Work Text:
You were something.
Not in an insulting way, it’s just that you were so extraordinary to Itrapped in ways that fascinated him.
He didn’t seek to hurt you or manipulate you, much to his surprise. He enjoyed your company. Even actively seeking it out if you thought about it hard enough.
You were someone who was talented and different.
But wasn’t that the exact problem?
He was Itrapped. Rich, perfect, charming business man. One with intentions that only benefited himself.
And you were you. A humble artist selling paintings that deserve more credit than they get. Just trying to make a living doing something you love.
You two were like polar opposites.
Rich and barely living.
You should’ve been another pawn for him to earn things, like money and fame and.. whatever he wanted, really.
So why did he care about you so much? Why was the way you gazed at him with soft and tired eyes enough to make his heart skip a beat?
Why did the pain of knowing you won’t ever notice the things about him that he did about you make it feel like thorns were growing in his lungs?
Why did it feel like he was dying loving you?
——
Itrapped gently leaned his head against your bed as he watched you paint, his ice crown discarded on a nearby table as you tried to paint it.
This was a scene you two had been through countless times as if it was a routine. Randomly meet, go to your place, watch you paint something, make romantic tension, quickly discard it, leave.
But each one felt like the first time, to him at least.
He watched as you squinted your eyes, focused on getting each detail exactly how you wanted with exact precision, almost paying him no attention at all.
The realization made Itrapped frown a bit, wanting your eyes to be on him, wanting you to look at him, and wanting you to love him love him.
Wait, what?
Getting sidetracked here, isn’t he?
It felt like you read his mind as you turned to face him. “Gosh, am I that boring to watch-?” You ask in fake hurt, noticing him zoning out.
“What? No, continue, I like watching you paint.” Itrapped casually responded as if his insides weren’t being torn by how much he adored watching you.
If it were up to him, if he couldn’t have you then he’d be perfectly content watching you for the rest of eternity. Noticing every small detail about you, even if you wouldn’t look his way.
Yes, watching you would be enough, even if it didn’t truly feel that way.
Although, he doesn’t mind the attention, not one bit.
You lightly laughed at his response, and god it made him a mess, not like you’d know, anyways. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” You giggle, tapping Itrapped’s ice crown without scratching it. “I know I’m interesting enough for you to watch. I’m beautiful, wonderful, marvellous, intelligent, uh.. what else?”
“Why are you all of a sudden complimenting yourself like you’re the greatest thing in the world?” Itrapped inquired, rolling his eyes as if he didn’t agree with you.
You scoffed in fake disbelief. “Uh, because I am!” The paintbrush kept moving across the canvas, stroke after stroke making it more alive.
The sun was still out. It reminded him of you, because of how you brightened his wor—
Holy shit, what? That’s so corny, what are you doing to him?
Itrapped shook his head to rid himself of the thoughts, which you quickly picked up on, halting your progress.
“You good?” You asked in confusion, since you’ve noticed something was up the past few.. past few what? Who cares? He’s just been acting weird.
Itrapped coughed, and god did it hurt. “Yeah- I’m fine.” He replied a little too quickly for reassurance. “Just tired from work.” Even his charmful facade was breaking.
He couldn’t tell you. Not when sharp pricks pierced his throat. Not when the beads of blood from them rushed down into his stomach. Not when it was getting harder to breathe.
Maybe one day.
But not today.
Even as he tried to cover his behaviour and whatnot up, you were able to tell something wasn’t quite right with the whole situation.
“If you say so..?” You sighed, not knowing what to do about him. Or whatever’s making him act up.
After a few seconds, you return your attention to the canvas and it has Itrapped more opportunity to stare at you.
If you weren’t so immersed in your work, you would be able to feel his gaze piercing into your back.
His crown was glistening under the sun, a pretty crystal that was a perfect reference for you to paint. Itrapped would never admit that he was sent to heaven once you asked to use HIS crown as reference. Truly an honour.
You lightly hummed a song from your favourite artist (Which Itrapped knew, because he did as much research as he could the moment he got home the day you told him) while you worked, being nearly finished with the painting.
It was quite a beautiful painting, detailed and immaculate, he couldn’t believe how fast you did it.
But its beauty could never compare to you.
Before he knew it, you had finished, and shifted your painting stool closer to him so he could get a better look.
“Itrapped,” You called in a singsong voice. “I’m done, do you like it?” A smile flashed on your features which almost made him melt.
Almost.
He kept his composure as he inspected the painting, each detail accurate to the real thing. That was owned by him.
Itrapped nodded. “It’s very detailed. You’re extremely talented, you know that?” He stated the obvious, but your smile grew wider anyways.
“Yay! You can keep it once it dries.” You mindlessly say as you stand up to wash your hands. “By the way, want coffee or anything while you wait?”
“Sure.” He replied, knowing that you knew how he liked his coffee by heart, and he loved you more for that.
Once you left the room, Itrapped sighed tiredly and allowed himself to rest a little bit. Well, he wasn’t tired from you, but tired from not knowing what’s going on with him.
Was it love?
Was love supposed to restrict your air pipe?
Was love supposed to pierce through your lungs?
Itrapped hasn’t been in love before, he wouldn’t know.
As the minutes ticked by, Itrapped lay his head in his hand while he collected himself and waited for you to return. It probably wasn’t even that long, but it felt like an eternity since you left.
The weird tingly painful feeling crawled back up his throat, urging to be free.
With a painful cough, he saw that a rose petal had fallen out of his mouth, slightly covered in crimson blood.
What the fuck? How did that make any sense?
He picked up the petal and inspected it closer, curious as to how he coughed it out. That’s when he clicked the pieces together and knew.
He was fucked.