Fic Rec Friday!
the reliever
by phybe
Words: 31,683 Chapters: 7 Fandom: Villains Series - V. E. Schwab Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence AO3 Account Needed: No
Relationships: Eli Cardale | Eli Ever/Victor Vale, Sydney Clarke & Mitchell "Mitch" Turner & Victor Vale
Summary:
“You’re really quite rude, aren’t you?” He wanted it to sound teasing, charming; it came out a lot colder than that. Victor tipped his glass, and finished it. With a graceful gesture, he asked the bartender for another one. “So I’ve heard,” he said. “Begs the question as to why you’re still talking to me.” Oh believe me, I will soon make you stop talking. “Maybe I just think you’re pretty,” Eli replied. It was, in part, an attempt at regaining control of the situation, of making his cover believable — lust made people allow all kinds of bad manners, or so Eli had heard — but he was also curious to see how Victor would react. The man's lips stretched in a smile that could only be described as dangerous. “Now that, I can believe,” he said, the flirtation like the edge of a knife. “But I don’t think you’re the type to care much for pretty things.” AU: Victor Vale is in the business of pain relief. Eli Ever is in the business of killing EOs. Tonight, specifically, he's quite intent on killing Victor.
My Notes: My second favourite Villains fic... and my second favourite Villains fic by this author 🤭 Although it's so close they're basically tied in my mind. Read the reliever and side by side people!!! Omgg they're so good!!! I'll obviously give side by side its own post in a few weeks, so I'll focus on the reliever now. A big part of why I like this fic is the characterisation of Eli. I am such a sucker for fics that explore his relationship with religion and how his psyche works! I also loved his interactions with Vic's family (Sydney and Mitch obvs, not the Vales), which we don't get much of in canon (and when we do it's not the kind that gives you the warm fuzzies 😭), and ofc Vic's relationship with them is SO well done as well, I love them sm 🥹 Vic's characterisation overall is so on point, and as much as I love evervale smut, ace Victor will always have my whole heart! Wholeheartedly recommend this fic <3
