Archive of Our Own ^beta

Ink had been stuck with his husband the whole month, the man keeping him close, dragging him around to his work and keeping him sat in the main area of his hero agency, surrounded by people who were much kinder than his husband. They all kept him at arm's length, knowing how protective Killer was with his husband, but emotionally they took care of him. Killer had always told them that Ink used to be friends with the villains, that they manipulated him and kept trying to get him back to use him, so whenever he talked about them he could see the sad looks he was given.

He felt like a victim; he was not a victim. When he explained that they didn’t hurt him because they’re better than that, he was met with sad smiles that just screamed ‘I feel sorry for you but don’t want you to blow up if I tell you they’re manipulating you’. I mean, they were right, he would scream and cry when they used to try to convince him they were awful, though as he got older and was forcibly distanced from them, he became less prone to blowups. Though the mention of them being awful, manipulative, or horrible people still upset him and he would be found crying in the bathroom when the comments got too much for him. Then he’d be dragged back to Killer’s office to calm him down. Which usually ended with him being hit around and threatened.

Ink had to talk to the hero's all about what happened when he was with the villains for ‘intel purposes’, but obviously whatever he said would eventually end up getting back to Killer, so he was careful with what he said to them. He couldn’t mention Axe and Murder getting engaged, or being blue to talk to X, or Nightmare showing him the garden, or Sun taking care of him. Anything he said would either get him screamed at or would be used against his friends. Ink was forced to explain the bruises on his wrists or neck away as things that happened while he was with the villains.

With Night.

It hurt so much to imply that he was the one who had hurt him.

Night would never hurt him.

But Killer would if he found out that Ink was telling people what really happened, it was the best he could do without being given even more bruises. He knew Night understood and didn’t mind, but it still felt like a betrayal to lie about him. He always hated when he had to tell people that Nightmare had hit him, or choked him, but him, bruised him, manipulated him, or did anything to him. Night would literally never lay a hand on him, sure he could be violent, but even through all of his mental issues Ink knew that he would do anything for him. They were in love and even after all that had happened, they had never left the honeymoon phase.

Maybe Night was just scared of turning into Killer, or wanted to give him something that he hadn’t gotten from Killer in years. Actual love. Not love bombing, just actual, pure hearted, innocent, love.

Fuck he wanted to see Night again. He wanted to see his brother again. He needed them, they took care of him, had his best interests in mind, and did all they could for him. Ink loved them so much, and they loved him, and they were always right, even when Ink didn’t want to believe them. Cross was right, he knew Killer had done something to their dad. He had no idea how he knew but he completely regretted defending Killer. He… he had killed a man, had killed his dad . This was not the man who Ink married, who he thought he was, this was a murderer. Sure, so was Night, but it was different. Night killed for him, and Killer killed because of him. And now he’s taken his brother away from him too. Fuck he hoped that Cross was okay.

He asked all the time for Killer to let him call his brother to see if he was even alive . But he never allowed it, not wanting to allow him anywhere near anyone else, especially near the villains that he hated so much. Ink felt like it was reasonable for him to hate them, they attacked, almost blinded, and left him crippled for months. But almost killing his brother was far over the line, after all the villains had all suffered because of the attack as well. Well, perhaps more mentally than physically unlike Killer, but nonetheless it had changed everyone. 

It took weeks of begging, sobbing, and multiple breakdowns before he finally was allowed to speak to his brother. Albeit, through code and while being recorded and listened to by the heroes in case he dropped any useful information. Ink didn’t care, he was just happy to see if he was alive, and happily took his old phone with all his contacts back from his husband. It took a while for them to set up a recording device on the phone, and Ink sat in an empty interrogation room, on his knees on the floor. Killer and the other hero’s stood on the other side of the glass, watching as Ink clicked on Cross’s contact in his phone, pressing it to his ear as it rang. He let out a small gasp when he heard the ringing cut off, and the phone was picked up. Fuck it had been so long since Ink got to talk to his brother like this on the phone. He hoped he was okay…

“Cross?” He asked into the phone wearily, hoping that it was him that picked up on the other side of the phone.

“He’s asleep,” Ink heard Dream speak, “What do you want?” No, no he heard Sun speak.

“He’s alive though?” Ink asked.

“Yes, and he’s healing well. He will be back to full strength soon and angry .” He said.

Ink knew this game, he knew what he was playing at. Sun knew he was being listened to, and he was comforting Ink while threatening the heroes with Cross’s X’s anger. He had to play along, play the sacred brother.

It wouldn’t be hard.

He was scared.

Scared for his brother.

And scared of what his brother would do to Killer.

“Can I speak to him?” Ink asked, desperation leaking through his tone, something that made Sun take pause. “S-… whoever you are, please . He’s my brother, I need to know that he’s okay.”

He heard a sigh from the other end of the phone and some shuffling. He could hear some words he couldn’t make out before Ink heard Sun on the phone.

“Fine, but he’s drugged up on pain meds and talking in Spanish, so have fun with that.” He said.

“Okay thank yo-“ Ink said, getting interrupted.

“I’m passing the phone.” Sun interrupted.

“Mmmmh… s-sun…? Qué?” Cross asked.

“Ink está al teléfono, él quiere hablar.” Sun explained.

“Oh! ¡Dame el teléfono!” Cross demanded. “Ink!” He slurred happily into the phone.

“Ah, uhm… hola.” He said, looking over to Killer hesitantly as he muttered his way through the language.

“Hola! ¿Cómo estás?”

“Bien, bien… tú?” 

“Mareado… todo duele también.”

“Wh-what…? I mean, qué?”

He heard whispering from the other side of the line in Spanish, nothing he could understand properly until he heard Sun repeat what Cross said, this time in english. Fuck Ink was happy that he was there on the other side of the phone.

“He’s dizzy and everything hurts.” Sun explained in english.

“Aw, poor thing, from the drugs?” Ink asked.

“Probably, and maybe getting stabbed had something to do with it.” He snarled through the phone, probably directed towards Killer, and definitely not towards Ink.

“Oh yes… maybe…” Ink whispered sadly.

”Listen. He’ll be fine. Your whore of a husband might not be when we’re done with him though,” Dream threatened.

“I-”

“No matter how you feel about him it doesn’t matter, no one comes into our fucking home and almost kills one of ours. We do not care how you feel, when we have our way he will die screaming.” Sun snarled, and it was this that made him not know if he was being serious or if they were still playing their game.

”Don’t you dar-” Ink said, only being cut off by the beep that the phone made when he was hung up on.

He dropped the phone into his lap and looked up to his husband with fear in his eyes. Everyone else in the room thought they knew why he was scared-he was scared from the threat against his husband-but… he was scared of what his husband was going to do to Dream.

To him.

Killer walked into the room and kneeled down next to Ink, sliding the phone from his hand with one hand and placing the other on his cheek. It was supposed to be sweet and affectionate, nice, comforting, protective, but to Ink… he just felt gross; only Night should be able to touch him like that. Yet he pushed down the choking feeling of wrongness and leaned into his hand, closing his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his husband’s neck.

“Please don-”

“I’ll be alright, don’t worry,” He whispered as he dropped the phone and wrapped his arm around Ink’s back, gripping his shirt, “I will make sure they will pay.”

Killer’s hand gripped the back of his shirt tightly, and Ink let out a sob. It was yet another thing that was misread by every other person in the room, they thought it was sweet and comforting. It wasn’t. It was a threat. Killer was going to kill them and he was telling Ink that point blank. Killer slid the hand on his cheek to the back of his head and pulled him into his neck as he started sobbing, pulling him closer in a possessive display covered up by a small layer of innocent comfort.

“Pleas-”

“Shhh, it will be alright, let’s go home, yeah?” He whispered as he helped Ink to his feet.

He was so dizzy, his heart beating heavily as he was forced to his feet still sobbing. His leg gave out as he yelped, and he fell further into his husband’s arms, his whole body giving up under him. His chest hurt and he could feel his heart beating in his ears, and Ink looked up at his husband as his vision blurred and quickly faded to blak as he passed out.

Night never let him pass out…

He’d never force him to his feet.

He’d hold him close and make sure he wouldn’t have to stand, and if he did have to move, Night would carry him around.

Night was perfect.

Ink woke up in the back of the car, Killer driving him home while talking to someone over the phone in a language he couldn’t understand. He remembered vaguely that Killer could speak Arabic, maybe that’s what was happening. He had no idea though, he was dizzy, exhausted, and discombobulated. Ink’s body ached, and he still swore he could hear his heartbeat echoing in his ears. He tried to slowly move onto his back but his leg pulsed with pain that shot up his whole body, forcing a small grunt of pain from his throat.

Killer stopped halfway through a sentence in the foreign language and turned to him, though quickly returned his eyes to the road. He muttered something before throwing his phone to the seat beside him and taking a deep breath. Ink grunted again as he tried to sit up. Killer glanced back and his hand pressed harshly against Ink’s chest, lying him back in the backseat.

“Stay down, I don’t need you passing out on me again,” He said, his tone kinder than it had ever been over the last few weeks. “Are you alright?”

“Hmm… everything hurts…” Ink whispered.

“Yeah, it usually does, just lie back and I’ll take care of you my Love. We’re almost home, I’ll get you something salty, you probably need the extra sodium right now.”

“Mmmh… okay.” He groaned.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you pass out.”

“I-it’s okay. I know you didn’t mean to.”

Killer nodded and hummed in agreement, palming against the steering wheel, his fingers wrapping around it tightly. His foot pressed hard onto the gas pedal, forcing both of the men to press against the seats behind them. Ink made a small noise of confusion mixed with distress that Killer ignored as he continued to speed up well over the speed limit.

“You know I am not going to let them get away with their direct threats,” He spat, turning to face Ink, though only for a second.

“K-Killer pleas-”

“Shut the fuck up!” He screamed, scaring Ink. “Shut up! I don’t give a fuck what you want. They fucking threaten me I will kill them!”

“Kill-”

“I thought I told you to shut the FUCK UP .”

Killer slammed on the brakes, almost making Ink fly off the backseat and onto the floor of the car, but he managed to barely keep himself from falling. Both men panted heavily as Killer pulled into their driveway, this time much more safely and at a much better speed. Though every second that passed Ink’s stomach welled with anxiety and he couldn’t manage to swallow down the frog in his throat. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the car, hoping that Killer wouldn't do anything to him the second they got through the door of their home. He turned the car off and slammed the front door after getting out, walking over to the back door that was closest to Ink’s head, and opening the door slowly.

Ink stared up at him with exhausted and pained fear in his eyes, meeting the almost white eyes of his husband. They were icy cold, both in colour and the anger they conveyed, and sometimes Ink had wished that Horror was able to claw his eyes from his face. Killer’s hands slid down his body, his touch lighter than it usually would be when Ink was met with those cold eyes, his hands slowly sliding underneath his body, pulling him out of the car and picking him up. Ink wrapped his arms around his neck and held him tightly.

“I’m sorry…” He whispered as he pressed his face against Killer’s neck.

“It’s alright.” Killer sighed.

“Maybe you could calm down a little…? You’re scaring me.”

Killer took a deep death and turned to press a kiss to Ink’s temple as he carried him up the stairs and into the house. He himself whispered an apology to him as he unlocked the front door and held him close as he took him inside, laying him down on the couch and climbing on top of him.

“Killer…?” Ink whispered as Killer laid on top of him, trying to avoid lying on his leg or chest.

“Yes Darling?”

“Are you… are you upset at me?” He asked, wincing a bit as he felt Killer move around on top of him.

“What? No, no of course not! What would make you think that?”

“Well…”

“Ink, look at me,” Killer said as he placed a hand on his cheek and moved his face up to get him to look at him. “I am not upset at you.”

“Okay…”

“I love you,” Killer pressed a kiss to his mouth.

Ink closed his eyes and leaned into it, Killer was being so nice to him today and it was so easy to love him and let him hold him close. It was one of the first times he had been kissed recently by his husband where he didn’t imagine it was Night’s mouth against his own. He enjoyed the feeling, and for the hundredth time he hoped desperately that things would just stay like this and Killer would get better. Ink pulled away, panting heavily, and when he opened his eyes he noticed the glance of pure love Killer was staring down at him with, and he never expected it…

“I… I love you too…!” He said the second he was allowed to pull away.

“Goodness I could hold you forever, you truly are the love of my life, I could never let you go.” He whispered as he pressed their mouths together again in the most loving display he could muster.

Ink smiled into the kiss, his arms wrapping around his hus- his lover’s neck, dragging him in closer. Killer took the invitation and opened his mouth, pressing his tongue against Ink’s mouth, a request that his lover obeyed completely. Ink opened his mouth and pressed his tongue against his lover, enjoying the feeling of being able to actually consensually participate in affection with his lover. The whole world fell away, everything left his head other than the feeling of his lover as he was held close and pressed against him, he felt so fucking elated right now. They sat there for minutes, the only sounds being their breaths against each other and small moans and gasps mostly coming from Ink. Eventually Killer pulled away, leaving them both panting heavily with a string of saliva connecting their mouths that Killer quickly wiped away with his sleeve.

“I love you.” Ink whispered, his eyes and voice filled with awe and adoration.

Killer giggled and pulled away, the Ink whined and tried to drag him downwards, back into his arms to hold him close. Killer sighed and pressed a kiss to his forehead and whispered a promise to return and hold him through the night before Ink hesitantly let him go. He hadn’t felt like this in so long, like a lovestruck teenager, he felt like he was back in his honeymoon phase from that first few months of their relationship. His head was fuzzy and he hadn’t felt butterflies in his stomach like this since Night took him to the garden in the middle of the castle.

Ink carefully sat himself up, ignoring the noise of his heart beating in his ears and his chest and leg burning from the sudden movement as he leaned over the back of the couch, flopping both of his arms over the backing of the couch and staring at the doorway to the kitchen. He leaned his cheek sideways against the couch, hoping that killer would hurry the hell up and come back to hold him close through the night. Killer returned after what was a few minutes but what felt like hours to Ink.

“Looks like someone missed me,” Killer said with a small smile.

“Come hereeee,” Ink whined as he reached his hands out towards him and made grabby hands towards him.

“Oh I’m coming my love, I’ll be right there,” Killer walked around the couch, placing a plate of food in his lap before sitting down next to him.

Ink smiled, holding the plate nicely in his lap so that the food wouldn't fall onto the couch as he cuddled into his lover’s side. Killer wrapped an arm around him and dragged him closer to him, kissing his forehead and picking up one of the crackers, spreading some cheese on top and pressing it to his lips. Ink giggled at the action of his lover literally hand feeding him. He opened his mouth and Killer pushed the cracker into his mouth. Ink felt so loved and cared for in this moment, he was so loved, so adored, and Killer held him so preciously as if he were a fine china doll in the hands of a collector that paid thousands for him.

Killer turned on the tv as he continued to hand feed him every single thing on that plate, and he soaked up the affection like a sponge starved of affection. He held him close and doted on him the rest of the day, sticking close to him and enjoying how Ink looked like a little puppy, or a child in a candy store. He had wide eyes filled with love, completely obsessed and adoring in every way possible. They way his eyes lit up when he would go get him drinks, or carry him around, or dote on him like a servant taking care of their king. It made him feel so loved, and fuck was it so hot. He wanted Killer to hold him and dote on him as they had sex, touching him like he was glass and whispering loving praise into his ear.

It was like they were teenagers again, or had just got married, or were on their honeymoon, or were at any point in their relationship when they were just desperately in love with each other. Ink clung to him and Killer held him right against his hip the whole night, never letting him go less than a second without his lover draped all over him. He whispered into his ear all night, sweet nothings, and Ink couldn’t help but want to whisper back all the things he wanted done to him in bed tonight. He hadn’t felt this aroused by his husband in years, and it was almost as if he had never been taken advantage of by him ever before in his life.

“Killer…” Ink whispered as he pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Yes my dear?” Killer responded with a smile.

“Would you go to bed with me? I would… like to enjoy my night with you a little more,” He said as he grabbed the side of Killer’s neck that was further away from him, pulling him closer and pressing sweet kisses against his neck.

“Oh? Is that how you feel right now?” Killer whispers as he leans away to give Ink more space. “Well perhaps I should take you to bed and we can enjoy ourselves, hm?”

“Ohh, yes please, I haven’t felt like this in so long I don’t want to pass on the opportunity to have fun.”

“Well if you’re so impatient then why even wait to go to bed? We have a perfectly good surface right here.”

Killer smiled and slowly leaned over Ink pushing him down carefully against his back, climbing over him and kissing him sweetly. Ink giggled, wrapping his arms around his lover’s neck, pulling him close and closing his eyes to just enjoy the moment as if nothing else was truly happening around him. Killer’s hands roamed up and down his lover’s sides, slipping his shirt off over his head before swiftly pressing their lips back together. Ink gripped at the zipper of Killer’s jacket, trying to pull it off his shoulders with mostly failed attempts.

Killer smiled, sliding his jacket and shirt off as he readjusted his legs so that he was straddling his lover’s hips so that Ink could get the eyeful of his body that Killer knew he wanted. He chucked his shirt to the side before his eyes returned to the man underneath him, whose eyes were wide and tracing over his body. Killer loved seeing the way Ink practically fucked him with his eyes, and he had desperately missed everything to do with his darling lover. 

“I love you,” Killer declared suddenly, making Ink blush heavily and giggle a bit.

“Oh I love you too Killer!” He said with a giddy smile as he started to rub his thighs together under his lover.

“Oh the things I’m going to do to you,” Killer whispered as he leaned down, pressing sweet kisses against his neck. “You gorgeous little fragile thing, how I adore you so.”

Ink giggled, though they slowly turned into panting gasps as Killer started to kiss down his neck, then along his collar bone, and slowly lower and lower over his thin frame. He pressed his finger into his mouth and draped his other arm over his face, hiding in the inside of his elbow, already overwhelmed and nothing had even happened yet.

“Oh… always so easy,” Killer whispered as he placed a small kiss on his stomach. “Move your hands, I want to see your gorgeous face my darling.”

Ink let out a sigh as Killer’s lips had made their way down to the waistband of his pants, and he moved his hands away from his face, instead letting them fall somewhere to the side of his head. Killer slowly hooked his fingers into the waistband of his pants and slid them down while he stared directly into Ink’s eyes. He discarded his hands onto the floor once they had been removed from his legs and leaned over him again, both of his hands falling onto either side of his lover’s head.

“I love you,” Killer whispered.

“I love you too.”

Killer drove Ink to the store, he had finally managed to take a proper day off work and he had promised Ink that he wouldn't leave him alone for the foreseeable future. They talked about things as they went the short drive, only a few minutes, but enough for Ink to explain the things he needed from his lover in the store that day. By the time they got there Killer had been given the rundown of everything he needed to clean in the store room before doing anything else for him. That was the thing that needed the most attention right now, as it had only gotten worse since night had tidied it and it needed a proper clean that Ink wasn’t abled enough to clean it like it needed.

Killer turned the car off and grabbed Ink’s cane from the backseat, handing it to him with a smile. Ink smiled back and thanked him, taking the cane and opening the door to the car. They both stepped out at the same time and Killer took his arm, helping him in the back after it was unlocked for the two of them. Killer was greeted with a mess of crafting materials that was much worse than it usually would be, though usually Killer would come round more often and clean up every few months, and he hadn’t been to the store in quite a while. He supposed the mess was partly his fault and he would gladly help his lover by cleaning everything so he could actually use the space that he needed safely. He helped Ink to the front where he started tidying up some of the things up there and opened the store while he retreated to the mess in the back in order to start on cleaning it all properly.

It took a few hours but he was happy with the fact that you could actually see the floor of the back room instead of stepping over yarn and possibly creating tripping hazards. If Ink tripped on one of his bad days he probably would’ve been stuck on the floor unable to stand up without passing out for hours, or injure his leg even more. It was better to keep his space clean and keep him out of danger. Killer sighed and he flopped down onto one of the chairs in the room, he was exhausted from quite a bit of heavy lifting, he was actually surprised that Ink managed to get so many heavy things inside the craft room, and he had genuinely no idea how he managed to move them without collapsing. He was thin, weak, disabled, and didn’t have magic, some of the boxes were literally impossible for him to carry.

Killer sighed, picking up his phone and scrolling through it a bit before he swore he could hear hushed whispers from the other side of the door leading to the shop. He put his phone down, sliding it into his pocket as he stood up and made his way towards the door. He leaned against it on his side, pressing the side of his he’d to the door to try and listen.

“Ni… please…” He heard Ink say, his voice muffled by the door.

“Ink com… n!” Another voice said, one that he recognised.

Killer clenched his fists and slammed the door open, seeing Inka don Night speaking to each other in hushed voices, both of them seemingly upset. He stormed over to the other side of the counter, shoving Night back and getting in between him and Ink. Ink tried to stand up, using the counter to hold him up, but his leg gave out with a small noise of pain and he fell back into the seat.

“Is this asshole bothering you?” Killer growled while he stared down at Night.

“Night, please just leave,” Ink whined as he sat up in the chair.

“What, can I not fucking talk to my friend?” Night said as he crossed his arms and stepped closer to Killer, their chests bumping against each other.

“He told you to leave.” Killer growled.

“You sure he didn’t mean you? At least I'm not a piece of shit.”

“Listen to him, and get the fuck out.”

“Ohh, yeah like you listen to him when he begs you to not hit him.”

Killer grits his teeth and clenches his fists, dropping his fists to the side of his body and stepping closer to him, forcing Night to stumble back a bit. He stared down at him, his eyes starting to glow a nice red that no longer matched the colour of his eyes after the attack, and the air around him became thick with his magic. Ink slowly rose to his feet, ignoring his cane and instead leaning against the counter to hold him up, also ignoring the pain in his leg and the way he heard his heart beating hard in his ears. His brain entered into a desperate panic as the magic permeating the air choked him, his body in fight or flight as he sped towards his husband and lover.

The silence fell heavily against them as Ink felt Night’s magic start not waft in the air, and he hoped to god that neither of them would spark their magic into existence, he had experienced too much loss in the last few days already. The second he reached Killer, the closer of the two and the only one out of them he would hold without causing a huge fight he launched himself off the counter and wrapped his arms around his back. Ink squeezed him tight and braced himself for an attack as he felt his husband’s magic spark to life, surrounding the two of them in the familiarly terrifying glow of bright red knives surrounding them.

“You fucking hurt him I swear t-” Night swore, being cut off by the immediate dissipation of the magic knives.

“Shit- Ink- I’m sorry are you okay?” Killer worriedly asked as he turned around and pulled Ink into his chest, holding him up.

“Please, please stop it, I don’t want anyone else to get hurt, please!” Ink whines as he lurches with a sob.

The magic dissipated from the air, leaving Ink’s body only buzzing from Night’s which was much less powerful-or rather, he hadn’t fully activated it. But when he watched Killer hold Ink tight and slowly help him back into a seat while whispering small promises of everyone’s safety he dissipated his own magic. Night knew how manipulative Killer was and how easy Ink was to manipulate, and he didn’t want to stoke any fires, nor did he want to give Killer any more excuses to hurt his little lover. He sneered at Killer, though he was behind him so he couldn’t see, before he shoved his hands in his pockets and left the shop, the jingle of the bell a welcome sound for everyone involved that remained in the store.

“Are you alright Ink?” Killer asked as he placed a hand on his cheek, his fingers sliding into his hair.

“Y… yes, I think so,” He whispered exasperatedly, “Just, my leg and my chest…”

“Oh honey, would you like some water or pain medication?”

“No, no I’m okay.”

“Alright, do you want to stay in the store or?”

“I’d like to stay, but… maybe you could stay up front with me if you’re done in the back?”

“Yes of course, I’m sure I can help you tidy up in the front too.”

“That would be nice, if that’s okay with you of course.”

“Of course my love.” 

Killer pressed a kiss to his forehead and carefully pushed the chair a little further into his working space that still sat directly next to the checkout counter. He then walked around the store, tidying stuff up as Ink put the finishing touches on the weaved bracelet he had finished a few days prior. He placed a few beads on the edges of the strings and used pliers to hook a metal attachment onto each of the ends, and carefully burned off the edges so it wouldn’t come undone. Ink smiled as he clipped the two ends of the bracelet together and placed it carefully in a clear jewellery box and put it to the side with the rest of the projects he had finished for his customers that were waiting to be picked up.

Ink sighed and leaned back in his chair, watching Killer tidy and reorganise things throughout the shop, and while some of the things he changed were things that Ink would change back later he was still so thankful for his husband. Oh, and speaking of husbands, he remembered what Murder had asked him to make and immediately sat up in his hair with a smile. Ink didn’t have much experience with making things based on human organs, the things he made with clay usually being things more along the lines of mushrooms or teddy bear keychains or charms, but he was confident that he would be able to do this for his friend. He picked up his phone and a sketchbook he usually used to write down new crochet patterns he had made, but today a page would be reserved for sketching out what this heart was going to look like from every angle.

He searched up a photo of a human heart and started sketching away in his notebook, eventually managing to find a 3d model of one that would usually be used for 3d printing; but he had no interest in that and instead used the model to help him with his sketches. Most people would use the model as a reference instead of sketching it down, but Ink found that drawing it first usually made it easier, since he already had drawn the intricacies of the heart-or whatever he would make-so it would make it easier to make it. The only time when Ink was glad that the shop was generally empty was when he was working on a drawing or a project, and since Killer had been in a very good mood the last few days Ink’s usual anxiety about doing things in front of him was much more manageable.

He was only snapped out of his excited drawing when he felt the rough hand of his husband press flatly against his back, making him jump a bit. He looked up at his husband who was talking happily with an older woman and a young girl who were standing directly in front of the counter. The girl was excitedly telling Killer about the bracelet they were here to pick up and Killer was engaging so sweetly with her. Ink looked into his eyes, and all he could think at that moment was that he thought Killer would be a good father… and maybe that was something they should look into sometime.

“Do you have the bracelet made, Ink?” Killer said as he smiled down at his husband.

“Wh-what?” He whispered as he was snapped out of his staring.

“They said they ordered one of these for the girl?” Killer asked as he held out one of his model bracelets.

“Oh! Yes sorry I forgot! Yeah, it’s done, let me grab it,” Ink closed his notebook and turned his phone over as he tried to stand up, but was quickly pushed back down into the chair by his husband.

Ink looked up and Killer gave him a stern look that immediately returned the pit of anxiety to his stomach. He reached up without standing and fumbled through the multiple jewellery boxes filled with bracelets and necklaces until he found the one that was made for the young girl. He handed it to Killer who passed it over the counter and directly into the hands of the girl. She quickly took it out of the box, placing it on the counter, and her grandmother helped her tie it around her wrist as she ranted excitedly about how pretty it was. The grandmother grabbed the jewellery box and slid it into her purse, both women thanking the men as they left, the girl practically bouncing from excitement at the idea of showing it off to her parents.

KIller looked down at Ink with a worried glance as he saw that his shoulders had fallen and he was staring hard into his lap. He got onto his knees on his lover's side, one of his hands holding his cheek and the other taking his hand in his own.

“Are you alright, Love?” He asked, “Was the girl too loud for you?”

“I’m sorry,” He muttered, barely managing to choke it out through the lump of fear forming in his throat.

“What? For what?” Killer asked, rubbing his thumb over his lover’s cheek.

“I- I tried to stand up and-” Ink stopped talking as he tried to choke back a terrified sob.

“Hey, is this because I pushed you back down? No, you’re not in trouble, I was just worried about your eg but didn’t want to make a scene of it in front of your customers,” He reassured as he leaned in closer to his lover. “I promise you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I…”

“Let me take you to the back. We still have those couches back there and it might be better for you to lay down, I can handle the front for you okay? It’s almost closing time anyways, I can just sweep, lock up, and close the register for you alright?”

“O… Okay… I don't want to be a bothe-”

“My love you are never a bother or a burden or anything, let me just take care of you, okay?”

Ink nodded, the pit in his stomach lightening a bit as he let out a sigh, no longer having to hold back tears and heavy sobs. Killer’s hands snaked around him, slowly picking him up as Ink’s own arms wrapped around his neck and he pressed the side of his head against his lover’s chest. Killer carefully carried him into the back room and laid him down on one of the couches he had bought for him when he would use the back for his larger crafts, like when he used to do costumes for both himself and people online. Killer’s hand found its way back onto his cheek as he moved his head so that Ink would look into his eyes.

“I love you, call for me if you need anything okay?”

“Okay… Thank you Killer. I.. love you too.”

Killer leaned in and pressed his lips against Ink’s sweetly, only for a few moments, but it was more than enough time for Ink to press back against him and make him feel much better. He pulled away after a few moments and slipped back into the front of the store, leaving Ink alone with his phone and sketchbook. Ink wasn’t in the mood for drawing anymore, he placed the notebook onto the ground beside him and instead opened his phone, scrolling absentmindedly as he excitedly waited for his lover to return, the well of anxiety inside him completely dried up and was instead being filled with contentment and happiness.

He returned within less than an hour and immediately dropped to Ink’s side and held him so closely, and started kissing him all over his face. Ink giggled as his husband moved his dyed curly hair off his face and pressed sweet, light kisses to his face, neck, and hands. Ink tried to kiss him back, though Killer was too quick and obviously got much more affection than Ink could manage through his giggles. Though he stopped it when Ink threw himself onto him, wrapping his arms tight around his neck and finally managed to give his own affection. He pressed his own kisses against Killer’s face and neck… mostly his neck, just sweet, kind kisses all over whatever skin wasn’t covered by clothes.

“Okay, Ink, are you just going to kiss me all night or should I take you home?” Killer said with a giggle.

“Mmmmh… fine. But I want more kisses at home,” Ink demanded.

Killer laughed and agreed as he pulled away, holding the back of his head and pressing their foreheads together affectionately. He closed his eyes and breathed out a deep and content sigh, Ink following suit, and they just sat there for a moment, staying close in this moment with nothing else in this moment apart from them and their bond. Fuck Ink loved him so much, he was so happy right now.

“Okay Ink, let’s go home,” Killer whispered as he pulled away and wrapped his arms around him yet again.

“Okay,” Ink let his husband pick him up, nuzzling his face into his neck and wrapping his arms around it.

Killer smiled as he carried him out the back, locking the back door of the store behind him as he whispered sweet nothings to his adoring lover. Ink smiled and let himself be carried, blush coating his face as he tried to flirt back through flustered stutters, which only encouraged his partner further. He giggled as Killer placed him down in the passenger side of the car, placing his hand on his cheek and tucking his hair behind his ear.

“You’re so gorgeous…” He whispered as the two of them stared deep into each other’s eyes. “Ink?”

“Y-yes?” Ink blushed heavily.

“Does Night bother you a lot?” Killer asked, watching as Ink’ face dropped.

“No, I don’t know why he was here today, he's never really come in since you banned him last time.”

“Good. If he comes in again, tell me, I’ll deal with it, you understand?”

“Okay.”

“I don’t want you around people like that.”

“People like what…?”

“People who try to take you away from me.”

“Oh… alright. I can tell him to not come back again?”

“No, you tell me and I will deal with it.”

“But what if you’re not with me?”

“Then I will deal with it when I’m back from work, okay?”

“I… okay.”

“Good, thank you my love,” Killer leaned down and kissed Ink’s forehead before pulling away and closing the car door.

He sighed as he walked around the car, getting into the driver’s seat and opening the centre console. Killer reached in and pulled out a box of cigarettes, pressing one of them between his lips and using a lighter from his pocket to light it. He rolled his window down to let the smoke escape as he turned the car on and pulled out, started driving. Ink looked over at him and sighed in upset, rolling down his own window before reaching over and grabbing the cigarette from his husband’s hand.

“Hey what are yo-” Killer asked.

“You know I hate it when you smoke, you told me you’d stop,” Ink interrupted as he threw the cigarette out the window and rolled it back up.

“Oh come on, it's just one.”

“Killer please , I don’t like it,” He whined as he looked over to his husband.

“I…” Killer tried to figure out a response, but he could see Ink’s worried and upset face and he couldn’t say anything in response. “I’m sorr-”

Killer was cut off as they drove into an intersection, and another car slammed into them. Ink gasped when he felt it, his body immediately switching into panic mode when he felt the impact. Killer slammed on the brakes and turned to take care of Ink, whose entire body was hunched over and he was breathing heavily, right on the verge of a panic attack. Killer got out of the car and sprinted around the other side, ignoring the driver screaming at him as he opened Ink’s car door, unclipped him from his seat belt and pulled him carefully out of the car.

“You okay baby? Deep breaths, breathe for me, you’re okay, we’re okay,” Killer said frantically as he held his lover close.

Ink was hyperventilating heavily, but calmed down with Killer’s continued comfort and being held close, but his chest hurt and he could feel his heart pounding in his ears as if it was trying to destroy his eardrums from the inside out. If he was alone with just him and his husband it would have been much easier to calm down, but he could still hear the man who hit them screaming, cars honking, and police sirens already coming down the street towards them. Killer tried to calm him down, hold him tight to his chest, protecting him from the world, but the second he felt the hand of the man who hit them grab his shoulder he couldn’t hold back his anger anymore. He gritted his teeth, hitting the hand off him and carefully moving Ink back into the car, closing the door before going off on him.

Killer screamed, his eyes glowing nerd with anger and air once again filled with the buzzing of magic too powerful for its own good, from both him and much weaker magic from the man who hit him. Yet the arrogance of the man made it so that he didn’t stop his screaming match, which was only made stupider by the fact that he ran a red light and he hit them. It took the police arriving to pull them both away from each other without any violence, though mostly they just pulled them to their respective cars and asked them what happened while a medic checked Ink out since he was still dealing with a PTSD caused panic attack, and they took extra care with him after Killer told them that he had POTS that had been caused by a previous car crash.

He could still hear the man screaming at the police about him, saying Killer was negligent and it was his fault and how he was going to pay for his new truck and Killer swore he was going to lose his shit. He spoke to the police and showed her his ID, but the second the police officer realised who he was talking to her demeanour changed in less than a second. She yelled for the other officers to shut the man up and quickly told Killer she would deal with it. Everyone knew who the number one hero was, and everyone knew that he didn’t tolerate disrespect, especially from a man who had just endangered his husband’s life.

Killer stared down at her for a second, watching her sweat, before walking away and over to his lover. He sat down next to Ink, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him under his chin. The doctors tried to make sure he was okay, his heart rate high and still in a panic mode from the crash. Killer turned to the doctors and talked to them for Ink while his hands carefully ran over his back and Ink held his head against his chest, listening to his heart beating.

“He is not physically injured, but he seems to have suffered from a mild panic attack, and perhaps some heart issues, his heart rate is dangerously high,” The doctor explained.

“Yes, well the last time he was in a car wreck it have him a heart condition and permanently fucked up his leg so I’m not surprised,” Killer explained as his free hand found its way into Ink’s, intertwining their fingers.

“Yes he was trying to explain something to us but he couldn’t as he was still panicking.”

“Eh, probably doesn’t want to be taken to a hospital again, he has POTS so doctors aren’t his favourite people in the world. He's dealt with a lot of assholes.”

“Well, we were going to keep him overnight if that’s alright with yo-”

“No, no, that won't do him good. I’ll take him home and keep him on bedrest till further notice, he’ll be alright.”

“Sir, I’m sorry but that’s against medical advice.”

“Well I’ll sign whatever forms you need, but he is not physically injured, and neither am I.”

“Sir I wouldn-”

“No, we’re going home,” Killer said, standing up and carefully picking up Ink, keeping his head under his chin and keeping him close.

Ink’s body was limp in his arms, Killer thought he had probably passed out, or was exhausted from his almost severe panic attack. The police had not managed to calm the man down, but he was now sitting in the back of a cruiser with handcuffs and one of the cops with a black eye and muttering to himself unhappily. Killer walked over to the female officer who had initially spoken to him and talked to her immediately.

“Damn what happened there?” He muttered.

“Tried to calm him down and my partner got punched in the face with some sort of strength magic when we told him that he was at fault so he couldn’t press charges against you.” 

“Shit, I’m sorry then, but it comes with the territory I guess.”

“Unfortunately,” She sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “Can I do anything for you two?”

“Yeah, my car’s kinda fucked, wanted to know if you need anything else from me or if I can call an uber or something.”

“Not unless you want to press charges.” She said.

“No, no, I’m sure your friends got that covered, pretty sure assaulting a police officer is a much more serious offence than reckless driving.”

“Well honestly I think he’s drunk so you could tack on a DUI to those charges.”

“Honestly I just want to get Ink home, thanks though.”

“Alright, but if you’d like I can give you my work number if you change your mind and would like to press charges.”

“Nah, dont worry about it.”

“Alright, have a good day then sir.”

The woman walked away, getting into the police cruiser along with her partner and the still screaming man. Killer rolled his eyes at him and pulled Ink closer into his chest. He looked down and gave him a small shake to see whether or not he was awake, but Ink made no move. He probably just passed out. Killer groaned as he looked at the wreck of the car, and pissed himself off at the idea of having to talk to the insurance company, but for now he simply grabbed his phone and called an Uber and waited on the side of the road for it to arrive. He cursed the screaming man as he was driven away and even more when he saw a tow truck pull up to remove the wreckage of both cars, but he stayed calm and held his lover close to him.

He couldn’t wait to go home, to lie down and just fucking sleep alongside Ink, and fuck he wished that would happen faster, he just wanted to stay with Ink and take care of him like he always did. Killer knew he was shitty but he didn’t really give a fuck, and he just simply wanted to love Ink like he wanted. So he would. Holding him close, letting no one else touch him, that was all he wanted, for Ink to be his and his alone for the rest of their lives.