hiiiii I love your writing.. and was wondering if I could request a Argalia x reader where he teaches the reader how to play piano or sing
Hello sorry this took so long!! REJOICE MY FELLOW RUINERDS! I HATH RISEN AND I SHALL DELIVER FOOD FOR THEE! Sadly my next request wont be ruina related, but after that i will be doing more ruina stuff hopefully :)
ALSO CREDITS TO @cosmichorrorsarestillnicerthanme FOR HELPING ME GET THIS DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! Genuinely this wouldnt exist without him
“You’re slouching.”
It was difficult not to. He was staring you down like a falcon eyeing its prey, he was like a vulture circling around for any mistake. He moved so seamlessly, so silently that you couldn’t tell where he was at any given moment - he could appear from anywhere.
“And straighten your arms.”
He even decided to straighten them himself, sitting down next to you to do so. “Steady yourself, my friend, what could possibly be so terrifying at the moment? I can see how tense you are.”
However that was quite the difficult task, you were in the presence of a Color Fixer, and not just that - but one who had an immense passion for the craft. It was difficult not to worry about what could potentially happen, and he already seemed highly critical at the moment - you couldn’t read his expression at all through his sly smile and his generally calm exterior. You could feel any prior knowledge of how to play piano rapidly leaving your head as the seconds ticked by.
He stepped away from you, now on the other side of the piano, still prowling and waiting for you to mess something up. With a deep breath, your fingers gently caress the keys on the piano, being as careful as you could be in front of such a man. Your fingers continued to glide around the instrument, Argalia closed his eyes to truly visualize every note that he heard…
“Yes… there we go, my friend. Continue like that.”
He encouraged, although you felt as though it could have been just a slight threat. You were beginning to get into the groove of it, slouching once again as your fingers pressed into the keys much more confidently - the gentle melody advanced, its sweet tones crawling into your skull and encouraging your hands to glide across the ivory and ebony keys with elegance and grace. At least until the harmony was soured by a key just sharp enough to be noticed.
“Ah! One wrong note!”
The Blue Reverberation kept his smile up as he so rudely interrupted you.
“You’re planning on playing in front of the public, aren’t you? Well… here’s a trick, my friend - if you make an error, you continue anyway as if you didn’t, chances are the audience isn’t savvy enough to notice~”
He added a little chuckle at the end, his eyes boring into you, urging you to continue playing as if you didn’t just abruptly stop. You decide to take it from the top-
“From where you left off.”
By the time your finger began to hover over the first key once more, you could feel his spine chilling touch land softly upon your shoulder paired with his sickeningly sweet voice crawling into your ears and piercing your brain, shutting down any wish to do anything that he had not explicitly told you to do.
It was difficult to keep your composure when one second he’s breathing down your neck and the next he’s nowhere near you, nevermind his constantly calm attitude that still somehow managed to make you feel like you’re being held at gunpoint. You had no other choice but to play though, so you continued the melody that he seemed to love oh-so-much as if it were some ritual that gave him more power. He closed his eyes to allow himself to truly enjoy the sound once again, gently swaying as the music took him away… though he does perk up when noticing that his favorite part is done somewhat sloppily compared to everything else.
“Ah, allow me a moment.”
Argalia grabs you by your wrist, his touch came as quickly as the strike of a serpent, yet it was feather-light as always.
“Here you’re supposed to roll your fingers, my friend~”
His voice still wormed its way into your brain even when he was just earnestly giving advice. He guides your thumb, then your index, then your middle across the keys.
“One, two, three, put your thumb underneath. One, two, three, four, thumb underneath. Then once you get to the end, you include your pinky as well, and do what we just did in reverse.”
You decided to take his advice - he is the teacher here after all, he would know best. His hand still gripped your shoulder, really trying to tell you that failure isn’t an option here…
As your hands glided across the piano starting from where you left off just as he likes it, you can see the approval in his eyes and the joy in his grin - he looked manic, it was way more uncomfortable than his usual smirk that you’ve grown accustomed to. That didn’t matter… just focus on the instrument, don’t focus on him, it’ll take the pressure off. Act like he isn’t even there.
Pretending your audience didn’t exist helped tremendously, who would have thought? The Blue Reverberation even clapped for you as you wrapped up the piece, seeming very pleased.
“Sigh… you have such talent, such a promising future too. If only Angelica could have picked someone like you instead of that Backstreets dog…”
That second sentence was filled with enough vitriol for you to know not to get involved in any way, shape or form for your own sake. Before he decides to turn his student into his therapist, you decide to take your leave, especially after taking a look at your watch to see that a lot more time passed than you initially thought.
“Ah, of course! You are dismissed then, my friend! I hope to see you some time next week~”
You do not look back at him, only imagining whatever expression was on his face as his honey-milk voice crept its way into your mind… imagining it was probably more comfortable than actually seeing it, even if it was just his standard smirk.
a/n: This idea came to me after hitting my head please don't ask. (not really proof read gulp...)
Warnings: Slight yandere (sorry I cannot write Argalia normal </3), library of ruina spoilers, Argalia just being an annoying little shit, power imbalance
"Hm~ You could do so much better than this dump, dear."
"I appreciate your flattery, Mr Argalia. However..." You gestured towards the contract held by his peculiar companion. Pluto seemed to be its name.
"I should've been included in the contract, no? I'm certain that I’m supposed to be heading to the library alongside my co-workers."
"Well, you won't be going~" His soft smile turned somewhat condescending at the revelation. "You see, I couldn't bear the image of harm befalling you. But, since I'm a such a kind soul, I'm offering you an out. An escape from this miserable office, if you will." He left Pluto's side, casually sauntering over to you with a sly grin. "After all, it'd be a tragedy if you didn't return from the library, wouldn't it?"
To say that you disliked Argalia was an understatement. He was far too arrogant for his own good, appearing just to taunt and threaten your team before leaving. And he wasn't any more tolerable 1 on 1 either. His constant surveillance on you had began to boarder unprofessional. When he wasn’t reminding you of what you had done throughout the day, he’d pester you relentlessly, regardless of how busy you were. It wasn't as if you had ever breached your shared contract with him, yet he still felt it necessary to remind you of the contracts details. Items you might’ve forgotten or misplaced somehow always appeared in his hands too. Your reactions never failed to amuse him, that you hated most.
Stepping back, you became aware of the sadistic glint in his eye. Of course that sick freak enjoyed this.
"You never know sir—"
"My name, dear."
"You never know.. Argalia. Our office might be more capable than you think. We might even return with the books and make you eat your words."
You knew you were pushing your luck, but he was clearly underestimating the Cane Office. Much to your surprise, Argalia didn’t penalise you, instead he found great humour in your sarcastic quip. He failed to hide his amused grin — erupting into boisterous laughter all at once.
"Ah~ I'm sorry, I just couldn't hold it in." His gloved hand muffled his giggles at your supposed hilarity of your comment. Though, you weren't convinced that going to the library would be that dangerous an endeavour; after all, your office has tackled several star of the city level threats. What's so different about this one?
"[Name], dear, you're following the same line of thought as that foolish oblong." He hummed gleefully, turning away from you. "The Library isn't any ordinary threat. It grants immense power to its librarians, you know? As you are now, you'd stand no chance." His sapphire cape caught light as he paced around the room, giving you a temporary reprieve of his presence. Just as you were about to question him, he twirled his gloved finger around a strand of your hair. Invading your personal space once again, all too readily. "They'd swallow you all up, tearing you limb—" Tug. "by limb." The abrupt pain lingered on your scalp at his incessant yanking.
With time, he grew bored of terrorising you. Turning on his heel, he now faced his skeletal peer. "Pluto, show our dear guest, her most recent contract."
"As you wish Sir Argalia."
In an instant, the contract materialised out of thin air. Each and every clause displayed was left as you remembered weeks prior. Argalia diverted his attention back to you — stood almost a breath away. As an act of revolt, you trailed two fingers along his cheek in a gentle caress. Like a cat. his eyes widened noticeably before nudging his face against you. Just as planned. That’s when you struck, jabbing him in attempt to force his face away, and to teach him a few things about a few things, like yknow personal space??
"My being at the library should hardly be an issue for someone as powerful as you."
"Perhaps~ However.." In response, his hands circled around your wrists, lightly caging you against the wall. "I've grown quite fond of you, you see? I can't seem to let you go~"
His breathing took on a uniquely erratic flow. His eyes trembling with an emotion you’d rather not name.
Your breath hitched momentarily at his brazen admission. Trapped and outnumbered, you glanced over at the singular invitation left behind by your colleagues.
"Then this goes beyond professional interest. I’d advise against pursuing anything with me." Despite your blunt refusal, he didn't falter. If anything, he became even more insistent — sneaking an arm around your waist and pulling you to his chest.
"I'll keep your warning in mind~" Pressed against the soft fabric of his jacket, the hammering of his beating heart startled you. The fact that someone as sinister and wicked as him is capable of having a heart of his own was beyond you.
"Anyways, take a nice look over the clauses of our personal contract. Maybe you'll come to understand why its impossible for you to go with your little friends towards a certain death~"
His eyes glinted with mirth, releasing you before handing you the now slightly crumpled sheet. You read through it once, twice, three times even. Nothing was amiss. It stated that Argalia would grant you access to any information on the city you could need. In exchange, you eradicated any of his oppositions. A surprisingly easy task, really. It was almost too convenient though. His foes were so weak that you’d often wonder why he hadn’t gotten rid of them himself. Sometimes they had already been dealt with, leaving their mutilated remains sprawled about for all to see. But this was all besides the point — there was nothing off about this contract.
"That's where you're wrong my dear, perhaps you need to look a *little* closer~" You're soon handed that skeleton’s eyeglass, leaving you.. perplexed to say the least. Once the monocle's golden rim had settle comfortably against your nose, a shocking discovery revealed itself, etched in blue.
'Stay with me.'
"..?"
A clause that isn't visible to the eye? What kind of madness was this…? In all your time working for the Cane Office, you had never dealt with a contract this.. unusual. This has to be some sort of violation, surely. Though, even if you ignored the blatant fraud, the condition itself was far too vague.
"What makes you think that I'll abide by this fraudulent contract..?" Despite your strong conviction, the slight waver of your voice did not go unnoticed by him. He was onto you.
"Well, you already are, see? Right now you aren’t straying away from me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you liked being near me~” Your immediate glare only made his grin wider, raising his arms in mock-surrender.
“I jest, I jest. But if you want to know what exactly that clause means, it states you'll be near me whenever I wish for you to be. And if you don't heed my call.. well.." He gave an ominous smile — followed by the furrowing of your brows. A strange tension settled between the two of you, both determined to establish your authority. Your continued squinting seemed to have no effect on him, as his provocative grin stayed perfectly in place. Eventually, you caved in — sighing in exasperation.
"Then.. what?"
"Then Pluto will collect our compensation, of course~"
Once again, Argalia’s cryptic wording did nothing to soothe your growing anxiety. A cold chill ran down your spine — reminding you that maybe the library would’ve been a kinder fate. Blinking in confusion, you narrowed your eyes at him, an attempt to decipher his jargon.
"Compensation…?" Yet, you found nothing, only mustering a lackluster response in the face of his smooth casualty.
"Mhm." Argalia nodded. "Every contract holds consequences for breaching them. It would be rather pointless otherwise."
Tearing your gaze away from him, you stared at the non-human judge of your fate, should you go against Argalia’s everchanging whims. Pluto, the skeletal figure remained perfectly still; his monocle glinting beneath the office lights.
“And what sort of… *compensation* are you talking about exactly?"
Time itself seemed to still at the question, the silence that followed was as deliberate as it was deafening. Argalia's grin never fell as he watched your expression slowly harden.
"Anything he deems of value."
By this point, you had given up trying to decipher his purposely elusive responses.
“Anything...?” Your head throbbed in rhythmic aches. Thump, thump, thump. Despite your admirable defiance, there remained a quiet truth that you had refused to accept. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be dancing in the palm of his hand, perhaps you always have been. Endeared by your growing lethargy, Argalia gently lifted your chin — hollow eyes peering into tired ones.
“Exactly that.” he hummed a chipper tune, all to pleased with himself. “So, if you value that tiny bit of free will you still have, I’d suggest that you’d listen to me, hm?” It was almost humiliating seeing the way he talked down to you, treating you as if you’re someone beneath him. You couldn’t stand it, couldn’t stand him. Without realising it, your fists hand be clenched to the point of shaking, each hand trembling with the desire to throttle him, attack him, something..! But you couldn’t. And even if you did, it’d only serve as a means of delaying the inevitable. You both knew this, yet he relished it all too much. With a weary sigh, you unclenched your fists, letting them hang limply from your sides.
“I’ll.. keep your suggestion in mind”
“Good, I hope that you take extra care in considering my words~ I’ll visit again 3 days from now, then we’ll see whether your pathetic team is as capable as you think they are.” With a downright demeaning laugh, he waves you off, leaving with Pluto.
Alone for the first time in hours, you slumped in defeat against the wall. Feelings of frustration and weakness were all that remained. Only time will tell what happens next, all you could do was pray that your companions returned in one piece.
can i get some romantic argalia hcs? this dude is so Mental Illness i love him (also your stuff is super good u r doing so much for this community)
little bit wacky, a teensy bit wonky, maybe even a little whimsical. I hope you enjoy these hcs!
Romantic Argalia Headcanons:
Oh boy, this sure is a ride. Now assuming from the fact that you’re in a relationship with him to begin with, you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Argalia is very unpredictable in certain ways, which makes his actions a never ending source of surprise.
Half of the time you don’t even know what he’s up to. Like you’ll just be home eating something, and he’ll walk in through the door with a giant weapon you know he’ll never use but he somehow has obtained through questionable means??
You’ll ask him how his day went and he’ll say it went well, and how earlier he saved a cult leader from assassination. When did he even have the time to do that??? He’s honestly all over the place, but it makes for a lot of interesting stories for him to tell.
If you can keep up and are interested in doing so, he would love to take you along on his adventures. He has extreme confidence in his own ability, as well as his capability to defend you if you need it. There’s no situation he won’t drag you in, unless he’s genuinely concerned about the stakes.
I don’t think he’s very good at sitting still. Patience is a skill you will have to learn as a fixer, but even then he’s always fidgeting in some form of way. Whether it's shifting on his feet, pacing, messing around with his hands, or bouncing a leg up and down when sitting. It feels weird to not have some form of movement.
He has a pretty pompous attitude, that comes as no surprise, but he’s not dumb. As charismatic as he is, smooth words can only get you so far in the city, and you have to know where some limits you have are. He’s intelligent just as a color fixer is expected to be, if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have the name of the blue reverberation.
While a lot of the things he does seem sporadic, they’re often planned out. While there are moments where he will just get bored and do something for the sake of doing it, he seeks to spur chain reactions that will ultimately end up benefiting him.
I mean look at all the people he managed to force into the library through faulty agreements and coercion. He understands what he’s doing, and there’s a reason he’s as dangerous as he is.
Don’t worry about his smooth words being used against you though. You can tell he’s truly devoted, because he clings to your side constantly. He’s very vocal about his affections, even if it’s just to get a reaction out of you.
I think that after the loss of his sister, the threat of losing you would definitely lead to some sort of overprotectiveness? It’s sort of difficult to explain, because it’s not what you’d traditionally interpret overprotectiveness as. If he’s around and is certain of your whereabouts, he has no issue leaving you out of sight and it’s not like there’s this constant force looming over you. However, if you don’t respond to a message, or are a bit late to something it can send him into a bit of a panic.
He gets jealous very easily. He’s certainly not insecure in himself, but he dislikes the idea that you’re spending more time with someone that he considers potential ‘competition’. It doesn’t matter who, and as much as you reassure you love him this is probably going to be something quite prevalent.
It’s not like he refuses to let you have friends though. It’s just that if it’s a stranger getting a little too cozy with you for his own comfort you might step in and loudly display that you’re with him. Even if he doesn’t say anything, the way that he walks up to you, puts an arm around you, and makes intense eye contact with the person is enough of a warning.
He also has a bit of an issue with accepting the possibility of you being blamed for something. You’ve seen how obsessive he can be with Angelica, and it’s the same with you where it’s almost as though you can do no wrong. Even if you actively admit that it’s your fault, he might have a bit of difficulty with accepting it.
But if you’re someone who’s insecure he’s an actual delight to have around. He’s constantly talking about why he loves you, and complimenting you on every little thing. He’ll pick up on specific things that you may be more sensitive about, and he’ll make sure you know he loves you any way that you are, and it’s nothing to worry about.
Will come up to you and randomly embrace you. He’s in general a very physically affectionate guy, so you can expect for him to be someone who enjoys cuddling and in general being close. Overall he’ll try to at least be in contact with you at all times.
I feel like he would be a PDA person because he has no shame for his adoration of you. That, and he also thinks very highly of you, and it’s his way of telling the world ‘look at me and how lucky I got’. He likes the idea of making other people possibly envious.
Hopefully you’re not too shy of a person, or you can handle it at least. He’s rather extroverted, and will love introducing you to people he knows. Chances are that anyone working with him already knows who you are before you even met them.
His idea of dates vary, and they’re fun if you’re someone who likes risk. While he does like pampering you with fancy dinner dates, he also likes the idea and adrenaline that comes with being in a potentially dangerous situation. You might both be out in the backstreets between the time where it’s the most deadly, all to watch from the roofs above and see what goes on at night.
This idea that you can’t reach out for help, and practically anything is legal offers quite a rush. It’s also interesting to see what goes on besides the activity of the sweepers, and see who is confident enough to roam at such a time. It may be cruel entertainment, but it still is entertainment.
Argalia will actually buy you anything you want. He’s a color fixer, so money isn’t even a concern for him, and if he happens to see you stare or bring up something for a moment he will mark it down in his memory. Later on, you might be surprised to find it as a gift.
Speaking of gift giving, if you make him anything or get him anything, he will cherish it forever. Is it something physical like a piece of jewelry? He will wear it everywhere, just as he does with the object on his ear.
Now we all know he’s not the most moral person, which means you might have to be his sense of reason. That is if you want to be, if you’re feeling like throwing everything to the wind then that’s another story. Point is, he’ll listen to you and perhaps consider more humane ways if it makes you happy.
He can’t stand the silence, and I believe that when all is quiet it both irritates and slightly causes a panic in him. It’s the reason his earpiece makes noise, after all. However if he loses it for some reason, the best thing you can do to comfort him is just hold a conversation.
He loves the sound of your voice, it’s actually something that can soothe him and put him to sleep given the right circumstances. He may ask you for a favor if things seem to be a bit too quiet, and just ask you to read something to him.
It’s one of the most calm states you’ll see him in. There is no sly smile he has on his face, nor sudden gestures or movements he makes, but instead just a really tired expression as he dozes off to bed.
Just saying that this man will cling onto you for dear life while you two sleep. He will not let go, so once you’ve settled down in the same bed you must be committed to staying there.
Also his hair is really long and fluffy and gets all over the place. Good news is that if it's really cold you’re going to be okay because not only is he warm, but his hair could probably substitute as a winter coat.
n/a: No idea what to tag this one honestly (P.S. I know that in the library, your co-workers would turn into books instantly after death but let's imagine that it only happens when all the librarians of a floor die)
Warnings: Argalia (he deserves it), manipulation, weaponised vulnerability, Argalia's a bitch who won't leave the reader alone
The sanguine stage before you was a grotesquery beyond words. Broken weapons littered the floor, with torn pages fluttering through the air like battered butterflies. Your fellow librarians lay scattered across the reception hall, slain and contorted beyond recognition. Once again you were the last one standing. Whether that was a blessing or a curse, you could no longer tell.
Hesitantly, you drew in a slow breath, forcing your trembling hands to still. Despite your body's physical reaction, you felt almost relieved. Relieved at the prospect that this eternal cat-and-mouse game might finally come to an end; the library would be your final resting place. That didn't sound too bad.. perhaps you'd be granted a quick death. The chances of such a mercy were incredibly low, but there was no harm in indulging in simple fantasies.
Your musings were interrupted by the abrupt sound of measured footsteps — calm and unhurried. Each step echoed across the bloodstained floor with maddening clarity, revealing a silent truth to you. This wouldn't be your last battle. No, far from it. In reality, this scene was all too familiar.
"Dear, don't you ever tire of these pointless games?"
That honeyed voice sent a chill down your spine, instilling a distinct fear in you.
Of course it was him, it always is. He'd found you again just as he always does.
Your captor emerged from the haze of dust and crimson, trampling over your fallen companions without so much as sparing them a glance. Argalia. As per usual, his immaculate smile never faltered. "[Name], dear." For a fleeting moment, his gaze softened in supposed ‘affection’. Though, you weren't naive enough to fall for his false care. Beneath his tender gaze laid a sinister spark; something terrifyingly smothering and possessive all at once. Unfortunately, you had grown accustomed to the fervent obsession in those piercing eyes of his — leaving you with nothing but lingering nausea. "Were you enjoying yourself?" he asked pleasantly. "Sorting books in this little library, making friends. I'd find it terribly dull, personally~"
His eyes drifted lazily across the reception hall, sweeping over the destruction of his own making. "I must admit," he laughed softly, “I was beginning to feel rather neglected."
His polished shoe nudged a body aside, casually casting it out of sight.The familiar uniform immediately ignited a sense of recognition in you. That was Chesed, well.. what remained of him. He was your patron librarian, though you couldn't say that you were particularly close to him. But he was definitely one of the few friendly faces around the library. A shame to see him go, really. Though, this was unlike any reception before. It was... uncanny almost. Argalia could kill you at any moment. A swift death, a slow one—it hardly mattered. The choice was entirely his.
Yet he never did. You'd even begun to question why he kept you around at all.
"Why are you here...?" Your throat tightened, a raging migraine had begun rearing in your head. In silent retaliation, you tried to steady your breathing, adjusting your posture to stop the frantic shaking of your legs. Nothing seemed to work.
Argalia, on the other hand, only seemed to blink in response, before his calm gaze narrowed to amused slits.
"Why wouldn't I be? We've always been together after all.” Taking your silence as an invitation, he stepped closer. “Never apart."
Each wretched syllable seemed to rot your ears. Though you couldn't deny the infuriating truth in his words. Throughout your time with him, you came to realise that Argalia had become the only constant in your life, just as you had in his. Once, you'd found comfort in that certainty — but now, it's only left a lingering ache.
"Were you growing bored of our life together?” He took another unhurried step, his cruel satisfaction only growing at your discomfort. “Ah, I did promise to let you run your own little fixer office, didn't I?” With each step, he’d backed you further into a corner. As per usual, he left no room for either any input or movement from you. “That can still be arranged, my love~"
By the time he had finished speaking, he was standing directly before you. His empty eyes were curved into crescents — entirely focused on you. It was as if he were boring into your soul.
"Argalia—" Methodically, he lifted a gloved hand to your cheek, earning an involuntary hitch of breath from you. Trapped between his body and the wall, the best you could do was attempt to wriggle out of his grip, much to his delight. His smile remained as serene as ever, as if he wasn't sadistically relishing in your distress.
"Of course,” He ignored you, typical. Instead leaning in alarmingly close, lips brushing past your ear. “only if you come back with me willingly." Having seemingly entertained himself enough, he pulled away. Yet his gaze never left you. Watching and waiting with frightening anticipation. You recognised that look.
“You can do that for me, can’t you, dear? I'd hate to have to drag you back kicking and screaming again~" he hummed with mock amusement.
All you could do was stare at him with a mix of horror and disbelief. Disbelief at the audacity to disrupt your once peaceful life again and again for the sole sake of satisfying his infatuation. And the horror of realising that encountering his was never a simple possibility, rather an inevitability.
"Argalia.." Your voice wavered slightly, as your hand gripped onto his lapel as an attempt to ground yourself. "I don’t understand.” Yet you continued to push forward despite your rapidly deteriorating sanity. "You let me get close to people, allow me to make friends.." The words came faster now, years of frustration spilling out uncontrollably. "You watch me build something for myself, a life for myself! And then—" Your breath hitched slightly "—you tear it all apart…!!"
Silence.
For once, you couldn't hear his crude snicker, or thinly veiled insults. Just complete and utter silence.
Suddenly the realisation of what you had done settled in.
You didn’t dare face him, you couldn't. It'd only further spur on your rage. But at this point, you could hardly care. If death was the price for finally defending yourself, shouting, dragging and exposing him to his own cruelty — then you'd do this again and again without remorse.
“Does it make you happy seeing me like this?” You demanded, savagely tugging at his platinum locks. “Do you like seeing me as miserable as you..?? I'm sure that you get a real thrill out of putting me down then, right? But never forget, you're no better than me. Tormenting me only drags me down to your level, nowhere below.” Harshly, you released him from your grip, shoving him backwards (to little success) “You forget that I’m not some sort of replacement for her, I’m my own person and I can’t—” you caught your breath, slowing down your breathing. “I can’t take this, can’t stand this..! Someone— no.. something as worthless as you should just drop dead instead of dragging me into your misery! Just.. leave me be..!!"
After finally having vented out your frustrations, you were overcome with exhaustion. You couldn’t be bothered to hold back anymore. To hell with surviving this encounter. For once, you wanted to be like him, selfishly putting your own desire first too. Unfortunately though, as a result of your own indulgence — you were faced with almost certain death. Perhaps he’d grant you a quick end for evoking his ire. With a gentle sigh, you lowered your head in acceptance. Yet, the sharp curve of his scythe never came. In fact, he hadn’t moved from his position at all. Upon hesitantly meeting his gaze, his once frenzied expression had turned icy— his ears tinted a slight pink. He’d become a terrible blend of unreadable and dangerous.
Fuck.
"Perhaps I do take pleasure in this." He started slowly, letting his gaze drift from you, to the remains of your companions, then towards the exit. A soft laugh escaped him, unusually airy and light. Frightening.
"Maybe it does brings me some small comfort to see you so defeated." The admission was delivered with the same ease one might discuss the weather. Before you could react, his arms slipped carefully around your waist hold you with a terrifying reverence. To him, you were the final note of his life's aria. "Because then.." His hold tightened ever so slightly. "I'm not alone."
For the first time that evening, his smile weakened. Not disappearing entirely, but small enough to reveal the vulnerability beneath it. Argalia appeared almost fragile as he nestled his face against your neck. Unconsciously your harsh grip on his hair had relaxed into gentle strokes.
"I know that you're not her.." He murmurs softly, lips gently brushing against your ear. Combined with his alluring voice, you couldn't help but shudder.. "I never intended for you to be her replacement. You're my one and only love.. and you're here with me aren't you?” His gentle laugh echoes throughout the room, as he places a soft hand against your face, “I know you're not her.. she's departed from the world long ago, yet you're still here." He rambles more to himself than to you, mindlessly playing with your hair. "Because of you, I have someone who truly understands." His voice had grown significantly quieter now, whispering his gentle confession with utmost care.
Someone who understands loss.
Someone who understands me.
Those unspoken words weighed heavily between you. Neither of you dared to comment on them.
"Isn't it better like this?" A gentle hum vibrated against your skin, his fingers tracing absent-minded circles along your side. Argalia had never been like this, his kindness was only ever followed by the sharp thorns of his obsession. Yet, here the two of you were, embracing one another as if you were a regular couple. It was as if everything were back to normal.
"Instead of wasting your time on people destined to disappear..." His eyes flickered briefly towards the corpses scattered throughout the reception hall. "...we could have remained together." A soft smile returned to his lips. This time it was small, melancholic. "Just like this."
For some inexplicable reason, your throat became increasingly dry. Your face burned under his overwhelmingly soft gaze. How did things come to this...
His expression was overcome with both grief and endearment, rather than his usual smug grin. It was as though he were mourning someone only he could still see.
"I've never restricted your freedom for this very reason, dove." His hand rose to cradle your cheek, softly brushing the strands of hair away from them. "I wanted you to see for yourself the inevitability of death." The gesture was unbearably gentle, you could hardly take it anymore. "In this City, every bond is fated to be severed." His thumb idly brushed away a speck of blood from your skin. "Nobody escapes it."
Then, unexpectedly— his smile returned. Silver curls elegantly framed his face, as his eyes softened imperceptibly. And he smiled, a genuinely warm smile. "But it's alright."
Resting his forehead against yours, he tilted his head innocently. "You aren't alone anymore. We aren't alone."
Words that should have terrified you, offered you a strange comfort. They made your chest twist and ache with a yearning so profound it bordered on grief; a yearning for friends, for companionship, and perhaps, for him.
"As long as we stay together..."
Whilst his fingers intertwined with yours, emotions and sensations all seemed to blur together. Warmth, possessiveness, comfort and cruelty—they all became one and the same.
"We can endure anything."
Tears prickled your eyes before you even realised that you were crying. It was.. unusual. Throughout all the gruelling years that you had known Argalia, he has never felt so close, so human. It was though he alone understood every part of you, as you understood him. In that moment, you were reminded of what had drawn you to him in the first place. The beauty he creates.
"After all..." His voice had softened to a little more than a whisper. "True strength is born from despair."
His grip tightened around your hand, firmly reminding you he was there. Once, the gesture would have filled you with dread. "It’s an unrivalled beauty, wouldn't you agree?"
Now, all you could do was nod.
"Let's return home, hm? I'll make sure to prepare an extravagant meal for you, just as I always do." He finally let go of you, turning toward the library doors. The absence of his touch left a lingering emptiness. "Aren’t I so kind?" His voice carried that familiar teasing lilt, as if nothing unusual had happened. In response you nodded stiffly preparing to follow after him, but something felt.. off? You couldn’t quite put your finger on it.
Your gaze flickered across the room. The was a pearl-white box in one of his hands, the other firm, almost elegant grip on his scythe from the other. Those were the most noticeable additions to this floor. Aside from.. the bodies. The endless pile of bodies.
The corpses faces ranged from friends to foes, strangers to even family. They all held one thing in common, all of them were faces only you’d recognise. One by one, their eyes all gradually landed on your figure, as if scrutinising you, judging you for what you've done. Once again, you'd get off scot-free with your life, whilst the innocent and guilty alike paid the price for your freedom. If you hadn't come here, maybe your fellow librarians would still be alive. If you hadn't tried leaving him, maybe all of these unfortunate souls would’ve be granted an actual chance at life.
But that wasn’t right, was it..? None of this would’ve happened if he hadn’t interfered with your life—
No.
That couldn’t be it.
"O-of course, Argalia," You murmured, more to yourself than him. Clasping your hands together, you whispered a quiet prayer, hoping that he didn't notice your sudden wave of anxiety. Glancing back over his shoulder, he smiled again. Though perfectly composed, it had changed. This time not quite reaching his eyes.
"Then please, follow after me."
For a moment, you hesitated. Your eyes drifted back to that floor one last time. To the crumpled remains of your co-workers, to the bloodied ground. To everything that should have made this impossible.
Yet, despite it all, you turned away.
Abandoning that husk of a library, you followed him.
Because eventually, you'd have come back home. Right?
n/a: This is a reupload so if you saw this before well.. no you didn't. Anyways life is too short to be terrified of realising your first fanfic smh
Warnings: Yandere Argalia (as per usual), reader is lowkey being held captive, reader is an Angelica yearner sorry guys, referenced breaches of privacy, power imbalance
"Come now friend, why would I ever attempt to fool you?" Argalia's voice remained light, almost playful. The corners of his lips curled upward as though your suspicion was nothing more than a harmless joke.
"You should know why." In contrast, your scowl deepened with suspicion "You'd have to be insane to offer me a deal like this, to expect no payment in return..!" Despite yourself, your voice wavered, quite pathetically in fact. Why were you arguing with him? He'd fed you; given you the luxury of a home, a community. When everyone else had glossed over your dying body, he'd stopped. Going as far as to patch your wounds. Suddenly, your growing suspicion felt childish — cruel, even. And yet.. you still couldn't shake that strange feeling that something wasn't right.
You sighed to yourself. Now wasn't the time to let your conviction waver.
His gaze lingered on you. "You've been here all this time, haven't you?"
Those words left a complicated churning in your heart. How long had it been, exactly? Days blurred together. Weeks—perhaps even months—had passed in the blink of an eye. Enough time had passed for the pain of your wounds to fade into dull aches; for Argalia's presence to become something familiar. Long enough that the memory of the day you'd arrived had begun to feel distant, as if you had always belonged here.
But you didn't. Remembering that was your only strength. Forgetting your origins meant succumbing to his sweet cage, abandoning your past life, even if it was one of terrible hardship.
You couldn't afford that. Not until you found her.
It had started so long ago that you could barely remember the date. Back then, you were a Grade 2 fixer scraping together enough work to get by. The constant struggle to survive in the City's unforgiving streets had begun to wear you down, leaving fewer opportunities and mounting debts with each passing day. One particularly difficult mission left you exhausted in an alleyway, cold and alone. Surely, you thought, this would be your final resting place. Buried in some nameless corner of the City. Without having made a name for yourself, accomplishing anything, or seeing her again. She was right, you truly were hopeless without her.
Unceremoniously, your brief lamentations were interrupted by light footsteps.heard. Growing closer and closer, a figured stood right in front of you.
"Poor thing~" That familiar head of white hair caught the light, almost blinding you. "Left to die all alone. How tragic~" Those same sapphire eyes met yours, paired with an impossibly gentle smile. Genuine or facade, that smile was impossible to decipher. All you knew was that you couldn't look away, not for a second. The elegant stranger stroked your cheek with something almost akin to sympathy; adoration even.
For one awful moment, lying there half-conscious in the alley, you thought she had come back. Only when the figure had knelt beside you did the illusion break.
"This simply won't do.” It wasn’t her. Someone else, watching you with an intensity that made your stomach twist. “I wouldn't dare let you succumb to such an undeserved fate." Gently, with hands as light as feathers, he helped you up. "Come, join me. Even if it's just for the night." Severely indebted to this mysterious individual, you naturally obliged. However, as a price of your extreme fortune, memories of that evening remained frustratingly fragmented. All that remained was the hazy recollection of the signing of a contract: details blurred and the terms unclear. Regardless, you now found yourself under his care.
You'd given up after the seventh review. Each evaluation of the contract led to the same conclusion: every clause was harmless, there was no hidden catch, nor suspicious wording. Absolutely nothing. Somehow, that disturbed you more than any hidden clause would have. Living in the city, you could state for certain that nobody acted purely out of good will. So that begged the question: what could he possibly gain from you staying with him?
Every morning began in the same room, with you becoming increasingly more reclusive as the days passed. This developed into a strange cycle. You'd wake; linger by the window, pace through the halls. And you'd wait, heart heavy with unspoken fears and doubts. Despite your inner turmoil, you never seemed to stray from your patient brooding. Why? You couldn't state, lest you give the wretched feeling a name. With each passing day, the confines of the estate became more and more apparent. You ventured outside less and less, entire afternoons slipped by without you ever leaving your room. And little by little, you stopped asking about the City beyond the walls. Conflicts between factions, fixer offices, and the continuous struggle for survival—they had all become trivial. All that had once concerned you became completely irrelevant. You had all you needed here, with him. And that hollow wholeness terrified you.
Other than Argalia, you rarely had any visitors, with you being apparently free to come and go as you pleased. Somewhere along the way, gratitude had become something of a routine for you. Meals appeared before you could ask for them and any injuries were treated as soon as they appeared. Argalia had become an unexpected remedy to all of your problems whenever he was near. Absolute freedom and unconditional care. Surely, you couldn't have gotten this lucky... right?
Your theory was swiftly proven correct as the amount of visitors increased, and with them came the realization that Argalia surrounded himself with disturbing individuals—monstrosities, all barely recognizable as human. Even worse, they all saw you as his.. lover of sorts.
Clearly something was amiss. So as per usual, you took your issues to the man himself, Argalia.
"I have something to discuss with you, Argalia."
"Hm~?" His usual sly grin was plastered onto his face. A hum of acknowledgement left his lips as he gazed at you with intrigue. "I was just looking for you, dove~ Do you need something from me?"
Despite your suspicions about his real motives, Argalia had never actually mistreated you, nor had his.. strange friends. He tended to your every need without question, going as far as to check on you each morning.
"It's regarding your.. uhm... 'friends'." You tried your very best not to visibly recoil at the thought of them— the effort only seemed to amuse him further.
"Ah, my Ensemble? You were never quite fond of them." he sauntered over to you with elegant steps, stopping only a breath away. "Try to mask your distaste though, they're harmless~ to you anyways.” The latter half of his comment didn't go unnoticed. If anything, it spurred you on even more.
"The thing is.. they're under the impression that we're together.. So–"
"You'd like for me to correct them, dear?" He interrupted you, innocently tilting his head to the side.
"Y-yes.. exactly that.." You inhale slowly, there was no guarantee that he'd agree after all. Argalia had never been particularly subtle about his fondness for you. The gifts left outside your room, the way he somehow knew where you were at all times, the unsettling realization that he'd entered your room more than once without permission–
"Consider it done~"
You blinked, completely taken aback.
"...What?"
Yet his expression remained completely composed.
"I said that I'd correct them. Though, whether they choose to believe me is another matter entirely."
"S-seriously? That's all??" Argalia simply laughed in response to your confusion.
Such a beautiful sound.
Such a terrible sound.
"Oh but of course~ I wouldn't want to scare off my dear guest now would I?" He hums softly to himself, clearly eyeing you with keen interest. Still recovering from the initial shock, you nodded hesitantly.
"T-thank you so much Argalia!” In an attempt to compose yourself after your momentary surprise, you took a much needed deep breath. “To be entirely honest, If it weren't for you.. i don't know where I'd be right now. I really do mean it." That earnest confession slipped out unexpectedly, leaving a burning heat immediately coating your face. For once, he didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied you, the way an artist might admire a particularly beautiful piece. His terrifying reverence sent shivers down your spine.
Sensing the slightly tense atmosphere, you quickly cleared your throat.
“I've probably made things really awkward again… I'll just go now–” However, his smile remained intact, circling his hand around your wrist.
“Stay.” His single command rang throughout your head, carrying an authority that was almost impossible to ignore. "I was simply.. captivated by your vulnerability.” His gloved fingers trailed downwards, intertwining his with your own. “Besides, there's nothing to thank me for." He murmured against your ear, whilst his other hand lightly grasped your wrist. A gentle chain. "You asked something of me." His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And naturally, I obliged."
"You needn't worry so much, dove." The nickname rolled effortlessly off his tongue. "You're exactly where you're meant to be.” His thumb gently brushed over your wrist, lightly prodding at your veins. “You don't belong anywhere else.” Those words should've brought you comfort. They should've.. yet — they only seemed to hint at a terrible fate.
synopsis: following this fic, you're given an invitation and head to the library for a change of scenery (terrible idea)
n/a: Argalia brain worms are so bad that I've neglected 4 half written fics just to write this new one :(
Warnings: Argalia, jealousy, yeah honestly that's all I feel like putting, manipulation maybe probably (Argalia's manipulating me into posting this as we speak #sendhelp)
Gloved hands traced the line of your jaw with delicate precision, slowly beckoning you to his side.
"My dear," Murmuring softly, he drew you in closer. "What were you doing with.. him of all people?" He didn't feel the need to mention the apparent 'co-conspiritor' of your transgression, his eyes never leaving yours.
"Argalia.. it's not what you think." Squirming beneath his scrutinising gaze, you tried explaining yourself. Only spluttering and stammering in response. You didn't mean to stay at the library for so long, but it was the first time in a while that you'd felt so.. alive.
Living with Argalia was most definitely a blessing; any needs you had were tended to in the blink of an eye. Yet it got boring fairly quickly. Repetitive days flew by, and he'd disappear for weeks at a time. Only to reappear again unannounced, as if he’d suddenly remembered that you existed. Lacking any consistent sources of entertainment, you found yourself longing for something more. Something.. fun, as childish as it sounded. A thrill, alluring enough to keep you on edge. And what better way to find that than an old-fashioned battle! At first you had tried sparring with members of his ensemble, to which most of them had outright refused to entertain. The few that did go along with your antics all went easy on you, for.. obvious reasons. As a resident of the city, you knew that you should value the peace that came with your new life (aside Bremen's horrid noises), but as a fixer, you couldn't help but feel that something was missing. So, one day, you'd finally resolved yourself to leave for the first time in months.
Where to? The library.
Invitation in hand, you eagerly scribbled down your name, not bothering to glance at the details of the contract before being transported there. Unlike the Ensemble, fighting against the librarians wasn't a simple spar, it was life and death. Enticing, exhilarating and lethal all at once. A single mistake could send you to your early grave. This was the danger you were used to; for once, the City's violence felt almost nostalgic. Unfortunately, it just so happened that one of your opponents seemed to be someone that Argalia held a particular contempt for.
"Then what is it, hm? What have I misunderstood?" He leaned in closer, eyes widening perceptibly. To that, you could offer no response. "I've told you countless times to stay by my side, haven't I?" You nodded meekly, it wasn't as though anything he said was wrong. "Then why..? Why did you break our promise?" His intense gaze never left yours and you stuttered, trying to get a response out. It was bad enough that you had gone against his orders, but your momentary disobedience seemed to have done far more than simply frazzle him. Overcome with guilt, you lowered your head in shame, looking away from him in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry.."
"That's not an answer." His voice was entirely devoid of its usual teasing lilt, cutting through the tense silence. "Imagine what might’ve transpired if I hadn't found you when I did.” For the first time, his voice wavered. “I could have lost you to the library.." His arm harshly snuck around your waist, pressing you against his chest. "To him." A shaky exhale left his lips as he locked you into his firm grip. "I knew I should've had you join my Ensemble ages ago.." With a distant stare, he began rambling to himself. His hold on you tightened with every hateful syllable. "You'd be far safer, far stronger than you are now–"
"Argalia.” Snapping him out of his daze, you tightened your grip on his jacket reassuringly. No matter the circumstance, he was never so unreasonable that he wouldn’t at least listen to what you had to say. Just like every other time, you tried reasoning with him. “I understand that you want to keep me safe but I don’t really want-"
Something was different this time, though. His head snapped in your direction, observing you with a silent glare. Dropping his scowl, his lips curved into a knowing grin.
"[Name] dear, that isn't for you to decide." He hummed quietly to himself, petting your head in an almost condescending manner. "All you have to do is follow my command, hm? Unless you'd prefer your wretched life back; before I so generously aided you."
You were taken back, both by his audacity and your brazenness. How could you have forgotten? You're completely indebted to him, and yet here you are. Disregarding his orders for the sole reason of curing your boredom. This all served as a harsh reminder that Argalia's 'benevolence' too has its limits. But then again, what gave him the right to completely dismiss you like that? He had never done this before, even when you had gone against his wishes. He’d assure you that he didn’t mind. He’d hold you gently against his chest, playing with your hair as the hues of the sky transitioned from streaks of blue to orange. What was so different about today? About the library? The more you thought about it, the more lightheaded you became. Knitting your eyebrows together, you tried to defend yourself, to offer a rebuttal. Anything. But one look into his eyes was enough to silence you. Laying limply, you quietly clenched your fist.
Meanwhile, Argalia laughed in triumph. A strained, airy chuckle. Hands trembling, as he slid one of his gloves off, prying open your hand to intertwine his pinky with yours. “I’ll forgive you this time, only because I adore you so.” Soft lips found their way to your exposed neck, a gentle kiss pressed to your jugular.
"I won't let that black-hearted bastard take anything from me again.” Pulling away with a sigh, he grabbed you by your waist, forcing you to stand.
synopsis: another continuation of this fic where your peaceful sleep is interrupted by the somewhat concerning ramblings of a blue sicko
n/a: I was writing a Hong Lu fic right after this and just realised that I've completely forgotten how to write him #CURSEYOUARGALIA
warnings: Argalia, invasion of privacy, non-consensual touching, Argalia again bcs he deserves it
Your continued life with Argalia often fluctuated between peaceful days and chaotic conflicts. Regardless, you were contracted to live with him—not that you particularly minded. You weren't expected to repay him for his hospitality, and his friends, whom you'd come to recognize as his Ensemble, were surprisingly sociable. There was, however, one steadily worsening problem. Argalia enjoyed your company, far too much. He stood close enough for his hair to graze your cheek. Close enough for his hand to settle casually on your waist. You could practically count the lashes framing his azure eyes.
At first, he'd been subtle. Only the occasional yet unexplained gift; the slight glimpses of white hair outside your bedroom door. Now he’s bold enough to slip into bed beside you as though it were the most natural thing in the world. This strange behavior never failed to confuse you because he wasn’t like this with anyone else. This treatment was reserved solely for you. Even on the rare occasion that he’d allow you to accompany him on missions, he remained firmly at your side. All smiles and pleasantries while venomous threats dripped from every word directed at his foes. You never knew what to make of it. And so you never felt the need to confront him. At least… not until one particular night.
One hour, two now. Sleep had completely evaded you that night. After what felt like decades of tossing and turning, you finally sat upright in your bed. The billowing wind violently forced open your windows, sending a subtle chill down your spine. Noticing your curtains swaying from side to side, you ultimately decided to close them. However, before you even had the chance to leave the comfort of your blankets–
The door creaked open.
A thin beam of light spilled into your darkened room. Instinctively, you dropped back beneath the blankets, squeezing your eyes shut. Silence, subtly interrupted by the sound of slow, measured footsteps. Footsteps headed straight towards your bed.
"Hm." A soft chuckle rang throughout the room.
"Already asleep? How fortunate~"
That melodic voice unmistakably belonged to him, Argalia. A small hiss came from the mattress as it dipped beside you. Once again you were exposed to the chilling warmth of another body settling next to yours. This was the second time he'd conveniently ‘let himself’ into your room this week. Not that you could really complain. What’s a bit of privacy compared to having an actual place to stay? Having people to care for you? You were far better off this way. That’s what you’d tell yourself anyways.
Abruptly, a gloved hand carefully brushed the covers of your blanket away from your face, exposing you to the moon's restless gleam. For several moments, an unsettling silence hung over the two of you. "Beautiful..." He murmured softly, under his breath. His words were spoken with such quiet reverence, you almost mistaken them for a prayer. "Absolutely divine." Gloved fingers traced the curve of your cheek with a careful gentleness, as though afraid of waking you. "You truly have no idea what you've done to me, do you?" His voice remained soft as he lightly prodded at your cheek—dangerously so.
"Ah, I’ve tried to be patient. I truly have." The mattress shifted as he moved closer, a faint laugh left his lips. "I told myself that saving you would be enough."
He took a brief pause, nestling his face into the crook of your neck. Inhaling your scent.
"Then living with you became enough." His fingers languidly tangled themselves into your hair, gently combing any stray hairs. "And then hearing your voice became enough."
A shaky sigh escaped his lips. "Somehow, against all reason, nothing is enough for me anymore." His breath gently fanned against your neck. All you could focus on was the rapid thumping of your heart in comparison to his measured beats. "The human heart is terribly greedy, isn't it? Every time it's given something precious, it asks for more."
The erratic hammering of yours only quickened against your ribs, as if begging to be let out. To escape his grip.
Argalia simply laughed, retracting his hand from you.
"You always look so peaceful when you sleep."
There was something unsettling about the fondness in his voice; an obsessive quality. It was an insatiable greed, one you'd always forced yourself not to pay any mind to.
"You trust me completely."
Anxiously, you held your breath, trying to stay as still as possible in an attempt not to raise suspicion. His thumb lightly grazed your temple, swiping away the faint droplets of sweat pooling on your forehead.
"Even now."
A long silence followed, leaving you as relieved as you were terrified. With each new revelation came an equally troubling question. The idea that your ‘saviour’ held ulterior motives was hardly surprising, welcome even. But the nature of his motives was.. Unconventional to say the least. When he spoke again, his voice was distant, almost thoughtful.
"I wonder how you'd look at me if you knew the truth. Disgust, anger, perhaps even resignation. Regardless, I’ll cherish your reactions all the same~” You could almost picture his smile, soft and amicable yet not quite racing his eyes. No, that image no longer fit the Argalia you knew. Maybe his gentle eyes had sharpened, making way for an almost perverse grin. "I've become rather selfish where you're concerned, you know?"
His thumb unconsciously stroked your cheek."When you leave, I find myself counting the minutes until your return." He hummed quietly to himself, the tune holding the cadence of an old lullaby. "If someone even dares to speak to you, I suddenly find them profoundly irritating. And when you smile at me.."
His voice softened.
“The silence becomes just a little more bearable.."
Once again, the room fell into a deep quiet, interrupted only by the brief rustling of blankets.
"I suppose this is what they call obsession." His open admission came so easily, chilling you to the core."But can you really blame me?"
His fingers tightened ever so slightly around yours beneath the blanket. "I’ve given you every opportunity to leave, but you never do. You’ve always stayed right by my side, haven’t you? Right where you belong~"
The words sounded less like gratitude and more like a claim, as though your continued presence had become proof that you belonged to him. Perhaps in his eyes,you always were his.
"Sometimes," he continued quietly, "I worry that I've been far too kind. I always work so very hard to make this feel like a choice. It’s exhausting~" His voice takes on an almost teasing tilt before suddenly dropping.
"Yet I still find myself wondering why I bother maintaining the illusion."
A cold shiver crawled down your spine.
Argalia laughed softly. Not cruelly or maliciously. He genuinely found the thought amusing.
"Listen to me~ Rambling to someone so deep into their sleep.”
His hand finally released yours, not before giving it one final squeeze.
Carefully, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against your forehead. It was a strangely affectionate gesture, feeling almost uncanny. "Sweet dreams, dove."
The mattress shifted, leaving the sound of his footsteps trailing behind him. Then, just before leaving—he stopped.
"Oh,"
His tone underwent a drastic shift from adoring to sly.
silly question but are there any chances reader is able to get away from that blue freak of a man
NOT A SILLY QUESTION AT ALL!! So basically the chances are insanely low sorry. The only way I could imagine the reader actually being set free from this man is if they have way more authority than him, like I'm talking Arbiter (bcs this freak thrives off power imbalance like I genuinely don't think he's had a relationship with anyone since Angelica where they're on equal footing). His threatening would basically do nothing as long as you don't sign a contract with him. He'd just seem like a really annoying fly that you should probably squash sometime soon. Maybe if reader gets an invitation and locks themselves up in the library something could work out (I type knowing damn well that I've written abt this exact scenario—doesn't end well).
Short answer no, long answer no. Even if they magically found a way to make him lose all interest in them, he'd probably just kill them.
