Throes of Increasing Wonder
A/N: I have no clue what to work on, so here’s another part to the Bravely Default AU. Yes, I was listening to the ITWV soundtrack and I should be working on my vampire AU, but my brain is not having it. But, uh, hope y’all enjoy this. Also, I have comms and requests open if y’all are interested.
Shadow knew he was riling Static up with his mere presence, which is why he went out of his way not to offend anyone else in the party. Sandy liked him well enough, Krystal was coming around to him, and Pink, well, Shadow wasn’t sure about the panther, but if his expressions were anything to go by; Shadow had the man nearly wrapped around his finger.
Generally, Shadow stuck close to his Archduchess after the near fight that broke out. He would love to see Static try and kill him. So, when Sandy grabbed his hand to lead him into a shop, he reveled in it.
And Static was. . .churlish. He wouldn’t make eye contact with either Shadow or Sandy and offered one-word responses to questions. So, when night fell and the group split up to go to their respective rooms, Shadow knew exactly what he was doing by following Sandy toward the room.
“Hold on,” Static said. Ah, two words, an improvement. “You’re not going in there,”
Sandy paused in the doorway, turning to face the two men. “Yes, he is. He’s keepin’ watch tonight n my room’s closest to a window,” she said, turning to head into the room.
Static frowned. He knew Sandy could take care of herself if push came to shove. It was Shadow he didn’t trust. “Sure, let the guy that almost killed us keep watch,” he mumbled, rolling his eyes.
“If you’re so against it, then you can keep watch,” Shadow said. “I have things to attend to,”
“Like what?”
“Speaking with my Archduchess, y’know, like a normal person,” he answered, grinning as Static clenched his fists. “It’s customary to court before–”
“She’s not some prize,”
Shadow looked at Static then, humming quizzically. “I can assure you she won’t be treated as such,” he replied. “She’s far more important than some conquest,” After all, Shadow had shown her what his home looked like, and what his plans were if she agreed to be with him.
He just needed her utmost trust and consent in the matter.
***
Static had no idea what Shadow was up to. Besides making his blood boil. He leaned against the door of his room, eventually getting ready for bed. He lay in bed, hearing Sandy’s familiar, muffled voice. He scoffed as Shadow’s baritone answered some question and his resulting laugh at whatever Sandy said next.
He wasn’t jealous, he was just looking out for Sandy. And if killing Shadow helped, then Static would help. It wasn’t good for her health to be around a vampire. Much less one that called her his Archduchess. Seriously? What was that guy’s problem?
***
Sandy woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to start the day. She stretched, her muscles popping as she did so.
“Morning,” Shadow said, carrying a tray of food. “I figured you’d enjoy breakfast without leaving bed,” he continued, offering the tray to her.
Sandy blinked, looking at the tray then at Shadow. “That’s sweet n all, but we gotta hit the road,” she said, getting out of bed and gathering her clothes to get clean. She set the tray down on the table by the bed, quickly eating a piece of bread and fried ham. “Thank you,” she said as she finished and left to wash up.
She met Krystal in the hallway, smiling at the other woman as they entered the bathhouse.
“So,” Krystal started. “How did watch go last night?”
“It was fine, ‘specially since Shadow don’t gotta sleep at night,” Sandy answered. “Slept like a Skitty in the sun,” she joked, washing her face.
“And how are things with Shadow?” Krystal asked, chuckling as Sandy blushed.
“Fine, they’re fine,” she answered a bit too quickly. “He, uh, brought me breakfast…no one’s ever done that before fer me,” she continued, clearing her throat. “B-but, y’know, we’re jus’ companions, no more n no less,”
Krystal simply nodded, taking Sandy’s word for it. If Sandy had a crush, then Krystal would keep her mouth shut about it so Static wouldn’t throw another fit.
Sandy had never brought up the fact that Shadow called her his Archduchess; whatever made the man more comfortable and all. After all, she wasn’t complaining about the new title. If anyone had a problem with it, it was Static. And the poor boy wouldn’t let it go. Talk about petty.
Sandy finished washing up as her thoughts lingered on Shadow. He wasn’t a bad guy, far from it, in fact; he was just. . .a bit outdated, but what vampire wasn’t?
Whatever feelings she had for him, she would deal with it when the time came.
