(a/n; dialogue that's italicized is Inkubus using that suggestive-speech thing he does. Person who hears it needn't realize he said anything at all.)
You come home in tears. Not sobbing, no. Just... stress. Too much stress.
He's there when you enter your bedroom.
He's been there. That's the funny thing. It's not that you haven't noticed. It's just that you haven't... …
thought anything of him, exactly.
It's almost like something's keeping you from thinking about him.
Later, you'll say he felt like a dream. A nightmare that perched, waiting. A shadow that wasn't exactly natural, but wasn't human.
A need, that was purely your own, that you had no way to satisfy. Yet.
Later, you'll talk about him in the same terms. He's a supernatural force. He's your own desires, made flesh. He's all of these, and almost a man, too. But, you will say, he's better.
And right now he's still that looming shadow. Why did he perch on the desk? That doesn't matter, the voice in your ear says. Don't worry about it. “But why are you crying?”
You remember why, of course. The world is in upheaval. It's serious, and you can't change so many things that are happening, and the things you can change--
It's so hard. It's hard, and you're doing what you can, but you don't know if that will be enough, and you don't even know if you'll be all right, much less anyone else.
You take a deep breath, and exhale. It's true. It is hard, and you are afraid. You're grieving for life as you've known it. But the assholes that- …the people you have to deal with right now aren't worth that degree of pain.
“They're just assholes,” you say out loud.
You don't expect the sound of amusement that you hear in response.
He swings his legs off the desk. He stands up. Suddenly, you are aware of him. There's a man in your room.
“I wondered why you were so afraid, lately.” He says. “But you aren't afraid. Merely... increasingly distressed. Tell me why.”
He asks you, and by the same strange power he had to hide himself, he pulls the information out of you without a fight.
“Just. People I had to deal with, for work,” you say. “And I don't think I should be working right now, but I don't know what I'll do if I can't...” You shrug. “I'll figure out something,” you say.
“You're full of such distress,” he says, almost purring. “You're fighting so many burdens, and for some Godforsaken reason, you still try to shed them and move onwards.”
You blink. It's very easy to believe what he says, and you don't know why you're okay with that. With his entire presence.
He exhales again, a soft sound of mirth. “And you're tired of it.” He moves closer to you, and you let him. “Aching for the chance to feel safe. Secure. And this world will not allow it,” he continues. It's like his words are sharp, clinging to your thoughts, and yet velvety. Persuasive.
“It never does. You can trust that; I've seen enough of it.” He raises a hand. You watch, not quite wary, and he watches your mood with a pleased expression. “I love this part,” he says. He reaches forward, and ever so gently, touches the side of your face. You let him. Your lips part, the physical contact far more intimate than you're used to, and then-
“Wait,” you say. “Who are you?” You're not even alarmed. (You really should be, you think.) But you don't actually have that information, and you've jostled out of complacent obedience enough to wonder.
“Oh...” He says, sliding his fingers along your cheek until he's cupping your face in his hand. “I'm just someone who's going to help you relax a little, pet.” He guides you into a soft, exploratory kiss, and when he parts from you, you're focused entirely on him. On getting more.
“You were kind enough to let me in,” he purrs, and your thoughts grow hazier as he whispers against your lips. “I'll be a good guest. I promise. Forget about the world; let your guard down. You're safe here, with me...”
Can I just say... this is amazing? Synth has done it again and I am very thankful they decided to take part in the challenge fic for me!! Incredible! ♡♡ Thank you so, so much!! I'm at work and I wanna cry happy tears 😭💙👌🏻
