Vibe: fluff, playful, domestic, fantasy AU, teasing, cozy, romantic
Summary: Living with a charming sphinx means starting every morning with riddles, teasing, and soft moments wrapped in warmth and affection.
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The aroma of fresh coffee drifted through the kitchen, wrapping around you like a warm shawl. It was still early, the sun merely grazing the curtains with a gentle, golden light, and you were focused on the final touches of breakfast: slices of fruit, warm pastries, and butter slowly yielding to the heat.
You were just about to pour the coffee when light, rhythmic steps sounded behind you, accompanied by a soft rustle. A noise you recognized instantly.
Before you could turn, a firm arms wrapped around your waist, and the warm weight of Arthur’s head settled on your shoulder.
"Ready for today's riddle?" he murmured against your skin, his voice deep and laced with amusement.
"Is it ever truly possible to be ready?" You smiled, even though you knew he couldn't see it. You felt his lips curve into a corresponding grin.
"With me? Never. And that’s precisely why you love me." His tone was light, teasing, yet underneath lay a tenderness you guarded like your most precious treasure.
You felt his lion’s lower body shift, his long tail brushed against you briefly while his majestic wings folded back to keep out of the way. Pressed against you like this, he was unexpectedly warm, like a being forged from desert sands and sun-heat.
"And here I thought you loved me more because I make your coffee," you countered, handing him the mug.
"That is, of course, one of the reasons, my dear. But not the primary one." Arthur straightened, taking the cup with both hands, his pointed fangs briefly catching the light in a smile.
You turned fully toward him, and his blue eyes greeted you with their usual spark. They were like sea, deep and full of promises. And when you added the sight of his lion ears twitching lightly… it was nearly impossible to stay annoyed with him for more than a few seconds.
"So then," you sighed dramatically. "What riddle awaits me today?"
Arthur took a slow, deliberate, appreciative sip of his coffee. Then he placed the mug on the table, briefly spreading and refolding his magnificent wings. He loved drama. And riddles. And you. Probably in that order.
"Listen closely," he said, tilting his head. "What has a heart that doesn't beat?"
"That's rather… simple, isn't it?" You raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps," he replied, moving closer until you could feel the warmth of his lion’s body against your legs. "Or perhaps you are simply overconfident."
The feline smirk appeared on his face, the second primary reason you were usually in trouble.
"A stone," you stated with certainty. Arthur adopted a dramatically disappointed look.
"So quickly? You didn’t even earn the adorable reward I had prepared."
"Did I even have a chance to answer worse?"
"Certainly. You could always say something charmingly nonsensical," he smiled.
"Like what?" you asked. Arthur pondered, resting his chin on the back of his hand, his tail tracing lazy circles on the floor.
"For instance… that it's me when I first catch sight of you in the morning. Because my heart stops." He purred into your ear. You blushed. Of course, you did. And he knew it.
"That's not charming, it's cheesy," you muttered, looking away.
Arthur laughed, a deep, velvet sound. Then he stepped even closer, until only inches separated you. His wings enveloped you like a curtain of soft, feathery blankets.
"But it would have worked," he whispered.
You felt your stomach do a somersault. This man, this Sphinx, had a talent for turning your world upside down with a single breath.
"I still get the reward, don't I?" you asked, to cover your embarrassment.
"Ah, human greed. Very well…" Arthur sighed, as if you had asked something impossibly difficult.
He gently cupped your chin between his fingers. His claws were retracted, only the warm, smooth pads of his fingers touching your skin. He leaned in, his lips drawing near yours… And then he stopped.
"But first, one more task."
"Of course." You rolled your eyes.
"Kiss me first."
"That's your task?" You blinked.
"Yes. And it is a very difficult one," he nodded, entirely serious. "Because I am incredibly adorable, and it might distract you."
You couldn't help but laugh. Before you could say anything, Arthur tilted his head, his ears perked, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Well?" he prompted.
You hesitated only briefly. Then you placed your hands on his human shoulders, the soft contours of his chest moving under your touch. You leaned in… and lightly, gently, you kissed him.
His breath hitched for a moment. And perhaps, just perhaps, his heart did too. When you drew back, his eyes sparkled like sea under the stars.
"See?" he murmured. "A difficult task."
"You stopped moving," you pointed out.
"That was to memorize the moment forever."
He softly pulled you into his embrace, his lion body plush and warm like the finest fur, his wings wrapping around you from both sides. It was the safest enclosure you could imagine.
"You know," he said quietly, "I could give you riddles every day for the rest of our lives… and I would never stop being fascinated by how you always solve them."
"Maybe it's because I've got you figured out." You leaned against his shoulder and smiled.
"I have never heard a greater lie." Arthur chuckled briefly, his tail brushing against you in a cuddly gesture.
And yet, he held you even tighter, as if this morning, the scent of coffee, the warm kitchen, your presence, was the most precious gem this Sphinx had ever found.
After you confided in Sebastian about your nightmare, he simply and calmly informed you that monsters truly live in the mansion.
Nothing more. It was as if he was telling you it was going to rain, or that there was no tea left in the kitchen. But that word, monsters, dug deep under your skin and cast an icy shadow over you.
Your heart skipped a beat, then began to pound violently, as if trying to escape your chest before you could. Panic seized you.
Before you could think twice, you turned on your heel and ran. The library was your safe haven.
The massive doors, the scent of paper, the silence that embraced you like an invisible blanket. And, most importantly, nobody usually went there. Or rather, that’s what you thought.
You burst inside, slammed the doors shut, and leaned against them, desperately trying to catch your breath. Your chest heaved with quick, shallow breaths until your throat burned.
You tried to ignore the image of creatures with sharp claws and razor-like teeth possibly roaming the hallway somewhere. But the more you tried to suppress it, the more the worst possible scenarios flashed before your eyes.
How was this even possible? You had been at the mansion for quite a while and hadn't noticed anything unusual.
"Cara mia?" a familiar voice called out, usually accompanied by the scent of cigars. His voice completely froze you.
You slowly straightened up. Leonardo was sitting in his usual armchair by the window, as if nothing at all had happened.
Except this time, he didn't look human. Two curving horns shone darkly on his head, growing through his dark strands of hair. Behind his back, vast, amber-gold scaled wings were spread out, folded close to his body, and a long tail swayed lazily behind him.
You let out a choked sound that was half startled gasp, half panic. You wanted to step back, but the doors were behind you.
"Don't be afraid," he said softly, as if reading your mind. "I wouldn't hurt you." You couldn't believe that, not yet. Your pulse hammered in your ears.
"Sebastian told me..." you forced out, your throat tightening. "That there are monsters here."
Leonardo stood up. His wings slightly unfolded, causing a mysterious gust of air in the room. And then he started walking towards you. Step by step.
"Monsters," he repeated, amused. He tilted his head, making his horns cast a shadow over his eyes. "I don't like that word. It sounds... insulting."
Your heart hammered. Your hands were trembling, and you weren't sure whether to run or curl into a ball.
But just as he was close enough for you to touch his shirt, he stopped. He raised his hand slowly, so as not to scare you even more. But it was that very slowness that terrified you most.
"Leonardo..." your voice broke.
"Shh." He smiled. His typical, endearingly cocky, careless smile. "Cara mia, I don't want you to be afraid." he said, and then he did it.
He took your wrist. Your skin instantly burned, as if touched by a hot ember. You gasped, and before you could resist, he pulled you to him. It was impossible to escape. He was incredibly strong, yet his touch felt gentle, almost kind.
And then he kissed you.
It caught you so completely by surprise that for a moment, you forgot to breathe. The kiss was deep, stubborn, yet filled with a warmth that spread light throughout your entire body. His lips were hot, like fire that did not burn.
When he finally pulled away from you, the world was spinning. You couldn't perceive anything but his breath on your skin and the light brush of his tail on the floor.
"Why... why did you do that?" you exhaled. Leonardo's eyes glowed the color of molten gold. He brought your wrist closer to the light streaming through the window.
And you noticed the mark. A dark, shimmering symbol coiled on your skin, a spiral of thin lines resembling scales and flames forming a dragon. You swallowed.
"What is that?" you whispered.
"My mark," he replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "A dragon marks his chosen one. It doesn't hurt, does it?" He smiled, as if he knew the answer precisely.
"What?!" you blurted out, and if you could, you would have jumped backward.
"Calm down." He placed his palm on your cheek, this time gently, without surprise, without force. "It doesn't mean I rule you. It means I protect you. And that..." His voice softened, almost a whisper. "It means you are my mate, cara mia."
You stood frozen. You had thought he was just teasing you, that his flirting meant nothing. But now, with the horns, the wings, the tail, and his golden gaze, everything suddenly seemed brutally honest.
"I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," he assured you. "Just... trust me. At least a little."
Your wrist still pulsed with a hint of draconic heat. You closed your eyes, took a breath. His fingers on your cheek were surprisingly soft. A strange feeling stirred within you, maybe fear, maybe curiosity, maybe something much deeper.
"And... why did you never show me your true form before?" you asked quietly. He chuckled, lightly, almost shyly.
"I didn't want to frighten you. Most people are... terrified." He leaned closer. "But you... you react so adorably that I can't help myself."
"It's not adorable! I'm scared!" you protested, your cheeks flushed.
"Hmm. You're scared, but you still didn't completely hide from me." He lifted your chin with one finger. "That makes you braver than you think."
Your knees gave way, and you allowed yourself to be pulled into his embrace. The wings closed around you, enveloping you like a warm cocoon.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered in your ear. "My cara mia. This mark protects you. And I will never leave you alone." This time, you did not resist.
This time, you let yourself be embraced by the dragon you never thought could be your friend, let alone something more.
The church was silent, unnaturally still. As you stepped inside, the old doors creaked, and the chill of the stone crept over your skin.
You weren't a believer, quite the opposite. To you, faith was a human construct, a crutch for those who feared the void. And yet, here you were. Perhaps out of curiosity. Perhaps because you wanted to see what it looked like inside and what everyone else saw in it.
Candles flickered quietly, and the air smelled of incense. You felt out of place, as if you didn't belong… and yet, you felt someone watching you.
Faust moved through the temple, contemplating what kind of experiment he might conduct this time. How to lead people, how to bend them, how far they could be pushed without even realizing it.
Boredom gripped him like an iron hoop, until he noticed you. In that moment, a smile touched his lips: slow, intrigued. He masked it instantly and made his way toward you.
You didn’t notice him at first. You stopped by one of the pews and ran your fingers over the carved wood.
"Strange," you muttered to yourself. "People actually believe someone is listening here."
"And you don't?" a calm voice asked from behind you.
Startled, you spun around. Standing there was a man in black robes. His dark blue hair was artfully disheveled, and his eyes were the color of old gold, framed by silver-rimmed glasses.
"No," you answered honestly. "I just… came to look."
"Honesty is a rare virtue. Especially here." He smiled and introduced himself as Johann Georg Faust, the priest of this church. His voice was steady, almost soothing. And yet, the intensity with which he watched you felt unsettling.
"I’m not a believer," you added, not knowing why. Perhaps you wanted to draw a line.
"That doesn't matter," he replied softly. "Faith takes many forms. Sometimes it hides where we least expect it."
You didn't know why your throat tightened at those words. You felt… seen. And you didn't like it. Not one bit.
Yet, you stayed. You talked for a long time. About the world, about people, about loneliness. He didn’t ask you about God. He asked about you. That was what confused you most. You expected him to try and convert you, but it never happened.
Faust watched you with growing interest. You weren't like the others. You weren't looking for salvation or comfort. Yet there was something in your eyes that drew him in defiance, clarity, life. It was… dangerous. For him.
"Do you think people need faith to be good?" you asked quietly. He paused. The demon within him smirked.
"No," he replied after a moment. "I think people are capable of both good and evil regardless of faith. Faith simply… gives their actions a direction."
"So God isn't necessary," you noted.
"Perhaps not," he admitted. "But sometimes the things we don't understand are closer than we think." His gaze darkened not with anger, but with something deeper.
"That sounds almost threatening," you laughed softly.
"Only if you fear the unknown," he answered gently.
Time passed with strange swiftness. When you finally prepared to leave, something made you hesitate. You turned back to him one last time.
"Thank you… for the talk, Father."
"Thank you. Come again." He nodded.
As your hand touched the door handle, you felt a strange warmth, as if someone were shielding you from the entire world for a brief moment. You had no idea it wasn't an illusion.
Faust watched you until you disappeared behind the doors. The smile returned to his lips, darker this time, more lingering.
"An atheist…," he whispered with amusement. "This will be interesting."
For the first time in centuries, he didn't feel boredom. He felt anticipation.
In the following days, you found yourself thinking of him more often than you liked. Not because you believed in fate or higher powers, you’d always laughed at such things, but something about him unsettled you. Like the silence just before a storm.
And so, you returned to the church.
This time you didn't look around, you knew he would be there. Indeed, he stood by the altar, hands clasped, head slightly bowed. When he sensed you, he turned slowly.
"You returned," he said softly, almost pleased.
"I suppose so," you shrugged. "Curiosity."
"Curiosity is the beginning of knowledge." He smiled in that peculiar way that made you feel as though he could see right through you.
"Or trouble," you shot back dryly.
"The two are not mutually exclusive."
You laughed, and the sound rang out with an out-of-place vibrance in the silent temple. Faust paused for a heartbeat. That laugh… it warmed him more than he was willing to admit. The demon in him recoiled, caught off guard by something resembling human emotion.
You walked among the pews, talking of small things. The world outside, human nature, the loneliness that sometimes weighed heavier than physical pain. You found yourself telling him things you’d never told anyone. And he listened. He truly listened.
"I don’t believe in God," you repeated quietly as you stopped by a stained-glass window bathed in light.
"I know," he replied gently.
"Then why do you talk to me as if you’re hoping I’ll change?"
"Because I don’t want to change you." He looked at you differently then. Softer. You took a step closer.
"And what if I’m just a coincidence? Or an experiment?" you asked under your breath, half-joking. You meant it as a philosophical question.
"I would never humiliate you like that." For a fraction of a second, his expression shifted. The darkness in his eyes stirred… and then vanished. His voice was calm, but something in it vibrated. Sincerity? Regret?
"Faust…" you addressed him by name for the first time.
The sound hit him deeper than he expected. He reached out his hand, slowly, as if giving you the chance to retreat. You didn’t. His fingers barely brushed yours. Gently. Almost shyly. And yet, warmth surged through your body.
"You shouldn't trust me so much," he whispered.
"A bit late for that," you answered softly.
His palm closed around yours. It didn't hurt. It wasn't terrifying. It felt… right. And in that moment, it felt as if the world around you had gone silent.
"If you knew what I am…" Faust leaned his forehead against yours.
"I don't care about that," you exhaled. "I care about who you are now."
Those words broke him more than any exorcism ever could. After centuries of manipulation and lies, he felt something forbidden: a longing to be seen… and accepted by you.
His lips touched your forehead. Softly. Reverently. As if he were afraid you might vanish. And you smiled.
"You know," you whispered, "I might not believe in gods… but I think I’m starting to believe in you."
Faust closed his eyes. For the first time in a very long time, he wished the moment would never end.
The sun was slowly dipping towards the horizon, painting the surface of the small lake in warm shades of orange and pink. You were sitting in the boat across from Leonardo, your legs dangling just above the water. The air was calm, silent, interrupted only occasionally by the chirping of insects and the gentle lapping of water against the sides of the boat.
Leonardo rested on the oars with such ease, as if the slightest effort didn't bother him. He smiled at you with that serene, slightly mysterious smile of his, which made you feel oddly safe and nervous at the same time.
"I'm glad you came, cara mia," he said quietly. "Sunsets are more beautiful when you share them with someone."
You smiled faintly and lowered your eyes, feeling your cheeks gently flush.
"That almost sounds like a confession," you teased lightly.
"Maybe," he replied with a hint of amusement in his voice, and leaned back into the oars again.
As the sun disappeared behind the trees and the sky gradually turned dark blue, the first stars began to appear overhead. Leonardo put down the oars and moved closer to you.
"Look," he pointed upwards. "There is Cassiopeia. And here... here Orion begins."
You followed his finger, letting him guide you across the stars. His voice was calm, soft, and surprisingly engaged. He told you stories about the constellations, about heroes, gods, and ancient fates. Something in his words sounded strangely profound... as if he knew every legend a little too well.
"Do you believe it?" you asked. "That these stories are more than just myths?" Leonardo paused for a moment, his gaze shifting from the sky to you.
"Some of them, yes," he answered softly.
That look unsettled you slightly, yet it also drew you in. You felt there was something he wasn't saying yet. Something he was keeping to himself.
"Do you want to do something crazy?" he asked suddenly, as if to break the heavy intimacy.
"That sounds dangerous," you laughed.
"Just a little," and he gave you a mischievous smile.
You carefully stood on the edge of the boat and reached out your hands to him. You laughed as you tried to balance, and he held you to keep you from tipping over. But the movement became more precarious, your laughter louder... and then the boat tilted sharply.
Everything happened in a matter of seconds. A scream, a splash, and the shock of cold water that knocked the air out of your lungs. You sank below the surface, hands flailing, heart pounding.
But then, something firmly gripped you around the waist and yanked you back up. You gasped for breath, coughing, and felt Leonardo holding you above the water until you caught your breath again.
"Cara mia, Are you alright?" he asked urgently.
"I... I think so." You nodded and gave a nervous laugh.
He got you to the shore with a surprising ease that astonished you. You sat on the grass in your wet clothes, your bodies touching, and both your chests rising and falling rapidly. The laughter gradually faded, replaced by a silence that was suddenly different. Thicker.
"I... I should tell you something." Leonardo looked at you for a moment, then lowered his eyes.
"You're scaring me," you said quietly. Your heart contracted momentarily.
"I don't mean to," he replied quickly. "I just... I don't want to lie to you anymore."
He looked up at you, and there was something in his gaze you had never seen before. Fear. Hesitation. You opened yourself up to him with both hope and apprehension.
"I'm not who you think I am," he began. "I'm not just... Leonardo."
Before you could ask what he meant, you felt a change around him. The air grew heavier, colder, and something briefly flashed faintly in the darkness. His eyes glowed for a fraction of a second with a dark, unknown light.
"Leo...?" You froze.
"I am a demon," he told you softly. Without pride. Without mockery. Just with a sincerity that utterly paralyzed you.
The world seemed to pause for a second. Your heart hammered so hard your chest hurt. A thousand thoughts raced through your mind, and several emotions, fear, doubt, disbelief flashed across your face in an instant.
"That... that's not possible," you whispered.
"I know," he nodded. "And if I could, I would remain just the man who took you out on the boat."
You remained silent. Your hands were shaking. But when you looked into his eyes, you didn't see a monster. You saw the same Leonardo who had laughed with you, shown you the stars, saved you from the water.
"Would you hurt me?" you asked tremulously.
"Never. I swear." He shook his head without hesitation.
Slowly, you moved closer to him. The fear was still there, but it was drowned out by another feeling. Trust. You placed your palm on his chest and felt his heartbeat. The same as before.
"Then don't take it as a betrayal," you said quietly. "But as the truth."
His expression broke into a soft, moved smile. He hugged you carefully, as if afraid you might dissolve with a firmer touch. You pressed yourself against him and closed your eyes.
The stars shone above you, and the silence of the lake enveloped you like a protective circle. And in that moment, you knew you had just fallen in love... not despite what he was. But also because of it.
Summary: When you discover Napoleon’s terrifying secret under the full moon, fear gives way to trust as you choose to stay by his side even in his most dangerous form.
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You had been living in the lavish manor for quite some time, but this was the very first full moon you were spending there. As the day progressed, and the sky darkened, a real sense of apprehension began to settle in.
You hadn't seen Napoleon for almost the entire day. This was unusual. He typically sought you out, if only for a moment, to tease you a little, ask about your day, or just offer you one of his fleeting smiles.
Worry drove you to action. Wherever he was, he surely needed food. In the kitchen, you prepared a small tray with his favorite meal and a glass of wine.
Tray in hand, you paused before his door. They were the most formidable doors you had seen in the entire house.
You took a deep breath to calm your nerves and knocked lightly. No answer. You knocked again, a little louder this time.
"Napoleon? Are you in there?" you asked.
There was nothing from within, save for the sound of a soft, muffled thud, as if something heavy had fallen onto the carpet. Your heart skipped a beat. Now you were truly worried.
"I have some food here. Is everything alright? I don't want to disturb you, but... I was concerned," you continued.
There was a moment of silence, then a heavy scrape as a lock was undone. The door opened slightly, but only enough for you to peek inside.
"Entrez, ma chère," came Napoleon's rasping voice, but it sounded... different. It was deeper, harsher, and laced with strain.
You stepped into the room. It was unusually dim. Napoleon had the windows completely drawn, and the only light was the moonlight filtering through a crack between the curtains.
"Oh, thank you," you said, setting the tray on a small table. "Why is it so dark in here?"
Napoleon stood with his back to you, by the large window. He wore a loose-fitting shirt that was unusually unbuttoned, and his muscles seemed taut beneath the fabric. You noticed he was trembling slightly.
"Pardonnez-moi," he replied. "I'm not feeling well today. A headache..." he said. You could tell he was unwell.
You walked towards him and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. You felt the scorching heat radiating from his skin.
"You're burning up! You should lie down," you said with concern.
It was at that moment that a sound escaped his throat. A muffled whimper suddenly turned into a brief, deep, animalistic groan. You pulled your hand back.
Napoleon turned abruptly, but only enough for you to see his eyes. They were golden and dilated. He was desperately trying to hide what was happening. His face was contorted in a grimace.
"Non! You shouldn't be here!" he cried, his voice now a torrent of low growls.
He took a step backward and bumped into his bedside table. He leaned against the wall with effort. You noticed his hands clenching convulsively, his nails tearing the fabric of his trousers.
You stood there, confused. This was not the Napoleon you knew. He was terrified, and that frightened you too.
"What is happening? Please tell me!" you urged.
"You must... you must leave. Now!" he commanded.
At that moment, something strange happened. The air in the room seemed to thicken. And then you noticed it. How his nails began to lengthen and curve into sharp claws on his hands. Tufts of dark, thick fur appeared on his arms. You backed away in fear.
"Th-that... what is that?" you whispered. Napoleon closed his eyes, taking a deep, painful breath.
"Ma petite... Promise me you will run. Go and don't stop," he uttered, his voice now breaking between human and beast.
You took a step to leave, but curiosity, or perhaps devotion, stopped you. You didn't want to leave him alone in such a state.
"I won't leave until I understand," you declared with unexpected resolve.
The look he gave you was broken. Napoleon, the proud general and your beloved host, suddenly surrendered to you.
"Mon Dieu... I am a beast," he whispered.
In that instant, the transformation accelerated. The sound of cracking bones exploded in your ears. A werewolf, enormous, with sleek black fur and glowing eyes, stood where Napoleon had been just moments before.
You froze, but the creature did not attack you. It only watched you with a look full of anguish and regret. The large, shaggy head bowed.
"Napoleon?" you addressed him hesitantly.
The werewolf let out a soft, mournful whine. Then its head turned toward the moonlight filtering through the gap in the curtains.
Slowly, you sat down on the carpet. You were barely a meter away from a powerful, dangerous creature, but you trusted what he had implied. You concluded he would not harm you. The werewolf fixed its large eyes on you before bending down and gently licking your hand.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here. I'll stay with you until it passes," you promised with firm determination.
The words worked. The creature calmed, curled into a large, shaggy ball, and rested its head against your leg.
Its breathing was still heavy, but more regular. The large eyes gazed at you with a gratitude and affection that warmed you, even though the room was filled with cold moonlight.
