The plan was to have a few people from around town visit and meet each other. The Sin-lers didnât show their faces in public very often, (and for good reason) so every once in a while they would hold these get-togethers.
Most days the parties were successful, and often even created some new friendships. However tonight the party had to end early due to weather conditions, and everyone else had left except for one girl.
Technically all seven of the boys were responsible for their guests, but at the moment only Brice was left in the Living Room since the others were either cleaning up or trying to prepare for the storm to come. It had already started to rain pretty hard.
He noticed the girl standing alone awkwardly and wondered what she was still doing in the house. Couldâve sworn everyone had left alreadyâŚ
âOh hey"Â Brice called to her before making his way over âDidnât see you over there. Yer not stuck here are ya?â
Credit to @bubblemagician for helping write this, Based on an rp we did ~
April 25, 2020
Silence blanketed the Andrewsâ household in the early morning hours. The sun hadnât even risen, the darkness of night calm in the late April breeze. Nothing seemed awry in the home until a poof was heard from the guest room. A soft pink smoke engulfed the sheets around the solitary male figure who was replaced by the previously absent Lady of the house.
*she listened unblinkingly at his words, focusing on his body and movements * you embody Sin... And Brice is... *oh it had been so obvious, why had she been so blind* Pride. So you eradicate - *and suddenly a thought occured to her* Is that why you noticed me?? Because I'm so proud?
NO
Stop. Stop right there, donât even⌠begin that thought.
*He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to stay calm*
See, that's one reason I donât like telling people about this. You guys are so quick to assume that we use you, like weâre some kind of monsters just because we arenât entirely human.
You get that thought out of your head it ainât true.
Now are there âbenefitsâ that come with befriending a particularly prideful person? Of course. But I did not pick you because you SMELLED good I decided to talk to you because you were looking lonely and distressed and I thought you were pretty. There is nothing out of the ordinary there. Any guy could do that-human or not.
I just got incredibly lucky to be able to befriend someone that had so MUCH pride, and the reason I didnât use you is as legitimate as anyone elseâs: because yer like my other half⌠and I care about you and enjoy being around you.
All the newspapers ever talked about was the ridiculous scandal the President had gotten himself into. The fool, Rotti thought to himself, putting away his paper in disgust. It was about time for his afternoon tea anyway, and Gluttony should be bringing it along soon.
But Rottiâs internal ramblings over Bill Clintonâs court case was interrupted by the doorbell. Odd, he wasnât expecting anyone. He went to the doorway and the doorbell rang again and again and AGAIN.
Rotti was irritated, was this some form of jest? He opened the door but didnât see anyone.
Until he felt a tug on his coattails.
âHi Iâm Zel.â A little girl in a frilly pink frock hardly 5 years old spoke to him. âDo you live here? My Daddy reeeeally likes this house but heâs too quiet to say, so I gotta say it for him.â she chattered away, but her voice held an entitled air to it that wasnât lost on the Sin.
âYes. How flattering. Where pray tell is this father of yours? You should go find him.â he stepped back away from the child and was about to slam the door shut when said father appeared.
âRahzel. Why did you run off?â Rotti glimpsed at the man. Possibly in his mid to late 20s, his demeanor seemed calm but Rotti could see the panic that was now receding in his eyes as he took his daughterâs shoulder.
âMy daughter can be a little enthusiasticâŚsorry for disturbing you.â but Rotti didnât miss the gray eyes roving over the mansionâs build before he steered the child away.
âBut DaDDYâ Zel whined âYou always wanted to see Sin Mansion, we could ask-â
âWeâre leaving, Rahzel.â the father spoke firmly. Little Zel pouted and trudged down the walkway, clicking her disney princess Cinderella slippers.
Rotti surveyed the man. The child was of course no use to him, but the man was fresh human blood, and Rotti sensed some kind of Sin present in him.
âWould you perhaps be interested in a tour, sir? I do have some time to spareâ
The manâs eyes widened in surprise but Zel piped up for him
âYessir! Daddy would love a tour!â she broke away from her fatherâs slackened grip and merrily skipped inside with her ridiculously sparkly footwear.
âThank you, MisterâŚâ
âRotti. Please keep a hold of your childâ
âMr. Rotti.â he nodded, holding out a hand to shake Rotti acknowledged and firmly shook the otherâs hand âIâm Daniel Andrews, Iâm in the architecture business myself-
"Daddy builds the best towers and castles!â Zel declared. A slight tinge appeared on Danâs cheek, and he looked disapprovingly at Zel.
âWhat itâs truuuueeâ she pouted. Daniel cleared his throat and turned back to Rotti
âYou are a Once-ler?â
âYes, but I am not like the common ones you see around these daysâ was all Rotti offered âShall we?â
The Greed-ler swiftly turned heel and began to describe the mansion in intricate boring detail as part of the tour he always gave. But despite the long winded explanations, Daniel listened with rapt attention to every word. Finally, a human intelligent enough to appreciate the lore behind the home. Even though Rotti didnât sense any form of Greed or Envy from this individual, the fact that he was actually listening to the Sin earned him merit in Avariceâs eye.
The child however was very clearly bored. She was staying close to her father but she was getting antsy, rocking on her toes, playing with her fingers. Not that Rotti was too interested other than making sure she didnât break anything.
Rotti was just about finished showing the ground floor of the household when Brittonâs saccharine voice called out.
âRotti? Where are you, Youâre tea is getting cold- well Hello!â The pink haired man beamed at the sight of Zel âI didnât know we had visitors, who might this little angel be?â he stooped down to Zelâs level to pat her head.
âIâm Zel and Iâm the smartest kid in my class. And the prettiest.â Zel introduced herself. âYour hair is pink and it has spinklesâŚâ she scrutinized Britt hard. âI like itâ she decided.
Britton beamed again as Zel gave an approving nod.
âOhhh sheâs just precious! A little doll- would you like a lollipop?â Britton produced one in his pink gloves.
Zel looked to Daniel who nodded and Zel happily placed the candy in her mouth as Britton cooed over her dress.
Rotti cleared his throat âMy tea, Master Gluttony?â
Daniel raised an eyebrow at the name but Rotti was looking impatiently at Britton.
âOh, itâs in your library, but I could bring it hereâ
âThat wonât be necessary. Will you be joining me, Mister Andrews?â
âI canât impose.â Daniel answered, eyeing Zel happily bragging about her dress to Britton.
âNonsense, I have not even shown you the second floor.â Rotti waved his hand dismissively, walking towards his library.
âCan I stay here with the candy man?â Zel asked suddenly, not wanting to stick around boring old Rotti. This pink guy was much more interesting AND her favorite color.
âAww puddinâ Iâd love your company! I was just about to frost a batch of sugar cookies, I sure could use the help of the smartest, prettiest girl in her classâ Britton smiles, visible eye twinkling.
âExcellent.â Rotti answered, not really wanting a kindergartener anywhere near his library.
Daniel looked apprehensive. âWe really shouldnât-â
âI assure you, my chef is quite capable of handling your little one. Come Mr. Andrews, the tea will go cold.â
Daniel reluctantly followed as Zel walked towards the kitchen, babbling away to Britton about her achievements.
Daniel and Rotti had their tea and Rotti led the man upstairs. He wasnât about to show him the Sinsâ personal quarters (especially knowing that the youngsters could be filthy heathens) but he did show him his own perfectly organized master bedroom and balcony before taking him into the gym.
âAnd this is our gymnasium, fitted with top of the line recreational excercise machinesâ he didnât want to linger, knowing that Pride usually stayed here, or even worse Wrath or Envy. Their guest had no need to meet those uncultured swine. And- yes, there was the young upstart, best leave before he-
âWhoâs this, Rotti?â Brice automatically dropped his bench press and flashed a fang-toothed grin at the man, the smell of his Proud blood immediately catching his attention.
âJust someone on tour of the mansion. None of your concern, Master Prideâ
Daniel who had taken off his glasses to clean them (those couldnât be fangs in the teenagers mouth, that was ridiculous) again raised an eyebrow at the name but kept quiet.
âWell did you tell yer tourist friend who actually built this place?â The teen stood up, adjusting his crown over his sweaty hair with a navy gloved hand. Rotti gave Brice a withering look but the teen pressed on.
âBrice, Sin Pride. Yourâs truly. Moi.â he flexed out his statuesque figure âThat means âmeâ in Espanolâ
Danielâs eyes widened, was this boy⌠THE Deadly Sin Pride? His mind swirled in shock, and he stiffened up in fear.
âYes, yes, Master Pride built this place decades ago. The ONLY useful contribution to the Sins he has thusfar provided-â Rotti waved his hand dismissively before noticing Danielâs demeanor.
âYes⌠He is the Sin Pride as I am the Sin Greed. You neednât fear, it would be wasteful and messy of us to purify you here. Itâs nearly impossible to rid the carpet of bloodstains, itâs a fine blend of silk cashmere.â
Daniel felt his heart thudding incontrolably fast despite Rottiâs 'assurancesâ. He needed to get his daughter and get OUT.
And on cue Zel poked her head into the gym doorway before happily stepping in, Britton right behind her holding a tray of frosted pink cookies.
âDaddy! Daddy look, me 'n Mr. Britty decorated these together, donât they look-â
At that moment, the childâs, wide, innocent sapphire eyes locked onto the ocean blue iris of Pride. The Sin raised an eyebrow in curiosity of the little girl.
She was a child, unaware of love or passion or the desire to be complete. Her womanâs heart was fast asleep in the recesses of her soul, unknowing and unconcerned about the future pursuit of itâs other half.
Yet something stirred behind those reflective, shining eyes.
âA Prince. A Hercules princeâ she whispered in awe.
Brice laughed in amusement. âWell you got the Prince part right fer sure. His royal highness Prince Brice Pride~â he narcissistically flexed again for no oneâs benefit but his own then knelt down to little Zelâs level. âAnd who are you, little Princess?â
Fresh blooms of pink appeared on her round cheeks at the term and she shyly pulled at the folds of her dress and smoothed out her hair.
âIâm Zel. Iâm almost five, Iâm smart and Iâm cute and I can run really fast and I can ice skate without fallingâ she murmured quietly, breaking her gaze from Brice in bashfulness.
âReally?â the cocky smile never left his face, but his features seemed to soften a little bit âWell maybe you can show me all that sometime, hm? What do you think, Princess Zel?â
She looked back at Daniel who had been watching this entire debacle in disbelief. Heâd NEVER seen his daughter act like this. Truth be told, he thought this was more shocking than finding out he was in the presence of the deadly Sins.
âWe donât want to trouble anyone, Rahzelâ Daniel replied quietly. But as Zel pouted (and Brice did the same) it was Britton who interjected.
âOh sheâs no trouble at all, sheâs the sweetest little angelâ he beamed, patting her head.
Zel smiled âThank you! Iâm also very pretty too!â
Britton made a sound in his throat before dropping down to shower Zel in affectionate hugs and cheek pinches and kisses. Until Brice pointedly cleared his throat and gave the pink man a 'lookâ. Britton immediately backed off, but couldnât resist a final pat to her face.
âReally, Mr. Andrews! You can bring her over anytime at all, Seuss knows we could use a childâs laughter around here!â
Rotti clicked his tongue in distaste but didnât argue. Daniel Andrews seemed a valuable asset and the child wasnât too terribly misbehaved. Besides, Rottiâs sharp eyes had caught it, Pride seemed to have claimed this one somehow. And heâd much prefer that any human distraction was kept to the mansion under his supervision. Unlike Lust who disappeared for bouts at a time for his plaything. The irresponsible fool.
âCome come, Master Gluttony, do not put him at an inconvenience. He will bring her when he sees fit. Our tour has concluded regardless and I must return to my papers. Allow me to see you out, Mister Andrewsâ He beckoned Daniel into the corridor. Britton and Zel followed, and Brice threw a towel around his neck to also walk them out.
Zel slowed her pace to fall in step next to Brice. Brice gave her a grin and held his hand out to her in a princely manner to hold if she wanted. And blushing again she took the navy gloved hand, despite her baby palms being a fraction of the size.
They made it downstairs and Britton quickly went to pack up the cookies for their visitors. Rotti held a black gloved hand to shake Danielâs.
âIt was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Andrews.â he said in his same formal and not really sincere voice.
Zel looked up at Brice, reluctantly letting go of his hand. âI wanna see you again, Prince Brice⌠Can I?â
âSure, anytime, s'long as yer old man is ok with itâ he nodded respectfully to Daniel before winking at Zel âSo Iâll be seeing you soon, Princess Zel~â
Zel nodded bashfully and took her fatherâs side as they left the once mysterious mansion, which now, to Daniel, seemed even more mysterious and dangerous. But Zelâs face was shining bright as the moonlit evening sky, looking back at the mansion wistfully.
Daniel found his daughterâs quietness unnerving and searched in his head fir something to say to her when she spoke up first.
âDaddy, do you know Timmy from daycare?â
Daniel clenched his jaw slightly at the mention of her classmate but nodded.
âI think I donât want him to be my boyfriend anymore.â she stated before going quiet and finally falling asleep in her little booster carseat.
âItâll be alright, Captain- itâs okâ Face attempted to put his arm around the trembling woman. âHere, letâs leave-â
Zel didnât move. She couldnât. She was frozen in place as the sexual sounds reverbrated through the walls, through the air, through her body. It was as if she was the one held against her will, nausea, anxiety, FEAR coursing through her, despite Faceâs pleas to summon her back to reality.
âItâs- Itâs just intercourse, Cap. It donât mean anythingâŚâ Face attempted once again to console her.
At this, she felt the numb pain overwhem as tiny pinpricks of moisture formed at her eyes.
âMaybe not to youâ she answered simply.
Face looked over at her with utter pity, eyes clouding in remorse. Zel refused to look at him. How pathetic, Face of all people feeling sorry for herâŚ
âIâll⌠Go get the kids. Take âem to dinner, maybe my factory for a bit, ok? Iâll send them home, this⌠This shouldnât take much longerâ his eyes flicked to the locked door then back at Zel âYou sure you donât wanna come with me?â
But Zelâs gaze stayed downward, the volume of the 2 Sins increasing.
Face reached over and hugged her in pain.
âIâm sorry⌠Iâm sorryâŚâ his voice trembled, unable to say anything else.
â⌠Itâs not your fault.â she answered non commitally, emotionless in his arms âPlease go get my kidsâ
Face nodded, eyes streaming as he finally let go and turned to leave.
She turned back to the door, which may as well have been the size of the universe away from what lay on the other side. An expanse she was unable to challenge, unable to conquer. A reminder that she was a single, powerless being in the large, unexplainable world of Sin.
Numbly, Zel waited. Waited through every moan and seductive hiss, waited through the pounding and thrusting and cries of pleasure, waited until the sounds finally subsiding into breathless gasps for air was all that broke the heavy, heavy silence.
And then she stonily took a step away. Then another. And another. Willing herself to move because she KNEW that the only thing more painful to the King than this was knowing that his Queen witnessed it.
Step after step she took, distancing herself from the inevitable moment she would have to look into that face, that beautiful, young, puppy dog face.
Perhaps it was her little Cupcakeâs influence that she found herself in the kitchen.
Almost mechanically, she took a kettle as she moved around and prepared hot chocolate. In a robotic manner she poured out two steaming mugs, overloaded with marshmallows and systematically went to the living room, where the Sister Sins would probably show up.
And sure enough, Francis made his way out into the hall, adjusting his aviators.
âFrancisâ the name fell from her mouth like an over ripe fruit. No anger, no remorse, just defeat and weary acceptance of the situation.
Francis paused, his body tensed in guilt, though his eyes were unreadable behind his aviators.
âDrink. Youâll feel betterâ she pushed a mug into his hand, concentrating on the logo of his shirt rather than his mussed hair, half open fly, and the scent, the deliciously familar scent of Brice emanating from the blond.
âZel⌠Zel Iâm so sorry-â
âDrink.â she repeated, forcefully pressing the cup into him, leaving to find Brice.
The King was attempting to pull his jeans back on as Zel entered the room.
She froze when she saw him. He looked so⌠So healthy, so brimming with life, so GOOD. Replenished, skin rosy, eye luminously blue. Sin Pride in full bloom, better than sheâd ever seen him before.
'No thanks to youâ a voice she ignored so often that she thought it didnât exist whispered in her subconscious.
She pushed aside the sinking feeling of inadequacy to go to the most important person in her life and hugged her King.
Brice stood emotionless in her embrace, mirroring her behavior with Face earlier. They stood in silence before he patted her back and let go, looking for his eyepatch.
âBrice,â she didnât want to let go, she never wanted to let go, she wanted to hold him forever, she wanted him- she needed him-
Brice turned towards her, attempting, but not quite managing to look at her.
Zel swallowed âI made some hot cocoa⌠Drink up then⌠come shower.â she instructed in a small voice âthe kids will be home soonâŚâ she gave his arm a gentle squeeze and started to exit the dimmed guest room
An Icy palm closed around her wrist. And suddenly Brice pulled her close, holding tightly to her body.
He mumbled something about not feeling thirsty. Zel nodded into his shoulder.
âLetâs get you cleaned up, ok?â she gently extracted herself but kept a firm hand clasped to his and guided him to their bathroom.
It barely took a few moments for them to undress and get the water running. Zel stepped under the warm stream and helped her King in after.
His flawless, freckled skin was peppered with fang bites and bruises, nothing serious, but they were- everywhere. Zel bit her lip but started to scrub off whatever she could, watching the dried blood wash away in soapy, warm bubbles.
âT-turn around, babeâ she kept her voice as even as she could. Slowly, Brice did as she asked.
A strong sense of nauseous dread overcame her as she saw even more love bites, on his shoulders, sides, lining his inner thighs.
But worst of all, the deep nail scratches cut into his Mark.
Zel adored Briceâs mark of Pride. She loved to touch it, caress it, kiss it lovingly. It was palpable proof that she was a Queen, that Pride Himself chose her above all else, that he considered her the most desirable, most beautiful, special person in the universe.
Yet right now, she looked at it in sullen silence. A symbol of what Brice was, and what she - she could never be, never understand.
The Mark of Sin.
The reason why he couldnât age, couldnât grow, couldnât ever be a normal man. Why he was bound to bloodshed, and the Laws of Sin.
Why Francis needed him. His Sister.
Pride.
She choked back any pathetic sound threatening to leave her throat and soaped up the bruises with the most gentle touch, washing everything away.
âDo you know the first time I saw you?â she asked, pumping shampoo into his dark hair.
âThe Partyâ he replied âHow could I forgetâŚâ
âBefore thatâ she answered, lathering in the obnoxious Axe brand conditioner into his silken locks âI saw you before that. And every time, I was intimidated as anything. Big, strong Brice Pride from Sins mansion. Built like a brick house, AND handsome. What a killer combination.â
She could feel the ghost of his smile as the tensed muscles slowly but surely started to relax under her soft touch.
âAnd then you actually approached me yourself. At the party and-â
âAnd you fell in love at first sightâ
âWha- I did not!â
âYeah but you thought I was cute. You even said so.â Brice leaned back to let the water rinse out his hair, letting the suds sink away âDonât deny itâŚâ his voice dropped to a whisper, likely recalling the events of that night âI rememberâŚâ
Zelâs cheeks puffed in mock irritation, but internally she wanted to cry in relief. He was going to be ok- they both were gonna be okâŚ
Brice turned off the tap and wrapped himself in a towel. Zel followed suit and reached up to dry his hair off âEither way⌠Iâm really glad⌠Really glad I was drunkâŚâ she dried her own hair then moved to exit the bathroom
But again Brice stopped her, clinging to her waist.
âIâm glad tooâ he pulled her into a deep, desperate, longing kiss.
Zel was stiff to the passion, but every sensual peck relaxed her more and more till she was wrapped tight around him, body pressed to her king, heart mirroring his rhythm, and finally, finally the repressed feelings flooded out her midnight eyes
âI love you- oh Brice - I love you so muchâ she sobbed pitifully into his lips, drinking him as though he would disappear from her grasp.
âI love you tooâ he poured his pain, his regret, his trauma everything into his fleeting kisses âI love you so much more than youâll ever knowâ
She nodded and carried on kissing him in passion, in pain. They would both be ok, they would both get through this, just like they got through everything else.