#nathaniel and nari thread.

[inkshadow]

cont. for @cigvrettedvet

❝ yes. ❞ there's no hesitation in the world as the man bores his eyes into her skull, not bothering to mask his distaste for all of this. not that alcohol makes much of a difference in that regard. nathaniel's always been a man to show all of his cards, a 'wear everything on his sleeve' personality except it was never for anything good. not recently anyway. he stumbles, following after her and only taking a second longer to correct his gait, shaking his head lightly. ❝ i'm fine. drunk or not, i'm still pissed at the fact that you decided to go with some nepo baby pussy boy. or have you really lowered your standards that much? please, ruining your life isn't fulfilling to me. but if it happens, it happens. ❞

[stylish-alastor]

SEND A ✮ (OR NOT) & I’LL GENERATE A NUMBER 

@everwakingnightmares

28. “Something scared me” hug

Slivers of light slid across the bedroom walls and ceiling. The air conditioner whirred with noise as it circulated air along the enclosed space. Even beyond that, Alastor could hear the early morning chorus of songbirds and the distant chittering of a response call. A muted screech of brakes as a car slowed down to make a sharp turn. 

He shifted in bed, rustling around inside the heavy down-feather quilt he was wrapped in. Blue eyes met his gaze; Cerberus was awake.

Their eyes wandered as if too shy to be caught making contact. They laid in silence before Alastor felt brave enough to whisper, “Well... they don’t sound like they’ll be waking soon,” and Cerberus took that as his cue to get up. Al wriggled until he was on his feet, but still refused to drop the quilt; he wasn’t going to expose himself to the ungodly cold temperature the AC had been spewing out.

It was easy for Cerberus to get dressed, clad only in briefs to begin with. He retrieved Alastor’s clothes as well, and had them in hand to pass it to him, but at the sight of his lover still wrapped into a humanoid burrito, he furrowed his brows a bit. “You’re not really...”

“I’ll manage.” 

Cerberus conceded that, and after much maneuvering, Alastor donned a passable outfit and the two of them were tip-toeing down the stairs, nudging the double doors open with nary a creak, and slipping out of the office. The street lights were still on. Sunrise wouldn’t dare to happen for a few more hours. This would be perfect. 

Their moments together were few and far between. At different points in the day they were parents, princes, devil hunters, travelers of distant lands, but there wasn’t much space in all of that for them to be lovers. Not without risking the silly little gagging noises Eira would make as soon as her fathers even leaned in to peck each other on the lips, or the times when she and Nathaniel would cover their eyes (what was the point? They’d peek through their fingers anyway!). Cerberus and Alastor didn’t dare entertain even the thought of doing anything more than kissing in the same vicinity as the children, even in the middle of the night. Any risk of inflicting unwanted sights or sounds on the kids was one too great. They figured it was best to take their adult business someplace else.

Alastor gave Cerberus’s hand the occasional squeeze as the two made their way to a quiet area. They hid away under an oak tree, the branches shielding them from the cold light of the street lamps and casting a shadow that helped shroud them even more. 

Even then, they each could see the other grin, and Alastor was the first to laugh, quiet as it was. “Look at us, sneaking around like thieves.” “Speak for yourself, Spark. I’m innocent here, just goin’ along for the ride.”

Alastor gave a false gasp and placed his hand on his chest. “Are you calling me a thief?”

”Mmhmm. Exactly what I’m sayin’.”

”Well, whatever it is I stole, I’m obviously not giving it back.”

”You sure?” Cerberus leaned in close. Alastor backed enough that his shoulderblades were flush against the trunk of the tree. Chill breaths skated against him as Cerberus whispered, “I’ve got ways of convincing you to let me have it.”

”You don’t. There’s no way you would.” Alastor’s voice was barely audible compared to the way his heart raced in anticipation. The cold emanating from his lover grew stronger. He felt it as the fingers of one hand threaded along his hair, as the opposite arm settled in its familiar place around his waist and made excitement race up his spine. He closed his eyes and waited.

Cerberus’s particular method of ‘persuasion’ was executed with much the skill he used in everything else. He started off gentle, settling for their lips gliding along each other. He skimmed the surface, and pressed his tongue to the soft line of Alastor’s lips. Al was willing to yield just enough, and Cerberus took that cue to delve deep-- he sipped, tasted, nibbled, felt like he couldn’t get enough. The way Alastor’s arms wrapped around him let him know the feeling was mutual. 

Of course, Al wasn’t going to let him have all the fun, he put up a bit of ‘resistance’ and it danced back and forth along their tongues like quicksilver. Only when Al took a shuddering breath and moaned, the additional note to the gentle chorus of sighs and the crackle of sparks between them, did Cerberus pull away from him to spare a bit of space.

”Believe me now?”

”Nnn-nnn...” Alastor shook his head. That was about as well as he could lie.

He’d find that Cerberus wasn’t shy of getting a little ‘hands on’ with his methods. Al bit his lip and hissed out a breath when his lover’s strong hands slid past the waistband of his pants and feathered along the base of his tail. Cerberus gave a few tentative squeezes to it, earning hitched breaths. The stroking was on another level entirely; one hand going up and down the appendage while the other’s thumb and forefinger were running along the exact point tail met body. That had Al rolling his eyes back and his mouth hanging open, soft cries spilling out from his lips. 

“F-fuck...” was the only thing Al would be able to say coherently. He rolled his hips in a half-hearted effort to ‘avoid’ the touch, though he knew he wouldn’t succeed in the least. Sharp fangs teased, nibbled at his ear. He made low, whimpering noises and his hands scrambled down Cerberus’s chest and abs. One stayed where it was while the other slipped down and brushed against Cerberus’s crotch. 

A CRACK shattered the relative silence. Alastor’s heart leapt at his ribcage. The only reason he didn’t jump as far was because Cerberus was already holding onto him protectively, even if it was a bit stiff for some reason. Al looked around for the source of the noise, ears perking up in anticipation for anything else. The car that’d backfired drove away with little issue, and Alastor gave a sigh of relief. Cerberus’s breathing was labored as he spoke. “F-feeling-- hhhh-- ... better?” “Yeah, I a–” there was a moment’s silence as it dawned on him-- “... oh! I’m sorry!” Al pulled his hand out from Cerberus’s pants. It seemed that in Al’s panic, every part of him tensed, giving him the grip strength of an overenthusiastic claw machine and leaving his unfortunate husband making the wrong kind of breaths and whimpers. 

Cerberus lowered himself to the ground, preempting a collapse if he’d been allowed to stay on his feet any longer. His tightly-shut eyes, furrowed brows and gritted teeth told of a 50-50 chance he could hurl either obscenities or his last dinner. The nausea creeping up would decide which was which.

Alastor knelt beside him, hands gliding over Cerberus’s abs to indirectly soothe the ache that was traveling up by that point. He was sure his hands were not wanted or needed anywhere lower. ”I’m serious, I’m really sorry--”

”N-no... it’s fine, I’m fine...” Cerberus groaned.

”Look, we should-- we should just go home.”

The enthusiasm with which Cerberus nodded betrayed his earlier statement.

They waited until the pain subsided, then walked-- or, at least one of them did, the other awkwardly hobbled-- back to the office. They nudged the doors open and tiptoed back inside, and soon were in their bedroom without a word. Cerberus got undressed, Al wrapped himself in the quilt once more, and the air conditioner was turned back on to the lowest temperature. 

Everything else was silent, save for the crickets chirping and an encore of pre-dawn birdsong. 

Alastor was drifting off to sleep when he heard, “I have to say, I didn’t know you had those kinds of noises in you.”

”What? What noise?” Alastor rolled over to face Cerberus, noting the other was giving him that sideways glance and a silly little smirk. 

”You didn’t notice? When that car backfired, you shrieked.”

”Liar! I did not. That was a yelp, not a shriek.” And it wasn’t the most dignified of noises he could’ve made. Anyway, that was not something he wanted to be reminded of. He merely gave an annoyed huff and made himself comfortable once more, trying to will them both to forget that little moment ever happened. 

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.” 

“You’d better not.”

[inkshadow]

❝ you seemed pretty done with me when you walked out. ❞ rightfully so, given that he didn't even realize that she'd broken up with him in the midst of a black-out until the very next morning when she came by to pick up her things. or however much she could put in her car at the time. ❝ never said that, it was about time you realized that you weren't gonna get anywhere with him. please. if you couldn't forget me over the last few months, going back now isn't going to help you. ❞ fingers reach to grip at her chin, tipping her chin up roughly to keep her eyes locked to his. ❝ what if i did? because i don't really give a shit how many men you've got strung up at one time. i know i'll win. every. time. ❞

nari knew that nothing different would happen once she went back to nathaniel. it'd be the same wicked game, one that she had grown so addicted to that she'd leave her safe and comfortable boyfriend for. "you already know i wasn't, don't rub it in," nari pouts. but she's soon amused at nate's shock. "yeah, why? did you not want me to? because i could go back to him and forget all about you?" although nari would likely find her way back to nate regardless. "or would you prefer me see the both of you at the same time? do you have a kink for being the other man in relationships?" nari teased afterwards.

[inkshadow]

he's entirely consumed by her, her kisses, the way that she breathily speaks against his lips. so much so that he didn't think about the steps following this; he wasn't going to change. nate, underneath all of the alcohol, was still the terrible human being she dumped months prior. his habits haven't changed. so when she makes the suggestion... of course he doesn't believe it. ❝ you sure about that? thought you were done with me, ❞ he chuckles, though with less enthusiasm as before. ❝ not bad? god, the dude is practically wet toilet paper. wait, does that mean you're... choosing me? like actually? you're gonna dump his soggy ass? ❞

nari knew that this was probably a mistake. she knew what she was already signing up for by going back to nate. but nari couldn't deny the strong pull that drew her back to him. the truth of the matter was that she'd always go back to him, even if it meant she'd destroy her current relationship. "i don't think he's going to be my boyfriend anymore after this," nari says in between kisses, softly chuckling after her. "hey, he's not . . . bad." but nathaniel was obviously better, as was made clear by the way nari continued to kiss him. "what am i supposed to tell him? i can't go back to him now obviously."

[inkshadow]

❝ i don't think that you do. ❞ this thing between them, this toxicity, will only continue to eat them from the inside out. even if they were to get back together, it wouldn't reset the clock. they'll continue to harbor the fights, the sleepless nights, the ick that drove them apart in the first place... but god, it made the kiss so much sweeter. nathaniel lets out a deep exhale as their mouths war against one another, his arms dropping from the wall to wrap around her waist in a greedy embrace. he's not touched her in ages and even the smell of her neck as he peppers kisses down her throat throws him deeper down that spiral. ❝ what happened your boyfriend? ❞ he groans softly, back down her mouth the moment his lips return to hers. ❝ are you gonna tell me he's a better kisser than i am? the guy looks like he eats chalk for breakfast. ❞

she wants to. god, it'd be so much easier if she could just punch nathaniel and then storm back off to her boyfriend, complaining about how much of an asshole her ex is. and yet . . . she can't. his words successfully worm their way into her heart. she knows she shouldn't listen but nari also knows that he's right. and then he's asking for her back and nari feels so . . . happy. she was enjoying this more than she should. she had nathaniel wanting her again and how could she possibly resist? "i hate you so much," nari says, although she doesn't mean it. a part of her did but the love she still had for him overshadowed that. with the two of them being so close ( thanks to nate practically cornering her away ), nari feels more tempted than ever to give into her feelings. so instead of thinking about it and pretending to feel torn when she already knew who she wanted, nari cups his face in her hands before she kisses him.

[inkshadow]

❝ then punch me, if you think you can, ❞ he sneers with a playful shimmer in his eyes, never backing down from a challenge even if it meant playing with fire. the flame in question right now is her blooming relationship, one that he should've given her enough breathing room to nurture but as he'd mentioned earlier, they just happened to be at the same place at the same time. fate, not that he believed in that sort of thing. ❝ yeah, that's right. because nobody wants us but each other. no one fucking understands us but each other, ❞ he whispers, effectively backing her into the corner of the back hallway that was hidden from public eyes. ❝ and that's exactly why you should get back with me. i'm not perfect and all i'm gonna do is hurt you but at least i make you feel something. passion. anger. resentment. happiness. to the extreme. and more than that guy out there is ever gonna give you. ❞ he knows that he's not worth her in the slightest, especially with his lingering substance problem and how every second of his life feels like a ticking timebomb, but that doesn't stop him from craning his head closer to her, tempted to kiss her right then and there, his arms now pinned on either side of her to keep her from escaping.

nari tries to find the words to speak but she's speechless as nathaniel practically towers over her and says . . . the truth. as fucked as this all was ( the entire situation was fucked up, if nari was being honest with herself ), nari knew that nathaniel was right. she could run and try to find someone new but she'd end up resorting back to her roots somehow. "no, but i really should. god, you deserve a punch or two," nari admits before scoffing, "you mean, i'm meant to be someone like you. because we're both fucked up and rotten inside, right?" nari knows she should move away from him and just go back to her boyfriend who was probably worried sick about her. but she doesn't. nari stays precisely because she wants to. "why should i go back to you? even if your words were true, i have a perfectly good thing going with my boyfriend. are you really worth giving all of that up for?" it was twisted but a part of nari wanted nathaniel to fight for her somehow. if he did, nari was ashamed to admit she'd fall right back for him again.

[inkshadow]

❝ shouldn't. ❞ drunk as he is, he's still managed to catch the word that has him smirking, knowing that he's got her right where he wants her. a smart and cunning boy growing up, nathaniel's wit still clings to him like skin he can't shed, not that it was enough to impress his parents in the end. now it's the best of both worlds — an intelligence that she seemed so fond of at the time and substance abuse that takes the edge off, which means his words tended to hurt anyone around him once he's had a few drinks. ❝ or else what? you're gonna make a scene? you're gonna punch me right in the face and show your newfound boyfriend who you really are? messy... messy nari. you're meant to be with a messy guy. not some normie sniffing glue behind an accountant desk. ❞

"maybe but . . . you know i can't do that. i'm incapable of being the bigger person. and even if i was, you pissed me off too much for me to just walk away!" nari argues. one of her fatal flaws was that she had to have the last word. she couldn't just let things go. and nathaniel knew that. she can't seem to move when he comes closer, asking her the one question that should be the easiest to answer. and yet . . . "no, it shouldn't change a goddamn thing," nari finally manages to say, glaring up at him. she was lying right through her teeth and facade was beginning to falter. unfortunately, it did change her decision and nari felt so conflicted. as much as she knew she was better off with her new boyfriend, her old feelings for nathaniel were rising back up to the surface and making her feel so torn. "now back away from me or else . . ."

[inkshadow]

❝ of course it fucking matters. especially with everything i've said tonight. ❞ at the moment, however, he's having a hard time recollecting. ❝ if you were really so god damn secure with the guy then no, you wouldn't have reacted to it. you would've been the bigger person and not stoop down to how 'petty' you think i am right no, shrugged it off, and left. ❞ wasn't that the sort of person she wanted to be, the quality she'd hoped for in a partner? both knew that nathaniel wasn't going to be the person to give her that. a scoff falls between them and the male cranes his head from side to side, cracking and breaking the stiffness at the nape of his neck. ❝ so what if i am?! that's not supposed to change your decision, right? ❞ as if to drive the dagger deeper, he steps forward and towards over her, face mere inches from hers. ❝ that wouldn't change anything, would it? ❞

nari struggles to come up with an answer to that question. she knew the truth but she couldn't tell that to nathaniel. of course she didn't feel the same about her new boyfriend the way she had ( and still did ) for nate. but nari was too stubborn to admit it. "does it matter?" nari frowns. "are you serious? did you really expect me to hear it and not react? you're crazy." she's rendered silent again when nathaniel points out the truth once again. she hadn't let go of him. it frustrated nari greatly that she couldn't simply forget about nate and move on from him. even now, she found herself comparing her current boyfriend to him. although their relationship had been nothing short of insane, she missed it. her current relationship was safe and nice but boring. "it's not bullshit, it's the truth. i really have moved on for good this time, and you're the one hanging on still. you should stop projecting onto me and go home. you reek of alcohol, by the way."

[inkshadow]

❝ can you really say that when you've only been with the guy a few weeks? ❞ their relationship had been longer, more tumultuous but time is all it takes to really get to know a person inside and out. he doubts that her new boy toy has had that runway already. ❝ free speech or whatever, ❞ he grunts with a wave of his hand and a slight rock of his body. the alcohol, as per usual, has rendered him unstable in more ways than one. ❝ you didn't have to listen to it. you just happened to be within earshot of the fucking comment. ❞ his eyes scrutinize those words, his brain reaching a smoking point trying to recollect amidst the fog just how long its been since they broke up. not long enough, surely. ❝ have you moved on completely? i don't fucking believe that one bit. c'mon nari, you have a habit of hanging on. why do you think we lasted so long? you could've left ages ago but you didn't. so don't give me this bullshit about how you've moved on completely already. ❞

nari scoffs. "maybe. but i'm happier with my downgrade than i was with you." harsh words but seeing nate brings about harsh, painful feelings that nari had worked hard to forget. "no, you lost your right to that the very moment we broke up," she bluntly declares. nari relaxes a little more when nate corrects her, letting her know that this was mere coincidence. it makes things a little better. "you're right. technically, you don't have to," nari nods. "but you can keep your fucking unwanted opinion to yourself. i'm happy with my boyfriend and i've moved on completely so i don't need you around to mess things up." had nari truly moved on? of course not. but nari knew the smarter thing to do would be to not let nate back into her life again.

[inkshadow]

his eyes roll, tongue wetting his lips as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. ❝ that's what you're into now? you downgraded. i shouldn't have to change. you seemed to like me just fine when we went out. ❞ though maybe it's his lack of change that rendered their relationship broken. ❝ i'm not punishing you. what? i can't give my opinion on the guy? ❞ the extraordinary amount of scotch has loosened his tongue to the point of no return but its not the liquor's fault they ended up at the same place at the same time. ❝ you just happened to be here, you can't be pissed off at me for that. plus, my dignity fell in the gutter the moment my parents disowned me; don't try and play high and mighty with me. i don't have to listen to you. ❞

nari scoffs at how blunt he's being. something she once admired about him, she now despised. "maybe that's what i'm into now. people can change, can't they? you obviously haven't," she argues, glaring at him. a laugh escapes her, although it's entirely bitter. "yeah, right. you're upset because we broke up - which wasn't even all my fault - and now you're trying to punish me for it. i won't allow you to so you can just leave me alone and find another woman to torture." she finally lets go of him, only wondering what her boyfriend might've been thinking right now. "you're a mess. if you care about your dignity even a little, you'll go home and sleep it off."