Imperium AU - A mirror plane that changes what we know and love of the Redactedverse; which is thoroughly dragged into the shadows.
Pairing(s): Imperium Gavin / Vindemiator X GN! Reader
Summary: Sleep is hard to come by, even though he didn't need it... It was more necessary when he could not feed as much as he liked. His proverbial demons followed him even in his waking hours and Vindemiator did not want to give them the satisfaction of following him to rest... Maybe a certain cutie would lay them to rest tonight.
A/N: A small, more reassuring, piece after that whole thing? Set after they’ve been accepted into the academy as a safe space. (Also, about to watch the newest vid on Patreon... I’m terrified.)
His body felt like it was rubbed raw, eyes staring through the slits of the blinds into the raining streets of Dahlia. There was again the thrum of anxiety swirling in the pits of his head, reminding him again to check if the door is locked. If the wards in place were enough. If the freelancer was still breathing...
He needed to look.
Lifting his aching, heavy body from the plush chair, he does it again.
Door is latched.
Bolted.
Locked, deadbolted.
The stopper below it is wedged where he saw it last.
Echoes of magic of his own making, wards painting the edges of the door.
Of the one window.
Of the bedroom door.
Though not as strong as he liked, it was enough against any human.
Vindemiator paused quietly at the bedroom, just to stare at the wood - at the grain and mahogany colored stain.
Him.
A powerful demon.
An incubus with the ability to befall buildings.
Scared of such awful, disgusting, deplorable, bigoted humans...
Ones of which he could easily have disposed of.
He scowled to himself.
The door swung inwards and he looked to the bed.
It was relatively large, meant for two.
Since the sweet little cutie had called him as their's in the face of the academy, they agreed to allow him sanctuary. Hearing himself be claimed in such a manner would have been revolting, like being snapped with a chain and ball. Held prisoner yet again with only playing for the sake of survival.
Well, if it had been anyone else.
You were something of a different story.
So apologetic in your repose, away from prying eyes and ears - that it was the only thing that came to your mind to allow you to somewhat shield him.
Something, in his, believed, long dead heart warmed at your protectiveness.
There you laid, curled in knit blankets.
Eyes opened and bleary, but unsurprised to see him awake.
"Couldn't fall asleep?"
Slowly, rose onto an arm - propping yourself up.
"Or... Didn't want to?"
Your tone was all too knowing and his chest gave a squeeze at that despite the irritation. He huffed quietly through his nose and he cut his eyes aside to stare at the door again. Anything to pull away from the vulnerable doe eyes fixed on him.
"Go back to sleep, cutie." Vindemiator almost ordered, about to shut the door.
The gentle feeling of fondness swept over him, from you, he felt pillowed in the show of affection - no matter how surprising it was for him. Borne out of worry, showing such kindness that he believed to be all but lost, even towards someone like him - that had to expose you to the ugliest parts of himself.
You lifted the blanket.
"Come here, Vin...."
He contemplated the offer only for a moment.
Sit in the cold, empty living room?
Or rest in your open arms and welcoming warmth?
Vindemiator pensively shut the door behind him as he made his way inside, twisting the lock twice for safe measure. Magic thrummed from the ward like a reminder, ringing through even as he made is way to your side.
Your fingers, delicate and warm, slide through his and with a small tug - he slid in beside you.
Soaking in the comfort your presence brings, seeping into his skin and taking in the scent of your soap. The contact was so gentle and kind, so utterly comforting as he breathed in.
Almost like a drug.
He could get addicted to it.
"... Are you hungry?" You mumble, squeezing his hand and carefully setting it on your hip.
The incubus stopped at that, searching your still slightly drowsy face for any hesitation.
None.
Only trust.
A soft understanding that he needs to grow stronger.
How naïve could you be?
How could you so easily believe that he would not bring harm to you?
Don't you know that such kindness in world like this is weakness?
That you couldn’t afford to show such....
Warmth?
It's mere existence was something he wanted to greedily hoard, saving a pocket only for himself.
Maybe it's why he withdrew sometimes, unable to properly understand why you handle him so delicately. A light seeping through despite an all-consuming darkness that filled the deepest reaches of his skull.
It wasn't quite healthy.
He knew this.
But it was all much too much.
"Vin?"
He leaned in.
The scent of your shampoo buzzing at the end of his nerves, enough to make him smile.
"You want me to tire you out?" He coyly asked, squeezing your hip. "I can if you want."
A sharp, twist of arousal rung through you - enough to give him to snack on as he pressed closer. Fingers pressing and sliding a top you, peering down at your endearingly sleep-mussed appearance.
You blinked only once, hands slipping over his shoulders, then behind his neck. Nails scratching at the base of his skull, soothing, causing a low purr to rumble from him.
"I asked if you were hungry..." Though clearly revved, how your legs lift and set on his hips. "I'm also asking what you want."
Vindemiator exhaled sharply, his body shuddering slightly.
So thoughtful.
He leaned down, soft, plump lips gracing lingering smooches along your jaw and neck.
Quietly, he thought, sucking softly at the prone skin - listening to your breaths that grow heavy. The heat off you growing with passing second, fingers running over his head.
What did he want?
He huffed and bit down, quietly laughing to himself at the whine he received in return.
Hands warm and calloused slipped under your sleep shirt, squeezing and groping as he mumbled against the skin, "I want you, cutie..."
You gasp.
Such a sweet sound it was.
Filling his belly and his energy like no other person has for years.
As he prepared himself to make you fall to pieces, ready to pull you both to ecstasy... The words you spoke sent him higher and higher upon cloud nine, higher than this world could ever hope to reach.
Imperium AU - A mirror plane that changes what we know and love of the Redactedverse; which is thoroughly dragged into the shadows
Pairing(s): Implied! Imperium Lasko X GN! Reader | Slight! Imperium Gavin / Vindemiator X Reader
Summary: The president of I.A.D. has a moment to himself after seeing the sun.
A/N: ... If inspired me and terrified me enough like Hux's audio - y'all will probably get some obsessed Lasko. Well after I saw the thumbnail; I went; "okay so, he is already terrifying"... Now that I've listened... Here it is and fucking hell.
Warning(s): Spoilers! If y'all aren't on early access, I suggest holding off until the vid drops tomorrow. Obsessive behavior. Implied character violence. Xenophobic beliefs. Lasko is not very nice here.
Lasko didn't expect today to start as it had, from the usual the gloomy rainfall did he get to see the sun again. Though not in its fiery, gaseous, burning glory, but rather in the shimmer of an aura so powerful and blinding. In the beautiful body of a mortal; that took form of a humanborn freelancer.
Flanked by Huxley and arm curled almost protectively around a tall, handsome demon.
The little drop of the sun, with pretty, weary eyes...
Lit the cold walls of his office like no other, flooding it in a warmth and washed over him.
A spark lighting within his core like a match.
His eyes didn't leave your face.
They couldn't stray.
Even while Huxley pried Vindemiator from you, freeing up the space and allowing him to speak with the only person that mattered. Though it meant that he'd have to be kind to such a being; in making sure no more harm came to him.
Seeing you upset put something unpleasant under his skin, crawling through his veins like sludge.
Though he wasn't sure if he enjoyed seeing the fondness, the kindness, you gift to a creature so undeserving. A gentle touch was something the academy was severely lacking, as weak as you might seem to most of the haughty bastards that roam the halls...
True kindness was something only the strong had the luxury of displaying.
"Like a breath of fresh air." He mused to himself, unable to stop smiling.
Lasko held his tongue past that, singing saccharine promises to you in return as long as you do well enough in your courses. That you'd again be able to see that wretched incubus.
You were nervous, so lost, a bit anxious...
Not unlike himself not so long ago.
He is unable to draw breath when he sees the smile that stretched across your lips. The delicate tilting of your head casting your lashes over your eyes so perfectly that he forgoes oxygen just to stare a bit longer.
Gaze fixed as he took in your divinity.
Slightly bowing, you spoke in gracious manner - voice on the air like bells.
"Thank you, sir."
A sharp bolt raced down his spine.
He could feel his ears burn.
It had been long since he'd felt something like this.
Maybe there was some truth in you being the sun... As he felt himself fall helplessly into your orbit.
A comforting warmth like your kindness was clearly a blessing, sent by some sort of power higher than even d(a)emons. Sent to light the drab insides of the academy.
He inhaled again, with scent of rainwater catching his nose.
"Your welcome."
Lasko watched as you lifted your head.
With such a soft expression, he'd first found himself wanting more of it.
More of you.
He felt only this once you were reluctantly dismissed, taking the suns rays with you - he felt cold sitting in his chair. Watching the door where you left from.
His eyes fall upon the edge of his desk, where the edge of something baby blue laid under the ledger he'd offered. Pulling back the book, he sees a handkerchief. The one you wrung for the beginning of the session, one you used to try and mop the rain dripping from your body.
Taking it, his fingers reveled in it's softness.
Wildflowers laid underneath the scent of storm...
It's stitching printed with little birds.
Lasko wondered to himself if your skin was this soft, if you were able to embroider something so cute in such detail. Leaning back in his chair, he pressed it to his mouth - again intaking the soothing smells.
He smiled to himself.
It seemed you'll be seeing Mr. Vindemiator again soon after all...
Staying in your good graces would be beneficial in the long run.
Imperium AU - A mirror plane that changes what we know and love of the Redactedverse; which is thoroughly dragged into the shadows
Pairing(s): Implied! Imperium Huxley X GN! Reader X Imperium Gavin / Vindemiator
Summary: A moment after bloody knuckles but just before seeing the principal.
A/N: I could not write this fast enough. FUCK. This is short and kinda?? Sweet but not really -
Warning(s): Spoilers. (If you haven't watched the newest vid yet... Hold off reading this until you do, it should be out tomorrow on Youtube). Mention of blood. Violence towards character. Kinda obsessive behavior??
Huxley needed to be cold; it had to be so. From everything that pulled him here and took swings at him, beating him down - he needed to stand solid and strong.
Cold and unmoving.
Like a rock.
A ripple in his foundations hurt him before.
He will not allow it to happen again.
... So then why?
When his fists and feet lodged into the incubus's body, there was only a sense of satisfaction at seeing how so easily he fell. Such a powerful being reduced to begging.
But the freelancer was another story.
Ready to defend the demon that lay at his feet, in spite of it. Recoiling at the threat of also being harmed.
Pleading, glassy, doe eyes looking up at him.
Why?
He faltered.
Only for a moment, watching you tremble.
Why did he stop?
Gritting his teeth, he snarled at the pair of you - one half of them bruised and somewhat bloodied.
You didn't even hesitate after the okay, scrambling to help the incubus back up. Gentle, delicate looking fingers grasping at his clothes, allowing him to lean against you.
Speaking soft words.
Such kindness...
One he recognized.
Huxley could feel his stomach turn, but snapped his eyes forward as the gates opened. The blood spattered across his knuckles almost burned.
Guilt?
He scoffed to himself.
Yeah, right.
"U - um... Excuse me?"
A vein throbbed in his temple, but he kept walking, leading.
"Sir?"
He breathed out, slow and sharp and snapped his gaze over to you.
Unsurprised to see you flinch.
He hissed out a single, "What?"
Before his eyes fell down to your extended hand, the one that wasn't supporting "Vin" as he heard you call him.
Almost timidly, though you were shaking just a bit...
"It's for your hand..." You mumbled.
In it, held out to him was a powder green handkerchief. Printed with florals.
He almost laughed at how fitting it was, out of place it was...
His eyes shot up to your's.
You were quick to look down, squeezing the demon against you as if he could protect you... Or like you were planning on protecting him.
Hux could feel his stomach twist again.
Though he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
With a scoff, he snatched it, only for a second able to feel how soft your hands were. Especially in comparison to his own. The earth elemental just redirected his attention forward, thumbing the cloth apart in his large hands.
Quietly, he mused at how small it was.
Unraveling it allowed him to see a little leaf embroidered in the corner.
Sentimental value?
He wasn't sure.
Stained in blood, it looked considerably less dainty and pretty.
"We're stopping here." He stated. "There's a waiting time."
In the midst of the empty hall, his voice echoed, bouncing off the walls in the large space.
"Okay..." You said, seemingly afraid to be any louder, Vin giving a low grunt in response.
There was a small shuffle, only barely heard under the heavier breaths of the latter. Probably due to a broken nose.
Curious, Huxley dared to give a sideways glance.
Thankfully, your gaze was fixed on the man beside you. Eyes worried, holding another handkerchief.
This one was pink, and juvenile as he found it; printed instead with hearts.
The demon, was unable to pull from your caring, gentle touch. Half-heartedly glaring but doesn't protest as you mop up his bloodied nose and scrapes in silence.
Though nearly soaked like a drowned cat from the rain, you still looked so...
He squeezed the cloth in his hands, as if to strangle the thought for coming into his mind.
Whether it be from watching your treatment of such a being or seeing you be so kind without fear... Huxley wasn't quite sure, the rolling turmoil set in his chest and stomach should've made him angry.
Ready to stomp out you both for making him weaken.
... But instead, only envy set his teeth.
The knock from the door made you jump, but you continued to hold on to your companion.
Who gave the earth elemental a single glance...
One of knowing.
Huxley steeled himself and snipped, "They're ready to see you now."
Wasting no time, toting the bruised incubus along. You; along with your soft eyes and downy sweater disappeared from sight.
He watched the door shut.
Almost like the gavel for a sentencing...
He thumbed the handkerchief, now dirtied with a rusted red. Stroking the leaf in stitching.
Something in his chest moved as he slipped it into his pocket.
