#save me iii from sleep token | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dewracle · 4 months ago

Text

Sorted Through Slots

PAIRING - Sleep Token III x Sleep Token Vessel

WARNING - NSFW! Attempted SA, First Time Bottoming, Loss of Virginity, Violence, Blood and Injury, Mild Dubious Consent,

AUTHOR'S NOTE - Woo! I finally finished this! It took me a while since I've been working on lots of things BUT! I hope to make this into a series in the future. Hope everyone enjoys this. I'll be watching with my popcorn. SUMMARY - Vessel had always been a loner, someone no one noticed even when he tried to stand out. But sometimes it takes giving yourself to a stranger who just saved you for you to actually be noticed.

WORD COUNT - 6,528

Master List - Ao3

“I’ll be fine really, no need to worry about me.” Vessel laughed softly as he ducked out of the record shop’s doorway. He didn’t need the concern from someone who barely even cared, he never did. It was just himself against the world, lonely and fighting through life. This wasn’t new to him, the pity and fake concern; after all that’s what he grew up with.

His boss had caught wind of his plans for the night and was “worried” about him. Vessel never knew if the older man was actually worried about him or if he was just concerned about his performance at work the next day.

While yes, it did bother Vessel as he exited into the old streets many nights, he tried to never let it stop him from enjoying the local music scene at the bar. That was where he felt most at peace, among the music and alcohol.

Vessel had been thriving with the music scene and enjoyed basking in its glory, even though he would never taste the sweet flavor firsthand. He had gone to college for music and yet as soon as he was released from that hell, he was left empty-handed with nowhere to go.

So, he took it upon himself to get as close as possible to his desired dream. Getting a job at a record store had been his best bet at the time with the need for money. It barely allowed him to scrape by, but he wasn’t too upset with his situation. After all, he could at least relax and scribble in his notebook while also working.

The chill of the wind brought Vessel back to the present. He stood in front of the bar with high hopes that his dreams would come true but he knew that would be crushed soon. Like they always are.

Vessel pushed through the door and was greeted by the sound of loud rock playing from the far corner. He grinned at the music he had grown fond of, the steady beat and vocals thrumming in his chest. This was one of the bands he knew frequently played at the bar. Their lead singer was talented but not passionate enough to want to go further. Though Vessel had always admired the drummer and his skills, he never dared approach him out of fear; not even the alcohol he often consumed could ease the nerves he felt.

The bar thankfully wasn’t as crowded tonight, since it was a Wednesday. Vessel chuckled to himself as the bartender he had grown fond of bounced her way over to him.

“What can I get ya tonight? The usual or..?” She smiled and tilted her head softly. Her bouncy blond curls gently lay against her shoulders. Nearly nightly visits and tipping well would get you this kind of treatment.

“Just a beer tonight. Stout maybe?” Vessel shrugged and slid his card over for her to put on file.

The bartender nodded while idly working her magic. She was bobbing her head in time with the music, something Vessel had noticed many times before. He couldn’t help but find himself tapping his fingers to the beat of the drums.

The tall man turned to face the stage, taking in the appearance of the singer. He stood so proud yet bored with his music. A man who was comfortable with where he was,no matter the situation or crowd.

Vessel envied the singer, envied how he was able to confidently be on stage with people who cared about him. Even with how little effort he put in, it seemed everyone loved him. Lucky bastard.

His attention was brought back to the bartender by the soft clink of his beer being set down. He offered her a soft smile before grasping the cold glass. There was already a little bit of the liquid spilling over the side but he couldn't care less, he just needed to drink.

It didn’t take long for the one beer to turn into multiple and those then turning into shots. The deep-seated need to erase the pain led Vessel to drink more than he could normally handle. He wished for more, but the concerned yet polite smile from the bartender screamed ‘no’.

“Love, I think you’ve had enough, I'm cutting you off for the night.” She politely smiled and pushed his card and a receipt into his hand.

While this was common for others, it still stung deep into Vessel’s heart. It reminded him of his mother’s gentle yet passive-aggressive words; “That’s enough [redacted], you’ve already done enough.”

His mother’s words echoed in his head as he stood on shaky legs. The once enjoyable atmosphere of the bar was soured by these old wounds. He tried to stumble his way out of the event, ignoring the way his legs wobbled and the world spun. The blond didn’t make it far before his stumbling turned into tripping over his own feet. Thankfully he was caught by a man before he could fall.

A man only slightly shorter than him smiled at Vessel. His crooked smile looked sinister because of his jagged teeth. If he was sober, Vessel would have understood the twisting in his gut wasn’t the alcohol, but rather his intuition screaming at him. This man was bad news but the blonde couldn’t seem to truly understand that.

“Look at you sweets, can’t even stand on your own two feet,” The man teased and squeezed Vessel’s waist, “Need me to take you somewhere? Maybe the back?”

Vessel shot the man a confused look as he staggered against him. Why was this random man holding him? Oh, but it felt so nice to have hands on him, gently squeezing and digging into his side. Subconsciously Vessel nodded; maybe he did need to sit down somewhere quiet.

With how intoxicated Vessel was, he honestly didn’t notice all the pitiful looks he was gathering. Not even the random girl softly trying to grab his attention could help him anymore.They were probably because of how drunk he was.

The hand on his back slowly guided him further into the bar, deeper into a section he had never seen before. It was shocking, to say the least; Vessel had been everywhere in this bar at this point, so where was he now? “Where're we..?”

The man ignored Vessel’s question and opted to push his hand under the back of Vessel’s shirt. The cold hand made Vessel shiver and giggle softly. He liked the attention and enjoyed the small touch.

“In here, no one will bother us, sweets..” The man opened the door and his tone deepened.

Vessel tried to stagger his way into the private room but something pulled at him deep within his chest. A gut feeling finally hit him enough to turn around. “Hey... I don’t-“

Yet his words were cut off when the man shoved him against the wall and covered his mouth roughly. Disgusting brown eyes stared into Vessel’s watery blues. The man smelled horrible and he gave Vessel all the warning signs he should have listened to from the beginning.

“Listen here slag, you’re gonna go in that room and fucking like it, got it?!” His attacker hissed out, his voice rising in volume with every word. To emphasize his statement, he shoved his knee between Vessel’s thighs and ground it upwards.

The taller’s harsh cry was muffled against the hand covering his mouth, but it didn’t stop him from banging on the walls to bring attention to the situation. Vessel knew he couldn’t pull the man off of him, not in his drunken state.

The tears began to fall down his face as he realized this was his reality, this was exactly what he thought he deserved. The sobs from his mouth and banging didn’t deter his attacker from shoving him deeper into the room; but they did alert a man standing nearby.

Vessel fell to the ground in the disgusting room, his sobs growing louder as he tried to find an escape. “Please- I just- No!”

He was frantic and hysterical as the attacker grabbed his leg to spread his thighs. “No no no! Fucking stop!”

Vessel screamed and kicked at the man’s hands. It only angered him further and his grip tightened on his calf. The man’s body language was angry, realizing that Vessel wasn’t going to be as easy as he originally thought.

“I don’t care what you want! You’re too drunk to know you don’t want me! Bitches like you always want-“ The balding man cursed loudly at Vessel, the anger in his eyes shocking fear through Vessel’s system.

He didn’t get to touch Vessel for much longer as a looming figure with dyed red hair came up behind him. Vessel’s eyes widened as he curled his legs up to his chest, his attacker snarling with anger. “Fucking bitch, just give it to me!”

“He’s not giving you shit.” The red-haired man stated, stone cold.

His attacker whipped around so quickly that he stumbled a little. “Who the fuck are you!?”

The taller man tilted his head in anger as he grabbed Vessel’s attacker by the shirt collar. “No one.”

He didn’t allow the disgusting human being to speak more than an angry growl. The redhead was not playing around as his fist made contact with the attacker’s face, breaking his nose with a sickening crunch.

There was a deranged look in the taller’s eyes as he dragged the man towards the wall to bash his face against it repetitively. Though the attacker did get a few punches in, they did nothing more than cause him to smile with blood now pouring down his clearly broken nose.

All Vessel could do was sit in shock as he listened to the sound of flesh hitting flesh and pained screams. He sat up slowly as the sounds grew louder. For a moment, he feared the red-haired man was going to kill his attacker, maybe Vessel wanted that. Vessel sniffled and wiped his face as dry as he could, the tears and snot soaking into his hoodie sleeve.

“Who do you think you are, getting off on drunk people!” The redhead screamed before he was roughly shoved into the hallway.

Vessel flinched as he peaked around the corner to watch the violence unfold. He shuddered at the amount of blood covering both parties. It was akin to a blood bath, blood smeared on the walls and their clothes. Vessel couldn’t help but think it was beautiful.

But the sobering truth set in as security guards started rushing towards them; they were going to be kicked out. Vessel panicked and gathered all his strength to stand on still shaky legs. His nerves were high as the guards ripped the two men apart, got even higher as the next guard turned to focus on him.

“You! Out! I don’t care who started it! We’re ending it! All three of you out!” One of the larger guards yelled while roughly grabbing Vessel’s upper arm.

His breath hitched as he was escorted out of the back of the bar, being thrown out alongside the red-haired male with great force. He stumbled and let out an embarrassing whimper, his whole body aching after the treatment. Vessel’s savior, if he could be called that, wrapped his arm protectively around his shoulders as the attacker stumbled deeper into the alleyway. His pained groans and spitting fury could be heard. Serves him right.

A beat of awkward silence passed over Vessel and the other man. He quickly ripped himself away from the man and took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

“Fuckin hell..” Vessel mumbled while rubbing at his thighs to self-soothe, hands trembling.

The redhead chuckled and leaned against the wall with a soft smile. “You okay there?”

Vessel flinched and looked up, the height difference making itself evident as his blue eyes met the other’s. “Fuck, no… But thank you uh…”

“[Redacted], but you can call me III.”

III smiles softly as he offers his hand to Vessel. But once he sees how bloody his hand is he curses under his breath and quickly pulls it away. “Shit, sorry, I’m covered in that dick bag's blood.”

“And your own,” Vessel points out as a fat drop of blood drips onto III’s shirt.

He watches as III’s shaking hand wipes the blood away, the man’s soft hiss loud to Vessel’s ears.

“Shit, sorry, I just- Fuck, that hurts..” III pouts softly while wiping the blood onto his skinny jeans. Vessel’s eyes drift down to follow the movement. How the hell did he even fit in those?

“Uh… Do you live nearby..?” Vessel awkwardly asked and shuffled his feet out of nervousness. God, he needed better social skills.

III softly chuckled and shook his head, the red locks beautifully framing his face. Vessel came to the conclusion this man had to be a heartbreaker. “I’m way out, came here for a friend.”

The blonde wrapped his arms around himself and nodded; of course this would be the case. “I don’t live far, maybe a couple of blocks. I can take you there, patch you up..”

III hesitated for a second before nodding and allowing Vessel to lead the way. Vessel himself wasn’t sure why he did it, but he grabbed III’s hand and began pulling him towards his house. His gut feeling from before didn’t scream, so he had to be safe right?

###

His hands shook hard as he unlocked the door to his shitty small apartment. Once unlocked, Vessel dropped his keys onto the table by the door.

“I guess, go sit on the couch?” Vessel asked more than stated as he walked to the bathroom where he stored the first aid kit. Why is he allowing such a man in his house? His safe place? He isn’t so sure but he can’t seem to stop the pull he felt for the other.

“Jesus, you're nervous.” III joked as he plopped himself on the couch, stretching out and relaxing into the furniture.

Nearly tripping over his own feet, Vessel kneeled down to grab the kit from under the bathroom sink.Though he was mostly sobered up the adrenaline caused his body to shake and tremble.. He let out a shaky sigh while righting himself. Damn, adrenaline made it harder for him to stand without the fear of falling over.. His knees and ass ached from the rough treatment. Vessel was fucked, but he couldn’t back out of his promise of taking care of III.

Making his way back to the man, he dropped the small box on the coffee table in front of him. “Let me fix you up since you helped me..”

Vessel doesn't give the man a chance to protest before he steps between his legs to sit on the table. III watched with a slightly shocked expression, eyes curious and playful.

"So, you're gonna play nurse now?" He teased while leaning forward to give Vessel a better angle to his clearly swollen nose.

Vessel rolled his eyes and gathered a wet wipe to clean the blood away. He hesitated at first, nervous about getting close to the man in such a way. Would III hurt him if he did anything wrong?

III noticed the distant look on Vessel's face, the way Vessel worried his teeth over his bottom lip. He gently rested his hand on the scared man's thigh in a comforting manner. "Hey... You don't have to do this."

They stared at each other for a quiet moment, just taking in one another. Vessel's eyes traced over III's features, his mustache, the soft blue ocean that he calls eyes, and the crusty blood from his busted lip and nose. He was attractive in ways Vessel had never expected anyone to be.

Vessel chuckled and carefully moved to wipe away the dark blood. "It's okay... Just don't have liquid courage in me anymore."

The redhead hissed at the sting of the wipe before staring deeply into Vessel's eyes. He was lost in thought, lost in the concentrated expression of his little nurse.

In truth, III didn't think he would have stumbled across anyone like this, ever. He had just gone to the bar for a few drinks after a stressful day with his friend. But, something pulled him to follow Vessel as he was being dragged away by the other man. It had tugged deep in his chest, the urge to stand up for the other man.

III never did agree with situations like that, predatory men searching for drunken people to have their way with. It rubbed him wrong, it should rub everyone wrong. Yet no one but III had actually put in the effort to prevent anything from happening. Everyone had sat back and watched as Vessel stumbled while being dragged to the back. No one stood, no one moved. They had all just shot him pitying looks like they knew..

“I- I need to reset it..” Vessel mumbled softly after he finished clearing the blood.

“Yeah, go ahead, I’ll be fine, doll,” Vessel blushed at the nickname, the sweet red color reaching the tips of his ears. Beautiful was all that III could think, the man in front of him was beautiful.

III braced himself with his hands on Vessel’s knees, his little nurse’s shaky hands gently resting on his face. “Take a deep breath, and please don’t punch me..”

If III could have laughed, he would have, but the sickening feeling of Vessel forcing his nose back in place made him gasp. “Son of a bitch!”

His grip on Vessel tightened almost painfully as the blonde shot him a sympathetic look. ‘Sorry, just need to…”

Vessel’s apology did little to bandage over the fact he had to push again. But, oh, those soft blue eyes filled with worry did. They soothed the dull, throbbing pain and sent warmth into his stomach like no other.

“Damn... How did you- how do you know how to do this?” III relaxed once Vessel released his face.

The shorter man squirmed under the question, under III’s glaze. “My ex needed his nose fixed so... I had to learn...”

III doesn’t pull away, in fact, he gets closer under the guise of letting Vessel look at his handy work. “So, you got me fixed up then?”

Vessel hummed softly and tilted III’s head, inspecting the slight dip where the nose had been broken.. “I suppose. Might hurt to breathe for a bit, but you can handle that... Right?”

The redhead smiled softly, the cut on his lip stretching slightly as he did. “Yeah... I’m a big boy, pain for someone pretty like you is fine.”

The flirting caused Vessel to gasp slightly, his eyes flicking down to III’s lip out of instinct. Yet III continued while slipping his hand to the back of Vessel’s neck, gently playing with the hair there.

“Tell me if it’s too much…” III mumbled while smirking softly. The soft moan that Vessel let out encouraged him to continue.

“Your eyes… They’re beautiful. Can’t get enough of those pretty blues.” III chuckled softly as he brushed his lips against Vessel’s.

III’s slightly chapped lips, the scent of blood lingering on him, it all overwhelmed Vessel in the best way. So, he was the one to initiate the kiss. Vessel timidly pushed his much softer lips against III’s, whimpering softly and hoping what he had done was okay.

III was shocked the other kissed him first but he happily returned it. At first, it was awkward, the angle forcing them into a position that was edging on uncomfortable. It left much to be desired as neither of them were truly able to kiss the way they needed.

But as Vessel shakily reached for III’s shirt, something in III was tipped over the edge. He carefully drags Vessel into his lap, holding the other close to him.

Vessel whined softly, his whole body aching and shaking with nerves; fuck, III’s lips tasted good. They tasted faintly of beerand blood. The bitter iron taste became more apparent as III’s cut lip oozed against Vessel’s.

Yet III needed more, he tilted Vessel’s head back as the other shifted over his spread thighs. The change in angle caused Vessel to moan softly as III guided him through short, deep kisses.

The pathetic man in III’s lap squirmed as he felt his cock filling, hardening from the simple kisses. It was exhilarating to have a man he barely knew kiss him so passionately. He wanted to take him apart and have him whining just from small touches. The same man that had just nearly killed someone for him.

“Fuck, sugar, you taste so good..” III whispered softly before diving back into another kiss. The confession made Vessel’s head spin, his grip tightening on III’s shoulders to slowly grind himself on the other’s lap.

It was so much, almost too much yet not enough for Vessel. The hands on his thighs traveled to his ass as III grabbed a handful of the soft fat. At the same time, the redhead changed the pace of the kiss, having grown tired of their tongues just barely touching one another. III needed to taste inside of Vessel’s mouth, to feel their tongues rubbing against one another. He needed to know the soft sounds Vessel would make as he tongue fucked his mouth.

He growled softly as Vessel finally opened his mouth, allowing him to have what he truly wanted; the taste of the blonde’s mouth. It was bitter with the beer he had consumed yet faintly sweet after the first taste passed.

Neither of them seemed to be able to get enough of one another, their kiss turning into pure tongue and saliva Vessel’s whines got more frequent as his body vibrated with need.

It made III chuckle softly as he kissed Vessel's cheek, “You sound as beautiful as you look…”

Vessel twisted his fist in III’s black shirt, his voice soft and airy. “And you tease too much..”

III kisses down Vessel’s neck, nipping softly to tease even further. He bucks his own hips up, grinding his half-chub against Vessel’s ass. He groans softly at the slight friction, now groping Vessel’s assmore as he pulls Vessel to grind against him.

“Aah fuck..! O-oh god!” Vessel moaned at the bucking and grinding, but he craved more than just this; his hole ached to be filled like never before.

The thought of taking III’s cock as his first caused his own to twitch in his skinny jeans. Vessel had never touched anyone sexually, hell, this was his first make-out session since high school. Yet he was willing to hand III anything he could offer, and right now he was offering his virginity.

III shifted them, his hands running up Vessel’s sides to grip him tightly. In one swift movement, he flips them so Vessel’s back is on the couch. “You need it, don’t you? Need my prick?”

Vessel let out a soft gasp as he was manhandled for the first time. His body shuddered as he keened out for more. He quickly nodded, his blonde hair splayed out on the couch cushion. Almost instinctively Vessel dropped his thighs to spread wider to accommodate III between them. It made him feel dirty, but in the best way.

The man above him groans and quickly gets up, leaving Vessel confused and worried he did something wrong. "I'm not going to fuck you on your couch. Sorry, but if you haven't noticed, we're both tall."

III chuckles softly and offers a hand out to Vessel, which is quickly taken. He looks at the other, eyes traveling down to the prominent bulge in Vessel's pants. "Bedroom...?"

"O-Oh, yeah, this way..." Vessel mumbled while pulling III to his bedroom. Once they entered the room, it was cozy and clearly lived in by a depressed person. But III didn't pay any mind to it as he backed Vessel into the bed.

The shorter was confused and scared, but despite that, aroused and ready. When the back of his knees hit the bed, he sits down and slowly crawls to the top. Once he rests against the pillows, III kicks his shoes off and crawls between Vessel's legs with a predatory smirk. The look makes Vessel whimper softly, cock twitching slightly in his pants.

The redhead carefully takes Vessel's shoes and socks off, his eyes never leaving Vessel's as he tosses them to the floor. His intense gaze caused Vessel to shiver and his blush that had faded to quickly return. "You don't have to look at me like that..."

The awkward man mumbled softly as III ran his hands up and down his thighs, squeezing them gently to drag a soft moan from him. Vessel tried to shrink away, tried to bury himself further into the pillows. Fuck, he was nervous enough that his hard-on softened slightly.

He wasn't sure if III noticed or not, but it didn't seem to stop him from leaning down to catch his lips in another heated kiss. Kissing was something he could do even though he was clumsily trying to match III's movements. Once he was able to, he couldn't help the soft needy whines escaping his mouth.

III's hands pushed up to the button on Vessel's pants and he groaned against the other's lips as he unbuttoned them and found Vessel wasn't wearing any underwear.

"Fuck... No underwear?" III whispered softly as he reached into Vessel's pants, cupping his leaking cock in his large hand.

Vessel arched into III's hand, shook his head and covered his face out of embarrassment. "Hate boxers..."

III groans softly and squeezes Vessel's cock gently before pulling his hands out of his pants. His eyes are full of lust and want as he carefully removes Vessel's pants, dragging the denim down his legs and purposely giving the shy man goosebumps.

It pulls a soft whine from Vessel and he closes his legs once his pants are removed. III brushes it off and carefully pulls Vessel's arms away from his face. The soft smile makes Vessel's heart flutter softly, the other man comforting him so easily.

"Here... Let me take your shirt off and then you can take mine off, deal?" III said softly while pulling the hem of Vessel's shirt over his head.

With his shirt off Vessel sits there quietly, chest flushed and softly rising with his deep inhales. His blue eyes are wide as he looks up at the man between his legs. This is the furthest he's ever been with anyone and fuck, did it make him needy.

III gestures to his shirt with a raised eyebrow, "Do you still wanna..."

Vessel sits up slowly, his hands shaking when he grabs III's shirt. He bites his lip as his hand makes contact with III's hot skin, "Jesus..."

"What..?" III questions as he leans down to help Vessel take his shirt off. He was confident in his body, the thick trail of brown curls leading to his cock, the soft plush that covered his muscles. His body oozed sex appeal that the blonde wanted nothing more than to drink in, so he did.

Vessel shuddered as he ran his hands over III's chest, just taking the redhead in. "You look good..."

That earned a chuckle from III as he pushed Vessel's hand to unbutton his pants. "Thanks beautiful, but I can't compare to you… So fucking sexy."

The teasing caused Vessel to stutter, to struggle with the button of III's jeans, a soft whimper escaping the virgin as he got more desperate. His cock kicked at the thought of getting to feel III more than just over his pants. Noticing his struggle, III took it upon himself to undo his own pants.

He carefully pushed his pants and underwear down and with a little effort, III was naked just as Vessel was. They sat in each others' presence for a moment; III's cock standing heavy between his legs, twitching slightly as Vessel moves to lay down.

Watching Vessel lay down for him snapped III out of the trance he was in, his eyes darting to the bedside table. "Lube in there?" He asked while reaching for it. He barely even had to get Vessel's answer before he found the mostly full bottle.

III wanted to make a comment about how full the bottle was but decided against it, focusing instead on the soft whine Vessel let out. He had to bite his lip as Vessel slowly spread his legs, his cock flushed red with need.

"Hurry up..." Vessel whined softly; he couldn't help but reach for his prick to slowly stroke it. He teased himself to stay hard, the nerves slowly weaning as III touched him.

"I need to prep you, Jesus... Needy bottom." III joked while squirting some lube onto three fingers.

Vessel's heart rate picked up as he watched the man above him warm the gel that was going to go into him soon. He sucked in a deep breath and looked longingly into III's eyes.

"Only for you..." The blonde sighed softly when he felt the gentle touch of III's calloused finger against his rim.

His words earned a groan from deep within III's chest, his cock drooling at the thought. "Yeah? Not gonna let anyone else fuck you like this?" III spoke as he slowly slipped a single finger inside of Vessel.

The slight stretch wasn't uncomfortable but it still drew a gasp and Vessel shook softly. It felt weird till III slowly crooked his finger repetitively to stretch his walls.

"Sh-shit... Feels so good." Vessel mumbled and gripped the sheets under him, his hips slowly grinding down to feel more of the finger.

"Needy thing, so fucking cute." III laughed and he replaced Vessel's hand on his cock with his own, adding in the second finger.

That stretch made Vessel's eyebrows knit together for a moment; it burned yet it was enjoyable all the same. "Can't help it, need it so fucking bad."

III shifted his fingers, pushing them upwards while slowly stroking Vessel's cock. His breathing hitched as Vessel let out a loud, pleasured moan. He couldn't take his eyes away from the sight of Vessel's slightly open mouth, panting and squirming because of him.

"One more finger and then you can have my cock, yeah?" III tried to reason with Vessel, carefully pushing the third and final finger into Vessel's gently stretched hole.

"Please! Fucking hurry!" Vessel whined and panted. The soft moans and squirming brought a smile to III's face when he realized why Vessel was reacting so beautifully.

He pushed his fingers against the soft spot again, targeting it while cooing softly. "Is that your bitch button? Your sweet little prostate getting milked?"

Vessel arched his back, a silent scream ripping through him as his body quivered in pleasure. "III! Stop- Stop- I'mma cum!"

"Perfect..." III mumbled and continued to focus on Vessel's prostate, his hand now covered in the other's precum. Just as Vessel's cock kicks, ready to cum, III grips the base roughly, preventing him from cumming.

"Wait, no, please.. please, wanna cum so bad!" Vessel whimpered, squirming and grinding down against III's long fingers.

"No baby, not yet. I want you to cum on my cock..." III stated while slowly pulling his fingers out of Vessel's stretched rim.

The punched out whine Vessel let out nearly broke III’s heart. His flushed face, glossy eyes, and leaking cock drew III in even harder. If it were possible, he would love to ruin this man for anyone else.

Quickly, III grabbed the lube once more and squirted a generous amount onto his cock. The cold liquid made him shudder but it quickly warmed up when he started to stroke himself to spread it.

"Fffucckkk!" Vessel whines at the lewd image before him, aching for the cock that was about to go inside him to ruin his hole..

III’s soft chuckle and shifting as he lined himself up with Vessel's hole alarms him and he began to quiver. The anticipation was worth it as III looked into his blue eyes with a smirk.

"You ready..?" The redhead asked while rubbing the tip of his cock over Vessel's well-lubed hole.

Vessel whined nervously and looked away as reality hit him; he was about to have sex with some random guy he met at a bar... The same man who saved him from an attacker.

III took Vessel's little whine as a yes and slowly penetrated his virgin hole. They both gasped out in pleasure as the thick head of III's cock popped inside.

"Holy shit, you're tight..!" III groaned loudly while gripping at Vessel's thighs to keep them spread open.

Instinctually, Vessel clenched down around the cock inside of him, hot flashes of pleasure and pain washing over him. His own forgotten cock drooled thick globs of pre.

III grunted and wrapped his hand around Vessel's cock to hopefully relax him so he could push in further. "Breathe baby... Gotta relax to take it. Don't you wanna take it like a good boy?"

It was a struggle to breathe through the pain, but III's assuring dirty talk and the grip on his cock helped. He was able to take a deep breath and willing himself to loosen his hole.

"There you go... Fucking yeah, that's it." III moaned in sync with Vessel as he pushed deeper.

The lube made a wet squishing noise as III finally bottomed out inside of him. Vessel moaned loudly and his back arched. He had never felt so full in his life, III's cock taking up every inch of space inside him that he never even thought could be filled.

"O-oh my god.. Oh fuck, oh fuck..!" Vessel keened as III carefully rolled his hips to begin thrusting.

Vessel drooled and squirmed as III laughed quietly at his pleasure. "Acting like you've never been fucked this good before; like having cock in your arse,love?"

III never got an answer because Vessel reached for him, making grabby hands at him so he'd lean down. The blonde's eyelashes were wet with tears of pleasure as he whined for III to kiss him.

The taller can't help but take Vessel's lips with his own, the kiss sloppy with spit as they moan into one another's mouth.

"F-Ah! Faster!" Vessel practically screamed when he pulled away from the kiss to throw his head back.

And faster III went, deciding against restraint and snapping his hips faster into Vessel's pretty hole. He could feel it sucking him in, clenching and begging for him to ruin it.

III growled in pleasure while grabbing Vessel's legs to push them over his shoulders. He leaned down, forcing out a scream from Vessel as he was folded in half. "God, I could get used to this tight cunt."

All Vessel could do was reach between them and just barely stroke his cock while being forced to take the rough thrusts.

"Take it! A-ah! It's yours!" Vessel moaned out as III shifted his hips perfectly to hit his prostate.

III took what was his by pounding his thick cock into Vessel over and over again. Their moans of pleasure filled the room as they got closer to their orgasms.

Vessel’s cock was sensitive and throbbing with the need to cum, thick tears running down his face. He was sobbing with pleasure as his prostate was targeted by III’s girth.

But the taller man just kept thrusting, ruining and gaping Vessel’s hole to make room for himself.

“Pretty boy gonna cum for me? Cum on my cock?” III groaned as Vessel clenched around him, “Fuck, please- Would feel so good having you milk me!”

Vessel shook his head as he sobbed, sensitive prick jumping as his orgasm took him by surprise, untouched.

“F-fucckkk!!” He keened loudly, cum quite literally being fucked out of him as III’s hips stuttered against his.

The redhead gasped as Vessel’s hole fluttered around him, clenching and twitching to take him in. The tight, wet hole forced III to grit his teeth in an attempt to stave off his orgasm.

Unfortunately for him and fortunately for Vessel, III was unable to hold back his orgasm with Vessel whispering filth in such a watery tone.

“Gimme your cum, please, please, oh shit, oh shit..!” Vessel sobbed as III groaned with one final rough snap of his hips.

The shock of Vessel’s unexpected orgasm causes III to tense up, his groan slowly turning into a loud moan as his brows knitted together in confusion. "Jesus fuck... Did you just-"

III bit back a soft whimper as he continued to fuck himself gently through his orgasm, cock kicking and spilling thick ropes of seed into Vessel. He kept the angle of his hips the same so he could focus on hitting Vessel's prostate, causing the smaller man to cry out from overstimulation.

"Oh! Goddamnit! Pleasepleaseplease!" Vessel sobbed out while gently pushing at III to try to get him to stop. His prick was weeping, drooling and still coming as III fucked him.

The redhead's abdomen tensed as his hips weakly stuttered from the clenching, quivering wet mess that was Vessel's hole. They both whimpered as III's cock gave its final desperate kick, yet neither of them moved. The soft sounds of their heavy breathing filled the room before III broke the soft atmosphere with a laugh of disbelief.

"You came fucking hands-free." He teased while rubbing his thumb gently over Vessel's softening cock.

The poor man tensed up, whining as he tried to push III away with a soft, pathetic glare. It worked and the cocky man inside of him pulled his hand away. Vessel let out a sigh of relief as exhaustion began to set deep within his bones.

"Fuck, that was so good..." The blonde mumbled as he threw his arm over his face.

III just mumbled an agreement and pulled out of Vessel's well-gaped hole. They both hissed softly as they separated, III’s cum slowly oozing out as Vessel’s hole tried to clench up.

Vessel had expected III to get up, clean himself up and then leave when he felt the man move from the bed. Yet he was pleasantly surprised to feel the other’s weight settle back on the bed.

“What are you-“ Vessel tried to speak but he cut himself off with a sharp gasp; III had gotten a fresh, clean rag to gently clean up the mess of cum oozing out of his abused hole.

The man hummed softly, eyes still focused on cleaning Vessel. “Cleaning you up, duh. Jesus, relax.”

III had stayed to clean him up? It puzzled Vessel but he decided to just accept it for what it was. The exhaustion was too much to handle anyways, leaving his mind full of questions as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

“Cute…” III spoke softly after tossing the rag to the side and laying beside Vessel.

He wrapped his arms around the smaller man, pulling him closer to his chest while looking at him. “Yeah, I think Imma- imma keep you..”

#sleep token #sleep token iii #sleep token vessel #headcanon #sleep token band #sleep token headcanons #imagine #sleep token iii x vessel #sleep token fanfiction #sleep token fandom #cross posted on ao3 #sleep token smut

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fivewholeminutes · 11 months ago

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Alright, lovely people, gather around and take 10 deep breaths. The main-insta-acc-deleted-its-post situation does not need to mean the end. I am not saying that it's definitely going to be okay, no. We have to see how the situation is going to develop, but so far, don't panic.

This could be their way of showing that they are displeased/disappointed/maybe even angry at what has transpired recently. As they should. ii and iv's accounts and posts are still up. Deleting posts from main could also be a way to protect iii. And tbh? Deleting everything and reminding us all about "nothing lasts forever" is a perfect way of communicating how they feel about this situation in a true sleep token fashion.

I believe that if the situation should become more dire, they would put up some sort of announcement. As they did with people pretending to be them. (Btw, their saved stories, including this one, are still up.)

Whatever they decide; to just go silent for a while, after the recent shit gets sorted out legally; iii leaving; the whole project coming to an end; the account (and the band, ofc) continuing as if nothing happened; anything - i would support their decision. Because it would be their decision and what they believe is the best for them. But it's too early for panic and assumptions. For now, let's just watch how it evolves and continue to support them in an appropriate manner.

No matter what, we will still have their music and the amazing community we created thanks to them. If they decide to disband, we will be sad, we will be really fucking sad, but it won't be the end of the world, folks!! It might be me being overly realistic or just too old for much drama, but trust me. It will be alright.

Besides, mcr dismembered and look where we are now. Just a side note, y'know.

#sleep token

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stonedstargazer666 · 7 months ago

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More stoned head cannons

So I am stoned once again, and was talking to @ghostlygothicgay Hi BBY ily! And they just gave me "Thinking about date nights with the Sleep Token fellas." and my mind zoned out. So this is literally copied and pasted from the chat lol.

So all of them: Constantly touching your arm, holding your hand. Listening to you talk. and nerd out. Definitely brings you your favorite flowers and chocolates or whatever sweet you like. They Rizz you tf up if you wear a new outfit or style your hair differently for said date. Now here's where they differ Vessel: Little day dates. cafes, mall dates. But on the really special ones he loves to sit slightly off center from you if you're sitting across from him. He likes the way the light bounces off your eyes at certain angles, especially if you're wearing glitter or sum. Reaches over the table to brush hair outta your face, even if you don't have hair in your face. He just thinks that you feel so soft, and he likes it. If given the choice he would rather stay in, have you away from prying eyes. Who needs to go out when he has the greatest meal sitting next to him? II: Goes all out on the date. Table reserved at your favorite restaurant. New outfit laid out on your bed, some new accessories as well. He makes sure you feel so sexy and just like eye candy. He loves showing that your his, arm around your waist, hand resting against the small of your back. If youre sitting across from him, expect constant puppy eyes filled with adoration. If he's sitting next to you, II will pull your legs into his lap. One hand on your thigh squeezing lightly, other hand propping his head up as you talk, or just tracing lazy shapes into your calf. Slowly making plans for later after you two get home. He definitely needs to save room for dessert. III: Now III LOVES showing you off. Makes a spectacle of it really. Will rent a limo, with the works. He is always getting you new outfits and like to match with you in some way. Always. He even takes you on a tattoo date to get matching tattoos. that's way you always match no matter what. HE loves playing footsie under the table, sometimes nudging a foot between your legs just to apply a little pressure before moving away just before the waitress comes. III will drag the date night out, just to tease you. The dinner at the restaurant? oh love, that's only the appetizer. IV: Now IV rolls differently I think. He's more of a late night run to a book store type of guy. He'll still make it a slight deal, wanting you get get a lil dolled up. But nothing extravagant. He purrs when you wear a certain neck accessory. He loves it when it gives you confidence. He loves watching you browse through books, carefully choosing the ones you want. Of course he helps you carry them, making mental notes of books you stare longing at, what books are in a series, etc. It doesn't matter what you're doing, if he stares for too long. His usual calm, relaxed demeanor starts shifting to dominate and possessive. Especially if someone else looks at you the way he does. He immediately moves closer to you, wrapping his hand around the back of your neck. Leading you to the register, promising to bring you back. Right now, he needs to get his little bookworm home and lay his claim.

#stoned Head cannon time #stoned Rae #sleep token #sleep token fanfiction #sleep token headcanons #sleep token vessel #sleep token iv #sleep token iii #sleep token ii #sleep token x you

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chaos-and-recover · 11 months ago

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Hey, c'mere a minute. Listen to me. I know it's been a bit of a day what with the Sleep Token Instagram being wiped clean in the midst of all the doxxing bullshit going on, but I think we're maybe getting a little hysterical. There is so, so much evidence that wiping the Instagram is part of a calculated move to launch a new era, and not a signal that they're walking away. Let's lay it out.

II, III and IV revealed new looks at the Wembley show; Vessel didn't

They posted a link to Ascensionism on YouTube today, and while people are drawing a line between the doxxing and "you make me wish I could disappear" I would like to instead draw your attention to the line "You're gonna watch me ascend"

Sundowning, This Place Will Become Your Tomb and Take Me Back To Eden tell a story. They're a trilogy. The end of Euclid calls back to The Night Does Not Belong to God. It's full circle, end-of-an-era stuff. But if the end of the era was the band itself it would be absolute nonsense to put all that work into designing new aesthetics for 3/4 of the band for ONE SHOW.

The website is still up and the Twitter is still active. It's only Instagram that got cleared out, and even then the saved story highlights are all still there

As has certainly been pointed out by others this is not uncommon. Paramore has done this at leas twice. I feel like Hayley does it semi-regularly on her own account, as well as periodically just leaving social media in general. All members of AFI and their official account changed their profile images to just black ahead of the release of their 2017 album. It's a Thing.

Tour dates!! They still have tour dates. They're going to Australia with Bring Me The Horizon in April (Australia I am SEETHING WITH JEALOUSY). They have Radio City Music Hall, Red Rocks and Sonic Temple

This Tweet:

This now-deleted post from a radio station in Iowa:

This also-removed listing on Ticketmaster (screenshot taken today, Jan 16, 2024:

(The removal of these two items is NOT an indication that they've been cancelled but rather an indication that someone posted them too early)

Yeah, the doxxing sucks. It's got to be stressful for them. But there's also been radio silence from the band and their camp on it and I think that's absolutely the right call -- there are potential legal consequences and it very well could be something lawyers are dealing with. Remember that this is the music BUSINESS and they are not defenseless little meow meows in this. A line has been crossed, boundaries violated, that sucks, that's unforgivable, but I genuinely don't believe we're gonna see the end of the band over it. I mean they are WAY too committed to the bit to let this slow them down.

I think instead we are going to get a tour announcement, and I think we're going to get it as early as this week. Maybe early next week.

We might even get new music or a new reveal from Vessel between now and the Australia dates.

Now let my depressed ass go back to crying to Atlantic on repeat and let's all calm down.

#sleep token #i'm here for you bbs #but i truly think it's gonna be ok #i genuinely think this is a 'don't feed the trolls' situation #don't engage with anyone sharing the leaks #don't acknowledge the leaks at all #let the leakers see we genuinely do not care what their real identities are #and they'll have no power; the information they stole will be worthless

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politemagic · 7 months ago

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The Haunting of Sleep Manor: Chapter II

It seems that there are more secrets behind every door at Langley Manor, and they're calling to Vessel.

Chapter I

2k words | ao3

a/n: this chapter is a little bit more expository/world building, I'm planning to sprinkle in a little bit of my own personal spin on the sleep token lore, but worry not there will be plenty of ghostly antics as well. I'm ready for you to meet the ghosts of the manor in the next chapter!

“I swear I fucking heard something in there!” III’s voice carried down from the third floor. The sound guided Vessel and IV up the stairs, Vessel trying to shake off the encounter he’d just had in the kitchen.

“Sure you did,” Vessel could just barely make out II’s exasperated voice.

“Something was moving in there, II!” III reiterated, more forcefully this time.

As Vessel and IV reached the top of the second flight of stairs, they saw the two walking down the hallway towards them, III gesturing wildly with his arms towards a door at the end of the hall.

“What are you on about now?” IV called out to III.

“There’s something bloody moving behind that door, but II doesn’t believe me.” III replied, stopping in his tracks as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at II.

“What kind of movement are we talking about?” IV questioned as he and Vessel came to stand in front of them.

“What kind of move-” III groaned. “What kind of movement? The fact that there’s something moving behind a locked door in our new, vacant house isn’t concerning enough for you?”

“Could be rats.” Vessel suggested with a shrug.

“It’s been a while since anyone lived here, it’s not entirely impossible for something to have moved in upstairs.” II agreed.

“I’ve heard rats before, and that most certainly was not a rat.” III argued, looking to IV for backup.

“Well, what did it sound like?” IV asked.

“It was more… shuffling.” III explained, demonstrating the sound by dragging his feet in quick steps across the hardwood floor. “Like someone was bored.”

“Well I’d imagine they’re bored out of their mind, locked up in an attic.” IV replied, his smile evident in his voice. III let out another exasperated groan, but the conversation suddenly felt distant as a strange melody flooded Vessel’s eardrums.

It wasn’t particularly loud, barely more than a whisper, yet it drowned out every other sound, as if his head was underwater. He felt like the sound was beckoning him to the door at the end of the hallway, a siren song squeezing its way through the keyhole. His feet moved with a mind of their own, silently padding down to the end of the hall towards the source of the mysterious humming. Before he knew it, his hand was reaching out to grasp the doorknob, the cold brass a stark contrast to his warm flesh. He thought about grabbing the keyring from his pocket, but something deep inside of him told him the door would open without a key. He twisted the knob, and the door opened soundlessly, no hint of the creaking he’d anticipated from such an old house. Behind the door were the stairs leading to the fourth floor: what used to be the servant’s quarters. Vessel faintly heard II’s voice from behind him, cutting through the incessant humming.

“Vessel?” The concern was evident even in his garbled voice. When Vessel turned to tell the others that he’d opened the door, he was stunned to see himself still standing at the other end of the hall.

He stumbled backwards, through the threshold of the previously locked door, falling backwards onto the steps. Once he crossed the threshold, he watched as his other body collapsed, saved only by III’s quick reflexes. He could almost feel the sensation of III’s arms supporting him, but their frantic voices began to fade away. The humming began to grow louder, then the door slammed shut, and he was left in complete darkness.

Breathing heavily, Vessel pushed himself off the stairs, rushing forward to grasp at the doorknob again, but where he should have found cool brass, he found only smooth wood. His breathing became labored, anxiety flooding through his veins as he turned back to the dark staircase before him. The humming became clearer, the sounds morphing into words, though they sounded like a language forgotten by time.

He knew it must be his mind playing tricks on him, the exhaustion must be making him delirious. He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut, hoping to refocus his mind. When he opened them again, he expected to be standing at the end of the hall, looking at his friends. But instead, he was greeted by a faint, flickering light shining from the top of the stairs. Cautiously, he planted his foot on the first step and began to climb. As he ran his hand over the bannister, his palms became coated in a grimy layer of dust.

When he reached the top of the stairs, Vessel found himself in a small bedroom. The room was sparsely furnished, holding only an empty metal bed frame and a small nightstand pushed into the far corner with a wooden bureau directly to Vessel’s right by the doorway. The ceiling sloped at such an angle that he would have to double over in order to look out the small circular window overlooking the front of the manor house. The glass pane was covered in a tattered piece of burlap fabric pinned to the wall, letting only a smidgeon of sunlight filter through. Everything was coated in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs, save for the bureau, which sat in pristine condition, with a small oil lamp in the center emitting the faint glow he saw from the bottom of the stairs. Arranged in a neat circle around the lamp were various photographs. But as he took a tentative step closer to investigate, the singing became so loud Vessel could feel it reverberating in his bones. He pressed his hands over his ears, whipping his head around to search for the source of the sound. His eyes caught the movement of a shadow in the corner opposite of the bed frame, and he squinted through the slits in his mask to try and get a better look.

Slowly, the shadow crept out of the corner, a roiling mass of total darkness, Vessel’s eyes were unable to make out any discernible figure through the black. The dark mass stopped a few feet in front of Vessel, and the room fell into total silence. A tendril of shadow reached out to Vessel, barely a tickle against the exposed skin of his jaw, yet it left a sensation colder than any he’d ever felt. The tendril wrapped itself around his wrist, his hand going numb from the cold, and once again Vessel found his feet moving separately from his own will as it tugged him closer. He stood inches from the mass of shadow, goosebumps pebbling his skin from the cold air. It felt as if the shadow was observing him, as if he was a specimen under a microscope. He sucked in deep, painful breaths, the air slicing his lungs as he inhaled.

Then, the shadow began to speak once again in that ancient language he’d heard in the mysterious melody. As if it could sense his confusion, the tendril grasping his wrist released him and plunged itself into the center of Vessel’s forehead, penetrating through the material of his mask. He swore he could feel his blood vessels crystalizing from the chill of the shadow caressing his brain. The shadow began to speak again, though this time the words echoed against his skull.

“You have finally arrived, my Vessel.” Vessel’s breath caught at the words.

“Sleep?” He whispered, his voice wavering from the shivers racking his body.

“You are home, my Vessel. You are safe.” The voice was gentle, it was completely different from the voice of Sleep he had been hearing in his dreams for years, it wasn’t as distant this time. He wasn’t delirious after all. No, Sleep was calling him home. Tears began to leak from his eyes, freezing against his cheek.

“Sleep.” He whimpered, feeling as if he would collapse to his knees in relief.

“I will come to you when you are ready.” The shadow, Sleep, whispered. Then, it was gone, the frigid cold retreated from his body, replaced with a comforting warmth.

Vessel fell to his knees, tears of joy falling freely from his eyes as he stared at the floor where Sleep had just appeared.

He had done it. He had brought Sleep’s vessels home.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself laying on their dinky old couch that had been moved into the living room. The light from the full moon filtered in through the open windows, allowing him to barely make out the forms of III and IV asleep on a makeshift bed of blankets and pillows on the floor beside him. He examined his right hand, the one Sleep had grabbed, finding the traces of grime from the bannister still visible. He blinked harshly, but when he looked again, his palms were still coated in the evidence of his encounter with Sleep.

He sat up, carefully placing his feet on the floor to lift himself up when a glass of water suddenly appeared in front of his face, causing him to jump back. He lifted his gaze to meet the deep blue of II’s worried eyes as he pressed the water into Vessel’s left hand. He accepted it graciously before gulping down the contents of the glass in desperation, the cold water soothing his throat, which he realized was utterly raw.

“How are you feeling?” II whispered, perching on the arm of the couch to look at him.

“Just out of sorts, really.” Vessel sighed. He attempted to subtly wipe the dust from his palms onto his pants, and II paid the action no mind.

“You scared the shit out of us, mate. What the hell happened? IV said you’d been acting weird before as well.” II said, glancing down at the two sleeping by their feet. Vessel took a deep breath. He knew better than to lie to II, he always managed to see right through it.

“I’ve been… Seeing things.” Vessel answered simply.

“He’s been giving you visions?” II asked and Vessel shook his head, furrowing his brow. Vessel was still trying to make sense of what had happened in the hallway.

“This was different. He’s never come to me outside of my dreams before, but it was almost like He’d induced the dream Himself. He led me to the fourth floor, where he spoke to me, touched me.” Vessel explained, and II’s eyes widened.

“Do… Do you think He’s here?”

“It would make sense why He’s been trying to lead me here, wouldn’t it?” II nodded in agreement.

“What did he say?”

“He said that I was home, that I was safe.” He answered and suddenly he felt that icy cold encasing his hand once more. “There’s more, but I’d like to tell all of you together. Besides, you should get some rest.” He looked down at III and IV before looking back at II.

“Okay…” II trailed off, looking at him hesitantly.

“I promise, it can wait til morning. You didn’t need to stay up to keep an eye on me, anyway.” Vessel said, putting a reassuring hand on II’s shoulder.

“I told you that you scared the shit out of us, right?”

“Get some rest. I promise, I’ll be okay for the night,” Vessel squeezed his shoulder before scooting over to the other side of the couch, patting the cushion for II to take. “I promise I’ll wake you if I need you.”

At that, II relented and laid down on the couch, resting his head against the throw pillow and letting his eyes fall shut, drifting off to sleep almost immediately. Vessel sat awake for hours, his ears listening for any sounds in the house to signify the presence of either the ghosts or Sleep as he watched over the sleeping forms of the other vessels. His mind wouldn’t settle, too many thoughts were racing around his mind. Between the ghosts and the encounter with Sleep, he knew had a lot to explain in the morning.

as always, any comments/feedback are greatly treasured and appreciated <3 taglist: @bucchiarati

#if anyone else would like to be tagged in updates please just let me know!#i didn't expect these chapters to be so long but the words have been wording! i hope you guys are enjoying this story so far 🖤#sleep token #sleep token fanfiction #sleep token vessel #sleep token ii #sleep token iii #sleep token iv #the haunting of sleep manor #em's stcu

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titlemewickedwonderland · 1 year ago

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Fan Service (Sleep Token oneshot)

Summary: Elena had been a fan of a lot of bands over the years. Her favorite had been Ghost and Sleep Token since she'd discovered them over a year ago; unfortunately, though she never had the opportunity to meet the band or go see them live before. What she didn't expect was for Sleep Token to have a show playing live just a few hours away from her city! Jumping at the chance to see them finally live she never expected how her night would turn out!

Pairings: Platonic!Vessel x OC, Plantonic!iii x OC

*Please note that I am aware Sleep Token does not interact with fans like this at concerts! One could only dream; this is just a silly little oneshot for you guys! I have not seen them live either and I know the interactions may seem oc considering what kind of band they are and their lore. Bear with me, it's just imagination just like all the other fanfics of bands out there! Hope you enjoy. This is not to portray their actual personalities or interactions! SIMPLY FANFICTION! Please don't come at me....I DO respect the band and their privacy to keep their personal lives and personalities out of media; I love them dearly and mean no disrespect to them as people or as a band. This is just something silly I thought up; experimenting, if you will...If you haven't seen them or listened to them; boy honey you're missing out!

My Workshop

She was jittery. Bouncing on the toes of her black hightops as she waited in line. The ticket clutched tightly in her hands as she scanned the rest of the crowd that lined up to the venue to get in. The excitement and anticipation for tonight's show were palpable on her tongue as she took a calming breath to stop the scatter of butterflies in her stomach from exploding from her body and out of her mouth. There were so many people here and although Elena was not fond of large crowds like this, she knew she'd regret it immensely if she didn't come tonight. The very idea that she could have, even by her own volition, missed out when her favorite band was so close to her performing made a knot form in her stomach; not helping her out at all with the nervous energy her body carried.

She'd been in love with the music this band created since she first found them out a little over a year ago. Sleep Token had bumped her love for this kind of music higher on her list - making her more obsessed with the addictive blend until she'd played playlist after playlist on endless loops through her speakers at her small apartment. And tonight, she drove a few hours from her hometown just to see them.

When her turn came at the line she handed over her ticket to get punched before being allowed entry. Her green eyes widened at the scene around her. Countless booths lined up with canopies advertising merch sales for everything under the sun. From T-shirts to sweatshirts, wristbands with the band's logos, to copies of their latest albums on CDs and so much more. The girl found herself standing near the barrier of other fans who were browsing the tables; staring down at the items displayed for purchase and bit her lip. It wasn't as if she didn't have the money; she'd saved up months from her job at the music store she worked at just for this chance to get a souvenir from the band she loved the most.

But despite her eagerness to snatch something up like a sweatshirt she refrained with all her willpower; she wasn't going to blow her whole paycheck until she'd seen everything there was to see. A slight breeze blew through the open venue causing her to shiver a bit and glance back at the stall showcasing the black zip-up sweaters only partly regretting not buying one since she didn't expect the weather to get cold tonight. She was dressed in a pretty dress. Black with white dragons all over it and the collar was high - like a turtleneck without the extra fabric and it hugged her body perfectly while a pair of hightop black shoes cased her feet for comfort. Her long brown hair was hanging down her back unhinged by the tie that was wrapped around her slender wrist. It wasn't like she was trying to dress to impress. She certainly didn't seem like she fit into this sort of environment while others dressed more for comfort or wearing varies of bandwear. But she'd just bought this dress and figured today would have been the best to wear it; even if it didn't go lower then the middle of her thighs. She got cold easily and she was beginning to regret not bringing a jacket to wear.

She'd followed the crowd towards the large open field where a large stage was constructed for the band to play and she weaseled herself to the front with ease; being so small at only 5'2" kind of helped. She wouldn't have been able to see Sleep Token on stage any other way not that she needed to - their music spoke more than the show they put on but man did she really want to see Vessel doing his adorable dances as he unhinged from the world and allowed the music to guide his body. She'd seen videos of other fan's uploads of his hopping and jumping on stage as he danced and she really wanted to see it live. So she took position at the iron railings that bracketed the fans from the stage at a safe distance and watched as tech people got the stage ready.

The sun was already low in the sky, the show going to start very soon - it was better experienced at night with all the light affects and strobe lights. Simply watching the way the tech people worked on stage made her heart race a bit as she knew in just minutes the show would begin and she would be right there at the front watching.

More people gathered behind her and Elena rested her arms against the railings as she watched; purposefully ignoring the fans behind her and on either side as they wanted to get the front row as well. If she dared to look behind her at all the people she would probably freak; she hated being at the front of any line let alone in the middle of a crowd so she didn't. Simply watched with anticipation and bated breath as the techs left and the lights began to come on. The show was beginning.

It was magnetic. It was addicting. It was like a shot of adrenaline through her system. Vessel's voice was like dark silk as he sang his lyrics and she was practically in a trance as she watched him perform. A big smile crept onto her face as she watched; her heart aching so much with adoration as she watched him get lost to the music; watched as he interacted with the fans through his signature hand movements and fruitiness with iii on stage. She loved it all and knew if she were to die right now she'd die with a blissful smile on her face. The crowd behind her was just as enthralled by him. Jumping up and down, dancing, and swinging around like crazy people behind her as they got lost in the music.

But then Elena felt her body slam forward into the railings in front of her when a fan not paying attention to his surroundings practically decked her in the back with his wild arms making her lurch forward aggressively against the metal. Her arms seared with pain as they jammed against the harsh cold railing causing her to hiss in pain; she would surely bruise come morning. And then just as suddenly a strong arm grabbed her arms and she looked up startled as security was quick to lift her tiny frame over the barrier and away from the danger. She yelped in surprise and clung to the man's shoulders as he carried her away from the railing and to a chair at the side of the stage causing her heart rate to spike when she realized where she was.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" the man asked scanning her over as she clutched her arm.

Elena laughed nervously and began nodding. "I am! I just hurt my arm a little bit on the railing there's no need for-" she began to protest feeling so very wrong for being on the other side of the barrier; feeling like a child that isn't supposed to be somewhere but before she could get the sentence out a figure jumped off of the stage as the music began to change into its melodic melodies instead of lyrics. Her gaze lifted up to find one of the guitarists coming her way still holding his instrument to the side of his body as he made his way over.

At first, Elena expected to be yelled at or told she needed to get back to the crowd but instead, her eyes widened when they met the familiar blue of iii's eyes as he came to stand beside her. One large hand rested on her shoulder as he did so.

"Everything okay here?" his voice was a little rough around the edges; probably from screaming out to the crowd to hype them up some more but there was no anger in his voice from what she could tell. She cleared her throat and shook her head a little as she pointed to her ear as if to tell him she couldn't hear him very well; which honestly wasn't a lie, being this close to the stage the music was a lot louder than in the crowd.

The bassist's black mask with the familiar Sleep Token symbol shifted as if he was smiling beneath his mask before he was bending down to speak in her ear; his larger frame tall and imposing seemingly less intimidating this way.

"Are you okay honey?" he asked near her ear allowing her to hear him better.

Elena blushed slightly at the proximity and nodded slightly as she laughed nervously. "I'm okay, it's just a misunderstanding really-" she began but the guard cut her off.

"Another fan behind her was being a little rough and she got injured on the barriers."

iii's eyes softened in concern as he looked her over and Elena quickly waved her hands in front of her. "It's okay really. I'm not bleeding or anything, just gonna bruise. It's not that big of a deal really. I appreciate the concern but I mean it is a concert; something was bound to happen." she tried to protest.

iii was already grabbing at her slender arm and examining the redness of where her skin had been hit against the railings minutes earlier and his head tilted a bit.

"Damn. I'm sorry sweetheart. We want our fans to have fun but not to hurt each other even by accident." he said and Elena shook her head again as she glanced over her shoulder catching Vessel's figure as he walked closer to their side of the stage; his head tilting towards them but because of the mask covering his face and the mic close to his mouth as he sang, she couldn't tell his expression.

She ducked her head; allowing her hair to hide her expression as she felt the embarrassment heat up her face. "It's really not that bad. Nothing that involved me being whisked away. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to distract you from the show. Please, go on and finish! I'll be back out there cheering you guys on." Elena began to stand but a pair of warm hands covered in black pain suddenly gripped her knees and she looked up to find Vessel crouching in front of her.

She sank back into her chair with a start and looked up at him. She couldn't see his eyes through the slits in his mask but the lower half of his face and jaw were exposed. Good god this man was beautiful even without full features being shown; she could tell by the shape of his lips and the half smile on his face - the strong neck and jaw coated in black paint that was starting to wear off from the light sheen of sweat that coated his naked torso.

"Are you hurt, honey?" Vessel's normal speaking voice was just as beautiful as his singing one. Deep and raspy from singing but beautiful causing Elena to feel as if her tongue was made of cotton instead of flesh and muscle as she dumbly nodded to him.

"She was injured by another fan during the show." iii mentioned and Elena shot him a look from the corner of her eye.

"I told you. It's not life-threatening! I'm okay really!" she protested before looking at Vessel and then the nearly empty stage behind him.

"Shit the show! You guys better go before people think something's wrong," she said frantically; her hands raising without though to gentle press at Vessel's shoulders as if to push him back towards it.

"Hey hey, calm down sweetheart." Vessel's hands gripped her wrists and his bright white smile was on display. "Don't worry about that right now. Tell us what's wrong, are you hurt?" he asked.

Elena's gaze dropped to his mouth so that she didn't stare at his naked torso instead and nodded. "I'm fine! Seriously!" she laughed a bit at their persistent concern for a random fan; god she loved them so much but they did have a show to finish and she wouldn't allow some scandal to happen over a few little bruises.

"I'll probably have a bruise but nothing bad. Now go!" she willed herself to gentle shove at Vessel's shoulders again even when all she wanted was to wrap her arms around him and give him a massive hug; she refrained and tempted down the fangirl within her.

"Aw, so sweet aren't yah?" iii cooed playfully causing another hot flash to creep up Elena's neck.

"Seriously?!" the girl covered her face but then there was the gentle caress of lips against her ear as Vessel drew nearer to be heard over the crowd of the fans several feet away.

"I'll tell you what, princess. Stick around after the show and come find one of the security for a personal escort to a VIP. Deal?"

Her eyes widened as she stared over his shoulder at the stage; petrified as much as thrill raced through her. "I-I can't do that. I can't let you guys do that! Come on it's not that bad of an accident. You're overreacting...it's not something you need to worry about let alone give me a personal VIP-" she protested turning her head slightly.

Vessel's grin was on full display now as he cocked his head to meet her gaze behind his mask. He smelled like sweat and body paint but also something that was either some sort of body wash or deodorant; something that was all Vessel.

"We want to take care of our fans, honey. It's partly our fault for the crowd being like this so let's make this right. It's the least we can do." Vessel said and Elena stared up at his masked face as he withdrew.

The red details of his otherwise white mask were beautiful up close and she could tell there was a lot of artistic love put into it. Blinking up at him her lips turned into a frown and they parts as if to decline but the singer only shook his head playfully and placed a finger to his lips.

"I won't go finish this show until you agree. We'd love to get to know you a little better." he offered.

She knew he was bluffing. Why would he just shut down the entire show for her? but wasn't this what she dreamed about since the moment she found his band? She never expected something like this to happen; it was like some kind of dream. Swallowing thickly she finally nodded with a shy smile on her face.

"If I'm not going to be a bother...I don't want to cause trouble for you guys."

Vessel's laugh was adorable as he leaned over and pressed a sweet kiss to her cheek. "You're not a bother at all, honey." he replied pulling away.

"Elena." she corrected on impulse causing both Vessel and iii to tilt their heads at her.

"My name's Elena." she smiled slightly at them.

"Nice to meet you, Elena. We'll see you soon, darling." Vessel grinned at her as he backed up towards the stage again.

"See you soon, angel!" iii winked giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before he and his friend darted back up the stage to continue the show.

Elena let out a shaky breath; practically reeling from the unexpected interaction. She rose from the chair as if to make her way back to the crowd but she glanced back up the stage only to find Vessel pointing at her as he sang; his head tilting towards her playfully and she could practically hear his voice in her head with his directions without even him speaking them into the mic.

she laughed a bit; the sound lost in the fray of blasting music as she sank back down into the metal chair and crossed one leg over the other as well as her arms over her chest as she stuck her tongue out at him playfully; feeling the familiar heat of a blush on her face as she caught the last second of his pearly smile of approval as he turned back towards the crowd; belting out the lyrics to 'Chokehold' as he did so.

A/N: Thank you all for reading this! I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know if you'd like for me to continue writing for this band. Again, Sleep Token has stolen my heart for a while now and I love them dearly I can't put it into words so I'd be more than happy to write some more if you'd like to read it! <3

#sleep token #sleep token band #vessel #vessel sleep token #iii sleep token #oneshot #sleep token oneshot

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huntingteeth · 8 months ago

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hi!

saw your post asking how people found your sleep token fic and wanted to answer but figured i’d have too many words for tumblr comments lol

for starters- i am obsessed with this fic its so so so good i save every chapter upload as a little treat to unwind from my day! also completely in love with how you’ve written iii, it hits very close to home and i can relate so hard to your characterization that it’s just. perfect. i love it.

on to how i found it lol- i am the world’s pickiest fic reader, i can push myself to get through sloggish (i’m making my own words now) books, but if a fic doesn’t catch my interest within the first couple sentences i’m out! i’m always trawling the tags to find something that might catch my eye and stumbled across your fic. i think i read the first line of the description and that was that. i was hooked! but yeah. nothing fancy for me lol, just a desperate, ravenous reader looking for something new and there it was! bless you for writing it, it’s so gorgeous. i love the world building and how things are described! and i love love love seeing magic portrayed in such a casual, accepted way! i know that’s the whole basis of the fic but like. as a semi-practicing witch it’s off putting to me when magic is written either only in extremes, or as accessible only to a few. i love that in your fic world everyone has the ability to practice, and like real humans they each have strengths and different abilities!

i’m rambling now so i’m going to stop (i also should be writing a paper rn and this is me procrastinating haha) but i am so excited to see where the story goes next :)

hello!! hope you're having an excellent day

omg i'm crying, sobbing, i keep saying that i'm so glad that people like this fic as much (if not more) as i've enjoyed writing it. i'm also really excited to get to share with all the readers the behind-the-scenes that i've been drafting as i've posted chapters, because i really put so much into this fic and there's worldbuilding that never makes it into the fic exactly but does inform a lot of how i write the fic and i want to share that with you guys so badly!! also magic is for everybody!!

obvi WRITE YOUR PAPER but also so humbled and honored that you'd procrastinate with my (mildly attention-seeking) question

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trapton · 1 year ago

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𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 ( 𝟓 ) SIX ( 6 ) 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 .

i. ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE — scorpion.

It's early morning, the sun comes out . last night was shaking and pretty loud. my cat is purring, it scratches my skin. so what is wrong with another sin? the bitch is hungry, she needs to tell so give her inches and feed her well. more days to come, new places to go. i've got to leave, it's time for a show. [...] here I am. rock you like a hurricane

ii. IRON ARMY — in this moment.

this is my war. there is no surrender. no fear, no more. i'll never stand down. this is my war. you will all remember. hear me now, I'm calling out. i built myself a fucking iron army. their hearts are made of blood and steel.. and they'll march through a hurricane without a fear.

iii. DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW? — abba.

well, I can dance with you, honey, if you think it's funny, does your mother know that you're out? and I can chat with you, baby, flirt a little maybe does your mother know that you're out? take it easy (take it easy) better slow down, girl that's no way to go. does your mother know? take it easy (take it easy) try to cool it, girl. take it nice and slow. does your mother know? i can see what you want, but you seem pretty young to be searching for that kind of fun. so maybe I'm not the one

iv. ASCENSIONISM — sleep token.

who made you like this? who encrypted your dark gospel in body language? synapses snap back in blissful anguish. tell me you met me in past lives, past life. past what might be eating me from the inside, darling. half algorithm, half deity. glitches in the code or gaps in a strange dream. tell me you guessed my future and it mapped onto your fantasy. turn me into your mannequin and I'll turn you into my puppet queen. won't you come and dance in the dark with me? show me what you are, I am desperate to know nobody better than the perfect enemy. digital demons make the night feel heavenly. make it real, 'cause anything's better than the way I feel right now. i can offer you a blacklit paradise. diamonds in the trees, pentagrams in the night sky. / and I know what you want from me. you want the same as me. my redemption, eternal ascension. setting me free. so I'll take what I want then leave

v. CALL ME LITTLE SUNSHINE — ghost.

call out in the middle of the night. for when else would I hear you? fall out in the cold starlight. i can save you if you do. you will never walk alone, you can always reach me. you will never ever walk alone. call me little sunshine. call me, call me mephistopheles. call me when you feel all alone just call me little sunshine. light up in the middle of the day. for how else could you see me? ease up to the hunter from the prey, and transform indefinitely

vi. CULT OF PERSONALITY - living colour

look in my eyes, what do you see? the cult of personality. i know your anger, I know your dreams. i've been everything you want to be. oh, i'm the cult of personality. like mussolini and kennedy. i'm the cult of personality. neon lights, a nobel prize, when a mirror speaks, the reflection lies. you won't have to follow me. only you can set me free. i sell the things you need to be. i'm the smiling face on your TV. oh, I'm the cult of personality. i exploit you, still you love me. i tell you, one and one makes three. oh, I'm the cult of personality. you gave me fortune, you gave me fame. you gave me power in your god's name. i'm every person you need to be, oh, I'm the cult of personality

tagged: @divinehr tagging: @khalaesi / @goldshadows / @gateway31 / @h4ckensack / @prettytm / @cultbunny / @cantfixyou / @ghostvixen / @somemindsatwork & whoever wants to!

#𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞: ( ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑠 ) / 𝑤. 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑜𝑛 #₀₀₁ ᜵ 𝙾𝙾𝙲 ¸ dash games

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bubbles-for-all-of-us · 4 months ago

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oh no, i hope you get better soon! you deserve to be in the middle of a sleep token cuddle pile with the boys taking care of you :)

Waiting for antibiotics to kick in and hoping that I can get a free day off work tomorrow. 🫡🫧

But also….

No, but imagine them all finding out that you are unwell. You forbid them from coming to visit you because the tour starts soon and you would never forgive yourself if you were to get them sick too. But then you get woken up from your fever nap by your doorbell ringing. So you’re dragging yourself up, hair all messy, a blanket wrapped around your body. And you open the door to them bickering because iii forgot your keys.

“Not my fucking problem that your key is like hers”, he grunts before turning to you, “oh, hun…” and you’re being dragged into iii’s warm embrace. And it’s so comforting and warm and so exactly what your freezing body needs.

“Yeah, out of the hallway”, Vessel orders, “She will get even more ill, it’s windy here”. And then they are practically push you inside. Palm after palm coming to check your forehead. “Guys…”, you grunt, “I told you to not come”, you try to frown but that only results in your head hurting even more. “And have we ever listened, darling”, ii shrugs, already mid-watching up the dirty dishes in your kitchen.

“You need to shower 'cause this ain’t it”, iv pulls at the strand of your hair. “Thanks huh… kind of been busy being sick”, you grunt. “You look cute regardless”, he’s quick to interject with a wink, “I’m just saying that a bath would make you feel better”, he pulls you into his chest and you once again melt into a warm embrace, feeling your eyes closing.

“Come, I’ll help you wash up”, Vessel gently runs a hand down the back of your neck. “I’m not getting naked in front of you”, you wheeze, hiding your face even further into iv chest. “Nothing I haven’t seen before”, Veseel shrugs making you let out a gasp, “You haven’t seen my ass”. Laugher echoes through the apparent. “Questionable statement if we take last new year’s into consideration”, iii snorts. “Who are you to talk to, your dick was out before midnight”, you shoot him a look, sending everyone into fits of laughter once again. “Okay, bath now”, Vessel practically peals you away from iv before scooping you up in his arms, “Fun later”.

You don’t remember much of the bath time. Just Vessel humming beneath his breath as he washed your hair, running a wet cloth down your arms as you soaked in hot water. Every cough that slipped past your lips made him frown more and more. At some point iv had popped his head in to check on you, double-checking on what meds he needed to go grab. Once you were dried off and drowning in iii hoody, a big mug of tea was placed in your hands.

Your living room was now spotless. Blankets you didn’t even know you had thrown all over the sofa. “Chicken noodle soup should be done soon”, ii walked in a tea towel draped over his shoulder. You only crook your head to the side. “Don’t give me that look”, he flicks your nose, “You would do the same for us”. And where he’s not wrong, you still couldn’t get over the four men fussing over you.

“You are being too sweet”, you sigh, letting your body fall into the blankets. “So are you when you stay up for hours on face time after shit shows”, iii muses, scooting in next to you. You smile at him weakly, resting your head on his shoulder.

“Movies and cuddles?”, iv steps through the door, dangling a bag in his hands. “I call dibs on picking”, Vessel hums, pulling your legs over his lap. “You always pick”, iii rolls his eyes yet tosses the remote to him anyway. “Take two”, iv pops pills into his palm before handing them to you, “Save me a spot while I go look for a thermometer”, he pats your thigh before disappearing into the kitchen. “I swear if you all leave me a corner seat I will beat your ass”, ii shout back, making you all chuckle.

#sleep token imagine #sleep token x reader #sleep token fanfiction #sleep token vessel x reader #sleep token vessel imagine #sleep token x you #sleep token vessel x you #sleep token ii imagine #sleep token ii x reader #sleep token iii imagine #sleep token iii x reader #sleep token iv x reader #sleep token iv imagine

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writersblock0625 · 10 months ago

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Hello Sleep Token Sleepers/Tokens. I saw them at LTL ‘23 & I need to know which of you saved EVERY👏🏾SINGLE👏🏾PHOTO👏🏾 from iii’s IG page. It’s my besties (whom got me into them) fav member & I wanna make a present for them but since the BS happened his page is wiped clean….please & thank you

#sleep token #iii #the sleepers #sleep token sleepers #the tokens #iii IG photos

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prettytm · 1 year ago

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Ten ( 10 ) SIX ( 6 ) 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 .

i. the River - Blues Saraceno

Oh my Lord here my woe there's blood upon the valley. Take this sword to kill i've done, deliver me from worry. The devil's hands gonna strike me down, cut me to my grave. The river's songs gonna pull me through, the river she can save.

ii. The Summoning - Sleep token

Oh, and my love Did I mistake you for a sign from God? Or are you really here to cut me off? Or maybe just to turn me on 'Cause these days I would be lying if I told you that I didn't wish that I could be your man Or maybe make a good girl bad

iii. Break My Baby - Kaleo

Oh, Billy boy he's gifted You know you can't deny it Don't leave us empty handed 'Cause you know we don't deserve that From you From you From you, from you

iv. Bury A Friend - Billie Eilish

Billie... What do you want from me? Why don't you run from me? What are you wondering? What do you know? Why aren't you scared of me? Why do you care for me? When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

v. No Time To die - Bille Eilish

I should've known I'd leave alone Just goes to show That the blood you bleed Is just the blood you owe We were a pair But I saw you there Too much to bear You were my life But life is far away from fair Was I stupid to love you? Was I reckless to help? Was it obvious to everybody else

vi. The Devil Wears A Suit and A Tie - Colter Wall

Oh Foolish, foolish was I Damn my foolish eyes 'Cause that man's lessons Had a price, oh, sweet price My sweet soul, everlasting A very own eternal light

vii. Middle Of The Night - Loveless

In the middle of the night, in the middle of the night Just call my name, I'm yours to tame In the middle of the night, in the middle of the night I'm wide awake, I crave your taste All night long 'til morning comes I'm getting what is mine, you gon' get yours, oh no, ooh In the middle of the night, in the middle of the night, oh

viii. A Thousand Bad Times - Post Malone

I had a thousand bad times So what's another time to me? (What's that time, yeah) You try to burn my house down But what's another house to me? (What's that time, yeah) 'Cause I can take anything that you give me (what you give me) It's gonna take a lot more to kill me, bitch

ix. Arsonist's Lullabye - Hozier

All you have is your fire And the place you need to reach Don't you ever tame your demons But always keep 'em on a leash When I was a man I thought it ended When I knew love's perfect ache But my peace has always depended On all the ashes in my wake

x. Hell's Comin' With Me - Poor Mans Poison

I am the righteous hand of God And I am the devil that you forgot And I told you one day you will see That I'll be back I guarantee And that hell's coming, hell's coming Hell, hell's coming with me

tagged: @trapton

tagging: @fasciinating, @manufactoredxbyxdesign, @misfittcd, @ifritmade, @lt-ghxst, @d4ngerous, @yrghostie, @ask-the-boogeyman, @shesboundtobruise, @wardogsong, @warfared, @thesilverandjetsystem & and everyone else I know I'm forgetting

#::: { ooc } ours is not to question why; ours is but to do or die #i went ham #i don't even care #music is insanely important to me and my muses

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kpopisthereasonihavenolife · 5 years ago

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Kitsune | iii. spring

Jung Hoseok/Reader [F]

Genre: Demon Hunter AU, Action, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Japanese Federal Era

Warning(s)!!: Contains Heavy Violence & Blood + Death [Rating: PG-13]

Words: 9k

Summary: Demons: man-eating, murderous monsters who would kill anyone for the blood of humans: be it man, woman or child. They have no need for comrades. Known cannibalize and kill other demons if they so choose. Demon Hunters are tasked with eliminating any and all demons without question, but what would come to pass if they were told that a demon saved a human life? Views, values and relations become altered and absolutely nothing seemed human anymore. Never sharpen a blade too much, lest you become the wounded.

Series Index | i. demon | ii. winter

a/n: annnnnd we’re back with the next part of Kitsune! This is a pretty dialogue-heavy part; towards the end especially, but for all the stuff I crammed into this chapter, I think it’ll make sense for Taehyung to talk his head off LOL. Time to put your big-people pants on, cause here we go >:D

t.list: @kathrynwynterbourne @tiredjedi @kaekae-93 @multycoloredtaco @sunshinechim-98 @baojinnie @perpetually-single @lexi-tries-art @fallingjungwoo (want to be added for future parts? Tell me!)

The same evening of the day Fuuta spoke to Hoseok and entrusted him with a glass spider lily, Taehyung also paid him a visit. Coming by his room for a chat about what was asked of them. He already knew Hosoek wouldn’t bend so easily and would need a small push of persuasion to do anything regarding you. So, as a token of a friendly chat, Taehyung had brought with him a small gourd of sake with 2 brilliant red painted ochoko with him for the two men to leisure with.

The samurai slid open Hoseok’s door, catching him in the middle of polishing the only sword of his in use. “Have a drink with me for a bit, Hoseok.” Hoseok wouldn’t turn down perfectly good sake, even if he knew that Taehyung wasn’t just here to have a drink with him.

The two sat in silence, both nursing on their own red ochoko of sake before Hoseok broke the silence enveloping the two warriors.

“Are you trying to get me drunk to agree to relocate that fox?” Taehyung chuckled at Hoseok’s curt tone, sipping on sake with a relaxed, content grin and shut eyes.

“Not necessarily.”

It wasn’t commonly known among Hoseok’s peers because of the distance he placed between him and them, but although he is a warrior he was a simpleton when anything liquor is involved. His constitution for alcohol was anything but strong. Easily the most vulnerable lightweight Taehyung knew. It also wasn’t known just how gut-spillingly open Hoseok was when intoxicated. It was those factors that lead him to hardly ever having even a bit of liquor. He only ever drank in front of people he deeply trusted- a small few to be sure.

Taehyung sat and listened to the woes of his friend silently. If Taehyung was anything, it was a listener. He listened to and heard many things as he filed them away into his memory. A strong skill to be certain, as Taehyung’s memory is something most people can’t comprehend- it’s as if he never forgets a thing he’s learned.

Hoseok spilled his guts about how uncertain he is about Fuuta’s request to move you somewhere else. He was frustrated by his lack of information and the fact that Taehyung and Fuuta both kept hiding things from him. He expressed the urge to break the glass flower Fuuta gave to him because he just knew it was linked to you somehow.

Taehyung would be lying if he said he didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty about it all.

He stayed completely silent the whole time with only assured head nods to show he was listening. He eventually watched as Hoseok took the stages down before he was nearly at his pass-out limit. Slowly rolling into the territory of drowsiness, Taehyung cut off his intake and loosened his obi around his waist. Pulling Hoseok’s futon set out onto the floor, Hoseok was already sleeping in a blissful drunken heap on the tatami. Dragging him to the futon and tossing the blanket on him, Taehyung silently left the hunter to sleep in a dead-drunk state.

Only lightly laughing in relief. It had been some time since he had caught a glimpse of the open, sour-mouthed Hoseok he used to be. Drunk Hoseok always felt like a trip back in time to Taehyung. A trip back to a time where everything wasn’t drenched in sorrow or anger. A time he often found himself dearly missing.

Hoseok was rudely awakened by a harsh shove to his shoulder. Ignoring it once was a mistake because after the initial shove followed a sharp kick. Yelping he shot up and pried open his heavy eyes. Looking up and seeing Taehyung grinning above him, he sneered back.

“Bastard,” Hoseok hissed as Taehyung innocently shrugged as if he did nothing wrong. Not at all guilty about the fact he got Hoseok drunk. Rubbing his head and tossing his tangled mess of auburn hair, Hoseok pulled his legs to ta cross-sitting position. Pulling his kimono sleeve to his nose, he sniffed it and winced. “I smell like sake,” he grunted. The scent of the strong rice-wine purging straight through his clothes.

“Yes, you do.” Taehyung chuckled in agreement. “Get up. We’re going into town.”

“Why?”

“Because I told you so.”

Hoseok rolled his eyes before he started rolling his kimono off his shoulder. Letting the fabric gather and hang off his hips from the loosely tied obi around him. Taehyung grabbed Hoseok’s arm, helping the headache-hungover man up. Taehyung whistled in awe at Hoseok’s physique, something he did often in good fun- resulting in Hoseok to roll his eyes. Not like Taehyung’s body was any different than his. Taehyung was probably more fit than him, he just didn’t flaunt it.

Changing without a word with Taehyung loitering in his room with him, Hoseok didn’t question the samurai about why he was being forced to go into town. He knew he wouldn’t get an answer anyway. Taehyung was too good at deflecting and avoiding questions; Hoseok wouldn’t waste his breath.

When both men had made it to the entrance of the compound, Hoseok stopped walking and sneered. There you were, dressed casually in your standard priestess-like garbs and your hair tied back with a ribbon much like Taehyung’s and a parasol open over your head. Hoseok briefly thought that Taehyung was the one who tied your hair back in the first place.

Some demons can easily become burned by sunlight. Some consider the sun lethal in specific cases. You would never effectively die by being in the sun, but too long in its light does bring a spec of discomfort you wish to avoid.

You heard their footsteps as a wind of cold blew in small breaths past you. Winter was already sapping the once spring-stuck stime the compound had been stopped in. Turning, you saw Taehyung strolling closer and you didn’t seem to be shocked to see Hoseok at his back- frozen in his steps. You returned the glare he offered you. Neither two of the party of three were pleased.

Taehyung had more or less forced you to leave the compound today along with him and Hoseok. The hunter, however, seemed to be left in the dark about your accompaniment until now.

“Hoseok,” Taehyung called with a stern voice without looking back at him. “Don’t lag behind.” Hoseok bit his tongue. He could tell that if he even thought about fighting back on the topic that is you joining them, Taehyung would take him to the dirt until he screamed mercy and complied. The samurai would get what he wanted and that was the end of it. Hoseok simply returned to walking, his steps albeit more dragging now, as both of them soon stood before you.

“Glad to see you listened to me, Y/n,” Taehyung spoke to you. You just looked away from him. “Come now, you cannot possibly be angry at me.” You scoffed at him.

“I can and will be.”

Taehyung simply chuckled as he turned to Hoseok who was staring off somewhere; scanning anywhere that wasn’t in your specific direction.

“Now then,” the samurai started, “shall we be off?” He gestured for you to leave first, even the gentlemen’s rule of thumb- ladies first. He moved Hoseok by nudging him forward by his shoulder before the three of you started the walk into town. A walk that seemed longer than usual because of the tense atmosphere.

Hoseok had his arms tightly crossed in place across his chest. Out of all peoples, why had they run into a group of rowdy rugrats? Hoseok tolerated children at best- most being just too much for his patience to handle. Of course, pair that fact together with how much of a people magnet Taehyung is, the entire ordeal spelled disaster in Hoseok’s case.

You didn’t seem to mind the children- acting rather indifferent actually. You’d scold them when they tugged on your kosode sleeve or try and grab your parasol from your grip. You answered questions they fired, but you didn’t engage any further. You never sought the attention and the constant brow crease you tried to ease was a clear indicator of that.

Taehyung, however, completely fawned over the children. In his day to day life as a civilian, Taehyung was the complete opposite of his ever strict, samurai alter-ego. If anything, his talent for being able to effectively separate the two made Hoseok envious. Hoseok wasn’t as personality flexible as his friend, and he often wished he was. Memories of the past flooding in his head and how he used to be. Of course, the memories of ‘him’ followed with the past.

Hoseok’s mood plunged further as he squeezed his eyes shut- willing away the past from his mind; at least trying to. His grip unconsciously whitening his knuckles on the hilt of his sword. No intent of ever drawing, but using the cold of his scabbard to remind him that he was in the now- the period of his life that revolved around fighting and killing demons. He had been away from his trade too long- he was losing his focus.

He wasn’t cut out for dealing with kids. For escorting demon’s around- he glared at the side of your face, eyes following the curve of your redlined cheeks. Watching the winter air puff around your lips with each exhale. He wasn’t cut out for complicated bonds or being kept in such a people-infested place.

“Keep growling and the children will cry,” you spoke out of nowhere at Hoseok’s side. Hoseok grit his teeth as he stood beside you with a three-foot distance between you both. He narrowed his eyes at your face as you did nothing but stare forward. Not even looking in his eyes. “I’m a demon and I do not frighten them, yet with that look on your face,” you finally looked at him, a scowl painted on your features. “You’ll send them running off as if you were the demon and not I.”

Hoseok’s eye twitched as he just barely restricted himself from reaching out and clasping his hand over your throat. Daring you to speak more nonsense towards him about how to act in front of humans. The audacity you had to even think that one would look at him, a human man, and consider him as frightening as a monster. You directed your attention back to the front as you watched Taehyung speak to some random shop keeper as a child tugged on his hand.

“Like it or not, Taehyung is one of the few things you and I have in common.”

“Do not compare me to yourself. Not unless you want me to ruin your kosode.”

“You would never be able to strike me.” Hoseok looked at you as he sucked in a harsh, chilled breath of offense. “We’ve proved that before, haven’t we?”

“Have you forgotten that both of those cases ended with me pinning you and you hardly able to move? I could have killed you given the chance.”

You offered him nothing after that. True, both cases set you both on equal ground. The first time you fought was when you had trapped him and the other leaders in a spiral of fire. You charging him and the fight brought to a halt when Hoseok pinned you and Fuuta called it off. The second when you sprung into his room and he had his sword blade hovering in front of your eyes as he pushed on your throat.

You flicked your chin up in a small, slow fashion as you looked up towards the sky. The weather had begun to cloud as the sun started to become hidden. Something about the clouds made your eyes narrow and your lips twist into a frown far deeper than the one you had given to the hunter at your side. Hoseok had moved to look up as well- it looked like the sky to him. Just the normal, cloudy to the full overcast winter sky. Bland and grey.

You lowered your head down again as you closed up your parasol, the sun hidden from any uncomforting rays. You called out to Taehyung when your parasol snapped shut in its flimsy wooden design.

Taehyung had been with you the better part of a year now, and the tone in which you called him alerted him to come to you immediately. Quickly apologizing to the child tugging on his arm and dismissing them to go on and play elsewhere, as well as leaving his conversation with the shopkeeper, he was at your side quickly. Standing with you and Hoseok in the streets as you looked at him with something behind your eyes Hoseok couldn’t identify.

“What is it? What do you hear?” Taehyung asked you as if he knew exactly why your tone had shifted. You were a demon and as such your senses were heightened to a level far higher than humans. Sure, some humans can have exceptional senses of smell or hearing or sight, but it would only occasionally be one sense. As opposed to you, your sense of hearing and sight and smell was that of your wild counterpart- a fox.

“I can’t tell, but it’s loud and it’s not just one something. It’s a lot of them and it’s getting closer to the town center.” Taehyung nodded before he looked around. The streets were quiet for the middle of the day, not many people out as the cold weather were too off-putting for the selling season. “I think we need to get back to-” You cut yourself off when you quickly covered your ears, wincing and dropping your parasol to the frozen ground. Hoseok jumped as Taehyung quickly grabbed your shoulders.

“What is it?!”

“It’s too loud!” The sound of metal clashing and scraping in your ears, vibrating into your skull and shaking your very foundation. It sounded so close now and you could start hearing screaming along with all the noise. You looked to tell Taehyung, but as he whipped his head around, you knew that he could hear those noises now too. The sounds you heard were far closer than you expected as the two men besides you heard it all.

Hoseok had pulled his sword from his hip as Taehyung took out his own- a bit annoyed that he wasn’t in his proper battle gear at the current moment. If he had been, he wouldn't just have his sword to rely on- but other weapons and techniques of defense on his side. However, his blade would have to do.

Turning your head, your hair seemed to spike at the ends as you saw a ball of flame barreling down the city road. People rushed into their homes or business place to escape the fire before they were then forced out of it as torches were thrown through windows, burning buildings from the inside out.

“A mob of bandits,” Taehyung seethed under his breath.

“What do I do,” you asked him, grabbed the back of his kimono. “I can’t kill humans!” You yelled over the volume increasing chaos. Hoseok side-eyed you as you seemed torn between your options. He hadn’t witnessed you actually deny attacking humans, as you had sprung on him more than once without thought. It was odd, and irritating to see you struggle with the decision now.

Though, now is when it really mattered the most.

“You have authorization from Kim Taehyung, Leader Swordsman and successor of Lord Fuuta Tono. Defend the city and take down the bandits under any means necessary. Are my orders understood?”

You hesitated before you dropped his kimono fabric from your hands. You moved to stand at his side and not behind him any longer. Placing yourself between the bodies of Hoseok and Taehyung as you bore your fangs at the threat approaching in a wild flaming rage.

Hoseok watched as your eyes spread out wider and your irises expanded. Your red cheek markings widened and became jagged along your cheeks and your hair stood on end like cat fur. Your claws sharpened with your tense, locked fingers as your neck and lower jaw bulged with wide, feral veins. You looked nothing like the human-demon you previously were before. You were much more demonic and feral looking than before- truly the fox demon specimen.

You let out a hiss and growl as Taehyung slowly counted beneath his breath. He was a strategic man, and everything had a precise start because not even he and his calculations could see when something would end. He shifted in position as he counted from five. Each second down he moved and you and Hoseok followed. When zero hit, the three of you split.

Taehyung took off down an off-street road to cut off any other proceeding bandits as he followed their echoing manic laughter and crackling torches. Hoseok began to sprint down the main road, facing the enemy head-on as he began to take down horses they road on before going for them. You had begun climbing. Scaling buildings and throwing balls of blue flames down below like a fire-shooting catapult before you jumped from whatever height you were at and landing in the center of the mob. Igniting the center of thieves in a violent explosion of blue fire before the real attack began.

Bandits fell one by one with ease at the hands of you three. However, something snatched your attention when you picked up the scent of smoke from behind you in the distance. Shoving a bandit off your arm, you whipped around and stiffened to see a plume of black smoke rising into the sky far beyond where the battle is taking place. The compound that temporarily had the barrier of protection down and left everyone inside vulnerable had been set ablaze by some unknown enemy.

The bandits were just a decoy.

Plowing through the band of thieves, you lept over their spears and swords before running down the road back to the compound.

“Y/n! Get back here!” Taehyung shouted before he was forced to disarm the bandit he had been fighting and shoved the tip of the man’s sickle into his own neck, kicking his bleeding body out of the way as he gargled and choked on blood that pooled in his mouth. He hissed in annoyance as you just kept running further, ignoring him. “Hoseok!” Taehyung yelled, watching as Hoseok had sliced the chest of a rather ignorant and clumsy bandit. “We’re regrouping at the compound.”

Hoseok looked over his shoulder, shocked to see the smoke so far off. How had someone snuck past them?! He grits his teeth.

“Get back to the compound! Now!” Taehyung growled as he pushed his way out of the mob before Hoseok was running after him, not willing to test the limits of Taehyung’s rage.

“Taehyung! Wait!” Taehyung was far faster than Hoseok was, the hunter was pushing his limits trying to at least keep the samurai leader in his sights. Taehyung was nimble, taking out anything and anyone that even tried to get in his way. The closer they got to the compound, the fewer bandits they saw. Hoseok felt a prick of something in his gut- his sense telling him that whatever was at the compound probably wasn’t a bandit.

Taehyung ran through the compound entrance, Hoseok at his heels as he halted immediately at the front gardens. Wisteria leaves were blown from their branches and scattered on the grown and the fallen bodies that littered the once beautiful sight. The ground dyed red in blood and bodies crumpled and shredded in a frozen massacre.

Both men’s eyes were blown wide, not expecting to witness such chaotic devastation. Taehyung tightened his hold on his sword as he clenched his jaw and forced himself to pass by the bodies and enter into the compound. It was no better inside than out. Bodies of servants and guards slouched against walls or split in two with a torso in one room and a set of legs in another. Heads had been severed from bodies and arms torn and tangled with detached legs. Hoseok covered the bottom half of his face with this haori sleeve of his free hand- the stench of the place gag-inducing.

Both men rushed through halls and rooms and holes in doors to Fuuta’s quarters when they got closer’ the harsh winter breeze could be felt in the halls. The door had been blown clean out of its groves- in fact, the entire wall was blown wide open. It was a miracle the wall didn’t crumble into rubble with the lack of foundation and support.

Rounding the corner, Taehyung skid with his heel, Hoseok not far behind. “Lord Fuuta!” He shouted, his voice catching and body stopping when he entered through the demolished wall. Hoseok was soon skidding to a stop beside his frozen friend and comrade in arms before he too froze. His body stiffened at the sight of the once spotless, organized room.

The back wall had been demolished, showing the spring-zapped winter yard. Fuuta’s once decorated desk was cleanly ripped from the wall and broke into two splintered halves. The far-right wall had been slashed and the closet door buckled in its groves, some clothes inside hanging loosely in place. The left wall had rock shaped holes and dents punctured into it.

However, it was what lay outside the busted out back wall and beyond it that made the two men fill with dread. Blood began to pool in puddles on tatami before it began to smear into dragged textures out into the yard. Following that blood, it was easy to find what produced it all.

Out laying in the cold was Fuuta and Shiro, still and cold as blood still leaked from their once warm bodies. Fuuta was on his back, staring at the sky with dead eyes as blood dripped from his lips and eyes, his throat torn open and kimono stained. Shiro was lying chest to chest on top of Fuuta- most likely to try and protect him. Her back was slashed open with gashes far greater than any weapon could cause. The blood seeping slowly into her kosode inch by bloody inch.

In front of their bodies, stood you. Motionless as you stared down at them. Hands at your sides as your arms were hanging motionless, your sleeves swishing in the breeze. Your hair had come undone as it blew in whisps. Your back was turned to the men in a semi-diagonal stance as you could smell nothing but the blood of your first family- your first parents.

Taehyung was the first to move. He narrowed his wide-legged stance and sheathed his sword slowly, letting the tip of the hilt click into place in its scabbard. Taking small steps through the room and back to outside, he stood beside you. He glanced at your face, seeing nothing there.

Your eyes looked down at Fuuta and Shiro’s bodies, unmoving and dazed. They were glossed over in a film-like emotion. Taehyung stepped back a single stride, looking back towards Hoseok.

“Come,” he told him in a soft, yet stern command. Hoseok only nodded slowly as he sheathed his sword and took in the deathly quiet estate. Coming to stand at your opposite side, Taehyung walked closer to the bodies. He lifted Shiro up and off her beloved husband’s chest and lay her on her back to face the same sky Fuuta did. He placed her hand in Fuuta’s and then gently closed both of their eyes.

Standing back up, he pulled his scabbard from his waist and knelt to the ground before both his feet were folded under his rear. Laying his sword horizontally in front of him, he placed his fingertips on the cold ground and bowed. His forehead touching the dirt Fuuta and Shiro- his Lord and Priestess use- to gleefully grace; he closed his eyes in prayer.

Hoseok moved to mirror his senior’s actions. Bowing and lowering his head to his once-proud leader.

Taehyung raised his head looking back at the face of Fuuta. “Thank you for all you’ve taught me,” he spoke before he stood. He grabbed his sword, slinging it back onto his waist before he looked at Hoseok raising off the ground. “Go and check on the city. The bandits were just a diversion- with their goal accomplished, I’ve little doubt they’ve already fled.”

“Understood,” the low voice of Hoseok spoke. He snuck a glance at you before his eyes widened at your face. He’d never seen a demon look so miserable- it’s as if you could break into tears at any moment. He shook it off before his shoulder passed yours, leaving the bodies of his leaders behind and not looking back at you for a moment.

“We’ll have a proper burial later, alright?” Taehyung placed a hand on top of your head, a heartbreaking smile on his lips.

You simply nodded, one single crystal clear tear dripping from your bottom eyelashes.

The next week was… Chaotic to put the term into the simplest form. The burial Taehyung spoke of was something Hosoek couldn’t picture him doing unless he witnessed it. It was a big step for someone who personally remained hidden or small in trying times. Instead, he watched as Taehyung had buried the bodies of the dead- including their fallen lord and his wife.

After sending out separate calls for the leaders to reconverge at the main estate away from this town in the mountains, he ordered Hoseok and you to follow him until he said otherwise. It was still unofficial, but as of the moment, Taehyung was the highest standing rank in the organization. Hoseok just continued to give up more of his time he could spend out fighting to follow after Taehyung.

You had been mute since the day Fuuta and Shiro died. In fact, you had even regressed to your fox form. Trailing along with Taehyung’s ankles like a loyal pet. You never spoke, and hardly even lifted your fox colored eyes past the human knee. You never even bit or growled at the children who would yank on your tail, or try to ride you like a horse when you followed Taehyung into town. You would only occasionally leap to rest on his broad shoulders- a way of showing exhaustion or annoyance.

You never even showed signs of refuting when Hoseok neared you.

Hoseok should be glad about your silence, as your voice and opinions were the polar opposite of his and grated on his nerves. However, your silence seemed to irk him as well. Your silent animal form frustrated him just as much as your human-like, loudmouthed persona. It seemed there was no happy middle for him and his ideals towards you- a demon.

Taehyung burned that compound to the ground.

The walls and the gardens burned. The trees that began to lose their wisteria blooms carried flames on their branches instead of petals and the compound weakened as the fire spread. Taehyung stood at the compound’s perimeter, watching as the roof caved inward and the supports crushed one by one into a single level mass of debris and destruction. The heat put out by the fire was significantly different from the winter chills as ash rose into the air, falling like faux snow.

Taehyung turned, his hair blowing in long, loosely tied threads in the hot and cold winds as he moved to mount his horse, you jumping up the arm he offered down to you as you lay in front of him, your paws digging into the saddle of his steed. He turned to Hosoek who sat on his own faithful mare beside him. He trotted, ready to take off.

“Let’s go. We have to get to the main estate as quickly as possible. We’ve no time to waste.”

“Of course,” Hoseok agreed, pulling on the reins of his horse, and kicking back his heels. “Lead the way,” he said, holding back the urge to announce with it a sassy ‘my lord’. In truth, he didn’t know what to address Taehyung as. His name, like normal, or something that fits his new unofficial title waiting for him back at the main estate. He was soon to be his overall leader, not just his comrade and friend. He would need to address him with faithful, unwavering loyalty- honorifics included.

It was a three day trip on horseback to get away from the town and into the busy city of the main estate. The townspeople of the small town that held the burial site of his fallen lord, were told by Taehyung that he wouldn’t be returning and to let the compound at the far end of town rot away.

He instructed the villagers to never step foot inside it’s fallen perimeter and to treat it as a cursed place that one should never tread. Never try and clean it up, never allow your child to play inside its crumbling walls, never be a curious adult and venture inside. Just let it rot away with time.

They all trusted Taehyung and promised to follow his orders and warnings alike before they sent him off with heavy hearts; Hoseok following behind him.

When Taehyung and Hoseok caught sight of the city from over a cliffside they had been traveling down, they slowed their horses as they entered the city’s north entrance. Hoseok hadn’t missed being in this city, still far too busy for his taste. As he rode beside Taehyung, only a horse clop or so behind, he could even see your fox fur stand and tails flick in hyperawareness with all the ruckus around.

Finally arriving to the estate, Taehyung was greeted by Bunji who had sent word that he was already in the city. He was sat on a large stone, legs crossed and hands in prayer that was looped with prayer beads. He opened his eyes and halted whatever mantra he was currently mumbling to himself when he heard the clopping of hooves. He was quick to remove himself from his meditation and stand on his two feet as Taehyung slowed his horse to a halt, Hoseok mimicking his motion.

“Master Taehyung! Welcome back!” He greeted in the same boisterous way Hoseok remembered and didn’t miss. Taehyung dismounted his steed as you leaped to his shoulder before leaping onto the ground. Shaking out your fur and stretching. Taehyung worked with his horse's saddle, untying his small bag from its side as he then pets at the neck of his faithful horse.

“Bunji,” Taehyung started, earning the monk’s undivided attention. “Have the other’s arrived yet?”

“Yes, Sir. However, it seems as though Tsutsui has gone into town from some shopping. Shall I call him back?”

“Yes. I’m putting a meeting into order immediately. We’ve no time.”

“Yes, Sir!” Bunji was quick to take off, heading back to send word for the medical specialist to return. Hoseok walked up to Taehyung as he watched the samurai release a sigh.

“Hoseok, if you would, take the horses back to the stables. I’m afraid I have much to prepare for.”

“Of course,” was Hoseok's only reply. He could see the invisible weight pushing down on his friend’s shoulders as he took the reins of his and Taehyung’s horses before leading them towards the back.

Hoseok had gently pulled the reins over and off the ears of the horses once they were by their individual stable before pulling out the mouthpiece. He unbuckled the leather saddle and instead threw a cloth over their backs before persuading them inside and shutting their stable door. They whined at him as they shoved at his shoulder with their nose, nipping at his clothes as he swatted them away playfully. Feeding both of them a carrot or two, he left soon after.

Entering the estate, it wasn’t long before he ran into someone. Kaori, walking around the halls in her daily kimono. He remembered the female counterpart of Taehyung as one of the few leaders he’d be able to tolerate and maybe respect if put on the spot. She held herself with enough dignity that Hoseok prided her in.

“I see Taehyung has brought you back with him once again,” she softly spoke as she stopped to speak briefly with him on her way towards the meeting room. “He’s called a meeting so suddenly it’s a bit concerning. I do wonder what it is he’s planning to tell us all.” She looked at Hoseok. “Perhaps you may enlighten me? Surely you know what is going to take place.” Hoseok bit the inside of his cheek as he straightened his shoulder and took a small, nearly unnoticeable breath.

“I believe it is in my best interest not to take Taehyung’s job away from him. He’ll let you know in due time. It is not my place to say.” He lowered his head. “Excuse me,” he spoke before he was on his way in the opposite direction Kaori had been heading. In truth, he wasn’t sure where he was walking. Weaving in halls, probably walking in a circle. He didn't know what to do at the moment.

Was he supposed to attend the meeting like Taehyung had him do before? Or was he supposed to just hang around and wait it all out until a new order was given to him? Right now, his only order was to accompany Taehyung and serve as his guard and comrade until further notice. He finally stopped to sit on the outside walkways of the garden. He sat for a while just thinking.

His lord was gone and so was his lady. All those people in the compound were slaughtered, but it didn’t look like it was done by just anybody. People had been split into two or had their heads crushed. Hoseok cupped around his chin as his finger bent around his lips that dipped in a frown. It was no human that broke into that compound. Besides, Fuuta wouldn’t have fallen at the hands of bandits. It was unlikely that everyone would’ve died even in the event of a bandit rush.

The smell of that compound was musty and bloody. It was no human- that he knew. But now the question lies on what demon did the deed. Taehyung probably told the townspeople that a bunch of bandits with wild boars broke in and killed them, but Hoseok was no fool. Taehyung was simply reassuring the people that there was nothing more to fear, as he and Hoseok and yourself had taken out the bandits. They were the simplest go-to excuse.

However, the look in Taehyung’s eyes as he lied to the people, as well as the way they looked when he watched the compound burn and even when he found everyone dead, they moved like he was hiding something. Hoseok was curious about so much but had zero answers to any questions he had. What was Taehyung hiding? What demon attacked the compound and how did they locate it so quickly when the concealing spell had just been removed a day prior? How did they know that Fuuta was at that specific location?

He sighed as he soon picked up on small taps from his left. Lowering his hand from his chin, and resting his arm on his knee, he watched your fox body worked its way down the hall. The small blue of your fire that never burned wrapping in small flames around your tails and paws. You stepped towards him and stopped not far from his sitting form.

“Did Taehyung send you?” He asked with a tone you were familiar with when confronting him. Cold as the snow. You merely dipped your head in confirmation. “Don’t tell me he’s going to make me actually sit in on another meeting?” Your head fell and rose once more. He sighed before he pushed himself up, straightening out his haori. He looked down at you. “Fine. Lead me there. He’s probably getting impatient.” You merely turned and started down the hall, him following you.

This is the second time he’s had you lead him. He’ll probably never forget the first time he followed you, as you pounced on his in his Inn room and lead him here to his estate. As he walked, he grew anxious.

What could Taehyung possibly want him to attend this meeting for? He was only to relay the message of Fuuta’s passing and announce his succession. It was nothing Hoseok hadn’t seen or known already. Perhaps he wanted him there for the reason that he was present during it all. Perhaps he needed someone else to clarify and back him up in case someone tried to call it a bluff.

You sat in front of the meeting room doors, waiting on Hoseok to catch up with you. He stood over your small, animal form before announcing himself and sliding the shoji open. Just like before, the leaders were sat among a table. The only difference being that Taehyung stood at the head of the table while the others sat in their rightful place and Fuuta was absent.

Hoseok simply took the seat that belonged to Taehyung, earning a small click of the tongue from the monk across from him. He gave an eye roll towards Bunji.

“Alright,” Takaki’s shrill voice cut into the silence once Hoseok had taken his seat and you had trotted to sit at Taehyung’s ankles, “we’ve all gathered. Now, what is it that you’ve called us here for, Taehyung?”

Taehyung’s eyes traveled to each leader, making eye contact with everyone, even Hoseok as he saw that look in his eyes again. Taehyung tucked his hands together in his sleeves, as he had changed out of his armor and even let his hair down. The kimono he wore was one Hoseok recognized in blues and yellows.

“I have called to order a meeting of the remaining four leaders to announce a few important changes that will be happening immediately.”

“Four? You speak as though you are not including one of us,” Kaori spoke. Everyone knew there were five leaders that worked under the lord. Taehyung just closed his eyes and nodded once only to reopen them.

“Yes, I will come to that. Bare with me.” He cleared his throat lightly as your tails flicked opposite of each other. Taehyung looked down at you for a moment before lifting his head again. “Just over a week ago, our Lord Fuuta and Lady Shiro, along with the entire headcount of the northern compound were killed.” A deathly silence filtered into the room, replacing the seriousness that was there before. It vibed with small panic and somber sorrow. “In light of the recent grim events, I will be stepping out from my position as a leader and taking my place as Fuuta’s rightful successor.

“Lord Fuuta was killed?” Tsutsui asked.

“I had heard that town had undergone a bandit’s raid, is that related?” Takaki asked, keeping his composure about him.

“That’s impossible! Our Lord would not fall to the hands of a simple ruffian!” Bunji announced as he moved to stand in protest. Takaki was quick to shut him up by pulling on the back of his thick prayer beads, pushing them again his neck and lowering him back down to his rear.

Taehyung raised his finger to his lips, mirroring the same method Fuuta always used among them to keep peace within a meeting of his children. Bunji quickly settled. Taehyung lowered his finger as he replaced his hand back into his sleeves at his front.

“Yes. The raid took place at the entrance of the town and happened when Hoseok, Y/n and I were already out. We had taken care of most of the thieves ourselves, but they were simply a distraction. By the time Y/n had noticed something wrong and retreated back to the compound with Hoseok and myself, the culprit had already done his deed of slaughter and fled. The damage done was not that of a human attack- the one who killed the people of the compound along with Lord Fuuta and Lady Shiro was absolutely demonic.”

“Do the townspeople know of it?”

“No. I told them that a second band of thugs and wild boars raided the compound. I left them strict instructions not to go to the compounds remains either. I burned the entire building to the ground myself after properly laying to rest the people who died there.” Some leaders looked at Hoseok, knowing he was present as well, for confirmation.

“It’s true. The compound was demolished and Fuuta was buried with Shiro, along with all the others.”

“Do we have any leads on who the demon who killed Fuuta is?” Kaori asked.

“Yes, I do.” At Taehyung’s proclamation, Hoseok raised his eyes to him with shock. He knew? “I’ve had many nights to sit and think about it all. Fuuta did not raise or teach a fool, I am abler than many think. Fuuta shared many secrets and wishes with me, and I with him. Today, I shall share a wish and a secret of his to me in light of his passing.” The attention on Taehyung was absolute, no one dared to look away, Hoseok especially.

The seriousness in Taehyung and the way he stood, holding himself. It was so surreal and clean cut. It was like the Kim Taehyung, Hoseok knew and grew up with wasn’t there anymore. It was truly the heir to the throne Fuuta left behind.

“Among his many years of hunting and the founding of our organization, it is a well-known fact that we are not recognized as an official unit of power by the government. However, it is unlikely that the military power of the capital would truly lash out as we have a direct connection to nobility through Fuuta as well as Kaori, the daughter of a wealthy conglomerate, sitting so high up in authority. With all that in mind, it should come as no surprise that certain demon’s despised Fuuta for creating an entire army against their kind. He created a force made specifically to eliminate and destroy demons.”

Taehyung looked down at you who had still been sitting at his ankle. He reached down and picked you up.

“This small fox is the same demon woman you all met one year ago that Fuuta and Shiro had taken in and raised.” There was a small murmur of recollection. “She has taken on this form for a reason, but she is still Y/n and is still a demon who has sided with us. She remembers the scent of the demon that lingered in the compound that day and will be beneficial to us.” He set you down onto the table, where you sat in front of him facing the others.

“The demon who is most-likely the demon who killed Fuuta and all the others is named Zath. He is a terrible demon who has been around for longer than we have. I won’t share it all, but of the things Fuuta had told me about him and how he knew the demon, it’s not farfetched to assume it was Zath who ended his life.”

“And what should we do about it? Should one of us hunt him down?” Tsutsui asked, knowing that no matter what, it wouldn’t be him doing the tracking and killing- as it was not his forte. He already saw enough work in his future by adding more reinforcement to his medical camps with the temporary lack of leadership chairs.

“Yes, however, it will not be one of the four leaders. I shall be assigning someone else to do this, as this will lead onto the one wish Fuuta passed to my shoulders.” Taehyung reached into his kimono pulling out two objects. One of which was a wooden play piece of the game of Shogi- the rook. The other was a hair stick that once belonged to Fuuta. “This Shogi rook is the one thing Fuuta gave to me when he announced me to the chair I sat in only a week ago. As you all know, Fuuta had a tradition of giving someone something as a token of future success- you all possess such an object from him.”

It was true. The prayer beads Bunji wore were his gift. Takaki was given a set of leather sheaths for his sai. Kaori was given her hair comb with a rose carved onto it. Tsutsui was given an engraved, rare metal rod for luck in his medicine. Taehyung was given the strongest piece of Shogi, the rook. Along with the five of them, Hoseok was given something as well, that glass flower. Hoseok began to question something and he lightly jolted when Taehyung looked at him.

“You were given something as well, weren’t you, Hoseok?” He spoke with a small smile. Hoseok nodded as he pulled out from a small pouch his glass flower, wrapped in a cloth to keep it from breaking. Small gasps were sounded around him from his leaders. Even you were looking at the flower, still astonished he had it. “It was Fuuta’s hope that one-day Hoseok would take my place as the swordsman leader and I don’t disagree with his opinion.”

“Wait, Taehyung-” Hoseok tried to interrupt.

“However, even though he is strong, Hoseok isn’t strong enough to take my place yet.” Even if it was a fact, it still shot through Hoseok’s ego to hear it said aloud. “In simple terms, he’s got a long way to go before he could hope to replace me in full confidence, so I will be giving him a mission that will require him to build his strength. Once it is completed and he returns to me, only then will he be able to pridefully sit where I did.”

Taehyung looked at Hoseok and his unsure face. Hoseok never strived for a seat at his table, in fact, he hardly ever thought about what would happen if he were offered one. Now, here he is, sitting in a chair that previously belonged to Taehyung, his best friend, and might soon belong to him.

“Hoseok’s mission is not easy, and there are two conditions that will be included if you agree to take it.” Taehyung smiled at his friend. “That being said, it is up to you if you wish to embark on the task I will give to you or not. If you do not wish to, you are welcome to decline and return to your lower-ranked status. I will not force it upon your shoulders, as I know Fuuta would not have either.”

“I’d like to hear the mission first, if you don’t mind,” Hoseok apprehensively requested.

“Of course. Your mission will be to track down and kill Zath. The endgame is to have him eliminated for many reasons; however, all you need to focus on is killing him for the name of our fallen lord. In regards to that, it would be a requirement for you to take with you someone who could track him down, or alert you to when he would be present. To that end, I would instruct Y/n to accompany you on your mission as your partner.”

Your head shot up to look at Taehyung as your ears flicked at his words. Hoseok’s eyes widened as his jaw nearly dropped. You moved to look at Hoseok as he looked back at the fox that was you. He would have to work with you? If he took on this mission to succeed Taehyung’s chair, he would have to work with you and be your partner to hunt down the demon that took Fuuta’s life? He clenched his hand around his second, unused sword’s scabbard.

“I do know of your past, Hoseok, as you know. We’ve been friends for years, and I know the horrors you’ve seen and the trust you’ve lost. I know the full depths of your hatred for demons, and that makes you an excellent demon hunter. A fine swordsman with two blades, one that does not truly belong to you so you choose to never draw it in battle.” Hoseok’s jaw set at the hit to his past that Taehyung knew so well. “You keep that second blade with you as a reminder as to why you fight. So, accepting Y/n- a demon fox- as your partner in this mission must be difficult for you to imagine.”

Hoseok knew that hunting down that demon alone would be nearly impossible. If Zath was as strong as Hoseok imagined with the ability to take down Fuuta and everyone else in so little time, Hoseok on his own would surely die. And tracking him would be a nearly impossible task in itself, because how could he track a demon he didn’t know a thing about? You, however, knew his scent, as Taehyung had explained earlier. You would be the only lead someone could use in trying to track Zath down.

Taehyung looked away from Hoseok and around to his new subjects of which he used to stand beside as equals.

“Now, I’d like to ask for your consent to properly take place as the leader of this organization. I wish to ask for your blessings to take over where Fuuta left off if you all would let me.” He untucked his sleeves from his front as he lowered his back and head to bow respectfully. There was silence before Kaori spoke first.

“I offer my blessing,” she spoke with ease, raising her hand in approval.

“I wholly offer mine as well!” Bunji announced, raising his hand along with a set of blue beads of prayer used to plead well wishes from the heavens.

“I see no better time than the present to allow the one practicing for this position to finally take it, even if the situation is grim. I’ll offer you my blessing,” Tsutsui easily agreed.

“You’re a better fit than I, I’ll support you as the new lord as well,” Takaki finished.

It was when Taehyung stood straight again that he knelt down and sat at the head of the table. He placed his Shogi piece of the table and prayed to it, thanking Fuuta for guiding his path through this one piece of a strategy game. He then raised the hair stick and looked at Kaori.

“Would you mind? You’re far better with hair than I am,” he chuckled as Kaori rose from her seat and moved to stand behind Taehyung. She pulled his long hair from his loose locks and began to pull it back. Brushing it out the best she could, she was soon taking the length of it and folding it onto the back of his head.

“The hair stick if you would,” she asked as she reached around his head as he offered it to her. She placed it between the folds of neatly tied up hair and pinned it in place. Stepping away from him, she took back to her seat. Your tails swished as you looked at him. He picked his Shogi piece back up before he offered it out to you.

“Y/n, take this. As a gift from Fuuta to me, and me to you.” You slowly reached out and lightly took the piece between your teeth, taking it from him and carefully placing it in front of you by your blue flamed paws. “I think the rook suits you perfectly,” he chided with a pet to your head. He looked up again. “As of the moment, all has its place. You all are more than welcome to leave as you wish. Take your time to grief as well, performance can be hindered by sorrow- do not neglect yourself from your emotions.”

Taehyung began to stand again as the other four leaders exchanged looks. They quickly got up and out of their chairs, Taehyung shocked at their quickness. His eyes widened when they all gathered at the back of the room in a line, from right to left lining up in order from ranking. Takaki, Kaori, Bunji and Tsutsui, all standing and facing Taehyung before taking to their knees, pledging allegiance to their lord.

Hoseok watched them from his chair before he closed his eyes and made a decision for himself. He stood from his seat as he looked at Taehyung before walking to the far right of the line of leaders. He soon knelt beside them.

“I’ll accept your mission and will work alongside Y/n to hunt down the demon Zath and return back to you and take my place as your fifth leader. I agree to work hard and prove myself as the next swordsman leader you and our late Lord Fuuta both can be proud of.” Hoseok declared as he lowered his head. You had turned to face him on the tabletop, taking the Shogi piece into your jaw again and lowering your head, almost agreeing with Hoseok.

Takaki raised his head. “As the head ranking leader, I speak on behalf of all present leaders of now and the future. We shall serve you as loyal and faithful servants until the time of our death. You have our vow as the new Lord. May you depend on and accept us as your new children, Lord Taehyung.”

Taehyung smiled as he composed himself, feeling the stinging sensation of tears in his wide eyes.

“I will disclose any further information regarding the Zath mission to Y/n and Hoseok at a later time, for now, you both shall remain here and rest. As for the rest, I look forward to working and leading each and every one of you. Please, be safe on your journeys.”

“Yes, of course. We wish you the best as well.”

The sun fell below the horizon that day with a new lord, a new leader, an empty seat with a future promise to be filled and the unsuspecting alliance of Y/n and Hoseok. However, it’s the future of the alliance between the two of you that Taehyung worried for, as he would soon be sending you both out on your own together without him to mediate.

The entire idea- though the only way he could resolve the Zath issue at hand- gave him a terrible headache.

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bestfriendforhire · 3 years ago

Text

Children of BFFH, Entry 99

I sighed, bored with waiting to arrive. The plane ride had been boring, since Father insisted that I needed to study the entire way. He didn’t believe that I’d find time to study during my stay, which was possible. Four probably didn’t need any more sleep than I did, so he might play games with me throughout the night.

Glancing out the window, I happened to notice the driverless cab next to me, one of James’. Father had recently made a deal with James for that cab company to be introduced throughout a few cities in Russia. Europe had already embraced Best Friend for Hire’s transportation services after seeing the greatly reduced accident rate and improved transit times. Ultimately, I still found the subject boring.

Knowing that I needed to understand the workings of everything and actually studying it all were completely separate things in my mind. I didn’t want all of my time spent guiding other people! Maybe Alaric would give me a reprieve?

I had tried picturing Alaric from the last time we met, but Four popped into my head, having been on that trip. He was a couple years older than Alaric and me, and had brilliant violet eyes that I could stare into forever. They were just that beautiful! I wished that I had made a better impression on him when we met. Sadly, I had attacked his little sister when she proved to be formidable. Father understood why I had been investigating, but he reprimanded me for not trying to speak first. That was when he pointed out that the Eternal Princess Aaliyah was far more dangerous than she appeared.

All Slayer descendants worth mentioning knew that Aaliyah was brilliant, the notable ones also knew that she was the world’s only living assassin—she mercilessly kills anyone who tries to take her jobs, but only the strongest families know that Aaliyah is Death herself. According to Father, Aaliyah has been around for all of time and is rumored to literally collect souls as people die. He claimed that even a Slayer, such as Alaric, would be killed instantly with the slightest touch of Death’s scythe, and that weapon is said to destroy body and soul. If not for the desperate seriousness in Father’s eyes when he had told me, I would have thought he was telling a tale. Well, meeting Mariasha and Serenity did help to persuade me as well.

Serenity had effortlessly broken Father’s arm, looking as if she had merely been playing, and her movements were so fast that I couldn’t even follow them. Mariasha had created something around him that he told me was unbreakable. The ability to create with a thought was startling, a power I hadn’t heard of until then. Going by what Father had told me, Serenity was Death’s own granddaughter and Mariasha was Death’s daughter. I needed to be careful around them.

Save Alaric, I had gone my life without realizing there were children near my age who could compete with me on anything. Finding out there were numerous was a bit frightening… and exciting. I had played through my brief fight with Lucy time and time again in my head, and I wasn’t certain I could beat the smaller, younger girl even if I had given it my all. She was at least as fast as me, strong enough to fully block my strikes, and she had enough skill to turn most strikes with minimal effort. The more I thought about our brief fight, the more I believed that she had taken me lightly enough to have held back for the sake of her clothing. Only when Father had arrived did she start getting serious. I could only imagine what Four might be capable of.

After dozens of little daydreams, some extra studying from the books with me, and a few stops to relieve my boredom, I finally passed the gates into Somerset Estate. King James Michael Somerset III was the man who had bested Father with a single spell, shattering every last bone in Father’s body and forcing him to yield the fight. According to Father, that was the single most excruciating experience of his entire life. If not for the swift care of Alma, Father would have died. Since then, stories of James’ talents had only grown, such as an account from James’ wedding where he had incapacitated Adelmar Slayer while Adelmar struggled with his dragon nature. This man deserved every respect.

From the immaculate yard covered in fancifully pruned bushes, picturesque trees, and perfectly trimmed grass to the enormous, lavishly constructed mansion, Somerset Estate was made to impress. I doubted many had come here and left still feeling they had seen better. With eyes as sharp as my own, I could always find something out of place, at least elsewhere. James’ yard didn’t even have a stray twig visible from the front.

“Greetings, Marisha. Will you please follow me?” asked Mila, the first daughter of Death as I approached the door with my courtesy gift in hand. Though artificially constructed, Mila’s place as Death’s daughter was made indisputable by the lack of people willing to argue with Death. Despite her position, she looked perfectly humble as she waited for me to nod before leading me into the mansion.

Past two sets of sturdy, wooden doors was a balcony that overlooked the entryway. Twin staircases led up to the next floor. Directly ahead was a shut door, surprisingly not a hallway, though there was a hall to the right and to the left. From the rails on the stairway to the ceiling high above, the wood was all tastefully engraved. This was a very nice home.

Mila led me to the right, turning left as the hallway split. I caught sight of a very large kitchen, drawn by the smells of well-prepared food. I resisted the urge to head in there, not wanting to offend my host. I didn’t doubt Father was right that James would know. What strange powers must a man have to keep Death herself as a servant along with Death’s daughter? Would Mariasha join her sister here eventually, dressed as a maid? The thought chilled me when I realized how easily James could have me bound here. Father wouldn’t dare argue.

As we walked, we passed many different people, all confidently walking the halls on the way to some business. Many of the rooms seemed alive with activity, but I barely caught even a scent of the other children this way. I certainly wasn’t hearing any of them that I recognized. When we reached the end of the hall, I froze, a sudden panic rising within me.

To my shame, Mila noticed, smiling compassionately and motioning for me to go onward. “I apologize for your discomfort. My daughter’s scent is heavy with dark energy when she uses her magic, and she’s allowed to use her magic quite often in our rooms. The scent is nearly impossible to eradicate completely due to the lingering energy.” explained Mila as she continued up the stairs.

I couldn’t keep from glancing back at the relatively ordinary-looking door that stood between me and Serenity, if she was in there. Such a door wouldn’t keep me out if I attempted to break it, so I was very certain that the door couldn’t keep Serenity inside. I hoped she wouldn’t notice me.

“Yes, you’re smelling vampires here. The entire wing on this floor is the dwelling of Cosette and Valeria Bourbon. Please do remember Alaric’s edict not to exterminate vampires indiscriminately when you’re here. Cosette would probably take offense, and the Master might not save you quickly if she did.” stated Mila offhandedly as we passed near a door on the second floor.

“I wouldn’t dare.” I assured her. Though Father had never talked with me about Cosette himself, I had read about her while preparing to come here. Cosette was the daughter of King Louis XVI of France, a daughter who came about many years after he was presumed dead. Despite being very young by vampire standards, her position here and personal ability had allowed her to rub elbows with the most powerful vampires in the world. She was considered to be extremely dangerous and off limits to the family.

After taking the stairs up another floor, we walked down a hallway with more… unique paintings than those below. Where I could recognize the work of old masters on the first and second floor, the paintings here were unknown to me, some of them depicting landscapes that simply had to be pure fantasy. Even some of the vases baffled me, made from materials I didn’t recognize, though they could have been creatively painted to make them look unknowable. I reminded myself I was in the domain of someone beyond even Father.

When Mila politely knocked on a door, there was a wait of several seconds before the door swung open without a sound. My mouth dropped open as I was bombarded with scents I didn’t recognize and the sounds of creatures I didn’t know. James appeared to be seated at a desk made from driftwood, but the desk sat on a beach. Despite knowing he was in a very real room, my eyes couldn’t find the flaws in the illusion.

“Go in.” encouraged Mila, though telling me what to do would have been frowned upon had she been any other servant.

I did as instructed, still marveling at the surroundings as James seemed to type something out.

“Welcome, Marisha! Sorry if my husband’s decor is disturbing for you, but he has the room changed to fit his mood rather often.” apologized Alma, who I hadn’t even noticed.

I curtsied to her and offered the package I was carrying to her. “A small token from my family to yours. My father wished me to convey his gratitude for allowing me this brief stay.” I told her, hoping Father had chosen well.

Alma opened the carefully carved box, smiling as she said, “James, look what Maksim and Marisha made for us.”

As James looked up and smiled at the marble carving of their family, I wondered how Alma knew I had helped. After a few painful, panicked seconds of staring and thinking, worried I had made some sort of mistake, I realized that I had given her children the very outfits they had worn when I met them. Father hadn’t seen them all.

“Thank you, Marisha. That is quite lovely. We’ll be sure to display it soon.” promised James, standing and walking around to me. He was a tall man who looked quite young for someone as intimidating as he was. Of course, his wife really wasn’t any less intimidating and looked equally young, passable for a teenager. “I do hope you enjoy your stay here, but try not to get your hopes up as far as Four is concerned. You both have years of growing ahead of you, and I’ve noticed that Messy, that’s Mariasha if you don’t remember, is rather fond of my son as well.”

I fought the sudden, irrational despair that loomed up within me, but I knew my mouth involuntarily frowned. Of course, James and Alma would know why I was here. I wouldn’t be surprised if Father had told them when he had contacted them, wanting to appear forthcoming. If Mariasha was truly interested in Four, I would be a fool to oppose her.

“You do realize that Aiden is your age, right?” questioned Alma, smiling warmly at me. “Here, let me give you a little protection to help you see things more clearly while you’re here.” Energy suddenly welled up out of her, and I couldn’t begin to follow the huge spell she formed with it before it settled on me.

“Th-Thank you, your majesty.” I told her, quickly curtsying again while knowing Father could never have done whatever that was. He had never claimed he could compete with her, only that he once made an attempt for her hand.

“No need for any of that.” stated James sternly, though he looked amused. “Just call us ‘James and Alma’ while you’re here, okay?” he asked.

I nodded, feeling more than a little overwhelmed when I stayed on that strange beach long enough to join the two for some tea. We chatted about home, the other children here, and the rules for some sort of battle game I’d be asked to join tomorrow. By the end of that conversation, I was quite certain that no amount of preparation would have really prepared me for coming here.

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