#fae!kuro

[hisakata-resutomoshibi]

With the Fae summer court how is Mahiru viewed? The king’s lover, mistress, new spouse, etc.? What does the contract bond mean to the Fae? Any romantic undertones?

Well, well, well, after 800 years we meet again, Anon~ I'M SORRY IT' S BEEN SO LONG. I got distracted by life and then got Big Sad for a while but I'm back! And I saved this ask because I really wanted to answer it! (I hope you're still here ;u;)

I think for the most part they wouldn't really take it seriously at first? Like, "why would the king pick him? He could have anyone!" (let's be honest here, the fae are not short on hotties) and just sort of ignore it?? Maybe think it's a game or something, maybe Kuro was just bored? Or there's some deeper benefit to it? But they're also prone to tomfoolery and general mischief so in the long run they'd probably decide it was funny and run with it. "Hey, let's mess with this kid. He seems easy to trick~" "Just don't get caught! Kuro will gut you like a pig." It's Mahiru though, so after a while you know he'd win them over. His pure heartedness would just be too much for them to withstand and one day at a feast or festival or whatever silly thing they'd organized, they'd all just be like "well shit. This kid is actually great and maybe.... we should,,,,, trust him....???" And BAM. There's your plot point! I have no idea what the actual plot would be, most likely some kind of emotional turmoil stemming from Kuro's siblings (minus Lily because he's a little shit and can see through everyone's idiocy) being like "pls don't do this you're so dumb and we really need you to FOCUS right now and actually DO YOUR JOB" (this is Hyde yelling). Anyway, they'd probably try to scare Mahiru off but it would just make Kuro dig his heels in even more and then Mahiru would just be standing there like "omggg this is such a mess and I feel kinda guilty?? like maybe.... I'm the cause??" Oh also, Sakuya is some kind of shaman type dude and has been hiding it but the second he caught sight of Kuro he was like "FUCK" and is now subtly trying his best to keep Mahiru from sticking his foot too far in his own mouth lol. Such a tiring job.

I think to the fae in general it’s mostly just a contract of convenience? Kuro forming it with Mahiru is something very out of the norm, especially for someone so powerful as Kuro. After all, the fae are looking for gain, something that they get in return out of the agreement, but Mahiru has nothing to offer Kuro. For Kuro it was just one of those “spur of the moment things”, something alleviate the boredom; a little voice in his head was like “do it” and so he did. (Spoiler: that little voice was his heart~) Obviously, as Ambassador of KuroMahi, it will become romantic- I am incapable of writing anything else, but as of right now, the stages are “this kid is interesting and I’m bored” ---> “maybe I don’t want him to die??” ---> “I definitely feel something about him. How do I keep him around?” and thus, he forces the contract with Mahiru (because fae Kuro is a dumbass who can’t understand basic emotions and wouldn’t be able to comprehend that maaaaaybe Mahiru would not want this lol)

[mahi-does-some-art]

Hey. hEY. HEY @hisakata-resutomoshibi

Most faeries are depicted to have wings and as soon as I thought about that, I RUSHED to my computer! I hope you like it!

(Click for better quality)

[mahi-does-some-art]

@hisakata-resutomoshibi THIS IS IT LOL IT THEM!!!!

Honestly I have no idea what urged me to draw this but I’m not complaining lmao

[hisakata-resutomoshibi]

I see your unhinged!morallychaotic!Kuro idea and I raise you a Kuro who just let Inner!Kuro/BlackCat takeover.

Hey! Sorry it took me SO long to answer this! But you got me thinking lol

I played around with an appearance change, like what about incorporeal horns?? Just kinda misty and tranluscent. Maybe some two tone hair..... but personality had me the most hung up. Blackcat seems SO different from Kuro on a basic level that I’m not sure how his personality would change. I couldn’t stop thinking about it so here are some quick sketches and a little fic that I wrote trying to work out what I thought the changes would be!

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The man across the plaza had caught and held Mahiru's attention for a while now. 

"Hey! What did you want to drink?" The attendant running the punch stall asked exasperatedly. 

"Anything's fine." Mahiru shot back, his eyes still trained on the shocking black and white hair gleaming sullenly in the wavering spotlights. "Tea?"

The server muttered something and in just a second was shoving a glass into Mahiru's hand and waving him off, signaling the next person to approach.

His long island in hand, Mahiru shuffled sideways, hoping to keep the mysterious man in view. He hadn't moved for several minutes now but the streets were crowded, just as they always were on Halloween and Mahiru was no fool- one could disappear in the span of a breath to never be found again. He had no plans, no real desire to talk to him, but something about the way the man stood was like a shout; Mahiru had heard it and couldn't seem to shake the feeling that he had been meant to.

"I just want to know if that's a wig." He muttered, trying desperately to convince himself. The man's hair, long and choppy, was stupefying. Black on one side and a stark blue white on the other. There was no way it was real but the fade in the color looked so natural compared to many of the other two tone wigs Mahiru had seen that night that he couldn't be sure it hadn't been a hundred dollar dye job. "What kind of person spends that much money on a costume?"

He glanced down at his own clothing; a simple frock, tied with a sash, black satin pants, and knee high boots. His cape clasped securely around his shoulders, and a jaunty wide brimmed pointed hat was perched crookedly on his head. It may not be flashy but he was sure there was no doubt to be had about what he was.

Looking back up, he felt his heart drop when he found that the man had indeed slipped away into the crowd. Trying not to frown and wondering just what exactly was wrong with him, he started violently when a lilting voice trickled over his shoulder.

"Looking for me?"

He jerked around, sloshing a portion of his drink down his hand, to find himself face to face with the very man he had been casually stalking for the last ten minutes. "How did you-" He faltered, his eyes darting back to where the man had been before, a good hundred feet away. It hadn't been more than three seconds between when he'd looked down and back up. How in the world had he managed to navigate the crowds and cross the plaza in such a short amount of time?

"You were, weren't you?" The man asked excitedly, leaning farther forward, his eyes wide in pleasure. "I can tell."

"W-w-what are you-"

"Don't worry about details! That's not important!" He raised a hand, curling his fingers seductively around the air just next to Mahiru's cheek. "I have what you're looking for."

"I'm not looking for anything!" Mahiru burst out. "I have no idea what you're talking about! I just wanted to know if that was a wig."

The man's brows raised in shock and he darted a look up to the fringes of hair that tickled the bridge of his nose. "It's not a wig."

"Hah!" Mahiru pointed a finger at him. "I knew it!"

"Did you now?" He purred, tilting his head, heavy gaze traveling down Mahiru's neck and to the line of his shirt. "Aren't you a smart one? Then let's keep the games going, shall we?" As quick as a shot, he reached out and traced one cool, long finger across Mahiru's collar bone and grinned. "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" Mahiru asked blankly, trying to take a subtle step back. The finger still planted on his neck was distracting and numbing, as though a current were running through it. "I'm me."

The man leaned back in surprise, brows drawn up. "You're you?" He repeated hesitantly. "What kind of an answer is that? You were supposed to tell me your name."

"Well it was kind of a dumb question." Mahiru said jokingly, glancing around for an exit, willing this strange, annoying conversation to be over. "I mean, the answer is simple."

"I don't know the answer."

Mahiru turned back just a fraction, his drink and escape both forgotten as he stared into the wide and unsure lightning blue eyes staring right back at him. He could see his reflection, slightly distorted and washed of color by the storm of sky within the irises, and somewhere in his subconscious registered that he was looking rather disheveled and short.

"How do I find the answer?" The man asked, almost desperately, leaning forward and making to grab Mahiru's shoulders.

"How should I know?" He asked quickly, startled and more than a little worried. This man was turning out to be more complicated than he had expected; but the soft, vulnerable confusion rolling from the stranger in overpowering waves staid him and he sighed. "Why don't you list some of your interests and hobbies? Start from there. Then maybe your favorite places and people. Build your life around your relationships and experiences. That-" He broke off as the man darted forward, wrapping him in a hug so tight he heard a rib creak.

"That's exactly it! That's what I'll do! My hobbies, you say?" His eyes narrowed calculatingly and he grinned, a slow, feral thing. "I'll show you them right now~"

Before Mahiru could capture the breath to ask what the hell he was talking about, the man had released him and stepped back, glancing curiously around, as though looking for a particular vendor stall. His eyes lit upon the fireworks seller and his grin widened, taking on a kind of manic joy.

"Perfect."

"What-"

The man pressed a finger to his lips, his smile softening around the edges just so. "No, no. Don't worry about it. You'll see!" He took a quick step away but hesitated, struck by a thought. "My name. I can tell you that, at least. Kuro. I like you." The smile brightened for the barest moment and he pressed those twisted, smooth lips to Mahiru's cheek for the briefest second. "Mahiru~ Yes, I think I might like you."

Too late, Mahiru jerked back, unsure whether to be more upset by the abrupt kiss or the fact that this strange man somehow knew his name. He was sure he had never mentioned it, always painfully aware of what his uncle had drilled into his head on 'stranger danger'. "How did you-"

"I said no questions!" The man barked before frowning and turning away. "Stay there." And with that he darted off, through the crowds, winding like a snake through reeds.

For some reason Mahiru found himself staying where he was, curious to see what this strange person- Kuro, his brain supplied belatedly- was going to do. He couldn't delude himself into thinking he was being flirted with, despite the forward approach that Kuro had, it just didn't seem possible. And he was undoubtedly foreign, of European descent most likely, given the long hair and bright, clear eyes, so it must just be a cultural difference. Comforted by his conclusions, Mahiru leaned back, crossing his ankles and waited.

The wait was short.

Across the busy road a sudden explosion rocked the air, it's fires spreading from the fireworks stall and outward like a hot flower opening its petals to the night sky. Screams and calls further disturbed the fragile atmosphere and it was several seconds before Mahiru registered that he was on the ground, almost unconscious and bleeding from more places than seemed safe. Trying to raise up on his hands, to get a look around, to see if he could help, his vision blurred and wavered. Dizzy and faintly nauseated, he slumped back down, his cheek pressing into the gritty cement of the walk. The sharp pricks of rocks brought a little feeling back into his numb face and he drew a deep breath. A shadow pressed in on him and he glanced up, relief and panic fighting for equal purchase, but both quelled and fell back, buffeted by his surprise.

Above him, smiling sunnily, stood Kuro, unmarked but for a dash of soot across his forehead. "Pretty good right?"

Mahiru worked his jaw, struggling valiantly to summon some form of response, willing his sudden rage, for he now had a very clear image of what had happened, to give him strength. "Did you do this?!" He exclaimed, squinting up. 

"Of course I did!" Kuro looked confused and squatted down, bringing him almost level with Mahiru who was still floundering on the ground. "You told me to start with my hobbies!"

"I- I-" Mahiru cut off, winded by both his bruised and bleeding lungs and his immense disbelief. "This isn't a hobby! Did anyone get hurt?!"

"You did." Kuro pointed out neutrally.

"Of course I did!" Mahiru yelled. "You blew up the fireworks stall!"

For the first time Kuro looked slightly angry, his lips tilted in displeasure, and he leaned farther down, closer, until the curtain of his unnatural hair was blanketing Mahiru's face. "For you."

“For me?” Clarity was returning to his mind in short bursts and jagged leaps and he slowly, slowly pushed himself up, wincing when his wrist flared a warning. “I never asked you to.”

“Do you need to?” Kuro asked worriedly, biting his lip, eyes darting around in an almost panic. “I didn’t know that. I just thought-”

“You’re insane, aren’t you?” Mahiru muttered, at this point numb to any real fear. “Or is this some elaborate Halloween prank?” He glanced around, hoping without any real hope, to see Koyuki or Sakuya lurking in the outskirts of the pandemonium and laughing at his folly. "Please tell me that Ryusei put you up to this."

"Who is that?" Kuro glared down at him, leaning still closer, the corners of his eyes crinkled in a quiet kind of anger. "Is he your 'friend'?"

Mahiru paused, watching Kuro grow ever more irritated, and contemplated the way he had stumbled over the word friend. It had rolled and fallen from his lips as though it were a foreign concept, something he had only read about and never actually seen in person. "Yes. He is." He said it more as a taunt than anything else, just to see if it would incense Kuro any more than he already was, and was not disappointed; Kuro's nose wrinkled and he bared what Mahiru, from this distance, could see without a doubt, despite a complete lack of belief in the superstitious, were real fangs.

"I'll kill him."

Surrealism floated down like a gentle mist, coating his tingling limbs and swirling thoughts, and Mahiru rolled his eyes. "Don't be such a baby. What did Ryusei ever do to you?"

The question gave Kuro pause and he cocked his head, studying Mahiru intently. "He met you first."

"And?"

"And?"

"So have a lot of people. Are you going to go around killing anyone who's ever said hi to me?"

Kuro opened his mouth, no doubt to confirm the sarcastic, rhetoric question but closed it again at the look Mahiru threw him.

"Please. That's unrealistic. And extremely inappropriate." He added as an afterthought.

"Inappropriate...." Kuro echoed, looking shell shocked. "I didn't know."

Mahiru raised a brow in blatant disbelief, flinching back when Kuro suddenly reached out and scooped him up into his arms. "Wha-!"

"You'll have to explain exactly what is 'appropriate' then!" He continued excitedly. "I don't particularly like being wrong but I suppose if it's what you want, I'll do it. You seem like the tiresome kind of guy who won't accept anything but adherence to your own strict set of morals."

"Do- do what?" Mahiru stuttered distractedly, eyes focused on the ground which was steadily flashing by as Kuro dashed off through the bustling plaza, ignoring the panicked gasps of the emergency workers and few still lingering civilians, cradling Mahiru as though he were but a sack of flower and feather light. "Please just-"

Kuro grinned down at him, seemingly unaware of the terror that was racing up and down Mahiru's spine at the speed and sudden kidnapping. "Be appropriate." He enunciated stiffly. "I'll try." His eyes danced, happy and bright, and buoyed by a depth less madness.

"Oh god." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

pictured: a transition of destructive mischief 

[hisakata-resutomoshibi]

I’ve gotta ask: what does the word “dinner” mean to fae!Kuro? Does he think he’s going to be eaten? And if your taking votes for the mysterious visitor I’m putting down money on Tsubaki or Lily. Currently leaning more towards Tsubaki.

I'm so glad you asked that Anon! I didn’t have a chance to go into detail and it’s a really dumb cute little thing I wanted to write, so here we go! --->

Mahiru had been watching Kuro over the top of his water glass for a while now; every few seconds he would blink quickly and his eyes would dart around the small pub they were in as though he were looking for someone. Finally the mystery proved too annoying and Mahiru cleared his throat and leaned forward. “What’s your problem now?”

“My problem?” Kuro repeated inquisitively. “What does that mean?”

Mahiru rolled his eyes and rested his chin in his hand. "You're acting suspiciously."

"Ah, and how is that?" He smiled slyly, his lips curling up. "I'm just here having, ah, dinner with you, was it?"

Feeling his patience beginning to thin, Mahiru sighed gustily. "Yes. Here we are having dinner. But you're acting like someone is about to sneak up on you."

"No, no, fortunately, I assure you, we are quite alone." Kuro hesitantly picked up a breadstick and peered at it curiously before waving it in Mahiru's face. "And so I must ask, what is this?"

"A breadstick??"

Kuro shook his head, the lingering grin finally fading from his face. "No, not this. I mean THIS." He once again waved the breadstick but this time Mahiru realized he was gesturing towards the room as a whole, indicating their surroundings and all it encompassed.

"First, put that down!" Mahiru snapped, grabbing the bread and tossing it back in the basket. "And second, what do you mean 'what is this', why are all your questions and explanations so vague and irritating?"

"Fae rules." Kuro said lightly, shrugging.

"Right, whatever." He muttered, hand to his temple. "Well if I take it literally, this is a restaurant. But you knew that, so I'm guessing what you meant was what are- we specifically- doing here?" Kuro merely smiled once more and Mahiru sighed, shoulders slumping. "You're so annoying. This is..." He trailed off, unsure what exactly to call what they were doing. As he pondered the correct terminology, he suddenly pieced together Kuro's jitters and confusion, his strange reaction when Mahiru had suggested they go out. "Hold on!" He yelled, slamming his hands on the table, rattling the dishes. "Do you think this is a date?!"

Several other people glanced nervously over at his outburst and he blushed, hiding his face in his hands. He refused to say anything more and Kuro seemed content not to break the silence so it was not until the entrees had arrived (both ordered by Mahiru) that he looked up again. One brow raised and poking his steak experimentally, Kuro missed when Mahiru cast a cursory look over him.

"You got that from one of those dumb soap operas you were watching didn't you?!"

Reluctantly, Kuro glanced at Mahiru, his glowing red eyes wide. "Unlikely." He finally murmured.

"Bullshit!" Mahiru spat. "You totally did!"

"And what else am I to make of this?"

"That's simple! We're just two people out having... dinner... together..." His brows pulled down in perplexity and he jerked his head back up, meeting Kuro's amused gaze. "No!"

"I haven't said anything." Kuro intoned calmly. "What do I do with this?" He held up the steak, having forgone the fork and instead skewered it with one overly long, black, claw like nail.

Forgetting his mortification, Mahiru burst into laughter, eyes watering at the sight of this strange creature disguised as a man, wiggling an entire T bone steak on his finger. "You eat it, are you kidding me?"

Kuro made a displeased noise, staring down at the steak, glistening in the low table lighting and dripping juice onto the plate. "I can't say that it looks very appetizing."

"Oh, yeah?" Mahiru challenged him, grinning. "And what do you eat where you're from?"

"Where I'm from? Or where I was?"

Mahiru waved a hand in answer, taking a bite of the garlic potatoes that were piled artfully next to the salmon on his plate.

"Are you sure you want to know?" Kuro asked slyly, leaning forward and letting the steak fall back to the plate with a small, wet slap.

"Maybe not." Mahiru muttered, cutting his eyes away. "At least not while I'm trying to enjoy this." He held out a spoonful of the potatoes, watching warily to see if his new "vampire" would react to the garlic. To his surprise, Kuro only raised a brow, going slightly cross eyed as he looked at the potatoes, and snorted.

"As I said, not appetizing."

"You said you didn't need to eat." Mahiru pointed out, lowering the spoon in mild disappointment.

"No, but I did not say I didn't LIKE to eat." He corrected, flashing a glimpse of shining white fangs. "It is one of life’s great pleasures."

Kuro had purred the word and not for the first time since Mahiru had spotted him across the pavilion, he felt a shiver run up his spine. It was a confusing mix of emotions all wrapped up into one knee-jerk reaction; fear, curiosity, and, embarrassingly enough, attraction. But what part, exactly, of Kuro was it that he found attractive? He was almost scared to find the answer to that because there was a small part of him that thought perhaps it might be the unknown, the danger and violence, that Kuro breathed out like carbon dioxide. Only a few hours and he could already feel himself adjusting to, even craving, that primal shock that would fray his nerves when Kuro did something sudden.

"Oh no." He moaned, letting his head fall into his hands in resignation. "I'm in so much trouble."

"And what sort of trouble is that?" Kuro asked, leaning forward, his eyes darting over Mahiru's face in a strange blend of concern and delight.

"None of your business." Mahiru snapped, trying to pick up his fork with more gusto and confidence than necessary and instead sending it spinning across the table. "I just-"

"Of course, you must realize-" Kuro added casually, twirling his own fork between his fingers and smirking as Mahiru glowered at the showy display. "Your trouble is my trouble as well."

A curious emotion trickled down his spine and Mahiru sighed, deciding to decipher its meaning later. "If it's so much of a pain why not just dissolve this- whatever this is?"

"Impossible!" Kuro exclaimed, face twisting in horror. "How could you suggest such a thing?"

"To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure what it is I just suggested."

"Contract dissolution can be attained through two means." Kuro recited, closing his eyes and holding up two long fingers. "One, death of the holder, and two, transformation." He cracked one eye back open, studying Mahiru. "You want neither of those."

"Which one of us dies?" Mahiru asked jokingly, but immediately regretted it when Kuro flinched as though struck. "Hey, I only meant-"

"You." Kuro interrupted lowly.

In the dim lighting fluttering from the candles and hanging chandeliers, Mahiru thought he caught just a glimpse of those sparkling, twining horns again and he bit his lip in worry. It had been a joke, all of this felt like a joke really, but here, somehow so alone in such a public setting, Kuro had once again exuded that sense of danger and power and Mahiru could feel his confidence in the unreality of the situation crumbling away. "Great." He muttered dejectedly.

Again, I hope you guys aren't taking these too seriously lol. I'm having a fucking rad time but none of this is planned and I have no brain so please just enjoy the fun, dangerous, soft boi time! 💙🖤

P.s. as for the mysterious visitor I have some ideas! I'll be back soon with the next bit~ *finger guns*

[hisakata-resutomoshibi]

Not to bother you, but I've been wondering what would happen next in that Inner Demon! Kuro au. It randomly popped into my head and now im curious lol. I'm not asking for another chapter if you dont want to write it, I just wanna know what u think would happen next! Your ideas are amazing and I love hearing from you! 🧡

Ah, you’re so sweet! Don’t take this too seriously as I haven’t planned any of it and barely edited it LOL but here you go my dear~

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"Alright, and what am I supposed to make of that?"

It was hours later, or perhaps just minutes, and Mahiru found himself staring up at the slightly damp, bug riddled ceiling of the cave. He seemed to have fallen to the ground after Kuro had released his grip; maybe he had taken too much blood? The thought froze his muscles in visceral terror and his mind in a bid to remain sane immediately rejected the idea. Either way, he did distinctly remember hearing Kuro say that he belonged to Mahiru now, or something to that effect, and really, who wanted to have a psycho like this?

"What does what means?"

 Kuro's eyes popped in to view over Mahiru's face and he flinched back, bashing his head further on the cold stone. Frowning in irritation, at the pain in his skull, the situation in general, he sighed. "What do you mean you're mine?"

 The bright red that had flooded through Kuro's irises hadn't faded, in fact it seemed to have almost solidified against the former blue, looking like a small pool of swirling metallic paint splashed across the sky. As he watched, entranced, Kuro grinned.

 "Pretty, right?" He blinked slowly, demonstratively. "The red is a nice touch, a very easy way to identify contracts."

 "Contracts?" Mahiru repeated curiously. "What- no, I mean, how did your eyes change color?"

 "This is your blood, Mahiru." Kuro said matter-of-factly. "I didn't expect it to be so beautiful, to be honest. Most blood mixes in like mud. Such a disappointing shade of brown. But this!" Kuro paused, fluttering a hand in front of his face.

"This is gorgeous. We must be compatible."

 "Compatible..." Mahiru echoed, laughing weakly. "Great."

 "You wanted to go home. I'll take you there."

 "Hold on just a second." He pushed out a hand into the scant air between them and Kuro obligingly sat back, his head cocked in innocent puzzlement. "How do you know where I live?"

 "I know everything that is YOU, now."

 "Again, what exactly does that mean?"

 Kuro smiled wickedly, leaning forward suddenly, a blur of vitality in the dank air of the cave. "Take it literally. Anything that means something to you, makes up a part of your identity, it's mine now. And in exchange-" He gestured down at himself, "you get this, anything you could possibly want."

 Startled into silence, Mahiru felt his tongue form the sardonic comment before he could think better of it. "You're quite confident." As soon as the words were out he regretted them, praying that the offense they caused wouldn't be enough to get him ripped into little pieces, but Kuro only laughed, lighter and softer than anything Mahiru had heard before.

 "Of course I'm confident. Do you still not know who I am, Mahiru?" His lips curled up mischievously and he ran a graceful, delicate finger, along Mahiru's jaw. "You're a bit thick, aren't you? Ah well, no matter! You're mine as well now, no turning back." Before Mahiru had the chance to feel offended, he continued. "I knew you were special the second I saw you."

 The conversation was running in circles and it was only a matter of time before Mahiru got motion sickness trying to follow it, so, trying to decide the simplest course of action, he chose, simply, to ignore it. Obviously Kuro was not who he had originally thought, the eyes, the horns, the preternatural speed, no, there was no way to fake that, he was something else entirely, but the question was, what? Mahiru glanced over to find Kuro staring at him raptly and he couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped. "Where am I supposed to hide you?"

"Is this just something that people like you can do?" Mahiru asked flatly, staring down at the tiny kitten at his feet. It turned it's wide, luminescent eyes (red like his blood, he thought) up to him and blinked. "I don't know what that means."

 "You really are a demanding little one." Kuro muttered as he phased back into existence, occupying the space the cat had previously. "Of course not all of us can, it is something unique to I and a few others." He paused, seeming to think carefully before speaking. "Eight total."

 There are seven others that can turn into animals?"

 Kuro nodded slowly, almost regretfully. "Yes. Seven. But you don't need to worry about them."

 "I'm not particularly worried." Mahiru sighed. "More like amazed." He watched for a moment as Kuro crept around his room, so cat like in his movements Mahiru almost laughed, and began to poke at several of the books piled haphazardly on his desk. "I do have a question."

 As though he had been in anticipation, Kuro spun on his heel, books and exploration forgotten and a lopsided smile in place. "Yes?"

 "Well, er-" Mahiru hesitated, biting his lip. "Not to be offensive or anything but, you're acting very... different now."

 "Oh?"

 "Uh, yeah..."

 "How so?"

 "Well." Mahiru glanced over, quickly looking away again when he met Kuro's amused gaze. "Well, to be blunt, you're not acting like a total nut job anymore."

 "A nut job." Kuro paused, digesting the phrase for a moment. "I do not know that one either." Four rapid steps had him directly in front of Mahiru again and he grinned. "There's so much you must tell me! But before that, what is the question?"

 "Why?" Mahiu blurted. "Why are you suddenly..." He trailed off and, at a loss for definition, gestured vaguely at Kuro. "Like this?"

 Shrugging casually, Kuro raised a brow. "One would act differently after becoming someone else, no?"

 Putting a finger to his brow in fatigued annoyance, Mahiru groaned. "No w I just know you're fucking with me."

 "Not yet, I assure you." Kuro said brightly, his grin widening impossibly when Mahiru blanched. "What can I say to make you understand?" He crossed his arms, gaze traveling lazily around the room. When his eyes lit upon the chair near the door and he paused. "I took from you and so you must take from me." He glanced over, his eyes shining through the shifting blacks and whites of his hair. "Give and take, tit for tat, you are a part of me and so I must honor that change. Act according to the new blood."

 Mahiru frowned, attempting to construct something realistic or even vaguely understandable from what Kuro had just said. "So, you're different because of me?"

 "Precisely. Perhaps if you were less stubborn I would not be quite so composed?" Kuro laughed, just a shadow of the maniacal, wild abandon from previously and shrugged. "It's an interesting change." He raised his eyes to the ceiling, as though looking up into the sky. "Not unwelcome. Certainly different from what I am used to."

 "What you're used to?" Mahiru prompted him after a moment.

 "Things at the court can be unbalanced." Kuro said slowly. "And so for the most part we are... unpredictable."

 Forgoing asking who exactly "we" was because he was fairly certain he didn't want to know anyway, Mahiru frowned darkly, remembering the shattered stalls and engulfing flames he had so barely escaped earlier."You seemed like a psycho."

 Kuro laughed happily. "That sounds like a compliment!"

 "It's not." Mahiru said flatly. "Psycho is bad." He too glanced around the small room quickly, taking in the limited space and lack of guest furniture. "So now what? I accept that you are some kind of- of- mythical creature. But I do not accept that I am stuck with you."

 "Whether you accept or not is of no consequence." Kuro sang, reaching out and plucking a sweater from where it lay draped over the foot of the bed. "We have a contract." He began to twist it back and forth, inspecting it from every angle, eyes wide in puzzlement.

 "About that. I didn't agree to any contract. So I don't really think it's legally binding." Mahiru crossed his arms, attempting his best impersonation of authority.

 Kuro shrugged, pulling the sweater over his head, horns turning to a bright translucent fog for a moment to allow for the collar to pass over them, and smiled, something quick and genuine, and Mahiru felt his heart skip a beat. "Unfortunate for you then that the fae do not care for legality."

It was an hour later, Mahiru standing in front of the cupboard contemplating it's bare shelving, that he finally admitted to himself that he was not the best at entertaining visitors. Not even a spare loaf of bread. He slammed the door shut in frustration and glanced into the living room, finding Kuri still curled up on the couch, eyes glued to the TV. Mahiru had turned it on in desperation about forty minutes ago and Kuro had not moved since. It was currently airing some strange episodic gum commercial but judging by Kuro's expression you would have thought it was a documentary of the end of the world.

 "How do they do this?" Kuro asked suddenly and Mahiru turned fully, watching as he pointed to the screen upon which was a helicopter view of the city.

 "Do what?"

 "Record this? Is that what you called it? It's so detailed!"

 Mahiru wandered closer, unable to ignore the impulse and peered over Kuro's shoulder. "You said you were some magical being but you've never seen a TV? Where have you been all this time?"

 "In the woods, mostly." Kuro answered casually. "It seems I should have ventured farther into town sooner!"

 Briefly imagining the utter devastation Kuro would have wrought unchecked had he indeed entered the heart of the town Mahiru held back a shiver and shook his head. "No. No way. You are way too much trouble."

 "It is not I that wishes for such destruction." Kuro said, flicking his sharp gaze up to Mahiru. "I only embody what you desire."

 "You keep saying that." Mahiru muttered, looking away in discomfort. "Listen. Do you need food? Or..." He trailed off in embarrassment, completely gobsmacked that the next words were about to leave his mouth. "Or are you actually a vampire?"

 "Vampire." Kuro rolled the word around for a moment and shrugged. "Call me what you will. You humans have always had such curious need to name everything. Regardless, it will not change that I simply am."

 Mahiru sighed. He really was getting so tired of all this mystical bullshit. "So then, did you want to get dinner?"

 Kuro froze, his shoulders going taut beneath the blanket he had huddled up in. "Dinner?" His eyes were darting from side to side as though in worry, though there was nothing but an innocuous soap opera preview on.

 "Yeah? You know, we go somewhere and get food? I honestly hate the idea of bringing you in public, but I don't have anything here." Mahiru admitted, frowning. "You have to behave."

 "Ah, I see." Kuro turned, fixing Mahiru with a strange look. "You need to eat then?"

 "I take it, based on this conversation that you don't actually require food." Mahiru muttered sarcastically. "But yes, I'm hungry."

 "Very well. Let's go." Kuro stood in one quick move, the blanket falling from his shoulders and to the couch and Mahiru flinched back a step, having completely forgotten just how tall Kuro really was. At his jerking retreat, Kuro raised a brow and a mocking smile flew across his face. "Do you truly find me so frightening?"

 An immediate affirmation withered on Mahiru's tongue as he studied Kuro's expression. It was neutral and empty but somewhere, deep beneath the veneer of indifference, he thought he could see a wiggling of disappointment. He didn't know what possessed him to do what he did, or even why he would care to do so in the first place but he found himself snorting and reaching out to wrap his hand around Kuro's wrist, tugging him roughly around the back of the couch and towards the kitchen. "Of course not, idiot. What's scary about you?"

[hisakata-resutomoshibi]

Please do more blackcat!Kuro!❤️ It’s like reading a fanfic I really want to know what happens next! How did he know Mahiru’s name? Are they still Servamp or full on regular vampires?

Hey anon! I don’t have any drawings for you this time but I did continue on a little from that last time! I’m glad you asked for more, I’m having a lot of fun adding to this AU!

Hope you enjoy~

(And thanks for the idea @thesilenceislost !♡)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While Mahiru was waiting for his eyes to adjust to the gloom of the cave he found that sometime between his kidnapping and now he had acquired a fair amount of leaves and dust in his hair. Shaking it out, he was caught off guard by the hand that landed on his shoulder.

"What do you think?"

The voice was soft and lyrical, but still rough at the edges in a way that Mahiru couldn't quite describe, as though it were from a fantasy, something half remembered and more imaginary than physical. He glanced back to meet two glowing eyes, grinning happily at him through the shadows.

"Of what?" Rather than answer, Kuro flung his arms wide, indicating the small enclosure. Taking that as his only answer, Mahiru sighed. "Is this where you live?" It had been a sarcastic question, not meant seriously but only to annoy, and when Kuro nodded he felt his mouth drop open.

In the settling gloom, made all the more pervasive by the quarter moon, Mahiru began to worry he was having an episode; his new friend still had a wild mix of hair tones, strange, loosely buttoned pin striped suit, and questionable circles under his eyes, but here, shrouded in shadow and that ethereal feeling one always got from deep forests, Mahiru was forced to admit that he was seeing horns. Incorporeal and flickering, like cotton candy light, they were twisted, hovering somewhere above the jet black eyebrows that arched so playfully and ending in jaunty curls above his head.

Despite everything Mahiru found he had to stop himself from reaching out to try to touch them, so interested to see if they were real or not he was. Almost literally holding his arm back, he took a final, hasty look around them. His eyes having finally acclimated he could now see that the walls were lined in old style, dripping candles, some ensconced, others jammed into Victorian chandeliers, and most, just simply stuck to the rough rock with their own melted wax. There didn't seem to be much of anything else here and once again Mahiru was struck with the deja vu feeling of a bad prank.

"It's different." He finally said, too late, wondering if his lackluster answer would anger Kuro. He chanced a peek up and almost laughed when he saw Kuro's lips twisted into an ecstatic grin, eyes bright.

"Isn't it?" Kuro threw an appreciative glance around as well before leaning forward. "Now what?"

"N-now what?" Mahiru repeated in confusion, stumbling over his words in worry. "What do you mean?”

Kuro frowned momentarily before sighing. "I mean now what, now what! I've brought you here."

"Yes...." Mahiru agreed, trailing off. "But I'm not sure why."

"You aren't?" Kuro looked affronted and took a swift step forward but when Mahiru flinched back, a thought seemed to pass through his mind and he paused. "Ah, this isn't how you would normally do this, is it? I told you," He said flippantly, tossing a hand cavalierly around, "I don't quite understand, you're going to have to tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"What is 'appropriate'!" He exclaimed, smiling maniacally.

"You really have an obsession with that word, don't you." Mahiru muttered tiredly. 

When Kuro only continued to smile at him he felt his shoulders slump in defeat and fell to the ground, crossing his legs and leaning back on his hands. "Let me guess. I'm stuck here, aren't I?"

Kuro dropped down, mirroring his posture, and shrugged. "Depends on your definition of stuck, doesn't it?"

"Oh, now you know what words mean?" Mahiru demanded, glaring for a second before deflating. "Right, so. I guess first things first. That's simplest." He paused, eyeing the horns still wavering in and out of existence. "Are those real?"

Kuro quirked a brow before glancing up through the tangle of bangs over his forehead. "Of course."

"Mhm." Mahiru murmured neutrally. "And if I tried to touch them what would happen?"

The question seemed to stump Kuro for a moment and he stared off into middle space as he thought it through; Mahiru could almost see him rolling the words around in his head like bread dough. When his eyes finally focused again there was a touch of amusement lacing through them. "Why don't you try it?"

"Pass." Mahiru said flatly. He bit his lip, trying to decide what the best way to find out their actual location would be and was floored to realize he had somehow completely blocked out the trip here. The inhuman speed that had so frightened him had almost immediately filtered out of his conscious thoughts and now, trying to remember, he found that it was a blurry guess at best. "Did... how do you move so quickly?" He finally asked, coming to the conclusion that subterfuge just wasn't his style.

"Fast?" Kuro cocked his head, pupils reflecting the flickering mellow glow of the candles (that were.... suddenly lit??). "I just ran. You can run, can't you?"

Mahiru threw him a halfhearted glare. "Sure, but not like that. I did do track though." He paused, wondering why he had bothered with that last little detail; surely a man like this, so strange and inhuman would find knowledge of his life bori-

"What is track?" Kuro asked excitedly, leaning forward.

A small, fleeting grin flew over Mahiru's lips and he gave up; really, what else could he do right now? "It's a sport. Like in school?" At the only slightly less puzzled look he got in return he continued. "A bunch of people practice running as fast as they can and then there are meetings where you compete with other teams."

"I see." Kuro nodded once and then glanced over his shoulder, almost worriedly.

"So what is your plan exactly?"

"My plan?"

"Yes. Like, now what? Are we just going to stay in this cave forever? I have to get home at some point, you know."

Kuro smiled widely, leaning still farther forward, now almost in Mahiru's lap. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to! I can make sure of that!" He looked as though he had just won some argument and Mahiru almost laughed.

"But I want to go home."

"You do?" He stared at him blankly, frowning softly. "Are you sure? I can make anything a reality! I can give you anything you want~" He reached out, blindingly fast, and curled his fingers through Mahiru's hair, giving a gentle tug that had shivers racing down Mahiru's spine. "I have the power to do anything you want."

Trying to ignore the aftershocks still tickling his skin, Mahiru raised a brow. "What makes you think I want you to?"

"Everyone wants something." Kuro whispered before darting smoothly forward. He froze just an inch from Mahiru's neck, his lips resting softly against the quick, warm, pulse. "And all I need in exchange is a little something from you."

His voice was like melted caramel, leaking in and filling Mahiru's ears with images of rich luxury, power, and freedom, and beneath it all, a dark destruction. He shook himself, pulling back in fright and slapping a hand over his neck. "No! I don't want that."

"'That' what?" Kuro purred, unperturbed by Mahiru's denial. "What did you see?"

They stared at each other in silence as the moon rose ever higher and somewhere, far away, a small owl hooted it's displeasure. The sound was like a buzzer and Mahiru shot up, his legs numb from the crossed position. After a frantic look around, finding nothing to defend himself with, and no exit other than the one directly behind Kuro, he stepped back, farther into the deep recesses of the cave, feeling the cooler air from beneath the Earth wafting around his ankles.

He shook his head mutely, searching for his voice, finally finding it hidden below his lungs. "No." He croaked. Another step back. "I just want to go back home, finish school, get a good job. Help people."

Kuro smiled wickedly, flowing to his feet and advancing in time with Mahiru's retreat. "Help people? What's the use in that? Everyone just makes a mess of their life and then cries in the end. Why not just bring the end they wish for much sooner? Surprises are always better than slow anticipation. Like a present~" He was naught but a foot away now, reaching out again, and Mahiru panicked, flubbing his step and almost falling. Kuro's eyes, so crescent-ed in mean delight, widened comically and seemingly without thought he flew forward, catching Mahiru easily, holding his above the ground, clutched securely to his chest.

Glancing up warily, Mahiru found crystal sky eyes staring right back at him, still open in surprise. Manners reared their ugly head, strengthened by reflex and he breathed a windy laugh. "T-thanks...."

Kuro didn't react for a moment, still just watching. After a heart stopping pause he released his hold and Mahiru tumbled down to his feet, unsteady and tipping a second time. As he caught himself, Kuro put his hands on his hips, frowning. 

"Why did I do that?"

"Do what?" Mahiru blurted out, still too off kilter from his fright to think better of it.

Without answering Kuro just shot him one more strange, questioning look before turning and sauntering to the far wall where Mahiru could now see there was a small chest of drawers. Propped lopsidedly on top of it was what appeared to be a full skeleton and he cut his eyes away in surprise. At the rummaging sounds now emanating from the far side, he took a deep breath, willing his heart to calm.

"What are you doing?" He asked, mentally throwing his hands up. Fuck it, right? What else could he do but keep this strange man talking?

"Packing!" Kuro exclaimed happily, tossing several small, withered looking husks over his shoulder. "I can't just leave everything here while I'm away."

"Er, sorry... while you're away?" Mahiru watched the objects hit the floor only to skitter away of their own accord and swallowed loudly. "Where are you going?"

Kuro turned, looking at him in amused perplexity. "You wanted to go home, didn't you?" Before Mahiru could answer he had darted back to his side, placing both hands on either sides of Mahiru's head and forcing it to tilt awkwardly. "Like I said, anything you want. But in exchange for just one-" he leaned forward, "little-" he pressed those glistening pearlescent fangs to Mahiru's flesh, "thing-" and bit down.

As the pressure exploded, traveling up through his veins and into his mind, Mahiru watched stars of light bloom across his vision, marveling at the warmth now filling his chest. It was a heady sensation, like hot chocolate laced with morphine and he almost fell, held up now only by Kuro's arms which had wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him in. He couldn't even find it in himself to be worried about the amount of blood Kuro seemed to be taking, too entranced by the fire in his mind. After a few moments, or what may have been eternity, Kuro threw his head back, eyes melting to a heavy red, glazed and unfocused, and Mahiru let his tensed muscles go lax, forehead thumping roughly against Kuro's chest.

Voice syrupy thick and filled with shining marvel, Kuro tightened his hold, squeezing Mahiru too tightly for the barest second. "And with that, I'm yours."

[hisakata-resutomoshibi]

I always thought faeKuro was part of the unseelie court. How long has he been away from his throne since he when he kidnapped Mahiru he was living in a cave? “Kuro you’re a king?! But, but I remember the cave!”- Mahiru

I think that was my original intention but the more I thought about it the less it fit. This version of Kuro is a mix of regular and "inner Kuro” so obviously there are some personality changes but in the end it’s still Kuro and I can’t ever see him being malicious or cruel without provocation, something the Unseelie court are known for. (Not to mention I don’t think Mahiru would ever accept someone who was truly mean spirited like that.)

While the Seelie court in some aspects wouldn’t fit given their lighthearted nature and tendency to live in the moment (that’s a definite change to a main characteristic he has as well!) I also wanted to include some form of contract between them so I chose the Seelie because they would often exchange favors with humans or leave warnings and gifts. And as a little bonus, the Seelie court were also prone to bouts of destruction and seeking revenge for slights against them, whether those were real or perceived.

Anyway, in summary, I just love Kuro so frickin much and while I do think that Rose is going to prove to be more trouble than he’s worth, I couldn’t bring myself to drown out Kuro’s more interesting habits and feelings with what would essentially be just baseless aggression. He’s constantly teetering on this brink of fear and apathy and a deep seated caring and desire to do good and it’s so polar and dissonant and one of the things that keeps him static in situations that require responses and IT’S JUST SO GOOD?? and I wanted to leave myself openings in this AU for that delicious character development. ((SELF INDULGENCE))

And that’s cuteee ahaha. I imagine Mahiru would be pretty peeved about the whole idea.

“Kuro..... what were you doing?”

“Doing when?” Kuro asked, smiling lightly and tossing the remote to the couch cushion.

“In that cave. You mean to tell me you just ran away from YOUR kingdom, and what, camped out in the forest?!”

“Ah.” He blinked once, slowly, his lashes brushing across what Mahiru almost mistook for a blush. “Well you see, I got bored.”

“You what.”

“Is that not the proper word? Bored? I drew tired of the tedium and work and gave it up.” He shrugged, glancing away.

“How could you just abandon everyone like that?!”

“What have they ever done to deserve my effort?” He suddenly spun around, his hands flashing out and grabbing Mahiru’s face before he could step back. “They are nothing but pain and I have had my fill.”

(And here we see the danger in asking me my thoughts on Kuro. I could fill books with the amazing depth and duality of his character. I am so in love with his design, physical and mental, and I just can’t get over it ok bYE)

<3