Night parted for Puck like an unholy, black sea. A devil cast in angel’s light, slithering from the shadows. Breathtaking in more ways than one. Red hair, horned cowlicks, grey eyes, his domineering personality. His ex always stood out in a crowd. That grin of his was what Rory loved most. Some would call it a sneer. A mask for bad intentions. To the singer, it was a smile he’d promise almost anything to. It hadn’t been enough. He never was.
Falling in love with Nachash instead of Adam had its price. A bite, just one, of an apple from the Garden of Eden. Sweet at first but soured as he swallowed. Little cyanide seeds of truth and knowledge rooted in his stomach. Rory could no longer be blissfully ignorant in their sheltered acres. Everything in it rotted. Sins of Eve sat upon his shoulders.
His body moved on its own in response to the volatile pressure rolling off the merc. One step back. Another. Not stopping until his heels hung over the edge of the station’s platform. Puck’s voice is a psalm. Rory wants to contribute but he doesn’t know the words.
The red-haired devil’s name is on the tip of his tongue but he can’t find it. It’s not forgotten. No, he could never forget. A different reason held him back. Speak of the devil and you invoke the damned. None of this felt real. How dangerously beautiful gunmetal gleaned in moonfall.
A bad boy? Pale cheeks flush red. Well, sorta. His hand raised to squeeze at his neck. “Heya, luvvie.” He croaked. It’s not confident at all. “Story?” Realization painted his expression. Daddy Dearest did this. That man wanted him dead. Did he hire Puck on purpose? How could he have known?
Something familiar frosted over Rory’s irises. Puck had seen it countless times. Sheepish complacency. That same fretful look he always got before rolling over for whatever the issue was. It was easier that way. People liked him more when he did. Rory could be helpful, useful, pleasing.
He could also be forgotten, overlooked, an afterthought.
Lips parted to free a shaky laugh and release his nerves into the darkened heavens. Newfound resolve sparked a fire in his gaze that had never been there before. “Y’know, I really… want to do something for myself. I finally found a thing I’m good at besides caring for others. Something I like doing. For… me.” A bitter smile blooms. So resentful of those that consigned him to a fate he never asked for.
Trembling hands steady by balling up handfuls of his shirt. Gripped so tight the taut skin between his knuckles threatened to split. “Mr. Dearest tried to make fun of me. Haha! Called me up on the stage of some wee music event I went to. Rap battle me boy, he says. Nearly pissed m’self. So we sang cuz I couldn’t say no. I lost… but I liked it. Not the whole, being humiliated in front of a crowd, but… I liked singing. So I went back.”
For the first time since Puck’s grand reveal, Rory made direct eye contact. Ready to set ablaze the dead remnants of their garden if he must. “And I’m gonna keep goin’ back until he regrets it. So, luv, you can’t kill me.” He paused and offered a grin horribly kind despite his words. “At least, not yet. I’m not done. I’ve only started to live.”
Subtle glances checked for the tram. There were no signs of it. A naïve facet of Rory wanted to pray for a miracle. The wiser part of him knew that it would go unanswered. He’d have to take care of this himself.
no matter what shape they took, what race they were, anything; they were books. a metaphor known for some time but no one understood this better than puck. chapters upon chapters would be unraveled after just a few pages. it's a talent he's proud of.
but none of these people were analyzed as thoroughly as rory. he knew them like the back of his hand. scriptures that only he could indulge in. not even the Bible itself was so ingrained in his unholy sacredness.
predictable. under the careful gaze of the devils own scorn, rory would roll over on his back, revealing his belly to the big bad wolf in hopes of appeasement. pucks grip on the gun loosens, glad that he had been correct.
ichor didn't need to stain this public place. puck was not one without mercy. material greed wasn't important in this crusade, just insatiable lust for knowledge. rory should leave. for the best he keeps his face hidden, lest they encounter like this again.
but the command never comes. rory's eyes finally meet his own and it's something new. holy fire lingered in the singers eyes that could burn their garden of eden down to the ground. puck holds that stare and keeps it on the forefront of his mind.
that's... new. most people were annoyed when wrong, but for puck it was just as pleasing of a sensation. if anything, he was a little proud. rory finishes his explanation, and silence remains.
until he laughs. a soft chuckle at most. not a hint of mockery towards what rory had said at all. it's just a laugh. laughter dies down with a sigh, signature smile on his features.
"oh that's... that's not what i was expecting." he admits, hand on his chin. newfound resolve over what? this? it was mindboggling.
"rory... is that it?" so, he digs. if these fires were real, or just a show put on to get the mercenary to leave him alone. "you understand this man is dangerous, ya? ya pissed him off so bloody much he hired me to kill ya. even if i don't, who knows what else he'll throw at you? you should know demons are nothing to trifle with." seeds intricately placed, to spread fear and doubt in the others head. was it cruel? certainly. but puck never could tell a time where he wasn't.
lax grip tightens once more, slowly holding up the gun between rorys eyes. safety off with a click and ready to fire, puck tilts his head.
"is it really worth it, love? all this for... a hobby?" he chuckles again, reveling in how preposterous this really was. "this isn't a game. this isn't a bargain; i am here to kill you." a small pause weighs in the heavy air. "or you can just walk away, leave that old man alone. ain't a bad deal at all if ya ask me!"
trigger finger rests against the one part that could end rory's life. the smile on his face vanishing in favor of a neutral one. "don't be a fool. ya can find something else if you really must. ya lost. just give up."
dededos
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