I will take your scraps and make something beautiful pt2.
An Elon Musk x Donald Trump unhealthy mutual attraction.
not proofread btw 🙏🙏🙏
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
It’s already been months since last time Donald and Elon last interacted, He had hoped that the man who once praised and defended him would reach out eventually, he wanted Donald to prove that his feelings actually meant something. That they had truly shared something that goes far beyond platonic, It was not about missing his homoerotic situationship, it was about the man just cut him off completely, yet he didn’t. To be honest he never did and most likely never will at least not for him.
As he stayed on the floor completely motionless staring at the side to the wall ; I mean he always knew it was going to end like this, who didn’t? In fact no one really expected it to last this long.
Although it was really pathetic remembering all the shit elon did for Trump, for example once when they had quarreled over how close Donald was with Bill Clinton and how Elon was uncomfortable with those close interactions Donald threw a fit about “trust” and left to return to his friends Jeffreys private island. Despite everything Elon still was extremely dependent by Trump so again he had to resort to self humiliation and BEG to be let in his island to resolve the quarrel with Donald so he wrote “Will be in the BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?” hoping to any god up there that it would be as soon as possible.
He knew that when he did get there and make up with Donald , his beloved, would finally step up and be the man he’d been before. The man who soothed him, the man who cradled him like one would a baby, with the utmost care a father would a son. Yet he knew it wasn’t healthy nor was it real , he was aware the whole time, but you can’t wake up someone pretending to be asleep.
Now that he truly reflects on it Trump IS severely older than him, more accomplished and could easily influence Elon was just a fool in love, but that’s a thought for another tale, For now let’s just leave our buddy elon to ponder and hopefully regret his decisions.
Pairing: Jade Leech x Reader, (Major Floyd & Azul x Reader subplots)
Summary: After murdering the man you love, you’ve come to find out more and more about your new husband… And like you once thought before, he is indeed the slimiest man you know. Because he… might not be your husband at all. Now, you have to figure out how to rid yourself of such falsity before the shadows catch up to you. (Wc - 33.9k)
Continuation & Prequel of - The Water You Drown
Warnings: Yandere (Jade), Angst, Monster x Reader, suggestive parts, implied nsfw, regency era, arranged marriages, murder, obsessive/possessive behavior, stalking, GN pronouns but Reader's status is a woman's, lots of yearning, threats, horror elements, the twins are extremely touchy, many flashbacks, manipulation, desperate reader, unhealthy behaviors, violence, shadow monster, slow spiral into insanity, unrequited love
ACT I - ACT II
Jade sits at your side.
He watches diligently as you sit with a book in hand. That is all. You sit, the cover remaining closed. Slowly, you turn your head to look at him, your brows furrow at his concerning commitment to staring at you. Perhaps it’s the way he hums like a mosquito or the unnerving sight of miscolored eyes, but you swat at him like a pest. The attempt goes unnoticed as he remains ever so intent on inhaling you like a flower. He doesn’t so much as flinch when you try again. You bring the book to your face, a position not exactly the best for reading, but the best for coverage instead.
“Surely you must have other duties to attend to, Jade.” You attempt to reveal the pages to your eyes, but your efforts are stopped by Jade placing his finger on the top of the book's spine.
“My schedule has been freed for the week. I believe my duties lie all towards you.”
"You tended… to me yesterday. I believe there is not much more duty for me."
"I insist there is. Why, it is my second favorite activity. To hide in the corner of my study, hearing the sweet—" He stops when you cough, glancing at the maids in the corner.
“I worry for your title of Duke…" You mutter. "What will they say when they find you are incapable of your work?” You swing your unopened book towards the man, the cover hitting Jade’s chest. He seems unbothered by the sudden assault. “Perhaps it is a blossoming opportunity for a third marriage, yes?” you say.
“Let us hope your next husband knows all then.” Jade removes the hardcover from his person, gently opening its contents to you. He allows you to use his hands as a makeshift table.
“How wonderful! I shall make sure he outshines you in every possible way,” you scribble notes on the pages. That's what he thought originally. When he looks over at the paper, he instead finds poorly drawn doodles of himself with his head off his body.
“There is no worry for that. I will force the vestiges of my remaining spirit to infest his mind. Then I should like to make him go mad with my love for you.”
“... I shall find a fourth.”
“I think not.” There’s a glint in his eyes when he says his decline. You don’t dare to engage more in his morbid claims. Not for fear of your own safety, but for the staff who cower in the corner at their Duke’s shameless ‘humor’. You take great care when you turn to them, placing your hand on Jade’s lap. They’re quick on your orders when they see you mouth a silent ‘leave’. You turn back to him, acting as if you weren’t a co-conspirator in your handmaidens' escape.
“Do you plan to kill any man who marries me?” you spit out, taking your hand off him when the staff are gone. Unfortunately, he catches your wrist before you can fully escape. You scowl when he kisses your palm.
“Who said kill? My, you are morbid. It is untoward to say such things.”
“But you are the one who said so…?”
“I just said I should show my love. I am not so cruel. You are much more fiendish than I to suggest such things.” Jade makes the gesture of wiping his tears despite his dry eyes. “It is no worry. I shall love you forevermore, my dear.”
“Should you like to spend a fortnight on the couch and not our bed, please do continue.” He’s quick to close his mouth. On a rare occasion, you internally celebrate at the momentous achievement. “Well? Should you like the couch?”
“I should not like the couch.” He gazes at you with a slight frown. Enough for you to know he’s upset, but not enough for him to harm his pride. “Please do not subject me to a loveless marriage.” You sigh at the last remark he sneaks in, his urge to poke at you overpowers the urge to sleep with you. Or maybe not. You do have a feeling he likes both equally. He’s akin to a wet cat when he is threatened with not consuming your very being.
“... I do not believe I am the one who makes that choice,” you whisper below your breath. Jade fails to hear it, fortunately. But for a moment, he’s silent. There is a sudden sense of foreboding in the atmosphere as he remains quietly seated. It’s not unusual for Jade to go silent out of the blue, but surely there's something different about today. "… What is wrong with you? Why are you mute?"
"I saw Azul—" You perk up at the mention of his name, something evident to everyone in the room. "—'s mother today." You don't deflate, but truly… what were you even expecting…
Your husband is dead. And so is his shadow.
You should know. You're one who… who…
You killed him.
"…" Jade pauses at your silence. "… Yes, Lady Ashengrotto. What about her?" you ask. You smooth your clothes, finding any way to distract yourself from the current topic. You decide the pillow on your couch shall be your best friend in this moment.
"She hopes to meet you." You halt once more. "She wishes to gift you something of Azul's." Jade's eyes watch carefully as your fingers twiddle with the loose thread of the pillow next to you.
"What… What is it?"
"A letter." You don't notice the way he takes your novel in hand, finding every little drawing of him. He gently tears the doodles out of the book, keeping them in his breast pocket. He puts the book back in your lap. Your hand dusts it off as if his gloves leave dirt.
"… Why should I care for a letter?" Not true. You do care. You care so much. You need that letter. But, you can not have it. Not after everything you've done to erase it.
"I believe it is the paper he wrote a day before your wedding," you tense. No matter how many times you questioned what was in the letter, his only answer was to turn and deny any such existence.
…
"A letter? I have the faintest idea of what you speak." You're met with the back of Azul's head, swaying back and forth as you gently shake him from behind. It's only when you rest your head on his bare shoulder does he look at you.
"Do not lie. I know all too well of your scheming tone."
"Lie? I would never. Shall, never." He corrects himself, only earning your huff in reply. It would be much easier if he would just tell you.
"Well, unfortunately, I am not one of your poor unfortunate souls." You remove your chin from his shoulder, resorting to falling back on the bed sheets. He follows in pursuit, ready to wrap his arms around you. He's only stopped by the single pillow you place between your bodies. "… You seemed so happy to give me the letter then. What has changed?"
"… The letter is not meant for now."
"For tomorrow?" you drag out.
"… Not for tomorrow either." He sighs, turning around so he can wrap his arms around you instead. "Perhaps in a few years."
"Truly? Why not now?" you ask, leaning into Azul as he rubs your back.
"Goodness, are you whining? That is new."
"I am not whining. I am asking. After all, I have no idea what this letter entails," you say, watching as he leans into the backboard of your bedframe, pulling you along. "Is it blackmail—? Are you going to blackmail me?"
"Why would I ever blackmail you, my Pearl…?"
"You have done it before, Azul." You spit out, your hands planted on his chest as you push away. He smiles, his glasses nowhere to be seen. There's a certain warmth in his bare face. You realize what he's doing, and before he can open his mouth to redirect the conversation, you place your palm over his mouth. "Why can I not have the letter?" A beat of silence passes, and when you feel he's seen enough of your begging eyes, you remove your hand.
"… The day of our wedding, I talked to someone." You don't question anything he says, only listening. "They are the reason I can not give it to you now." Your eyes fall, looking at his heart. It doesn't take much to know who he's talking about. After all, you were there too.
…
"I do…" You stop yourself. "I do not want that letter." You spit out, nails digging into your palms through your gloves. You see it in the corner of your eye, but Jade seems to have a genuine shard of shock in his face. He's quick to recover, however.
"My, and the Lady was so excited to see you again." You stand suddenly, walking towards the door. Jade follows behind you, a few feet. When you open the large doors, the maids stand to their full height. You have no doubt they were eavesdropping "But it is no matter, Azul is not—"
“... Leave me be, I wish to walk the gardens.”
“Do not fret, I shall come—” You close the door before he can follow.
…
“... See, dear? The gardens are quite nice," you remark, your arms interlocked with Jade as you both stroll through the gardens. ‘Dear’ comes out much too forced, but it doesn’t matter. His eyes gaze upon the lines of flowers, all in several different multitudes of colors. It’s a beautiful sight, one he should care for, but he doesn’t, and it doesn’t matter.
“Indeed. Though there are many lovelier.” His gaze falls upon you, the black strand of hair flowing with the wind. His smile is filled with pleasantry, and it continues even as you lean into a whisper, patting his arm with a gloved hand. His downturned eyes glance at the action.
“Do not act too much like your brother, or my body shall run in fear at the danger,” you mumble. Floyd laughs at your claim, not enough to be noticed by anyone else, however. Your eyes shift back to the path in front of you, taking small steps with the man in tow. "But, what is it you needed me for?" His fingers play with your glove, and you allow him to do so. Ever so slightly, the tip of his finger sneaks below the fabric, touching your skin before retreating.
"Jus' wanted to see ya." He whispers. A passing family walks by, and he's standing tall once more. "Because I seemed to have missed you so much dearest."
'Truly? It's been only an hour." More like a month…
"Well, feels like a month." His grip around your arm tightens for a moment at the mention, but it's gone just as fast as it arrived. You stop when Floyd suddenly freezes. Before you know it, the two of you are speeding through the forest.
"Flo—J-Jade…! What are you—" You stop yourself when you already seem to make it to the clearing, snatching your arm from Floyd as soon as no one is around. "What was that…?" He walks around a little before stopping. He slouches as he looks at you.
"I wanna ask how you've been." Is that… it?
"Then… ask…?" You tilt your head as you wait, watching as Floyd walks closer to you.
"How've you been, Shrimpy?" You haven't heard that name in a while. Despite the circumstance, you can't help but smile at it.
"I have been well, Floyd." You utter, looking at the floor as you speak.
"Jus' well?"
"I suppose so… yes." He furrows his brows, and you can tell he doesn't believe you in the slightest. "… Truly, I am perfectly fine, excellent even—"
"It's cuz of Jade, isn't it?" You stop talking. One straight-lipped look into Floyd's eyes though, tells him you don't wanna talk about it. And he takes the hint. The hint to keep talking about you. "I missed ya."
"Do not fret, I believe I can tell…"After so long, you witness a sight you haven't seen in a while.
A mood switch.
"Hope so, or else I'd have to squeeze you." He smiles as he flops down, his back resting against a tree trunk.
A tree trunk…
Floyd glances up at your silence.
"Sorry, guess I brought you to the worst place I could, huh?" He dusts off his pants, about to get up before you keep him down. Your hands rest on his shoulders as your knees drop to the grass.
"No, it is fine… I just…" You lick your lips, thinking of your next words. "Floyd?" You ask a question that is tied to your tongue, one that has desperately been waiting to escape. He's right, this is the worst place to be, especially for what you're going to say.
You'll apologize to Jade the next time you see him.
"Yeah?" Floyd asks.
"… If you had the chance to be with someone you love, with all of your heart, once more… even if it was not truly them… would you take it?"
He's silent. Allowing you to ruminate on your question.
"Dunno."
"I see," you utter, falling next to Floyd. "Would you… Can we…" Despite such a simple sentence, you struggle to find the words."… walk me to the docks, please?"
…
Floyd stares at your form, looking into the ocean as the moon strikes you. If he were in a good mood, he might even draw you. The many perks of those swings are the sudden ability to do anything. But, he's not. He's far behind, leaning on empty crates as he waits in the shadows. If he didn't talk to you occasionally on the walk here, he thinks you might not have realized he was even with you in the first place. He's only here to watch you. To make sure you don't do anything rash. Which is ironic, coming from him.
He takes a deep inhale of the smell of the ocean, and the salty flavor of the sea can be tasted. Or rather, your tears.
…
You're left standing at the docks you had last seen Azul. Jade has never let you near the place since. In truth, you should be grateful for his efforts. They've had you not remember Azul for a few moments. But only for a few.
A part of you wonders if giving yourself to that shadow of his would've been a good idea. It's not your Azul, never will be. But perhaps you could've made do with something like him.
Anything would've made do if it were him.
Maybe… even Jade too—
No.
Your Jade is far gone.
Floyd's already by your side when you turn around, his arm stuck out, completely willing to hold you all the way home. He smiles when you wrap your own limb around him. You handle the candle, and you only look at it, the faint flicker mesmerizing. It's pretty in a fleeting way.
…
Fleeting.
You sit on top of Jade, a candle to his face, the flame swaying back and forth in his pupils. And…
A blade to his throat.
Despite the circumstance, he smiles at you from below, his face slightly transparent in the bright light that shines on him. His bare hand finds your hip, massaging it in a way you think is meant to be encouraging, but all it does is aggravate you more. He laughs when you push the edge closer into his skin, not drawing blood, but some inky substance. The same that seeped from Azul.
"Do you plan to send me to where Azul is? Ah, I mean, Azul."
"You… You…! Quiet already…! Stop smiling…! Do not be happy about this…!" Your words don't deter him. "You do not deserve to be happy…"
"Ah, but how could one not? My beautiful dearest is on top of me." The burning wax from the candle drips on his face from how close it is, yet he continues smiling through it all. He stops when you grit your teeth, a sudden void look in his eyes as he looks at you. "Can you do it?"
"I have done it once with my husband's shadow before. I can do it again." His lips perk up slightly at your claim, yet his eyes remain empty.
"I know you can. How capable you are." He suddenly sits up, your body jumping. He stops you from leaving him by wrapping his arms around your waist with an ironclad hug. "But…" you shove the light closer, reminding him of his position. He seems unfazed.
"But?"
"What shall you do when the shadow is your husband?" His ear presses against your chest, listening to the rapid beating in your heart. It informs him of just how different you are. A pity. He wishes he could have a heartbeat too… if it means being closer.
"… You are not Jade."
"… Indeed, I am not." He removes his ear from your heart, heterochromatic eyes looking up at you without a shine in them. "But you were never married to Jade. You have been married to me." He emphasizes each word.
"You are just a cruel fake."
"And if I were the real one, would you have married Azul?" His hug around your waist tightens; it feels as if he's squeezing your very organs together.
"You are not…" You whisper.
"If I were the real Jade Leech, would I have been your first?" He squeezes again. The strength starts reminding you of Floyd rather than Jade.
"You are…"
"Can you truly kill me after I have been all you have known after Azul?" His eyes begin widening. You can't tell if it's from sick satisfaction or a genuine spiral into insanity.
"You…"
"I am a reminder of what you have lost." His hands find themself squeezing your sides, "But I am still here. I am all that is here."
"… Stop saying…" Jade kisses your chest, his lips freezing. The shadows in the room grow darker, and it feels as if they're growing specifically to trap you. Has one wrapped around your throat?
"I will always be here. I have always been here. In Jade Leech's shadow… In your shadow. In [Name]'s shadow…" He kisses your heart again. "In [Name] Leech's shadow…" The entirety of your room is pitch black, save for Jade, who's only visible due to the weak flame on his transparent face.
"You…!"
"Will you answer my question?" His voice is flat when he says it. Yet, it feels as if he's demanding it, a sudden pressure on you. It's cold… so cold…
'And if I were the real one, would you have married Azul?'
"… I do not…" It's dark… so dark… why is their ink on your attire?
"I have been loving you before Jade Leech had even died." Black liquid spills from the cut on his face, dripping into your nightwear. "Can you truly kill me, knowing I am the only past you have left—"
"Quiet!" You scream, the echo reverberating. Black liquid falls, dripping in vast quantities like a heavy rain storm, covering your head until it drips onto Jade's face. A knife cuts into his throat, drawing even more black, and he sputters. He pauses at your outbreak, before erupting into gentle laughter.
"I see!" He falls back into what once was your shared bed, a puddle of black replacing it. With a grip even stronger than yours, he points it at his Adam's apple. He reveals his pinpoint sharp teeth with a single smile. "Then, you must kill me before I begin loving you too much."
You don't say anything, only widening your eyes as you lean forward to end the thing that has killed everything you've loved. You push the blade deep, watching as liquid puddles and makeshift eels attempt to squeeze you tight.
…
You and Jade hide behind the trunk of the tree, shielding yourselves from your servants.
"Jade… You must realize this will make me have to wed you." Your hand pushes the suitor's face away from you before he can land another kiss on your hand. "Or at least I believe so… It is just a kiss that does that right…?"
"But is that not the plan?"
"It is not! What if I wish to marry Azul? Or perhaps even Floyd? You can not make that choice for me. I shall hate you forever if you do so." You can hear sniffling coming from your side, Jade wiping completely dry eyes.
"Such a cruel fate… I can not save you once that happens…" Jade has a quiver in his voice, only serving to confuse you more.
"S-save…? Are they to murder me?" you question.
"Oh yes. Perhaps even eat you."
"That sounds more like you…"
"Do not worry, I have already had a taste." Jade licks the hand that currently pushes his face away. "A bit too mean for my liking." If anyone else saw the action, they'd gasp at Jade's scandality… But they'd be far more concerned about the way you don't even remove your hand. He must consistently be an interesting figure for you to be so apathetic about it…!
"… Mean…?" You quirk an eyebrow.
"Yet again, I do quite like it when you are yelling at me." Jade hums, earning a huff from you as you turn away.
"You are much too insane to be married off…"
"That is why you must marry me. You are not going to leave me unwedded for the rest of my life, yes?" When you look back, he's flashing you with those vulnerable eyes of his, like a puppy. It shouldn't work, considering he's nothing akin to a puppy at all, and yet…
"You shall see someone else," you spit out.
"I see. It seems I will need to cut out my eyes then." Jade closes his eye, his back hitting the trunk of the tree. His arms encase you, so you are left trapped against his chest. "I am similar to Azul and Floyd in that sense. If it is not you, I do not think I want it."
"What are you muttering about? What do Floyd and Azul have to do with any of this?" Jade can only laugh at your oblivion. It doesn't mean he'll admit it to you, however. Your eyes soften when Jade takes hold of your neckline, gently loosening the fabric. He doesn't pull it down, but opts for placing his bare hand over your heart. After a few seconds, he pushes you down onto your back, replacing his hand with his ear. "… Now what are you planning…?"
"Shhhh…" He gently hushes you, dragging his finger down your lips. It's a tranquil scene. The sun is setting perfectly for the two of you. Jade clings to you like a parasite, content with listening to your heart as if it were the finest of ballroom music. You let Jade take hold of your, dragging it towards his chest as he loosens every complicated button on his attire. He doesn't give you the chance to look away, mismatched eyes staring down at you as your hand is placed on his naked skin. He carefully pulls the cloth of your glove away from your fingers. You shudder at the feeling of warmth on your fingertips."Do you feel that?"
"Yes…?" you utter, Jade, smiling at your truth.
"We're both alive," he whispers.
"Naturally," you mutter.
"Together…" you jump when he kisses the back of your hand.
"Jade…!"
"Yes, that is my name." You pinch him at the annoying retort.
"We have a wedding to go to soon, you know that, right?" You're unsure if he heard you with the way he's smiling. "Azul and Floyd must be wondering where we are right now—" He cuts you off when his lanky body falls to the side as he lies next to you. "… We really must be going." Despite your claim, you do nothing to get up.
"Must we go to yet another unhappy wedding?" he mutters, turning to his side.
"If our families wish it, yes."
"Well, they are only increasing the chances of our own unhappy betrothals."
"Maybe it will be different for us," you say. He stares at you incredibly hard, the clouds coming overhead. "I hope to marry someone I love with all my soul." The sound of walking comes from a distance. "But knowing my suitors…" Jade remains ever so focused on you as you turn to look at Floyd and Azul coming closer, his lips tugging into a small smile.
"… I am sure you will."
The first drop of rain is felt, and you head to the most miserable of weddings.
…
Shaded hands wrap around your body as you cry into Jade's shoulder, the cold liquid puddle dripping onto your back as he shushes you. You can feel freezing ink press against your cheek, but you don't pay any mind to it. He kisses your temple before the feeling of liquid rises, enveloping your entire body in imaginary frost.
"Jade always did this to you when you cried yes?" You nod, the cold only becoming colder. "Then allow me to steal it," you nod once more, "So I can be him, all for you."
You nod for the final time, and with a smile, it whispers.
"It seems you could not do it after all." Jade traces hearts into your back as your cries continue. "It makes me wonder," he stops momentarily as he leans into your ear. "You could kill the husband you so deeply believed yourself to be completely enthralled in. Azul… and yet… You could not even kill the fake that has married you," he whispers. Your crying stops immediately at his words. "Did you really love him?"
… You remain silent. You swear on your heart that you did love Azul. Do love Azul. But, his words work as hypnosis, and you begin wondering yourself.
A cold thumb brushes your cheek dry of your tears. You're much too anguished to even think of what he could be doing, hands bunching up his shirt.
You only know what he's doing when you feel cold lips on yours, exchanging a silent vow that you'll forever know. You always will.
"I shall love you with all I have." You know he means it. Because he's only come into existence due to this love. You are everything to him.
Despite his gentle touch when exchanging kisses, he doesn't look the least bit shocked when you roughly bury your lips into his, which would steal all of his oxygen, if he had any. He thinks that's your goal anyway, kill him through suffocation. He would die happy in that case. Instead, his hands are quick to release you from your top, a glint in shaded eyes at the vulnerable sight.
A victorious glint.
"Azul…" He ignores the name because it doesn't matter in the end.
He's won, hasn't he?
It's the brightest time of the day, and yet your room is covered in shade. All the curtains are drawn, only minuscule rays of light shining through. The culprit of this gloomy atmosphere remains with you.
"Why did you kill Jade?" Your voice comes out quiet as you hug yourself.
"I am your Jade." He states coldly as he looks at you, curled into the covers. His arm props himself up, watching you from above.
"Would you…!" You sigh before retreating from your next words, replacing them with what the greedy shadow wishes. "Why did you kill yourself, Jade?" You finally look up at him from your pillow, the moon's light shining on his fake features. You can see his form wisp in the light, dark tendrils escaping from different parts of him as they wave in the air. "Why did you… Take Jade away from me…? Take… Azul…?" His eyes bear a resemblance to Azul's shadow, that empty, horrifying look that stares holes into your soul. You can't help but feel like a child again as you use your blanket like a shield against him, as if you're covering yourself with protection from a monster that lurks under your bed. Except this time, that same monster sleeps with you in bed.
"You." He says plainly, You can hear a faint echo in his voice. The mattress next to you dips as Jade leans over your body even further. You don't look, but you can feel black ink drip onto your cheek. If you opened your eyes, you're sure you would see mismatched pupils staring directly overhead. You stick your hand out until you feel something cold in your palm. You think your hand is on his face. You think.
"You killed them…" you whisper, chilled liquid starting to drip through your fingers.
"I love you."
"And I loved them…!" You finally find your voice, throwing off the covers as you push Jade's face away, and you watch as his misty body falls back, sluggishly swinging back up like a rag doll. "… You are a damned shadow… You can not—should not, love."
"Oh my," His voice continues, holding that horrifying echo, "Have you become a shadow expert?"
"After being married to you for so long, I must be."
"A wonderful outcome," he says flatly. Not monotone, however, there's still some semblance of evil in his voice.
"…" You lay back down on the mattress, made to face the cold all alone without your sheets. "What do you mean by 'you'?" Jade tilts his head before smiling.
"Simply that. All you."
You're sick of him.
"What does that even…"you murmur.
"You." his voice comes out stronger, the walls his accomplice in creating an echo.
"I could not… could not grow old with those two because of you…"
"…" He doesn't answer, only blankly staring at you.
"… I will grow old." You straighten your back, your finger stabbing into where a heart should be. "I shall age, and you must come to the terms that you will never be the one." You throw your arms at him, pushing him back once more into the wall. "You will see what I could have had, if you had not come into my life…!"
"…" He continues being apathetic to this outburst.
"I shall die, imagining an Azul that is old and gray next to me. And you will be anything but him."
"…"
You tug at your skin in the mirrors reflection. Something utterly grotesque, but you can't help it. You used to do it when you were younger, to check for wrinkles and sagging skin. Before, it was in fear of growing old. But it is the opposite now.
You fear staying young.
You are now in your late thirties, and still look as if you haven't aged a day since your wedding to Jade.
"Dunno what's the problem. You look young, so what? You'd look good with or without em—"
"That is not the problem, Floyd! I do not even feel a single aging bone in my body…!" You turn to look at the noble, some of his hair adorned with silver. Not a lot, though, as you don't think he has much to stress about in life. Quickly, you rip off your gloves, showing him your nails. "Look, they have not grown in years." When he stares, you quickly pull them back on. "I still feel young… What if I am charged with witchcraft? You must know I shall die. You must know that!"
"I won't let 'em kill ya."
"Oh? Because that is certainly assuring." You plop down onto the cushion next to Floyd, his head immediately finding your shoulder as you sink into the cushioms. "… I am going to watch everyone I love die if this continues." You turn your head to look at Floyd. "… I am going to have to watch you die, Floyd. You do know that… yes?" You say it like a fact. A detail that should be concerning to him, yet he only comforts you.
"Better than me watchin' you go."
You remain silent at his words, your expression falling.
"He is taking you from me, too." You glance at him, counting each strand of gray on his head. "… Floyd?"
"Yeah?"
"What were you trying to tell me back then? At… my wedding?" Even though he is practically resting on you, you can still feel him freeze at the question.
…
“Please don’t—”
“Your Grace? Oh! Have you seen them? N-no…? Where could they…?”… He’s still holding your flowers. He’s broken from the trance when he feels you lightly shake him off, your voice softly muttering his name.
…
"…" You can still feel him breathing on you.
"Floyd—"
"Please don't wear that to the aisle." You're quick to furrow your brows. "You looked like a jester."
"Pardon? You're the one who said I looked nice—"
"Aww, Shrimpy believes realll easy, huh?"
"You…!" You lift your hand, a small pillow hitting Floyd's chest, as he laughs.
"My, you two are having fun." You swiftly throw the same pillow towards the voice. It's not fun, however, as he quickly dodges the decor. A polite smile that's always on his lips remains still plastered there. "Am I not allowed in on the family bonding? After such a fun night…" You search for a second pillow. "No matter," he unfortunately changes topics before you can do anything. "I must speak of something." You look down at Floyd for a moment, his eyes remaining trained on Jade.
"You look better when you are silent." You mutter, Jade, finding his spot next to you. There's a certain spark in your words, one that has been there for the many years you've been married to Jade. But, there's something still different about it, evident enough for Floyd to clearly see.
"Than, shall I write my words?"
"Oh yes. And even better, you should do it outside." You point at the window, the rain hitting the glass. "In the joyous rain!" Your brow turns at your words, and Jade only seems to smile at you. With one glance, you turn away. "… What is it?"
"How would you like to move?" Both you and Floyd perk up at the sentence.
"As in… a different house?"
"No. A different everything." Jade slowly leans into you, his arms finding refuge around your waist as his chin rests on your shoulder.
"… Pardon?"
"Unfortunately, it will be far from anyone else," his fingers crawl up your arm. "But fortunately, we will have each other. Isn't it just wonderful, dear?"
"No. That sounds like torture…"
"Ah, yes, what a wonderful comparison." You and Floyd remain quiet. "I am joking, of course. I shall only torture you with love." That sounds even worse…!
"Why do ya' even wanna move?" Floyd sits up, looking at his brother from the other side of your body.
"It's just so stifling in the city… You know I quite like nature. Such a calm atmosphere." You know Jade enjoyed nature. But him… You remember pointing out a plant only for him to talk about crushing it in the same breath. When you looked at him, a switch seemed to turn on, his words quickly flipping to say the opposite. "I feel it would be best to live in the country." You shiver when cold lips kiss your shoulder. "… Well?"
"Shrimpy will think about it." You glance at Floyd, his finger pushing Jade's forehead back. Out of instinct, you reach out to stop him, before remembering that the three of you are no longer young adults.
"Well, my dearest's thinking is my favorite part." Jade smoothly counters, his head no longer on your skin, but his hand still weakly holding your sides.
"Yes, thinking… I do it best when you're not here." You mutter, your fingers holding onto his gloved ones. You try prying them off, but some inhumane strength somehow keeps them there. Or maybe it's a curse.
"I shall give you your space then?" Jade mimicked, his hold on you only tightening at your futile attempts. Floyd's eyes furrow at the sight, his eyes looking back up at your face.
"Oh yes, I need to think for the next 20 years. So do stay away for that long."
"What jokes you have. Do not worry, I will be back in a mere—" Jade cuts himself off when he watches Floyd's thumb brush over your skin. At some point, he must have taken his gloves off, as he watches entranced at the sight of his skin on yours. "… I hope you remember [Name] is married to me, my dear brother."
"I know," Floyd murmurs. "I know that every day." Despite it, he does the same motion you did a few moments earlier, effectively ignoring Jade. "… You really don't have wrinkles, huh?" Somehow, you think it was meant to be comforting. You and Jade both look at Floyd. No matter how much you wish it wasn't the case, the two of you move in tandem, gazing at Floyd's silver strands at the same time. "Kinda wish I coulda seen you old and gray though. Bet you'd be pretty."
"…" Jade remains silent.
"… Jade?" You turn, and your husband perks up at his name. "I will move." The silence after you say so is stifling. "Just, let me say my goodbyes first…" You wait. "… Alone." he blinks before suddenly standing up.
"Oh, of course. I shall leave you two be." You get the sense he's not telling the truth, but you have no idea what he would even do… A shiver crawls up your spine as you watch him leave. His back is right in front of you, and yet, it still feels like you're the most vulnerable. Before you can speak, Jade suddenly halts. "I have already asked the servants to start moving our belongings." You and Floyd share a look as he continues, "We will be gone in a sennight," and that's all he says before leaving. A weird part of you feels as if there should be more, and yet, there isn't.
"… I can not believe him—Mm…!?" You jump when Floyd covers your mouth with his palm. When you seem to finally stop fighting, he removes his hand, quickly standing up and digging through his belongings. "What are you doing?" You attempt to follow him, but he quickly walks over to push you back onto the cushions. When you try again, he throws a bag next to you. Hesitantly, you open the bag.
He can't be serious…
He throws a second one on top of it.
"Floyd, you can not be giving these to me. These are yours…!"
"Yeah, that's why I'm givin' them to you." He quietly stalks the room before grabbing a suitcase. "Sell em'. As soon as you can. Use the money as your dowry." When he opens it, it's your own belongings. "… Took it off a servant when I came." You stare at the luggage. "She didn't see me."
"… What is the point in this? I am meant to move with Jade, so there is no need for such things…"
"Don't. That's the point." That's… an option…? You watch as Floyd picks the bags and case up effortlessly. Before he can open the door, you take hold of his free hand.
"… I can not simply leave you here…!? You know just as well as I do that…" Your lips tremble, but you push through it. "That wretched… thing… is not your brother." He stays silent. "He is not Jade, Floyd! He is not him! If I leave, do you understand what could happen?" Floyd closes his eyes, dropping the objects in his arms," and what will happen to you—!?" You jump when Floyd corners you into the wall, his hand catching your back before you can bump into the hard surface.
"That's why you gotta get out." Only struggling breaths remain in your speech. "He's not Jade. If he was, you could stay here all ya want. I could trust he'd keep you safe and stuff." His hand moves from the small of your back until he's holding your face. "You can't stay there, Shrimpy." Your breath hitches when Floyd rests his forehead on yours. "I'd rather die than let ya stay trapped there. All alone and bored. You're meant to live."
"… You sound like Azul."
"I thought about that before y'know. But, he's kinda borin' sometimes, yeah?" Through your struggle, you laugh. And the moment that happens, he holds onto you.
You don't know what else to say. When he pushes the door open, the halls formerly filled with servants are vacant. And… the front door is left slightly ajar.
"Floyd…" He takes hold of your neck, pulling you into a tight hug. His arms constrict around you at a force so tight, you worry he's attempting to squeeze you to death as your salvation. His hand finds itself petting the back of your head as he takes a good look at you. You can suddenly feel the air rush into your lungs when he pushes you away from him. "Please—"
"I'll find you." You don't believe him. "I promise I'll do it." His hands remain on your shoulders. "You're the only one I keep promises to." When you finally feel his fingers let go, you choke.
"I love you." you whisper. He knows you don't mean it in that way, and yet his heart stops when he hears you say the words he's always hoped to hear. And yet…
He fails to say it back.
He pushes the doors open for you, a blinding sun seeping into the house where
"Go." When you're gone, he finally says it back. Only enough for the shadows cast by the sun to hear. "I love you too."
A sudden chill is felt behind him, and an empty voice he can't even register is heard.
"Floyd." And the things that calls itself Jade, shows himself.
But in the very far corner, there seems to be something else.
…
You run. You run before Jade knows where you have gone. There's no doubt he'll figure it out eventually, he'll know soon enough. But you've taken the effort to rid yourself of every reminder you have from both Jade, his shadow, and their connections. Your wedding ring left in your home, your earrings swiftly ditched in a bush, pictures, and… his family.
But you have no time to think of that now. You must be quick to find light again. Even if it may harm you, you must know if it is too late.
Your fine clothes are dirtied with mud and grime, and fabric is torn at the branches that shred any of your clothes. The expanse of the forest is long, something you used to be acquainted with, but not anymore. Not without Jade.
You run for so long, you can't feel your legs. But you keep going, you will keep running until you reach… Somewhere. Anywhere, really, anywhere but there. The heavy luggage of clothes, belongings to sell, and… dowry, weighs you down incredibly. Even then, you push through the strain. You don't even remember the passage of time or anything really. You can faintly make out carriage rides, boat travels, and long stays in inn's.
But, all that matters is you're out of reach from shadows, your body sitting on an empty field. You look insane… Several candles are lit around you even in broad daylight. You feel absolutely filthy, and probably look it too. But it doesn't matter, you're far away from it.
"It is… I have not seen you for so long." Your head remains facing the tall grass, hesitant to look up. The voice is incredibly familiar, but you know that shadow's ways. You will look up to see his horrifying, sharp smile. He'll ask you if you truly thought it was that easy.
"Shadows are everywhere."
You can't. You can't see that murderer anymore—!
"You still look so young… Your looks truly have not changed since the rose gardens." … Roses…? Slowly, your head turns up at the crouching noble, a smile on lips you haven't seen in quite some time. Just like most everyone in your life, there are strands of gray in his hair, some wrinkles in his skin, and a new air of professionalism, but there's no doubt. The red hair is too much of a sign for you not to know.
There's something different about him. But change has always had its way on victims.
"Riddle…" You're half tempted to reach for his hand, tell him how in need you are of an escape. But you decide against it. "Ah— No… Viscount Rosehearts. F-Forgive me for the impropriety…" You shrink back, attempting to stand yourself up on your own accord. Despite it, Riddle still helps you up to your feet.
"Do not worry for mannerisms I…" He pauses for a moment, dusting off your hands before continuing. It reminds you of Azul in a way. "I miss… I have not seen you for so long. I do not mind." You can see a glint of something in his eyes. You know exactly what it is, and so you pat his shoulder.
A part of you knows it's improper to ask. Entirely improper. Especially after so suddenly getting married to Jade while Riddle was courting you, but… It worked for Azul; it must work for Jade. Floyd, while not inanimate, is some form of connection to Jade, the real one at that. A bond…
Your best chance of purification is to rid yourself of such objects.
If you wish to truly rid yourself of Jade's shadow, you can't ever see Floyd again.
…
"Floyd!" You shriek when a sudden head pops out from the numerous assortment of flowers. Your callers scream at the sight of the laughing noble amongst their bouquets. In some sense… they should be fighting him away for your hand… But the sight of one of the scariest men in nobility swiftly has them claiming that they have somewhere to be. "You…! You have scared them all away, you eel!" You're quick to grab a piece of floral, throwing it at his face.
"Isn't that good? You don't wanna get married to those planktons," he spits out the word plankton like it's a disease, finding his place on the coach right next to you. He's lucky you kicked out all the maids… and… being a close family friend."At least marry someone fun."
"If I had that choice, you should know I would take it," you sigh, plucking out flower petals from his hair. "… I wish to marry… Never mind." You don't elaborate on who you were going to say, leaving Floyd in what you think to be the dark. Unfortunately for him, he knows exactly who you're talking about. With each petal removed, his face grows closer and closer. All until he's but a breath away. "… What are you doing?"
"Why am I the only one?" His face is blank, the only sign of emotion being his furrowed brows. "The only one you didn't…"
"… Only what?" You don't react when Floyd gathers the petals in your lap, his head tilting down, making your only view of him the top of his hair.
"…" You lean your head to the side, quirking an eyebrow at his silence. You jump when he suddenly drops his weight, his head on your shoulder. He mutters something under his breath, but you're too preoccupied watching the door to listen. Your hands find their place on his shoulders, gently shaking him. When he refuses to sit up, you understand there's not much more you can do. "I love you just as much as—"
"Floyd, why did you come here?" you interrupt his whispers, not collecting any of what he muttered.
"… Huh?" His head snaps up, mismatched eyes rapidly moving all over your face before settling on your eyes. His pupils visibly dilate before he whispers."… I was bored."
"Really?" you spit out. A few seconds pass before he lets his weight fall to your lap, his head resting on the edge of your thigh. He groans when you try pulling him off, before remembering that once he's rooted in place, it's almost impossible to fight him unless you gain some surge of strength.
"Yeah, life's just real borin' without you." Your body relaxes when the noble you're used to returns, moping like typical. "Shrimyps not gonna go and get married that soon, right?" he asks. With a sigh, you're about to reply to his answer before an interruption pops up.
"Hello—" You scoot away from Floyd as quickly as possible, shuffling to the other side of the coach."… I hope I did not interrupt…?" You're about to save face before you see gray hair and glasses invade your view, your body sitting straight immediately. Azul smiles the moment your eyes lock.
You deflate when Floyd's brother invades the scene.
"Azul, I had no idea you were to visit."You stand up, dusting off your lap as you walk forward. Floyd props himself up from the floral print cushions, frowning as he watches you wipe off your clothes.
"Oh, I am not here to visit." You furrow your eyes, confused at what he could be here for. "I am here to call." He smiles at you through his glasses, waiting for the head maid to step inside.
"To… call?"
…
"You seem lost, dear brother." Jade watches Floyd stare as you and Azul talk, the twin not even turning to look at him. Instead, his head remains propped on his elbow, a position he typically adopts in boredom. Instead, he's laser-focused on the look in your eyes. Floyd doesn't have to look at Jade to know he's purposefully ignoring the same scene. "… You could have caused a scandal."
"Maybe that's what I want." Jade admires his bold volume. But he's equally admiring the ignorance of the head maid, purposefully ignoring the two longing twins in the corner of the room. He's quite sure she's grown accustomed to their stays at this point.
"Or, perhaps it's not just you." Jade finally lifts his eyes, something blank in them staring holes into the scene. Not a single shine is evident in his pupils. And yet, he smiles through it all.
"… Why… don't they…?" Floyd's words trail off until his elbows give out, and his head falls, his eyes trained on the single stain on the floor. Jade turns at the words, his expression raised at the inquiry.
"But, they do."
"Not the same way they love you." Floyd mutters. Jade's half attempted to correct and say 'loved', but he stops himself. "And…" he pauses, the sufficient time being enough for them to glance at the subject together. They truly are twins. They look at the way Azul has you hiding behind your hand, smiling through your glove. "Specially not like Azul." They ruminate in the silence for a moment.
"It will be okay," Jade utters. Floyd slouches over in the wooden chair, his head resting on the back cushion. "They shall always love you, too." Floyd stares at the ceiling, tuning out Jade's rambles. "As long as you are my brother, we will be in their memories for years to come."
"… You're goin' crazy." Floyd spits out. Jade only chuckles at the sentiment.
"Me? I am just trying to comfort a dear brother."
…
"Riddle?" You gently whisper.
"Yes—?" He cuts off when your arm wraps around his. Your eyes never find his, however, as if your next words will cut you off from everything you've known. As if you're leaving you're past in a mystery you can never look back on. "Is… something the matter?"
"…"
"Your Grace—"
"Will you marry me?"
Your sudden request, after not having seen him for 15 years, has Riddle sputtering on his spit.
You stare at your wedding ring. Wedding. For you are once more, 'to be' officially married, the Leech ring gone somewhere, hopefully smelted.
You can only hope the word does not get out to the Leech's nor anyone in your town. Though… the journey you took for this marriage isn't exactly honorable in the sense of your title. There's no doubt Mrs.Rosehearts despises you…
After all, you and Riddle only had one way for her to call off the courting she had set up for his possible second wife. A rumor. A lie.
Sort of.
Riddle simply made sure he was caught with you. All alone.
… Kissing eachother. In the middle of a ball… In the dark.
"You?" You could only nod at the way her voice screams at you. The scandal is great, truthfully, she should kill you instead, but… You have provided the one thing Riddle desperately needs. A partner and a potential heir. She can hardly let her only son face ruin. Your eyes turn to Riddle, finding him through her rampage. She paces the parlor with her hand on her forehead. "Well then, you must get married." She stops, scowling when she looks at you. "Do you have a dowry to offer?" You're lucky to have brought all the money Floyd gave you.
No links to Jade.
You nod, earning yet another scoff from Mrs.Rosehearts. "You are lucky to at least have some status. If you were nothing but less, I would not even allow Riddle to see you. Much less marry you." You have a feeling that, despite his penchant for listening to his mother, he would find some way to do it again. "… What is your name?"
She has yet to remember your face. Part of you thinks it might be due to how young you look, and you're grateful for that. But telling her of your family's title could most definitely remind her of your position.
"[Last]…? Are you not married to Lord Leech?"
What do you do? What do you—?!
"It is [Name] [Last], mother." Riddle perks up, staring straight ahead at the woman. You're quick to hold onto his sleeve with panic on your face. What are you doing? You look at her, fully expecting red at the mention of your name. Instead, you see her sigh, stepping towards the door.
Has she… forgotten your family?
"The wedding shall be this month. Any later and they will only be enraged…" Before she shuts the door, "I will not let my son fall because of you." Her words resonate something. But what it is? You don't know.... You can see Riddle visibly relax, but you are the complete opposite.
"Riddle… Why did you—?"
"Ever since your engagement to Jade, my mother vowed to never remember you again for your 'transgressions'." You blink a few times before letting out a knowing 'ohh'.
"Your mother has always been the determined type…"
"Indeed… But…" Riddle's eyes soften at the sight of you. "We have already gone against the tons' expectations once. What if that is not enough?" You blink a few times. Time really has changed people. Even the nobility's dear rule follower is willing to be in a ruinous event.
Everyone has changed but you, it seems.
"That means we must have another scandal then, yes?" Your face is gentle when you look at Riddle, his eyes widening at the prospect.
"Are you sure? I do not wish—" You can tell just how much he doesn't desire to impede on your peace. But… You know you will never have that peace if you're not entirely unchained from "Jade" and your biggest tie. Marriage.
"Yes, Riddle, I am sure." You glance at the window, watching bright red hair take her leave from the estate. Slowly, you guide Riddle's hand to your heart. "I… I will tell you everything if we get married, so please…" Your hand tightens around his, and you inhale deeply. "We must do everything possible."
…
A dark shadow in the corner of the room watches as Riddle holds your face in his hands.
"Goodness, how do you look so young, your grace? You must be three and forty by now!"
"Ahh… I must get it from my family… Yes, haha…" You awkwardly laugh off the older woman's words, gently shooing her hands away from your face. But it does give you pause. After everything you've done… Everything you still do… Why just why…
Are you still connected to Jade?
You should've aged too. You can't grow old with anyone at this point. Will you… Will you be younger than your husband? The thought pains you. What… Just what is missing?
"Why…?" Your thoughts seem to escape from your mind. As soon as you whisper that, the lady on the other side of the table perks up, opening her mouth to ask what it is you're questioning. Before she can, you feel a hand on your shoulder.
"Forgive me, but my Rose and I must be going quite soon."
"Ah! Viscount Rosehearts!" Riddle bows at the mention of his title, his hands resting on your shoulders. His hair still retains all its red hues, but the amount of gray has increased since then. "Have I really overstayed my welcome? My apologies, it seems! I just can never get enough of your darling… 'Rose'? Was it? What a gentle name you have given them…! You two make me envious."
"That is very kind, Lady Trein. But we really must wrap this up, [Name] and I have planned today to be with each other this afternoon. It is only 15 minutes before—"
"Oh, you do love your schedules. Alright then, I shall go. Please do have a wonderful day!" A kind lady she is, yes… But goodness, she comes over so often you think she might be trying to be your mother. Riddle's smile fades the moment she's gone from the room.
"Is something the matter?" he inquires. You jump when you're reminded that Riddle remains behind you, his palms on your shoulders. When you don't answer immediately, he mutters,"… Something is the matter."
"Oh, you know all." Your reply is sardonic, but it's filled with so much anxiety that he can tell you don't mean it. "… It is…"
"About those two. Is it not?" Two… He has no idea that a third participant equally invades your thoughts. Even if he's not in this world. You don't look at him when he says so, only weakly nodding your head. He moves aside, pulling out the previously occupied chair and moving it to sit next to you. You think in some way, he's attempting to take your mind off it. "I have no idea what you see in them… You must know they scam quite often, yes?" You huff at the statement.
"Mm, yes, they do."
"… You care for them a lot, yes?" You care for one of them, that's for sure. "You have a glint in your eyes whenever you think about them." You watch as he pours lemon tea into his cup. "I have never seen it for myself."
"Riddle…"
"It is quite pretty. Like a rose." he drops two sugar cubes in, the liquid splashing gently. "I take great pride in being married to you."
"… I am sorry you could not marry someone who loves you in that way." He quietly pours tea into your own cup, a seperate brew.
"But you do love me in some way, yes?"
"I do." The sun casts a shadow on your face. You think you lucked out with it, if it didn't, you have no doubt your husband would see how pitiful you feel. "Of course I do."
"Then… That is enough for me." You watch as he sips from his sweetened drink. "I just wish the best for you." What he wants the best of, you don't know, but you allow the typically proper and finished Viscount to, for once, be imperfect. A moment that has not been allowed for many years. It makes you realize that maybe that's why he agreed so readily to wed. But then again, you could always be wrong.
The shadow on your face disappears, as if its shaded kiss has decided to leave you so it can instead arrive…
Soon.
…
You wake up in a cold sweat. It's dark outside, and yet your room is fully lit. No matter how hard Riddle insisted he didn't mind, you told him sleeping separately would be better for him. Even though it was your own wish, even you can't sleep properly in this brightness. You sigh, running your fingers across the covers, pulling them into your body. You freeze when you feel something cold immediately touches your finger tips. Quickly, you pull back, scooting away until your back his your bedframe.
"What…?" Looking at your hand, there's nothing there. Just merely, your hand. But is it really? "…"
You're going insane.
There's simply no way Jade will make it to you. Everything, and truly you mean everything, concerning him has disappeared from your life. Whether living or inanimate, it is gone.
"… It is all gone." so… why… why…?!
You jump when something knocks against your window. There's nothing there however, simply a figment of your imagination. Slowly, you clench your hands on the blanket, before roughly bringing it up into the air and throwing it down onto the mattress.
"Damn you, Jade… Damn you… you…! Fake…!" You repeatedly slam the blanket into your bed, the sound resounding through your chambers. "Why must you have his face…?!" There's a tear in your voice as you speak, your heart thumping sporadically. With one last throw, you fall onto your covers, your words muffled into the fabric, and so are your wails.
You shiver at the sudden cold that runs through your spine. You're imagining it, you're imagining it.
"Azul… Oh Azul, I am… so…" you pause, whispering Floy'd name too. How would you have known any of this was to happen…? Maybe if you stopped Jade, Maybe if you stopped Azul maybe—
"[Name]?" You stop your muttering, slowly sitting up as you look around. The walls are still lit, the corners are still light, everything is bright. So how could…
"Azul?"
"You are quite still, my rose. Did something happen last night?" Once again, you and Riddle sit across the table from each other. Your husband pours himself another Lemon tea, with two sugar cubes of course.
"… Ah, forgive me, I am just thinking. That is all." He doesn't believe you, that is for sure.
"I heard you." You freeze, your grip on your teacup a bit too tight.
"You… You did…?" He nods, looking into the center of his cup.
"I came to your door the moment I heard you cry."
"I am… sorry, Riddle… I did not mean to wake you." He cuts you off with the feeling of his hand on yours.
"You did not. You never have." Before you can question what he means by that, "I have always waited at your door since your nightmares." You frown. "I know how much you want to see them." You stutter out an apology, not allowing it to go any further.
Both of you decide that looking out the window is a much better option.
…
"S'cuse me." A lanky body tips his hat off to the maids in your front yard. Waving with a sharp-toothed smile as soon as they see him. "You two busy?" They're greeted by a young man, someone who must be in his mid-20s at most. He bends down to be at their level, and the two shiver at the sight. They shake their heads, and he whistles. "That's nice." He looks around for a moment, glancing at the window. "I wanna talk with your Viscount." He looks back, his hat covering one side of his face. The silence is cold, yet he seems wholly unbothered by it. "Course, if he's here." He smiles once more, resting his face on his hand.
"Indeed, they are… Mister…?" The man opens his mouth, before stopping, as if registering something.
"Leech." He stretches out his neck after he says so. "You mind tellin' me where?" He doesn't need the hint, though, because as soon as he looks through the window in front of him… He can see you staring curiously, wondering if he is who you think he is. When he smiles and waves, your spine straightens, leaning on the glass.
There's the slightest bit of a smile on your lips when Floyd stands up. But it falls as you watch your maids lead him inside. He stares as you tell Riddle to stand by in another room, all while he stalks his way to you.
The halls smell like roses, but he can easily pick up your smell through it all. You smell like the way Floyd has always smelled you. Perfect. Or, whatever he thought.
A laidback smile invades your home, and the silence between you two is thick with something.
…
"Riddle? Please, may I have a moment with him?" You turn to your husband, watching as dark eyes furrow in worry. Your hand trembles, only stopping when he takes hold of it.
"Of course, but I will be here waiting."
"That is truly not necessary, I am sure you have much better to be doing—"
"My much better is making sure you are okay." You blink a few times. "… I worry for you much more than you believe." You open your mouth, but close it just as quickly. "… I promise to be waiting at the door for you."you nod, and walk to a man you never thought to see again.
…
"Hey."
"Floyd…" you whisper, looking at him with a mixture of emotion. For a moment you pause, a couple feet away from him. Your eyes scan him up and down, as if you can't believe he's real, but he is. He's right in front of you. He laughs just like he did before. His hair is just like before, too. It's real. "You are… okay…?"
"Yeah, I am." He takes one step closer. "I can never leave ya, you know that, yeah?" He takes another stepforward, his pin-sharp teeth catching the light a bit improperly. His arms wrap around your waist in a cold hug. You engage with it despite the impropriety, as you let him get away with lots of things. He smells like he once did before as well. "You're still everything." He whispers. You hum, your arms hesitantly finding themselves around him too. You stiffen when you remember an important detail, however.
"What… What is of Jade?" you break the question that has been festering between you two. Something that was inevitable to be asked. "Is he…"
"…"
"Floyd…?" His arms wrap tighter around you, constrictingly so. You've felt him squeeze you before however, so you're used to such acts from him. When it becomes too tight however, a tap to his shoulder had always allowed him too loosen up.
"He's fine," he utters. You tap his shoulder.
"That is… I was not hoping for that to be the answer." You whisper, waiting.
"Yeah."… He hasn't let go. You notice the way the light shines through him, a slight wisp coming off him. The slightest bit, only noticeable by a hug. When you push him away with much more force, he allows you, albeit sadly. His face holds a certain pity when you hold him at arm's length. "I know."
"Are you… real?" Your eyes furrow, tracing over him several times.
"… Yeah?" He looks at you like you're insane for thinking otherwise. He points one gloved finger at his face, sharing with you a sharp-toothed smile. It still holds the same charm it did before. Yet, there's something more to it. "Floyd."
"I am not asking that." You can tell that he's Floyd."Are you real?" But you remember now. You remember what you've forgotten about your dearest friend.
He should have wrinkles and strands of gray in his hair.
"I'm Floyd."
You're suddenly dragged backwards, your behind hitting someone's chest. A chilling presence appears from your blind spot, lanky arms pulling you into a hug, caging you between two forces. A familiar smell invades your nose. One, belonging to your husband.
"… You." you spit out, your teeth gritting at the cool temperature emitting from your shadow.
"Oh, do believe me," Jade's cold chin rests on your shoulder, humming a soft tune as he inhales. "Floyd's newfound appearance," You don't dare to look at either sibling, already preparing to raise your fist and throw your elbow behind. It might not harm him, but it's better to try. And… you'd much rather throw a fist at him than Floyd, "is all because of you." You stop just shy of Jade.
"… What?" you mumble. You don't want to, but your eyes disobey your whims, slowly looking at the figure in front of you. He's smiling, but it's not the same. There's something cold, something distant. Appearance-wise, he's the spitting image of a younger Floyd, and yet, he might not have known him at all. "… Did I…" You trail off, your hands trembling, and you bring them to your chest. Your fingers open and close, begging for some stimulation other than air.
"Did you…?" Jade continues for you. Your sentence doesn't finish though, cutting off before the final words. But he knows full well what it is you want to say. "You did not. Floyd would never wish for you to think such a way." You don't seem to listen to him. With a silent glance at the imposter in front of you, he speaks up.
"S'not your fault I died."
He sounds so much like him… But unfortunately, you understand the innerworkings of these fiends too well. No matter how much you wish for it to be true… you know it's not.
Yet, you can't help it.
Jade fingers crawl up your shoulder, stopping just shy of your neck. And you feel the urge to say it. Say that horrible thing. You know neither of the men behind nor in front of you are real. They're not at all the boys you grew up with, the Jade who you first loved, and the Floyd who was there as you loved Azul with all your heart.
They listen as you sniffle.
They're not real.
Something salty drips from your eyes.
They're a cruel imitation of the men you once knew.
And yet, you can't help but pretend. Pretend they're the two you knew so well. And so, with the most composure you can muster, through a blank face, you say how you feel. You don't make the mistake of saying it in the past tense. Because this feeling is present. You do something you haven't done in years.
You grieve.
"I missed you both."
The two of them pause when you spit those four words. But they're smart enough to know that it's not at all for them.
When you pull Jade off of you, you shove him into the drawing room, putting that grief aside.
…
Jade crashes into the couch of your drawing room, all from a single push. Your form stands over him, lights casting a shadow over him. You can't help but think he looks incredibly awestruck at the sight of you. It enrages you, but you don't tell him to stop looking.
"You… You…! What did you do to him…?!" Your hands take hold of his collar as you put a knee on the sofa, staring at him from above as you straddle him. You hope he chokes, oh goodness, you hope he does. You hope… but, you can't do. You're infuriated at this unfortunate detail.
"Me?" Jade puts his palm over his chest, feigning hurt at your words. He stares entranced at the way you scowl at him, as if you're hanging the stars and not hanging his head. "Why, I had no part in it. He is my beloved brother after all."
"He was Jade Leech's brother, but certainly not yours."
"At what point am I not Jade Leech?" You pause your speech at his words. "I have presumed the name 'Jade' for more than 15 years. I have become his looks, I am his mannerisms." You shift on the cushions, waiting for where he decides to lead this conversation. Slowly, as he goes on, you sit down, and you spot the book behind him. "Am I not Jade simply because I did not come into the world as Jade?"
"… What in heaven's are you prattling on about?"
"Paper does not come into the world as paper." You quirk your eyebrow at his nonsense. "But does the fact that it comes into the world as a tree make it any less paper?"
"… Do not compare humans to paper, you eel...!" As quickly as you had looked at it, you throw the book onto him. Fortunately, he doesn't dodge. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to care.
"How I have missed your cruelty. I could kiss you right now," Jade hums.
"I could kill you right now."
"Mm, yes, do keep going."
"You fiend… I…!" Your fists clench at the way he seems entirely unbothered by your attempts at cutting ties with him. It might set him off if you say this… But you can't…. You can't see him anymore. "I am in love with Riddle Rosehearts."
"…" Jade stares blankly at you, his eyes seemingly empty. "Are you truly?" he tilts his head.
"Indeed," you confirm. He blinks, leaning forward. When you attempt to crawl off him, he grabs onto your waist, pulling you in once more.
"Then why do you still dream of Azul?" you tense at his words. There's just no conceivable way he knows about such a thing. Unless… Before you can ask, he talks once more. "At some point, I even started feeling bad for Rosehearts. A poor soul he is… hearing his betrothed long for one who is no longer here." You tense, your breath caught in your throat. "All while in the same bed," he tuts. "Perhaps that is the true reason you choose to sleep in different chambers." He expresses a thinking motion, putting his fingers on his chin. "Not the lights." you grit your teeth.
"You…" You bite your lip before gripping onto his bicep, your fingertips digging into the fabric of his suit. His reaction is delayed, as if he remembers to act hurt.
"Ah…! You wound me." It's horribly bad acting however. You can tell it didn't hurt him in the slightest. But you realize, maybe words hurt him much more.
"… You are right. The affections I hold for Rosehearts are merely a play..." You understand that the marriage is just a sham, one of convenience. Riddle was only made to wed you because you asked him to. You can only feel pity for him. You hope in another life that he can wed who he truly longs for. His head tilts at your declaration, curious as to where you're going. "But, do you know why I can not love you?" his curiosity drops when you spit that last part out.
"Enlighten me," he says blankly, a slight echo to his voice.
"You will never be the man I love." You don't have to say his name for him to know. You've said his name plenty of times now. Too much to count. And so you realize, in this moment… It was never the moment you first saw his shadow, the moment you killed him, nor the moment you kissed it for the last time. But now.
You have to let go of Azul.
"…"
"Nor will you ever be my Jade."
Jade blinks once more. His face is expressionless, and he doesn't seem as joyful as he was mere seconds ago. He turns his head down, staring up at the ceiling.
You flinch at a cold hand on your back. It's somehow reached beneath the fabric of your attire. However, Floyd waits outside, and Jade's hands remain fitted on your waist.. So what is…
Something wet is felt on your shoulder. You don't dare to look, too fixated on the man below you. And then another, and another, and another. Though you don't look, you can still see black ink drip from your skin, seeping into your nigh wear. And… another. A heavier drop, a slimier drop, a… tentacle.
Slowly, you turn your head. You only stop when Jade takes your chin and turns you to face him. The appendage from before remains ever so moving. Still enough to not distract you, but obvious enough to remind you that something, is there behind you.
Jade sighs, his face blank as you tense. He takes off his glove, revealing two wedding rings. His, and the one you had sold off years ago. He remains leaning back on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling as you look at him. Your eyes remain fixed on the jewelry, watching as he slowly slips it off and lets the metal fall to the floor.
"Memories," Jade speaks blankly. "Are what is really keeping all of us here."
"What… What are you prattling about…?" you sputter. Jade's typically mismatched eyes are blank now, only that hollow, conniving smile on his lips.
"You." You crumple at his words."You love us too much. That is it." You lean away, and this time, he lets you escape his grasp. But it doesn't matter. You should've known he let you go for a reason. "You would have never gotten rid of us despite your efforts." Your back buries itself into the cold sea creature behind you, your feet stepping into the new water that floods the floor. "Should you like to know why?" You want to say no and spit on him, but you nod silently. "The moment we became one in matrimony was the moment you forever ordained us at your side."
"… You must be—"
"Jade." You tense at the voice. You've known, you've known this entire time. And yet, you still collapse when you hear him. No matter your best efforts, he was always with you, wasn't he? "You are hurting my betrothed. "
"They are married to me, Azul. Please, do not forget such an important detail…" he sighs as if it were the truth.
"But, they are mine..." the voice is cold. It sends shivers up your spine, only further adding to the soaked state your attire has been drenched in. "I am the one who watches them." for a moment, he sounds sad, like an octopus forced into a pot.
"… You should strive to be more like the real Azul." You can feel the tentacles that wrap around your legs tighten. "He is the one they love." You can't talk for some reason. Jade looks at you, sitting straight. "… Do let them go now."
"No."
"It was a deal." Azul's shadow has gone silent at the utterance. "I never interrupted your fun tantrum in my own home. It was a silent agreement." There's still something tense in the air. Is… is it you or is it getting hard to… "I have yet to be repaid."… The air is shadows, and these monsters are immune to it.
"…"
"Azul." The way he says it is less of a calling and more of a reminder. A reminder to the beast behind you, who he's pretending to be. You hold your breath, feeling familiar appendages gradually return you to the man on the couch. The moment you feel him wrap his arms around you, you attempt a weak punch. Your violence turns to desperation as you cough, harshly grasping onto his arm. You can feel the water slowly rise, but that's the least of your concerns.
"J-Jade…" You stutter out, and he quickly collects you from the sea, placing you by his side. "Why… is…" You cough, falling over, only caught by cold arms. "Here… Why is i-it…?"
"That does not matter." It most certainly does, but you can't even speak, let alone think. Yet, you try it.
"Do not… say… it does not matter you fiend—!" You force the last of your words out, but it seems it wouldn't matter. Not when the feeling of freezing lips swallowing your words is felt. Time seems to freeze with each exchange. It's as if Jade is consuming your entire being in a mere kiss. The moment you separate, you catch your breath. Breathing seems… much easier than it was before.
"I have missed you." He doesn't waste a second after uttering his claim, greedily eating your words once more. You should push him away and light a candle in his face, really… yet you find yourself letting him in. To breathe… yes, to breathe is why. "Goodness, you are quite difficult..." You're struck with a realization. The next time your lips disconnect, Jade is moving down, resting his ear on your chest, hearing an organ he's never had. "Yet I can not help but need you. Just like the rest of them, I must…" He stops himself. "I needed you. Just like Jade, but perhaps even more so." You look around. It's pointless, as each corner of the room is shrouded in shadows, yet you look.
"Azul… Where did he go…?" he covers your mouth.
"Please do not say another monster's name." A moment passes, and when you heed his words, he continues. "Did you know I witnessed you and Jade sneaking off at every chance you both had?" You shake your head, and he smiles. "I watched the two of you fall in love, forever cursed to stalk a union I could never have myself. I watched the way he looked at you. But much more strikingly… I watched how charmed you were by him. The way you laughed, the way you scowled, the way you smiled at him. I realized how much I wished for that to be me. It was not fair. It was not fair to see the man I supposedly follow be yours. I had no voice like his, I had no appearance like his, I had no personality like his, and yet all I wanted to do was to puppet as him. I had no eyes, and yet all I could do was see." You gulp, watching as the shadows wrap around him, warping. You don't dare to look down at the cold that wraps around your arms. You don't, but you can tell, they're eels. "I could not be yours, and you most certainly could never be mine. But I decided to study. To watch the way he entraces you so. I knew exactly how to be the man you love. Yet, it did not matter, because I was merely an observer."
"… What is the point of this Jade—"
"And then he died." You stiffen. "He died, and I knew then. I could be the one you looked at with such eyes. It was a wonderful day, really. Similar to the way his eyes would light up when being with you in the forest. A very scandalous choice, but beautiful nonetheless. Or the way you cried when you told him you wished to marry him. And…" His thumb brushes your cheek. "Like the way you cry right now." Hesitantly, you take hold of the hand on your face, your lip trembling. "I was so happy when I came into the world, seeing you by my bedside and watching your eyes light up in real time. But it did not work in the end. No matter how perfectly I exuded him, you saw through me. You knew I was not him. You knew so much… you hated me." he swallows. "You even fell in love with another because of how much you despised me."
You cry even more, and it brings it head up to place its forehead on your shoulder. The box in your sleeve hurts, but you keep it in there.
"Please do not say anymore…"
"Tell me you love me." Everything goes silent. Even your thoughts. Even though the water has risen to touch both of you on the sofa, you're silent. "You do not have to mean it in the least. Just tell me… You love me." Hesitantly, your hand reaches up, black ink dripping down your palm. When you take hold of his face and bring him in, you can taste it on his lips. The taste of metallic, bitter, oceanic ink invaded your mouth. Your free hand reaches into your attire.
"I love you." The smallest trace of a smile is seen on wispy lips… All before you light the match in your sleeve and throw it his way. You don't even stay to watch as he winces, quickly running through the water and opening the door.
When you escape, you're met with a long dark hallway, the door at the end showing a faint light. It's far, so far, but you're willing to make it. The weak scent of roses wafts in the air, and it tells you that Riddle is on the other side, waiting for you just as he promised.
When you step, you realize the water has not followed you into the halls. And so, you run, you run until—
"Are you leavin' me again?" Your last steps falter when you hear it. You don't turn to look, because you know if you do, you'll be in the same state. Yet, you can't run either, your body won't allow it. "… You are, yeah?"
"… You are just copying my Floyd."
"Nah." You straighten when it denies it so casually. "Even if I was there'd be no point." You hear steps, and despite your efforts, you remain planted in place. "You didn't love him." You frown at its words.
"I loved him… I love him just as much as those two."
"Not the same way though, yeah?" Finally, you spin around, looking into… the spitting image of Floyd. There are no shadows to warp him, but purely his look-alike.
"What do you mean by the same way…?"
"Wow, Shrimpy never noticed, huh?" It stalks closer, the silent halls echoing each step. "… I thought it was obvious. Didn't ya see how sad he looked when he let you go?" He's the one who asked you to— "Not from the house. From your wedding." When you still don't seem to understand, it drops the topic. It lets out a sigh that sounds like a laugh, a single laugh. When it takes the final step, it frowns when it watches you step back. "… Y'know, I didn't like him all that much. Always so switchy with how he feels, yet never willin' to confront it. Maybe I should do it for him, yeah?"
Despite the mirrored image, there's a weird comfort in how open it is with denying being the same person now. Maybe… When you turn to walk away, it lets you. For some reason… a reason you do not know—
"Why are you simply letting me take my leave? Are you not with those faux husbands of mine?" You shout, still backing towards the rose-scented door, albeit slower than you really should be.
"You want me to chase ya? Sounds fun. Something he'd like, huh?" When it continues to stay in place, you keep your eye on him. "… Love ya."
"… Now what are you scheming…?"
"I loovvee ya Shrimpy." There seems to be the smallest of echoes in his voice now. "Mmm, I'm head over heels for ya? Maybe I'm yours." … You're getting nowhere with this. Frustrated, you turn on your heel, dashing towards the door. "I'll find ya. I promise I'll do it." You trip over your feet immediately. "… I love you, [Name]." You still go towards the exit, but your run has turned into a weak jog. "So that's the one that works on ya." You suddenly stop, turning to look back at him, your wear spinning with you. It remains where it was, several feet behind you. But now, it's ordained a similar appearance to its fiendish brethren. A horrific amalgamation of shapeless energy.
"… Do not speak anymore. Do not… Just…" You inhale. "… I can not hear that coming out from Floyd knowing I…" You pause, choking down your evident struggle. "Knowing if I had not run, he… he could have lived."
"…" It tilts its head, an empty expression on its face. Yet, even though it should scare you, it reminds you of Floyd. Those little moments where he would be bored, only to look at you for a moment and light up. "Leave."
"Pardon…?"
"You'll see Azul's shadow too when you get there." Eels begin following from the ceiling, splashing into a black puddle in the dark hallway. The only thing that even hints to you that it's there is his voice. "Don't let your thing for your dead husband get you caught." You take a single step back, but for some reason can't take another. "… Ya want me to eat you or somethin'? I don't mind, but I think you will." Your eyes fall, his figure becoming engulfed in the shadows, all until his eyes remain. You know he's still close by however, you can hear him breathe.
You can feel him breathe.
"You… You are not truly letting me go… I know you are not…"
"Yeah. What a smart shrimp." It now speaks with the empty cold echo the other two have."I don't wanna do that, but I am. I'm nice too, aren't I?"It gently laughs when you twist your face in confusion. "You don't gotta understand. Don't think you ever will." Before you can ask, you feel the urge to shield yourself. When you listen to the instinct, you're met by the harsh splash of dense shadows, a collection of temporary marine life falling just as soon as they've formed. You breathe through your mouth as your heart rate quickens. When you wipe the liquid from your eyes, you can see it.
A monster.
"… Why are you doing…?" It doesn't answer. But, internally, it replies to your question, never meant to see the light of day.
To recieve something it never got to feel.
"Go."
You don't think it even touched you, yet you fall back. You can feel squirming in the dense ink, but you don't care, splashing through it all when you quickly get up. It's all dark and quiet, you can't see, you can't hear…!
Azul.
When you remember what it said to you, you're reminded of the cold imposter. He should… He should be here… He's not yours, but he desperately wants to be. But you cannot. You know if you do, you'll be one step closer to giving up entirely…! You have to give up on Azul. You must—
You are fifteen feet away from the door.
And… you trip over your feet, cold appendages cushioning your fall. You should've known…! You were warned, there was no way you could've avoided the same beast you murdered all those years ago… But you saw it, you saw it coming, and you didn't move. Did you wish to be caught? Do you wish to give up?
You hear sniffling from behind you. The tentacles don't grab hold, as if they're simply too sad to do so. However, arms do. Cold, empty arms wrap around you in a hug. You can feel soft droplets fall onto your shoulder, but you have a feeling it isn't the blotty substance you're covered in, but rather, tears.
"I am sorry… for being a pathetic lover…" Salty, oceanic tears drip onto you. "I did not capture Azul well enough… I could not make you love me enough." Its hug around you tightens, its head resting on your shoulder. "Pathetic, how pathetic am I…?" You are still in its hold. It's crying. "… All my efforts were in vain because you killed me in the end… I could not be ruined with you…" You can feel it take hold of your hand, intertwining fingers that were never meant to hold in the first place. "And… you married a new man." You choke when his voice is right next to your ear. "I watched it all happen." You can't even see it, and yet you can imagine its exact expression right now. "… Please do not leave me. Please do not kill me again… Please, do just… come with us." You glance at the door as it embraces you.
"… You were watching me the whole time…?"
"Every corner you thought lit had the smallest shadow… Every space under the bed… The back of the bookshelf… In the smallest bit of shade there, I was with you."
"…" That is… horrifying.
"Please do not believe I was scared to appear before you. It is just I had lost my wager against Jade… And therefore had to let him have you…" You try crawling towards the door with him, but it fails. You pause when you hear wager.
"By what do you mean, 'wager'…?"
"… If I did not have you with me in this dark life, completely fallen, then Jade would have you forevermore. In turn, while enacting my attempt, he did his best to avoid interrupting me. And yet, you killed me in the end… You were going to be Jade's anyway." It sighs against your shoulder. At this point, you listen to him. "… Did you want him to have you?"
"O-Of course not…! I would never be with that sham of a man…!" You ball your fist, punching it into the floor. The choice leads to a splash, but you don't care at this point. How could it ever say such a thing…!
"Then why could you kill me but not him?" Your lips tremble when it asks. "I watched you take that blade, I watched you shove that candle in his face." You mutter words. You don't know what they are, though. "And then I saw you kiss him like a true married pair."
"That is because I—"
"I do not wish to hear the why. I wish to know if you want me as you did before…" Its tone is soft, as if it desperately knows any louder and you'll run away.
"… Of course I do. You are not him, but you look like him. You attempt to act like him."
"Then stay. Stay with me, stay with us in this pit. We promise to give you a much better life, the one your dearest Azul promised to give you." It holds your hand while planting kisses on your shoulder. They're cold, but they're familiar, and you don't entirely hate it, except…
"I cannot." It hisses when you throw the match into it face. It's not particularly bright, but in a hall full of dark, a little light is enough. You're careful to avoid every tentacle it has laid around the halls. You can't see them, but you know they are there. Just like the horrifying face of this shadow… Warped and nightmarish.
"If I can not convince you, then no one can."
… It is right. If the shadow made after your most beloved cannot convince, then no one can. You… have no ties left…! No one can get to you anymore…!
Your body hits the door at an alarming speed, the frame shaking. It hurts your side, but you do not care in the least.
"[Name]? Are you alright in there? Should I open the door?" You can hear Riddle's evident worry. You have the sneaking suspicion he wouldn't be able to hear you if you yelled back, though. The door is unlocked, you know it is. Your hand reaches around the door handle twisting its feature, and pulling it open.
"My rose, did everything with Floyd go well?"
…
"Jade. I am not staying here." You can't pull the door. Neither can you move, as the most fiendish of all the shadows has its arm propped against the wood, caging your body between it and your one escape. You can feel the cold emanate from him. It doesn't reply to your words, only allowing it to drop its forehead onto your shoulder. You can hear heavy breathing coming from it, solely through its nostrils. You have no matches to utilize. It is purely strength and will that will make him let go. "Please, I beg of you…" It remains firm in the protest of silence. "It is like the other shadow said… If the one that is closest to Azul can not get to me, there is no chance that you will." The arm not caging you to the door wraps around your waist in a weak hug. It's not meant to be tight. If you wanted, you're fully capable of breaking out of his hold and opening the door. And yet…
"… You can leave if you wish to." The voice is more human, more familiar. More Jade.
"What…?" There's not much to look at in the dark, so you have no idea where to look in the least. "You are lying. There is no chance you would let me go after all these years…!"
"Is it me, or is it you?" The meaning of his words are coy, yet somehow, they still feel like a genuine statement.
"Do not toy with me you fiend…!"
"It is fun to do that, very much so, but I am not lying to you." You ball your fist, fingers digging into your palm. "… Have you ever thought maybe it is you who wished to not let go?" You freeze. You can't even utter a 'what' or a 'pardon' in reply. "I have told you we only came to exist because you grieved so hard… Then perhaps you wished for us to never leave your side ever again."
"Th-That is not true… I did not even know Jade died…! Do you not remember? You had taken him over before anyone even knew what truly caused his death...!"
"You knew."
"I-I did not… I…" You falter, and its embrace tightens. You think it was meant to be more comfort than threat. It still scares you anyway. "… Perhaps I did."
"… You already started grieving him before anyone else had the chance." You shiver when cold fingers hold your hand, a thumb stroking your skin. "It was a pitying sight, but quite charming. It was oddly comforting to see you miss a man right in front of you."
"… Your point." You take hold of the fingers so shamelessly attempting to intertwine with yours. "Pray tell, what is your point, Jade…?!" You spin around, breaking its hold around your body, and pushing it back with one hand. It barely moves. When you face it, just like before, you can barely see. You can only sense the faint traces of horror through the shadows.
"My point? I have none."
"Then why must you tell me this?! You say I can leave if I wish, only to pull this off on me? Do you have no sense of honor?" In your rant, you look anywhere but at it, a horrible mistake, really. "If you are giving me a choice, what is this trick you are ploying on me—!" You're cut off when Jade kisses your chest. "… What are you doing?" Your breath hitches. It is tricking you again.
"If you are to leave soon, may I… at least talk to you?" It sounds soft, desperate. You don't frown when its face hovers where your heart is. When it looks at you, it's as if it's asking to hear it, to hear an organ its only ever heard from one person.
"There is nothing to speak of," you spit. Your hand weakly grasps the handle of the door next to you.
"The tree." When it mutters those words, you hand remains where it is, but stays unturning.
"Pardon?"
"Our tree." Its hand moves up to yours, wrapping around your wrist. "That is where I first met you. Officially. You were quite mean. I knew that about you since the start, however. It's a most endearing trait." You listen intently. This is its one saving grace. The moment it's finished, you are to turn this door and live a life far removed from such horrors. "I had always thought you to be a breathtaking sight, even before I had come to be. Ah, seeing you and Jade made me jealous, yet I was overwhelmed with a much more tranquil sensation. My adoration for you." There's a quiet laugh in its words. If you had to guess, it's probably smiling right now. "I did not know I would feel even more so seeing you face to face. I stopped breathing. It was no bother to me. I had never breathed before, and yet you make my heart stop. I was new to my facade. I knew Jade, but did not understand how to be him. Since then, I thought…" The beast stutters. For the first time, you hear this Jade stutter. "I-I thought you… you would only love me if I were him." Slowly, you slide down the door, Jade following without complaint. All the way until you both sit on the ink-filled floor.
"… Truly?"
"You never answered me in the bedroom before. If Jade had lived, would you have married Azul?" Ink drips down your face. No… who are you kidding? You are crying. Jade smiles as its thumb wipes your face clear of tears. "Goodness, has my dearest become soft? Or perhaps they are hidden." You gasp for air, and it makes a waving motion. "Hello? Oh dear… Please do not tell them they are quite pretty, even when they cry. They will pinch me, and oh, how that oh so hurts." It stops holding your hand, so it can place its palm on your cheek.
"Stop… Please do not act like him anymore…"
"Do not worry, I am acting like myself." Is it? After so long of being someone else, is that even possible? You sniff, and it continues smiling at you like some fawning husband.
"You are lying to me." Instinctively, your hands reach up, holding its fingers. "I want my Jade. Please give him back. Please give me my Azul. Please give me my Floyd… Please, I miss them." He hushes you, patting your head.
"We are here. We all are."
"… Are you really?" You bite your lip, looking up in the direction you think he is. "… You all will not leave again, yes? Not again, oh please…" You can feel him breathing on your face, yet just as always, you can't see. "… I love you." You don't even know who that's directed to anymore. Whether it's Azul, Jade, or Floyd, it doesn't matter anymore. You just hope… they know you love them. "I love you—"
A pair of cold lips swallow the rest of your words. Your hand finds itself tangled in strands of hair, allowing them to stop the rest of your words. There wasn't much however, you were only going to repeat 'I love you's' over and over again.
"… Are you leaving us?" This voice sounds like Azul. When did he get here…? "You are… You are staying, right?" A pair of tentacles wrap around your waist, one of them going all the way to the tips of your fingers. In a makeshift handhold, you wrap your hands around it. "I love you too."
"They ain't leavin' us. I can see it in those eyes." The next feeling is simple, less foreign. A head is rested on your shoulder, in a similar fashion to your last interaction with Floyd. You think, he's smiling right now.
One last peck on your lips is felt. You taste something metallic in it.
"It is your choice, my loveliest promise."
…
"Why are you three staring so intently? You must realize that debutantes are waiting for you three to ask for a dance." You quietly hold a tiny plate in your hand, small pastries in your other. A poor attempt to stray away from prying eyes. You understand this is your chance to look for potential suitors but… It's quite impossible… especially with—
"Yeah, and you're a wallflower." You yelp when Floyd eats the pastry you were just about to put in your mouth. You quickly look around before pointing at him like a misbehaving dog. He smiles, clearly he enjoys it. "What's so wrong with bein' with ya?" he frowns even though he was smiling just a mere second ago…! "… What if I don't wanna dance with randos…?" Now he's pouting.
"This is the time to be finding where our futures will be. I quite doubt you will find a fulfilling life staying with me for the rest of time…" Floyd falls silent. "But, I still wish to know why you three are looking at me like that. D-Do I have something on my face…?"
"My, you are acting as if you are a pro in the ton." Jade laughs behind his hand. Ah… that's why they are loitering around your space. "This is your first ball. Your first event amongst the ton. We are merely making sure you are well accustomed."
"Yes, yes. I could not imagine how horrible we would feel if you were to be swallowed by society's cruelness for the wedding market. Suitors are quite hard to find, well, suitable ones at least." Azul takes a sip from the flute. Your eyes look down, and he can sense you wish to try it. He's about to offer the same glass before remembering where you both are. He's quick to snatch one from a passing servant.
"You should not need to worry for me. I believe I am doing quite well. I have already had three proposals." The silence is a bit heavy. "… I am joking. You three did not truly believe I would already have suitors lining up for my hand, yes?" They look at eachother beofre looking at you. You are not that enticing… who on earth would propose to you that quickly?
"Ahh, of course not. We were merely playing along." Jade chimes in, an attempt to save all three of their faces. You do not believe him. He can tell. "… at least I am. I do not know about these two. Quite gullible, you see." Ah, he's opted to throwing them under. You sigh when you see Floyd scowl and Azul tut at the claim.
"If getting proposals is that easy, then I do not need your assistance. In fact, I have already had my first dance."
"Yeah? Who's the lucky guy?" You've given up on being the one who eats your own food, taking each piece and waving it in front of Floyd's face before he bites off your finger.
"Rosehearts. He was quite nice. Though… very particular on the steps. I felt as if I could not mess up a single foot placement..."
"So the future Viscount has caught your attention, I see you like your suitors hot-tempered." Azul smiles. "Do not look at me like that, I am not judging. I am simply stating. Though, I am quite sure there are better. You wish to marry someone you love, yes?" You glance at him before hesitantly nodding.
"Of course. It is something you have stressed about since we were younger. Do you remember Azul? When we would play house, and you and Floyd would begin fighting me for the husband title—"
"That is merely play…! It does not correlate to our present." You watch as he frowns, pushing his glasses up.
"Azul's just jealous he had to play the dog!" Azul swats at Floyd from the other side of you, the twin successfully dodging.
"Yes, and you had to be the mailman." Floyd's expression immediately shifts from enjoyment to a harsh scowl. Jade takes it even further, once more smiling with pin-sharp teeth. "Not even a part of the family."
"You're so annoyin'…!" You can sense it. You put your hand on Floyd's shoulder before he can lash out. The look on your face tells him to stop before you bring up some shared secret only you know. "…"
"I do not know why you are acting as if you did not have anything scandalous in our playdates," Azul mutters, and the twins collectively begin smiling, all three of them in a conjoined devilish agreement. It seems they've all remembered something you haven't…
"W-Well that is because there is none…"
They all hum in unison. What on earth are they…? They are starting to freak you out…! Azul and Floyd look at Jade, watching as the future Duke clears his throat.
"Oh Jade! I am so tired of this fighting…. There must be some way to have you all stop being cumbersome…" You scowl when his voice has turned higher in pitch. "Ah! Perhaps all three of you can be my husbands!"
"…" They laugh at your silence. "There is a reason that was the last time we played house…"
"Can we play that again, Shrimpy?" You gasp as if it's the most scandalous idea you've heard. And technically it is. You are a potential marriage candidate…! You can not be playing three husbands at your age…! "Come onnnn, it'd be find dontcha think?"
"Yes, I would feel quite happy to see how you play house now." Jade has suddenly appeared at your side, his head leaning towards yours.
"Perhaps you can think of it as practice for your future husband, yes?" The three of them continue the banter as the ball continues.
"… Do you all…" They pause when they hear you speak. "Do you think I am a truly worthy marriage candidate…?" The smiles on their faces have fallen. "… Would anyone wish to marry me? W-What do you all think?"
"…" A collective silence makes you falter, and your eyes fall to the floor. "Forget I asked—"
"You would be perfect." You immediately look up. You've always known how to differentiate them and yet…! In this moment, you have no idea who said that, or if it was even one person. Maybe they all said it…? When you can't seem to tell, they smile. They also seem to refuse to tell you who essentially called you the perfect lover.
"… I am sure you three would make perfect husbands as well." Now everyone seems to be in a staring contest. Before they can even reply.
"May I have this dance?" Someone chimes in from your side. With one glance at the other three, you bow, before taking your leave to dance.
"…"
"We never told them how pretty they looked in ball room attire." Jade mutters.
"I am sure there will be a time for that." Azul takes one last sip, holding your own glass in his other hand.
"We'll do it next ball, kay?"
…
The last thing you feel is falling, the cold stream of air flowing up, until all you can feel is nothing. Yet for some reason… It's not lonely at all. Not when there are things much darker waiting for you in the shadows.
And… the people you love most.
It makes you realize, there really was no choice.
To my dearest,
I had another letter penned out for later years. I had always kept it on my person. But, I needed the right moment to give it to you. Though when you wait for the perfect moment, you seem to pass by all the right ones. That is the issue, however.
If you're reading this, it means I never did find that moment.
In my absence, I have left you all of my belongings. Since I have failed to gift you the world, than I shall give you my being to compensate for it. It won't be enough. Nothing has ever been enough when it comes to you, my angel, but it's the most I can do in death. I promise to make up for it when I see you again.
Please, I hope you find enjoyment in your betrothal to Jade. He seems to love you just as much as I do. He's a bit different now, but I have no doubt he will love you with everything he has. In truth, that seems to be the only thing he has. No matter how many times I reminded him you were married to me, those fiending eyes never seemed to stop staring at you as if he were proposing. Goodness… someone needs to teach that duke manners. True manners.
And I'm sure it will be you. To be headstrong like you, oh and just as lovely. How could my angel be so perfect?
Which is why I hope you do not keep yourself stuck in grief for too long. Oh, but never stop loving me. I fear I would come from my grave to take you back. I do wish for you to love again and be loved. You deserve more love than I can give you, much more. I am quite sure Jade and Floyd can do that for me, despite their troublesome countenances.
Stay healthy, stay safe, stay happy, and live a long fulfilling life free from worry.
From your dearest, Azul.
…
Riddle's gloved hands clench as he looks at the ink-filled conch on your old vanity. He's ready to smash it. This… This necklace in front of him has left you a mystery. Why… Why…!?
Why is he the only one who remembers you?!
He should've… He should've not listened…! Had he at least stayed in the room perhaps he could've…
Your neighbors, your friends, his mother, your servants… They have no idea who you are.
Riddle raises the book above the golden shine, ink pouring out as it awaits destruction. His arms bring the cover down like a hammer, ready to flatten the accessory—
Riddle.
He pauses when he hears your voice. It's faint, but he's heard it enough to know it's yours. He carefully places the book down, leaning over the necklace.
It's dark.
He hears you whisper once more, ink bubbling out of the opening.
Where are you?
Inspired by @merakiui Moro's and Shadow Azul Fic!!! Very big inspiration for the whole beginning of this fic <3333. Check Moro's out if you want something equally scary and angsty <3333
Pov: all three of your childhood friends die, their shadows decide they want in on that, and your third husband suffers another L.
sometimes I have the urge ruin everything I built on just so my parents can’t brag about my accomplishments as if they did anything but make me unstable mentally
“I will take your scraps and make something beautiful”
(A oneshot about Elon and donald trump written at 0:55 am by a teenage girl , NOT proofread)
Longing, yearning and stolen glances while no one’s looking. That’s what Elon clung to when he kept getting reminded that he and his love were just an adventure, a rebound, a dirty little secret to Trump. Elon had grew up witnessing Trump’s numerous successes and losses, he had always been entranced by his peach like skin and his piercing gaze who made him shiver whenever Donny placed it on him. Elon grew up and as he did he knew his feelings were…wrong. They went against he believed in as a conservative man, a man shouldn’t love another man it’s…wrong but why why did it feel oh so right, so warm whenever their eyes met and he smiled, whenever they shook hands and donald’s hand lingered on his longer than necessary, when he kissed his neck under the moonlight while whispering sweet nothings in his ear. He knew it was dirty, it was unbecoming of an uprising right wing figure but he couldn’t help but indulge in that sweet sweet poison even if it slowly drained him of everything he had. His love was : strong , passionate, angry, but unrealistic and unrequited as Trump would never be satisfied with only elon, no he needed more , he needed someone more powerful, someone who didn’t obey his very word . His spring love, his good looking boy : Kim Jong un. As Elon stirred in the night tossing and turning his mind wandering to his lover’s, how donald was never and never will be fully his like Elon is his, as he swallowed that bitter pill in the night it got stuck in his throat and kept plaguing his mind and soul slowly ensnaring him in its jaws devouring his thoughts and gnawing at his bones. And now Trump asked him to leave because he got emotionally attached to a cold bastard like donald because he was “wearing thin he said” when the whole reason he was is because donny refuses to give him an acceptance of his feelings or a rejection, instead keeping a middle ground to keep exploiting him and his resources and now even after he fired him he humiliates him publicly on Elon’s own platform saying “When Elon Musk came to the White House asking me for help on all of his many subsidized projects, whether it's electric cars that don't drive long enough, driverless cars that crash, or rocketships to nowhere, without which subsidies he'd be worthless, and telling me how he was a big Trump fan and Republican, I could have said, "drop to your knees and beg," and he would have done it..” as elon read it tears streamed down his face as he dropped the phone and sat in a corner eyes wide open in fetal position, as a thousand thoughts passed through him like a a tornado and the need for revenge and anger spread like wildfire gave him strength keep in mind anger blinds you but when you’re blind your other senses strengthen so he grabbed his phone from the ground he started typing with a quiet resolve “If I can’t have you, I will ruin you. I’ll smother you with all my love until you cease breathing and your heart will beat for no one because of me, yes all love is selfish and corrupt like your wicked heart your love shall be mine in the end” so to further drag down trump with him he wrote “Donald is in the epstein files. that is the reason why they haven’t been made public”.
I feel like the fandom villainizes Luka WAYY too much because if you were competing on a stage knowing if you loose you will get shot with no hesitation you would manipulate people into remembering their trauma too. Yall need to be fucking for real
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