pairing(s): will x reader
a/n: sudden inspiration for dat boi, spider hoe
You wished you could just get up, and walk away. You really did. But Will's honey smooth voice and captivating words rendered you still on the dusty dungeon ground, lingering on his every word. He was always careful to avoid speaking about the war and his crimes, and mostly talked about his travels throughout the world and the creatures, people, and ruins he encountered. He would tell these stories in such a way that had you leaning forward, anticipating his next sentences. You despised yourself for being unable to tear yourself away— you were a knight, who made an oath of loyalty to the Empress, yet here you were, making yourself the pet of an enemy.
"My day gets so much brighter whenever you visit," Will purred, seductively leaning against the wall of his cell. His lips slyly formed a toothy smile, but his eyes narrowed, content with how you had wrapped yourself around his finger. You declined to reply, but instead slid a neatly wrapped bento box under the cell opening. Homemade dango you had made before coming here. You were disgusted with how you almost begged for his compliments and pretty words, but you couldn't deny the addiction to feeling appreciated.
You watched as his expression changed from curious to gleeful as he unwrapped and opened the box. "Dango? I haven't had this in a while," Will said. Eagerly, he took small bites from the dessert, humming in pleasure. "The taste and texture is far superior than how they make it at the Mushroom Shrine. Have you considered going into the pastry business?" You sharply exhaled in response, allowing a small smile to grace your lips while you leaned your cheek against your hand. Will, capturing a glance of your smile, smirked. "You look so pretty when you smile," he said in a low voice. It was almost a growl, which sent shivers down your spine.
"Flattery isn't going to get you out of here," you said, shrugging.
"Good, you probably wouldn't want to visit me if I was on the other side of these bars," he replied. With one quick movement, he had lunged to his feet and slammed his hand against the prison bars, rattling them and the wall. A gasp escaped your lips as you pushed your feet against the ground, moving your body backwards. Will chuckled and ran a hand through his silvery hair as the skill-sealing curse placed on his cell vibrated and glowed for a moment, before dimming again.
With erratic breaths, you scrambled to your feet and began to retreat back down the corridor. Will called out behind you with a mocking tone, and false apologies. "Darling, did I scare you? Please forgive me," he said, laughing to himself. You considered shouting back and calling him insane, or something, but your words caught in your throat.
Will was your little secret ever since you had been assigned to guard the underground prison. Your strange relationship with him began to seclude you from others, as you pushed what little friends you had away. It wasn't something you could confide in others with— you knew full well what you were doing was wrong. What if someone found out, and branded you as a traitor? The risk was not worth the reward, but still, you returned the next day.
He was unsurprised. He continued to ramble and speak as if nothing had happened the day before, and you sat obediently across from him, as eager as a puppy.
"Mmm, Esfera really was a beautiful place," he said wistfully. "I would have loved to have you by my side." Will leaned forward on his knees, wrapping his fingers around the chipped bars of his cell, and gazing at you expectantly. You obliged as if mesmerized, and placed your hands on the same bars. Will licked his lips, and slowly dragged his hands downwards, until they enveloped your smaller hands. His hands were warm on yours. Welcoming.
The shallow sound of a rock being disturbed startled you, and caused your body to whip back instinctually, and hastily walk away. Your heart pounded with the thought of being caught red-handed. But, as you passed a corner with a large chunk of stone missing, and nobody was in sight, you decided that paranoia only got the best of you. Still, it was probably appropriate to end what had just been happening. Will, for once, was quiet as you abruptly left.
The next day, you had really hesitated to return to the cell. You considered remaining outside the entrance for the day, because after all, his cell was impenetrable from the inside, right? There was technically no need to actually go inside. Yeah, right. Something about that man simply made your impulse control disappear, and before you knew it, your legs were taking you through the dark corridor again. Your eyes squinted at the absence Will waiting at his usual spot, in the far corner against the bars where you could easily see him. And as your view of the cell expanded, he was still unseen. Your stomach dropped heavily as you realized the lord of spiders wasn't in his cell any longer.
Panic set in. You quickly turned to run and alert the other knights, but you slammed against someone's chest instead, and fell against the cold stone ground. You took your time looking up. It's not like you were oblivious as to who it was.
Will, with his gleaming amethyst eyes, wore a smug expression as his form towered over you. He whispered, as if careful to not frighten you, although it almost had the opposite effect. "I bet you're scared now."
Your lips trembled— of course you were scared now. This wasn't the same, defeated man that spent his time curled in the corner of a prison cell. His movements were threateningly confident as he bent over, and placed his hands at either side of you. As you shuffled backwards, terrified, he matched your pace and crawled forward, hovering his face inches from yours. Eventually, you ceased moving and squeezed your eyes shut as hard as you could, entertaining the thought that he would perhaps get bored and just leave. But you weren't that lucky. His warm breath ghosted the shell of your ear, then trailed down to your neck, and over your lips.
"Relax, I would never lay a hand on you," he said, chuckling. You knew that there is was no reason to trust his sweet words, but had he lied before? Your eyes opened slightly, and his expression was kind, and teasing. "Not in that sort of way, anyway. I'm only tempted to lay my hands on you in other ways, that is, if you wouldn't mind."
That damn purr. You wanted to draw your weapon, to sneer in disgust and kick your heel against him, but once again, you became entranced with his demeanor and words. When Will offered his hand, your hand moved of it's own volition, and he brought your knuckle up to his lips.
"I hope my meaning doesn't escape you. I really have come to care for you. You have made my wait enjoyable, and I would give anything for a world where we met differently and I could eat your desserts every night. But, I have to leave to a place you shouldn't follow. Perhaps I will visit, when time permits," he said, with a sad head tilt. You simply nodded.
And just like that, your lord of spiders was gone, leaving you to patrol an empty prison. The feeling of being appreciated— perhaps loved? It was gone with him. You were just disappointed he hadn't asked you to go away with him.
