Pairings: ethan landry x reader. established relationship. mid-plus size!reader. Au! where ethan isnt ghostface
warnings: fluff, so much fluff, reader worship bro, ethan being down bad thats it
word count: 575
notes: i'm actually in love with ethan landry and i feel like he'd be the most affectionate boyfriend (if he wasnt a psychopathic killer </3)
you had invited ethan over to your dorm room so you could study together for economics after you ended up missing a few of the lectures.
ethan truly was the best boyfriend in the world to you, putting so much effort to re-teach you every single thing you had missed. he didn't want you failing your classes after all.
however about 3 hours into the studying, its growing painfully clear that ethan was struggling to keep his hands to himself. there weren't even sexual intentions behind his actions, he just wanted to be touching you, holding you.
its something you picked up during your relationship, he was clingy. and its not like you minded, you were flattered really. after years of considering no man would ever love you because you aren't those skinny models, a nerdy boy walks into your life and turns it all around for you.
to ethan you were the most beautiful human on earth, practically glowing anywhere you want. first lecture of the morning where you looked a mess? glowing. going to the market in your pjs? to die for. bed head? he could eat you alive.
which is why he ended up curling on your lap mid study session, his arms hugging your squishy waist protectively as he buries his face into the crook of your neck. he was surprisingly light, legs draped over across from yours.
the ac hummed through the air, sending a wave of cool through the air that contrasted ethan’s warmth on you. it blended with the quiet song playing over the speakers on your night stand. my bed was messy with scattered books and papers, your laptop sitting untouched next to the highlighters. the warm light coming from the lamp on my night stand casted shadows upon us and highlighted ethan’s curly hair just perfectly. it really felt like your own little corner of the world in times like this.
ethan’s hands caress up your sides, his palm feels warm against your skin. his weight on you felt like a blanket of comfort.
his hand sweeps across your tummy, making you freeze for a few seconds. ethan notices this, lifting his head from your neck to look you in the eyes. you don't say anything for a couple of seconds, only pressing your free hand against your stomach as if to flatten it unconsciously.
this makes ethan’s heart ache, he takes your hand and lifts it to his lips; pressing a tender kiss on the skin on your knuckles. “don't do that, hon…” he whispers under his breath.
ethan is not the best at comfort, not knowing how to find the words to say what he wants to say to you. so instead he begins to trail playful kisses up your arm, not stopping on your shoulder and continuing up to your neck and your jaw; which earns giddy chuckles from you.
he swiftly lays you on the bed, his firm chest thats covered by the polo shirt he always wears hovering over you. one of his hands caress your sides, your thighs, your tummy, as if he wants to commit every single curve and edge to memory.
just pure, raw adoration in his eyes as if you were a goddess to be worshiped.
and worship you, he will. “...you're so beautiful…” he finally whispers
Gaia was never as peaceful as this. Her wondrous essence is no stranger to barbaric practices between the lands and voracious creatures that rained blood across the fields. The skies were nothing but misty reds and dark, starless nights that frowned upon the ashen, blackened wastelands that adorned Gaia.
Divinity had to intervene. The heavens paved way for their strongest forces to protect Gaia before she is ripped asunder from the strife and death that burrowed deeply within her. Light broke through the bloodied skies, restoring the life that was once breathed from the planet.
Grueling wars had been fought, yet the cosmos and its people have reigned victorious. Whatever is left of the brutish civilizations and the monsters that plagued the lands has withered into obscurity, eventually fading into nothing but terrified whispers told as stories and remnants becoming living descendants and ancient history in the form of old temples and cursed lands.
That is what Gaia has endured long ago. When the chasm of hell opened wide, and began to spew the unholy contents within its gluttonous stomach.
May the powers have mercy on those who have suffered greatly...
"Whatcha reading?"
Noah blinked, the reality of his surroundings apparent as he peered up to see the inquisitive features of the prince. The sun, while hidden behind the fluffy clouds, still shined light behind his head, creating a lovely halo around Nick. He quickly cleared his throat as he closed the tome shut. "Oh, you know. Myths and legends of Gaia. Very interesting read, if you haven't gotten around to it yet."
Nick chuckled, straightening up with his gloved hands set upon his hips. "You know I've read almost every book in the library! Then again... I don't think reading much about my favorite bands count as studying..." Noah joined with an amused chuckle of his own. "What? It may prove useful one day! You never know!"
"Suuuuuure, when gold starts raining down, maybe," Noah jested with a roll of his eyes, ignoring the fluttering in his stomach when the prince walked over to sit next to him.
"Are you well?"
Noah blinked once more, staring up at Nick. "Yes, I am... Why, do I look bad?" At his fingers running through his own brown curls, the prince shook his head with a smile. "Nah, you just look distracted. Like something's on your mind. You've been acting like that for a while now." The mage can't help but frown, setting the tome down next to him.
"Really? I uh...haven't noticed..."
He averted his gaze, curious on the thought of Nick actually observing him and becoming concerned for him. "I always have something in mind, I guess. I mean, it's not every day that I'm talking to the prince of Lyros, and you just have me here! I still have to sneak in every time, y'know." Nick couldn't help but laugh under his breath. "Yeah, but it's worth seeing you around, Noah." At his pleasant surprise, Nick merely shrugged. "It's one of those things since I've made a lot of enemies. I can never have anyone visit me, alone, like this. The only people that I can routinely see are my friends at Cintir and Gedwen."
Noah is silent, more so to process the prince's words. "What, you get lonely around here?" he asked, ignoring the way Nick's voice softened at the mentioned of his friends. "Something like that..." Nick replied after a moment, his tone still soft as the breeze around them. He turned to face forward, a leg across the other and his arms crossed.
"It's not that I regret for making life a little challenging for myself, but I realize how...quiet it can be. When I have nowhere else to go and no one to talk to." When Noah didn't comment nor gave a suggestion, he continued. "I guess it really is of my own doing, but what else could I do? The walls keep closing in when you realize you can't give out trust all that much and with my friends acting strange lately, I'm just..." Nick made an odd noise in the back of his throat, a mixed sound like a groan and a whine that made Noah shift a little in his seat.
He didn't offer physical comfort, but he could see the conflict arising in the prince's eyes. His features became stony, like he often witnessed whenever Nick had to concentrate on a task, but those brown eyes flared with such strife that Noah couldn't help but bring himself a tad closer.
Their thighs are nearly touching but even at their distance, warmth could be felt between them. Noah wished he could lean into it.
"Nick..."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry."
That's when he brought his leg back in place, leaning forward with his head buried in his hands. "I don't mean to complain like this, but gods above... I'm so tired. Tired of not knowing what to do." Noah sighed, bringing a hand up to casually pat at his shoulder. "I understand, Nick. From what you've been telling me, I wouldn't know what to do, either. I might as well just shut down myself! That level of just...not knowing is heavier than any responsibilities of someone in your position. If I could, I could roll to give you some form of peace."
At Nick's soft chuckle, that fluttering in Noah's stomach shot towards his heart and he's grateful for whatever fortune he had left that the prince didn't turn to see red coloring at his cheeks. "Yeah? That'd be awesome... No, that'd be perfect if you could do that!" A pause, then a defeated sigh escaping past full lips as Nick lowered his hands. "...If only it was that simple."
Both settled into a comfortable silence. Noah gazed up at the blue and white-spotted sky, the scent of the salty sea wafting up to his nose to ease his mind. A breeze went through the courtyard, making the flowers and trees whisper amongst themselves.
That's when an idea popped into mind.
"...Have you ever left the castle on your own?"
Nick raised a brow as he turned his head towards him. "Uh... No? Not really? I usually have to have someone with me. Like a guard or some kind of escort..." Noah beamed, presenting himself with a somewhat clumsy flourish. "Well, you have me! I can be your escort! We may have to wait until night...and I'm obviously not part of the royal court, but I can accompany you all the same!"
At first, Nick is taken aback by Noah's sudden excitement for it -- if not by the clear opportunity to actually leave the castle of his own accord. Granted, he could but only to the town surrounding the castle and even then, he could always feel the watchful gaze of the elite soldiers that are stationed at almost every corner. He could see the anticipation in Noah's eyes slowly dimming, and Nick is hasty with his answer that appeared as a wide grin and a wink. How goddamn adorable it was to see Noah looking rather flustered at that.
"With an offer like that, how could I refuse~?"
It was like seeing you for the first time all over again. I had wonder if you glow just as brightly as the stars...
X -- X -- X
The minute the die rolled to a victorious eighteen, they had made their escape. The guards have been none the wiser, and any probable cause to venture forth to investigate any suspicious activity had been lowered drastically for this particular night. Despite Noah's earlier offer of being an escort, Nick ended up leading them down a path towards the daisy fields that are known for their colorful beauty, the sea breeze making them sway and dance to a slow melody that only they could hear.
By the time they had the flowers in sight, they slowed to a casual walk now that they are far from ever being discovered. Noah kept glancing around cautiously, prepared for a potential ambush with Nick shaking his head with a scoff. "C'mon, Noah, calm down! It's not like we're completely defenseless -- I can protect you from whatever scum that decides to show its ugly face." Noah mimicked the scoff with a smile in response, though Nick didn't miss how those eyes flashed with something behind the lenses.
It had been too quick to decipher, but he had a feeling that Noah knew something that he didn't. The prince isn't sure if he should be comforted or suspicious from it.
"Wow... I never knew how beautiful this looked at night!"
Upon Noah's gasp of wonder, Nick blinked then turned to see the sky appearing like a painted canvas, the galaxies of stars like brushstrokes streaking along the sky and the two moons idly hovering above them. With their radiant light, the daisies before them illuminated with such a beautiful glow that even the prince himself couldn't help but stare in awe. The sound of waves crashing along rocks further ahead further cemented into the paradise they have seemingly ventured into. Nick had to bring himself down to sit upon the grassy patches, sensing Noah doing the same next to him.
Nick sat there for the longest minute, time seemingly slowing to a crawl as he's mesmerized by the sight. He inhaled quietly, relishing in the fresh air that wasn't buried under the spices and other culinary scents from the town, before slowly letting it out. "...It's been a while since I've been out here like this," he muttered, bringing his knees up and resting his chin between them. "Not even with Vernias or Brent. Just out here, by myself... I've forgotten how the world is when you aren't so busy with...anything."
Noah had turned to gaze at him the moment he spoke, his eyes soft in the light. "Busy being trapped with everything else?" Nick hummed to validate that thought. Debating within himself then mustering up the courage he could scrounge up, Noah decided to scoot a little closer to the other, missing the way the corner of Nick's lips flicking up to an adoring smile.
"You really needed this, don't you." It wasn't framed as a question -- it's a statement. A fact that Nick could never elude from or deny any longer.
That smile faltered into an impassive line, then further into a frown. "I didn't think it'd be this much of a toll on me," Nick voiced in a concerned tone.
Before Noah could comment, whatever words that would have came out became stuck in his throat the moment the prince turned to face him with a sincere smile that isn't all pearly whites or shining brightly with confidence. If anything, the glow from the celestial bodies cast it in a divine light that Noah couldn't think of anything to say. His heart felt like it was being embraced by Nick's warmth, that fortune shining upon him like golden waves of the sun.
"...Thank you, Noah. Truly."
Noah settled back, unable to contain the joyful yet loving smile that spreads across his lips. "...Of course." Their gazes locked, Noah refrained from letting his eyes wander down to Nick's lips. "Nick?"
"Yeah?"
He took in a breath. Several petals from the daisies had flown in the wind to caress them both, dancing around them in a slow waltz. "...Uhm..." Nick raised a brow, silently encouraging him to continue. "...Y-You know that I won't be around for long. I got my own responsibilities to tend to...but while I can't risk sneaking since someone's bound to notice, I can come visit you still. Here, around this time...if that's alright."
Nick stared at him for a moment but unlike before, Noah didn't feel hesitant nor having second thoughts about it. He felt more at ease, fully comforted in Nick's presence to where even if a dark storm approached, he would feel no trepidation. His breath hitched when Nick maneuvered to inch closer to him. Their foreheads touched, and Noah shuddered when he felt Nick's hot breath wash over him.
"...Yeah, it is. I need to learn to leave by myself, anyway. Even if you aren't here just yet, I'll be here waiting for you."
Noah's eyes brightened, his heart racing not just from the contact but from his words, soft and hushed as though they are sharing their most precious secrets. "Promise...?"
I could only wish the kisses we would have shared that night...
