ℂ𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕫𝕖

LADS men and their green flags

Rafayel

Reassurance

He never lets you wonder if he still loves you, if he still finds you attractive. You don’t even have the chance to finish the horrible thought before he’s complimenting you, telling you how much he adores you. He’s not afraid to bare his heart to you, in fact, he does it quite often with sweet nothings and tiny notes left in your purse. Though he may never be able to express the depth of his love for you, he’s sure as hell going to try.

Xavier

Communication

While he may seem reserved, Xavier has no problem talking through an issue with you. He doesn’t fight - he refuses to. He’s calm, collected. He never wants you to feel unheard, so he listens, even when you feel like you’re talking in circles. You’re not going to bed upset on his watch. He’ll sit with you for as long as you need. He wants you to feel at ease with him, always, even when your thoughts are going a million miles an hour.

Zayne

Support

He doesn’t offer guidance in the way a parent would, but rather, in a way that ensures you’re always feeling your best. Too tired to cook dinner? He’s got it. Don’t feel like washing your hair? Sit down, he’ll handle it. He encourages you to take breaks when you feel like the weight of the world is crushing you. When you feel like your to-do list is simply too long, he shortens it, taking care of as many things as he can so that you can relax. He’d rather die than let you be stressed.

Sylus

Protection

One thing’s for sure, you’ll never feel unsafe around him - physically or emotionally. The strange man that’s been following you? Taken care of. The guy sending lewd texts to your DMs? Vanished. And while your physical safety is of the utmost important to him, your emotional wellbeing doesn’t go uncared for. Pour out your soul to him, he’s listening. And when you can’t, lean on him, cry on his shoulder. He won’t move.

Caleb

Attentive

If you think you can hide anything from him, you’re sorely mistaken. He notices every micro expression, every slight change in your tone, the way your hands fidget when you’re anxious. He knows exactly what to do to bring your smile back. He picks up on the tiny hints you give him when you want something, and he’s eager to provide it. You’ll never lack anything as long as he’s around, he’ll make sure of it.

Love Beneath the Depths

(part 1)

Xavier x f!reader

Sequel to Love Beyond the Surface (part 1)

Words: 3220 Warning: hint of suicide, slow burn, reader is not MC, parallel universe(isekai), grammar & spelling

INTRO: Your fingers lingered on the book as you handed it, the soft glance you gave without meaning to. Just this time, can he borrow your heart… for a little while?

✦.───────── ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ ───────── .✦

You mutter a quiet curse under your breath as you bend down to pick up the scattered books, carefully arranging them back onto the shelf.

The familiar scent of aged paper and ink surrounds you, but it does little to calm the frustration bubbling inside.

Why is she here?

Your fingers pause for a brief moment as your gaze shifts toward the girl standing just a few feet away. Or should you call her the MC? The main character of this whole ordeal. She shouldn’t be here, at least, not in the library, not during your shift.

Of all the times she could have chosen to appear, why now?

You shrink back, pressing yourself against the bookshelf. Maybe if you stay perfectly still, she won’t notice you. You are just a background character, a random human in the grand narrative of her life. Nothing more, nothing less.

I am an NPC. I am just an NPC. I am not here.

You repeat the mantra in your head like a desperate prayer, silently urging the universe to redirect her attention elsewhere.

Time stretches unbearably, turning seconds into minutes, maybe even hours in your mind. And then, finally, she starts walking away.

You exhale sharply, relief washing over you like a cool breeze. Please leave. Please leave.

But then recognition flickers across her face. Her lips part, and then…

"Xavier?"

You groan, already feeling a headache forming. Without thinking, you grab the nearest book and lightly bump your forehead against it, as if that could somehow knock this entire situation out of existence.

"Oh, it's you."

Xavier’s voice is casual, but there’s a slight hesitation, a pause just long enough to make your stomach twist. You watch as his gaze flickers around the library, scanning the shelves, the tables, the spaces between them. Searching.

For what?

For who?

Panic grips you before logic can. Without thinking, you drop into a crouch and scramble beneath the nearest table, pressing yourself into the shadows like your life depends on it.

From your hiding spot under the table, you can hear her voice light up with excitement the moment she sees him. She starts talking fast, animated, rambling about something you can’t quite make out.

Xavier, on the other hand, replies in short, clipped responses. His voice is steady, neutral, maybe even a little disinterested.

That’s… weird.

This is the moment where he’s supposed to be captivated by her every word, yet, right now, he looks almost… distracted. And then, just for a second, his eyes flicker away from her to the side, toward the table.

Your stomach drops.

He couldn’t be looking for you… right? There’s no reason, no logical reason.

You watch as his gaze lingers for a moment too long, scanning the shelves, the tables, your hiding spot. Your pulse pounds in your ears as you press yourself tighter against the wooden legs of the table.

Meanwhile, she’s still talking, completely oblivious. You can’t even focus on her words anymore. He shifts. Take a step. But just as he moves, she tugs at his sleeve, dragging his attention back to her.

"Hey, are you even listening?" The girl huffs.

Xavier blinks, as if snapped out of a daze. "Yeah. Sorry. What were you saying?"

You hold your breath, waiting, hoping.

She sighs. "We should get going." Her voice is light and casual.

Footsteps shuffle against the library floor, and for a moment, you think it's over. They're leaving. You're safe… for now.

────── ♡ ──────

The rhythmic tapping of keys and the quiet hum of the library fill the air as you scan books at the checkout desk, barely looking up as the next person steps forward.

"Just put your books here." You say, reaching for the scanner.

A familiar voice responds, softer than usual. "Okay…"

Your fingers pause for the briefest moment before you force yourself to look up.

Shjt–

Stay calm. Stay calm. He won’t recognize me… right? Please don’t recognize me.

Xavier stands before you, shifting his weight slightly, a few books stacked in his arms. But that’s not what catches your attention. It’s the faint bruise along his cheekbone. It’s subtle, but up close, the lighting highlights the uneven coloration, just enough to make it noticeable.

You narrow your eyes slightly. "…What happens to your face–" Your hands fly up, covering your mouth. Idiot. You were supposed to avoid drawing attention.

He blinks, as if caught off guard by your question. Then he lifts a hand, fingers brushing absently against the bruise before dropping them. "This? It’s nothing."

You don’t respond right away. Just stare at him.

Xavier exhales, shifting the books in his arms. "Just ran into some trouble, that’s all." His voice is casual, too dismissive.

You don’t take the bait. Instead, you scan the book in his hand and slide it back toward him. "Did you at least put something on it?"

For a moment, he doesn’t answer. Then a low chuckle. Not his usual sharp, teasing kind. It’s softer, almost amused. "Are you worried about me?"

You roll your eyes and push the next book through the scanner. "Forget I asked."

"Too late." His voice is quieter now, a little too pleased.

You huff, choosing to ignore him as you finish scanning his books.

────── ♡ ──────

The library is quiet, the steady rhythm of shelving books filling the air. You barely glance up until you catch movement from the corner of your eye.

Xavier stands in front of a tall bookshelf, reaching for a book just out of grasp. His fingers brush the spine, but he hesitates, his arm stiff, a faint wince crossing his face before he tries again.

You sigh and step over. "Here." Easily, you pull the book down and hand it to him.

Xavier blinks, as if surprised you even noticed, then takes it. "…Thanks."

You watch him for a second. "You shouldn’t be reaching like that if you’re hurt."

Silence…

"… You work here often?" He asks, shifting slightly, like he’s trying to steer the conversation into something more natural.

"Just part-time." You reply carefully.

"Oh." His grip tightens a fraction more, then loosens again, as if he’s catching himself. "So you’re not always here."

"That’s kind of how part-time works." You say dryly, hoping to cut this conversation short.

But instead of taking the hint, he exhales softly, almost like that wasn’t the answer he wanted. "Right."

For a moment, neither of you speak. You should walk away. You should.

"You turned me down pretty fast last time."

Your stomach twists slightly.

"Because you had the wrong person."

"I know." His voice is calm, even. "I just thought..." He stops himself, shaking his head slightly. "Never mind."

A strange tightness coils in your chest. You don’t know why, but the way he says that, like something fragile, makes you uneasy.

────── ♡ ──────

You can still remember, the first time you two met, Xavier behaved more… different.

He looked completely shocked, standing in the middle of the street like he had just seen a ghost. You hadn’t even realized he was nearby at first. If you had, you would have taken a different path, avoiding him entirely.

Back then, you had been terrified. Not just because he had seen you, but because you didn’t know what he knew. Did he know you weren’t supposed to be here? That you weren’t from this world?

The thought alone had sent a chill down your spine. You had feared that he might follow you, that he would demand answers… answers you didn’t have.

You had no idea how he would react.

You steal a glance at him from across the library, pretending to be busy stacking books.

He’s here. Again.

Ever since that encounter, Xavier has started coming around more often. Too often. You don’t know if it’s a coincidence or if he’s deliberately showing up, but either way, it’s unfortunate for you.

Because now, you have a new problem.

There is no way you can keep working here, not when the risk of him figuring out your secret keeps growing by the day. If he hasn’t already started piecing things together, it’s only a matter of time.

Which means you need a new job.

And more importantly, you need to cut him off.

You’ve tried to brush it off, to tell yourself you’re just being paranoid, but the facts won’t let you.. Based on everything you’ve learned from the game… Xavier doesn’t react well to things he can’t explain. And you’re that something.

All you want is to go unnoticed, to stay out of his sight. Even though you love him, his story, his character, the way he was written to be compelling and complex. As a character, he was fascinating. But in reality? In your reality? He was dangerous.

Who knows?

Maybe one day, instead of just appearing in the library, he’ll show up somewhere worse. Like your apartment. Probably with a sword in his hand and your head on the ground.

And that? That’s not a risk you’re willing to take.

Your fingers hover over the small stone hidden in your pocket, its smooth surface unnervingly cool against your skin. You’ve only ever known of the protocore in standard colors, you don't know why this one turn black.

A cold shiver runs down your spine as you think back to that day. It happened in your first week here, when you're still not familiar with the traffic.

The truck had been coming straight for you, too fast, too close. You remember the blinding headlights, the deafening screech of tires, the sheer terror of knowing you couldn’t move in time.

And then—nothing.

The truck had passed right through you, like you weren’t even there. Like you were just a ghost.

You never figured out what happened that day or what that stone did. And you never wanted to find out.

Because if you did… It would mean admitting that something was deeply wrong with your presence here.

You sigh, pushing those thoughts to the back of your mind. Dwelling on them won’t help.

────── ♡ ──────

"Okay… and you’re good to go." You slide the book across the counter, offering a polite nod.

But the man on the other side doesn’t move. He just… stares at you.

Your fingers tighten slightly around the scanner. "… You need something else sir?"

He keeps staring. A slow, creeping smirk tugs at his lips.

Is he… flirting?

You honestly can’t tell. If he is, it’s bad. Like, uncomfortably bad. The kind of bad that makes you want to disappear under the desk and pretend this interaction never happened.

Your grip tightens on the scanner as you force a strained smile. "…Do you need anything else?"

The man tilts his head slightly, eyes still locked onto you. "Nah," he drawls, amusement lacing his tone. "Just… taking my time."

Oh, great. I love when customers do that.

You resist the urge to groan. "Well then can you please take your time somewhere else." You say, keeping your voice perfectly polite.

The man doesn’t leave. Of course he doesn’t.

Instead, he just stands there, staring at you like you’re some kind of puzzle he’s trying to figure out. His smirk lingers, his posture relaxed but unnervingly present.

You grip the edge of the counter, debating whether to just pretend he doesn’t exist.

A shadow falls over your desk.

"Is there a problem here?"

Xavier’s voice is casual, but there’s an underlying edge to it, subtle, sharp. You blink, barely processing his sudden appearance. When did he even get here?

The man glances at him, and for the first time, his smirk falters just a little. "Nah, no problem." He says, though his tone isn’t as confident as before.

Xavier doesn’t respond right away. He just stares, his expression unreadable, his presence somehow making the air feel heavier.

The man shifts uncomfortably. Then, finally, finally, he mutters something under his breath, turns on his heel, and walks away.

You let out a slow breath, shoulders relaxing slightly. You narrow your eyes at him next. Suspicious.

"You’re here a lot." You point out. "Don’t you have something better to do?"

He tilts his head slightly, considering. "Not really."

Great.

You sigh, rubbing your temple. "Look, thanks for the whole 'intimidating presence thing', but I’m fine. You don’t have to keep showing up here like some…" You wave a hand vaguely. " …library cryptid."

Xavier raises an eyebrow. "Library cryptid?"

"You know what I mean." You huff. "If you’re just here to loiter, I’m going to have to ask you to check out a book or leave."

For a moment, he just watches you, unreadable as ever. Then, he reaches for a book from a nearby shelf.

You blink as he sets it on the counter.

"…?"

"You said I had to check something out," He says smoothly. "I’m just following the rules."

You glance at the book’s cover. The Beginner’s Guide to Cooking.

Slowly, you lift your gaze back to him, deadpan. "Seriously?"

Xavier meets your eyes, completely unfazed. "What? I’m expanding my interests."

You sigh and scan the book, going through the motions. "Remember to return it on time," you say, sliding it across the counter.

Xavier reaches for it, but then he pauses.

Your brows furrow slightly, and you glance up at him, only to catch his gaze locked onto your wrist.

More specifically… the faint, almost unreal lines tracing along your skin.

Your stomach drops.

Oh no.

You turn pale, heart lurching as you realize what he’s seeing. In your rush today, had you forgotten to cover it?

Quickly, you set the book down on the table beside him and pull your hand back, tucking it out of sight. Your heart pounds in your chest, but you force your voice to stay steady. "Something wrong?"

Xavier’s expression flickers, too fast to read. Then, he looks up, meeting your eyes.

"…No." He says smoothly, picking up the book. "Nothing at all."

You watch as he picks up the book, his movements smooth, controlled, too controlled. Then, he simply says. "See you around." and walks away. ────── ♡ ────── The next morning, you call in sick.

And the day after that.

And the day after that.

A full week passes, and you still haven’t set foot in the library. You know you’re being paranoid. Xavier hasn’t done anything, hasn’t confronted you.

But the memory of his eyes lingering on your wrist, that brief pause, it’s enough to keep you away.

So you stay holed up in your apartment, staring at the black protocore on your desk, fingers hovering over it but never quite touching. You should be figuring out a new job, making a plan, doing something.

Lincoln City isn’t exactly kind to people without proper documentation.

And by people, you mean you.

Most jobs require some kind of passport, ID, or legal paperwork, things you, an entity from another world, very much do not have.

Yay…

So, here you are, scanning every job advertisement you can find. Which, as it turns out, isn’t much.

You sigh, rubbing your temple. Looks like it’s going to be another long week of avoiding certain people and figuring out how to survive in a world that doesn’t think you exist.

────── ♡ ────── "He's looking for you."

You blink, frowning at your colleague. "What?"

The words catch you off guard. You were just here to formally quit your library job… politely, of course. Luckily, the woman in charge is reasonable, not the type to make a fuss.

Your supervisor barely glances up from her computer, fingers still tapping at the keyboard. "That guy. Xavier, was it?" She tilts her head slightly. "He’s been asking about you. Came by a few times this week."

Your stomach twists.

You keep your expression neutral, though your mind is already racing. Why? What does he want?

"…What did you tell him?" you ask carefully.

She shrugs. "Just that you’ve been out sick. He didn’t ask much else, but he didn’t look convinced either." She finally looks up, raising an eyebrow. "You in some kind of trouble?"

You force a laugh. "No, nothing like that."

She doesn’t look entirely convinced, but she doesn’t push. "Well, if you're here to quit, just sign this, and you’re good to go."

You nod, taking the paper with slightly unsteady hands.

Xavier is looking for you.

"The library gets more crowded when he's here." Your supervisor adds idly, tapping at her keyboard. "Those loud girls who can't keep their gossip to themselves… it's unbearable."

Of course, he is handsome, after all. You suppose it was only a matter of time before people started hovering around him like moths to a flame.

Not my problem anymore.

────── ♡ ────── Xavier leans back in his chair, staring blankly at the paperwork spread across his desk. It’s not that he can’t focus, he just doesn’t see the point. The words blur together, the numbers meaningless.

"Didn’t you mess up your shoulder last week?""

The voice pulls him out of his thoughts. His colleague stands in the doorway, arms crossed, one brow raised.

Xavier barely reacts. He shifts slightly, rolling his shoulder with ease. Right. That.

"Heals fast." He mutters, flipping a page in the report.

"Uh-huh." There’s skepticism in the tone. "Looked pretty bad to me. Thought you were gonna need a sling."

Xavier exhales, resisting the urge to rub his temple. He should’ve expected this. He had leaned into the whole thing just enough, winced at the right moments, let his grip falter slightly, made sure she noticed. And she did. She had looked at him. Talked to him.

But now she is gone. And pretending didn’t matter anymore.

"You think too much." Xavier says simply, turning his attention back to the paperwork.

A scoff. "Sure. And you don’t think enough." His colleague lingers for a second before stepping away.

His jaw tightens. His gaze flicks toward the stack of books on the edge of his desk, the ones he never actually needed, just an excuse to be there. Some had been recommended by her, offhand suggestions he pretended not to care about at the time.

He hopes she’s okay.

That mark on her wrist… He hadn’t meant to notice it. It was only a fleeting glimpse when she pulled her hand away, but the image stuck with him. The raw redness of irritated skin, the faint lines of something beneath it. Some new. Some old.

The thought doesn’t sit well with him. It lingers, festering, gnawing at the edges of his mind.

Despite that, she still noticed him. Every time.

Even when she tried to keep her distance, her eyes would flicker toward him whenever he had a new injury, small glances, subtle frowns. She never asked, but he saw the way her fingers twitched, like she wanted to reach out but held herself back.

With a sigh, he reaches for those book, flipping it open absentmindedly. A small slip of paper flutters out, landing on his desk.

His eyes narrow.

It’s a pharmacy receipt, nothing serious, just something over-the-counter, painkillers maybe, with the pharmacy’s name is printed at the top..

She must have bought it before vanishing. Maybe she even went there often.

His grip tightens around the paper.

An accident. A careless mistake.

But now, it’s his lead.

✦.───────── ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ ───────── .✦ Art work and char: belong to Infold Game ✦.───────── ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ ───────── .✦

🤣🤣🤣

Lets glitch together while having chips in a flower shop

😉🤣😂

MC: “Do you think we’re just NPCs of someones gameplay?”

Xavier: “And that someone is another NPC of another someone’s play through. Like an infinite gameplay…”

Jeremiah: “If that is right why the hell are you both programmed to lay down in the middle of my shop EATING CHIPS???? YOU’RE SCARING MY CUSTOMERS!”

MC: “We are simply…”

Xavier “glitching.”

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕒𝕡𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖

Pairing: Xavier x Fem!Reader Prompt: “No, you can't stay here.” Words: ~1.1k Genre: Angst, No Comfort Notice: Some spoiler of Xavier's Myth, Shooting Stars, although not entirely aligned

[ᝰ.ᐟ MASTERLIST]

He staggered back, clearly surprised by how your muttered words reverberated loudly in the otherwise dimly lit room. Cerulean orbs searched for yours skilfully, eyes bright as they were when tracking Wanderers in the darkest of nights.

“What did you say?” A hint of disbelief was palpable in Xavier's voice.

You stepped away from the shadow, hands trembling as you struggled to steady them. Despite anticipating this moment, when confronted with reality, you found yourself questioning whether you could truly accept your sacrifice without harboring any regrets.

“I said, no, you can't stay here.”

Revelation dawned on him. Despite Xavier’s frequent drowsiness, he remained inherently sharp. It was one of the attributes that had made him a highly respected hunter.

“How long have you known?”

“Enough time to understand the over-complicated truth.”

Irritation briefly flickered in his eyes. He looked at the thinning veil behind him, clearly cursing the other party that stepped through it earlier. “Jeremiah told you.”

“I was the one who convinced Jeremiah to tell me everything. You shouldn’t kick his ass when you see him again.”

Xavier couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at that. Jeremiah, though physically not imposing, could defeat anyone on mind games. That’s why he brought him along on the mission as he needed a logical partner.

He couldn’t comprehend why Jeremiah had agreed to divulge the secrets they swore to keep between themselves—especially to the one person he had hoped would never uncover the truth.

“Besides, you’re not as secretive as you thought, Xav.” You gave him a small, sad smile. “I guess that's what makes us human, right? Despite not being a normal one, having an aether core-fused heart, or having lived for a hundred years, we still can’t stop ourselves from showing our deepest desires during moments of vulnerability. I used to believe that she was your unforgettable first love or perhaps an ex who taught you a crucial life lesson. However, that’s just me shying away from the undeniable.”

As much as you had steeled yourself for this moment, your vision began to blur, and Xavier was fast to engulf you in his hug. You couldn’t help but wrap your arms around his lithe but muscular figure, feeling his warmth and further breaking your heart.

He buried his face in your hair, taking a deep breath to blanket himself in your scent like he always did.

“That’s not true,” his voice came out shakier than he intended.

“But it is, Xavier. You don’t know how many times you called out to her in your sleep. Or sometimes when you look at me, I can tell that you don't truly see me for who I am in this current existence. You can’t deny this, because in doing so, you’re also hurting her…me.”

You had to force your head up to fully face your light. Xavier wouldn’t let you step away from him.

Gently cupping his cheeks, you urged him to focus on your next words. “Face it, Xav. Your queen and I… our resemblances are solely physical. We’re two entirely different persons, made up of distinct personalities. If she was the reason why you were in this timeline in the first place, you cling to the hope of going back to her one day, don’t you? You wouldn’t abandon her eternity, right?”

His hug tightened. “I’m sorry,” he said after some time, head bowed in shame. “I’m sorry, Y/N. Truly, deeply sorry for making you feel less than your worth.”

Despite his painful acknowledgment, you found yourself relaxing, accepting your fate. Xavier's thumbs gently wiped away the tears that had escaped from your eyes.

“But you’re going to be here all alone,” his voice cracked, almond eyes cloudy. “I can’t go back and live peacefully knowing that.”

“If what Jeremiah told me is the truth, I have left you more than once. It’s your time to experience having someone be there when you’re back. This is the time to redeem myself, even when the timeline has gone haywire.”

Xavier shook his head furiously. “We won’t know if the alternative aether core would work. If I go back and learn that I will lose you again and Philos, I would rather stay here with you in the past.”

“You know it will work, that’s why you were so insistent on sending Jeremiah back alone with it, and selfishly waiting at the other end just to make sure it disappears, an indicator that Philos has accepted the aether-core. You know how much Jeremiah wants to go back there, and for everything he has done for you, you believed it was your turn to help him. I can’t take you away from her; it’s not right. It’s not my time to have you.”

“What difference does it make when I’m also willingly leaving you here? You understand that once I step through that veil, we’ll never meet each other again in this timeline.”

As if aware of its existence, the veil dimmed. You eyed it wearily, realizing that the swirling vortex of electric blue and silver had turned almost transparent.

“Xavier,” you sighed when he cupped your hand, reveling at the contact, “we both know that my time in this realm will end, I can’t be immortal here. I would rather face the certainty of our eternal bond in another dimension than linger in the fleeting confines of this world.”

You placed your fingers against his lips, silencing his upcoming argument. “You do realize that if you abandoned me in the future, I would despise you, don't you?" you made a playful comment to lighten the mood, but he was miserable. Filled with guilt and disappointment that he couldn’t control the situation.

You guided his head down to meet your lips halfway. As both of your lips touched in a bittersweet embrace, a silent farewell woven into each tender touch. The palm pressed against his heart felt its rapid beats.

“Goodbye, my light. Be happy,” you whispered those words to his lips.

Xavier should have known that whenever you were around, his caution melted away. That was his greatest weakness. He registered the force that caught him entirely off guard a second too late.

Xavier reached out his hand, losing momentum. “Y/N! Wait—!” he called out, voice tinged with urgency.

As his body was hurled into the closing veil, it snapped shut, swallowing his unfinished words. Sobs wracked your body, each wave of emotion sent your body crashing to the wooden floor.

Moonlight peeking through the windows cast its glow upon the intricate gold of the gigantic frame before you.

Where the veil had shimmered moments before, there was now only emptiness, revealing a cold cement wall that stood as a cruel reminder of the end of a chapter you could never revisit.

While seemingly nearly empty every night, a profound silence enveloped Philo Flower Store differently. Vibrant blooms began to wilt, their once lively hues fading into desolation, while the lush vines that once cascaded down nearby buildings now curled and browned.

⤷ ᝰ.ᐟ MASTERLIST

How do the LADS men react when they catch you reading smut. 🫣

Hope you like it!! Vote at the end of the chapter for the next LI.

As the train rumbles along the tracks, you sit curled up in your seat, engrossed in the book Tara had lent you. The romance novel started off innocently enough, with witty banter and a slow-burning connection between the leads. But now, as the train was getting closer to the station near your apartment building you found yourself blushing furiously at the explicit scene unfolding on the page.

Tara forgot to mention that one particularly steamy chapter was tucked away amidst the otherwise tame love story. You squirm slightly in your seat, feeling a warmth pool low in your belly as you read the detailed descriptions of the couple's passionate encounter.

You quickly flip the page, trying to cool the sudden flush of heat that crept up your neck as you read on. The words on the page were so graphic, so vulgar compared to the usual romance you enjoyed. But there was something undeniably thrilling about the raw passion described in such vivid detail.

The male lead gripping the female lead hips, pounding into her with deep, powerful thrusts that left her breathless and aching for more. His groans filling the room as he chased his release, determined to fill her to the brim with his seed.

You feel your heart race as you read on, the scene playing out like a dirty movie in your mind. You know you should look away, but you can't. Can't stop reading about the way he uses her body for his pleasure, fucking her raw and hard until he finds his explosive finish.

It was filthy, it was wrong, but a part of you almost wanted to experience it for yourself. To be wanted, needed, craved with such desperate hunger. You squirm in your seat again, thighs clenching together as you feel the telltale ache begining to build between them.

You put the book down and close your eyes taking a deep breath.

"You are a pretty fast reader Y/N, I wasn't able to read the whole page"

You nearly leap out of your skin at the sound of the deep, all-too-familiar voice murmuring so close to your ear. Your heart hammers against your ribs as you turn your head to see Xavier, in your flustered state, you hadn't even registered Xavier's presence beside your seat. Now here he was, looming over you with a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"I... I was just..." You stutter, feeling the heat in your cheeks deepen at being caught red-handed. The book is face down on your lap, the incriminating page still open beneath your fingertips. You quickly flip it shut, as if that could somehow hide the dirty thoughts still swirling in your head.

"I didn't hear you come in, I thought you were working late today" you say lamely, hoping to change the subject. You take in his appearance, from his disheveled silver hair to the way his dress shirt clings to his broad shoulders. Part of you wonders if he always looked this good after a long day, or if the sight was amplified by the naughty images still seared into your mind.

The train stops, the announcement overhead crackling to life with the familiar stop near your apartment building. Around you, passengers begin to gather their belongings, the sound of chatter and shuffling feet fill the air. You gather your things, shoving the book deep into your bag. You could feel the heat of Xavier's gaze on you as you fumble with the zipper, your cheeks still flushed a telling shade of pink.

"You know..." Xavier murmurs, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair behind your ear. His fingertips linger, grazing the sensitive skin of your jawline making you shiver. "I don't think I've ever seen you read a book quite so...intensely before."

Your eyes widen at his bold words, a fresh wave of embarrassment crashing over you. Did he really know what you'd been reading?

Xavier straightens up, offering his hand to help you out of your seat. As you place your palm in his, he gives it a gentle squeeze, his thumb rubbing circles over your knuckles. "Come on, let's head home"

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

As you step into your apartment, you let out a sigh of relief, feeling the tension in your shoulders begin to ease. Xavier follows close behind, shutting the door and setting down his bag before shrugging off his jacket and tossing it carelessly over the back of a chair.

You busied yourself in the kitchen, pulling out ingredients for dinner and trying to act as natural as possible. You can feel Xavier's eyes on you as you chop vegetables, the sizzle of the pan and the scent of garlic and herbs filling the small apartment.

So, how was your day?" Xavier asks, loosening his tie as he leans against the counter, watching you work. "Anything interesting happen at the office?"

You shrug, focusing on the task at hand. "Not really. Just the usual paperwork and meetings. Nothing out of the ordinary." You glance up at him, taking in the way his shirt sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, the muscles of his forearms flexing slightly as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"What about you?" You ask, hoping to steer the conversation away from your own agitated state.

Xavier's lips quirk into a small smirk. "It was a long day, but worth it in the end." He steps closer to you, reaching around to grab a carrot stick from the cutting board. "Why? Did you miss me today?"

You roll your eyes, but can't help the small smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. "Don't get cocky," you say, batting his hand away playfully. "I just know how much you love your job, that's all."

You turn back to the stove, stirring the contents of the pan with more vigor than necessary. As you do, you can't shake the memory of the book from your mind, the way the male lead had taken the female so roughly, so passionately... Your stomach flips at the thought, a sudden wave of heat spreading all over your body.

Lost in your naughty thoughts, you don't realize that Xavier moved closer until he was right behind you, his chest pressed to your back, his breath hot against the side of your neck.

"What's on your mind, Y/N?"

You tense at the sudden closeness, the heat of his body seeping through the thin fabric of your shirt. You grip the spoon tighter, using the task of stirring the sauce as an excuse to put some distance between you.

"I'm just tired," you lie, hoping your voice sounded more convincing than you feel. "It's been a long day, that's all."

But even as you say it, you know that your racing thoughts have nothing to do with fatigue. The ache between your legs, the flush on your cheeks, the way your heart hammers in your chest at his proximity, it was all thanks to that damn book and the dirty images it had seared into your mind.

You can feel Xavier's eyes on you, studying your profile intently. He is quiet for a moment, his gaze lingering on the delicate curve of your cheek, the way your lower lip caught between your teeth.

Slowly, he reaches around you to grab the wooden spoon, his arm brushing against yours as he does. Your breath hitched in your throat at the contact, your body betraying your true state of mind. You know he can feel the heat radiating off your skin, the way your pulse jumps beneath his touch.

I didn't forget y/n" he whispers "how could I possibly forget the way your cheeks flushed so prettily while you read, the way you squirmed in your seat as if you couldn't wait for me to bend you over it?"

You gasp as the spoon clatters into the pan, the sudden noise jarring you from your daze. Before you can react, Xavier's hands are on your waist, spinning you around to face him. His grip is firm, unyielding, as he pulls you against his chest.

"I think we both know you're not tired," he teases "Not really." His hand slides up your spine, fingers splaying across the back of your neck, tilting your head back to expose the column of your throat. "I think you're wound up tighter than a bowstring, and I think I know exactly why."

"Did you like reading about that? About being fucked raw? About her being filled with his seed until it leaked out of her? Is that what you want from me?"

You cant help but whimper at his words, a fresh flood of arousal crashing over you. You can feel the evidence of his own desire pressing insistently against you, and it makes you ache to feel him inside you, stretching you, claiming you as his own.

"I...I don't know..." you say, even as your body screams yes, please, more. You can feel yourself getting lost in the haze of lust, drowning in the scent and feel and taste of him.

But some small part of you still clings to sanity, still remembers the way he'd caught you reading such a vulgar thing. The shame of it burns hot and bright, even as your body craves his touch like a drug.

"Xavier, we shouldn't..." you protest weakly.

Xavier shuts you up with a kiss, his lips claiming yours in a bruising, demanding press. His tongue delving deep to stroke along yours, swallowing any further protests you might have. You can only cling to him, fingers scrabbling at the fabric of his shirt as he kisses you until you are breathless and dizzy, until the world spins and narrows down to the feel of his lips on yours.

When he finally pulls back, you are panting, your chest heaving against his. Xavier's eyes are dark, nearly black with desire as he drinks in the sight of your flushed cheeks and swollen lips.

"Shouldn't what?" he challenges, smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Shouldn't I want to fuck you until you can't walk straight? He punctuated his words with a roll of his hips, grinding his hard cock against your core. You cry out at the sudden burst of sensation, your head falling back as you arch into him. "Shouldn't I want to make all those filthy fantasies a reality? To bend you over every surface in this apartment and take you until you're sobbing my name?

You let out a soft yelp as you feel Xavier lift you easily, his strong arms supporting your backside as he sets you down on the cool marble countertop. The sudden height difference puts you at eye level, and you find yourself staring into Xavier's intense gaze as he steps between your splayed thighs.

He grips your hips, his fingers digging into the soft flesh as he tugs you closer to the edge of the counter. His hands slide up your sides, pushing your shirt up and over your head and tossing it carelessly to the floor. You sit before him in your lacy bra, your chest heaving and your nipples straining against the delicate material. Xavier's gaze drops to your chest, his eyes hungry and appreciative as he drinks in the sight of you.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he murmurs, reaching out to cup the soft swells in his palms. His thumbs brush over your nipples, teasing the sensitive peaks until they pebble even further. You gasp, arching into his touch as jolts of pleasure shoot through you.

"That's it, baby, don't fight it. Let yourself feel good."

One of his hands slides around to unhook your bra, freeing your breasts. Your cheeks flush hotly as you sit bare before him, but the way Xavier looks at you makes you feel powerful, desirable, wanted in a way you'd never been wanted before.

He leans down to capture one nipple in his mouth, suckling and flicking the sensitive bud with his tongue, your fingers tangle in his silver hair. You can feel the heat building between your legs, the ache growing more insistent with each pass of his tongue over your flesh.

"Xavier," you gasp, tugging at his hair. "Please..."

His teeth close around your nipple, biting down just hard enough to make you cry out. The sharp sting of pain melded with the pleasure coursing through you send a bolt of electricity straight to your core. He soothes the ache with his tongue, swirling around the sensitive peak before releasing it with a pop.

Looking up at you through hooded eyes, Xavier's gaze is intense, almost feral in its hunger. "Is this what you want?" he asks "Do you want me to fuck you raw, right here on this kitchen counter? Want me to spread your legs wide and plunge into your tight little cunt until you scream?"

You stare into Xavier's darkened gaze. "Yes," you breathe, the word tumbling from your lips before you can stop it. "Gods, yes Xavier, please..."

Spurred on by your desperate plea, Xavier, wasting no time unzips his fly, freeing his hard aching cock from the confines of his pants, his shirt follows soon after. You lift your hips, shimmying out of your skirt and kicking off your panties in record time, you bare yourself completely to his hungry gaze.

Before you can take your next breath, Xavier grabs your thighs, gripping them tightly as he pushes your legs wider, opening you fully to him. Then, with one powerful thrust, he buries himself deep inside you, filling and stretching you in one swift, hard stroke.

You scream, head falling back as he stretches you impossibly wide, filling you so deeply you swear you can feel him in your throat. He doesnt give you time to adjust, just starts pounding into you with deep, brutal strokes .

"Yes, fuck!" Xavier moans, one hand gripping the edge of the counter while the other digs into the soft flesh of your hip, holding you in place as he fucks you.

You can only cling to him, fingernails scoring down his back as you meet each of his thrusts with the roll of your own hips. Its fast and hard, just like in the book, just like you both crave. Xavier's cock drags deliciously against your walls with each thrust, stoking the pleasure building low in your belly. 

"Harder," you gasp, wrapping your legs around his waist. "Fuck me harder, Xavier! 

You feel his control snap and with a surge of strength, he lifts you off the counter, only to slam you back down, impaling you fully on his throbbing cock.

You scream, the sudden force of his thrust making you see stars. He starts to move then, really move, fucking into you with deep, powerful thrusts that make your breasts bounce with each impact. The new angle allows him to hit that spot deep inside you, sending shockwaves of pleasure radiating through your body.

"Yes, fuck, just like that!" You cry out, fingers digging into the hard muscles of his back.

"Play with your clit, bunny. I want to feel you squeeze my cock" At his command, you reach down between your thighs, finding your aching clit swollen and throbbing. You circle the sensitive bundle of nerves, rubbing tight, quick circles. The combination of his deep, powerful thrusts and your fingers on your clit push you rapidly towards a massive peak.

"Please, please..." You beg, too far gone to be embarrassed by your desperate pleas. "I want to feel you come inside me, Xavier."

With a scream of his name you come undone, your body convulsing as your orgasm crashes over you, cunt clenching around Xavier's cock, squeezing him as wave after wave of pleasure washes through you.

Xavier lets out a groan, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of your hips even harder as he slams into you one, two, three more times before burying himself to the hilt. With a last, shuddering moan, he comes deep inside you, his hot seed spurting against your cervix as he fills you up just like you begged him to.

He holds your trembling body close as he carries you to your bedroom, your legs wrapped tightly around his waist. He can feel your mixed pleasure dripping down his thighs.

Laying you down gently on the bed, he follows you down, hovering over you as he slowly pulls out of your tender cunt. You whimper at the loss, feeling empty and aching already. But before you can voice your protest, Xavier reaches down, gathering your combined essence on his fingers. He brings them to your entrance, pushing the sticky, pearlescent liquid back inside you.

"There, now you'll keep my cum nice and deep inside you," he smiles "I want you to feel me there for the rest of the night.

Manifesting Lumiere...

AT LAST SOMEONE WROTE A SICKFIC ..OMG THANK YOUUUU

𝑺𝒐𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆. - 𝑋𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑑𝑎𝑦.

✧───── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ─────✧

𝖠 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗍 𝖿𝗅𝗎𝖿𝖿 𝖿𝗂𝖼 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝖷𝖺𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗋 𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗌𝗂𝖼𝗄 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗁𝗂𝗆!

─˙✶ 𝖯𝖠𝖨𝖱𝖨𝖭𝖦𝖲: 𝘟𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘔𝘤 (you)

─˙✶ 𝖦𝖾𝗇𝗋𝖾: 𝘍𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧

─˙✶ 𝖶𝗈𝗋𝖽 𝖢𝗈𝗎𝗇𝗍: 594

─˙✶ 𝖠/𝖭: 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴! 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵.

The door clicks shut behind you as you step inside, groceries in hand, only to freeze at the sight of Xavier curled up on the couch. His normally pristine posture is replaced with a slight slump, shoulders tense under the weight of a thick blanket. His hair’s a bit messier than usual, and there’s a flushed look to his face — one that screams he’s barely holding it together.

You’re already walking toward him before he even looks up.

“Don’t,” he mutters, voice rougher than usual. “I’m fine.”

You raise an eyebrow at the disheveled state of him. He looks far from fine.

“Uh-huh,” you say, clearly unimpressed. “Sure, you’re fine.” You set the groceries down with a soft thud, walking closer to the couch. He doesn’t meet your eyes, though his jaw tightens at the movement, like he’s debating whether to stay silent or argue.

“Really,” he insists, trying to sit up straighter. “I don’t need—”

You place a hand on his shoulder before he can push himself up, your touch surprisingly warm against his skin. He stills instantly, and you feel his muscles relax under your fingers.

“Xavier,” you say, soft but firm, “you’re burning up.”

“Didn’t ask for a diagnosis,” he says, voice hoarse but laced with that typical Xavier dryness. But you know the edge of it isn’t just irritation — there’s a hint of something else, something he doesn’t want to admit: vulnerability. He hates it.

“Too bad,” you reply, a small smile tugging at the corner of your lips. You grab a damp cloth from the table and press it gently to his forehead. His eyes close in a long blink, and for a moment, he lets you.

“I’m fine,” he repeats in a murmur, but there’s no conviction in it this time. His words sound more like a plea than a statement.

You watch him for a moment, the way his brow furrows and the way his hand instinctively twitches toward the hem of the blanket. His breath is shallow, his body betraying him even as his mind tries to hold onto that veneer of strength.

“Yeah, sure you are,” you say softly, your thumb brushing his temple. He doesn’t pull away, but instead, he exhales deeply, letting the tension in his shoulders melt. It’s almost imperceptible, but you catch it.

“I hate being like this,” he mutters, barely audible.

You don’t say anything at first, letting the quiet stretch between you both. He’s always been the one to keep everything close to his chest — the walls built high, the walls that never seemed to crack. But right now, in the dim light of your apartment, his walls are lowered just a little.

“It’s okay,” you say after a beat. “You don’t have to be perfect all the time.”

Xavier finally opens his eyes, meeting yours with a steady gaze, though there’s still a flicker of something soft beneath the cool exterior. He doesn’t respond, but he doesn’t need to. You can see it in the way his body slowly sinks into the couch again, the way his hand relaxes against your wrist.

He’s never liked being cared for — not like this, not when he can’t hide behind his usual self-assurance. But tonight, he lets you care for him, lets you be there in the ways he doesn’t know how to ask for.

“Stay with me,” he says quietly, a simple request that makes your heart tighten.

And you do. You stay with him. You don’t argue. You don’t press.

You just let him rest.

Side note: ☆(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*

sorry i'm just a man and can only spare one set of clothes per drawing

me when someone experiences voilence and the lesson they learn is kindness

Summary: Xavier has a nightmare that disturbs both of you (1.5k words, angst (flangst maybe?) Xavier x gn!Reader

a/n: i've read this too many times now to be happy with it lol so here we go! and it's the first piece over 600 words i've actually published in nearly 4 years! yay! (please help me out with a title lol)

"Xav!" your whisper is harsher than intended and edged with frustration. It's difficult to make the vowels and consonants of his name softer when you've spent the last forty minutes trying to rouse him.

You wriggle slightly in an attempt to stretch your back and hips without disturbing him too much as he lays in your lap. Your back has started to ache and it's too dark now to comfortably read the text on the page in front of you. Xavier's book rests open on his chest like an injured bird, rising and falling with his breaths. You want to stand, get a glass of water and turn on the lamp behind you at least, but Xavier is slumbering too deeply to react at all.

You'd tried every tick in the book once you'd established he was actually sound asleep - it's a rare thing for him to let his guard down so completely. Even in the comfort of your own homes, Xavier was always just below the tide of consciousness- alert enough to bolt if necessary but relaxed enough to recharge like a fox napping in the midsummer sun. Disarming. Charming. Dangerous.

You'd jostled him gently, then a bit rougher. Cooed every variation of his name and nicknames. You'd even played dirty - pretending to both phone for a takeaway hot pot and to invite Caleb round to share it. Neither strategy had worked and Xavier's expression remained smooth and his breathing even.

"Xavier," you try again, one last time sweet and sing-song like a dawn chorus. You think it's working as his chest stutters on the inhale and his eyelids flicker. But it doesn't. His expression darkens instead ike an oncoming storm - brows pulling together, lips turning down and his hands start to twitch, the tendons coiling and flexing. A frown pulls at your own lips, concern begining to thread through your irritation. Xavier doesn't dream - or so he tells you - and he certainly doesn't get nightmares.

He starts mumbling then, half sentences and misfired words sounding vaguely like 'go' and 'leave'. You've never known him to talk in his sleep, let alone start thrashing. The spasms in his fingers have escalated to full body twitching, thighs tensing and untensing, fists white-knuckling. His chest rises and falls far quicker than it had been less than two minutes ago, verging on hyperventilation. Your own heart starts hammering.

The room is blanketed in a rich navy as blue hour nears its end. Xavier's features, like the finer details of the room, are lost in the murk. You call his name again, trying to suppress the panic creeping through you as his calls grow stronger, expression sterner and sentences more coherent.

You lean forward slightly, to look down over him. Xavier's face distorts, closed eyes narrowning, teeth bared at the nightmare - at you.

You push your hands gently but firmly into his shoulders,as you had done half an hour earlier. An attempt to ground him - bring him back to the land of the living. Your own heartbeat continues to rise and your breath quickens, nearly mirroring the heaving of his chest. Short, sharp inhales and incomplete exhales. Lungs never fully empty nor full in the strange, overwhleming confusion anxiety brings.

You're releived it's his upper torso on you lap and not his legs which are now flailing wildly, kicking visciously. The book on his chest falls to the carpet with a thump, white pages splayed and bent like broken wings. Your hold doesn't work instead it makes him writhe more, voice raising and the words becoming clearer, more commanding pleas. You think you hear a "don't leave me" over the rush of blood in your ears.

Desperation tightens its grip. You just want him to wake up.

Your instincts are fraying.

Something is telling you to shove him off you and run. Run far and quick away from here, away from Xavier and don't look back.

You let go of his shoulders and bring your shaking hands to his face. Cupping it gently and brushing hair back off his forehead, damp with perspiration. It's Xavier, he wouldn't hurt you - consciously or not, you reason. Something primal whispers doubt into your heart.

There's light pooling in Xavier's hands.

Blood drains from your face and your stomach plummets. He's seconds away from drawing his blade.

Wouldn't he? it purrs again.

"Xavier!" you say once more, voice high and thin. You push into his shoulders with enough force to bruise th eimprint of his shoulder blades into the flesh of your thighs.

It works.

He shoots upwards, cresting the wave of wakefulness. You jerk away as he reaches, unseeing into darkness behind your head, bellowing -

"Don't!"

- and the room burns.

Bright, blinding and white hot before it dims just as quickly. Shattering glass rains down as quietly as a caress. The filaments overheating and exploding, one after another until all that remains is the singular floor lamp at the back of the room. It casts disturbing shadows across Xavier, still in your lap. The light hits him wrong. Hits him at dangerous angles - his more delicate feature still shrouded in gloom. Your pulse doesn't slow.

You blink once, twice, three times against the sudden luminosity and stark murk. Partly, too, to earse the look in Xavier's eyes. They're wild and wide, an ominous glow against the indigo room.

His chest chest heaves, breaths ragged and the only noise beyond the buzz of static. Your own chest has stalled. You don't dare inhale. He's looking at you without recognition, a preadator snarling at prey. A chill skitters up your spine and out to the fingers still fisted in his hoodie. Your mouth dries.

You're in danger, the traitourous part of you croons.

You move to shove him off your lap and vault the sofa, cramps and numbness long forgotten. But Xavier's faster than you. Faster than light itself and he's straddling you now. His weight settles over your pelvis, thighs pressing against your own.

He reaches for your face. Alarm surges up inside you once again, and you can't summon the rational part of you, the part that knows bone deep that Xavier would rather fall on his sword than harm you. It must have slipped from you when the lightbulbs exploded, like a spooked animal. You're too light headed and the blood is surging in your ears.

You feel a bit like you're floating - the switch from a relaxing evening to a high-stress moment leaving you strung-out. Both of your chests are heaving and you finally notice his hands are chilled and trembling against your cheeks, unconciously and despite everything, you lean into the touch. You force a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, releasing the white-knuckle grip of his hoodie. The fabric holds the indents of your grip where it's been scrunched and stretched. They hang limply by your side, unsure if you should touch him.

"You-I-yo-" Xavier stammers, "-you left me."

It's not an accusation, but it should be. His voice shakes and he swallows thickly. His eyes are softer now but still wide and wet with tears. He tilts your face this way and that with a touch so reverant it's alien to the previous moments. He's leaning forward, head tilted down to examine you properly, as if he were doubting your presence, checking you aren't about to slip through his fingers.

It's quiet for a moment.

The weightless feeling ebbs. You take one of his hands in yours and guide it to rest over your heart. So he can feel the rhythm as it steadies, proof that it's still beating. That you're still here, at home with him - even if you are still reeling from the adrenaline surge. The action grounds you as well. It's your Xavier, of course nothing would have happened, even if he hadn't woken when he did.

"You're still here," he breathes. His hands are still trembling but his breathing has settled. His gaze roves your face, one had still wrapped in yours.

"Yeah," you clear your throat, shifting beneath him, "I'm still here, Xav." You school a small smile onto your lips. The shadows seem less hostile now, the sole lamp casting a warm buttery glow over him, marigold against forget-me-not. Blue skies and an orange sunset after a tempest. The light twinkles where it catches the powder-fine glass coating the floors and fabrics of your home. There's some glittering in Xavier's hair.

"Good." He sags against you like a puppet with its strings cut. Head slumping into the space between your neck and shoulder, breathing against your pulse point. His arms snake up your back and over your shoulders, pulling you impossibly close. His breath shudders once more and something warm drips onto your exposed skin, then again and agian. Any instinct to flee has be smothered, how could you ever have considered that Xavier would hurt you? The same Xavier sobbing into your arms following a nightmare. A nightmare where you had left him no less. You bring your own arms up to wrap around him.

It's not particularly comfortable - Xavier is nearly folded in half to tuck himself up into you while still straddling your lap. You run a hand through the hair at his nape and hold him. Soothe him. Soothe yourself, too, with whispers and promises pressed into his ashen hair.

"It's okay, Xav. You're okay. I'm okay. 'M not gonna leave you." A promise. A curse. A lie. A truth. An oath.

Even if Xavier is my main ...

Sylus's bbd event is so fudging beautiful and pleasing and

Like

Ahhhhhh

Its too good and i was literally staring at this for 5 mins because it was so beautiful and gawd

And whoever made this, hatsoff sir or maam

I DISCOVERED A THING

You can press on the decorations in the Sylus Bday event and you get little commentary!!