Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Down the long hallways, past the giant marble pillars and the many of the misleading doors, Aesop finally reaches the outdoors. So confusing and so irritating. Aesop shakes his own head, too many paths leading to other people. And those people would start talking to him, and they would follow him. Watching him. Aesop shook in disgust, he never liked the idea. Not to mention the groups of them wanting to crowd him with their siren-like voices. No, no. He must stop these thoughts or else they would come true.

Now, even though Aesop hates people, there are people Aesop actually likes. Well, when they’re alone that is. But if there was one other person in the room, Aesop is content being in the background. For example, Joseph who saw the world and its people the same way he did. The preservation and breathing of life in the dead was a start of a blooming friendship. The Gravekeeper, Andrew Kriss, was another. They had a good business partnership, Aesop was looking forward to seeing the crisp body-filled coffin being buried. Well, it did happen but not really. They both had an argument about the burial. Even after all these months, Joseph still hadn’t forgiven him.

There was just one person in this manor that Aesop often finds himself drawing near to. That person was Lucky, that one unknown variable everyone knows and doesn’t. How interesting. Those innocent-looking eyes shine brighter than Emma the Gardener, more life than her in this so-called horrid manor. Those eyes were so aloof, which Aesop fell thinking the glisten of light were clouds. They were so green that Aesop thought they were life itself. Green as the leaves and stems of his beloved yellow roses. That bright and soft smile Lucky always wears reminds Aesop of his mother. Beaming and loving she was. Oh, how Aesop is melting thinking of it.

Honestly, Aesop suggests to himself that Lucky was much a mystery that no one needed to know but himself. Aesop knows he can keep a secret, just like how he did with Jerry’s own.

Out of his thought bubble, Aesop went to the local flower patch filled to the brim of yellow roses. He was glad that Lucky spoke to Emma about his love of yellow roses, talking about how it relates to Aesop’s childhood. Which isn’t wrong, but Aesop didn’t object. Often He finds himself being subtle when he does object. Maybe this comes from his dislike of people, just maybe. But with Lucky, Aesop felt calmed when he talked. Lucky explains in a sort of vagueness because Lucky himself doesn’t know Aesop as well as Aesop does. Aesop is thankful that Lucky doesn’t push himself to know Aesop, rather he waits for Aesop to open up. As Luck often said “I-i’d rather you talk when you’re comfortable. You don’t look at ease with others.” So sympathetic.

With a careful touch, Aesop was able to gather a handful of the golden blossoms. He needs lots of them for the next coffin. For the next game or the next person like that little girl, who had given him his letter. Who knows? Well, Aesop did but he wasn’t willingly going to state it. As he thinks of placements and beauty marks, Aesop was absorbed into his thoughts.

A voice calls out to him in a feathering tone, “Aesop?”
Aesop nearly jumped, flinching from the sudden noise. He quickly turns his grey-haired hair, only to see the familiar forest eyes.

“Ah, Lucky.”

Lucky peaks up with his shoulders at his attention. Relaxing his body after a moment, before kneeling with Aesop. Looking at the batch of blooms, Lucky spoke, “What are you doing?”

“I’m preparing for another coffin.” Aesop responded, stating the obvious in a blatant tone. Aesop often wonders if his tone was a cause of this. Lucky doesn’t seem to mind, Lucky knows that Aesop doesn’t mean his jab condescending way. The others think otherwise.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Who is it for?” Lucky choose to say next. Normally, Lucky would talk about how the day is or the games. But it seems that Lucky wants to try a new topic, they both haven’t tried.

“Someone special.” Aesop replies, hesitantly. He wants to keep this for someone a secret. Aesop plans to reveal all to Lucky at a later date. As Aesop gathers more flowers, Lucky talks about something. Aesop couldn’t find himself paying attention to what Lucky was saying. It was so calming and soothing, much more comforting than Ada’s skills. He swears Aesop could fall asleep much easier with Lucky on the much -er– bad days. On occasions, Aesop would nod his head or state his opinion in smaller sentences.

He folds the stems one by one. As the minutes, or an hour, pass, sooner or later Aesop has a tiny wreath of flowers. Mini enough to be a crown. Without a second thought, Aesop turns to Lucky and places the crown on Lucky’s head. Carefully, he did, of course. The thorns are sharp enough to give anyone papercuts.

“Ah!” exclaims Lucky, his eyes widened with shock from the sudden movements. Jumbling whatever sentence topic Lucky was talking about. Liar, Aesop, the topic was about Jack and Edgar’s artist propositions.

“Oh,” Aesop was taken aback by the sudden action. Thinking of the worst, Aesop’s own heart was breaking into chunks then into pieces like diamonds. “Y-you don’t l-ike them? I can take the-”

“Oh, no! It’s not that!” Lucky shouts, stopping Aesop’s hands from removing the garland. “I-i was just surprised, that’s all. I have never seen you do it before.”

“Oh,” Aesop loosened, his breathing became normal. His heart beats slower at the claim. Ok, good. Aesop would feel embarrassed if he just outright panics in front of Lucky. Lucky would have just pity for him! Not his truth!“Maybe I can show you one day”

The other nods in response. Lucky’s pointer finger covers his lips, in a cute and innocent way. Ah, he was thinking. Aesop made a small noise, it was too adorable for him. Lucky was silent for a few minutes, before saying, “What about lavenders or bellflowers?”

“What?”

“You know something that matches with your yellow roses,” “Something to spice things up a bit! I heard from Edgar that purple compliments yellow!”

“Do you suggest that the coffin should be filled with anything other than yellow roses?” Aesop asks in confusion.

“Maybe,” Lucky laughs, sounding like bells and raindrops. Hair locks fell from his frame as Lucky tilted his head. “It’s ok to try something new, maybe it could benefit you. Maybe helping you for that someone?”

Aesop thought for a moment.

But seeing Lucky with that crown of roses. Yellow, golden and bright as the sun itself. The rays of the sun hit Lucky’s chocolate hair as a halo. Aesop had no words, he always does when he’s with Lucky. Aesop always uses yellow roses because roses were the symbol of love, as yellow was the symbol of current life and being bright. Happiness was one of them.

WIthout a thought, Aesop reaches his gloved hand as he pushes some of the brown locks away. Away from blocking those dazzling and shimmering green eyes. Aesop ended up placing another yellow rose, pinning it to the once fallen locks. That same hand cups the other’s cheeks, in a loving manner that his mother used to do. Lucky’s peach cheeks turn even more pinker, maybe pinker than his embalming lipstick. How cute.

Aesop locks his other hand to one of Lucky’s. Slowly but surely, Lucky’s smooth fingers interlock with Aesop’s. Aesop feels the warmth from Lucky, even if his gloves are shielding him from human skin. It was a cozy and mellow feeling from his own freezing hands.

People come and people go, Aesop understood that. However, Aesop guesses that he can cherish this moment. Maybe even longer than his relations with Jerry. Aesop hums, delightly than he suspects.

“I think yellow very much suits you, Lucky.”

Chapter Text

Today has to be one of the worst matches and bad days Naib ever had.

It started the day, vivid and early, with the everwaking night terrors of his. His friends, his brothers. Their dying pain and screeches of agony, and shooting pounds of bullets would always haunt Naib. Those ghosting gray eyes looking at him, looking at him in disappointment. Staring at him, staring in restment and despondent. Naib didn’t go back to sleep, no matter how soft his pillows were. It was only 3 am in the morning.

After hearing the breakfast alarm from down the speakers, Naib groggily got up from the comforts of his bed. His current haven. His uneven footsteps echo through the endless hallways and down the stairs, Naib only needed the railings to support him. He grumbles in annoyance as a burning headache arises, his dominant hand grasping his forehead. Naib could only shake his head and pray that it would just disappear. As he enters the dining room, Naib ignores everyone and anyone in his way and sits in his usual seat. He only wishes for the day to be over as soon as possible.

Naib would stab his food, but the food would turn into something fair, hard, and fleshy. Soon, the seasoning would turn into the mellow green military uniform. There would be no head, as far as Naib remembers, but there would be a mouth. Somewhat good for Naib, a chance to not see the dead eyes. However, the mouth would try to speak. Moving every so slightly with its charred and scarred lips. Voices would only grow higher and higher like rising waters. The chatter became so unbearable, they were becoming something melting and distorted.

Naib starts to feel sweat and a bit of heat on his back. With the metal fork in his hand, he gave the uneaten food a tiny poke with much reluctance.

“It was your fault,” A face merges from the raw egg and meat, a face too familiar to Naib. As their eyes look straight at him with failing color, it continues to speak, “It was your fault that you abandoned us.”

No, no. Naib gasps, with a gulp of air. His indigo eyes enlarge with fear and regret.

“Abandon us to die.”

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO-!

“Hey, Naib-”

A murmur of a chair being pushed back was heard as Naib got up. He went away from the dining hall as fast as he could, ignoring the leeching hands.

It wasn’t like the matches were any better. It just made his day dreadful as it already is. The past matches he faced were either draws or losses. To make it more insulting, both the draws and losses ended up a failed rescue or him being the first one to get chaired. Not to mention, half the hunters he faced were having bad days. Talk about luck! It’s like this whole manor decided to torment him.

Currently, he was in another match with Luca, Fiona, and Lucky against fucking Jack the Ripper. He spawned near a cipher in the beginning of the match, Naib flinched at the sight of it. Since it was the start of the match, no one was nowhere near any ciphers Naib remembers. He hates the clicking and clunking sounds from the damn machine every time he touches anything. The clatter of ticks, the noise of it popping, oh the memory hurts so much. Naib would always end up suffering with all the failures, Naib took a break before continuing on. He breathes deeply, his vision blurs his surroundings. He only could focus on his twitching fingers and hands. He thank fuck that the hunter wasn’t close or coming at him. Fiona was the first one to get down and chaired, and of course, Naib put into the mini radio that he was coming into the rescue. He made a decent rescue, though he got hit in the process. He was glad that Luca was near enough to stun the hunter. However, that moment of achievement was soon shot down like the gunfire Naib heard and seen falling down. Jack somehow manages to snipe him from across the map, it was even worse that Naib was vaulting a window. As Jack carries him to the nearest, Naib struggles and curses. At least, he could delay the ineffable so the ciphers can be decoded quicker. Luca tried to rescue him, but Jack scared him off by hitting him with his shitty fog. Man, did Naib hated this day so fucking much!

The crackers of voices was heard through his radio hearing about the decoding process, he responds to the others to focus on nothing but decoding. His fake and beating heart continues to beat, repeating and pounding hard. He couldn’t even breathe properly, cold and hard sweat drops down his face. There must’ve been another voice from the radio, but he didn’t pay attention. He couldn’t. The stress and the memories pained him and marked him, screaming at him in the piles of dead comrades.

“Stay put! I’m coming!”

Naib snaps out of his daze as he breathes out. Suddenly, he sees Lucky in front of him with Jack coming right behind him. Naib doesn’t want another excruciating draw.

“Run, Lucky! Get out of here! I’m not worth it right now!” He screams as hard as he can. Naib believes that his fingernails left a trail in the wood arms. As Jack raises his claw hand, Lucky rushes towards him with speed. Once the brunette was close to the rocket chair, Jack slashes Lucky’s back from afar. Naib held his breathing pulse, as he saw the pain expression that Lucky held. Even with that boring appearance, Naib could still see another brother’s face. Merging near to the other’s face. Naib shakes his head, brawls hard from this mental horror.

Lucky used a perfume. Naib didn’t even see him holding the item. Briefly, Naib sat in shock as Lucky released him from the chair prison. As Naib runs to the other direction where the continuing commutations are, he hears a shot, a bang if you will. From the corner of his eye, he spots Lucky stunning Jack with the flare gun. Did he always have it?

“Come now!” Lucky somehow got the upper hand in running than Naib himself, pushing Naib forward into the nearest pallets. The distance between himself and Lucky was uncomfortable and worrying. “Follow ahead!”

As Naib went near the confines of walls and turned to Lucky, Naib reached his dominant hand toward Lucky. Lucky reaches his other hand to him. Reaching, aspiring with hope, Lucky’s rural verdant eyes were becoming more like the midnight sky with stars. It was until Jack slashes with his hone claws. Lucky gasps of air at the sudden pain, Naib’s eyes start to glisten with the knowledge of such failure.

Then, an echoing and resounding blare roared throughout the area. The alarm made Lucky back into full health, which made Naib feel relieved. “Come on! This way!”

Naib was inclined to believe.

Naib went down the halls back to the manor, wandering down to look for any rooms that were empty. He wants to be alone, the many sounds and clatter makes him feel like Aesop. Everything was too much for Naib. Even though the match he played earlier did make Naib feel better, it doesn’t mean that Naib himself felt better. Plus it was painful and frustrating to hear that this match was the last one of the day. This fucking manor. This fucking manor want to torture him until he fucking made it against the odds. His hands became hard earned and compact fists.

He bumps into something solid, he meets the eyes of glaucous emerald and the chestnut coco-colored curls. It was Lucky. His muddy cyan eyes slacken in such calmness than before. Lucky suddenly grabs one of his hands with both of hands. Covering his fist with his own fingers, making it like a tiny hut.

“Follow me,” Lucky simply states. Curious, Naib nods and lets Lucky drag him. Lucky’s soft, well softer than Naib’s, fingers wiggle its way to embrace Naib’s own. It felt like a hug, warm and tight. And comforting. Naib found himself able to breathe properly.

Sooner or later, Naib found himself that Lucky hauls him to the gardens of the manor. It felt like awakening from a fairytale dream that Naib wishes for. With a side glance, Naib found out that one of Lucky’s pockets contained 5 or 4 flowers. He wonders what Lucky could do with those flowers. Who would he give them to? Petunias, mollises, and bluebells ring and sway like bells to Naib. Jasmines and Caduceus surround the both of them, complimenting them. Lucky drops down to the ground and sits. He looks towards Naib, reaching deep in his pocket to grab the flowers that Naib saw earlier. Beckoning Naib, Lucky pats the grass next to him. Naib sat down next to Lucky without fail.

Lucky begins to hum a tune that Naib doesn't know of, well Naib doesn’t even know of most songs and music. Lucky twirls and twists the couple of flowers, folding its stems into braids. Naib look above their heads the beauty of the garden, lavender tips and crisp violet petals tower them. The star-compass petals of yellow pigment clashes and matches randomly with the grouping pansy and lavender. It was quiet and tranquil, with the occasion of movements of butterflies that Naib didn’t know the names of. Maybe Melly would know. Naib came into a sense of awareness. There was no one here, from Naib’s super hearing, not even Emma who's basically became the manor’s own gardener. It was just him and Lucky. Alone. His hooded head turns to Lucky.

“Why though?”

“I wanted to make sure you’re ok” Lucky said with such earnestness and care that a tough guy like Naib would cry over. “We’re trapped here for all we know, it’s better to help each other out.”

“I-” Naib tried to voice, voice out to Lucky that he shouldn’t worry about some loser who couldn’t fucking do his job correctly.

But Lucky was faster, “We’re teammates after all.”

Naib never realized how vibrant Lucky’s eyes were, it was like Lucky never lost hope in this forsaken manor. Naib kinda felt glad about it, he felt so loose in his tense shoulders. Taking in shallow breaths, Naib simply asked Lucky, “What was the melody you were playing earlier?”

“Oh!” Lucky exclaims, his hand retracts back to the mini bouquet. His eyes start to shine even brighter than before, Naib feels like he should’ve worn some kind of blockage. He was legit seeing the sun. “ Well, I just remember this only now!”

It was common knowledge to everyone that Lucky had amnesia, and the thing that causes his loss of memory was still unknown even to Lucky himself. It was to the point that Lucky doesn’t know about his own past, his childhood, his parents, his friends. Naib felt bad for him, Naib couldn’t even imagine himself forgetting his own brothers in arms and mother. He remembers Lucky’s conversation with friends, even Lucky talked about his friends before anyone else showed up. He didn’t remember their names. Naib had a long time feeling that it was the manor to cause Lucky this pain. Naib felt his blood boil, and honestly, yeah he himself wanted to explode hard on the owner of the manor.

“Really?” Naib blinks for a few moments. It was an honest surprise to hear of some revelation on Lucky’s memory. Maybe it was a bit of closure for anyone on this mysterious man.

“Yup!” Lucky said, nodding with his brown locks bouncing in rhythm. His forest eyes glistened, like the sunlight was peeping through the leaves in the dense area. It was like many areas Naib ventured to in his early days. Though it was soon changes into what Naib dreads, they were widen like anyone feeling pain getting terror shock. Lucky draws back, “Er-Sorry, I’m not good at it or-”

“It’s fine.” Naib interrupts Lucky, a remark when Lucky interrupted him earlier Naib supposes. Naib simply shook his head, and said “Thank you, Lucky.”

Lucky merely beams with his eyes closed at him. That smile. That smile was one of the brightest smiles Naib ever saw, the only expectation being from his mother. But he barely ever sees his mom. Naib huffs in amusement, bringing in a small grin on his face. While Naib lowers his head, grabbing his hood to shield his eyes, Naib leans his head towards Lucky’s shoulders.

For once, Naib relaxes his tense muscles and breaths in the fresh air. His muted cerulean eyes, Naib feels like, were shining at the other man. Lucky’s soothing and blissful state was pleasing as the many environments Naib witnessed when he was off to war. As his eyes begin to venture into the darkness , he hears Lucky begin to sing.

Chapter Text

The Tome of Prophecies will reveal itself in the Count’s abode. It struck down like a fallen star. It’s actually what Lady Electric wanted, needed even. She needs to know what happens, what happens into the new future. The foreboding future of her life as a witch and for all witches. She cares about Helen, no matter how hard she is with her.

Lady Electric gazes over the party’s dancers, who were twirling all over the floor. Swishing around their frills and ends round with sharp turns. From the tip of her hat, she could see Moonblessed dancing, showing off her skills with ease. The audience were in awe and swept off their feet by her. What a show off, as Electric shook her head.

Electric’s nose twitches by the ever growing, annoying perfume smell. The room was full of soulmates. Soulmates. The word sends shivers up her spine thinking about it. For witches like Lady Electric, they have the ability to see the auras of soul marks. The smell of soulmates was just another addition, but not heavy. It could go over any amateur witch’s head, but Lady Electric is not any amateur normal witch. It looks like everyone brought their soulmate to the ball. If there was anyone without a soulmate, Electric would’ve guessed it’s from Helen and that Quinlan fellow. It’s not that they ever found their own soulmate, Electric could see the mark in the back of the hand glow softly. No, they must’ve left them in the night. Electric had seen Helen’s soulmate before, even when they were both in denial.

The dark-haired merely huffs at the sight, the sight was full of laughter and couples feeding and dancing. Enjoying themselves. She crosses her hands, her pumpkin basket slides down to her elbow.

“Oh, my. Do you not have a soulmate, Lady Electric?” A voice, who Electric turns to, belongs to the Crimson Sword in all his red and black grace. Oh, that fellow.

The feather hat woman tsk at the thought, “No. No, I do. I just chose not to bring them.” Her left hand made its way to her center heart, taking in offense at the Sword’s words. Her voice drips in mock.

“You do realize that vampires can sense soulmates as well as witches,” that bastard states so blatantly.

She merely coughs from something in her throat. Nothing more, nothing less.

“You’re jealous?” Crimson Sword teases, having the audacity to poke his pale ass,never mind sharp, finger at her cheek. His grey blue shines in amusement as his rubies glisten brightly than before. By Blood Moon, she needs a drink.

“The love in the air is ruining the night for me,” Lady Electric states, giving a look -not a somber one - at the crowd. “Soulmates and marks makes it all too sensitive” That sentence was only reserved for her and only her.

With one wave from her red feathered sleeves, Lady Electric picks up the offered glass of red wine and drowns it. The scarlet vampire joins in with her, though she can’t tell if the red liquid was the wine or blood from the nearby village. The bellowing and echoing orchestra penetrates the whole ballroom, the sharp ends of the strings and the blows by the flutes guide the dancers and sway the people. It fills the awkward silence between her and the Sword. The dark teal-eyed lady wishes Helen or anybody would come up to her, to-

“My soulmate died,” Said the Sword, lifting up the carmine liquor to his pale lips. OK, maybe she was glad that no one was here with her on this night. This man-! Lady Electric nearly coughed up her drink and that wine was coming out like a drowning man swimming for air.

“What?!” She exclaims, her black and curled locks swishing and bounces at the sudden movement as her gleaming jewelry clang against her pale purple skin. It was so unexpected from him. This wrench!

“To be fair, you’ve been eyeing these matches on these nights.” declares the white haired vampire. His glass-like eyes studied through the rounds of people, and he still kept his gaze even when talking to her. “The way you stare is very notable.”

“How notable?” She inquires to him, tilting her big feathered hat sideways. Even though the knowledge of Crimson Sword knowing her lack of soulmate irritates her, she can’t help but wonder.

“I can sense. I can feel your longing.” Crimson Sword’s eyes were held the red sea of the glass, his face contorts itself into a look of something soft. In which, Lady Electric has an idea of but she puts it aside. For a moment, he released a small smile that only she could see. “I suppose I can put our differences aside for the Tomb later.”

Her brows furrow, she looks at this man as if he was crazy, in which he was. “What do you mean? We both know that we want the Tomb of Prophecies. Why only now?”

“It honestly reminds me of when I met my soulmate for the first time. It was in a golden room, bright and shining-”

“I’m not here to sit and hear your story, Sword.”

“How rude.”

“You’re the one that brought it up,” she sasses back. The crowned vampire opens a chuckle to her, shaking his head as colorless locks twirl with him.

“Remember when I said about my soulmate dying?”

“You said that like a few minutes ago,” The witch told the vampire, grabbing another drink from her basket. She always keeps extra for when she wants to be alone or there’s no servants near her. It’s truly both.

“Hush.” The red-clothed man shushes her before continuing on. “I’ll be blunt for tonight, that it wasn’t the first time my soulmate has died.”

That statement took her by surprise. The only question that ran through her was how this man is so calm about it.

“And it won't be the last.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think you know,” He merely looks at her with content. “As you know, I’m an immortal as my soulmate is a mortal. I overestimated my time with them, and paid a price for it.”

Lady Electric knew that the price was death, it was too obvious and painful to know. Losing a soulmate hurts much harder than any stake in the heart. Lady Electric witnessed that first hand herself by friends.

“Of course, I went into a spiral of such darkness as any one would,” Sword continues without stopping. “It wasn’t until a few years later after their death. I saw my soulmate again.”

That sentence alone startles her, making her gasp. Was it even possible?

“My soulmate was in a different body, and they had a new mind. They have changed, they still remember me in some way. Though it did hurt me about them dying, I know they prefer to keep me on edge. I still remember their words to me in one of their iterations.”

Her teal eyes were going in and out of this revelation, she quickly snapped back to reality. “Why did it have to do with me? You’re not making this about you, right?”

“Not at all, Lady Electric,” He waves around his lava vein hand in the air, as he look at her. “I’m merely giving you some background info.”

“I see.”

“I couldn’t have known that my soulmate would be or their location multiple times. All the places I’ve been are where my soulmate is afterall.”

“Then, who helped you?”

“The person who had the same mark as you, Lady Electric.”

That almost made her drop her glass, but she had to pay attention to this new possibility.

“Excuse me, Crimson Sword?”

He laughs, “I can tell that shock you.”

“Yeah, no shit.”

“Language,” He chastised her, flicking her forehead with his free hand. She fought back with a small yet impactful smack. “Yes, your soulmate had no dignity in hiding his mark as you do.”

“Wow, such words Crimson Sword,” Lady Electric could only put at him. She was about to make a remark before opting for a question. “Do you know what my soulmate looks like? Since you saw them, can you give this poor and sad girl some hope?”

“As if, you Wicked Witch!” Sword’s face distorts his serine aura, barking out laughing crazy. “Though, you should be pleased to know that I invited them near this ball tonight.”

“Oh, really?” She perks up at that thought. “Where would they be?”

The vampire only grinned ear to ear to her and said, “Check the garden.”

She didn’t need to be told twice
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

It wasn’t that hard to get to the murky yet lively garden. Her deep sea ultramarine outfit would’ve blended in with a grand and alluring garden, if not the red accents that were vibrant to set apart from glorious flowers. The buds of the close ivy, the tangling and dangling charm of rosemary, and dawn kissed yellow roses were smoldered by the ever present fireflies. Said fireflies flutter like midnight butterflies and shimmer like guiding lamp posts that Lady Electric would see in human villages. The bunches and clutters of hydrangeas and lavenders whistle in the wind, their blueberries and plum colored petals pale under moonlight. In the wind, notes and music were held and danced faintly. She wonders how loud the musicians play for her to hear, Lady Electric bets the nearest village could hear the ball by now. The bright pink peonies were the last flower that Lady Electric could name. She made her black pointed heels a sharp turn. She remembers before the ball turned to night she saw an upscale and lavish fountain with marble statues. It was in the center of the garden. Then, she saw them. Her soulmate.

There was a person with an outfit that matches and opposite of her, blue, red and white. He wore a very long blouse with the matching of long sleeves. They could’ve been mistaken for a dress, well for most people, Lady Electric could see it as those peasants’ shirts. If her dark teal eyes would be even more sharp, she would be sure that her soulmate’s blouse was decorated by a floral design. His pale blue in his pants would turn polluted by the night black that matches his shoes. Rouge specks outline themselves in patterns of unity around the neck and some small floral design. The silver sapphire locks reel over the breeze from the cool temperature, as vermillion flowers grab his cerulean hair as thorns from that one statue she saw when wandering one human town. Her soulmate has glasses that are thick and dark as the moonless night. His skin was deathly pale, it would’ve put the morning sky to shame.

There was one thing that Lady Electric noticed about her newfound soulmate. It was that he was floating.

“Oh,” his eyes were brighter and livelier than any herb she ever collected. The silver bluenette tilts in such adorable behavior and waves at her with his dominant hand. “Hello, there.”

“What’s your identity? The ball doesn’t allow me to know your name.” She asks, not forgetting about her own greetings. She was too raptured by the unnatural being. But then again, she was unnatural too.

“I see. Well you can call me Ghost.” Ghost replies, as he starts to float near her. Now that he was closer, Lady Electric could see that in his left hand had her soulmark. It was him. Pure joy was bubbling up in her throat, she bits her lips. She needs to keep her cool for a bit.

“How befitting.” Her soulmate was a ghost. “Well, Ghost. I’m thy Lady Electric.”

“Very nice to meet you, Lady Electric.” He spoke in a tone that made her think of clouds. Her left hand shook in delight, she could feel cheeks getting hot.

“There’s a dance going on tonight. In the ball, of course”

“So, I heard.”

“Would you like to dance, Ghost?” She offers her hand, fingers stretched far apart from each other. Her basket was placed near the water's edges of the fountain.

His ruby marked hand leans in closer to hers, He said “Ok, but I’m not really good at it.” His brows furrowed in confusion like state. Their fingers intertwined in a gladening embrace like a hug.

“That’s okay.” Lady Electric said to him, as comforting as a fireplace in the winter season. Her other hand made its way under Ghost’s arm, squeezing a bit tight. She grins at him, “I’m here to guide you.”

Ghost did the same to what she did to him, but this time, over her. With their hands together going straight, the two supernaturals head that way. Her point shoes jump at each beat of bass, Ghost did end up having some left foot pace but the phantom manages to keep up with her. With the square hedges much closer, Lady Electric took the lead and drove them both to the left. Ghost’s dress shoes slide with hers as the tips of his feet support his body like MoonBlessed’s dancing figure. With the immediate change in music, they both jump to the beat of the bass. At the final note, Ghost lifts one of their legs up. And with a turn, the Wicked Witch turns her legs in a twirl. Her upper body never stops facing Ghost. As the strings lost control in a spiral, the duo both let go of each others’ hold. Lady Electric had no need to worry about the departure, as the music tempo shaped them back together. Honestly, it felt nice and pleasant to feel the warmth of the undead’s hand. The witch would lead them into twirls and whirls like the falling leaves in the autumn season. When the music keys into a straight and endless row, the supernaturals frolic and pirouettes through the garden area. Jumping and speed walking in tune with the chords. They both dance side by side until the music in masquerade would finally finish its last bow.

“That was fun!” Lady Electric said as she plotted down to the ledge of the fountain. Though the music in the ball echoed throughout the area, she could mostly hear the rushing waters of the fountain. The white clothed ghost sat next to her right after.

“Says you!” Ghost screams at her, both of his palms resting on his knees. Ghost took in deep breaths of air, which makes Lady Electric ever wonder how can the undead have any need to breathe? His vibrant green eyes contort in exasperation, she couldn’t help but look in such amusement. “I could barely keep up with all your! Your! Your feet!”

“Feet?”

“Oh, you know what I mean!” His fists hit her shoulders, they felt like mini pillows to her. She doubts Ghost meant it seriously though. Her chest went up and down as she cackled in delilight. Ghost pouts at her in such a way as watching a puppy begging for more food, but in the end he would join in with her in fits of laughter.

The whole segment of time they had both spent together was bound to be bundles of joy. They joking about their dance outing and other things, and later they talk about their lives. She even laid down some of her secrets that she wouldn’t have told anyone, not even to her own apprentice Helen knew. The feather-hat witch was so comfortable talking to Ghost, Ghost felt like more than anyone. He felt more like her mother when she was young. Someone who won’t judge her own choices, and Ghost was that one person. The colorless blue haired would nod and acknowledge her words and assertions with ease. They play charades on either their real names, their jobs, or even where they spent their childhoods at. In the end, they were both in fits of giggles and chuckles.

“Ghost, I’m very happy to meet you.” A small smile blossomed over her face. Her fellow witches were right, soulmates felt like a high, a high better than potions can offer. It was a statement that was true.

“I am too!” Ghost exclaims, bringing in his own smile. His happy nature was so infectious, it made her giggle. Ghost joins in with her, after the fit, he tells her.“I have something to tell you, Electric.”

“What is it?”

“I’m getting married soon.” he stutters, the Wicked Witch knew that she wouldn’t like that nervousness. It felt like he was scared of her, it hurt her more than fire. She wants that happy tone. But the teal-eyed witch went back to the real world for her soulmate’s words to sink in.

“Oh,” She merely said, she hadn’t paid any attention to what Ghost said. It was his unhappy tone that took her away, Lady Electric knew that she needed to find a way to make the undead grin again. But now his words descended into her mind, she wasn’t disheartened at his statement at all. Her free hand collapses onto her mageta cheek, her voice becomes light-hearted at him. “How wonderful! Is it another ghost like yourself?”

“Aren’t you angry? I basically found love that isn’t my soulmate!”

“No, not really” Unlike the other nights, Lady Electric was very honest. Well, only to Ghost and Helen. All she could think of was that her soulmate was happy, even though she wasn’t present. She remembers that soulmates do fight in not so uplifting terms, she claps for her dear Ghost that he had the courage to talk to her about it. “The time I spent with you was the most joyous I’ve ever been. But I don’t ever think of kissing like the rest of my witch friends do. I want you to be close by my side, as I do for you. I never thought throughout the night as my lover. I could only think that you were one of the greatest friends I’ve ever witnessed.”

“That's cheesy.”

“Only for you.” That statement is very true. So, so true. Her tiny smile transforms into a vast one that reaches her cheeks.

“It’s nice to hear that you won’t mind me getting married.” His voice regained that sunny day tone as his forest eyes turned into moon crescents. “But I’ll still ask for your hand in marriage.”

“Why though?”

“I told my lover that I don’t want my soulmate to be lonely.”

“How sweet of you.” She loves that Ghost still ventures out to find her about it. He was sweeter than any chocolate candy.

“Either be heartbroken about the love between us. I want the people I love together for the rest of our lives. My lover spoke about queer marriage that got me the idea.”

“What was it about?”

“It was a marriage between soulmates that are friends, but they wanted to stay as friends. They thought marriage was a way to make a step forward in their friendship. They literally hug then kiss at the wedding.”

She coos at the cuteness that Ghost explains to her.

“They also commit tax fraud.”

The black-haired witch snicker harder than any mishaps that her apprentice would ever do. She made her now sunglow ocean eyes stare at the ghostly mint eyes. Their hands were still interlock from the dancing, it felt unreal to her to touch someone that is dead. Which makes Ghost more ethereal. Her red rose lips curve into a smile, “Of course, I’d love to commit tax fraud with you Ghost.”

She then grabs his round and chubby cheeks with both her pale hands, his baby fat barley ever changing! She’s jealous of how young he looks!

“E-Electric!” Ghost squeals, fireflies bloom radiantly as floating stars. The air was filled with airy tones and glee than any fairy rings or circles can ever achieve. Glasses of beer and alcohol clack and chim together as the two newly friends began to drink and cheer on the young night.

Chapter Text

Two pairs of footsteps echo quietly through the main foyer and its three way hallways. One was rushing towards the grand door, as the other was following after albeit much slower.

“Come on, Orphy!” Memory yells out to the older man, clutching her doll. She huffs at him as she stops entry. She pushes forward at the imperious door, putting in with her whole body. Sadly to Memory’s dismay, the door doesn’t budge. The blonde little girl whines, “We’re going to be late!”

Orpheus smiles softly looking at his daughter, his steps down the stairs were calmer than hers. His recessive arm held a woven fiber basket, carrying its weight so strong even if Orpheus’ own body is so slim. When he got to the bottom of the stairs, his footsteps picked up the pace leaving the combed brunette a few yards away from the young blonde. He laughs at her attempts, reminiscing on the times before the manor, the times when Memory was merely 2 years.

“Ok, ok. I’m coming, I’m coming, Memory.”

Grabbing the mini door knob, he pushes entry forward with his dominant hand. Memory almost nearly stumbled upon the sudden intrusion. Orpheus uses his free hand to prevent the girl from falling down to the ground. After the novelist helps and lets Memory go, the blonde turns her head at him and pouts. She settles down her favorite doll next to her legs to support the doll. Memory took a deep breath in, showing Orpheus her display of how calm she can be like him, before pounding her fists into her father’s chest and stomach.

Orpheus starts to giggle madly as he holds onto the wooden basket even higher than before, so the food they prepare doesn’t get too destroyed. Memory’s fists felt like being attacked by a bunch of pillows. And Orpheus understood it when Lucky introduced pillow fights to Memory first hand. Not that he minded, but he did end up being ganged up by the duo. The Duo Hunters Factions was one such example of being cornered.

“Alright, alright,” Orpheus stated, with each word causing him to slightly flinch. Giving his Bugaloo a sense of playful power, as he guides her to the outdoors. As they headed out in the wooded area, they went up into the clearing that was golden, so golden that one can’t be too sure if they actually escaped the manor. Honestly, most of the days in the manor were just so gloomy to the point it looked like storms and clouds fog the whole world. The pair walked until there was clearing up ahead. As they reached into the clearing, they both saw a figure not too far from them. The figure was unfolding a checkered blanket, spreading out its design clear as day. His misty colors on his clothes made a difference in such a colorful view.

“Lucky!” Memory screams, rushing forward to the figure.

“Memory! Love!” The Lucky Guy shouts out as he sets it upon the ground. Quickly going onto his knees, he was nearly tackled to the ground by Memory. His sleeved arms and hands wrap lightly around the girl, stroking the several locks of strawberry blonde. He laughs lightly at her actions. Orpheus smiles at the sight, tilting his head as his mind thinking about that if they ever escape the manor Orpheus would always come home and always see sights like these. What a pleasant thought.

“Hello to you too, dearest.” he said as leans his face towards his lover’s face, leaving a tender kiss. Making the love from the kiss tickling Lucky, who left out a giggle.

As Orpheus places down the wooden basket at the corner of the blanket, he opens it and releases all the goodies and remains. The little girl lets go of her other parental figure and lets herself near Orpheus, grabbing all what the monologue man offers to her. Lucky joins in, plants all the plates in a gilding manner. With the last of the plates settled down like a bunch of chicken eggs, Orpheus grabs and unopened containers of delicious food that still look like they were made just a few minutes ago. Thank goodness none other survivors ever took and ate the food, Orpheus would find them and terror shock them faster than any hunter could do. One plate was platter on with cheese and crackers, styled like reverse scales of a mermaid. Another was if a fruit salad was cleaned and designed to be flowers served to lords and ladies above mortals and dressed like Ancient Greeks. One dish contains sandwiches the two sweethearts would have when either got hungry before the manor. And also, do not use too many ingredients. The final platter held a pyramid of small desserts, so tiny you can eat in one bite. Anyway, you get the point. The food was like eating at some high class brunch that the two adults had the luxury to afford. Even the Batter couldn’t pass an opportunity like this!

“Guess what I brought,” Lucky said, revealing what was inside the white box.

“Oh, a cake!” Memory claps her pale hands together in rapid fire. The cake was so small that it could’ve been eaten in one sitting. The mercenary would’ve eaten 3 of these and still want more. Its thin base was colored in pastel blue, so pale as bluebells. White frosted daisies in all shapes and sizes disperse into random patterns, and they were thick too, as thick as 5 centimeters. Small specks were haphazardly styled to be like raindrops. It was a pretty cake that Orpheus likes to admit, very simple yet elegant.

“Lucky, did you make this by yourself?” The novelist asks his lover, who places the cake upon its box. He wonders if Lucky ever bakes for a past time, he should take note of it.

“I had some help,” Lucky said, cutting a slice for Memory and making other slices if anyone wanted to pick one up. “But I did the decorating. It was something I remembered when it was in the oven, I think I saw a picture of it before.”

As they dig into their food, they talk about their day. Either their matches they had a few hours earlier, or complaints about some of their teammates or the hunter. Some matches they had were fun and lighthearted with encounters with friendly hunters or exceptionally outstanding teamwork. Others end up with teammates having beef with each other like the many, many, many fights between the Thief and the Lawyer. Or the Hunter was having a bad day or woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

“Then, I was in a match against Mr. Joseph and we were in the Red Church. He told us that he was going to be a friendly one this match. He was wearing a black suit too,” The child chatters on, stuffing her face with cookies and cream fluff. Lucky grabs his handkerchief to wipe away the crumbs and muck on the blonde’s face. “We were in the back area. He told us if this place was any brighter he would marry someone here. I told him that he was too old for that.”

“Oh, my.” The writer spoke, as his mind marveled at such an announcement. The oak-eyed father felt bad for the poor Photographer for being called old and grandpa. Granted, from what Lucky told him, the 18th century is very old to Orpheus no matter that Joseph died. Never mind that the Axe Boy said the exact same thing before he and memory came along, and Robbie was that same age as Memory! He recalls Lucky explaining to him at one point that there was a time that both factions bullied Joseph by calling him Grandfather and old as time. Even the Feaster joined, and Hastur was like a billion years old!

“He got really mad,” Memory pulls a face, clutching her snitched doll tightly as she crunches on some crackers. “But isn’t that true though? He has white hair.”

“Memory, honey, no.” Lucky’s eyes space out in a dull manner after Memory’s statement. He starts to lightly scold her for her words to Joseph as he pinches the blonde’s cheeks. Ah, Lucky ever so kind. Memory whines at the slight pain.

The many plates were then eaten away, bit by bit, leaving only crumbs and stains and leftovers. In the end, the family of three were so full that they could barely move. Orpheus fell and lay down on the blanketed ground as Lucky put the leftovers into a container, which Orpheus questions to himself on how Lucky got a clean container. Memory starts to help Lucky by handing him as many plates she can towards him. As Lucky thanked the girl and organized the placements in the basket, the girl laid down to her father. The novelist slowly brought her to his chest, as the girl looked up to the cloud-plague sky. Lucky would later join them, resting on the other side of Memory. The two lovers would stare into each other’s shining eyes, so full of life so forgetful of all the horrors of the manor, and smile so brilliantly as the sun rays hitting the dark and light locks like light under the ocean. Baby laughs were exchanges with each other’s loving glance.

“I want to play something.” Memory whines as she sits up from her place. Lucky told her that it wasn’t a good idea to move around after eating a meal at one time. The male told her to take a rest and sit down for a bit, or play a game that doesn’t require much movement. Orpheus was very glad that Lucky helped him about it when Memory starts to have multiple stomachaches in a single week.

“I have a ball,” Lucky said, digging in his back pocket to reveal a ball that looked like the Toy Merchant’s creation. His hand gravitated and lifted the ball onto hers. “I’ve been meaning to give it to you for a while now.”

“Nice!” Memory held the mini orb in both her hands, her doll’s head looked up to peak at the new object. Something clicked in her young mind as she looked straight at Lucky with such innocence that people struggled from telling the truth or groaning in pain from a statement as “Lucky, did you forget about it?”

“Shh.”

They all spread their legs into a form of a triangle, trapping the ball to prevent it from fleeing its fate. Each one of them pushes the orb next to each other or across from another.

“It goes circles!” Memory exclaims, with her palm spinning around the ball. Going faster and faster with each second before releasing the ball like a meteor towards where her father is sitting.

“Ovals?” Orpheus asks her, as he rolls the ball back to her.

“Circles!” Lucky and Memory replies in sync with each other.

Moveover in the moments, the three of them joke around with the side of Orpheus telling ideas for his new stories or Lucky retelling his own experiences of some of the fun matches he had before the father-daughter duo came into the manor. Lucky had an idea that they should all do flower crowns, Memory was so thrilled to know how to knead a crown full of flowers. It was a good thing that there were different kinds of piles and bushes of flowers near them, it was their lucky day! Pun intended as Lucky wink so cutely at the writer to give the other a kiss on the eye. After collecting as many flowers as they needed, they headed back to their spot. Their spot was colored in sunset floral dots. Orpheus was sure that they suck the life out of the hedges that Emma needs to teach them a lesson. Lucky grabs a white flower, an orange flower, and a yellow flower, and starts to make a loop with their stems. The verdant eyed man explains to them how to teach them one step. Though the novelist kinda struggles at the beginning (and how mean his lover and child were to him), he got the hang of it when the wreath was now two inches long. Memory was already 6 inches with her crown. No, he wasn’t sulking about it and, no, Lucky wasn’t comforting him about it. They grow up so fast.

Now, they were in the position of girls in a gathering braiding each others’ hair; Memory sat in the lap of Lucky as her father was standing on his knees behind Lucky. Orpheus tied the garland for Lucky, as Lucky mended a headband for Memory. Memory was making one for her father, though Orpheus is sweat dropping at the fact that his crown was concerningly bigger than the other two. His clover merely laughs at Memory’s imagination; No, Lucky, don’t encourage her! With their garlands complete, they all wrap them one by one, testing on the measurements of their heads. Memory was first, and it was a perfect fit for her as the brunette tied the crown with one final knot. The writer was shocked at it, as Memory was moving in place in such joy. Lucky guessed it was muscle memory, but Orpheus digressed. Lucky was next, but the crown was too small for him. The blonde seized the end of the garland and added more flowers; Orpheus started to do the same as his child when Lucky handed him two more flowers.

The novelist reminisced that a week after Orpheus confessed his love, his dearest gave him a four-leaf clover ring. He kept it on until the clover withered to nothing but crumbled up shavings. Yes, he begged Lucky to give him another one because he failed to preserve the first one. Lucky said no because he doubts he can find one again until next month.

After Lucky’s flower crown was placed upon his beloved’s locks, it was Orpheus’ turn. The crown was way too big for the novelist’s head. Lucky had the idea to twist the extra end to weave in a spiral. It was beautiful and enchanting. They all laugh in the moment as butterflies flutter in such ballet.

“Let’s play tag!” Lucky brought up the idea.

“Yeah!” The sundressed minor got up from her spot, excited at the idea of a game. The older duo look up to her, wondering and pondering what bold action she will take.

“Alright” A small pale hand smack on Orpheus’ forehead, as ruby Mary Janes clack away to the open field. “Tag, you’re it!”

“Hey! That’s unfair!” Orpheus calls out his daughter’s unfairness, he turns to his partner for support.

“Lucky!” Orpheus reprimanded his emerald eyed lover, who booked over to where Memory was. As he got up from his knees (Thank you, hands, your pain will be not in vain.), he picks up the pace. Rushing towards the pair, Orpheus could feel his monologue jiggle and jingle with every step. Upon seeing Orpheus running to them, Memory and Lucky took one glance at each with which Orpheus could tell from a far that it was mischief, and run from the opposite directions. The girl ran towards the flower bush, full of purple azaleas and crocuses, accompanied by yellow buttercups. Which was across from the picnic area. Lucky ran near the nearest trees, hiding behind it and leaning to face Orpheus with an obvious peak. His face screamed out ‘Come and catch me, Tiger’ in which the novelist felt tempted to do something. He went to Lucky.

Orpheus had to switch targets because Lucky ended up looping and juking him with a thick tree. His daughter, ever so loving towards him, starts to say that Lucky broke his ankles and needs to get to Emily for it. The white dressed man was pretty sure he didn’t have broken anything, but he had a feeling that it was one of Lucky’s strange and modern jokes. And also that Memory snowballed him with a small patched ball.

“You can’t catch me!” Memory yells out, turning around to the chasing man and slowly running like countering the Geisha.

“Oh, really?” Orpheus counters, as he makes his position into something like a hunting predator animal. He thinks the Gameskeeper would be proud of it.

“You’re very slow! Slow like Mr. Leo!” The girl insults him, with raw and crude honesty. The novelist felt a pang in his chest from that slander, thank goodness the Hell Ember isn’t here or Orpheus’ pain is very overtly present for others to see. He feels like Leo would comfort him for getting old as a fellow father. Children can be so cold.

“Ah!” Memory screams out, feeling a sudden touch behind her.

“I got you!” Lucky surprises and shocks her into an off-guard hug, as he rubs his rosy cheek against hers.

Memory starts to wiggle out of Lucky’s hold, as the forest-eyed male tickles her stomach. The blonde amplifies her glee louder and louder that Aesop may have threatened the two if he were ever here. Maybe that was a bad metaphor. When she finally got out of the mischievous cage that Lucky created, she ran to her right to the opening field of grass.

“Again! Again! Again!” Memory calls out, running through the lushes of the greenest of grass. The Lucky Guy took a step forward to the child, but a hand grabs him and puts him into an embrace.

“I love you, Orphy.” Lucky exclaims, his head leans in giving Orpheus a butterfly kiss. Petals of other colors clashed together into a random but beautiful pile of leaves. The joy and laughter emanating from the area made the bright and shine of the sun become soft as fireflies. Memory floricks in the background in front of them, running around in circles and enjoying being kissed by the sun. The homely feeling of the sun was rare to come across since the manor prefers to drown its guests into despair and sorrow by its gloomy nature. Honestly, Orpheus felt like he was ever present under the sun thanks to his shooting star and his daughter. The writer would still feel at home, knowing that his beloved four-leaf clover and bundle of joy would be there with him.

“I love you too, my darling.” Orpheus’ umber eyes glow into a burnt orange sky as the novelist leans even more to the brunette to connect their lips together. Soft and gentle it was, much like today. It was unbridled and uncontainable love. Orpheus ever dreams, if he, Lucky, and Memory ever escape the neverending manor, they live under a cottage with a far away village as a family. Just the three of them, together and unbothered.

— ------- – – — – – – -

His old wary oak eyes widened in shock, his breath was heavy from the lack of oxygen. Heat and humidity came crashing down onto the detective’s body. His hand touches his forehead, feeling the cold underlying sweat drops, as his other hand grabs tightly on whatever the nearest item for dear life.

“What was that?” The middle-aged man asked to himself, gulping down the crisp and numbing air that the manor offered. His dusky hazel and sharp eyes wander throughout the room’s corners, wary of what he’s seeing is the real reality. “Was that another memory?”

Realizing that he was not in the dream world any more, the detective jolts up from the armchair. Sitting his body straighter than any pole lamp light, and stiff as solid stone. That wasn’t just any memory he saw. That was a memory that he was in when he went into this damned manor! His wrinkly hand clutches at his forehead tightly, smoothing at the sudden ache in his head. This memory hurt a lot more than any other before. Why was this memory in particular so special? So special that his body wants him to know. This causes so many questions to begin to rise from the ashes of his mind.

After a moment, the attentive detective instantly remembers the item he was holding. In his right hand, it held another dairy. Orpheus recalls that the night before, he was in the library gathering as many dairies as possible. He needed more information in his investigation than just a few ones. The slick brown haired checked the book bind, seeing if there were any bookmarks there. There was none visible to the naked eye; he concluded that he must’ve fallen asleep when he picked up this journal. With the cursing headache gone, Orpheus opens the journal.

When he separates the hard cover from its paper insides, something paper thin fell out from its open container to his blanketed lap. Curious, the detective picks up the item with his dominant hand and holds it close to his face. Orpheus realized that the current item was a photograph.

The photo showed three people, colored in black and white and aged with the many years spent. On the right, there was the younger version of him. His hair was clean and clear brown as smooth leather. His eyes were like upside down crescent moons, shining brightly as starlights. His monocle doesn’t change or block the sheer happiness radiating off. Orpheus wishes to be as happy and carefree as his other self is. His pristine white suit and other color clothes that Orpheus couldn’t tell or remember. “Orpheus”’ position was leaning over to a person, as one of his hands wrapped and entangled with another’s both hands. The younger, or old version, of him had his other hand placed over the little girl’s shoulder in a tender embrace. A crown of roses, camellias,and poppies kissed upon his locks. The one in the middle was the little girl, who was ever present in his mind now. The tiny kid had an open smile present as her eyes were closed. Her white sundress flutters against the breeze. Her left hand was preventing her own flower crown from falling down, flower petals were scattered across her hair. Her other hand was hanging onto her make-shift doll. The last figure was a man that Orpheus remembered seeing in his dream memory. The wavy fluffy hair male was the figure that the old “Orpheus” was leaning towards. The glass-wearing male’s fingers enfold and enclose around one of Orpheus’ own. The man’s smile was as warm and bright as “Orpheus” and the little girl’s own. There was only one eye present, brighter as the sun than “Orpheus”’ starlights, and the other eye winking. The silence was filled with the memory of soft and unfilter laughter, whether it was Orpheus’ hearing problem or the manor was playing some cruel trick on him. The background was someplace outdoors, but upon looking closer, the dark brown head knew that it was placed within the manor. Despite the monotone colors, it looks like the golden hour from how bright the setting is.

Something bitter and freezing string down on one of his cheeks. Got off guard from the sudden temperature, Orpheus uses his left hand to touch his face. The detective recognized that it came from one of his eyes, it was a teardrop. This revelation caused Orpheus himself to question this insanity. Why was he crying? Was he sad? He was pretty sure he wasn’t sad? Was he in pain?

“Who are you?” Orpheus asks, either to himself or the photograph for answers. He doesn't know. All he feels currently is that burning and longing ache from his chest, his heart. This hurts Orpheus more than any pain and trials he went up against in his time after the manor. Not to mention the tears in his oak eyes were now falling down heavily as rain in London, it was everflowing to which Orpheus himself can’t control. His muscles and body remember this man, but his mind didn’t. And the thought of it hurts the detective even more causing him to tremble. He can feel his fingers twitch and quiver.

“I-I can’t remember you.” Orpheus concluded, though it was obvious that he can’t remember. “I’m so, so sorry.” He doesn’t know why he’s apologizing out of nowhere. Maybe it is for his beloved? The man that held his heart and emotion?

All that Orpheus knows is that little girl, the man and the gratifying and pleasing feeling of warmth from the man was nothing to Orpheus but a forgein memory. A memory that only his old-self would know. A memory that his heart still yearns for.

Chapter Text

“I like you!” The forward exclaims to the brunette after a match they had together. They were departend from the other two teammates, which Lucky forgot about, to an isolated area. The comforting warmth from William’s big and tough hands around Lucky’s own rough ones. His grey storm eyes became clear from its storms, as he stared into the forest colored ones, “I really really like you, Lucky! I want to spend the rest of my life with you as lovers!”

The action made Lucky blush, the statement even turned his face even more redder. Lucky could’ve been mistaken for a cherry. Lucky’s face was a stark difference with their gloom surroundings. After William’s words, just by luck, the fog and storm open up the sun rays like windows. Making the sun look like an onlooking wingman, bringing in the golden hour that Joseph would’ve loved.

For a moment, Lucky snapped out of his aloof state as he looked down at their warped hands. Many thoughts rush through his mind, but there was one thing for certain that Lucky right away. In a quick second, Lucky showed William a closed eyed smile,

“Yes! A thousand times more, yes!”

Within moments, William’s face became redder than Lucky’s. Redder than Mars. The green-eyed boy leaned his forehead to the athlete's as bell-like laughs echo from the manor’s entrance. A kiss may or may not be exchanged.

—---

Today was one of the worst matches to end the day. The hunter was on a bad day, even worse that they became sadistic. Not only that, but there was this sort of phenomenon amongst survivors. That phenomenon was causing harsh flashbacks and violent outbursts. People who were out of such things said they were plagued by their past and what contains it. Not many were bold enough to state their past, they were ashamed or it was too dark of others to see. Hunters, who were friendly on some matches, had witnessed it at times and would reveal that it was the same occurrence as the bad days of hunters. This made every survivor nervous about it, afraid of being contained by those harmful memories.

Lucky prayed that it would never be one of the people who loves.

He knows that William and Naib went in for the rescue of Tracy. He can tell that it was a perfect rescue, but looking at his communicator, the fluffy haired boy realized that Naib and Tracy screamed get out of here with William, with no once replying. Lucky was getting concerned, he was so desperately afraid for him. Even with how strong and firm William is, he knows how much damage hunters have if they ever had a bad day. He’d seen what happened to Jose and Murro in the nursing area with Emily. Those two were never in matches for nearly 3 months.

As he pings to others that he’ll be near William, Lucky spots the hunter in their full on terror. The hunter moans and groans, Lucky could tell that they were struggling to breath much like Percy.

When Lucky saw the figure of William, he booked it. Taking in all the slashes of the hunter, body blocking any strikes against William. His communicator was buzzing for him to pick it up, but Lucky never picked it up. He never does if his focus was on his dearest.

The pain from the hunter doesn’t seem enough for Lucky's fate to decide. Lucky’s eyes scourge through the slightly broken lens of his glasses, seeing the feet of a certain strong someone.

“William-” Lucky’s voice began to ring, ignoring the hit and slash of the hunter. Instead of the usual sudden embrace much like a knight in shining armor with his princess, William grabbed the Lucky Guy by the collar and lifted him like a doll making Lucky see William at eye level. Unfortunately, the eye level was more akin to predator to prey.

Lucky could feel the color drain from his face. The eyes of William were never like the fuzzy and out-going eyes of a bright autumn day, they were an ocean in a bad storm. Lucky doesn’t think bad or terrible could even describe the eyes of William. His eyes were farther away, thinking in turmoil, much like the hunter they were currently facing. Lucky didn’t even struggle to get out of his hold, all Lucky’s attention was the face of his lover.

Within a flash, pain erupts like Mount Vesuvius from Lucky’s chest and other body parts that Lucky doesn’t remember or know. Lucky screams in pain like the matches before William, before everyone else, a time when he was with Tutorial. William doesn’t seem to care that his lover was in pain, Lucky knew it wasn’t him, and took his time with each hit to Lucky.

From all the experiences, Naibs shoves and pushes William away. Knocking him away from the two survivors, leaving the athlete in a state of heart pains. Like he would always be in normal matches.

“He’s gone,” Naib said to Lucky, grabbing on Lucky’s shoulders

His heartbeat was faster than ever. The hunter was close by, or his lover was harming him.

- - - - - - - -- - -

“Why don’t you hug people often, Willy?” Lucky asks the Forward, seeing him wanting to touch a teammate from a match, but goes back. “You are soft as an adorable puppy.”

“W-ell, Lucky” William stuttered, very uncharacteristically out of place of him This gathered Lucky, turning his whole body to cradle him. “I-I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid of hurting them,” The Forward states, releasing out in relief of what’s bottling him up. “I broke someone’s arm when I hugged them, and another from his leg. Everything I touch breaks, and falls apart.”

William’s voice was all gravelly and mellow from the bright one Lucky knows of.

“You know something?” The dreadlock haired man looked up to see the soft and gentle face of Lucky. “A hug or a pat on the shoulder is not something to learn. It is something that comes from you, a heavy thing you hold is love. And I know you won’t harm anyone you love on purpose.”

- - - - - -- - - - -

“Go to Tracy, Lucky” Naib said, bodybuilding the injured boy from the hunter’s assault as the tide turner was coming into effect. But the already wounded boy was still too frozen in place. “I’ll go distract the Hunter.”

“It hurts.”

Lucky’s murky forest eyes were shaking in fear, staring at his lover who was shivering in place. Lucky coughs up blood from the strike of the hunter, but Lucky’s attention was solely on William.

“I’m scared.” William’s hands were on his ears and head, nearly crushing his head tightly. So tightly he might pop it right off as his eyes were firmly shut down like a malfunctioning machine.

“Help me.”

Lucky’s mind flashes back to a time where they made a patch of sunflowers and hydrangeas. William had a proud smile decorated on his face, holding a tall and healthy lemon sunflower. Lucky remembered that time William was so happy that he did something, something he wouldn’t do because of the fragility of such a delicate plant. Lucky saw how much that man practically glowed that Lucky thought the world just produced 2 suns. He remembered seeing that ecstatic man enveloped his hands, putting them near the athlete’s heart. He remembered why William did that, he did it so Lucky would hear his heartbeat. His heartbeat was running fast as if he went on a mile when he wasn’t.

“Please.”

The one announcement causes Lucky to move without warning and hesitation. The brunette moved closer and closer, ignoring the mercenary’s blaring warnings and the pain from the hunters, who were now hunting Naib. Lucky’s jaggy dominant hand touches closely over to his smoothing cheek, rubbing it in circles.

The snowy sapphire orbs broke open upon feeling the warmth of another human being. The pain was gone, gone from a throbbing wound. Mind and body. His dreadlocks wist with the flow of the wind.

Lucky’s eyes were lushes of forest greeting in radiant sunbeams, angled like upside-down moons with wrinkles. Those same evergreen fields of eyes stare at shocked ashen and smoky slate blue eyes. “My love, you’re found.”

From his gaze, William took more look at his partner. His hands shot up to touch the once warm hand that caressed his shortened beard and tough cheek.

Lucky took too many hits for him. That was his job, it was his job because he was the strongest that Lucky would always say he was. But Lucky also said he was the softest that made Lucky loved him even more. And that they were partners, they would always share the loads. That William doesn’t have to do everything on his own.

Upon seeing the Forward back to reality, it made Lucky happy. It made him happy because he’s back to his big yet soft puppy man. William was never the brightest nor the smartest. That's ok because he was a giant sunflower to Lucky. Tough and happy he should be like in his memory, he can tear up by thinking of it. Lucky didn’t even notice that his own breathing was becoming all shallow and his eyes were getting tired. The only thought that Lucky had was of William. Then he fell.
- - - - - - - -

“I love you, Willy,” Lucky said, suddenly. Cuddling up to the shoulders of the Forward.

They were outside of the manor, in the gardens, under the gazebo. With star-like fireflies fluttering and dancing upon the many flowers, the pair enjoyed the coolness of night and moonlight.

“Huh? Why?” William replies quickly, without a second thought. Seconds later, realizing what he said, William responded, “N-not like I don’t love you anymore!”

“I had a feeling to tell you so.” Lucky smiles.

“I love you too, Lucky,” William said, kissing Lucky very closely. “And I’ll protect you with double my weight!”

“As if! You’d be my 2nd house by the time that happens!”

-- - - -- - -

“Lucky!” William cries out, catching his lover before the body falls to the ground.

“No, no, no”

Those words repeated over and over again upon seeing the figure. Everything was becoming too much. Too much for him to handle, he’s going to fall. And fall upon whom, the person who would help him back is gone. Gone.

Gone.

The word alone made the Forward whimper and howl. Loud as the many provoking screams he did to the hunters.

“The only thing that was ever good at other than playing rugby,” Whether William was speaking out loud or thinking to himself, the jock never cared for either option. All he knew was that his lover, his sweetheart, his sunflower, his everything, was lying dead in his arms. Ugly and waterfall-like tears came down crashing at the once sturdy man. Cradling the deceased and blooded young man, William wails out loud to any god or entity that would hear his mournful cries. Not caring if his teammates or hunters would hear him, his position kept moving like he’s playing offense. Hugging and embracing the unmoving Lucky in failed attempts to bring the warmth of life. Seeing Lucky’s bloodstained yet peaceful face, as if he was just having a rest, caused another wave of teardrops, dropping heavily to Lucky’s body. William closes his eyes, leaning down to the oak locks. “Was loving you.”

Chapter Text

“Wow!” Emma said, clapping her gloved hands together at the sight. The sight was in the garden, not many people came to this area. The only time they could come here is for dancing in the bright sunlight. Someone would need to take care of these! “I didn’t know you could plant, Lucky!”

“Oh, Emma!” Lucky exclaims, looking up from what he was doing as he turns to her. From what she can see, Lucky was making a set full of flowers. A bouquet! How lovely! “And yeah! I guess I’m just full of surprises!”

“I know you are!” retorts the gardener, going on ahead to lean in. It was like peeking or spying on someone! It was like when she was little with her best friend, before the fire, before the orphanage. Where they would both set up a date with each other's friends, but that was unimportant. What’s important was how beautiful the bouquet was. “You know how to use my tool box like I already taught you!”

“That’s the surprise!” Lucky comments, showing his palm to her. Giggling softly at her statement, kind of like her mom, as he replaces the positions of the flowers.

“When did you know how to plant?” The straw-hatted lady asks, oh so curious of how this man knows how to do gardening. Not that she’s upset, it’s just that she hasn’t met anyone in this manor who loves or even does gardening the way she does. It’s just a rarity to find someone, and sure that she can bring up topics with others in such ease. But there’s always something you really really want to talk about that makes you want to burst!

The flowers in the vase were in such a more pastel arrangement than she had ever seen, apart from one of Melly’s costumes. Snowy daisies were the main focus of the bouquet, going on what seemed like swirls in motion as their petals were smooth to the touch. Violets accompanied the white with its royal lavender hue, becoming like cattails that Emma would see by the lake with her father. Pansies peep through in little groups of the corner, their faces were like lions hidden under such tall grass. Their white color mixed so well with the sky blue, Emma thinks it goes well with her Boudoir Dream outfit. Chrysanthemums came in like big spots, so noticeable but hidden at the same time. Emma kinda thinks it matches Lucky very well. Lilies were the final touch, blooming open in such innocence and unaware of their true meaning. Being in different sizes like leaves for the huge chrysanthemums.

“Oh, I think I worked at a flower shop once,” Lucky said, grabbing his free hand in a thinking gesture. “Or maybe my mom had a lot of plants lying around.”

“She must be an expert!” Emma declares, her pointer finger goes into some different direction that she wasn’t aware of. Lucky’s mom would’ve been fun to talk to! Emma wonders what kinda of plants she has.

“My memory is still foggy,” His free hand goes to his forehead as if thinking too much hurts his hand. I mean she would too when neither Emily or Servais would talk to her about certain subjects.

“There must be some muscle memory I heard from Emily!” That sentence came out of the blue as she blurted it out. She remembered it clearly when she was helping Emily with something about Naib. Emma moves around like she had ants in her apron, it’s just so much excitement. “That bouquet doesn’t look like you had some random feeling!”

“I think it’s a bit of both,” His shining emerald eyes blinked at her, confused. She was pretty sure it was an after pain from that headache.

“You think?” Her glittering forest eyes blinked back at Lucky.

“I remember making it for someone,” Lucky places his free hand off of his face, placing it on the other side of the vase. His attention was no longer at her, but back at the marble vase. “But I’ve forgotten whose it for”

“I see,” Emma said, she wishes to be like Lucky but she has a feeling that truthfully she wouldn’t like it. Not to mention how much he had spoken about his memories. She looks sadly at the jar, her thoughts echo out of her mouth, “Kinda of a shame though, those flowers are still so beautiful”

“How about if I gave you it?”

“Wha?” Emma stumbles at both her words and her body movements, those words were such a shock to her. Her cheeks were feeling a bit warm, she thought it was embarrassing.

“You know,” Lucky shrugs, holding the light-colored bouquet to her “You’re always good with them. What’s wrong in giving you more? I feel you’d like more when someone gives you something that they worked really hard on.”

“This is really sweet of you, Lucky,” It really was, as she took the container off of him. She starts holding it like a plush bear of hers, so soundly as she hugs it.

“It’s no problem!” Lucky gave her a closed smile, something not really anyone gave her much. Apart from Emily, well, she was getting tired nursing with all these injuries. “Can you teach some of your gardening tips? I think I’ll learn much more.”

When was the last time that she had someone with her, doing her favorite things. Never mostly.

“Maybe we can make a mini garden inside the manor!”

“That’s not a bad idea!” Emma was at joy, jumping and twirling around in a dance. She’s already thinking about what kind of plants the halls would like, rosemary or bacopa. The flowers were held tightly as her stuffed bear, but Lucky didn’t see it more evident on the worry look on his face. She pauses her movement, bringing in the bouquet close to her chest. “Though, I bet Freddy wouldn’t like them for their pollen much!”

“He would!” Lucky laughs wholeheartedly at the sentiment.

Emma stuffs his freckled nose into the set of flowers, it was nice that Lucky didn’t know the meaning behind these flowers anyway.

Chapter Text

Jose bangs his head on the nearest surface. His brain was empty, no thoughts and no thinking were there. If there were, they would be messy as Emily’s handwriting when she was tired.

The first officer doesn’t know what to do.

As if it wasn’t clear enough.

“Hey, Jose!” the barmaid calls out. When her gaze was upon the depressed figure, Demi had to blink on what she was seeing. It was not everyday that Jose was saddened without being sober. “Are you alright?”

“No.”

And it wasn’t everyday for him to be so honest too.

A moment of silence waves around the air as Jose stands to the wall like a child in their time-out corner. Like Robbie, if only the hunters weren’t soft on him. Sadly though, it didn’t help the grown man in the room right now.

“What happened?” Demi asks, mixing together the liquids of alcohol. A drink or two would ease the man up a bit, especially since Jose himself was so uptight. So uptight Demi thought Freddy had gotten a hold of him. “You look like you need a drink. A heavy one at that.”

Jose cries as he crouches to the ground. Speaking in tongues so softly that Demi thought she was hearing Helena speak about some gossip secrets. But don’t tell Helena that. That’s a girl’s secret. The goatee man was mumbling.

“Eh?”

“I don’t know what to do, Demi,” Jose wails as Demi listens in like watching a soap opera. He covers his face with both his sleeved and padded hands. “I don’t knowww….”

“W-w-wait, wait,” Demi puts her drinks next to Jose as she looks at him. That went to a one to a ten real fast. Faster than getting chased and being chaired. Maybe faster than William’s running speed with his ball. Way too fast for Demi’s liking. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know what to give him!” Jose exclaims, finally showing his face to her. Dread was present in his eyes. Terror had more of show blasting lights than any of the matches Demi had with him. Meanwhile, his cheeks were flustered and ambushed by a sea of red. Panic arose with his hands twitching.

“What? Who’s him?”

Jose went quiet.

“Come on,” The barmaid leans beside Jose, putting an arm around his shoulders as he usually does on their get-togethers. “Spill a girl a secret.”

Jose still averted his heterochromia eyes away from making eye contact, turning away from her. Hiding his embarrassed face from her. He whispers something that even if the whole manor for whatever reason went silent as the woods - which it was.

“What? Speak louder” Demi’s ears were always bombarded by loud sounds, it’s just one of the many things that happened in bars. Her head tilts in dazed confusion, much like her first match in her first time at the manor. “Or I can’t help your problems.”

“Lucky,” Jose spoke, louder this time. Well, it was still soft as a mouse but Demi could hear him clearly than the attempts before. “It’s Lucky.”

Demi blinks.

The barmaid knew about Lucky of course. He was one of the oldest survivors and a person who's been in the manor for a long time. So long that he had been there before all the hunters. And most of the hunters are dead! But that wasn’t the only thing that made her know about Lucky. In fact, she was close to him. Like a pair of siblings. Like her and Sam.

“Oh,” Demi could only say, very nonchalantly, about the revelation. “Are you trying to confess? You’re more of the smoother types.”

“Yes.”

Well, that was easy.

Demi oh’s. She put her pointer figure in a thinking pose, she felt like The Thinker statue that Lucky was talking and showing her about. “Maybe.”

She pauses.

“A gift! Everyone likes gifts and how romantic-!”

“I tried.”

“Eh?”

“Well, I ask everyone what Lucky likes,” Jose excuses himself, getting up from his tiny and enclosed statue. His different eyes avoided the duo haired woman, as his cheeks were bright red and pink like strawberries and cherries. His fingers clutch the knees of his white pants. “A-and well.”

“Wellll?” Demi drawls out.

“Well, they all failed.”

“What!” exclaims Demi, eyes were wide as the Hermit’s cat eyes. “How!?”

The crown of his palms covered the rose lips. His fingers hover over his nose in a pyramid triangle. A loud breath inhale was taking in from the man, a distressed noised whine. Lots of questions were fumbling and bumbling about like Melly’s bees and wasps; a lot like a bunch of customers in her bar. Like at her bar, she recollects without any effort.

“Have you asked Emma?” Demi asks.

“She gave me leaves.”

- - - - - - - – - - -

“Hey, Emma!” The First Officer shouts out as he opens one of the grand doors to the garden. His leathered hand waves the Gardener as he marches to where she was at. “I need your help!”

“Hi, Jose!” The chestnut haired woman returns his wave as her lips curl into a wide smile. “What can I do for you?”

“Can you make a bouquet for me?” Jose requests, his eyes switch back from the floral woods and finally back to Emma. A sly man like Jose can be nervous too, you know.

Emma hums and nods, “Sure, I can!”

Bright and positive as ever Emma.

“But may I ask who's it for?”

“That’s a secret.” Jose teases her, his left hand of his pointer finger guarded the middle of his lips. With his lips sealed, his dark brown eye winks at her.

“Whaaaat! No fair!” She huffs, her olive eyes narrowed as she pursed her lips. Both of her hands were turned into fists.

The Officer laughs and shakes his head. “I’ll show you tomorrow, promise.”

“Do you have any flower preferences?”

“I don’t know. I’m not good at all with flowers or any plants for that matter.” Jose scratches at the back of his neck, which was the truth. No one knows plants better than Emma. “Maybe roses?”

Pretty much Jose knows that roses mean love. Yeah, pretty basic even for Kevin’s standards and Kevin was a flirt!

“OOHH, are you confessing to someone?!” Emma screeches. Lucky for them, no one was there to witness it. It was better that Kevin was not there teasing him, Jose would rather be in four matches with Wu Chang or the Disciple or any of the hunters that counters him. The straw hat woman finally catches on what Jose was trying for. “Who is it?!”

Seems like Emma likes the idea of playing cupid.

After a moment of Jose calming Emma down for her excitement, Jose replies, “ Maybe something that matches with clovers?”

. . .. . … .. . .. .

Dawn was set and a new day had begun, or that’s what Jose thought when he was awake from his slumber.

Alive and pumping with energy, stretching all the tension in his body. Jose was ready for today. Ready as he’ll ever be.

Today’s match list was ready. It contains him, Emma, Lucky, and Eli. Which considers Jose lucky for the day, no pun intended.

He looks upon the dining table set; he sees Lucky and Eli talking about parrying and other things for afar. He stands there at the doorway, waiting for the Gardener to arrive. As the time of the clock starts to tick away from the seams, Jose starts to feel the heat rise from his back.

He was glad that no one noticed him yet.

“Jose!”

Thankfully he didn’t need to wait for too long.

“Emma-” Jose calls out before the calm that he was feeling before has vanished like the wind or fog. Or whatever mist Jack has up his ass. Ok, now it was time for panic mode.

In Emma’s hands was the bouquet with its white paper that was wrinkled.

“I’m sorry!” she wails, her eyes start to glisten. Boy, Emily would whoop his ass if Jose doesn’t help her. Never Mind Emily, Jose minds the Hell Ember. And he’s a hunter that’s much worse!

“W-wa-it! Let’s calm down for a bit now!” Jose pauses his hands in a waiting motion, it is obvious that sweat starts to drip off from his face. Emma’s cheeks were puffed as Eli’s owl as her fingers twitched and fiddled like a toddler that had gotten into trouble. “Ok! L-et’s start off with what happened.”

His eyes wandered from Emma to the bouquet. The bouquet was filled with plants and chartered off to the whole color wheel of green. If Jose looks even a bit closer, he could see leaves and stems. In different shapes and sizes. Green. Green like his eyes. Lucky

Jose blinks.

“SO. I was preparing your gift and I finished with it, right?” Emma explains as Jose nods along, “ I left it where I last placed it. And. And. When morning came, I went down to get the gift to you. And then someone! Someone must've gotten to it and had some sort of hatred against flowers! Because they cut all the buds and petals off!”

What kind of person takes and cuts all the flowers’ heads? Number one, that's sick. And Number two, what the fuck.

Jose was too stunned to speak.

“It was so beautiful too…” Emma wails.

– – - - – - - - –

Demi was too stunned to speak too, as she blinks at what Emma states.

“O-k. What about Naib?”

“He ate it.”

- - --- - -- -

“Do you know what Lucky likes to eat?”

“Ah, yeah. Why do you want to know?” The Mercenary, who was known to be overprotective of the golden brown haired man. Naib left hooked Kreacher when Kreacher made a joke about Lucky. It wasn’t even an insult. It was just a joke about Lucky being, you know, lucky. Kreacher had a black eye for 5 days. Yes, Lucky forced Naib to apologize to the Thief.

“I wanna give him something.” Jose responded, bluntly as he could. Jose doesn’t want to get another scar on his eyes. Perfect sneak 10/10, being very vague to a brother figure. “But, ya’know, don’t know much about him.”

“Don’t think much of the manor knows about him,” Naib grumbles lightheartedly, “I mean, he likes food.”

“But what kind?”

“Any really,” Naib recalls, closing his dim ocean eyes. Thinking about the memories of Naib witnessing the forest jade eyes being filled with stars; Naib also witnesses Lucky being stingy when someone messes with his food. Let’s just say Naib’s matches were hell whenever he and Lucky were in a match together. Lucky was stubborn and Naib will give him that. “ But I think he’ll like cheesecake.”

“Got it,” Jose repeats the name of the food in his seabrain head, “Thanks”

. . . .. . . . . .

The First Officer manages to get a slice of strawberry sauce covered cake. He doesn’t know how Anne and Eli bake the cake considering that Eli only knows how to bake hardass cookies.
He covered the cake and labeled the food. Jose knew there was a couple of food stealers mucking about.

12 o’clock was there and Jose marched to the kitchen. Jose wasn’t able to see the edible gift in the morning because of the early matches that the Baron decides to torture him. The First Officer was smug about it too, probably because 3 of his matches had him victorious.

As he opened the fridge, there was nothing. No dessert or sweet in sight with Jose’s name. Fuck.

“Hey,” he bellows, “Does anyone know where the cheesecake is?”

“That was yours?” questions Naib.

Jose may or may not have choked the Mercenary.
_____ ___ _ _ __ _ ___ _ _ __

“Ok that sounds like Naib,” Demi admits, unsurprised at what happened. Naib always had a knack of food anyway, no matter how much the hoodies man denies. “What about Tracy?”

“She exploded it.”

- - - - - - -
“Do you know what Lucky likes?”

“Mh?” Tracy looks up from what invention she was doing the recuser, “ I know he likes a box.”

“Yeah, I think we all know that,” Jose chuckles at the thought. It was weird for someone to like things like boxes. It was so random. “But what about making it interesting?”

“Interesting like how?” The Mechanic asks, curious on what the First Officer was thinking about. Her gray eyes were making eye contact with his own, as her hands twist and steady on the metal with her wrench.

“Something that’s like a hidden compartment.” His prosthetic hand gave stability of support as it leaned heavily on the backrest of Tracy’s chair. His fleshy hand was around the edge of her workbench.

“You would need a key or switch to open it.”

“Why not make it something similar to Margaretha's?”

“Do you think she would even let me touch her music boxes?”

Beep!

“Uh, depends on her mood I guess?”

Beep!

“Honestly, it sounds boring.”

Beep!

“Hey! It was an idea!”

Beep!

“Any more ideas? I know you’re everything, all thumbs.”

Beep!

“How about switches?”

BEEP!

“Uh oh.”

BOOM!
___ _______ ______ ______

“Wow,” Demi was in awe of what Jose said. There were more than she can count with her own fingers. She was amazed that Jose’s sanity hasn’t snapped yet considering how many days have passed and people that tried to help.

“I’m just tired, Demi,” Jose whines like a little baby. Honestly, can you blame him?

“I know, I know, my friend,” Demi sighs as she opens the cap of a bottle. “But drinking could never hurt a bit. Right?”

“A good way too,” Jose chuckles, taking in the alcohol smell.

He never heard of the door opening.

.

“Hi Jose!” Lucky waves to him.

“Hey, Lucky,” Jose answers back. Jose was surprised to see his crush in front of him. He didn’t know that Lucky was going into a match with him today. He didn’t see Lucky’s name on the list. Did someone switch out last minute? Either way Jose doesn’t want to question it. He’s also ignoring the boom boom in his chest.

“Have this,” Lucky states. Lucky gives Jose a brooch. The brooch was rich in luxurious symbols, making it look like a reaching flower. That flower was like a thin and agile woman balloting on one toe.

“What’s this for?” Jose stares at the bedazzled pin, honest to God looks like one of the many trinkles his family held before the fall. The main colors were green, red, and yellow. The peridots and Chrome Diopsides were wreaths and huddling together as baby birds. Bloodshot rubies and somber jaspers were like the ends of snowflakes, extensive and grand. Gold and shining topaz and zircon were flourishing kiss drops and teardrops, like if someone cried real gold.

“Just something I wanted you to have,” Lucky admits, “I know you have a thing for treasures and shiny stuff.”

“Thank you,” uttered Jose. It was hard to notice if Jose actually said anything. His pencil facial hair was as thin as his lips. Hidden like Aesop’s mask. Anyway, Jose was happy enough that Lucky was able to hear him. The First Officer thinks that Lucky had some superhuman ability to hear things far and words that were utterly so soft and quiet.

He puts it on his white epaulette, next to the sunny yellow sash. Its jewels were gleaming brightly, and they would continue to do so under the dimming moonlight if Jose would guess.

“It’s no problem” The caramel brown haired smiles, warmly and brightly at him. It was like seeing the sun, which was understandable considering the setting of the Arms Factory was all foggy and murky and dreary.

Before Jose could reply or Lucky on that matter, his vision went black. The match has begun.

2 ciphers were down and the hunter gave up chasing him. The whoosh of the umbrella slowly fades in the distance. Jose let out a pleased sigh; it was a good thing that Wu Chang hadn’t managed to hit him. Jose pants gathering his breath with all he could as he stops behind the shed. His whole body stops, that whole chase took a lot from him. He was so close to using all his pocket watches too.

On his 3rd or 4th breath, his mind drifts to a certain bland yet interesting person. He wonders if Wu Chang was chasing him. A noise made him snap out of his daze as Jose turned at her back.

“Lucky!” He called out, his body was fully facing him.

“I know you love me.”

“Yes, I do” A deep pause was present until Jose finally understood what Lucky said. “W-wha-?”

Mismatched eyes were widened and made eye contact with Lucky’s. Jose’s voice was high and tight as he yelped.

“H-how d-id yo-u know?!”

“You legit confess right in front of me,” Lucky exacerbates, disbelief scattered across his face as sass drips from his voice. Said bitterness was drained from the young man’s face, and was filled with resignation. “But then again you were a bit drunk when I met you.”

Demi. It was her!

“Not going to lie,” His emerald gems adverts away as pink dusts glue to the olive skin man. His hands were together like whenever he wanted something from a chest. How sweet and charming. “You were driving me crazy too.”

Jose’s brain stops functioning from the line. Well, almost. Jose’s head was filled with just Lucky. What a lover boy.

“I adore you so much,” Jose confessed, putting the younger man’s right hand over his exposed chest. Jose’s face was burning red like a blazing fire. “You have no idea what a mess I made for you.”

“I could imagine,” The caramel haired man laughs at the now mellow and soft First Officer. The peach skin hand could feel the thumping and beating of the pirate’s heart. The green eyes wrinkled in a proud gleam.

Lucky stretches his feet on his toes to see Jose at eye level. Those honey and lush lips brush upon one of the blooming cheeks of Jose’s. Jose’s mind was gone off to the wonderland of those sugarcoating and enticing lips. His fingers were tightened to the point the eyes of Memory’s doll might as well pop off as his palms were being moisture. His teal and brown eyes gaze towards the green pupils, those same forest eyes were so seductive and rousing for a bunny like Lucky.

There a comfortable silence was amongst them, the only sound was the deep breaths and pumping of hearts.

“I learned a new flirting technique,” Lucky said all of a sudden. It was also out of the blue for Lucky too. Considering that Jose knows that Lucky was a shy person towards things like this.

This was a surprise.

“Really?”

“Well, not now,” Lucky utter, embarrassed. For a quick second, those emerald eyes look away from the First Officer before focusing the attention on him. Those eyes were actually brighter than all the jades and emeralds combined. “I knew it from someone. And I haven’t done it ever since.”

“Wow,” Jose was in awe, no words or thought came to mind to what Lucky said. Who would’ve let Lucky flirt? Jose wonders who taught Lucky to flirt. Maybe, so he can thank them himself. Regaining his composure and confidence entered inside of his system, his mismatched pupils were like a cat with catnip. His prosthetic palm cradled Jose’s own cheek. “So, why not test it on me, love?”

“Oh, I know,” The adorable brunette, who was like the equivalent to an innocent bunny in the unknown woods, had this smug and alluring aura that Jose pursed his lip at the look. A look that Ann would smack Lucky off with her giant cross. “Can you hold your hands together?”

“Like this?” Jose asks, doing as Lucky commands him to. This action was seemingly innocent enough. Jose really needs to get his head off the gutter. Honestly, maybe he’s been hanging out with too many perverted people.

“Yeah,” Lucky nods, copying Jose. His left fingers were straighter than a boar. “Now, lift a set of fingers.”

Jose complies.

“Ok,” Lucky said calmly, very content at looking at Jose. Quicker than ships and masses of cargo on the waves of the sea, Lucky’s dominant hand grabs the free set of fingers and locks them in a embrace. “Now, come here.”

The shorter man raises Jose’s hands over his head. The swayed dark chocolate haired man nearly bends to the whims as Lucky’s other hand takes a hold of the red coated waist. Jose’s face was more than red when he realized what had happened. And that had occurred around 2 seconds ago.

“AAA-”

What a beautiful way to die.

Hopefully, the hunter wasn’t near them to see.

Chapter Text

The stare of bright green eyes, and dark and murky deer eyes. A moment was turned into minutes and closely into an hour of silence. No words were exchanged before nor were they ever done now. Victor wouldn’t even stay for these long and tense minutes.

The smaller man’s mouth lined as the animal masked other formed a shadow of intimidation. A hard stand off between survival and hunter.

Boop!

“Ack-!” Lucky would have fallen from the impact of his face, if it wasn’t for Bane holding him.

The big heart-shaped nose of the moose headed man was against an even smaller nose, a human button one at that. A cold yet smooth kiss,

“Hey!” Lucky whines, huffing at the sudden affections. Bane would boop and kiss Lucky's face another time. That time was now and a few quick seconds after.

The brunette’s lips pout like some adorable and spoiled, doe-eye puppy - which he was.Lucky made his way to Bane’s covered neck, cuddling the moose man into a heated embrace. Thawing out the cold metal jaws on Bane’s neck.

With his muscled and strong arms, Bane lifts Lucky up like a girl and her special and favorite doll. He begins to sway much in tune of a rocking cradle

Lucky straightened himself to see all of his lover. His hind legs squeeze the brawny arms. Though Lucky couldn’t see Bane’s face, Lucky could see his personality through the mask. And Lucky saw Bane without his animal mask before.

Mwah.

A kiss was on the soft and smooth forehead of the deer. Nimble and tiny hands cradle the cheeks, making Bane look up to his sparrow. Bane dearly loves the way Lucky holds; Lucky holds him as if Bane was the whole world. A world where it achieves the sun and moon and the stars.

“Oh my god, get a room,” comments Kevin, looking at the couple from a couple feet away. They’ve been doing this for down to 2 ciphers now.

Bane then hooksnipes Kevin.

_

“My baby bami boo,” Lucky coos as hearts flutters around him. His fingers fiddle and twitch when he spoke like a nervous school girl with a hard crush. Red glitter bombs upon those flustered cheeks.

“Darling sparrow, Bane responds back with such enthusiasm as he would with hunting. Either from before the manor or in matches. Either or is the same good feeling. “ Lovely, fierce clover.”

“Honey bun.”

“Dearest bunny.”

“My heartkeeper.”

“My soulmate”

“My love of my whole life.’

“My floating dove above.”

“My sun.”

“My moon.”

“When will those two stop?” Kevin groans, tired of hearing the lovemaking happening. Fiona was patching and whaling him from the hit, looking equally tired as Kevin. “They’ve been doing this all match!”

“It’s embarrassing,” whispers Vera, decoding away and popping the last cipher. Deadpanning at all the hearts pink and red flying around in the air. Good thing the perfumer’s back was facing the two lovebirds, or else Vera’s face would be equally tired as her other two teammates.

_

Hell is one thing that Duo Hunters can bring for both sides. One match can have every survivor literally shot into space in 5 minutes. While the other can have the hunter crying and buying Demi and her drinks about the bullying.

Today was the last match for Duo Hunters.

The Ripper and The Gameskeeper had a high adrenaline in their blood recently. They have only eliminated one survivor so far and there’s only 5 ciphers left. One kill isn’t good enough to secure a draw yet, they already have 3 survivors in high injuries they just need them down.

And now, they just found those healing little survivors huddling together like baby birds near the tent’s entrance.

“Ok, I’ll handle them Bane,” Jack starts holding his claw hand in a threatening manner to his face. His black eye holes stare at the scatter path of blood trails as he explains the short plan to his partner, “ I need you to disrupt decoding near the exit door at the end of the bridge. That’s where the three nearest ciphers are. Alright?”

Silence.

No sound yet from his partner.

“Bane?”

The top hatted man was cut off by the sight of Bane waving to Lucky, who was currently in one of the phone booths. Distracted from what Jack’s saying and more focusing on his brunette lover. Bane’s aura has already changed before Jack could even speak a word to him. Said green eyed man waved back, smiling even at the moose-masked man.

Bane’s thick glove was pressed to his mouth and nose of his mask, and slightly near the face of bear trap spikes around Bane’s neck. In a few moments, the same hand was released in the air as the air was faced with Bane’s palm. His motion was similar to how the male survivors would kiss as jokes on Valentine’s Day. A floating kiss.

Damn, Jack should’ve known with Lucky in a match.

Sadly for Jack’s sight, Lucky’s smaller hands coupled together covering half his face before unveiling it. Lucky’s pink lips were pursed together as a kissy face. Of course.

Jack felt a heart or two bounced off his head.

“Ok, I’m leaving,” The Ripper turns away from the scene as the foot of the trails would loosely fade away.

_

The crunching and munching of cookies were softly present as the crackling of the fireplace murmur against the breeze in the room. The heat of the room shone in fire light as the nearest window was covered in foggy snow. There were blankets everywhere on the sitting area as Lucky likes it, cluttered cozy and soft as Bane’s old cottage was. It brings the Gameskeeper some comfort of normality before the manor.

“Mr. Bane?” The voice of the bag-headed boy rang from the tranquil room. His blue baby hands were wrapped around a chocolate filled mug, bigger than his face. The boy’s non-head was staring down the murky and sweet depths of his drink.

Lucky was gone to help Emily with some sick and injured patients.

“Mhm?” Bane’s voice answers, it was clear that most of the time Bane doesn’t talk much other than affirmative noises to the hunters. But, only Robbie and Lucky, Bane would talk.

“You love Lucky, right?” Robbie’s head was turned to the elk-headed male at an angle. If Robbie still had his head, Bane would see Robbie’s pupils at the corner of Robbie’s eyes staring at Bane. “Like how Mrs. Ada and Mr. Emil are.”

Bane could only nod. The older man’s mind began to wonder of the boy. His fingertips on his recessive hand tap on the face of the thumb.

“So, like married?” The Axe Boy’s words pause with each thoughtful thought as he tries to find the word that he was looking for. “Are you married yet?”

He was grateful enough that he wasn’t holding any drink with him at the moment. Or Lucky wasn’t in the room with them.

The noise that he was making earlier was a confusing alert. The elk man never thought about marrying Lucky yet; How the hell was he supposed to get the ring!?

“I heard from Mr. Luchino that you two were married.” Robbie’s stitched mouth was open like a little kitten as his whole body faced the sitting older man.

“Aa,” Bane grunts gently as he would before a match. As he shook his head, Band replies “not yet.”

The 12 year old boy stands up from his kneeling position and nods. The boy smiles as big as the stitches would let him express. “I’m happy about that! I would be sad if you were!”

Bane could only tilt his head, as his animal eyes stared at the boy.

“Because you would be able to ask me about Lucky!” Robbie exclaims, proudly. “What’s it called?”

Laughing fondly at the boy- such a shame he died at this young of age- Bane finally knew what Robbie was talking about. “Blessing?”

“Yes! Blessing!” The child’s arms were in the air now, filled with joy and content. “Or else you can’t have my brother!”

It was one of the common knowledge in the manor that the Axe Boy sees Lucky as his sibling at best. No one, but the exception of Eli, of how Robbie sees Lucky as his brother already. And it was around the first match they had together as well.

“Yes, yes,” Bane responds as he grins at the sight. It was a cute sight that Bane had the pleasure of seeing. Usually, it was the father to obtain a blessing but you know, everyone is an adult. Except for Memory and Robbie, Robbie was an orphan and Memory had Orpheus.

After choosing his words carefully (He’s dealing with a child, Bane never saw a child apart from that boy who got lost in his woods. He’s been alone for so many years by now, plus Lucky had some experience with children before.), Bane asks “May I marry Lucky?”

“Do you love Lucky? Like with all your heart?” Robbie told Bane with another question.

Bane nods.

“You wouldn’t hurt Lucky?” The child’s voice tilts upward. Honest and blunt as children were. Up and personal too.

“I would never,” promises Bane.

“Pinky promise?” The child held out his pinky finger, holding it out for Bane to take.

“Pinky promise,” Bane’s pinky enfold Robbie’s own.

_

The clicking and clacking of the cipher was heard as Naib reluctantly types away. He never liked doing them, as it reminded him too hard of the wars he had faced. With experience, Naib was able to hear footsteps. Footsteps that weren’t heavy, but cautious and quiet. But it was footsteps nonetheless. The hooded man turns to face the intruder.

It was one of his teammates, Kevin.

“Before you say anything, I saw the hunter,” Kevin states, putting his hands in the hand as if he was getting caught with something.

Naib’s eyes narrowed, “And?”

“It’s Bane.” Kevin joined in banging at the side of the cipher.

Naib licks his lips at the knowledge of the hunter. Naib and Bane had a hatred for each other, you can imagine his shock of Lucky saying they are dating now. Shouts and curses were present that day.

Naib looked at the right side of his shoulders and saw the hulking figure of Bane towards Lucky.

“Is that Lucky?”

“Are they at it again?!”

_

“Bane,” Lucky whispers, his left hand grasping the forearms that embrace him by the waist. The rustling of the bed, and subtle and little movement of the two going closer and more comfortable. With each other’s arms were embracing and cuddling each other’s bodies. Heat temperature was high and warm like a giant winter coat and scarf against the brutal cold. Bane’s head moves a bit from the top of Lucky’s chestnut locks.

“I love you,” Lucky said as he stared in the window of Bane, seeing his soul with love and delight.

Bane’s mask was off from his head. His nose was at the tip against Lucky’s. Bane could feel and hear subtle breaths.

“I love you more.”

Chapter Text

The rustling of toned leaves slowed danced their way down or upon the branches they were born from. Green pads and blades spark upon life, just life breathing out and in the forest. Sunlight would shine through their cells like a light-headed binded window. Autumn leaves, orange and red, were spotted as stars in a dimly lit city in the night. Rare, but not rare enough. The wind blows in deep waves and shorter breaths as leaves bow down to the higher force.

The knocking of wood can be heard through the silence music of the woods. Though, the knocking was the pounding of a pair of feet.

A smirk was present among the milky skin.

The wind of his air was a joyous wonder and luxury that Lucky loves in his free time. As his boots land at the lower thick branch, the squirrel hybrid squats down to his knees. The messy redhead took a sigh of relief, the nature’s breath was always like fresh and cold water.

Lucky jumps down without much thought, plopping down with ease. Lucky remembers what he was after. His left claw hand grasps over his stomach as a growl pierce through like an arrow of fire. Right, he was looking for food. Lucky could play with his personalities amidst the woods with the world tree later, he grumbles. One of them had to eat his last stock too. There were many, many, many, MANY reasons why Lucky always shoo them away! My stars, the thought of it makes him pout and squirm in place!

Without a care and thought, Lucky walks toward a hidden trail that only he could ever know. As his short boots step on the crunching leaves and muddy ground, his claw tips fix the displacement of his glasses. There weren’t displacements or anything, Lucky was in the habit ever since his friend always bonked at the squirrel. Every bonk causes his glasses to be misplaced from his nearsighted eyes. That sly fox fiend. Lucky would get back at him one day when the fox comes back from his trip!

.

Trailing off the path were more treasures to be told than there seems to be. Of course, Lucky would know this. His ghostly tail was wagging from side to side in a vigorous manner, as his palms were overflowing with nuts and acorns. Boy, his tight pockets were visible to the naked eye from the stock! He hit the jackpot baby!

The hybrid notices that night was becoming of the forest more than he realizes. Blue and green lights started to mix in lake and lagoon colors, darkish purple and black grey blends their tone to earthy floor. Stars descend its light for Lucky’s vision as the form of bioluminescent creatures of the dark. Lucky didn't know what took more time, him searching for the plunders of food or him playing around the trees like friends on an adventure. With little to no time, Lucky jumbles what he was currently holding, dropping his items to the floor. In a hurry, Lucky headed left.

From the corner of his shaded eyes, he saw something amidst the cool tones of the forest.

A pair of blue fireflies hung around the misty air of the forest as a purplish glow sparks upon the world. Having its shine and glimmer on its petals, the redhead thought it was a pretty flower he hadn’t before. He’ll go back tomorrow for it then.

Lucky was embarrassed to admit that he never explored in the darkest of the night before. He desperately hopes that the world tree wouldn’t mind that he would be a tad late to the meeting they had tomorrow. Plus, he can use those night vision parts of his glasses!

His doe-eyes wander around at the enchanting night surroundings. Glows from all the lives and thrives in the night.

He was in place in the woods that he himself had no idea of.

The chirping and wooing of nearby birds and chittering of smaller creatures gather in awe of the reddish glow from the man. Not that he would ever blame those innocent little guys, it was just an outlandish color, the only warm color Lucky ever was yellow. Whether it be from the stars from above the night sky, or eyes or bugs lighting the area.

But all the noise was the sound of rhythm, the sound of humming. Lucky’s fluffy ears began to twitch at the sound.

Nature hums deeply yet knowing.

I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream

A brown and white barn owl stretches its wings and falls like a single feather to the nearest branch, staring at Lucky so close and personal that Lucky almost wonders if such an owl was staring into his soul. Lucky’s eyes never dares to blink away from the bird.

The hybrid notices it had a weird and small black top hat.

It tweets before flying over Lucky’s red locks, which Lucky’s wonder stare turns from it.

I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam

By the rhythm of the flapping wings of the owl, the little critters join behind the owl, giving the illusion of a person. Tall brown rabbits were stiff yet leaning, jumping down like the tapping of feet. An even amount of tiny birds were coupled together twirling together in motion like a fancy hand greeting. Like meeting a gentleman.

An invitation.

“A dance?” Lucky questions the illusion, his scarlet locks fall at the gravity as he tilts his head at the owl.

The owl hoots in return.

Were all night animals always like this?

“Well, if you insist,” Lucky bows at the owl before the flurry of birds wrap around his furry coat and neck. The chirping of them was loud yet soft. His ears flutter upon hearing laughter. He guesses it was kind of stupid action of his, the animals must’ve been laughing!

And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem

A simple turn of a sloppy circle was the only dance move that the squirrel ever knew.

It was like a tune he heard of, but at the same time, he never knew the voice.

“But if I know you, I know what you'll do” Lucky’s voice rang out from the thrumming and sounding, cutting through the silence like a knife.

“You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream” A voice whispers to his ear in a gruff but not rough tone. Lucky flinches at the sudden sound, it was so close to him!

The bigger gray hand interlocks with his, pointing in a mid direction.

Lucky looks up to see the face of this unknown person - rather wolf per say.

But Lucky notices between the silver and pink ears lay the top hat. The same top hat that the owl was wearing.

His breath was lost, it was like that his lungs stopped functioning upon the deep purple and yellow tailcoat of the other. His ghostly tail whirl, curling at one of the legs of the man.

But if I know you, I know what you'll do

Together, they dance. Prancing through the blue and green storm, as their figures dance across gracefully. Apart from the fact that the little squirrel makes minor mistakes, like stepping on the taller man’s feet one too many times. Lucky would try to say something, like an apology, or even something but the gentleman would chuckle out of that handsome mouth of his and shake his head. His dazzling sapphires squint in look of such fondness that Lucky could cry of, how such fondness is to a stranger like himself?

When Lucky’s wander farther from the gentleman’s stare, the patterns of the treetop branches were the critters he met and played with before. Figures staring like on looking watches of a gala, seeing the main attraction in action.

You'll love me at once

Lucky blushes at the striking blue eyes of the older man, he swears that his ears were going to redder by the moment and by the hour with this handsome man! Their posture was still in the pose of their dancing.

The closure between them was almost to not, nonexistent. Their height difference didn’t help either, with Lucky’s head meeting the gentleman’s chest.

The squirrel’s mouth was open to the point that his pointy fangs were in view of the other. The sight amusing to the unknown wolfy gentleman, who’s eyes gleam in delight of the younger man.

The way you did once upon a dream

“Well, dear,” the smooth and deep voice of the older man whispers so soothingly that Lucky would fall asleep in a good golden hour afternoon. “My name is Joseph.”

Chapter Text

The amount of joy couldn’t be contained in Lucky’s chest, it was instead floating and jumping around his soul like an untamed atom in the atmosphere as his heart beats at such emotion. It’s been forever since he had skin released to him! He never minded getting a new skin, but wearing the maid outfit every day can be a bit tiring; he was happy that some of his other costumes matched with everyone else, even if they’re very limited to.

Hush, he didn’t sprint to his room to try his new outfit. No, he did not.

With the last of his dimly lit accessories placed on him like a crown, his claw tips fiddled around the glowing squirrel charm squaring it with habit. His ghostly tail wags in the rhythm of Lucky’s heart, beating to its tune, showing the younger man’s happiness. Lucky hopes that it wouldn’t be too much of a habit, or people would tease him much in the coming future. His animal ears flickered at that thought. It felt weird to Lucky on how his ears moved, it feels connected and natural, but at the same time it feels otherworldly.

A knock on the door snatches away any thoughts that Lucky had currently, which causes the poor man to jump at the sudden sound. Out of Lucky’s mouth would be what would sound like of tsk tsk if were to be more of cho cho, the clicking noise whispers harshly. Lucky could swear that all of his hair and even the furs on his coat were rising fast.

His circular glasses fell out of place because of that jump, even with all the supporting frames. The jangling of the cold metal threads hit his cheeks as Lucky swiftly puts the metal frames back in place and regained his posture.

“W-who is it?” Lucky cursed to himself on the sutter, what happened with the confidence part that William made a speech about?

There was another knock. The aftermath of the pitter patter was the noise of scratching, like little mice or rats from afar nibbling and biting inside of the walls. Lucky would have thought that it was Ann’s cat, but that thought was quickly brushed off from Lucky’s mind when the scratches were much louder to him now than what a simple assistance of a cat.

The misty gray oak door shifts and opens itself up by the unknown entity entering Lucky’s room. The silence was uncomfortable and unsettling at best, with the pause acting like some sort of scene from those slasher and stereotypical horror films that he used to watch and laugh at. The younger man swears that the long and deep bass would sound through while his heart would beat louder and louder like it was when Lucky was near a hunter. His reddish ears twitch in some uneasy and tense feeling, Lucky wasn’t sure of this feeling but it raises the tension a bit too much for Lucky’s liking.

A low growl comes out of the door as a claw, which was covered in gold and decorated with a thick fur coat that was red tinted at its ends, grabs at the edge of the door. All the tension that Lucky had before now sunken, as his fur-coated shoulders basically dropped down like the heavy weights he would see at the gym was off his shoulders. Lucky’s chest was slowly turning back to his normal breathing place, not slowed down like those edited audio videos Lucky would hear his friend listen to.

It was Infected.

It was a wolf inspired costume that had many eyes attached to Naib’s body. It was one of the many costumes Lucky would see on numerous occasions after a few months of Naib getting used to the manor’s oddities. The skin had its blue sea color twin, Parasite. It was one of the skins that saw the beginning of Lucky’s maid outfit. Lucky was slightly embarrassed when either one of those skins or even both went up to him. He didn’t know if it was his dislike of dogs or if it was the fact that those two were always too close for his liking. Those wolfish paws were that part of him under that black and frilly maid skirt. He was glad that his boyfriend was nearby to get his wolf skin to behave and Naib was very content to punish them. Lucky kind of felt bad for those two as the whimpering pair wrapped their arms around his waist. Too bad for Naib though, he saw red that day.

Infected’s mouth curves upward like a smiling puppy playing with its owner, when his covered eye gaze lands onto Lucky. As his scarlet ears twitched in excitement and his coattail was wagging fiercely like ever before. Infected then leaps to Lucky like a high cat who was high on catnip. If Infected had eyes that Lucky could see, his eyes would bugle and there would be nothing but pure black, no color in sight.

“Clo!” Infected purrs, hugging Lucky by his waist. Lucky’s own hands were tied up by not only Infected’s chest but by his as well.

"Ngh," Lucky yelps at the sudden closure. He wasn't a fan of dogs, he really much prefers cats and kittens. But he can somewhat handle Victor's dog, Wick. At least, he didn't have it as bad as Emil. Poor boy, he couldn't be near the dog without shaking or leaping away from the unaware pet. It was to a point that Ada would have the mail for Emil, or the nearest survivor or Victor himself would give him his letter.

Infected purrs and stuffs his nose, rubbing it on the red locks and down to the velvet smooth fur coat of Lucky’s neck. Lucky read too much of ABO fanfics to know where this is going. No, it's nothing dirty. It was scenting, if Lucky’s memory serves correctly.

A tiny drop of sweat drips down off Lucky’s cheek, it's been a while off the internet. Damn Baron, stole his iPhone.

Out of the blue, Lucky felt a pull behind him. A tug to pull him closer to another warm body. This time he witness the color blue and black.

It was Parasite. The skin was basically Infected if you replace the blood red to an eerie and ghostly blue. The navy blue eyes stared into Lucky’s soul with nonchalant intent. A low and soft growl whispers gently in Lucky’s animal ears. They in turn twitch in response. Parasite held like Infected was doing right now. Like Naib would.

Seconds later, a heavy and threatening tone growls louder than any blare. Lucky all of a sudden remembers why he dislikes dogs, as he stiffens within the hold of two towering male wolf hybrids.

"W-wait," Lucky stuttering, the ears he has now heightens his senses up to 100. The growls were low and seductive as Naib would be when they were in bed. Red dust glitter among his face.

But, of course, the wolves ignore him and focus more on each other.

The grip of their claws tighten like some sort of corset that Lucky was forced into. No, it did not happen. Don't ask Mary and Violetta, Lucky is begging you. Lucky rather not be suffocating right now.

.

Somehow, the squirrel hybrid manages to escape the wolf clones of his lover. Though, he was pretty sure they are both looking like kicked baby puppies, which would make Lucky feel bad but he more felt like a scolding parent. Their red and blue ears deflate as their graze is somewhere else that Lucky doesn't know what.

Lucky could only feel a sigh of relief, messing around with his collar with the tip of his pointer finger. Lucky would admit out loud that it was getting stuffy in there and a bit hot.

"Eek!" Lucky nearly jumped if it wasn't for the fact that someone or something was holding his golden wisp of a tail down.

Sharp and black nails grip and caress through the fur like it was a plushie who was meant for hugs and kisses to some patients. Lucky remember doing a donation back then. The hands were cursed by the gods, somewhat like Bloodborne or any of those games, ink stained hands with their veins polluted with murky black. But the fin on the person's hood made Lucky a bit at ease. It was Blacktip.

Blacktip was another animal skin given to Naib. It was more a B tier, but it somehow retains the characteristics of animals like Parasite and Infected to a high level of degree. Which was impressive in itself. The red head was pretty sure there would be some sort of The Little Mermaid thing going on between Infected and Blacktip because of the color palette, if Sharks or wolves weren't so. You know.

Blacktip's shark teeth poke out of the corner mouth like a teething baby. Nevermind acting like one.

"Naib?" Lucky asks, even though he himself knew it was a mistake to say. Lucky really just misses his normal boyfriend, he already got pressed and flirted by Inference and Man in Red. They are hot, but not as hot as his Naib.

Blacktip's pink scared tail overcoat leaned much closer if Lucky payed attention. Which he didn't.

"Luck," Blacktip gruffs, leaving a rougher edge than Naib's own. His claws, sharp as knives and teeth, waves over to more of Lucky's belt cover waist. His right hand hover over Lucky’s flicking ear like whispering fire.

"Yea?"

"Soft," Blacktip replies without much thought or any really. Lucky didn't know what to think of it.

It was kinda cute as The skin acts like some curious 5 year old kid. Lucky would've known he babysat before with his neighbors' kids and currently with Memory.

“Soft like, like,” Blacktip pauses, staring at his vixen lover with hidden awe and adoration. “LIke cuttlefish.”

Lucky’s lips then met upon the cold and salty cheek of Blacktip.

Blacktip was flushing with whatever color blush he has right now, the glasses wearing man could only tell by the way of how dazed his shark boyfriend is acting. It looked like the black and red shark man had been drinking one or two drinks from Demi. It was like a semi hug when Naib wanted to recharge his energy.

CLANK!

Lucky suddenly felt a tug on his left, the grip around his free hand. Lucky’s green eyes widened to witness the somebody who had Lucky in his hold.

It was Sharkbite, the pale and baby blue with red and black shark accents. It was very similar to borderline copying cat twins. Sharkbite and Blacktip are literally the same, but with different colors. It’s like between Infected and Parasite, but with sharks and water, and not you know wolves.

The blue shark guides Lucky’s metal hand up to his mouth, separating apart the jaggy and scratchy lips. Revealing all the keen and edged teeth, which could tear any flesh that stands in its way. Lucky was frozen in place, he felt like the teeth could chop off and serve hand. It was scary because it was like facing off on a hunter. Though, Lucky shoves down those thoughts because he trusts Naib. Any form of Naib loves him, and it’s painfully obvious before they even start dating.

The blistering breaths in and out hits the masked glove. It was kinda hot, Lucky wasn’t going to lie.

But

“Agh,” Sharkbite bites little and little, chewing away at the metal. It was like a dog with a dog toy.

"Stop biting me."

The squirrel then felt the warmth of somebody. Somebody’s forehead. The heat was like a parasite between his neck and ears.

"Ow!"

Sharkbite probably starts to pick up a fight with Blacktip, if it wasn’t for Lucky being between them.

.

"So, " BROWN drawl on, cuddling the edgy hybrid like he was a body pillow or something along the lines. His brown hooded head snuggled further into the fur coated neck of Lucky. "Fluffyyyy…"

BROWN was somewhat a bear hybrid, but more cuddly and wuddly like Winnie the Pooh. The childish vibes and those aesthetic core clothes that people would flaunt all the time in the media. BROWN was very much more affectionate towards him like some sort of Gomez Addams. Naib was really jealous about that.

As much as Lucky loves the affections he was receiving, he would like to move. It was the afternoon already and it’s been 4 hours by now! He needs to stretch! His legs were being cramped and falling asleep for god’s sake!

"BROWN…"

Brown could only mumble.

‘Please!’ Lucky thinks, ‘Your weight is crushing me!’

.
“What is this?” Lucky questions, holding on golden and shiny necklace and jewels before looking at the blue and white feathered figure

“For you,” Eagle replies without hesitation. A smile of pride was grace on the bird hybrid’s face, sparkling brightly like the sun that Lucky had to squint despite Lucky wearing some killer shaded glasses.

They were currently in a tree right now, after Lucky ran away from the shark infested duo. His squirrel instincts kicked in and here Lucky is.

Eagle was in that tree apparently and was waiting for Lucky. The thick tree branch was holding both of them which was fine. Eagle’s cooing snapped parts of Lucky’s thoughts.

“Well, well, well,” A disembowel voice drawls as Eagle straightens out and goes closer to the sitting Lucky like a Mother bird. Pearly whites appear slowly into reality before the figure reveals into place.

Cheshire was obviously a cat hybrid, with its bright blue military uniform that Lucky was pretty sure that the army would provide. It was adoren in rainbow metals, shiny and pristine.

“Hands off my mate!” The talons were gripped around the squirrel like mouse in the claws of a cat, it was also tighter than before so Lucky was pretty sure that they would leave marks.

“Hehehe,” Cheshire grins widely as his neon blue paws drape around the fur cover neck. “Maybe, he much prefers cats than birds.”

“HEY!”

The three look down to what the screaming was all about to only find the original Naib, who is fuming and putting on his war ridden face on, as Colonel Dax followed in suit sighing and clutching on to the hem of Naib’s hoodie before Naib did anything stupid. Spring Hand was peeping out from the door like Eli would do if the hunter was nearby. Clever kid, please be far away from the drama Lucky prays.

.
“Thanks,” Lucky said with a sigh of gratitude.

“It was no problem really,” Naib waves it off, with his ripped arms crossed. “They must’ve been too suffocating.”

“Well, not really.”

“Liar,” Naib retorts with a gruff, pulling his lover closer by the waist. Taking in the beautiful and handsome features of the design and clothing, it was more intricate and detailed than Naib ever imagined.

“Well, maybe a little,” chuckles Lucky.

“God, you are so cute,” whispers the green hooded man with a breathy tone, giving his lover ghost kisses. His rough lips grazed upon the other’s milky and velvet skin as the Mercenary’s breath were hot and fired on the cold temperate cheeks.

Pale and bright pink rose color shine across Lucky’s face like wildfire. It was a vivid and gleaming color compared to the autumn and earthy palettes plastered on Lucky’s costume.

“Naib!”

Chapter Text

A gentleman dorn in a purple suit as green control ooze held a smaller figure, his lover. The tight-suited man was elegant as always as he held his dearest like a princess would hold her knight, or the bride of her wedding being held by her now husband off to the sunset. The green inky man hums a little tune he would always hum in the darkest and foggy night of London before the manor.

His lover was a fluffy chestnut haired young man, a smaller person to this 7ft taller man. His green doe eyes shine brighter than the green blotch, shiner than the sun kissed grass on a golden hour meadow. His reddish-blackish big frame glasses make the innocence more true and cuter, but the gentleman knew better, it was cover up to a more observant man. But that didn’t make up for how oblivious he would be. His lover was a normal man, a normal man in strange clothing and weird slang that the gentleman couldn’t help but be attracted to. Drawing him like a moth to a flame.

“Can you eat in that form?” Lucky asks, holding on a piece of heart-shaped chocolate to the geometry masked gentleman’s face. He always loved how bold his clover was with good questions. It was like that one time with Hastur, but this ain’t about the foreign god.

“What makes you think about that?” His watery head tilts in a more inhuman way than his normal form couldn’t even do.

“Because, Jack!” Lucky starts, moving closer to his taller lover’s chin. “You don’t seem to have any mouth.”

“Is that so?” Jack responds as he leans to his beloved, shallowing the piece of candy off his lover’s dominant hand. Lucky stares as his puffy lips lined in nervous bones; The freckled cheeks were now gone, replaced by bright and heavy red dust glitter on the Lucky Guy’s face.

“H-hey!” Lucky was cut off as soon as his mouth was open. Lucky’s mouth was stuff with the flowy face and lips of his boyfriend, and the sweetness of the milkiest chocolate. As tongues tango, Smaller hands grip just a bit tightly on the shoulders of his Jack.

Blue and cerulean petals of roses fell upon the couple, dazzling and twirling around them even though they were seemingly being produced out of nowhere. But it didn’t matter to the two, it just amplifies the atmosphere around them a bit more on their date.