked.

They…

They hadn’t expected that.

Ito was, strangely, flattered. “Aw, really?”

“Yes,” said Jamil, flatly.

“Well, I think it’s a little late for that,” said Kuroki.

Jamil frowned. “I tried to make Ito more open with you. Is that really so terrible?”

Enma and Kuroki glowered at him.

Ito sighed, waltzing over to Jamil. He jumped just slightly, surprised to find them as close to him as they were.

“Don’t listen to them. Look at me, Viper-senpai… this isn’t like you.”

This kind of pick-me behavior wasn't like Ito, either.

They slid their mirror shard beneath one of the snake’s dark scales, a smile creeping across their face when something that was too dark to be mere blood spilled over their hands.

So, these things were possible to damage, their inkwells weren't the only vulnerable point, just the most vulnerable…

Was there a way to safely sever a Phantom from its human?

Because, if there was, they could use the bioweapon without fearing that it might kill the host, too –!

The snake batted them away.

... ‘batted’ is such a kind word for what happened. It brings to mind a kitten, pawing at a toy. A soft hit. And, to be fair, it probably was a lot like swatting a fly, for Jamil.

They certainly went flying, skidding across the banquet table a couple of times before finally coming to a stop.

Ito sat up slowly, groaning. They were glad that Ace’s clothes were as thick as they were – there was a fork sticking out of their calf and, while it had definitely broken the skin (they could see blood, slowly seeping through the fabric, mierdamierdamierda look AWAY), it definitely would have been worse if they’d been wearing anything thinner than sweatpants.

“Fine, you want me to fight you?” Jamil said, breathing hard. “I suppose I can grant your wish.”

For all of the lucidity that Jamil seemed to have, even in this state, he was still in the middle of an Overblot – get him mad enough, and all of that pesky logic is quick to fall to the wayside.

Ito dove off of the table. A shudder ran through them as the hardwood cracked beneath the snake’s tail.

Needless to say, they took off running.

They ducked behind the nearest pillar.

It only took three hits from the snake before the pillar crumbled, too.

“Spread out!” said Kuroki. “He can’t keep eyes on all of us!”

“Well, he can if you tell him the plan!” Enma screamed back.

(Only Ito and Kuroki knew him well enough to recognize the smile in his voice.)

The Yuus scattered, running from pillar to pillar for the sake of cover.

Occasionally, one of them would rush forward and attack the Phantom. Ito would find a chink to stab, or Kuroki would yank a scale out, or Enma would grab the nearest heavy object and chuck it at the Phantom’s head…

Finally, the phantom bashed its tail against one of Kuroki’s hiding places, and a chunk of the ceiling gave way above it.

Adobe slammed down onto its head, sending the Phantom to the floor, the glass crack-ing.

For just a second, it looked like it was over. The Phantom didn’t so much as twitch under the rubble. Ink spilled over the stone. The Yuus waited, with bated breath, for the Phantom to dissolve into nothing, for Jamil to return to normal.

But then the Phantom stirred. Slowly, it pushed the stone away.

It was damaged. The top half of the inkwell had been smashed into nothing. The ink was spilling over the edges of the glass.

But it was still alive.

The three humans huddled together behind another pillar. Jamil should be wary of breaking the building's supports, now, and he had lost sight of them in all of the chaos. They should be fine, for at least a little while.

“Shiiiiit,” Kuroki groaned.

“At least the inkwell can’t fill up all the way, now,” said Ito, trying to look on the bright side.

Kuroki had no such intentions: “I think we drew the short straw.”

“I vote for a redo,” said Enma.

“We did our civic duty. Viper-senpai won’t die. Let's grab Grim and make a run for it.”

They didn't know for sure whether or not Jamil would live. Hopefully, if the inkwell couldn't fill, the monster wouldn’t be able to fully form, and Jamil wouldn’t die.

It was just a theory. But, in their current state, it wasn’t like they had many other options.

Enma pushed Ito’s pant leg up so he could peer at their wound. It… wasn’t particularly bad, but Ito still felt sick at the sight of it. “Can I have your – uh – was it a knife?”

Ito handed over their mirror shard, and Enma was quick to cut their pants above the knee, using the fabric to make a temporary bandage, because bleeding out would not help them win this fight.

Not that they wanted to continue it.

The original spurt of adrenaline was already fading. Ito’s legs throbbed. Every breath the Yuus gave ached in their chests. They had never fought an Overblot all alone like this, and they were not eager to finish the fight on their own.

“Is it really that hard to get rid of a bunch of random students?” Ito complained. “Where are those stupid mages?”

“You called?” Jamil said, his tone sickly sweet.

The Yuus nearly tripped over themselves to get away.

But Ito wasn’t as fast as they should have been.

(And, even if they had been, Jamil reached out, he was clearly aiming to grab one of them. Ito would never let something like this get ahold of Enma or Kuroki, not if they could help it.)

A hand locked around their arm, and they were lifted off the ground.

Jamil smiled. “Let’s see you freaks attack me when one of your precious friends is in danger, too.”

Ito was tossed into the inkwell.

They could swim.

But the ink was too thick to get any purchase in. It was like trying to run in a dream - there was something heavy weighing them down, and the goal just kept getting further and further away. They sunk, slowly, toward the bottom, their arms and legs flailing wildly as they tried to get any sense of anything.

For just a second, their hand slid out of the ink. The air outside was horribly cold in comparison.

They flinched back in surprise and, by the time they had processed their mistake, they had lost their bearings.

Until, of course, their back hit the glass.

Surrounded by glass… they currently contained their bioweapons within glass vials. Would it behave the same here, stopping the second it hit the glass, or did the entire Phantom count as biological matter?

They didn’t have many other options. Enma and Kuroki wouldn’t let anyone shoot at the Phantom while Ito was in ‘danger’. Especially considering they didn’t really like Jamil enough to save him.

Either way, there was a low chance that Jamil would make it out of this alive.

So, they had to choose the option with any chance at all.

They opened the vial.

The world behind their eyelids turned neon green.

But Ito should be fine.

It was a bioweapon. It couldn’t do anything to someone who was already dead.

[it-happened-one-fic]

Hours in the Moonlight: Guileful Nightfall - 7. Memories

Summary: Talking to Kalim about the entire situation at the Scarabia clan might be just what the doctor ordered. But it also might just lead to more questions regarding his relationship with Jamil. Either way, getting to know the leader of the clan hardly seemed like a bad idea.

Series Type: Gender-neutral reader/ Vampire AU/ series/ romantic/ angst/ angst with comfort/ fluff/ sfw/ platonic interactions too!

Trigger Warning: Vampire

Word Count: 1525

Hours in the Moonlight Master-List

I’d barely gotten through the doors to the Scarabia clan before my hands were being grasped tightly by Kalim's cooler ones, “Y/n! I wondered when you would get here! Were you able to get everything you needed to taken care of?”

I blinked at him in surprise before nodding as I recalled the excuse I’d written down on the paper, “Yeah… Yeah, it wasn’t anything too difficult, just something that needed to get done.”

I smiled at him slightly, awkwardly pretending like I definitely hadn’t just been getting assistance from another clan and had been handling something more along the lines of laundry instead as he grinned at me.

 “Great! I was worried when we all woke up and you were gone, but then Jamil found that note you left.” I lifted one shoulder in an awkward half-shrug as Kalim paused, leaning forward as he scanned my face carefully and caused me to lean back slightly. 

I was coming to the conclusion that Kalim had little in the way of personal boundaries, but also that he seemed to mean little to no harm. 

After a brief moment, he smiled again and leaned back, “Good, I was worried. You seemed kind of out of it last night at the end of the feast.”

At his words, I felt my eyes widen and he laughed brightly. Letting go of one of my hands to wave his around airly, “Ah, Don’t worry! It wasn’t really obvious or anything. It’s just that I’ve been told that I have a really good read on people before.”

I smiled at his happy words, nodding slightly even though he’d completely misinterpreted my surprise. 

If he didn’t know why I’d been acting oddly and had even been concerned, then he must not have realized Jamil had hypnotized me, which raised all sorts of questions.

But something told me that I needed to broach this carefully, so instead of mentioning anything about that, I nodded, “I think I was just tired. Touring your clan was a lot to take in after all. It’s an amazing place.”

He all but beamed at my words, tugging me by the hand that he still held and starting to walk along with me. 

We headed towards the stairs like he was taking me someplace in particular, “Thanks! My dad paid for all of it. He isn’t here, but if you ever get to meet the Al-Asim clan, he’s their head!”

I nodded slightly, “Are they far from here, or…?”

I trailed off, but Kalim nodded vigorously, his earrings swinging wildly as I felt myself smile at his exuberance, “They’re in a different district, but you’d really like them! The clan is full of really nice people and is a fun place. Jamil’s family is part of that clan too! We grew up together after all.”

There was something about Kalim that struck me as incredibly innocent and kind-hearted. It made me want to trust him even with what had already occurred at the Scarabia clan and my friends' warnings fresh in my mind.

But his words also confused me, and I found myself tilting my head to the side, not sure if I should voice my questions or not. 

Kalim seemed far more open than Jamil, so if I was going to learn anything, it seemed more likely to come from Kalim, but I also didn’t want to cross any lines.

I at last smiled at the young man next to me with a slight bit of awkwardness, “I don’t want to push or anything, but, why did you leave the Al-Asim clan? If you don’t want to tell me it’s fine, I’m just-”

I was cut off by his head shake, a relaxed smile on his face, “That’s okay, I don’t mind at all. We left to see more of the world.”

I blinked in quiet surprise at his words, but he continued. Turning to look down the hallway with a soft smile that spoke of nostalgia and fond memories, “Jamil always used to talk about wanting the freedom to travel when we were young, so once I got old enough, I told dad I wanted to see the world and take Jamil with me.”

He looked back my way, that same smile still on his face as I listened to him quietly, “He agreed and even thought it would be good for me. He’s the one who recommended that I form a clan when I found a place I liked.”

He turned, leading me into the room where I’d first met both him and Jamil before sitting down on a cushion on the floor and smiling up at me. Patting the cushion next to him just like he had last night with a bright smile as he finished, “And that’s how we came to be here.”

I sat down next to him silently, a smile on my face as I came to a very simple realization. 

Kalim was in no way a bad person. In fact, he might be one of the very best people I’d ever met when it came to raw, innate goodness. In no way did he intend to take over this area or cause some sort of power struggle. He’d come here to help fulfill his friend’s wishes.

“Here you are,” Both me and Kalim turned at the exasperated voice that came from the doorway to see Jamil looking our way with a slight frown.

He was the one who still confused me. I could understand being wary, and he seemed to have almost as much, if not more, pull in how things went within this clan than Kalim did. What I couldn’t figure out was why Jamil had hypnotized me.

Looking back, both times had been to ensure I stayed longer than I’d intended. But why on earth would he want me to stay here?

Was it just to keep an eye on me or something else? Or perhaps he was worried about what I might report to Crowley?

I didn’t see why that would be the case though since, so far, the only suspicious thing that had happened was him hypnotizing me.

I frowned slightly as I watched him and Kalim interact. Kalim seemed so happy to be just chatting with Jamil, while Jamil seemed exasperated.

And in some ways, I could understand. Spending time with someone as exuberant and upbeat as Kalim was bound to get tiring at times, but if they were friends, I would’ve thought Jamil would be used to it by now.

Kalim turned my way with bright eyes, causing me to brace for whatever it was he was about to say. I wasn’t worried, but I also wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

“Say, Y/n, how did you come to be here?” I blinked at his words, which did follow our previous line of conversation but were still largely unexpected. 

What surprised me more, though, was when Jamil nodded and looked my way with sudden interest. Tilting his head slightly as he spoke, “I’m curious about that too. If you don’t mind, how did you come to be involved with the vampires and the clans?”

I shifted slightly, glancing between the two young men before sighing and giving up with a smile. It was a perfectly fair question, especially considering I’d just asked Kalim about his past. It was just an awkward topic as well.

“I, uh…. Well, vampires started following me around, and then I kind of ended up making friends with one.”

 I started awkwardly, only for Kalim to lean forward with sparkling eyes, “Oh! Who was it?” 

Jamil shot him a look almost immediately, muttering his name in a warning tone that had me shaking my head with a smile immediately, “No, it’s alright. It was Vil. I guess that was a little over two Halloweens ago…” 

Both young men nodded at my words, Jamil sitting back in an almost thoughtful fashion, “I’d wondered how the two of you knew each other.”

Kalim nodded, glancing first at Jamil and then back my way, “Vil’s a nice guy, though. I was so happy to hear that he’d formed a clan.”

I smiled slightly at his words, nodding slightly and knowing there was no way I could ever tell him exactly why Vil had formed the Pomefiore clan. 

Just based on what I’d seen so far of Kalim, the knowledge that the Pomefiore clan came into being because of Rook and Epel being suddenly changed into vampires as a ploy to force my hand would probably crush him.

“Yeah… After that, I ended up becoming the Hunter working under Crowley because there was no one else really suited or open to the job after Rook, the previous Hunter, became a vampire,” I summarized the rest carefully. Keeping any mention of how we’d been tricked by Crowley or anything else out of the explanation.

There was no need in saying anything upsetting, and I wasn’t sure how much I exactly wanted to share with Jamil. He was friends with Kalim, but I still couldn’t trust him. Not after he’d hypnotized me for no clear reason.

If you would like to read more:

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[jienem]

Sypnosis: in which Reader's lover fallen ill due to a curse he made years ago. Reader set on the journey to come to the past hoping to find some clues regarding to the curse and save him.

Warning: A little yandere side on Jamil's part | Reader is gn.

Original post

~ 🦁🐉🦇🐍~

🦁ⱠɆØ₦₳ ₭ł₦₲₴₵ⱧØⱠ₳Ɽ🦁

Leona Kingscholar was a fearsome lion demon, known throughout the realms for his ruthless demeanor and commanding presence. Clad in a sleeveless, midriff-baring garment adorned with armbands and bracelets wrapped around his forearms, he exuded an aura of power and danger. His left arm bore a striking black lion tattoo, a mark of his prominence within the demon society. Both demons and humans alike feared his presence.

Leona's brother, Falena, was equally ruthless. Together, they crushed human armies for amusement and disrupted peace among the lands. Despite their shared rule, Leona harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Falena. He despised how demons often favoured his brother over him, Thus Leona grew envy and hatred for his blood brother.

One day, he met you in a cabin near the mountains. The rain poured relentlessly hard from the outside causing only a small flickering light inside the cabin. Leona's emerald eyes glinted in the darkness while you lay on the floor, eyes completely widened in surprise. He was already irritated from an argument with his brother earlier and lashed out by leaving and sought after his favourite hiding spot. The sky didn't seem to be also on his side and leaving him no choice but to find some shelter thus he met you, his frustration was evident as he glared at you.

Your reaction, however, was unexpected. Unlike others who cowered in fear or fled at the sight of him, you faced him head-on, your expression calm and defiant.

"Who are you?" you asked, your voice steady.

Needless to say, Leona was intrigued.

"Interesting, why haven't you crawled out yet?"

he retorted, ignoring your question. He strode towards you, forcefully tilting your chin up with his fingers and noticed your eyes held an abundance of life in them. Something stirred inside him and made him laugh in irony. How laughable that you still held so much hope when no one else seemed to be around except for the two of you. He paused his laughter and smirk.

"A helpless herbivore," he mocked. "Do you think you can run away in your state? Or do you even know how to run away?"

Leona laughs once more and let go of his hold on you. He placed them on the side of his face and hips as he continued to laugh. As he laugh, you looked very much annoyed with him and wished you can smack him in the face.

Without thinking, you slapped him across the face. The cabin fell silent as Leona stood there, stunned, a red mark blooming on his cheek. His emerald eyes locked onto yours in a fierce stare-down. You glared before realizing what you have done. You angered your past lover when he was ruthless in that era.

"You-!" he began, fury flashing across his features.

Before he could react, you turned and bolted towards the door. Leona launched himself after you, the air growing cold with his anger. he caught you easily. Yet, as he prepared to drag you back, you bit down hard on his hand. The unexpected pain made him flinch, and for a moment, his grip loosened. In that brief moment, you wiggled free and left.

He never saw you again.

🐉MA҈L҈L҈E҈U҈S҈ D҈R҈A҈C҈O҈N҈I҈A҈🐉

In a realm where fear and power, Malleus Draconia reigned as the most dreaded Fae dragon demon. Malleus ruled with an iron grip with his trusted lieutenant, Lilia Vanrouge, by his side - a cunning and ruthless bat who was very loyal to Malleus. Malleus' name echoed in whispers, even among deities, who spoke of him as a legend. He began His conquest by slaughtering human armies and wove massive, thorny barriers around the lands, as a warning to those who opposed him. Years prior, Malleus suffered a tragic loss when his parents fell victim to human greed, he watches how they died leaving him behind with a growing fury that was beginning to show.

He was invincible yet at the same time he was not.

Malleus had an unfortunate encounter with the Knight of Dawn who was unexpectedly strong, one he didn't account for causing him to withdraw from the fight and go to the human realm. Staggering onto the floor, he lifted his hand that held the wound and for the first time in his long life, he saw his own blood.

"Is this the end of me?" he wondered aloud. The thought was supposed to fill him with dread, yet he felt only a strange numbness. His vision blurred, and through the haze, he saw a faint light in the distance. With the last of his strength, he transformed himself into the form of a child, hiding his horns and masking his true identity.

As you approached, your steps quickened, and soon you were by his side. "Tsunotaro/Hornton!" you exclaimed, your voice a mixture of relief and worry.

Warm hands caressed his head as you carefully lifted him, cradling him in your arms. The touch was gentle, filled with a tenderness that seemed foreign to him.

"You're safe now," you whispered, your eyes meeting his. "I'll take care of you."

In that fleeting moment, Malleus felt a flicker of something he hadn't felt in centuries.

Your kindness, and your warmth soothing voice.

He fell in love with you at that moment.

🦇L͓̽I͓̽L͓̽I͓̽A͓̽ V͓̽A͓̽N͓̽R͓̽O͓̽U͓̽G͓̽E͓̽🦇

Lilia Vanrouge was the right hand-man to Malleus Draconia. He was a formidable presence on the battlefield, known for his unmatched skill and undefeated record. Demons often wondered why he was so steadfastly loyal to the Fae demon, but Lilia always responded with a chuckle and a distant look on his eyes, leaving their questions unanswered. The truth was too heavy to be put into words.

One day, during a mission, a sudden downpour forced him to seek shelter in a nearby cabin. As he entered, he noticed you sleeping peacefully inside, completely oblivious to the world around you.

"Oya, a human?" Lilia murmured, his voice tinged with curiosity and amusement.

You stirred, slowly opening your eyes and groggily taking in his figure. As your eyes widened in recognition of his presence, Lilia chuckled. He waited for you to run or even scream, but he was a little baffled when you didn't.

"Why aren't you running away?" he asked, genuinely intrigued.

As he strode towards you, you backed into a corner, your body trembling slightly but your gaze steady. Lilia could see the a tiny fear in your eyes, but there was something else—an emotion he couldn't quite place.

He chuckled again, convinced you were like all the others, paralyzed by fear. The sooner he finished this, the sooner it would be over for you. But as he stared into your defiant eyes, his interest began to wane. Killing you or letting you live, it was all the same to him. You seemed to be an ordinary human, an innocent bystander. Despite his ruthlessness, Lilia could still discern the innocence of villagers compared to the armored soldiers who dared to challenge him and his king.

"Scram before I kill you," he growled, expecting you to flee.

You flinched, finally showing the reaction he had anticipated. A smirk tugged at his lips as he stepped back to give you space. You hesitated, clearly torn between about something else. He noticed your hesitation and waited, curious to see what you would do next.

"Are... Are you okay?" you asked, your voice trembling yet sincere.

Out of all things, Lilia didn't expect the words coming from your mouth and was baffled by your question. He frowned and stared at you in disbelief.

"Hah? What's with that question?"

"You seemed to be in a lot of pain."

Lilia was momentarily confused. He glanced at his body, but there were no visible wounds. "Are you joking with me right now?" he snapped, irritation creeping into his voice.

His irritation grew, and his eyes began to glow ominously in the dim cabin light. Before he could confront you further, the door burst open, and a group of bandits stormed in. Lilia fought them off, dispatching them one by one until the cabin was silent once more. When he turned back, you were gone.

The encounter left him more puzzled and angry than before, your strange concern lingering in his mind. He shook his head, dismissing the thought, and stepped back out into the rain, his mission was still unfinished though he had to admit,

His curiosity was piqued.

🐍J⊶A⊶M⊶I⊶L⊶ V⊶I⊶P⊶E⊶R⊶🐍

Jamil Viper was a servant, a role he despised with every fiber of his being. Born into a lineage of servitude, he served the Al-Asim family, a low-ranking demon forever overshadowed by his masters. Bitterness simmered in his heart as he watched his young master, Kalim Al-Asim, bask in the praise for achievements that were, in truth, Jamil’s own.

When he was finally alone after from a long day, the snakes in his hair hissed, their whispers filling his ears with sinister suggestions. He grinned maniacally, nodding in agreement with their silent musing.

"Ahaha... HAHAHA! Let's do that."

Jamil accompanied Kalim Al-Asim into an abandoned village nearby, the air thick with an eerie silence. They had received a note earlier that some of their fellow demons had been captured by humans, and now they were searching for them among the buildings and overgrown pathways. Kalim without a second thought, quickly urge the two of them thus they ended up here.

As they moved through the streets, Jamil's mind churned with racing thoughts. He turned his back on Kalim, whispering an enchantment under his breath, his fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air. This was a trap for Kalim, a plan to finally rid himself of the young master who had stolen his praise and glory. The snakes in his hair hissed approvingly, sensing the impending betrayal.

But suddenly, their mission took an unexpected turn. A knight of the Royal Sword, clad in gleaming armor and wielding a weapon, appeared out of nowhere. The knight charged at them, his blade gleaming in the dim light.

"You demons are going to pay for what you did!" the knight roared, his voice echoing through the empty streets.

Jamil and Kalim both attack the knight. They switch back and forth before the both of them were hit. Kalim merely has small wounds while Jamil took a brunt most of the attack. As much as he hates to admit, the years of servitude cause him to automatically protect kalim much to his dismay. Jamil was furious. He was about to whisper some enchantment when he notice his wound would not regenerate. Kalim noticed the same as he glance over at Jamil, worry was written on his face.

"Hahaha! What do you think you demons!"

"Tch, this isn't over just you wait!" Kalim yelled as he summons his unique magic making the Knight distracted.

They retreat, but was separated in the way. Injured and disoriented, Jamil walk until he couldn't. He rest for a bit before being discovered by a child, whose eyes wide with fear. Before Jamil could react, the child shouted for the villagers, their voices rising in alarm. Panic surged through him, and he forced himself to flee once more, his movements clumsy and desperate. He barely made it to a secluded area before collapsing, the world spinning around him.

This was not part of his plan. He had been so close to success until the knight appeared. Without a word, Jamil transformed himself to hide his identity, appearing as an innocent child. He stayed still on the floor and couldn't move. How laughable the plan was. It didn't do anything for his longed wish for freedom. He stayed still, waiting for his wounds to heal. After a while, he heard footsteps approaching and stayed silent as he wait. He readies himself by planning to flee once again until he heard your voice.

"Jamil!"

He opened his eyes to see you, relief washing over your face. You ran to him and gently caressed his head.

"You're okay now," you reassured him, picking him up. Jamil was frozen in place, glaring at you inwardly.

How dare a mere human touch him.

He lifted his hand, inches from your neck, his mind racing with dark thoughts.

'What will be your expression when I hurt you?' he wondered, grinning evilly. But then he looked into your eyes.

You stared down at him as you carried him, smiling with relief, tears glistening in your eyes.

"Jamil," you whispered softly.

He stopped. Something about your genuine concern and tenderness made him pause. You carried him to safety, caressing his head all the while. He closed his eyes, thoughts swirling in his mind.

'Ah, I'm going to kidnap you after I recover and make you my trophy pet,' he thought to himself, a twisted smile forming on his lips. Yet, for now, he allowed himself to be carried.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🦁🐉🦇🐍

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Authors note:

I'm going to make a part 2 after this thank you for taking your time reading this, I appreciate it very much

[twistedchatterbox]

“Even in madness we are meant to be”

Summary: Even in overblot they long for you, please, love them.

ft. Riddle, Leona, [Azul, Jamil in part 2] [Vil, Idia, in part 3] [Malleus in part 4] 

Tags. Romantic, not angst, Reader is NOT Yuu/MC, Lovesick Boys, GN-ish reader, Queen is a gender neutral term, established relationships, overblot, yandere-esq vibes, spoilers for literally everything and every single chapter can be expected here

wordcount: 1600+ | Masterlist & Taglist

A trial, they said, it can’t go too bad, they said. Now this shell of your sweet crush smells like gasoline ink and danger; except he burns everything other than you, including himself if the blot is anything to go by, and you wish you could have intervened but.. oh well. From his eyes, Riddle saw red one second, blot next. And from your eyes, you couldn’t even say whatever you saw was your Riddle; not with such a crazed and sadistic look in his eyes, somewhere between amused and furious by the sight of his prior dormmates attempts to escape. No, not this one. Yet even now you find yourself wavering when he looks back at you. You can’t bring yourself to say looks tend to be deceiving, not now.With trembling hands he reached out to you, deceptively weak only to pull you against his twisted form with all his might and hold you there, his left combed through your hair as he let out a feigned sigh of innocence. “Of course,” Riddle laughed –it sounded so wrong– “I knew you’d never disobey me, my trust~ You’ve always been so sensible” you wondered, was this what he was told? Not that you could keep yourself wondering for too long, as you felt him nudge something against your ear; a thornless rose, unlike himself. “We were meant to be, weren’t we?” He asked with a wicked, playful tone, it sounded poisonous yet sincere, it made your head and heart hurt. “If I am the queen of hearts, then aren’t you my king? Or would you rather be the queen of my heart instead?” Riddle said, knowing neither of the questions were wholly questions, or at all. Yet he demanded answers, silently, tilting your chin up to meet his blot induced gaze, he was so close- Yet it was the way he was whispering against your lips that made your heart stop “Well?” Riddle mumbled, close enough to touch the tips of your lips, close enough to make you feel his words on your skin, fanning his soft breath against your own. You barely held it together enough to nod, trying to ignore the way his amused expression softened all the while his grip on you tightened. Leading you somewhere, deep into the maze where the ‘troublemakers’ will not harm you when he goes back to deal them their punishments. Something about you felt off, guilty when you admired his form, maybe it was the way he securely re-tucked the thornless rose in place every few minutes, or maybe it was the way he smiled into your hair; despite the overflowing blot, or because of it, you couldn’t help the dizziness that clogged up your head- or heart. Shaking off the dizziness upon hearing his voice, you tried to meet his gaze; feeling his hand gentlemanly curl against yours, Riddle led you to the canopy in the middle of the maze where you saw two thrones that did not belong there. “For me, and the queen of my heart” he whispered, and for a moment, had it not been for the withering surroundings, you could mistake it– this blot-driven shell– for your Riddle, not a twisted cognition made out of his mind. As if you could blame him for it all- you felt as though some of it was on you, and so much of it on the woman he had to call mother. You bit your tongue, it wouldn’t do you any good to lose it, or your head. Even if it’s too late for your heart. And when his voice, deceptively soft and convincingly sweet, asked you to “Follow me, my Rose”, you complied. Not even in black roses and cracked marble could you resist the tug on your hand nor heart. Following him, and sitting on the throne next to his; unaware of his lovestruck eyes. Soon, thorns and roses encapsulated the canopy and Riddle took it as his cue to stand, only to lean down to meet your gaze and place a gentlemanly kiss on your wrist followed by one on your ring finger. Ink. it hurt your head and heart, looking at his signature sign of showing affection now covered in an impulsive rush of blot and tears. A trial, they said, it cannot be that bad, they said; yet here you sit on a rose throne, with a kiss on your wrist and ring finger. A trial over red roses is history, but what can the king of hearts, or the queen of his, do when the roses have been painted black instead? You huffed, softly to yourself as if the wilting garden had ears, “I’ll just have to see it through” you whisper to yourself, cradling the kiss-marked wrist and hand on your other. No matter how the tale was spun; the king and queen of hearts stayed together, with a newfound soft smile rising on your face, you decided that you’d take this page out of their book. “And I’ll stay here to see it through with him, through everything” and you knew you could recite this by heart.

Sand. One second it was blue, a clear day where everything the light touched looked so close, now covered by the fury of a storm.  The sand storm’s lashing swings reached far as you can see, the storm reigned over the stadium and possibly beyond; nothing was touched by light at this point, it had gotten intense enough to completely obscure everything. Yet you could never for the life of your own mistake the feeling of the culprit’s eyes burning on the back of your neck, that ever familiar feeling of Leona’s eyes scaling you up in an attempt to calculate or guess how you might react if he simply approached you now. As if you could escape. You weren’t even sure where things began or ended, unable to pinpoint anything, including at what point did this relentless storm start raging in his head. How long had he kept it from you? For too long, if it wasn’t obvious by the circumstances. You found yourself so.. frustrated. In a way, angry. Angry that he kept you in the dark as his irrationality- or more accurately, his desperation- boiled over the limit. But you knew you couldn’t do much, not now at least. You didn’t have the means to pull something reckless, not when he was so.. poorly balanced on this fragile line of danger. Sitting on the shattered pieces of his self control in the way a king would on a throne, one he would never have; a mocking reminder. Instead, what you had was the touch of a coarse hand on the back of your shoulder blades to see your unsurprising company you’d expected, now obscured in a flurry of emotions bursting at the seams with blot as its physical body. Leona. He felt cold to the touch with whatever was encasing him entirely, you wouldn’t be shocked if he was not in his own body; the ink, it smelt like gasoline. And you weren’t sure whether or not you were the flame. Physically, that was the only part of Leona present in this space next to you. You doubted that his mind was with him- Even as his cold, coarse hand rubbed circles on your hand gingerly to kindly request your attention, you couldn’t bring yourself to believe that this was the boy who made a promise to you that you’d marry each other when you two grew up. The boy who promised you he’d be king. Barely hearing the ‘can I’, you decided to flip a coin mentally and nod, aware of how much sand would get in if you even tried to speak. And just like that, you were pressed against the jet black fur painted by the same thing that drove him to extremes, hoisted up for an ideal bridal carry; had it not been for everything else, you swear the hand guarding your eyes from the storm would make your heart throb so much more. Soon, maybe far too soon, you felt him shift his hold so that he could hold you securely and tight as he sat down on what felt like a makeshift throne on the hoops. Though it puzzled you when you felt rumbling in the cage of his ribs, knowing that tune somewhere in the back of your head, yet shocking nonetheless. The lyrics and melody were strumming onto the cage of his heart, his idle hand combing through your hair with ease, getting the sand out slowly and as much as he could. “I’ve always wondered,” Leona murmured, and you listened, finally freed of the sounds of storm whipping, “just why you stayed.”, and you wondered which direction he was going, despite your hunch. “I thought it was foolish at first.” He confessed, the crack of his now-smokey voice revealing a fragment of something so.. genuine. Vulnerable. His clawed hands busied themselves, the tip of his nails traced the side of your face and tucking a stray lock of hair behind your ear; leaning down, planting a kiss on the end of your brow. The gentle feeling of his breathing and heartbeat was the opposite of this cage made from blot and you couldn’t help but focus on the way he held onto you in the midst of falling apart. Thoroughly enjoying the way a shiver moved up your spine, Leona’s palm cupped the underside of your chin; face to face and barely apart from your lips as he whispered to emphasise his point- “But I think I’ve changed my mind. I want to keep you here, by my side.” getting closer, now whispering directly against your lips- “Let me prove myself as a king worthy of you.” -and if you happened to be the flame to set this alight- “Me and my heart- bared for your taking.”  -you might just find out that the gasoline feels too fine.

[writingfool001]

I Already Found my Happily Ever After Part 2

Author’s Note: I want to finish the dorm leaders and trade Kalim for Jamil because he was the intended villain and I wanted to. I might write about Kalim, Rook, and Lilia later. I also noticed how long these became and tried to stop myself with details but couldn’t. I rushed a bit on Malleus. 

Pairing: Jamil, Vil, Idia, & Malleus x Female! Reader  

Warning: Female Reader, Spoilers for Chapter 6, this is long... like LONG 

Part 1 (Riddle, Leona, & Azul) Part 3 (Kalim, Rook, & Lilia)

It was a joint school get together or basically what prom would be with several academies together which was an upside for you and your lover. You barely have had the time to see each other since both of you go to different schools and your school would rather affiliate themselves with the Royal Sword Academy than Raven Night College. 

When the event was announced, the headmistress advised everyone to be on their best behavior and if anyone from another school tried to force themselves, you had full permission to take care of the problem or find an instructor. Yeah, your headmistress had zero tolerance for assholes. She also mentioned that it was NRC's turn this year to  

You met up with each other at the event and your lover was dressed handsomely as he stood out in the crowd. You both decided to have a nice night, wanting to enjoy the time with each other. He complimented you on your attire and gave you a kiss on the cheek before escorting you to the main hall where the event was being held. 

At some point, you stepped away to use the restroom and right as you were on the way to return, a figure stepped into the middle of your path which made you stop. 

“My humble apologies, but I couldn’t help ignoring your gorgeous self and was wondering if I could possibly have this dance as your date.” He started bowing and held his hand out. 

“Sorry, but I’m here with someone,” You decline politely, stepping around him to continue on your way and only get a couple feet away before he spoke again.  

“What could be better than dancing with a prince and possibly your future true love?” He said, causing you to freeze as others paused and watched the interaction.  

“What could be better than that, you ask?” You turn your head to look at him over your shoulder, “Dancing with my betrothed.”  

“Who could he possibly be? Possibly from RSA?”  

“Nope, he goes to NRC.”  

“A villain?! Are you mad?”  

“Nope, I’ve always loved the villain more than the hero. Perhaps all the other girls, fawning after you, will take up your proposal.”  

You walk off, leaving many people’s jaws on the floor as you made your way over to your beloved who saw you publicly humiliate some prince. 

Jamil  

He chuckles underneath his breath before coming and escorting you off, wanting to enjoy the night with you. Part of him was somewhat worried about what consequences may follow after tonight, but he could care less.  

He remembered your family would come around every summer, building familiarity between Kalim and his betrothed. Given, he never saw what his betrothed look like, even though he was usually around Kalim. He was going about his usual duties, walking past one of the many gardens, then noticed a girl standing very still. He got closer, hiding behind a pillar and noticed that the girl was staring down at a tiger, slowly stalking towards her before charging. Right as the tiger tackled her, Jamil readied his magic and was about to charge in before hearing laughter.  

The tiger was licking the side of her face as it purred loudly while she scratched the sides of its face. He watched the two interacting before approaching and questioning why she let the tiger tackle her as well as how the tiger was so friendly.  

She just said that the tiger was friendly and wanted to welcome her back. Back? You must have been Kalim's betrothed when he was annoyed that Kalim left you alone. Watching the interaction, he noticed your curiosity and how easily you adjusted to the current situation. He wondered if you had a weird animal taming ability. He then told you he was going to escort you back to Kalim and took you away before letting you speak. Internally, he was grumbling about Kalim being so foolish to let his betrothal wander the palace. He held your hand in his as you two walked back to the main room. Deep down in his gut, the feeling of his hand in yours felt nice. Immediately, he tossed aside that feeling and ignored it since you were to be Kalim's bride and it would be foolish to fall in love with you. 

By the time you both reached where Kalim was, he saw him talking excitingly to another individual before noticing you two and introduced the mysterious person next to him as his future spouse. Ther was one thing that stood out to him about Kailm's newly introduced spouse, the resemblance between you and them.

He looked back and forth at Kalim's betrothed then you. He questioned you and you told him that you were their sister/bodyguard. He asked angrily why didn't you tell him who you were, and he nearly fell over when you told him that he never let you explain who you were. After that day, you would drag him away l, giving Kalim and your sibling space to bond while you two watched from afar. He told you a bit about his family as you did the same to him, without noticing your sibling watching you. He showed you the wonders of the Scalding Sands as you showed him the diamonds hidden within the city and palace. He watched as you curiosity shone during your small excursions. 

Over the many years you spent together, your fondness for each other flourished and many could see it, deciding to leave it to the wind. You both had your own duties or training to do, and he would sometimes pass by where you were training. He would pause and watch you burning determination as you wielded your weapon skillfully, bringing down each of your opponents, before Najma snapped him out of his trance. He would deny he was staring with some blush on his face before leaving as Najma giggled at her brother. She knew he was down bad and was ready to have you as her sister-in-law. She even teased him about marrying you, causing his doubts to plant a seed in his head. 

He tried to tell you that you should marry someone who will make you happy and was of your blood. You should stick around someone who can promise you a bright and safe future.  

You took his face in your hand and asked him what made him think he wasn’t important to you. The multiple times you two would slip away, the meals you two shared, all the time you two spent together, and not to mention, that you stayed by his side while in his two week coma. 

“You know you’re stuck with me, right?” He said as you both walked towards the balcony.  

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”  

Vil 

He simply smiled as you both strutted away from him, this wasn't the first time you've publicly rejected someone with great power. 

You both originally met on set for a movie where you both were part of the lead group. You would both work online and do social interactions with fans as well as interviewers. The main reason you both were spending so much time together was due to your chemistry with each other and confidentially, your characters were being shipped together. During that time, you both got closer and could consider each other friends while others would say you were closer. When the movie wrapped up, you both went your separate ways and would run into each other on set at every other film production that you two were brought into. 

You got to hear about Vil's hatred for Neige and noticed how companies or casting would always put them against each other. Yes, Vil played excellent villains, but he has so much potential to play the hero. You would occasionally catch Vil checking Magicam’s trending list, only to see Neige was still above him, and you wished that things would turn in his favor. 

Between the time, you both would keep in contact, checking on the other. You made appearances on each other's social media, only feeding the fire for fans to think you two were together and advertised the other's current projects. 

When you were called to work on a movie, you found out Vil and Neige were going to be in the same cast as you. The two different auras together and you got to experience it all. How lucky you were. 

He remembered that while everyone wanted to be around Neige’s bubbly self, you spent time with him and mainly wanted to stay away since in your words, being around Neige is like being around the sun and you’d rather not go blind from his bright personality. You stuck by his side a majority of the time since it felt comfortable. 

There was a cast party, and you were dressed gorgeously, mingling around and talking to your fellow cast members and production crew, before Neige approached you while he watched from afar with another cast member. Neige tried to woo you, but you just brushed off his hints and told him that you weren’t interested in him. Neige just smiled and left you alone, Vil smiled a bit before returning to his conversation. 

After a while, Vil asked to meet up with you and during your lunch together, he asked you to go out with him. You were surprised as Vil told you that you fascinated him and made him feel comfortable around you, making him forget about the world. You were skeptical about this little proposal of his, not wanting to get your hopes too high, and told him that you weren't going to be a pawn for him to one up Neige You would rather have a relationship with someone who saw you as an equal rather than something to be tossed aside later. 

He understood your skepticism and reassured you that he wanted to have a romantic relationship with you. That little moment of reassurance led to the happiest relationship you ever had. Neither of your fans caught up to it because you both would show up on each other's account until you posted a picture of him with the caption, my pretty boy. The internet broke for a while as both of you got media attention and you simply brushed it off and went about your day. Your boldness was something that he admired about you. 

 A few years later, you both were together for 3 years when he was in his third year of NRC when he asked you why you stuck around. 

“I already found my happily ever after and wanted it to last as long as it can.” You gave him a bright smile.  

“Is that a marriage proposal?” 

“It’s a promise, only if you want.” You slid an open ring box towards him with a simple yet tasteful ring. 

He smiles back on the memory from a couple months back and kissed your matching promise ring on your hand. 

Idia 

Internally, he broke down and was flustered as he tried to mask his flushed cheeks before you came over and kissed him on the cheek. You took his hand in yours and led him away from the small scene you called.  He had a small lovesick grin on his face, thinking about how you would rather stick around with him than run off to some royal normie. 

He remembers when you two were first introduced to each other at a young age since your parents worked for the same company and knew each other personally. You both hid behind your parent’s legs, peeking from behind to get a glance at each other. The reasoning behind your two meetings was to have two strong households come together to come as one, translation meeting your betrothed. 

Once they left you to your own devices, you met Ortho and opened up a bit more to each other. You learned more about Idia and heard about his interests as he learned about yours. He told you about how lucky you were to see the world due to your parent’s work, which caused the two Shroud brothers to be curious about your travels. You told them about some of the places you went to, filling their minds with vivid images. 

After that, your parents would always have dinner with Idia’s parents every month so you would bring back a piece of the world and a story that Idia would appreciate. For a while, you grew close to Idia and became someone, who also had to take up their household mantle, he could confine himself while he became your rock. 

When you heard what happened to Ortho, you visited and sat outside of his room for hours, even days before he let you in. He told you that you were stubborn, and you told him that someone had to be. You helped him the best you could once he told you what he wanted to do and kept him company even after that, even if you two were in separate places. 

You both had gaming nights together, especially when you both went to separate schools, and he would hear you deny your classmates’ offer to go out and meet some boys. You were a bit of a loner, like Idia, yet kept a few friends, even though you would get called away for work. 

He also remembered when you showed up to his school as he was dropping off everyone from S.T.Y.X and hugged, panicking after you got word what happened. You got a call from the STYX laboratory that concerned him and an overblot which caused you immediately left your work sight to get here. He could feel the multiple eyes zeroing in on you two as you worried over him. He tried to keep a straight face and guided you back to the plane, ignoring the questions that were being thrown at him. 

He revealed what happened at STYX and Ortho before showing you the memory card that you both worked on. He started rambling about bringing Ortho back and what scenarios could happen then stopped as you cupped his face.  

You told him that all we could do was try to see what and he was stumped when you referred to the both of you rather than just him. He questioned your statement before you showed the email from the facility for your help to improve the security system. 

You helped him with rebuilding Ortho's body and gave your insight when he was stumped. You watched the two brothers reunite before leaving the room, to give them time to reconnect. 

Idia was glad you stayed with him, knowing about his curse and being his rock, and cherished every fiber of your being. Rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand and leaning a bit on you as you both sat outside, enjoying the stars. 

"Let's stay together forever." he said, staring at the sky. 

"Even in the next life?" 

"Absolutely." 

Malleus  

He smiled while watching you approach him, dazzling him with your presence and your performance. He kissed the back of your hand and offered his right arm for you to take.  

As you both walked away, he turned his head back to the rejected prince and just gave him a small smile before turning his focus back to the front of him.  

He couldn’t blame the poor boy for trying to woo you, but it was quite bold of him.  

Malleus thought back to the first time he met you and how this entire situation looked familiar because he saw the same thing. 

He was at a gathering of nobles and royalties, going about his usual royal duties, while trying to be as social as he can. Even though it was a masquerade, he still felt that he stuck out like a sore thumb even with his mask. He danced a bit with noble women and socialized but wanted to get this over with. Excusing himself from a group, he slipped away and made his escape to the Palace’s Garden without Lilia noticing him slipping away.  

“Are you going to keep watching from afar?” They spoke and looked in his direction, catching him off guard, before he revealed himself. 

“Forgive me, I didn’t expect to see anyone here.” He spoke as the figure relaxed a bit. 

“You missed the couple making out that I came across earlier.” They revealed before looking at him. “So, what’s the crowned prince doing out here, away from his party?” 

“How-” 

“The horns give you away.” 

He explained to have a break from a party among many strangers, which the stranger agreed to doing the same, before asking who they were. 

“I guess I should tell who I am considering I know who you are.” They chuckled before telling him her name. For the rest of the night, they both strolled around the garden and enjoyed a midnight stroll. His parents asked him if he met any possible candidates to marry him. He thought about you and how you two got along but decided to keep it to himself. His parents wanted to try a couple more times to see if they could help with the engagement process before giving up. 

At every single party, you two would either meet on the dance floor or find the other hanging by the wall. There were several occasions that princes from other lands would propose or ask for your hand, as you two were hanging out, before you flat out rejected them. Every time and no matter how dramatic or extravagant they were, you told them that you weren’t interested, and you wouldn’t marry a man you just met. He brought it up, during one of your nightly walks, and asked why you rejected them. You told him that you’d rather marry a villain because they’d be someone who would burn the world for you and treat you as an equal rather than a steppingstone to reach their goal. Your confession left Malleus awestruck, causing his jaw to drop. You simply lifted his jaw back up and continued to walk, confidently away. 

You knew what you wanted and weren’t scared to speak up to all the bullshit you deal with. It was at that moment that he knew that he wanted to marry you or at least ask for your hand. He started showing more of himself to you as you did the same which after a while, his parents noticed and decided to leave it to fate. You taught him more about culture outside of the Thorned Valley and humans.  You kept in contact when you both attended school and it was after his first year that he asked you to marry him. As he waited in anticipation with a hint of fear of rejection, you kissed his forehead and brought out a ring. What a coincidence, you were going to ask him the same. Excitingly, he accepted and showered you in kisses before resting his forehead against yours, cherishing this starting moment of your lives together.  

“I’ll give you more than the moon, my love.” He said while showing you NRC’s botanical garden. 

“A tempting offer, darling. But for now, a night with you is a good start.” 

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Crowley not so subtly begging Papa Asim for donations :3c

Ah, yes 😌 A tale as old as time… Nobody let Jamil overhear this—

Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.

“Night Raven College is greatly honored by your presence, Mr. Asim!!” Crowley warbled as he flitted around his desk, wine bottle in hand, and right up to his guest. "Please, allow me to pour you a drink!"

Mr. Asim and Kalim were seated in luxurious chairs (something Crowley had specially procured for this occasion), cushions silken and stuffed with the down of baby birds. The businessman was draped in the finest fabrics with expect stitching, brilliant peacock greens, blues, and golds bright against his white hair and rich skin.

He beamed—his smile so much like that of his son—and held up his glass in a hand heavy with sparkling gems. "Most hospitable of you, headmaster. I'll have just a nip, thank you."

"My pleasure!!" Crowley purred, tipping the bottle over. A stream of deep garnet liquid filled Mr. Asim’s glass halfway. The aroma of finely aged grapes and mulled spices filled the headmaster’s office.

“Smells good! Can I have some fruit juice too?” Kalim asked.

“Errr, when you’re older, Asim-kun! For now, you may have sparkling water.”

“Gahahah! Listen to your teacher, Kalim. The man’s job is to keep you safe while you’re at school.”

“Awww… Alright, dad!”

Crowley tended to the boy, then poured himself his own drink. He made himself comfortable back behind his desk. Swirling the wine in his glass, Crowley eyed the (very wealthy) man across the way.

How much cash was stuffed in the inner lining of his suit? How many credit cards could fit in a single wallet? Was one wallet enough to contain all of his financial assets? Surely not.

Family Day was a means of cultivating good will with students’ relatives and netting donations. If he played his cards just right… Crowley licked his chops—he could practically taste the thaumarks now.

Mr. Asim took a healthy swig. “So! Tell me, my good man. How’s my boy been doing this year?”

The headmaster practically jumped to answer the question. He had prepped himself for this, taking care to prune his feedback of any mention of subpar, just-barely-passing grades.

“Ah, yes! Asim-kun is very cheerful and friendly. He’s one of the few in the student body willing to lend an ear and a helping hand to his peers! Truly, a ray of sunshine in the dark, a cool sip of water in the scorching desert!”

“Hmm, that certainly sounds like him.” Mr. Asim thoughtfully stroked his bushy white beard. “Never has been the type to keep to yourself. Gregarious one, he is. At home, Kalim chats up everyone: the locals, the servants, the animals we keep, his siblings. The ability to communicate across different groups is a valuable thing.”

“I wholeheartedly agree!! And Asim-kun is so good at it,” Crowley gushed. “He reaches out to others regardless of their dormitory—why, I’ve seen him inviting staff members and reclusive Ignihyde and Diasomnia students to his get-togethers!” (The headmaster fondly recalled the delicious foods he had stuffed himself with at a recent Scarabian banquet.)

“He’s beloved by members of his dorm. They couldn’t ask for a better person to lead them. His enrollment alone has done so much good for our school!” Crowley paused dramatically, then slyly added, “And, of course, Night Raven College is most gracious for the generous donation received upon your son's transfer. The newly renovated Scarabia dorm is greatly enjoyed by all.

“Alas!! Our school seems to have fallen on hard times as of late. We experienced big commotions on campus between winter break and the cultural festival…” Crowley lamented, holding his head in his hands. Sorrowful sobs punctuated his sentences.

“If only a kind benefactor would spare us a few million thaumarks for repairing and expanding our facilities! F-For the benefit of the children, of course!”

"Mm?" Kalim cocked his head for a moment—then his face lit up with realization. "Oooh, you’re talking about when Jamil—”

“N-Not now, Asim-kun!!” Crowley hastily silenced him. Sweat beaded on his brow. “The adults are talking!”

Mr. Asim set his wine down and leaned forward. His expression became serious as he laced his bejeweled fingers together, eyes narrowing into ruby slivers. At once, his presence was less like that of a jolly neighbor and more like a powerful sultan, ready to command with the wave of his hand.

Crowley gulped. This man was no pushover.

"How is Jamil doing?"

"Viper-kun? " Crowley scrambled for composure. "Th-This meeting is about your son, so I don't see why... I don't know if I can divulge information on other students...!!"

"He is my son's attendant and closest confidant. I should like to know how he fares.” Mr. Asim turned to his son. “Kalim? Your thoughts?”

If he spills the beans, it’s over for me!! Not just no donation, but my reputation—Night Raven College’s reputation—forever tarnished in the eyes of the public!

“N-No,” Crowley said quickly, “I-I can provide a report if that’s what you want!!”

“I want to hear what Kalim has to say first. Go on, my boy.”

The headmaster’s face fell. One testimony from Kalim, and all of his efforts to flatter Mr. Asim would have all been for naught.

“Dad…” Kalim’s face was uncharacteristically flat. “About Jamil, he…”

It’s over.

“Jamil’s been having a hard time at school! But I didn’t know that until really recently. It turns out, he was really upset and hurting, and he couldn’t tell me about it.” Kalim’s eyes drifted shut. “I feel like… I’ve failed him as his friend.

“I want to be the person he can come to if he wants to be heard. I want to support him. Then I thought, ‘maybe the problem is me’. Maybe I’m not that kind of person in Jamil’s eyes. Maybe I’m not good enough yet.

“So… I made a promise to myself, dad! ‘I’ll get better, so one day Jamil can feel good about coming to me’.” Kalim beamed, the sunshine taking up his entire face. “That’s my goal!”

"Hmmm."

Crowley had entirely deflated into his chair. A prayer to the Great Seven was on his lips, begging for mercifulness.

Mr. Asim suddenly smiled, cutting the tension. "That's good to hear."

Crowley bolted up, talons digging into his seat's arms. "I-It is?!"

“There are some things money can’t buy. I could hire the best tutors in Twisted Wonderland—in fact, I did at one point!!—but there are lessons you can only learn through first-hand experience. I wanted Kalim to have those kinds of opportunities, so I sent him to this institution.

“Birds kept in cages never learn to fly on their own." Mr. Asim nodded firmly, placing a hand over his son's. A belly laugh bubbled out. "The world will open up to you if you open your eyes to it and are willing to change with it.

“I'm happy that you were able to come to understand that during your time here. You’ve matured so much, Kalim. You're well on your way to becoming a dignified successor."

"Wow, you really think so, dad?"

"Yes, I see that the future is in good hands."

Mr. Asim stood and reached into his suit. Crowley's heart stood still when he produced a gold-plated fountain pen topped by enormous diamond and… a rectangular pad of papers.

Jackpot: his checkbook.

“I'd like to invest in that future,” Mr. Asim continued with a laugh, “and in this fine, reputable establishment. Name your number, Crowley, and you shall have it.”

“R-Really?! ANY number?!” There were practically thaumarks dancing in the headmaster’s beady little eyes.

Crowley seized Mr. Asim’s free hand and gave it a vigorous shake. “Thank you so very much, sir!! I can guarantee you that these funds will be put to good use!”

[yuurei20]

Idia Fact Sheet (No Book 6 Spoilers)

Note: This character sheet has no spoilers from the Ignihyde Dorm chapter because spoilers are the worst. There are references to JPN-only things like Idia's dorm uniform card vignette, etc, as usual.

(Ranked 7th in a combination of seven different character-ranking surveys by the jpn server held throughout 2021)

Idia rarely leaves his dorm room, attending classroom lectures via a tablet. He says he “never wanted to be housewarden”, insinuating that he was appointed to the position against his will.

In Book 5 we learn that Riddle has been housewarden of Heartslabyul longer than Idia has been of Ignihyde, so it is safe to assume that he did not become housewarden until his third year.

Illustration notes: "Stronger flames. He makes this expression sometimes when he gets excited. Like when he comes across a strong enemy in a video game, or when things are going according to plan. Most people won’t see this look at first; not until he’s grown close to them. Surprise.”

When provoked Idia becomes extremely upset, much like the character upon which he was based, but he cools down again very quickly. He also slips into outdated internet slang when he speaks with passion.

The name he uses most widely online is “Nekura Samurai”, and his closest online friend is “Muscle Red”. We learn in card vignettes that “Muscle Red” is actually Lilia, but neither student is aware of the online-identity of the other.

Despite his extreme dislike for talking to people face to face, it is surprisingly easy to goad him into becoming talkative, especially about his hobbies and interests. Idia seems to have great disdain for tradition (ref: homescreen and beansfest).

Idia is very protective of Ortho, an android he built himself and programmed to act as a little brother. When Idia was kidnapped by a ghost looking to marry (and subsequently murder) him, Ortho was the only student willing to try and save Idia’s life. Ortho joined Crowley in blackmailing the rest of the characters into helping.

Idia spends the vast majority of the “Wish Upon a Star” event fulfilling his tasks to the bare minimum while constantly, audibly hoping that it will be cancelled. When this ‘wish’ comes close to being fulfilled, he witnesses Ortho’s disappointment and turns around to invent the Stargazer gear for Ortho that saves the entire event, even participating in-person in accordance with a bet he lost to Deuce.

Idia’s desire to not disappoint Ortho is, however, fallible. In his ceremonial robes vignette we see Idia get goaded by Riddle into promising that he will attend the opening ceremonies, much to Ortho's delight. Ortho asks that they take a picture together in their robes, as Ortho had not been allowed to participate in Idia's opening ceremonies upon his enrollment in the school (just like the player and Grim, Idia and Ortho are enrolled as two halves of one student).

Idia gets as far as changing into his robes and reaching the school’s courtyard, but when a confused Malleus comments on his clothing (“I simply cannot understand the meaningless things humans do at times”), Idia panics, insults Malleus and retreats to the safety of his room without ever seeing Ortho at all.

Ortho follows up later to apologize for asking him to attend in the first place, assuring his “brother” that “We don’t need to go somewhere to be together” and “I’ll always be with you”.

There are only a few characters with whom Idia will communicate in person and only under certain circumstances, like Jamil and fellow board games club-member Azul. He is particularly uncomfortable around Kalim, Cater, Trey and Rook.

In his birthday vignette he is asked what dorm, besides Ignihyde, he would like to live in (a question asked of all the students in the second round of birthday cards), he answers “Octavinelle wouldn’t be bad, but I want to stay far away from those disturbing twins", insinuating he has issues with Jade and Floyd as well.

When Ortho requested that Idia design him a pair of legs that can walk on land (instead of levitate) Idia refused on the basis that “floating around is every guy’s dream”, “ walking is total NPC stuff” and “flying is for heroes”.

Floyd and Jade proceed to blackmail Idia into designing the legs for Ortho anyway (via an “interesting piece of information” they have about him), with Floyd underlining their point by gifting Ortho a pair of shoes for his birthday. This incident may have something to do with Idia's discomfort around them.

Idia had originally intended to join the Science Club, but it had more members than he’d anticipated and he switched to the Boardgames Club instead. In the official fan book, it is said that the club is a reference to Disney’s Hercules movie.

Idia dislikes the outdoors and physical activity extremely. (“Humans are the only creatures that do pointless exercise to consume the nutrients they have taken in! It's really stupid!" from homescreen)

In the Beansfest event, we learn he has set up a deal with Sam where he hides out in Sam’s shop until the end of the event. In exchange, Idia (under the alias “Mr. Smith”) designs one-of-a-kind bean-shooting weapons for players to purchase from Sam.

While constantly down-playing his abilities and knowledge, we learn in the Phantom Bride event that, if goaded enough, he will reveal that he actually thinks very highly of himself and his accomplishments (much to the surprise and awkwardness of Riddle and the other students). He can also become quick to insult and belittle others, leading to Ace’s comment of “he’s actually really cool…as long as he keeps his mouth shut.”

Rook refers to him as “King of his own room”, Floyd as “Hotaruika-senpai” (for firefly squid) and Leona calls him カイワレ大根 (kaiware daikon), for being shady, frail and tall. Despite this unflattering name, Leona tells us that “He’s got more power and brains than ordinary students”.

Idia has said he likes cats, will try talking to Lucius during history lessons and accidentally terrified Grim in his lab wear vignette when he mistook Grim for a regular cat. He is also fond of dogs, but has said he does not get along with dog people like Crewel.

Idia seems to have something of a complex with his hair, and his fear of others making fun of it in his ceremonial robes vignette and Book 5 seems to insinuate that it is unusual even for the Twisted Wonderland universe. He also expresses concern that people will recognize him as a member of the Shroud family.

Despite being only eighteen, he seems to be a household name in the field of magical engineering, and we learn that that he “can buy a gymnasium full of canned tuna” with just a single part of the various elements that make up Ortho.

From his voice line of “Tests are like games. The higher you score, the better you feel”, it seems that he might actually be an accomplished student despite his habit of staying up all night, absorbed in his hobbies.

At the very end of Book 5 Ortho reveals that Idia has received a large number of offers from various companies soliciting him for internships, including the VDC event’s sponsor, Olympos Co. Idia orders Ortho to delete them all, saying “I’m not going anywhere regardless…”

Rather than a magical pen, Idia uses a floating, skull-like drone in battles that also stirs the cauldron in alchemy lessons.

He is always wearing headphones in order to listen to music with the best possible sound quality and to shut out the world around him through noise-canceling. His favorite music is by a three-member girl group called “Precipice Moirai” whose members are “older than they look” (although, in Epel’s dorm uniform vignette, he says they look old while having the spirits of 17 year olds. This conflicting information is consistent on both the ENG- and JPN-servers, and may be a continuity error). It is speculated in the fan community that is a reference to the three Fates in Disney’s Hercules.

Idia’s favorite food is dagashi because “it is easy to eat while gaming”. Dagashi are cheap snackfoods that became popular in Japan during the Edo Period when sugar was particularly expensive. 

This site is great if you would like to learn more (bonus: if you have seen Spirited Away and ever wondered about the star-shaped food eaten by the soot sprites? Those are a form of dagashi, introduced to Japan by Portugal).

Potato chips and cheap chocolate are also dagashi.

Idia dislikes raw fish because of the smell, how it is eaten neither hot nor cold, the texture and how troublesome it is to prepare. Idia says that “block snacks” are good enough for him, as he is only interested in consuming the nutrition he needs to function, regardless of the form it comes in.

Dagashi comes in both sweet and savory forms. By “block snacks”, I would assume that twst is referring to something similar to “Calorie Mate”-brand snacks without using the copyrighted name. A common snack food in Japan, it is marketed as being an alternative way to consume enough calories to keep going when you don’t have enough time to prepare and eat a proper meal.

Some great artists for Idia fan-art and more (SFW, no story spoilers) Idia looking amazing

Idia and Ortho

Various Idia

Stargazer Idia and Ortho

Voice Idia is voiced by Uchiyama Kouki (内山 昂輝) whose other work includes Roxas from Kingdom Hearts II, Neku Sakuraba from The World Ends with You, Shigaraki Tomura from My Hero Academia, Soul Eater Evans from Soul Eater, Kamyu from Dragon Quest XI and Kirishima Ikuya from Free! -Dive to the Future-

More information here

Additional Fact Sheets ・Riddle Rosehearts ・Trey Clover・Cater Diamond ・Ace Trappola・Deuce Spade ・Leona Kingscholar ・Ruggie Bucchi ・Jack Howl ・Azul Ashengrotto・Floyd Leech・Jade Leech ・Kalim Al-Asim・Jamil Viper ・Vil Schoenheit・Rook Hunt ・Epel Felmier ・Idia Shroud・Ortho Shroud ・Malleus Draconia ・Silver・Sebek Zigvolt・Lilia Vanrouge ・Sam・Crewel・Trein・Vargas・Crowley

[haru-natsuka]

Confusion part 2 (Kalim Al Asim x Reader x Jamil Viper)

Genre: Romance

Link for part 1

As a claimed-to-be mother, you tried to take responsibility of making your boys happy and content but did you?...

"Mummy here here. You should sleep beside daddy."

"Mama sleep with papa"

Both of your arms ached as you lifelessly stared at the wall due to the pulling from before by your two kids. How could your children have so much strength when they both were barely 7 years old! However, you did not have the heart to stop them as their quarrel somehow, seemed cute to you and let just admitted you did enjoy the fun too with Kalim and Jamil trying to pry them off from you for some space and rest although Jamil was the one who seriously tried to help you. The dorm leader was too busy laughing over his kids' behaviour.

Both of them had so much passion for you to sleep with their own chosen man, leaving you engulfed in the same question as before. Who would Kalim and Jamil be to you in the future? Were the kids even yours? Could it be the traits they had were the same as you were your own proclamation? It was a miracle the two kids finally stopped arguing as Kalim suggest a very splendid idea, according to him.

"Let just everyone have a sleepover! The five of us!" His loud, exciting voice boomed through your eardrums as you digest his words and repeated them inside your head. Before you and Jamil who was flattered too, could even decline, the energetic ones beat you.

"Yeahhh mama will sleep with papa!"

"Yeahhh mummy will sleep with daddy!"

"It's time for a sleepover!" Both of the boys jumped frantically over the news.

"No- I-" Feeling hopeless and speechless, you turned to your last hope, the only candidate that remained silent in this situation, Jamil. He felt your gaze on him, seeking help. His eyes wander to the three who still cheered happily with the decision and he too did not have much power to reject the idea he silently agreed with. Just who did not want to spend more time with their crush when the opportunity appeared in front of you? Really he felt the worse by listening to his inner desire more than helping you.

"I'm sorry, Y/N but it's for the best." His charcoal grey eyes were trailing at his side while he folded his arms, giving the indication he thought about the sleepover seriously. This was when Jade's power was needed so you could know the truth about Jamil's heart.

That was how all of you end up combining two king-size beds on the floor in Kalim's room and the five of you end up sleeping together with the kids beside you while their own father was at the end of both beds. Your body was in an awkward position as you lay still without facing anyone. Although there was space between you, Kalim and Jamil, but you still felt nervous sleeping with them. How could you do this with the two most important members of Scarabia?

As you thought the day would end with just these mishaps, suddenly you felt uneasy and got goosebumps on your skin as you felt a tug on your cloth from both of your sides.

"Mummy"

"Mama"

"A goodnight kiss?"

You were bewildered for a moment when s/n and s/n pointed at their cheek before placing a kiss on that particular place lovingly as how you imagine a mother would kiss her sons. However, they seemed unsatisfied and the uneasiness you got behind the dangerous intention they held inside their eyes made you shudder for the upcoming request from your sons.

"You forget about daddy"

"You forget about papa"

"That's right. I want to get a kiss from you too"

Kalim uttered the words without a second thought as deep inside his heart, he did feel jealous when you always turn to Jamil for help rather than him. He knew he always tend to be a happy-go-lucky guy and yet he rather be possessive to make you his or he could be a badass for once. Could he be that to Jamil? His best friend? Nah, he rather shared you with Jamil as everyone deserved love right?

When Kalim so easily agree with everything the kids said but as you did not want to disappoint the boys, you slowly and nervously leaned towards Kalim's cheek. With mind trying to copy how a mummy and a daddy gave a proper goodnight kiss, you sneaked your hand behind Kalim's neck and brought his cheek towards your lips.

You intentionally lingered on the kiss for a while before you shyly released Kalim from your hold who the latter was also embarrassed by the unexpected handling of yours. His cheek felt warm and his heart was having this funny feeling of wanting more than a kiss from you.

"Hmmm why on the cheek? Papa, I think mama forgot how to kiss you goodnight. Mama is definitely being weird today. Show mama, papa"

"Huh-kiss-" Just what the future you teach your kids really when a kiss on the cheek was not enough. Jamil reluctantly went closer to you excitedly rather in guilt. There was only one place left if it were not for the cheek. He slowly inched towards you and stopped for a while to ponder about his decision before kissing the crown of your head with a blushing face.

You felt the worse thinking it was going somewhere more intimate and Jamil seemed to know about that as he teasingly smirked at you. That night, Kalim and the boys were very much sound asleep while Jamil and you kind of had a hard time with eyebags evidence under the eyes. It was all due to Kalim kept unconsciously trying to hug you in his sleep meanwhile Jamil tried to pry him off you.

You had enough of everything, really. Who did influent your little kids? The very next morning, you asked them and their answer did not shock you a bit.

"Who likes to pay a visit to our home?"

"Uncle Ace!"

No wonder...

[t4tower-of-t4terror]

Silver and Kalim x gn reader poly hcs

Holy shit are you lucky

Kalim and Silver perfectly balance each other out in energy

Silver in his lethargic formality and Kalim in his electrifying energy and friendliness

Both of them are so beautiful and so deeply kind

The three of you often spend evenings together. Often you start off studying but end up collectively napping or having an impromptu picnic

You all snack and share stories and lay close together to feel the warmth and comfort radiating off of each other

They are both so cuddly it's amazing. Silver loves to rest on your or Kalim's lap, which is absolutely a win for you two, because it means you get to run your fingers through his namesake hair and admire how his eyelashes flutter open to reveal his ethereal moonstone eyes

And Kalim just likes holding onto the two of you like you're teddy bears lol. He's physically clingy, but it's really cute

And Jamil takes so much comfort knowing that Silver is a knight. Hoping maybe he can take a break for a moment

Lilia thinks the three of you are so sweet together too! He's so proud of Silver for finding not one, but two people who love him like you do!

You can't help but agree with Lilia. You have no idea how you ended up in this relationship with two of the sweetest, prettiest, most Wonder boys you've ever met.

Kalim loves anniversaries. He uses them as an excuse to give you both presents. He'll make up anniversaries just to give you guys little gifts.

It's always "it's two months since the first time we held hands so I couldn't help but get you this pretty anklet that made me think of you!!!"

And they both get so happy about any affection you give them.

Your first kiss made Kalim's ruby eyes light up like fireworks and made the prettiest petal pink color creep into Silver's cheeks

Kalim will take the two of you on magic carpet rides so that the three of you can watch the stars and sunsets.

The world itself feels dark as night, but you are surrounded by warmth. Lost in the night sky, you can barely look at the beauty of the stars when the lives of your life sit beside you, bathed in moonlight.

Afterwards you all get to sleep in late in the warmth of Kalim's room.

In the chaos of overblots and school life, you always find yourself drifting back to the people who you love and support. The people who bring you true comfort.

This was inspired by a post and some absolutely gorgeous artwork made by @bloodiegawz PLEASEEE check out her work