me when im on "x reader tag" looking for fics at 3 am BUT all i find is memes and all the funny posts under the world EXCEPT the fics abt the character :
quick reminder that you're actually not obliged to feel any empathy for someone who would have described your death as 'necessary' if the exact same thing had happened to you
Finally finished this piece after months of reworking. Far from perfect, but I’m glad it’s done. Inspired by the amazing Bruno Redondo, Dan Mora, and especially Dexter Soy.
It bothers me that my boyfriend has made out with a random girl in a club before and almost had sex with her. Like, I know it was in the past, but it bothers me whenever I remember it. I feel like the only way this wouldn't bother me is if I had an equal experience to that, but I don't and I'm not willing to do anything about that since I can't imagine myself making out with anyone else but my boyfriend. So yea, that's that.
꒰ ✟ ꒱ SUMMARY: Sex demons are not as provocative as you think they are. Not only do they engage in sexual acts with humans, they thrive off their flesh and haunt them in their nightmares. When an incubus disguised as a Reverend turns a hungry eye on one of the parishioners, gruesome events at the cathedral slowly unfold; blasphemy, gore, and terror...
꒰ ✟ ꒱ CHAPTER WARNINGS: blasphemy, WC: 3,955
PREVIOUS • MASTERLIST • NEXT CHAPTER
written in toji's pov, narration style similar to the Netflix show, "You." this takes place in a fictional setting; St. Reze University & Cathedral.
The morning air had become thicker than the oldest tomes of the St. Reze Clergy House.
Located in the middle of campus was the residence of the clergy along with an administrative office for the local parish. I was sent here an hour ago, deadpanning at the mahogany wooden desk and thought about everything from last night— the way we met, the brief conversation I had with Shoko… But also that screeching, unsettling noise from the stair tower which slightly concerned me.
"Fushiguro. You listening?"
Father Getou Suguru. One of the priests I'm also close with from the clergy. But aside his occupation as St. Reze’s holy priest, I'd feel comfortable drinking with him at a bar or going out to play billiards. Usually his hair would be down when he wears his vestment and cassock, but this morning it was tied back.
Suguru— I refuse to call him Father outside of the church— stood at the opposite side of the room, skimming an old book as he sips his morning tea. His office had varnished brown bookshelves and the fresh smell of brewing beverages. The sunlight tinted of a dusty orange through the large clerestory window, contrasting to the solemnity of this environment.
I cleared my throat. "Sorry. Go on."
I was too drained to listen to him this morning. I could’ve declined or not even show up to this brief rendezvous, but I didn’t want to dig myself in a deeper hole than I already am. He is, after all, the one that pays me for the shit I do. Even if I’m barely involved with the church and its people. There is no doubt that he knows about my blatant and aloof behavior the way Sister Shoko knows as well.
"Remember the other Reverend that got engaged just eight months ago? Their wedding is at the cathedral next month. Interested in helping us?"
I frowned. "Wait— who's getting married again?"
The priest deadpanned at me. "Our fellow Reverend Nanami Kento. I thought you knew this already.”
Feeling indifferent, I watch as the dark liquid swirled around my mug as I held it. "Oh. I forgot."
The priest sighed in exasperation. "I'll pay you extra if you come by and help."
I paused before I could take a sip once I registered his words, averting my gaze right at him. "Fine. I'll do it."
"Of course you would," he taunted. "Is money always going to be your motivation?"
My elbow was pressed on the table and my cheeks rested in the crest of my palm, slightly smirking at him as my drink clanks on the wood. "You know me, Suguru."
The man slaps the book closed with one hand, sliding it back into the shelves. "We'll talk more about it later with the others. Please do not forget the meeting at the chapter house next week. You have to be there.”
I notice him grabbing a few of his things including his vestment. "Leaving for sermon already?"
“I need to be early. Also, I’m leaving you in charge of the conferences in here today.”
How great.
The ominous priest finally left. I continued drinking absentmindedly for the past ten minutes and dwelled at the campus view outside. It was an early Sunday morning and the sermon was starting soon. Fridays and Saturdays are the only days I work at the cathedral, while on Sundays I'm off. Yet here I am in the clergy house when I could've been doing something more productive.
But I didn't care at all, really. This job, this religion, or the coherent idea of a god... I didn't give a damn about the shit I’m required to do in this new life as long as Father Getou paid me— just as he said he would.
I still thought about last night. What a tantalizing night, I must admit. Meeting you for the first time in such a meek state, utterly surprising me with your sullied confession... But then I recalled the unsettling noise I’ve heard from the stair tower. Though there were no screams heard or the smell of blood when Shoko and I reached the first floor, it was something so inhuman to ever think of.
Speaking of inhuman, there was still one thing you haven't known about me yet. An infernal and sinister creature, able to sense the wanton lust of humans and their coiling fantasies, residing within my soul. One that sneakily lodges into one’s nightmares to fulfill their desires… But what also resides with my soul is real mortal blood— the outcome of a half-breed incubus.
Knock knock knock.
I stared at the door for a hot minute with a blank expression, slouching in my seat. I'm usually this lifeless early in the morning, but thanks to that coffee, I managed to stand up and approach the door. But just as I was about to grab the doorknob, my hand froze when I heard a demure voice resonate from the other side. Not from a figment of my mind, not from the faded hues in my memories… It was really you— the sound of your adorning voice reverberating in the back of my mind. And it's been hours since the last time I've heard it.
"Father Getou? You in there?"
I threw away all my inhibitions and opened the door for you. And that was the first time I saw you, really saw you— not shrouded by darkness or drops of rain. The glazing sunlight cutting from the door onto your face like a scalpel, your bare skin radiating and your attire expressed more casually than what you wore last night to the church.
A small smirk slowly crept on my lips. "Father Getou's not here. Need something from him?"
"Oh," you breathed out, slowly trailing your bashful gaze to meet with mines. "I wasn't…expecting you…”
I press my shoulder against the white doorframe as my hand grips onto the opposite side like I was blocking you from coming in. "Looks like we just keep bumpin' into each other, huh. What a coincidence."
You were perfectly in my field of view, sunkissed from the golden daylight. My eyes cast over the rest of your figure, your chest heaving faster and the muscles of your shoulders tightening. This was an odd coincidence now that I think about it. There must've been an underlying reason of coming all the way out here for a conference with Father Getou. It was too bad for you that he left several minutes ago, but not too bad for me to have some company…
"Anything I can help you with?" I coaxed. “If you’re trying to meet with Father Getou, might as well just head to the church where he’s at.”
I watch as you pressed your lips together in uncertainty, your gaze falling to a random corner of the office then back to me. "You know what? It doesn't really matter who in the clergy I talk to. May I come in?"
Feeling slightly convinced, I push myself off the doorframe and make way for you. In cold calculation, I watch the way you hold your breath once you enter, the way your shoulders tensed like the beating of your heart grew erratically. My first time seeing you this nervous and so shy around me.
"So. What brings you here?"
You were standing near Father Getou's desk as I shut the door, glancing at the bookshelves and the plain ceiling absentmindedly. "I wanted to discuss about something that Father Getou might be familiar about," you respond with a sharp exhale. "But… I guess I was too late. I should’ve made an appointment.”
I make my way around the desk where Getou stood earlier as you sat down coyly. You had a dreary expression as you stared into nothing, as if you were ashamed of whatever you were going to say.
"You can tell him after the Sunday Mass," I assured, leaning against the wall with my hands shoved in my pockets.
"I— I don’t know,” you faltered. “Maybe… I think it's better if I don't tell him…”
"Damn. Must've been that bad, huh," I smirked. "Could've saved this for the confession booth, ya' know."
Just like how you confessed to me last night.
"No, no— it's fine," you faltered, your gaze flickering back to my face. "I’m fine talking about this to anyone from the clergy. You’re a Reverend, right? Maybe we should talk more while we have the chance. Get to know each other.”
Get to know each other, huh.
It was something about your face glinting from the gentle sunlight that nearly captivated me. Maybe early Sunday mornings weren't so bad, after all. But after ruminating over your words and this igniting spark of interest I have with a human, especially a woman like you— a man like me would never go this far to give my considerations…
An incubus is meant to prey on women like you. Obsess over them, violate them, make them feel things no other human could do. But I’m not like these sick and twisted incubi. Not even a full incubus. There would be these ongoing battles of cunning, dark, and sinister thoughts and actions within my conscience. I'd feel tempted to ruin and corrupt people for my own satisfaction. But then I also have my humanity— the respect, boundaries, morals, and all of the shit I also abide by.
You left me with no choice. The cause of my sleeplessness and these constant distractions sitting right before me. Definitely harmless just to know more about a woman like you, right?
"Alright then,” I obliged. “You’re a student at St. Reze, right?"
"I am. Third year, graduating with a bachelor’s next year."
I squinted slightly. "How come I've never seen you before?"
"I was gonna ask you that, too," you chuckled. "But maybe because it was my first time attending on a Saturday."
I nodded slowly, recalling that your words from your confessional. "I work on Fridays and Saturdays only. Makes sense."
"Something was just really bothering me. I felt like attending that day, so..."
I ambled closer, standing at the opposite end of the table from you. Half-lidded eyes staring meekly into mines, setting fire in my ribs and wading into my rufous flesh, strumming every fiber in my body like I was trapped in your aura. Ominous and tense anticipation between us, right in this office, right at this moment.
I've never felt something like this before. And you probably haven't, either. This hidden desire for you and your hidden desire for me has never tasted this fine, like a restless hunger teasing my tongue…
"I don’t think I've ever gotten your name. I'm Y/N."
I repeated your name in my mind, a name I for sure wasn’t going to forget. "Toji,” I then replied. “Reverend Toji Fushiguro."
"Reverend Toji,” you mused, as if you were ruminating upon my name as well. “Nice to officially meet you.”
I really tried fighting the urge to bring up your confession. But according to the clergy-penitent privilege that Suguru informed me about, they are to remain strictly confidential. Any member of the clergy that overhears a confession are bound by this “seal.” But with everything I’ve witnessed and collected from last night at church, I wanted to ask the most ludicrous questions. I wanted to know what was going on in that pretty little head of yours. Why you came all the way here to the clergy office, what exactly is bothering you to the point you open up to me. Like cracking open your skull and spooling your brain, finding out all your sinister and dark secrets…
My jaw tightened as apart of me begged to know, staring at the bay window overlooking the courtyard and other facilities of the campus. But I decided to not intervene— who am I to care about a mere human, anyways?
"So. You said something was bothering you?” I piqued, refilling my cup of coffee with the machine. “Is that why you came all the way here?”
If I hadn't been paying attention to every move and every reaction you made in this office, I wouldn't have noticed the way your chest heaved slowly and steadily, like you were forcing yourself to calm down. I watched the way your body reacted. A trail of goosebumps. Slight shivers. Robbed of speech. And the way your eyes subtly began to pool with dismay, powerful as a surging storm taking over you…
“Well, this might sound a little bit, uh… carnal, Reverend Toji,” you muttered sheepishly. “I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, or— you know, see me as a parishioner in a different way…”
"You don't need to worry about that," I assured with a small smirk. "I'm not like Father Getou who's so professional with everything here— especially with that seminary shit. So don’t think I’m gonna lecture you with scripture.”
You chuckled lightly. “Spoken like a true layman. That’s harsh.”
"Yeah, but it's the truth." The warm liquid rushed down my throat as I drank, absorbed with this sudden rush of energy. "I don't really care about this church nor your god. I'm just working here for money— so you can tell me anything."
You gazed down solely at your lap, absorbed in your own thoughts as if this was too difficult to open up about. Your eyes were unreadable from this distance, but every time you locked my gaze for a few moments, they become so irresistible as they take me in.
"Look, I don't know if I'm ready to say it.”
"Enlighten me." I set another drink of coffee for you on the desk, the loud thud of the mug causing your body to snap. “Whatever you say, I’m not gonna hold against you. You came all the way out here this time in the morning, so don’t let this be a waste of time for the both of us.”
A human like you testing my patience was a risky game to play. But for some reason, I was a bit amused by your timid submission… Your chin tilting upwards as you looked at me in silence as I leaned against the bookshelves. Your skin continued to gleam right in my view, eyes taking me in like you were drinking the very sight of me.
After a fleeting moment of hesitance, you grab the cup and sipped carefully, watching your shoulders tense down from the warmth rushing through your veins. I stared for another long moment, both hands on the table and leaning slightly forward. It was quite entertaining, really, how things lead us to this point.
"Friday night I had a dream," you muttered softly, "I couldn't stop thinking about it, which is why I came to the church on Saturday night, seeking for guidance. But this dream was, well… a strange experience for me.”
The moment you spoke of having a dream I immediately knew. Even after finding out you came to church on a day you don't regularly attend was enough to convince me. Carnal. Nightmares. It all made sense. In the vulnerable depths of an innocent human’s mind, a disturbing creature would be quietly lurking, waiting until all is calm when the darkness shrouds over the daylight skies. This darkness incarnate springs to life as a vicious, fang-bearing, gnarly, feral incubus. Born to linger on the fragile edges of your mental state and drawing you in with its sapphire eyes…
The muscles of my jaw tightened as I clenched my teeth together in cold silence. I've learned and witnessed the vile ways of how dreams go with demons like me, and how the aftermath will always remain dreadful for humans to recount. Terrorized by such unfathomable sexual nightmares and disturbing hypnotic states of scintillating salacious lust, night after night…
“… I was in a dark place. I see some kind of shrine with wide teeth, horns on the roof and many skulls laying around. Then I look up and see this creature— he had four arms and four eyes…”
Your gaze suddenly falls back to me again, this time not directly settled on my face, but I can feel the way you trace my features— sharpened, tensed, deliberately making out every outline of me. I couldn't help but fall speechless, embracing this erratic tension going on from between.
“The things he did to me in that dream, Reverend Toji… It was literally sin. Promiscuous to ever think of, really. I'm really ashamed to say this here, but— for some reason it felt... good. If it's so wrong to think of or do, then why did it feel good?"
I notice the way your voice was honeyed with titillation as you explained, hinting with passion. It amused me— how you found a nightmare so pleasant to you. I suddenly thought of our communion from the night before, how you kneeled before me with a heated look in your eyes— salacious and delirious— indulging in submission just like your nightmare.
I wanted to know what demon snuck in your nightmare. Four eyes? Four arms? A diabolic creature I've never even heard of before. I had to suppress a lot of my thoughts back, trying my best to remain nonchalant.
"A nightmare, huh. It’s not uncommon for students here to confess about this," I prompted. “There’s a whole case study on how it’s affecting them, but you… You said it felt good?”
"I— I did," you mumbled, voice almost shaky. "And I don't know what to do— I feel that my lustful craving has ruined my relationship with God.”
After divulging to me with another abashed confession, I was rather fascinated than concerned. How you took pleasure in a fucking night terror was something I’ve never expected to come from those pretty, saccharine lips of yours. It almost enraged me— how could a human like you entice me like this? I’m supposed to do my job. I’m supposed to follow Suguru’s commands. I’m not supposed to form a relationship with any of the students here. But this was a rippling covet that makes my blood rush with urgency, an urgency to dwell in the sinister parts of me. And I can sense how desperate you feel— that covet you find so sinful, so disgraceful to your god— when in reality it isn't.
"Your desire for lust should never make you feel guilty, Y/N," I coaxed. "After all, didn't your god create us as sexual creatures? It was never deemed a sin; only taught to be one for young women like you."
This time I was speaking my mind. How I really viewed the church that condemns malicious creatures like me. All the years of false and inaccurate teachings, mistranslations, and every concept that never appeals to me. I could go on about it all day, but I suppressed my thoughts back once again.
"I've prayed and prayed that day, Reverend. But yet, I can’t stop dwelling on it. It was a very filthy dream, I admit. But it felt so… intense.”
A nightmare, I mentally corrected. Any dream with an incubus involving sexual and immoral acts are considered nightmares.
I take the opportunity to let my gaze glide over your skin. "I understand how you feel," I feigned, nearly lying to myself that I had to take another sip of my drink. "That covet you find so sinful, so disgraceful to your god— when in reality it isn't. Whoever propagated that purity culture bullshit are the disgraceful ones instead."
Your body fell stiff as the realization hit like a brick to your face, contemplating over my words. "Hm. I think I can see now why you're not so fond of the church,” you bantered, taking another sip of the coffee. “You’re more brutal than Father Geto. He’s there to console and sympathize with his parishioners, but you— You’re very, uh… passive aggressive.”
I scoffed. “That’s harsh.”
“Well, it’s kinda true,” you chuckled. “I mean, we can’t always have our reverends and ministers here console us by just spiritual enlightenment and scripture. It was nice hearing your advice coming from a different perspective. So I thank you, Reverend Toji.”
I agreed. But at the same time, I didn’t care. “Just call me Toji. But just not in front of other people and Father Geto, you know.”
"Speaking of Father Geto…" My heart jolted faster once you shot up from your seat and walked over in front of me, my skin growing hotter as your body drew closer to mines. So close as if you were invading me, but I allowed it— the gap between us growing thin, feeling our body heat fuel and ignite. I was tempted to trace your flesh, uncover the goosebumps lingering on your skin, and take you on right here on this fucking desk…
What the Hell am I thinking? Why am I being invaded with these kind of thoughts?
"… Please don't tell him about our conference and that I met with you," you continued with a low mutter. "It'll be our little secret."
I slanted my head. Our little secret?
Something crept in the grip of my numb hand, hearing the rough folds of paper crumpling. I peer down and notice your fingers gently grazing mines, feeling your warmth and tenderness as you slipped some cash.
"Are you serious?" I whisper. "You know I can't take this."
"No, Toji. It's fine," you beamed. "After lecturing me like that— I really think you are a good man. Doesn't matter who you are or how you view the church."
I clenched the cash in my grip, not realizing how clammy my palms grew. I was already at a loss of words from this strange, erratic feeling in me right now. Slipping money in my hand as you invaded my personal space, breathing in your darling aroma, your irises dancing with the room's fast-changing glow. You then look at my lips. I look at yours. There's a pause.
You slightly inched forward, my entire body falling frozen as you pressed your lips against my cheek. Immediately I was immersed with this sudden softness and sweetness, like laying on a bed made of clouds, plush and impulsive. Warming my bones, melting my center. My heart beat rising, but also trying to soothe.
"’Till next time, Toji," you murmured, your fleeting breath hitting my ear until you turned away and left.
What did you just do to me?
I wouldn’t say your kiss of gratitude on my face was a violation. But though I had no idea where it stemmed from, it felt… pleasant. Perhaps I was somewhat successful playing the role of a Reverend who’s not really in touch with humanity, but tries to just for the sake of understanding people. I just don’t know how to feel from a tender moment that came from nowhere. I was too astonished to register it through my brain— the intimate touch of a human.
I couldn't stop thinking about it. I've studied every line and every form of your figure, the shape of you and the aching in your glinting eyes. How you starve me with those fucking eyes. How I wanted to see all of you right here, right in this office, right on Father Suguru’s desk— gliding across your body with a wicked purpose. There was no way to fight your embrace. I would’ve allowed Suguru to fucking exorsice me for wanting to feed off your forbidden sexual desire. And I was too selfish to let that lame demon in your nightmare feed off it. Not even any man you encounter here could fulfill you the way I plan to.
Dry humping turns me on so much. Just the feeling of someone rutting against me with only a few layers of fabric between us. Them bending me over and showing me how it would feel to have them thrusting into me. Letting me grind on their lap, guiding my hips up and down like I’m riding them. The tease of it, the desperation of trying to get just a little more friction, the feeling of being so close, but not close enough. Holy fuck it gets to me.
꒰ ✟ ꒱ SUMMARY: Sex demons are not as provocative as you think they are. Not only do they engage in sexual acts with humans, they thrive off their flesh and haunt them in their nightmares. When an incubus disguised as a Reverend turns a hungry eye on one of the parishioners, gruesome events at the cathedral slowly unfold; blasphemy, gore, and terror…
꒰ ✟ ꒱ CHAPTER WARNINGS: blasphemy, WC: 2,396
PREVIOUS • MASTERLIST • NEXT CHAPTER
written in toji's pov, narration style similar to the Netflix show, "You." pov may also change in future chapters. this takes place in a fictional setting; St. Reze University & Cathedral.
"Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been a week since my last confession..."
Father Getou Suguru, the priest who ordained me as a clergy member and who I work for now, would sometimes put me in charge of confessionals whenever he’s busy. Obviously I hated it. Sitting in this mahogany booth, listening to the sins and confessions of these miserable penitents that don’t even matter to me. Sometimes out of boredom I'd feel tempted to manipulate them out of their faith, but I couldn't afford to lose my job. I had no choice.
This evening I was starting to feel a bit sluggish while confessionals were ongoing. Some were short, some were emotional, and some just didn't know what to say in the midst of nervousness or inexperience. I didn’t even have to say much except for making up their penance as I try not to fall asleep. But as I sat down and pondered while this young male penitent babbled to me, the memory of you on your knees before me during Eucharist… haunted me.
“…But this one nightmare I had a few days ago, Reverend— call me dramatic, I don’t care… but when I woke up, I woke up literally gasping for my life. I couldn’t stop thinking about it that I got so distracted in class. It disturbs me when I even think about it. What should I do?”
And suddenly a wave of clarity washed over me when the male’s unsettled voice blended with the flashback of us under the rain hours ago. It took awhile to register what he said, especially when he mentioned nightmares.
Across the decorative screen, I frowned and remained silent. It was a little frustrating taking my focus off of you and onto another concern. Perhaps this evening confession had slightly intrigued me, especially knowing the true, daunting origins of nightmares that have been ongoing. And not just any plain nightmare that adults get from stress or medications. Majority of people tend to forget those that come and go, but if they continue lurking within one’s mind for several weeks…
“Hm. You got insomnia or something, kid?” I inquired, deciding not to think too deep about this. Whatever the fuck I smoked earlier had me overthinking too much. I’m peeved about it.
“Um. I'm twenty two," the man demurred. "But, no… I don’t have insomnia, surprisingly.”
“Then don’t sweat it. Just know that you can expect spiritual nourishment in a religious campus like this," I assured sardonically. “But in case that doesn’t work… start booking your therapy sessions.”
“Therapy?” he marveled. “Wow. This is the first time a Reverend gave me a penance like that. I thought you were gonna suggest something, like, plain old prayer and scripture.”
“Churches are all full of narcissists like that, kid. Now end off with a prayer and go.”
The man thanks me and proceeds with his final prayers and blessings before leaving. I sat alone in the booth for what felt like more than five minutes, waiting for any penitent left to come in. I couldn’t sense any human presence roaming about the ambulatory and transepts nearby, which had me relieved. But just as I was about to open the door and make my way from my debased duties as a Reverend, I can hear someone scurrying towards the booth and entering inside.
I sighed exasperatingly and cursed under my breath, throwing my head back against the mahogany wall and sulked. Though it was strange that my heightened senses weren’t able to detect anyone outside the booth, I was feeling rather passive aggressive. Whoever this person was caught me off guard completely; it’s always been a bad habit of mine to put my pride first before anything.
“Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been two weeks since my last confession."
That voice. That silky, radiant honey and velvety voice— You. I decided to not speak and peered through the latticed opening into the opposite side of the dark wooden compartment and see that it was really you as the penitent. My penitent. An opportunity for me to see you plead for advice and dwell in your personal relationship with your god. My disinterest may or may not have been lifted after recognizing you…
“I confess that I have been distracted from my relationship with you,” you continued bashfully. “All of my time has been taken up by school, work, the people in my life… I even encountered someone that I couldn't stop thinking about the whole night."
I shifted in my seat, the wood slightly creaking as I crossed my legs and waited for you to elaborate. My heart felt heavy with anticipation, but I still remained silent. I could see you, but you couldn’t see me. I must admit, the way you’re indirectly speaking to me right now did bring a little amusement…
“He’s… he’s a Reverend for the church that I’ve never seen before. An older man with a gravely voice and a scar on the corner of his mouth. But there was something about him that makes me feel, I don’t know— bewitched, probably? Is that the right word? Well, I couldn’t focus during the Eucharist because of my… unwanted lust for him…”
After indulging in your confessions and finally hearing your lascivious truth, what you confessed to me seemed to bewitch me as well. And I felt a growing flame of rage from allowing this to happen to me, intoxicating my inhibitions like fire to gasoline, stinging me like push pins sliding into my skin. After our unexpected encounter tonight, all you could ever think about was me, just how all I could ever think about was you.
“I always come on Sundays. But this is my first time coming to the Saturday sermon, which means I might never see him again. I ask for your forgiveness of my sins, father. I also pray for your guidance to avoid whatever leads me to sinful thoughts and temptations like this. You are my god. I would never worship another being like you. In his name, my god, have mercy.”
You left the booth shortly after that, not giving me the chance to speak at all. Surprisingly that was the first confessional where I didn't have to respond to my penitent and only remained silent. Props to you for making my job easier.
But after hearing you beg to your god to avoid the sinful thoughts of lust and covet because of me… I've never felt so captivated over this. Over a human. You were the key to my dark little fairy tale that I'm so aching to taste. A chance for a lost little lamb to experience danger, corruption… and sin.
The way you’ve been provoking me tonight has me infuriated, I admit. My ongoing battle of cunning, dark, and sinister thoughts within my conscience, where I’d be tempted to corrupt these Catholic sheeps for my own satisfaction. Now I’m the corrupted one. I hate you for that. You're so ashamed to face sin, ashamed to face me. If I am your sin, then you're my impiety; I will forever have irreverence for your god without giving a damn. And what every demon like me caters to mortals, we fulfill them until they're dripping with sin and corruption.
When I left the booth and wandered down the nave, I sat on the front pew and grunted in exhaustion. I sat there for awhile, arching my neck back against the top edge like I was floating. Manspreading, my hands slid into my pockets then halted when I felt something. Your rosary.
I scrutinized it once again. Immediately my mind is cascaded by the thought of you during communion. You looked at me like I was no stranger, drinking the sight of me instead of that holy wine. A glimpse sublime, the most hypnotically sensual thing I’ve seen in this life. So ruthless of you to do. I find myself smitten by it when I play it in my mind, sanctifying me more than any holy concept in this church. I just couldn't get enough. I just couldn't stop replaying it in my head…
I glanced down at my slacks. When you looked at me drinking that wine on your knees… Oh, I was a man gone wild. Arousal had blossomed in my pelvis like an unwanted guest. My vivid imagination of you right there, right between my legs, kissing and worshiping me like how you kiss and worship the grace of your god. The never-ending eye contact. Bestowing that sweet mouth for my cock until I fuck into your throat…
Suddenly there was a noise. A noise that sent the synapses of my brain frozen, immediately taking my hand off my slacks and darting my head to the left. A strange echo reverberated through the stair tower. I held my breath and tried to make out another sound that would come from downstairs. Such eerie sounds don't really bother me, but it made me realize I wasn't the only one here at church late at night.
At first there was a hiss-like sound— like a giant serpent slithering, or the sharp growl of a feral beast. I couldn’t tell if it was my imagination fucking with me again, but such grotesque noise made me think someone's flesh was getting torn apart, followed by a prowling snarl.
There were faint screams, similar to the faint screams of the putrid souls back in Hell. But I couldn’t exactly tell because of the incense on the altar taking over my senses. My heart rate staggered and I could feel my lungs tightening from holding my breath. I was slightly perturbed, I admit. Hust as I was about to stand up and investigate, a soft-spoken voice was suddenly heard from my right side.
“Toji?”
I averted to the opposite direction as if I was pulled back into a quieter reality, seeing a brunette woman in a habit. Her pale face emanated from the dark corners, approaching closer to the pew I sat at.
"Oh. It's you." The corner of my mouth stretched to a small smile as Sister Shoko Ieiri stood nearby, shoving the pearl rosary in my pockets. "What'cha doing here so late, hm?"
"I could ask you the same thing,” Shoko taunted. "I'm was closing the church and then I found you here. Were you on confessional duty?"
I nodded, letting her sit beside me and sighed out of exhaustion. Something shiny from her chest caught my eye— a hematite and aurora crystal bead rosary with a sterling silver pendant. It was much larger than the wooden rosary she would usually carry around. I watched as she weakly twisted it between her fingers, her expression growing melancholic.
"Everything alright?" I spoke low, trying my best to be sympathetic for the nun. She remained inanimate for awhile, like she was lost in her own complicated thoughts.
“Well, I’ve been getting less sleep..."
"Why's that?"
“…I’ve been feeling a little sick lately.” Sister Shoko rubbed her eyes and sniffled. “I’m gonna be locking the doors now, so you coming?”
This woman was obviously lying. However, I didn't really care that much to force her to open up to me. My intentions aren’t to get too involved with humans and their problems, especially with Shoko since she has a lot weighing down on her shoulder. As merciful as I can be, I followed her waited as she locked the church doors outside.
"Want me to walk you to your car?" I ask.
Shoko hauled the keys off the doors to the narthex, slightly turning her face to me. “Uh, sure," she vacillated, smiling weakly. "I didn't take you as that kind of guy, honestly."
I pushed my shoulder off the walls and head down to the parking lot, my hands fidgeting with your rosary in my pocket. Then I kept thinking about what I've heard at the staircase tower near the cathedral’s balcony, glancing at every corner warily. The winds were small tonight, a tranquil stillness of the dark night surrounding us both while the beams of the moon shatter the sky.
"So. How are you and Sister Utahime?" I inquired, breaking the silence and my thoughts.
The brunette nun smiled down at the gravelly pavement, softly scoffing as a shade of red glowed at her cheeks. "Ah, you know. We're doing good. Thinking about moving in together next year."
"Oh. You could've brought her with you tonight, you know."
“I know," she pouted. "But she's usually asleep at this time and I didn't want to bother her. What about you, Fushiguro?"
"Hm?"
"Do you have any girl on your mind right now?" she simpered, pretending to act like some nosy high school girl. "C'mon, you sure look like you can pull anyone."
At first, I thought she was bluffing. "Nah," I replied, clutching the crucifix of your rosary chiseled firmly and sharp to my fingertips.
We finally reached her car, waiting as she fumbled with her keys to unlock it. "You sure?" she teased. "What about that girl I saw with you earlier today for the Eucharist?"
I deadpanned. "What girl?"
Shoko's shoulders dropped in disappointment. "Are you serious? The girl that drank from your wine! I've seen the way you looked at her."
I gazed into the sky as if I was pretending to remember. "Oh. Her," I spoke slowly. "I barely even know her, Shoko."
The brunette pulled her car door open. "Well, when I saw you two, it definitely looked like more than that."
"That’s insane. All she did was take the drink, what made you come up with that?” I say sardonically.
“Oh, don’t gaslight me, Fushiguro.” I wait as she stepped inside to the driver's seat and turned on the engine. "But, thanks for keeping me company tonight.”
“No problem. Goodnight.”
“Night, Toji.”
I close the door for her and watch as the nun drives away, left alone under the pale moonlight. I turn my head at the cathedral again for awhile, scanning the east stair tower outside. If the doors were unlocked and I had the motivation to investigate where that noise came from, I would've done so already. But I decided to drop it for now…
What am I to do with a stranger like you from now on?
— When you randomly pointed to a handsome man and declared him to be your boyfriend, you didn't think it would get this out of hand. You just wanted a couples discount!
— Alhaitham, Ayato, and Kazuha
[Masterlist]
This was originally written for my upcoming "Help me break my engagement by marrying me instead." fic but I got carried away and it became too plot-heavy. So I made a new one. Most of these have nothing to do with money, I just thought the title was funny.
Edit: If this hits 1k within the next two days, I'll write a part 2
Alhaitham
You blame Kaveh for this. This is entirely his fault and you will not be convinced otherwise. If he hadn't opened his big mouth to Alhaitham about the fact you've been spouting that he was your boyfriend, then you wouldn't be in this mess. It wasn't even that serious, it's not like you were actually emotionally invested with the man and this was all a delusional dream. You barely knew the guy aside from the multiple rumors about him in the first place. You just needed to access some limited-edition books for your thesis and his name happened to be the easiest way to get ahold of them. Sure, you may be lying to authority for the better half of a year about your relationship with the scribe, but it's not your fault they didn't ask questions. If you happened to threaten to tell your very scary and very influential "boyfriend" about this "mistreatment", that's just a byproduct if anything. But now you have a very irritated silver-haired man crowding into your personal space asking why the hell you're announcing to the world that you're both in a relationship. It's creepy. He called you creepy. Is this where you roll over and die in shame?
You swear you didn't think it would get this out of hand. You just happened to spot him in the background while the librarian was giving you a hard time and your dumb brain-to-mouth filter was taking a break that day. So you just blurted that you were Alhaitham's partner and that he would be very upset to hear that you were being treated this way. It's not completely far-fetched, Alhaitham seems like a very, very, private person and on the off chance you were telling the truth? Well, the poor librarian didn't want to lose her job. Besides, it's not like you were planning on doing anything illegal and you don't think you're the absolute worst person to be fake-dating.
By some stroke of luck, or maybe he felt too much pity for you, Alhaitham decides to cut you a deal rather than get you kicked out of the Akademiya. He gets multiple love letters, confessions, and heart-eyed individuals trailing after him all the time. Frankly, he's getting tired of it and since you've already taken the liberty, he won't say anything if you don't say anything. Though he makes it clear that if you ever do anything embarrassing, you're taking the fall and he's going to pretend he doesn't know you. A bit harsh but that's only a safety net. Plus it's not like you actually want to date him so he wouldn't have any commitments. The added bonus is that since he's well-known for having a...rough personality, you don't need to act affectionately with the man or go the extra mile. As long as you have each other's backing, you'll get to check out any textbook you want for free and he gets to be left alone. So for both your benefits, to the rest of the Akademiya you and him are a couple.
You should have known this deal was way too good to be true. As soon as people hear that Alhaitham acknowledges that you're his partner, they're on you like rabid fungi. In comparison to the scribe, you're far easier to prod and poke for any gossip and your quiet day-to-day life is suddenly thrown into the wind. Multiple people a day come to bother you about what it's like to date the moody man. It gets to a point where you have to actually dress incognito just to go and get some coffee. Seriously, didn't people have deadlines and exams to prepare for then to hound you down to talk about your fake love life? Alhaitham is no help either, only shrugging off your complaints and telling you that this is what you agreed to.
He's a horrible partner, fake or not. This isn't your storybook romance where he suddenly falls in love with you, he straight up ignores you sometimes! If anything, this entire situation has stopped you from feeling intimidated by him. Before you wouldn't dare approach him, his appearance and body were enough for you to shy away. You're impulsive, not blind. Alhaitham is drop-dead gorgeous but now that you've reached such an absurd situation it stops intimidating you. You begin to regularly pester the man because you know that even though you're both not actually dating, it would look really bad if he shunned you constantly.
He actually doesn't mind you. Unlike Kaveh or anyone else who interacts with him, you know how to be quiet and independent. Most of the time you both sit in silence, the only noise between the two of you being the flipping of pages and the scratching of ink against paper. If you ever do speak, it's always with a purpose. It's just a bonus that while everyone stares at your table, no one ever approaches. If they need to speak with him, they see your body right next to him and they decide to come back at a later time when he's alone.
Over time, he finds himself seeking you out instead of the other way around. He's come to find your presence comforting and it's the only time when he can actually sit down and read. Being an observant person, he starts to notice your little habits. For one, touch seems to be how you interact with others. You always bump elbows whenever you greet him, pinching his half coat whenever you want to drag him to see whatever captured your attention, and nudging his arm with your hand whenever you need him to bend down so you can whisper something into his ear. He's honestly surprised and concerned that he doesn't push you away with your skinship. If it were anyone else, he would have sent them a sharp glare and pushed him off but he doesn't for you.
All things must come to an end eventually and you've finally finished writing the last sentences for your thesis. Your pat on the back is the firm shut of a book as a deep sigh escapes your lips. Tired but relieved. The goodbye is uneventful, you simply tell him that you don't need him to pretend to be your boyfriend and he's free to live out the single life. He just nods and with that, you're gone.
No one says anything when they notice that Alhaithem sits at a table alone for the nth time that week. There are a few whispers back and forth about how you either got fed up with this attitude or he realized that he was way out of your league. Either way, everyone assumes you and Alhaithem are no longer together and his routine before you arrived settles back in. Yet, he feels off. He refuses to call it longing, you both were hardly affectionate in the first place, but he feels a bit lonely without your presence beside him. it's been plaguing his mind ever since you packed your things and left. He's hardly been able to concentrate on his book, rereading the same sentence for the fourth time before snapping it shut. Letting out a deep sigh, he runs a hand through his hair before setting it against his closed eyes. What's gotten into him?
"Is this seat taken?"
His eyes shoot open, turning around to see you with an armful of books looking expectantly at him. You look nervous and he can't lie to himself that he doesn't find that just the slightest bit endearing. He can tell that you're struggling to carry all of them from the slight shake in your hands.
"I thought our deal was over?" he says this but he gets up anyways to take the books out of your hands and places them on the table. You just roll your eyes at him because of course that's what he would say first and push forward. You're probably the only one who would act so brazenly in front of him besides Kaveh but he doesn't find it irritating when you do it.
"What? So I need to be in a relationship with you just to sit at a table? I know your ego is big but not thattt big," you stretch your words as you settle comfortably into your seat.
He wonders when he started thinking of that specific chair as yours.
"No. I suppose not," he says with an exasperated smile as he sits back down. You beam back at him as you shuffle your chair closer to him as you open your textbook, your fingertips gave that familiar tug for him to lean in closer.
"Good, because I need some help with this section. I have no idea what the hell "bloom" is."
Ayato
Although Valentine's day was mostly celebrated in Mondstadt and Sumeru, Inazuma still liked to dabble in the festivities during the day of love. Various couples' discounts on tricolored Dango or limited edition books from the Yae Publishing House. There was one popular series in particular that was having a huge discount to celebrate the holiday and even though you weren't in the market for a partner, you weren't going to pass up on such a steal. Only for your excitement to fall flat when the lady informed you that the discount was for couples only.
You can't believe this. You just stood in line for hours only for them to tell you this now? What kind of shady place was this? Of course, they didn't advertise the specifics of this sale, they knew this book was popular. People waiting in line wouldn't just walk away once they found out and they would end up paying full price! Well, two can play this game. You randomly gesture off to the side, saying that your boyfriend was just standing off to the side because he wanted to grab some refreshments. You aren't really looking where you're pointing, too busy digging through your pouch and counting your coins of mora before a sharp gasp stops you. The lady quickly bows and beams at you with a mega-watt customer service smile. She hands the book to you free of charge while profusely thanking you for your patronage. You look off to the side but you don't see anyone, but you weren't going to say no, so you shrug and take it. A free book is a free book.
To be fair, you were making it really easy for the Archons to mess with you. You hear whispers around you that you can't make out, anytime you glance at passing people, they quickly bow and shuffle along. You have a horrible sinking feeling forming in the pit of your stomach and you quickly rush home so you can avoid whatever the hell you just caused. Unfortunately, word travels fast in Inazuma, and every shop you pass by you're being confronted left and right with sales pitches and gifts of appreciation for your partner's hard work. All of which you decline, half of it because you're not actually in a relationship and the other half because you have no interest in their gifts. But you've already dug yourself this far in your grave so you just give a hasty no thank you as you try and dodge everyone who looks at you with that glimmer in their eyes. Who did you point at to receive this much praise?
Ayato is greatly confused when people approach him to congratulate him on his engagement. He wasn't planning on getting married any time soon, his duties as the Yashiro Commissioner taking up most of this time. Did the elders set someone up for him without informing him first? He's curious about who his mystery person is but everyone he asks doesn't seem to know where they went. Apparently, his fiancee is shy but humble, declining gifts from various shopkeepers no matter how expensive they are.
That's until one of the children points in your direction and his eyes slide over to you who looks just as confused as him. He's never seen you in his life and you don't look like anyone from a significant clan. He gets clued in that you boldly announced your relationship with him when you were checking out a specific book meant for couples only. Ah, he's starting to understand now. He offers a piece of candy for the helpful information as he makes his way over to you. His mysterious fiancee.
As soon as the man in front of you says Lord Kamisato's name, the uneasy weight in your stomach drops. You quickly spin on your heel to see the pale blue hair and amused light purple eyes. Oh. Oh, Archon's above, please, out of everyone you could have pointed to, please don't make it be the Yashiro Commissioner. You're about to burn this book into ashes and do a ceremony to banish whatever youkai were stored within the pages if you manage to make it out of this alive.
If Ayato was upset about this situation he's found himself in, it would be immediately wiped away because you look like you're about to collapse. He's trying his best to not laugh at your torment right in front of you, but the mix of emotions that's so openly displayed on your face is making it hard. It's obvious that you didn't mean for this to happen, you've just tripped and fallen into a web of misunderstandings. Too entangled to explain yourself without making a fool out of yourself.
If looks could kill, this storekeeper would be dead on the floor twice over. This man calls out to the Yashiro Commissioner, and just to add salt to the wound, proudly congratulates him on his engagement with you. You said nothing about an engagement, you're far too young to be thinking about that thank you very much. But Ayato just nods along with that ever-pleasant smile without bothering to correct the situation. You're not sure if you should be thankful or not. He might be planning your murder in his mind so you stay silent as well.
When Ayato's gaze shifts to you, you do what any creature does when they're in danger and there's nowhere to run. You hide. You automatically raise your book to cover your face so you don't need to look at the source of your embarrassment. Although it does nothing to hide just how red your face is, you don't see him and that's good enough for you. But this also means you don't see the questioning glance the storekeeper shoots Ayato about your behavior, to which Ayato gives a pleasant smile and waves a hand to dismiss the situation.
"Please excuse my fiancee, we didn't mean to announce our engagement so early," Ayato muses, and the storekeeper nods in understanding while you bring your book down low enough to peer over the edges of the pages. Is...is he covering for you? He looks down expectantly at you but when you don't move, he awkwardly coughs into his fist and tilts his head toward the shopkeeper.
"A-Ah yes, that's right! It was a slip of the tongue and I hadn't realized I said it out loud. Please excuse my behavior," you bow and you can hear Ayato turning his head to snort into his hand. This is awful. You think you would prefer if he just outted you so you didn't need to show the world how awful your acting skills are. This is why you read plays, not star in them. But the shopkeeper nods in understanding, apologizing for saying your engagement so loud for others to hear before you're leaving with Ayato's arm wrapped around your waist.
"I'm deeply sorry. There was a discount for couples only and I just pointed in a random direction and it just happened to land on you. I swear I didn't mean to start any of this," you quickly rush out as you bow before Ayato as soon as you're out of sight from the public eye. He still has that annoying look in his eyes but you're completely at his mercy right now. The smug bastard definitely knows that.
"It's no trouble at all. I found the situation quite entertaining," he chuckles before looking you up and down. Okay...a tiny bit weird but you suppose your actions are worse. There's a long silence between the two of you as if he's pondering something and you've had enough of today's events.
"Um...well if that's everything I'll be getting out of your hair. Please enjoy the rest of your day Lord Kamisato," you mumble as you turn to leave but his hand hooks onto the back of your kimono and drags you right back.
"Ah, ah. It would make a bad impression if my fiancee suddenly left me on Valentine's Day. Oh and please, call me Ayato," he smiles that same polite smile but his eyes tell a different story entirely. His smile even widens at how hard you're biting your lip as you match his with a strained one. For Archon's sake, you just wanted to buy a book, how did you get into this mess?!
Kazuha
As soon as Inazuma's borders reopened, you were jumping on the fastest ship back to Liyue. You even got extra lucky that your good friend Beidou happened to be on the pier and offered you a well-deserved ride back to your home free of charge. You've been so homesick but unable to leave due to the regulation the Electro Archon placed, so to say that you were excited to finally go back was an understatement. Although the Crux Fleet was mainly an armed carrier delivering goods between places separated by sea, it did occasionally transport passengers if they paid enough. It only made sense that others would be like you and wish to return home as soon as possible. It's too bad that one of them happened to take one look at you and decide that you were born to be his.
It's an incredibly awkward affair. This wealthy businessman doesn't appear to mean any harm but he's incredibly dense with no sense of social awareness. Although you've politely declined his advances, he doesn't seem to stop. Even when Beidou herself threatens to throw the man overboard, he just keeps his distance and makes heart eyes at you. Unfortunately for you, Beidou can't actually throw him into the cruel watery depths no matter how much you plead with her. The man seems to be an important figure from Snezhnaya so she can't exactly treat him badly. Thus you spend most of your time ducking away and running away from your creepy admirer.
You're usually not so bold but the mix of overwhelming homesickness and just wanting to get this journey over and done with, all of it compels you to act rashly. If your new admirer can't take a simple no then you'll find a different way and show him you're off limits. You've seen the man who sits on the crow's nest, you believe Beidou said his name was Kazuha, whose been a part of her crew for a while now. You've only made passing small talk with each other and he seems like a nice person, at least you hope so. Because as soon as his feet touch the ship's deck, you're throwing yourself at him. You have to give him credit, he has lightning-fast reflexes and is a lot stronger than his demeanor expresses since he manages to catch you and stop you both from sprawling across the floor.
You make a show of throwing your arms around him and whining about how he doesn't spend enough time with poor dear you. You can tell he's infinitely confused so you lean in and whisper into his ear about your creepy stalker who can't take a no. Your eyes desperately plead with him to play along with you, just until the ship reaches Liyue Harbour. It only takes Kazuha to look over your shoulder and lock gazes with said "stalker" before he's turning to you with the most tender smile on his lips and a soft apology for being neglectful. A promise to spend more quality time to make up for his behavior. You swear that should have been an omen because you feel your heart stop for a second right then and there.
It's not completely out there. As the lookout, he would have to stay up in the crow's nest most of the day, and given how soft spoken Kazuha normally is, he doesn't look like the confrontational type. But he does make good on his fake promise and you find yourself spending most of your time in the crow's nest with Kazuha rather than ducking into the shadows of the lower deck. Kazuha is a relaxing presence and you can understand why he stays up here rather than with the rest of the crew. The gentle sea breeze brushes through your hair and it's so peaceful all the way up in the sky. You're almost jealous that he has an anemo vision because you think you'd love to stay in the winds forever.
He's also a gentleman through and through. You're not entirely sure if he's just pretending alongside you or if that's just how he normally acts. You think both options are equally plausible and endearing. At some point, you forget that you're supposed to be doing this for show to keep a creepy man away from you and you genuinely start to seek him out. It's during one night when you watch Kazuha whistle a tune through a leaf that you realize just how deep you're in. Now your position is reversed and you start to feel like the creepy heart-eyed stalker. It's something that you must absolutely not let happen, not on your watch.
Your sudden distance from Kazuha leaves him a bit hurt. He knows that this originally started as an act but he felt that you and him were getting close to each other without any ulterior motives. That all your talks of your dreams and aspiration were real and meaningful. But now that you've suddenly pulled back, he question's if everything was made up in his head. It's not like you owe him anything, he decided to help you out from of his own volition. Beidou can only look at this scene painfully at her two idiotic friends pushing themselves away from each other because they can't sit down and talk it out.
She drags the two of you into a private room, her only warning to fix your emotional angst or she really will throw you both overboard. You both know she's entirely serious so you both obediently nod as she slams the door closed.
Beidou leans against the wooden crates with her head propped up with her arm. She should probably stop watching, she's being far too nosy with her friend's love life, but what kind of friend would she be if she wasn't? She hopes you both managed to talk it out and realize that you're both crushing hard on each other. She had been far too busy with Liyue fastly approaching to check in on your progress but from the looks of things, she thinks everything went well. With the red cheeks and your fingertips linked together, it's so cute that she wants to gag on her wine. Don't get her wrong, she's happy for you and Kazuha, but any more of this puppy love is going to send her into an early grave.
"You're not going to stay in Liyue?" she overhears you say. Huh? She honestly thought that Kazuha might pitch a tent and finally settle down with you but the small shake of his head and your fallen expression says otherwise. Damn, talk about a heartbreaker. But he gives you a soft expression, something really vulnerable, and his hand comes up to caress your cheek- and that's her cue to turn away. That's something that even she knows she shouldn't be watching. She instead takes another swig of her cup.
"Captain."
She looks up to see Kazuha standing beside her, the air of nature and sea breeze clinging to him wherever he goes. She politely doesn't bring up the charm clutched tightly in his hands.
"You sure about this kid?" Beidou asks, her eyes still trained on her empty cup of booze. She doesn't need to look to know that he's watching your back disappear into the crowd longingly.
"If I try to force something I know I'm not ready to finish, it would only lead to disaster. Right now isn't the right time. But I'm sure in the future, our paths will cross again," Kazuha nods to himself solemnly. This time Beidou does look at him before she shows a fond smile herself before she brings her arm back and slaps it against Kazuha's back. It's loud and hard enough to jolt him out of his temporary sadness.
"If you ever need a ride back to Liyue, just let me know. We'll get you there in no time lover boy," Beidou grins cheekily as Kazuha flushes a bright red. How cute, he can't even be honest with himself huh?
I'm feeling the type of sadness where you don't even do the things that makes you happy.
My counselor said that I should choose to be happy and do the things that makes you happy, but how can be happy if all the things that makes me happy is makes me a slob when I do them.
I play a lot of video games despite the fact I'm bad at them but it make me happy, and currently I have 33 missed activities in school. I'm trying to stop playing for the sake of my school works but I just feel so unhappy now, like what's the point.
I just wanted to add the deadline of all my works are also on my birthday.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Months after keeping a secret relationship, days which Bruno considered the happiest of his existence just like her, the beginning of the end started.
It was during Camilo’s ceremony, in January 1940. The entire town had gathered at la Casa Madrigal to witness the event as usual, and once the sun disappeared behind the horizon, Pepa’s youngest son received his gift: shapeshifting.
As everyone celebrated inside the new room, Bruno and (Y/N) sneaked out to the courtyard, where they danced under the moonlight until they couldn’t feel their feet. Their laughter could be heard through the halls, but since there was no one, there was no need to worry about being caught. She didn’t really care if someone saw them, she wasn’t ashamed to be in love with him, but Bruno had insisted on keeping everything a secret and she couldn’t deny him anything. Perhaps it was because she was so dazed by the first love that she hadn’t noticed it, but he had already deciphered that the prophecy was about them ever since they first kissed. His predictions never failed, but he was willing to do whatever he could to stay by her side; and if no one knew about them, it was easier to change their fates.
They eventually decided to go back to the party with the others, but upon reaching the second floor, the door to Camilo’s room opened, and he was quick to hide with her on the short flight of stairs between the corridor and his tower. The click of a pair of heels came closer, but they stopped in front of the bathroom and disappeared behind its door.
“That was close” he turned to see her nervously, but she took him by the neck and pressed their lips in a tender kiss.
“I wished I could scream to the entire Encanto that you are mine and I’m yours”.
“They’d think you’ve lost your mind.”
“And? Maybe I have, it’s insignificant.”
He caressed her cheek lovingly and kissed her again, trying to avoid the conversation. It started out innocently, but within seconds, he was pressing her against the wall, holding her hips tightly as she tugged off his ruana desperately, panting.
“Bruno,” she moaned into his lips, making him sigh as he rubbed himself against her inner thigh.
They were so distracted in their own bliss that they didn’t hear the bathroom door open, nor the slow footsteps approaching where they were. Amparo followed the agitated breathing to the stairs, where she discreetly peeked out and discovered what for her was a nightmare: the most hated man in town fervently kissing her youngest sister. Shocked, she put a hand on her mouth before running back to the party, looking for her mother, her heels clicking throughout the house.
It’s the sound of the bedroom door slamming that finally makes Bruno react.
“Perdón!” He backed up until he hit the wall on the opposite side, embarrassed. “Forgive me.”
They’d never done that before, and given the times, he believed such things were exclusive of married couples. It was a grave insolence then that he had approached her that way.
“Don’t worry, seriously, I…”
“(Y/N)!” Her mother called for her not far away. She was tired of being interrupted all the time.
“I see you at the river tomorrow?” She asked him in a whisper, peeking around the corner to locate her mother.
“Sí.”
“Perfect, see you tomorrow, amorcito” she gave him a fleeting kiss before rushing down to the first floor and going into the kitchen.
It was her sister who found her drinking a glass of water.
“Where were you?” Amparo asked in a serious tone, looking her up and down in contempt. “Mum’s looking for you.”
“I’ve been here the whole time, I was thirsty.”
“We’re leaving now.”
The woman turned around, trying to hide her anger. Her mother had told her not to say anything at the moment, that it was surely just a tantrum of hers to defy her.
“Like that time I forbade her to wear red lipstick and it was all she wore for a year.” She reminded her, but she wasn’t sure it was that on this occasion. “That man’s old and creepy, your sister would never marry someone like that."
The next day, at sunset, (Y/N) met with her lover on the banks of the river, in a small corner hidden by trees. At that hour no one passed by, making it the perfect place for their clandestine encounters. He was waiting for her on a tablecloth, candles lighting the dinner that Julieta had prepared as a request from Dolores and Isabela, who were his accomplices in it all.
"I’m sorry about yesterday.” He told her after eating and while he was putting away the dishes in a basket “I don’t know what got into me, I promise it’ll never happen again.”
“There’s nothing to forgive… I actually liked it.” Her face was burning, but she was willing to get what she wanted. “I wouldn’t mind if we went beyond kisses and caresses.”
Bruno looked at her in dismay, wondering if she was testing him or if she was serious. However, before he could dwell on the matter any further, she clarifies her intentions by kissing him eagerly, taking his hands to position them on her hips. He looked in amazement as she sat on his lap, gently stroking her core against his bulge as she trailed his neck with butterfly kisses and tried to get rid of his ruana.
“(Y/N)…” Bruno pulled the green fabric down, making her stop. “I… You… No, we shouldn’t…"
"You don’t want to do this?” She panicked, thinking she might have pushed him too much “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep, I thought…”
“It’s not that, I do want you, like, really, really bad” he kissed her hands with a gloomy expression. “It’s just that this is a huge step, I don’t want to tie you down.”
“If it’s not with you, I don’t want to be with anybody else” She kissed him, letting her hands roam over his shirt. “Please, take me.”
Her words along with her warm skin made him forget his uncertainties and his hands slipped under her blouse, making her shiver at the feel of his cold fingers. At first, he touched her with worry, fearing he’d hurt her due to his inexperience, until she began to guide him, assuring him she’d let him know if she didn’t like something.
They took their time, as they had the entire night to themselves, and explored their bodies centimetre by centimetre, seeking to give each other as much pleasure as possible. Bruno kissed, sucked and bit every piece of skin within reach like a starving man, delighting in the way she sighed his name and moaned.
As they became one under the moonlight and he thrust into her at a slow pace, their hands intertwined and her gaze devoted to him, Bruno decided it was time to buy a ring.
<That night you made the stars look brighter than ever, amor mío. You convinced me that there was hope for us with your sweet love and tender voice. Mariposita, you became my sun, my moon, my stars and my will to live. If I could have, if fate wasn’t so cruel, I’d have fallen asleep on your bare chest for the rest of my life.>
On the following days, neither of them could stop thinking about the other, reminiscing over and over again their first encounter. (Y/N) desperately wanted to see him again, but couldn’t find the right moment to sneak off to apologize for what her mother had said. She wanted to know more about him: his interests, dislikes, fears, hopes, his story and everything else in between. However, her mother never took her eyes off her, as if she suspected something was off, she wouldn’t even let her go to the market alone.
On his part, Bruno daydreamed about the youngest Cortés all of the time, from the way she smiled to the way she spoke. He spent all day looking at the door, waiting for her to appear with arequipe and arroz con leche, as she had promised him, but every time someone knocked, it turned out to be someone else looking for him. His patience ran out after three days, and in an act of uncharacteristic courage, he went to look for her at the Cortés workshop, just to end up cowering at the last minute and hiding among some planters outside her house.
For the next week, he kept prowling her house, trying to talk to her, only for his insecurities to get the best of him. It wasn’t until a Thursday morning, after he spent an hour practising with the bathroom mirror, that the solution appeared in front of him as he opened the door.
“Who’s (Y/N)?” Dolores, then just a nine-year-old girl, was standing outside the bathroom, wide curious eyes awaiting his response.
Bruno panicked, unable to decide which lie or truth to say. “Bye” Overwhelmed, he walked around her to go to his room, the girl following him closely behind.
“Dime! Dime! Dime! You haven’t stopped talking about her… Well, practising how to talk to her for days, I need to know!”
"You shouldn’t be spying on people, Dolores.”
“I can’t help it!” Bruno reached the stairs that led to his room, but his niece took him by the arm, looking at him pleadingly. “Please, I won’t tell anyone. Is she your girlfriend?“
“You have a girlfriend, tío Bruno?” Isabella had come out of her room without them noticing.
“No, listen, (Y/N) and I…”
“(Y/N) Cortés? You don’t seem like her type.”
“You know her?” Dolores ran to her cousin, taking her by the hand to bring her closer.
“Sí, she’s the tailor’s daughter. They made our ceremony dresses, remember? (Y/N) was the one who embroidered the flowers.”
“Uh!, I remember.“ She squeaked. "She’s that pretty girl with the butterfly skirt, right?”
“Niñas!” They both turned to see him surprised, as they were used to him only muttering and mumbling “I’m sorry, sorry, sorry.” He’s sighed. “Listen, I barely know (Y/N), we’ve only met once. And yeah, of course, she’s really pretty and funny and interesting… But I’m not."
“So you do like her?” Dolores moved her brows up and down.
“Yep… I mean, no!” he blushed, looking away from the pair.
“You do!” Both cousins look at each other in excitement. “You should ask her out!”
“Absolutely not, and I don’t want to hear another word about this. Bye” He turned to enter his room, but once again, someone stopped him by the hem of his ruana.
“She’s talking about you too right now.”
"Dolores! What did I just tell you? It’s rude to listen to other people’s conversations.” The girl looked at him with puppy eyes as he nervously fidgeted with his hands, his curiosity winning. “And… What is she saying?” His niece smiled at him. She had been hearing the young woman’s conversation with another person at the Cortés household for a few minutes already.
“You made arroz con leche again?” Catalina asked (Y/N) upon entering the kitchen. “You’ve been cooking arroz and arequipe for days… Who’s it for?”
“Oh, no one in particular” her cheeks turned pink.
“Uh-huh, then why you’ve been trying to get away from abuela all week?” She didn’t know if she had been that obvious, or if her niece just knew her very well. “Now tell me, who’s it for?”
“I met someone recently and promised to make him this as part of a bet, that’s all.“ She tried to end the conversation, turning around to escape her niece’s questioning gaze, but the girl grabbed her skirt to stop her.
“You don’t fool me. Could it be that you have a secret boyfriend out there?” Catalina said it as a joke, accustomed to (Y/N)’s voluntary singlehood, getting caught off guard by her answer.
“It’s nothing serious, I just think he’s… Interesting.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing, this is a historical event!” Catalina took her hands excitedly, shaking them. “You like someone!”
“Like is a very strong word for someone I’ve only met once, and all I said was that I find him interesting.”
“And who’s the lucky man who has accomplished the impossible task of rousing your curiosity?”
(Y/N) bit her lip nervously, looking for a way to escape from the uncomfortable situation. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of Bruno but rather wanted to avoid a conversation like the one that had ensued with her mother at la Casa Madrigal.
“Uhm… Well, he’s very sweet and charming, with curly black hair, beautiful jade eyes, and about your height.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“You’re going to judge me, he’s older than me.” That was the least of her problems.
“How older?”
“Thirteen years”
“Oh, no… Are you in love with a married man!?” She whispered, alarmed.
“No! No, he’s not married” she didn’t remember seeing a ring on his finger. "And I’m not in love with him.”
“Uff, you scared me for a second there. So, let’s recap: your mystery lover is sweet, charming, has black hair, green eyes, is single, and has…” she counted with the help of her fingers. “38 years.”
“(Y/N)!” Suddenly, Amparo called her sister from the workshop. “Could you come with me to the mercado?”
“Comming!” She got up as Catalina kept trying to remember someone in town with those physical characteristics.
“Argh, I can only think of Doña Alma’s son, the one with the rats, what’s his name?” (Y/N) had stopped a few steps from her, remembering the joy in his eyes as he told her about his rats in their way back from his Tower.
“Bruno.” She said his name in a sigh, an indiscreet smile crossing her lips.
“Ah, sí” Catalina laughed, getting up to follow her to the workshop, convinced it wasn’t him. To her, it seemed ridiculous to imagine her aunt - a woman full of energy, happiness and beauty - would be attracted to a man like Bruno Madrigal, a man feared by the whole town for his creepy reputation. However, it’s upon seeing (Y/N)’s smile and red cheeks that she stops laughing, stunned.
“Por Dios, you’re in love with Bruno Madrigal!”
“Shh!” (Y/N) covers her mouth, looking around in fear someone had heard her. “You can’t tell anyone, understand? Besides, I already told you I’m not in love, I’d just like to get to know him more.“
"He doesn’t scare you? I mean, with all those rats and the eerie premonitions. In town they say he's…”
“I don’t care what they say, it’s not true. Bruno’s a very kind man, he just wants to help others.”
“(Y/N)!” Amparo called her again, so she leaned close to Catalina’s ear:
"Not a word, okay?” And with that, she ran to the entrance, where her sister was waiting with a basket.
In la Casa Madrigal, Dolores recited to Bruno word for word what the young Cortés was talking with her niece, watching his face brighten up with joy.
“She thinks I’m charming?” His heart was beating so fast he thought it was going to burst out of his chest.
“What are you waiting for? She’s going to the mercado, it’s your opportunity to talk to her.” Isabella started to push him towards the stairs while Dolores pulled from his hand.
“But her sister’s not going to let me get anywhere near her. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to say! What if she thinks I’ve been following her?”
“Haven’t you?”
“N…No!” It was impossible to hide anything from his niece. “I wanted to talk to her, but I don’t know how to approach her.”
“Gift her something” Dolores suggested. “Uh! You can give her flowers, right Isabella? Men give flowers when they’re in love, like my dad does with my mom."
“I think she likes daisies” he remembered seeing them in his vision.
"Perfect!” Isabella appeared a bouquet of pink daisies and handed them to Bruno. “Go to the market, find her and give her these flowers, she’ll understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Just give them to her!”
The cousins managed to get Bruno out with Casita’s help, locking the entrance door so he couldn’t come back inside "Good luck!“ Dolores yelled behind it as she high-fived Isabella.
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Btw, thanks for the beautiful comments! I got so inspired thanks to them. Also, I think it’s a little confusing, but Catalina is the daughter of one of the eldest sisters of the reader, so they’re the same age.
I am confused about myself. I don't know how to display affection, they all just come out wrong. I have so many plans to do if I ever be in a relationship, but then I remembered I made a promise to myself.
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