━ ◦ ✤ 𝕱𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔰 & 𝕾𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 ✤ ◦ ━【тєиzαι & кιттєи】🅽🆂🅵🆆

[Tenzai]

'I promise to always keep you safe.'

Closed doors & Quiet Rooms
Once a haven full of happy memories, their home had become a prison.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴꜱ | ᴡᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I can't be your love
Look, it's too trivial for you now
Oh, my life is fallin' apart
Maybe no one will notice if I disappear​

No matter how much he understood that it was for her own good, Arc hated what he and Adelaide have become. The close bonds they once shared when he was human was gone, left to rot and fester as a sacrifice to ensure that she would avoid succumbing to the same fate as her parents. Every time he muttered his promise from the other side of the door quietly in an attempt to convince himself that he was doing it for all the right reasons, he couldn't help but feel his repeated murmurings acted as nothing more than meaningless self-patronizing. What was to become of them once peace was attained if it was to ever be attained?

Arc didn't have the answer, nor did he want to know. It was hard for him to think that far ahead when he lacked the courage to even muster breaching her door. The letters of her nickname taped in front of her door had taunted him with his own knowledge. He knew that the door was unlocked. Physically speaking, the challenge was nothing more than ordinary. Emotionally however, that's where he felt as though it was impossible. To think, he was able to face the horrors of the night on a daily basis to protect her and yet, when it came to actually speaking with his beloved sister, even the most mundane barriers grew agonizingly tough to climb. His heart was an anchor dragging his body on the floor behind him. The closer he got to convincing himself to speak like they could be normal in person, the heavier it became.

'It's her birthday, Arc. Just wish her a happy birthday and give your gift. How hard can it be?'​

Internally, Arc's monologuing sense of reason had fired up a storm against his anxious overthinking. A heated debate had wrought tension in his mind as his heart and his mind waged war against each other to control his behaviors. He didn't want to ruin her special day, yet he felt like he did already by merely existing within her proximity. He wanted to wish her a happy birthday, but would it really cheer her up? Why was it all his fault? Why can't he be normal enough to treat her as an ordinary sibling? The torrent of questioning refused to let up while his left hand gripped onto a plate with a slice of cake he baked for her and her present. His right hand squeezed tightly on her present: A plush of her favorite animal. His fingers had shown signs of burning, revealing the extent of how far he was willing to go to make her day special. He wasn't a perfect baker but his effort had made up for his inadequacies in droves.

The only thing left to do was to ensure she would receive both. Finally stepping to her door, his thoughts and heart had settled into silence, relenting to the feeling of overwhelming dread. Neither knew what was right to do when he got so close in proximity. Reaching towards the doorknob after holding her present in between his torso and his arm, he froze in place. 'Perhaps, if she's sleeping, it wouldn't be best to disturb her slumber.' He thought to himself, momentarily taking a few moments to listen, only to be met with silence and an ordinary heartbeat. Adelaide wasn't asleep. His vampiric senses made him sensitive to the sounds of the living. From the sound of blood running through a human's veins down to the tempo of their heart and breathing, every detail that would suggest human life had become easy to read thanks to his heightened senses when it came to his prey. Though, Arc had found humane uses for his abilities, unlike the rest of his hostile cohort. With the knowledge that she was awake, he lowered her dish in front of her door.

"Hey Addy."

"Happy birthday."

But I'll pray for you all the time
If I could be by your side
I'll give you all my life, my seasons​

In front of him stood a cake covered in vanilla frosting with her favorite fruit, strawberries, decorating the top alongside the broken shards of chocolate bars. "You don't have to come out yet if you don't want to, but I made you something special that I think you might like." Arc's voice was no louder than a whisper, but it was enough for him to hear footsteps that stopped at the other side of the door. Addy was listening. "A cake with vanilla frosting. Strawberries and chocolates as toppings too." He smiled, taking pride in being able to craft something she would like. "Like the way you always told me you wanted back then." Still, both that happiness and pride were fleeting, quickly being replaced with the understanding that this would not change anything. Regardless of whether she accepted her gifts or not, she was still a prisoner inside her own home. Both his food and his gift would only placate that feeling for just a moment.

"And I got you a gift too. A fox plush." Leaving it as an offering, Arc placed the carefully wrapped orange fox beside the slice of cake. "I saw it in a crane machine and I knew I had to get it for you. I swear it has your name written all over it. Took me several tries but I managed to get it and another matching one in the end." He turned around, finding a red fox sitting right beside his briefcase. "Maybe... One of these days, I could take you to that arcade. Spend some time together like we used to." Placing his hand on the other side of the door, he closed his eyes and imagined his digits were where her head was, stroking the wood as though he was patting her head.

"I saw they had the fighting game you practiced on a lot. I wouldn't mind playing against you sometime. Who knows, maybe I could beat you for the first time." He chuckled for a little bit, before going silent. There was only so much he could do to keep a conversation when he was the only one talking. Finding his attempt to interact failing, he sighed, returning back to the pitiful state he tried to escape earlier. "I'll leave both out here outside for you whenever you're ready to take a look. Thought you would appreciate receiving something special on your special day."

While the leaves withered away
And grew again
You have gone far away
I'll be pushing up daisies
And bring all the chances to here

"Sorry if I disturbed you, Addy."

Regardless of how close she was nor how hard he tried, she was still too far out of reach.

But I'll pray for you all the time
If I could be by your side
I'll give you all my life, my seasons
By your side, I'll be your seasons, hmm

'I'll reach you one day, Promise. I won't let them take you too. I'll wage war for you, even if it costs me my life.'​

---

Vampires don't dream.

Dreams are only distractions from one's purpose.​

Ethan closed his eyes to rest in his own bed, exhausted from his various exchanges during the day. From offering a home to his favorite meal to dealing with the truth that there would be consequences for his boss' hubris when it came to dealing with humans, he struggled to maintain the typical calm visage he usually wore. His mind was in a constant state of fear and anxiety. Neither Adelaide's invitation to share a bed nor the taste of her nightmares were enough to distract him from the raging seas of his thoughts. What also hasn't left his mind was the knowledge that some of the cruelest vampire hunters had just arrived in town. Free of a moral compass and legal obligation, he was concerned over what they would do if he was discovered by these human monsters. Very few non-pureblood vampires were lucky enough to be left alive after such a close interaction with them, let alone coming out unscathed.

Instead of finding rest, upon closing his eyes, all his mind could do was think. For hours, he remained in silence, trying to organize his thoughts to come up with a proper plan for himself. If his boss was so stupid as to send a couple vampiric hitmen against the lead vampire detective himself in broad daylight, he wasn't someone that he could trust with his own wellbeing. Yet, as much as he wished to be his own master, he understood the terms of his blood contract.

In exchange for his sanguine blessing and eternity, he was to sacrifice his own freedom. To the sociopath that sought power and control above all things, this was an easy exchange. As long as whichever master he was assigned to was smart enough to manage him and address his needs, he would hold no qualms about it. However, unfortunately for him, he was assigned to someone he found lacking. Still, he carried out his tasks dutifully, regardless of how selfish and indulgent the requests were. Before he had the chance to think more about his own predicament however, he heard the door open followed by footsteps that attempted to be quiet. It was Adelaide. The scent of his shampoo, the warmth of her breath on his skin, and the gentle taps on his shoulder all hinted at her presence.

"Ethan… can I sleep with you? I had a bad dream… can you hold me?"

"Of course, Addy. Come over here."
Hidden in the dark of the room, he flashed a mischievous smile once he felt her bare skin on his.​

Wrapping his arms around her and pulling her head atop his chest, Ethan drew her into his embrace. With Adelaide being in such a shaken state, still under the influence of his drug, he doubted she would be able to read his signs of vampirism. The warmth of the blanket had made his skin feel human enough, though there was nothing he could do that could hide the muted beating of his heart. "What's wrong? Nightmares?" The dream eater already knew what she was dreaming of, feigning ignorance to mimic a sense of empathy. Despite his concentration being placed on his own thoughts as he passed her on the way inside his room, from the intensity of her fears alone, he was able to taste where her nightmare lied. 'She was dreaming of her brother and her family.'

Taking a moment to listen to her shaky voice speak, Ethan ran a hand over her head to stroke her hair. "Don't worry, alright? I'm here now," His dark smile contorted to that of false kindness before turning to her. As he traced his hand downward from the roof of her head towards her chin, he lifted her gaze up to his so she could grow comfortable with seeing her savior. "And I'm not going to leave you behind. I promise." Drawing her towards him by gently pulling her by the chin, he kissed her on the forehead before kissing her on the lips. "Feel a little better now?" Judging from her reaction, from her reddening cheeks to the placement of her hands, his voice grew sultry as it was brought down to a seductive whisper.

"I know I do. I always feel better when you're around me." Ethan carefully worked his way through her thoughts, invading her mind through the use of his drug and his manipulative choice of words. "Whenever I spend time with you, I'm always left wanting more. Twenty four hours in the day is nowhere near enough to do all I want to do with you sometimes." The vampire flirted, baiting her to fall deeper into his abyss. "And I wonder if that's enough for you too... Don't you think, we should make up for all the lost time?" Using a verbal knife to cut where her brother and her had cracked, he aimed to cut him out of her life. "At least, there's no one else who could take you away from doing what you want now, right?"

"Let's make something of that freedom..."

"...and do everything he would never let you do."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴇᴡ | ᴊᴏᴊɪ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Teach me to love just to let me go
I can't believe that I'm not enough
Not enough

And so long
No one will be here to save you
And no one will be here to let you know
Let you know​

---

"I'll make sure to do that. Val is one of a kind and means well. He's my gem."

"And Twy's mine too!"
Val chimed in from the kitchen, bouncy while preparing drinks as a result of her genuine feelings over her brother.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴘʟᴜᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴊᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ | ʀᴇx ᴏʀᴀɴɢᴇ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʏ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I can show you everything, yeah
And we're on our way to glory
Where the show won't ever end
And the encore lasts forever
And it's time we're due to spend​

Sharing conversation over drinks was a feeling he wasn't used to. The scene that played before him was something he yearned for. This was the reason he was fighting his war, to bring his own household the same warmth that these two held for each other on a regular basis. For a moment, he turned himself away to wipe a tear from his eyes. Its been so long since Arc felt like a part of a family. To have Val and Twyla treat him so well had shook him to his very core. "So, to business. I had some time to think it over when I got home, and I couldn't help but get excited to pick an outfit for the nightclub." Hearing her call his attention, he regained his composure quickly. Now was not the time to cry over what was lost. Now was the time to bring their plans into motion.

"What did you have in mind, Twy?" Adopting the same nickname her brother had chosen for her, Arc looked at her phone with curiosity. On her screen were various outfits that all fit the description of a regular at the club function they were to attend. "Oh! I think these are actually quite fitting." Out of all of her bookmarks, he chose an matching outfit aesthetic where he would be in black and she would be in pink. "Thanks for bringing up the outfits. I never thought of myself as much of a club type so I usually left the wardrobe choice to a few friends back in my department whenever we investigated any place like this. Thought it would be best to leave it to the experts rather than guess and stumble..." He scratched the back of his head at his own inexperience. Usually, whenever he was sent to investigate a club, he would be investigating as himself rather than as an undercover agent.

"But don't get too concerned about me, alright?" Arc's eyes glowed red, hinting at his skill enhanced by his vampiric ability. "I have ways around navigating social circles. Don't think I'm going to hold us back." Upon finishing his sentence, his vocal tone and physical demeanor shifted to that of Val. "I'm pretty good at mixing myself in with any crowd, you know? But as for fighting, I doubt I'm anywhere near as strong as you are, Twy. Try as might, there's only so much my fists can do against steel beams."

Once he heard Arc change, Val gave a look of surprise as he delivered another glass. "Wow, Arc. You're really good at doing a me impression! You think you could do Twy next?" Arc chuckled, returning back to his previous stance. "There are limits, Val. I have to be able to read someone in order to act like them. Some people are harder than others, but with time and trust, it becomes easy enough."

"To build trust with people who aren't like you, you have to convince them that you're one of them."

"And sometimes, to do what you need to, you have to get good at putting on masks."​

While Arc saw his own gift as a cursed product of his environment, Val on the other hand had seen it as a talent. Despite Arc mentioning his expertise at taking on the mannerisms of others however, Val's heart felt as though his present and his kind words here were genuine. Seeing the contrast between his thoughts and actions, Val brought a question up. "Well, how do you feel about now? Still think you need to wear a mask around us?" The question caught Arc off guard. "You don't seem like you're lying about how you're feeling with us. Maybe it's just a hunch, I guess, but you look like you're enjoying yourself here."

By inspiring hope and treating him normally, the two had managed to crack Arc's mask. Beneath the veil was a fragile family man who sought the feeling of being welcomed. He nearly forgot what it was like to not feel alien in his own skin. Years spent working as a false face only to return home to a sister he couldn't muster the strength to tell the truth had left him jaded. He didn't fit with humans nor did he fit with vampires. He was forced to be everything he wasn't, only free to be himself when he was truly alone. Without realizing it, Twy and Val had given him a taste of what he wanted. For this, the mask didn't feel necessary to feel welcome. "... You're right. I haven't been lying about who I am or how I'm feeling. Strange."

Arc took a deep breath, feeling his heartbeat as a sign that this was no dream. These two were real and this moment was happening. "I suppose, its thanks to you both. You never made me feel like I needed to be someone else around you. Thanks for that, and I'm sorry for getting distracted, Twy." He bowed politely. "Anytime, Arc. As long as you're here to help Twy, you're always welcome here." Val smiled, before heading back to the kitchen to prepare himself a drink. "My bad for distracting Arc, Twy. You two talk as long as you need to! I'll be around if you need anything to drink." Returning back to the task at hand, Arc's eyes drew over her phone once again to take a closer look at the outfits he liked before suddenly being hit with a notification from Mia.

"I am SO sorry… Please pretend you didn't see that, matter of fact, don't even comment on it…"

"Its fine, Twy. She's your friend and these things happen."
Caught off guard once again by someone so close to Twy, Arc couldn't help himself but genuinely laugh.​

From the constant distractions to the treatment these three gave to each other, it all felt so ordinary that it wasn't real. Though, from the clinking sounds of Val tapping glasses in the kitchen to the pings of each tap on Twy's phone as she rapidly reached for the do not disturb icon, each sensation that came from being there had drawn him into their moment. Regardless of its mundanity, this was peace. She had something to fight for, like he did. Quietly, he made a promise to himself to protect this life for her as well. Arc hoped she, her friends, and her family would never suffer the same as he did.

"This would be your outfit, and if you scroll down, there's a matching set for me. I think getting them together would be perfect,-" Val was quick to chime in jokingly. "For business." He teased. "Especially for the role we're playing. It would leave no room for anyone to second-guess us. The store's just down the street, it's called Rave, and it's pretty popular. I've picked up a few things from there before, but nothing like this, so I'm really excited to try something new." Her eyes sparkled. "I've never been to a nightclub before, and even though it's for business, I think it'll be fun to finally check one out."

"Well, I suppose it'll be a first for both of us, fashion and location wise." Arc looked up the directions on his phone, making note of opening and closing times. As a result of the drug prescribed to him by Dr. Thorne to speed up his healing, his sense of time was off. Believing it was evening, he didn't realize that the sun was rising. It was still early in the morning and the store was soon to open. "But I don't think I mind at all. Out of everyone I know who I could go to a club with, I'm happy it was you." Speaking with conviction, Arc unknowingly revealed just how deep his respect and trust was for his new friend. By giving her identity, she proved that she was someone who could be trusted with his own. But by offering him a place at her home and welcoming him as a guest, she became more than just an asset; Twyla had become a friend. "Just help me with putting all of that on. There seems to be a lot of straps and attachments that I might not be all too familiar with yet, so I'll appreciate whatever help you can offer me."

"You mentioned the vampires that raided your home are laying low at the club, but what's the plan beyond walking in and hoping to spot a familiar face? Aside from playing my role as your partner, is there anything specific you need me to do? I could investigate on my own, maybe use a bit of feminine charm and decision to draw some guys in and see what I can find out." Hearing what she was insinuating, Arc shook his head in refusal. They were a team and to Arc, she was the furthest thing from a sacrificial pawn. Her value extended far beyond that of a mere asset alone. "Perhaps if they were human, I would say otherwise since I know you could handle yourself... But here? With vampires who..." He paused for a moment, thinking of all the sins he saw committed when rescuing others. The trauma that he was forced to deal with as buried deep within the darkest depths of his mind. Imagining Twyla or Adelaide in the same position as those victims was not a fate he was willing to negotiate. "... No. I wouldn't want that. Not at all."

"We're going to handle this together, Twyla. I'm not going to let you deal with this alone or apart."

"We're a team."​

"We're there to collect information on entrances and exits. On guards and weapons as well as what is hidden within each room. What faces frequent the VIP sections and which types of people are allowed to go into which sections, things like that." Arc pulled out the notebook he showed her in the cafe. Within revealed to what extent Arc was able to discover from his observations. Within its many pages stood paragraphs upon paragraphs of information, from the equipment a guard used down to their schedules and apparent vices. "Maybe potential prisoners too... and I don't want you to end up becoming one of them." He placed his hand on hers, refusing to shift in stance when it came to her treating herself as bait. "I need you, Twy. In case something goes wrong and I'm forced to fight, I doubt I'd be able to be as effective as I was before." He lifted his sleeve to reveal the bandages. "And it's a lot less suspicious if we go together as a couple instead of me going there alone."

"I trust you, but I'll need you to put your faith in me too. I promise I'm far from useless."

"And remember. We're not fighting this war alone anymore. You could rely on me."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tʜᴇ Dʀᴜᴍ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:09
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Oᴏʜ, I ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴇɴᴅ
Lɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍʏ ᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏ ᴜᴘ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ
Mʏ ʜᴇᴀᴅ's ɪɴ ᴀ sᴘɪɴ
Yᴏᴜ sᴇɴᴅ ᴍʏ ʙᴏᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪᴛ's ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇᴇɴ​

Ethan’s voice held a gentle warmth that drew her in, like a fish caught on a carefully baited hook. She gave him a soft smile, relieved that she didn’t have to face her nightmares alone. She climbed into bed, curling up beside him as his arms opened to welcome her. His embrace was a refuge, radiating a warmth that seeped into her heart and reassured her that everything would be okay. “Thank you…” she murmured, her voice filled with quiet gratitude for his presence in her moment of vulnerability. Thankfully, her poor night vision spared her from noticing the mischievous grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

"What's wrong? Nightmares? Don't worry, I'm here now, and I'm not going to leave you behind, I promise. Feel a little better now?"​

"Yeah... It felt so real... but I feel safe here, in your arms. Thank you, Ethan," she replied softly, her words brushing past the darker details she preferred to leave unspoken. Thankfully, Ethan didn't pry, his silence a gift that she deeply appreciated. Without pressing her, he allowed her the peace of not having to relive that gut-wrenching dream. Addy was more than willing to let it sink into the shadows of her mind, buried where it couldn’t reach her.

"I always feel better when you're around me. Whenever I spent time with you, I'm always left wanting more. And I wonder if that's enough for you too.."​

"...Do you really?" His words caught her off guard, and she instinctively nestled closer, feeling the blankets cocoon over him, missing the subtle coolness of his unnatural skin. "Of course, I feel the same way. No amount of time with you could ever be enough." Her body grew warmer, a flush spreading over her skin as if she were running a mild fever, though it was simply the blush that colored her from head to toe. In this moment, she felt cherished, loved, and deeply wanted, as though he alone held the key to her heart. With each word, he seemed to reach further into her, drawing her down into the space he had carefully carved out for her, a place where she could fall - helplessly, willingly - only for him… a plan she was perfectly unaware of.

"Don't you think, we should make up for all the lost time?"​

Quiet. Silence fell between them, thick with unspoken understanding. Addy felt her heartbeat quicken, pounding in her chest with a thrilling mix of anticipation and nerves. She understood what he was hinting at, and it sent a rush of adrenaline through her, her stomach twisting in excitement. She’d never ventured into such intimate territory before - never exposing herself in this way, physically or emotionally, to anyone. But with Ethan, she felt safe enough to step beyond her usual boundaries, to let herself be vulnerable in a way she’d never dared. He had earned that trust, and she wanted to share parts of herself that no one else had seen, to give him a glimpse of her truest self.

"I agree, let’s make up for some lost time…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, as though someone might overhear, even though they were alone in the apartment. Emboldened by a mix of lingering courage from the drink and possibly the concoction she unknowingly drank, she shifted herself, pressing her palms into the bed to steady herself before moving to sit atop his lap, his form wrapped in the blanket’s. Her heart raced, but her gaze held steady, a quiet confidence sparking in her eyes as she closed the distance between them.

“I’ve never done this before,” she confessed softly, a hint of fragility in her voice. She hoped he wouldn’t tease her for her inexperience, though she knew deep down he wasn’t the type. Ethan had always been kind, understanding, and patient with her, and she felt sure he’d only cherish her more for trusting him with something so intimate, being able to take her virginity. "And I just want you to know... I won’t mind if you've done this before," she added, her voice barely a whisper, her tone gentle and reassuring. "I’d actually... appreciate some guidance… please?” Her hand moved to rest softly on his chest, her touch tentative but filled with trust. She hoped he’d understand her silent plea, that he’d take the lead and help her learn how to connect with him in this intimate way, showing her how to bring him pleasure in a way that no one else ever had.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Lᴀᴛᴇ sᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀɴᴏᴏɴs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 34:21
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

The moment Twyla mentioned using her feminine charm to help, Arc's face twisted into a sour expression, making his feelings on the matter perfectly clear without a word. She understood immediately - he only wanted to protect her. Still, if it came to that, she was willing to do what was necessary. For now, though, she nodded in silent acknowledgment of his reluctance. After all, who could say what the night might hold? Anything could happen between now and then.

As he reached across the table to take her hands in his, Twyla glanced down at their joined hands, then looked back up at him, unfamiliar with such a gentle gesture paired with words of commitment to work together. Arc was every bit the gentleman, and despite his line of work - and his own admission to donning many faces to gain favor and do what needed to be done - there was an undeniable sincerity in his touch. She didn’t feel he was putting on a facade for his own gain; his emotions were genuine, raw with concern and hope for both of them. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she lifted one hand to rest atop his, her fingers curling around his in a firm, reassuring grip. Her voice was steady, underscoring her words. “Yes, we’re a team, fighting for the greater good. I’ll always have your back; you won’t be alone in this fight anymore.”

As she sat listening to his rundown of their plan for once they were inside the club, she made mental notes, determined to be the best team player and ensure the mission went off without a hitch. “Alright… track exits and entrances, keep tabs on the regulars in the VIP rooms, stay alert for anything suspicious, and be ready to fight if necessary. Got it.” To show she was listening, she repeated his instructions, ticking off each point with a finger as she went. “And, as you mentioned - though you might not want to admit it - you’re still healing. Going to such a chaotic place alone wouldn’t be wise. You’d practically be serving yourself up to the enemy.” Twyla pointed out the obvious, though she knew he was likely well aware of it himself.

"Also, I never showed you my special ability," she said, realizing it might be a good idea now that he had just revealed his own. It would also help her understand his power better, especially since she might need to rely on it often. With their hands still joined, her lilac eyes glowed softly for a brief moment - something she might normally conceal by closing her eyes, but she made no effort to hide it now as she absorbed Arc's power. As Arc’s power transferred to her, a faint, pale purple glow shimmered in Twyla’s eyes, mirroring the way his own eyes lit up during his commands. She looked deep into his gaze, her tone playful yet commanding. “Tell Valor he’s the best painter and vampiric chef in all the lands.” Her cheeks puffed with laughter, a grin breaking through as she held back giggles. It was a harmless, even silly command, but enough to show him the effect of her powers without crossing any lines.

As she released his hand, she laughed out loud at Val’s reaction to the unexpected compliment. “I can mimic others’ abilities and even turn them back on themselves,” she explained, “but it only lasts a few minutes with just a touch. If I drink someone’s blood, though, it can last much longer, sometimes even hours.” She paused, a hint of pride in her voice before she added, almost nonchalantly, “Oh, and I have a minor ability too. After interacting with someone, I can sense where they are for about fifteen minutes as long as they’re within a mile.” She shrugged, brushing it off as if it were nothing extraordinary. “Plus, I think my powers are naturally stronger because I’m a pureblood,” she added thoughtfully. “Val doesn’t believe he can fight well, but I know that if his life, or mine, were truly in danger, he’d be unstoppable. He just… doesn’t like to fight.” She glanced over her shoulder at Val, a smile forming as she took in his gentle demeanor before turning her attention back to Arc.

“Rave opens in a few minutes, wanna head that way?” Twyla asked as she scooted her chair back and stood, giving a small stretch. She glanced over at Val with a warm smile. “You wanna come too, Val? I’m not sure what you’ve got planned, but I wanted you to feel included.” She offered him the invitation with an easygoing tone, knowing he might decline, likely thinking it was more of a date between her and Arc. In reality, it wasn’t anything of the sort, but she wouldn’t be hurt if he opted out.

“Oh, and… it won’t hurt our budget if I pick up this outfit, right?” she asked, double-checking with a playful grin. If funds were tight, she could always just put it on their credit card, but she wanted to be sure first.

After Val responded, Twyla opened the door and held it for Arc, letting him pass through before closing it behind her. “Alright, let’s go!” she exclaimed, practically skipping down the hallway. As they moved out into public view, her form shifted subtly, taking on the appearance of Alora to conceal her identity. Fortunately, it was only a short fifteen-minute walk down the sidewalk to Rave. As they reached the entrance, she pushed the door open, and a soft chime rang out from the bells above, announcing their arrival to anyone inside.

“Good afternoon, and welcome to Rave! Is there anything I can help you find?” A tall man approached the duo, his professional smile spreading warmly across his face, clearly eager to assist them with whatever they needed.

"Yes, actually!" Alora replied, pulling her phone from her pocket and bringing up the outfit she’d shown Arc earlier. "We’re looking for this matching set. Could you point us toward where it is, and the fitting rooms?"

The man leaned in, squinting slightly as he examined the image on her phone. After a brief moment, he straightened with a nod, his expression conveying perfect understanding of her request. "I know exactly where that is, follow me," he said, gesturing for them to come along as he led the way through the store with ease, navigating the aisles like second nature.

Stopping at a rack, he shifted a few hangers aside before pulling out the male version of the outfit, then quickly found the female version as well. "Here you go!" he said, handing each outfit to them with a friendly smile before gesturing toward the back. "The changing rooms are over there. Feel free to call me if you need anything else, my name’s Axel." With that, he gave them a polite nod and, to grant them privacy, strolled off in the opposite direction, hands tucked casually into his pockets.

“You go first!” she urged, giving him a playful nudge. She was eager to see how the outfit would look on him before slipping into her own.

 

[Tenzai]

"I agree, let's make up for some lost time…"

Dragged further from the surface, Adelaide sunk into his abyss willingly.

She made the perfect prey
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴄᴏʟᴅ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅᴇᴅ | ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ɢʀᴇʏ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Underneath her love, there's a blade
Lost inside her mind, it's a maze she's a
Disaster, I can't look away but she's
All mine, all mine

I know I should run, I should be terrified
Turn to stone if you look in his eyes
He won't stop until he's satisfied​

As Adelaide stumbled while mounting her lover, underneath the blankets, she could feel his outline press against her. His cool, vampiric form yearned to indulge into the sensations she offered, both of pleasure and of pain. "Oh, I would want nothing more than to make you mine, Adelaide." His hands traced over her thighs, his sanguine eyes admiring her flesh in the dark. With her body atop of his so close in proximity, he could hear her thumping heartbeats pounding in her chest. She was nervous. It was likely that this was her first time exposing herself so vulnerably like this. "You can trust me with your secret. I wouldn't want to share this side of you with anyone else." Selfish was the abyssal prince who sought to be her everything. To the one who's hunger was endless, there was nothing more satisfying than to be the sole reason her body could soar to the heavens and drown in its hell.

"I've never done this before," The vampire was amused at her sexual naivety. She was innocent and pure, untouched by another. The idea of being the one to take that innocence away and rob her of her purity had made him crave her all the more. With his mind slowly shifting away from his anxieties, she became his sole focus. Her body was his morsel, prepared after careful months of planning and scheming. 'How quaint. To have my prey be so willing to give herself up.' Despite his eyes being in the dark, they appeared blacker than the shadows. Without even biting her, his mind was already making claim to her body, swallowing her reflection whole as she further sunk into his icy oceans. "And I just want you to know... I won't mind if you've done this before, I'd actually... appreciate some guidance… please?" Fragile was her voice backed up by her heartfelt confidence. It was begging to be shattered.

"Of course, Addy. You can trust me. I'll show you how I want to be loved."
​

His hands reached to her waist, turning her to his side as he got atop of her. Slowly guiding his hands up her body, Ethan massaged her breasts, listening to the sounds of her heart respond to his carefully practiced motions. If he was to devour her for the first time physically, he was going to enjoy every inch of her. "My, to think you were hiding this beauty away underneath your clothes." His eyes traced across her form, following the beam of the rising sun that streaked across her figure as it broke through the nearby curtains. "Such a shame that I couldn't have seen this part of you sooner. But I suppose, there's nothing wrong with that. Passion requires patience to grow, right?" One hand stroked from her breast over to her arms, following the contour of her shoulders down to her wrist. Grabbing her hand carefully, he drew her digits to his chin while his other hand continued to play with her chest, divulging her where no one else had touched her before. "You've kept me waiting for a while, Addy. Do me a favor and show me that the wait was worth it." He teased, whispering lust into her ears as he drew his face closer to hers.

"I'm not a patient man. But for you, I will wait an eternity just for a taste..." Ethan's lips pressed against her, offering his thrall a taste of his saliva as his tongue embraced her own. It was a sloppy kiss, hinting at her inexperience being loved orally, though it was one that the vampire himself had found quaint. Given the energy she put back into him, he could tell that she was trying her best. It was this energy which hinted just how far she fell for him and his drug. However, before she had a chance to really melt into him and indulge in his flavors, he slowly broke away. "... Of your lips." He wanted to strike a spark in her, to make his prey crave him as much as he did her. As he pulled away, a bridge of their saliva had stretched between their mouths, meeting her skin as he pressed his lips again onto her neck and shoulder. "... Of your flesh." Grazing his teeth, he carefully avoided piercing her flesh too soon. Now was not the time to reveal just who he was. She needed more time to trust him. She needed more time to get addicted to his temptations.

Lifting his lips off of her, he brought his mouth down to her chest, kissing both breasts at their tips before drawing his mouth in between them to kiss her heart. "... Of your heart." Refusing to let up in his assault of her body, he kissed down her stomach before meeting her clit. "... And of your soul." With his tongue, he granted her slit the blessing of his touch before kissing her inner thighs. The expertise he wielded on her body was beyond that of most. It was a skill well practiced over years as a vampire, lifting other women just to drop them once they found euphoria. He was an addictive drug, a careful manipulator, and a toxic lover too addictive to escape. With her body left reeling from the overwhelming sensations she never felt before, he found amusement in her squirming and a longing from her sounds. "You taste perfect, Adelaide. All of you." Slowly picking himself up from between her thighs, his hands reached towards her, stroking her palms as he gave her his devilishly attractive smirk. "But I doubt you're only interested in letting me taste you."

Ethan's eyes followed hers, noting her attention to his body. From his torso barely masked by a well fitted t-shirt down to the wet imprint she left on the outline of his boxers, he pulled her hands towards his clothes, giving her an opportunity to explore her wanton curiosities. "You're curious too, aren't you? About what I look like underneath it all?" Wrapping his hands around hers from the back, he placed pressure on her knuckles to cause her to grip his clothes, each digit causing wrinkles on the fabric covering the body she fell in love with. "Go ahead and explore me. Touch me where you like. Taste me too, I don't mind one bit. Every inch of my body is yours to fall in love with." Before she pulled anything off however, he gripped her hands tightly, offering her a lewd warning.

"But don't rile me up and keep me waiting for too long. I'm an impatient man, Addy."

"I'm just as interested in your insides as I am your outsides."

Oh, she's wrapped around my body, gripping tight
She looks like temptation that I can't fight
She lives for the pleasure and the pain
Tried my best but I can't keep away

My heart's inside his hands, I feel him squeezing
I'll follow him as long as I'm breathing
I know that he wouldn't do the same
But I'd follow him to the grave​

---

"Valor. Your art is magnificent and your culinary works are a wonder to behold."

"You inspire me to protect your sister and your livelihood, and I intend to do no less than my best."
Calling upon his heart, Twy had summoned a confession through her magic.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ᴀᴄᴜᴘᴜɴᴄᴛᴜʀᴇ | ᴊᴀᴢᴢɪɴᴜꜰ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺​

Arc's magic was potent, using his own feelings as a conduit for commands. As Val heard Arc's truth, he blushed, dropping a glass only to fumble a bit before catching it. "O-oh wow. I didn't think you felt that way about me, Arc. Umm... Thanks!" Hearing the man who won his heart over once share his thoughts; Somehow, Val had felt as though he was won over again. Even if it was the product of some harmless silly command brought into reality through the powers of his sister, the vampire artist had found no lie in the words of his guest. They felt genuine. "I'll uh... Go over here while you guys talk." Behind the counter, Twy heard her brother whisper in excitement. "eeeeeeee." Unfortunately for Val, he did a terrible job at hiding his enthusiasm over Arc's compliment.

"Interesting." Arc smiled, finding her power quite useful. "To be able to turn the powers of others against them. I could see why the goddess had refused to engage you in direct conflict." He scratched his chin, forging connection in between his past master's orders and Twy's revelation. Even though it caught him by surprise, he didn't hold her use of her power against her. There were many ways at which she could have directed his power back on him, yet she chose a way that benefited her brother. Seeing her love extend so strongly for her family had caused his heart to ease further. They were much more alike than he thought. "I can mimic others' abilities and even turn them back on themselves, but it only lasts a few minutes with just a touch. If I drink someone's blood, though, it can last much longer, sometimes even hours."

If there was an expected window of time predictable via the transmission of her ability, the detective believed he could coordinate plans around it. "I suppose... If you need access to my ability, I wouldn't against you biting me for a taste of my blood. Maybe, I could even draw my own blood and put it into capsules for you to drink too, should the need arise." He thought of the many ways he could empower her. "Though, there is a caveat to the use of my ability, Twy. Whoever you use it on has to trust you, otherwise it won't work." Interestingly, while the detective had used this power sparingly, he was able to figure out that he could use it to determine whether someone else was on his side. By using his power to request simple gestures such as offering them a chair to sit among many, he was able to mask the use through mundane means. "But you'd be able to tell whether someone is willing to help you... And for that I have to apologize." He bowed politely.

"Remember when I asked if you and Mia could help us in our investigation?" Arc hinted at their first meeting. While it was not some obscene use of his ability like Thorne would have preferred, it was his way of collecting information which assisted in determining truth from lies. "I've used it then to tell whether I could rely on you for a witness testimony... I was concerned then about my sister and I felt a time constraint before another incident like that were to happen again." If she was going to trust him, he needed to air out his grievances now, even if he believed his reasons to be valid. "And I used it again at the hospital too when I invited you in to determine whether you were someone I could trust. As you could tell, confessing that you're a vampire to a new face is akin to playing with fire... But even then, after finding out that you trusted me, I was afraid that you would fear me, but I still took that chance. I didn't force you then because you were someone I could trust... As you could tell now." Arc smiled at her, his voice shaky and vulnerable as a result of his mask coming off. However, given the family that welcomed him, he felt as though he truly made the right choice.

"Thank you for giving me hope. I don't intend on letting you down."
​

Shifting his attention to her other minor ability, Twyla explained her sense of keeping location. "Useful. Doubly so if you could use it on me and the people we should be tracking." Listening to her speak, Arc took another sip of his glass, finishing it right as Val delivered him another one. "Val doesn't believe he can fight well, but I know that if his life, or mine, were truly in danger, he'd be unstoppable. He just… doesn't like to fight." He shook his head. "Unstoppable? No! That's not me. If you wanna see unstoppable, you should see how Twy fights! She kicks ass, Arc. So don't make her angry, okay? I like you too much!" Val chuckled, sitting beside the two as he joined the conversation. "I don't intend on it Val. Not when you could make drinks like this. Besides, you two look good together." He turned to Twyla, relaxing in their shared presence. "The sight of you both smiling by each other's side is one I hope I could keep returning to. That's for sure." She smiled at Val, before returning back to the job at hand. There was a task that needed to be done before the night.

"Rave opens in a few minutes, wanna head that way?" Arc nodded his head. "Sure thing, lead the way." Switching her attention over to Val, she asked him the same, stretching as she did. "You wanna come too, Val? I'm not sure what you've got planned, but I wanted you to feel included." Val shook his head. While he had art as an excuse, he didn't want to disturb them from sharing bonding time alone. "It's fine. I have to finish up the rest of that painting first before I could do anything else." He gestured over to the painting of Arc, unaware of the similarities between his subject and the man sitting across from him. "You two have fun. Or I mean..." His fingers curled, symbolizing air quotes. "You two handle your business." He chuckled, teasing her before running off to avoid getting choked out in front of his favorite guest.

"Oh, and… it won't hurt our budget if I pick up this outfit, right?" Arc pulled out his wallet, revealing a platinum card meant for work expenses. "Don't worry about that Twyla, everything will be on me." He placed a reaffirming hand on her shoulder, telling her that all her expenses would be paid. "Consider it a perk for working with me. The police force would have no qualms financing anything that is meant to bring justice to the vampires that seek to do harm." Placing his card back into his wallet, he stood up to stretch after a long morning of drinking and conversation. "Alright, let's go!" Opening the door for her as she skipped outside, he waved at Val. "After you, Twy. And don't worry Val, I'll be sure to have her back home before too long!" Closing the door behind him, he walked with her over to the Rave.

---

Within the confines of this urban space, he faced his hardest challenge. Straps.

'Gods, if Addy or Vega had seen this, they would never let me live this down.'

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ (ɪɴꜱᴛʀᴜᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ) | ᴅɪꜱʟʏᴛᴇ ᴏꜱᴛ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
​

Going first, Arc saw the outfit he was to contend with. It strayed far from the typical convention of his formal wardrobe. While others might struggle with donning the same suits that Archimedes did regularly, approaching his outfit without instruction felt as daunting as approaching the nightclub full of vampires itself. Though, instead of the risk of death, he felt a fear of embarrassment. Unfortunately for the vampire detective, his partner outside was looking forward to his new clothes. Finding it as another step to furthering his dream, he took a deep sigh before stripping himself down. If this was the cost of bringing about a reality where his sister and his new friends could live in peace, then it was a challenge he would overcome.

One by one, he looped his limbs through the holes of his clothes, feeling exposed where the tears in his outfit had exposed his skin. However, the more he looked at himself in the mirror, the more comfortable he was beginning to feel in his own body. Arc might not have been the most attractive person on the force, but given his particular physical appearance and build, he made the outfit look rather nice. Donning the straps next, he matched the image which Twyla wished to portray. "... I could get used to this." He muttered to himself, slipping his legs into the boots and tying the ropes together.

Pulling the straps had made the loose parts of his clothes hug his natural contours comfortably, revealing the attractive outline underneath it. Finding himself content with his appearance, he hung his past clothes over an arm, grabbing his shoes before opening the door with confidence. "How does it look, Twyla?" He posed similarly to the image she showed him, wearing the clothes she chose for him with pride. Either she was lucky or she had an eye for fashion. Regardless, he didn't want her to hold concern for her choice in partner and her choice in clothes. He wanted to build her faith and trust in him like she did when she came for him when he needed her most at the hospital. "I think... I really like it. Not that I intend on wearing it everywhere of course but... I think you have an eye for fashion."

"Wow." Axel clapped his hands, seeing Arc appear like a poster model for the brand in those clothes. "You look fabulous. Umm.... Gosh..." Admiring her friend, he looked at Arc from every angle. The right clothes perfectly fitting the right man had made his heart thump with admiration. Most people who came there did not choose clothes that fit them. Though for the vampire couple, they appeared to make a wonderful match. "Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for your choice Twyla." Hearing her reaction had brought a smile on his face. While compliments were not something he was unaware of, to hear it from someone he trusted was something he never knew he loved. "Don't compliment me too much. It was you who chose this for me after all. All I'm doing is following your recommendation." Turning to the staff member, Arc handed him his card. "I'd like to buy these and the clothes in her hands please. Thank you for helping us, Axel." The staff member nodded his head. "O-of course! Anytime! Feel free to stop by anytime!" His eyes shined upon seeing the platinum card, disappearing as he rushed towards the register.

"Your turn now, Twyla. I can't wait to see how those clothes look on you."
Waiting patiently outside, the detective couldn't help himself but blush thinking of her compliment of his clothes. It was flattering and pure.

'To think you were right about me, Vega. I guess I owe you now.'​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴘᴀᴅᴀᴍ ᴘᴀᴅᴀᴍ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:27
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
sʜɪᴠᴇʀs ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀғʟɪᴇs
ɪ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sʜɪᴠᴇʀs ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ʟᴏᴏᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇʏᴇs​

"Of course, Addy. You can trust me. I'll show you how I want to be loved."​

Everything unfolded so swiftly that Addy had no chance to steel herself for what was to come. One moment, she was straddling him, and the next, she found herself lying on her back, her hair fanned out like angelic wings against the sheets. The dim shadows of the room cloaked his features, leaving them a mystery as she gazed up at him. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, the pulse echoing in her ears as if trying to escape her. She swallowed hard, her breath hitching as his hands descended with deliberate care, tenderly caressing her bosom.

“Mmph!” A soft, high-pitched moan slipped from her lips before she could stop it, her right hand flying up to cover her mouth in a wave of embarrassment. She flushed at the sound, unwilling to let such a vulnerable reaction escape her again. It wasn’t as if he had done anything overwhelming just yet, but the undeniable intensity of his touch on such a sensitive part of her body sent shivers through her, leaving her breathless.

"You've kept me waiting for a while, Addy. Do me a favor and show me that the wait was worth it."​

Before she could utter a single word, her lips were captured by his in a fervent kiss, his tongue pressing insistently against the seam of her mouth. The kiss was bold - hungry, demanding, and almost pleading for permission. The seal of her lips faltered under the pressure, parting to grant him access. His tongue slipped inside, exploring the warmth of her mouth with an intoxicating intensity, the slick brush of his tastebuds sending a shiver down her spine. Addy, though inexperienced, tried to match his rhythm, her tongue moving in hesitant counterpoint to his. She mimicked his movements as best as she could, striving to make their dance feel natural, all the while fighting not to betray the growing desperation in her own response.

Just as she was starting to find her rhythm in the heated dance of their tongues, he pulled back, leaving her breathless. A thin, glistening strand of saliva bridged the gap between their parted lips, lingering for a fleeting moment before snapping, a silent testament to the intensity of their kiss. “Ethan…” she breathed his name, her voice barely more than a moan as his lips began to wander over her delicate, porcelain skin. The cool touch of his mouth against her neck sent shivers coursing through her, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. Unaware of the truth about who - or what - he truly was, she foolishly tilted her head to the side, exposing the length of her neck to him in a gesture of blind trust. Vulnerable and unguarded, she unknowingly offered herself to the very danger she didn’t yet understand.

His touch grew more intimate, his hands and lips exploring her body in a way that sent a rush of vulnerability through her. A part of her wanted to shield herself, to push him away as insecurities about her feminine form crept into her mind. Will he find me enough? Will he approve of my body… even down there? The questions echoed in her thoughts, laden with a silent plea to meet his unspoken expectations. She longed to satisfy him, to prove herself worthy in a way that would erase the time they had lost.

Her body betrayed her apprehension as her nipples instinctively hardened under his touch, heightening her awareness of his every move. His words of devotion barely registered, their meaning lost as she fixated on the path his lips and breath traced along her skin, each touch lingering lower, stoking the fire burning within her. “Ah!~” A sharp, breathy moan escaped her lips, shattering the fragile silence as his tongue and lips found the most sensitive part of her body - her clit. Her hands instinctively shot down, fingers tangling in his raven-black hair, gripping tightly, though careful not to cause him pain. The sensation was overwhelming, a blend of tickling pleasure and raw intensity that sent electric currents coursing through her core, igniting a primal hunger she hadn't known existed.

But just as quickly as it began, it was over. Ethan rose above her, his dark, enigmatic gaze locked on her flushed and panting form. She stared up at him, disoriented, her chest heaving as though she had just awakened from the most vivid, intoxicating dream - a dream she wasn’t sure she wanted to end.

"But I doubt you're only interested in letting me taste you. You're curious too, aren't you? About what I look like underneath it all?"​

It was as though he had unearthed a secret she’d tried to keep buried, her cheeks deepening to a brighter shade of crimson. Yet, she couldn’t deny that he was right. Addy wanted to see him just as vulnerable as he’d made her feel - to strip away the barriers between them entirely. Her curiosity got the better of her, and her eyes hesitantly drifted downward. Her breath hitched at the sight of the damp spot on his boxers, the evidence of his arousal plain to see. The outline of his girth pressed against the thin fabric, leaving little to the imagination, and she found herself captivated, her mind swirling with a mix of nervous anticipation and undeniable intrigue.

“I do…” she murmured, her voice barely audible, yet heavy with intent as her eyes flicked back to meet his. They carried a haze of lust, a vulnerability mixed with determination. His commanding yet reassuring touch guided her trembling hands toward the hem of his shirt. When his fingers squeezed hers firmly, it sent a clear message - it was okay to explore, but there was an unspoken promise of more if she dared to tease him. “I’ll do my best, Ethan… Please, tell me if something pleases you,” she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of nervousness and sincerity. She wanted to return the pleasure he had given her, to make him feel just as desired. Her fingers tightened around the fabric of his shirt as she helped lift it over his head, the motion almost reverent. With a quick, flustered toss, the shirt landed on the floor, leaving her to admire the exposed expanse of his body, her breath catching at the sight of him.

“You’re so handsome…” she whispered, her voice tinged with awe as her fingertips lightly grazed his chest and abs. Her touch was tentative at first, tracing the defined lines of his chiseled physique as though committing every detail to memory. His body felt solid and warm under her hand, like a sculpture brought to life by the hands of a master artist. “Let’s change positions so I can give you the best pleasure,” Addy suggested softly, her voice laced with a mix of confidence and anticipation. She began to sit up, her palms pressing gently against his chest, guiding him to lie back. Her touch was firm yet tender, a silent invitation he couldn’t refuse.

As he complied, settling onto his back, she moved gracefully, reclaiming her place atop him. Straddling his hips, her hands braced against his chest to steady herself. Her head lowered as her lips wandered across his skin, trailing kisses and soft licks as she made her way down to his collarbone. She took her time, savoring the sensation of his chilled flesh beneath her mouth, her kisses reverent yet hungry. The subtle contours of his body fascinated her, and she let her mouth glide over them, careful not to linger too long in one spot as she moved further downward.

Her hands slid to cradle his ribs, steadying herself as she ventured toward an area she suspected might elicit a reaction. Tentatively, she extended her tongue, brushing it delicately over his right nipple before repeating the action on its twin. She listened intently for any response - a soft sound, a sharp intake of breath, or even the faintest shift in his body - to guide her efforts. Feeling emboldened, she let her lips continue their descent, her movements unhurried but deliberate. Her ultimate destination lay ahead, but she was determined to explore and learn him along the way, attuning herself to every nuance of his pleasure. Her lips moved across his abdomen, leaving a soft, lingering trail of kisses that seemed to ignite every inch of skin beneath her touch. With growing boldness, she let her tongue tease the sensitive area around his navel, tracing lazy circles that hinted at her intentions. If there had been any doubt before, it was now unmistakable.

Addy’s hands moved with purpose, taking hold of the waistband of Ethan’s boxers and shimmying them downward, unveiling him fully. Her breath caught as her right hand wrapped around his thick, throbbing length, the heat radiating through her palm sending a jolt of desire straight to her core. She took a moment to admire him, her eyes sweeping over him with a mix of awe and nervous anticipation. He was impressive, both in size and presence, and for a fleeting moment, she couldn’t help but wonder if he might be too much for her. “Do you want me to continue?” She asked as her mouth hovered over his sensitive tip, her warm breath teasing him, hinting at what was to come if he wanted her to move forward.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴅʀɪᴠᴇ ᴍʏ sᴏᴜʟ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:22
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇss ᴅɪsᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀ
ɪ ғᴇᴇʟ ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ sᴛᴀʏ ɴᴇᴀʀ
ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ
ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʏ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇs sᴏ ᴄʟᴇᴀʀ​

Twyla could sense Arc's unease as he stepped into unfamiliar territory. Despite his cheerful demeanor, the subtle tension in his posture betrayed his discomfort at the prospect of trying on clothes so far removed from his usual style.

"You'll look wonderful, I'm sure of it," she said gently, her tone warm and reassuring. "And there's no harm in just trying something on. If it doesn’t feel right, we don’t have to get it." Her words were paired with an encouraging smile, meant to ease his hesitation. Before he could protest further, she playfully shooed him toward the changing room, her laughter light and inviting as she gave him the nudge he needed.

Hearing the soft click of the latch, the brunette stepped back, clutching her own outfit as she waited for Arc to emerge. Her heart was caught in a mix of anticipation and concern, silently hoping he’d feel comfortable enough to show her how the new clothes looked on him. Deep down, she worried he might feel too self-conscious, but she resolved not to pressure him. Whatever he decided, his comfort was her priority. If he hesitated, she was ready to offer him the encouragement he needed, her gentle patience a quiet promise to support him no matter what.

The sudden sound of the door unlatching drew Twyla's attention back to the changing room. Her excitement was palpable as her top teeth pressed lightly against her lower lip, a nervous habit fueled by anticipation. A bubble of eager energy stirred within her, her mind racing with curiosity about how Arc would look and whether he’d finally stepped out of his comfort zone.

"How does it look, Twyla? I think... I really like it."​

Twyla’s sunny eyes widened in surprise, instantly locking onto the striking transformation before her. Arc looked as though he had just stepped out of a cyberpunk video game, the edgy clothing perfectly complementing his posture and build. "Arc... I have no words!" she exclaimed, nearly breathless as her gaze swept over him from head to toe. She was careful, though, ensuring her admiration didn’t linger in a way that might make him feel uneasy.

Closing the distance between them, she leaned subtly from side to side, her intent focus on inspecting every detail of his new look. Her thoroughness wasn’t just for show - she wanted to find the right words to convey just how much she admired his daring choice. "You look incredible," she finally said, her tone full of genuine praise. "This suits you more than I ever imagined! It’s loose enough to keep you comfortable, and it fits you so well!" Twyla’s enthusiasm spilled over as she took in every detail. "The boots tie the whole look together perfectly, and the straps add this edgy yet confident vibe... And - oh gosh." Her words faltered as her gaze unintentionally wandered to his exposed abdomen, a blush quickly blooming across her cheeks. Feeling suddenly flustered, she turned her head away, her voice softening.

"I mean, you’ll definitely catch some attention with, uh, your stomach exposed like that," she stammered, trying to frame her thoughts into a compliment without sounding awkward. "But it’s not a bad thing!" She offered a sheepish laugh, hoping he wouldn’t notice her momentary fluster. Before she could dwell on it, Axel’s approaching footsteps caught her attention. Her head swiveled toward him, relief and excitement mingling in her expression as she smiled at his approving comments on Arc’s outfit. It was clear she wasn’t the only one impressed. "See? I'm not just buttering you up… Axel agrees too!" Twyla chimed excitedly, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. She hoped their combined praise would boost Arc's self-esteem, reinforcing just how impressive he looked.

"And I’ll compliment you as much as I please!" she added cheekily, flashing him a playful smile. Twyla knew how rare it was for guys to receive this kind of attention - something so often reserved for girls - and she wasn’t about to let him miss out. Everyone deserved to feel admired and confident in their own skin, and she was determined to make sure Arc knew just how handsome he truly was. Her gaze softened as she added with genuine warmth, "You deserve this, and you better believe every word of it."

"I'd like to buy these and the clothes in her hands, please."​

"Hey, no!" Twyla protested, her lips forming a pout as Arc handed Axel his card. She whipped her head around to glare at him, her eyes narrowing with playful indignation. "At least let me treat you to something eventually! You've already done so much for me, and you barely even know me..." Her voice softened as she looked down, nudging the floor with her foot in faux defeat.

She began counting on her fingers, as if tallying his endless generosity. "First, you got me coffee - even though I couldn’t drink it properly but ended up loving it anyway. Then, you gave me money for Val. And now, you’re getting me clothes." Letting out a dramatic sigh, she stepped toward the dressing room, her expression a mixture of gratitude and frustration. Pausing in the doorway, she peeked her head out, her eyes locking with his. "Promise me you'll let me treat you to something, please?" she asked earnestly, her voice tinged with determination before disappearing behind the door, the faint click of the lock signaling the end of her plea.

Leaning her forehead against the door, Twyla let out a soft sigh before straightening her posture. She began shedding her clothing, folding each piece neatly on the bench. Her fingers grazed the fabric of the new outfit one final time as she carefully inspected it, trying to decipher how to slip into it without any trouble. Sliding one leg in, then the other, she pulled the outfit over her shoulders, adjusting it into place with the collar around her neck. The material was entirely see-through, its delicate netted mesh clinging to her form. Thankfully, it offered just enough coverage over her bosom and lower half to keep her modest, but it still left her feeling a touch too exposed.

Turning to the mirror, Twyla’s reflection gave her pause. She resisted the urge to gasp, a flush creeping up her neck as she took in her appearance. The style was bold, far more daring than what she was used to, and yet it suited the aesthetic she had researched perfectly. She had spent hours scrolling through images, making sure the outfits she chose matched the trend to a T - and this one was no exception. It was daring, edgy, and undeniably on point. Despite her initial hesitation, Twyla couldn’t deny the rush of confidence the outfit gave her. She twirled lightly, admiring the way the fabric accentuated her curves as she glanced over her shoulder to catch her reflection in the mirror. For a moment, she felt genuinely pleased with how she looked, though a shy blush crept up at the thought of showcasing it.

Clearing her throat to shake off her nerves, she moved on to the next pieces. Carefully, she slid on the latex-like boot stockings, pulling them snugly up to her thighs. The material clung perfectly, secured with an adhesive that ensured they wouldn’t slip down. For the finishing touches, she fastened a utility belt with multiple compartments around her waist, giving the look a practical yet punky vibe. Over it, she added a soft pink half-hoodie with two elongated straps that hung gracefully, adding a touch of playfulness to the ensemble. Standing back to take it all in, Twyla smiled softly. She felt daring, stylish, and maybe just a little outside her comfort zone - but in the best way possible.

Pushing her hair back to rest neatly against her shoulders, Twyla gave herself one final glance in the mirror. Taking a steadying breath, she unlocked the latch and stepped out of the dressing room, her eyes squeezed tightly shut as if bracing herself. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, her nerves clearly getting the better of her.

"H-How do I l-look?" she stammered, her voice wavering with uncertainty. It was the first time since the coffee shop that she felt so vulnerable, and it showed in the slight tremble of her words. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place, the outfit almost too daring, bordering on over-sexualized. Yet, despite her nervousness, a small, unspoken part of her admitted she looked stunning. There was something thrilling about stepping out of her comfort zone, about embracing a boldness she rarely showed.

 

[Tenzai]

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"I'll do my best, Ethan… Please, tell me if something pleases you,"

Knells of Passion and Obedience
"Of course, Addy. Promise."
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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀɪɴɢ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 5:49
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

And you are a garden, entwined with all.
You are the silence on sacred shores.
You've got diamonds for teeth, my love.
So take a bite of me, just once.

I want to turn the page once again, oh
Take a bite
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His shirt was the first to be given up as offering; Another layer shed to avail themselves of the contemptuous barriers that lie between their skin. With their bed as his altar, his sanguine body allured her to her demise. Ethan's torso was a carved sculpture, each contour adding onto his divine shape. To the vampire, Addy was his imperfect tithe, a sacrifice that had yet to be devoured. Even the light of the moon itself had betrayed her, revealing her beloved from his finest angles. With her eyes focused below his collar, he was able to hide his glowing fervor. She was sinking further into his abyss, drawn by his physical features and won over by his apparent benevolence. Now trapped well within his lair, the monster taunted her sense of false security by flirting. "Love what you see?"

"You're so handsome…" Adelaide's warm breath tickled the surface of his chest as her fingers traced down his body. "It's only right that I am. Can't have a special girl like you just falling for anyone, can I?" Ethan teased while his prey treated his form with reverence. Inscribing every line, every section, and every shifting of his chest from each breath to memory, he realized just how far gone she had come once her underlying feelings of passion had mixed with his emotional drug. She was sensitive to his words and most likely sensitive to the emotional tones of her other senses as well. Sound was only but one sense to overwhelm her. With the feeling of his body against her fingers, the sight of his increasingly bare form revealed through his reflection in her eyes, the taste of his saliva still dripping from her lips, and even the smell of his scent now masking her body, Ethan knew he won. All that was left was to seal her place by his side through her neck. "Would be a shame if this is the last time you see my body too. Don't fear, love. We have the rest of eternity to make up for lost time."

"Let's change positions so I can give you the best pleasure," Addy gave her lover a polite request. Seasoned with tinges of a naive confidence and innocent pleading borne from an intense concoction of drug-induced longing and dangerously close chemistry, Ethan afforded her what she wanted. He was riding her momentum, following the lewd high granted by his adept hands and mouth. "Show me how you want to love me, Addy and I'll teach you how to make me want you more." Following the natural shifting of her hips and hands, Ethan laid back down to offer his girlfriend a chance to return the favor. The outline of his cock through his boxers had hinted at what's to come, their "love" mixing together and staining the last bastion of fabric that kept them apart. It was her time to prove her obedience and reward him for his efforts. It was her moment to offer herself as his sacrifice.

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If his bed was her where her dark consecration would begin.

His lap was her gilded throne.
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Now mounting her dark angel, a gasp had escaped his lips as he felt her entrance glide over his love-coated shaft. With every kiss drew another quiet hum, Ethan's body growing increasingly attentive to every oral stimulation of his nerves. It was feeding off her energy, longing further for her depravity. Her heart was beating faster with anticipation, booming like welcome thunder to his ears. Her lips had sent shockwaves; The lower her mouth had reached, the further he felt pleasure running up his spine. For his efforts and his perfect timing, he received wanton pleasure in her purity in exchange. Her inexperience had led to a craving to corrupt her. Doused with her rain, Ethan felt an increasing desperation to flood her the same; To assault and overwhelm her senses until she was nothing more than a needy husk begging to be consumed and defiled out of mercy. However, he knew her time had yet to come. There was still further she could fall.

Though, before he needed to wait any longer for his body to yearn for hers aggressively, Adelaide had removed his final barrier, leaving his perfect form completely bare for her eyes to indulge. With his cock gently slapping her cheek as she withdrew his boxers, she could feel his blood rushing against her skin as she pulled herself back and held it to better examine where Ethan was most sensitive. It glistened under moonlight, lubricated from a combination of their bodies' craving for intimacy. With her breath atop of it and her mouth looming so close, it grew harder, fully exposed and ready for what's to come. "Do you want me to continue?" Ethan chuckled at the naivety of her question. It was a curiosity so innocent and pure to ask. While he might have brought many partners into his room before, it was the first time someone paused to ask what he wanted before diving into the churning of passions.

"How about I give you your first lesson about how to please me, Adelaide?"
​

With one hand, Ethan guided her hand on his cock to stroke it and angle the tip towards her lips. Starting slow at first, he helped her find his preferred tempo, equally spreading their love across his shaft and tip. "On your knees. I want you to be looking up at me if you plan on servicing me with your mouth." Slowly pushing her into position while sitting himself on the edge of their bed, he spread his knees apart for her to comfortably kneel in front of him between his legs. "Much better. I love the way you look from down there." He pulled his hand off of hers, reaching towards her chin to lift it up so she could focus on his face with the outline of his cock shadowing her face in the moonlight. "But I want you to focus on my face. I want to see your eyes while you taste me."

Pulling her bangs away from her face with his fingers, he slowly cradled the top of her head to keep her face clear of distractions. "Now follow my lead and open your lips. Show me your pretty smile and what your cute little tongue looks like." Smiling as she followed every order to the best of her ability, he praised her. "Good job, Addy. You're better at this than you think." Carefully, he pulled her onto his tip, letting her saliva coat what was soon to pierce her elsewhere. "Swirl your tongue and bob your head... Just like that." Her prince avoided pulling her down too quickly, letting her grow accustomed to his taste. Pulling her back so she could breathe and lick shaft and tip, he guided her from the sides to his cock back to the tip, training her skill at worshiping him. "Mhmm. How does it feel to finally have a chance to explore me? To be the reason why I make these sounds." His face blushed from her response, stroking her head. "You know, you have quite a way of making me feel wonderful. Treat me this well and you'll have me looking forward to giving you so much more tonight.~"

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Delicious temptation.
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With her mouth growing accustomed to his body, Ethan wasn't going to settle for any less. "Hold your breath for me, Addy. I doubt you'd want to settle with only the first inch, now do you?" Watching the rising blush paint her pale cheeks, he challenged her, calling upon the increasing courage from her heart. "Good. Now relax your throat. I'll be careful not to give you too much too soon." He tensed his grip on her hair, pulling her inch by inch until she swallowed the first half of his length. "You're doing great, just a little more." Finding her reaching her limits, he gave her another inch, satisfied at the depth she was able to entrust him with inside of her. Holding her still for a moment, he brought his hand down towards her chin, letting her linger for a bit as his eyes watched her own fade before pushing her back so she could breathe. "Your eyes are marvelous." With her saliva coating most of his cock, he traced a finger on her wet lips before stroking her saliva on himself as she gasped for air. "Wow. I love the way your warmth clings to my body, Addy. Look how far you reached. Be proud of that." His cock twitched, eager for more.

Sighing in relief, he lowered his hands back onto the bed for her to decide how to follow after his instruction. "Don't worry, we'll have a lot more time to practice, I'm sure of it. But for now, I want you to explore me as you wish, to test your limits and feel how I'd respond." Enjoying her motions, his head tilted back as he moaned tiredly, basking in the glow of her touch. "If this is what your mouth feels like, it makes me wonder how the other parts of you would feel too. Shit..." A bead of precum dripped from his tip in anticipation. Finding him falling into temptation too quickly, he bit his lip to draw some blood, tasting his own essence to return control back to his body. Ethan wasn't going to allow her any more control than necessary to further his goals with her. He just needed to give her enough to feel like this reality was a product of her own choosing.

"You seem tired, love. How about its time I teach your body a lesson next~"

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"Promise me you'll let me treat you to something, please?"

"But you're already done so much for me already, from your confession to choosing to work with me too despite knowing the risks. But, if you're still feeling so inclined...
I wouldn't mind spending time with you for non-work reasons after this too, Twyla."
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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙʟᴜᴇʙɪʀᴅ | ʙᴇɴ ʙᴇᴀʟ & ᴋɪʟʟ ʙɪʟʟ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:54
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I like that lilac on her chainlink
Purple tinted paintings
Waking up, I'll say what's up to you 'cause you're amazing
I might have a sweet side, if I had you by my side
You could be my iris
Look at where the time went
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Her eagerness in returning the favor was endearing. Arc couldn't help but find it cute. After all that he had done for his sister, the vampire detective had created an unconscious behavior of spoiling the people he liked. Money was of little concern for him when it came to the cost of making priceless memories. After losing his chance once, he didn't want to waste the opportunity again. Still, he wasn't so above and beyond to deny someone the desires of their heart, even if it did include returning him the favor of being so generous. "Truth be told, I'm growing quite fond of your company. Ever since meeting you, I've been finding more reasons to smile." He scratched the back of his head surprised at his own words. "Heh, I wonder if you're using my own ability against me again or if it's just how you are that makes it easy to tell you the truth of how I feel. Regardless, I meant what I said. I like you, Twy. That's the main reason why I choose to spoil you so. I don't have to, but I want to."

Arc spoke confidence, unafraid of any misunderstandings that could erupt from his speech. He trusted that Twyla would understand the way he felt after figuring out how much they shared in common with their families and their values. To come from the hospital at his lowest state only to be given hope by a girl who showed him that he wasn't alone, it was only right in his mind to return the same in kind: To be a reason for her and her family's happiness and to give his best to her as well. "I don't need to know you completely to know that you're a person that I could trust. Your acts alone have spoken leagues about you. Your relationship with your friend, Mia, and your brother, Val, had told me everything I needed to know about how trustworthy you are. Hells," He looked at his outfit before turning to her own. "The way you spoke to me earlier and how you introduced me to something new that I didn't think I would have liked had shown how invested you are in me too. I mean, turning your idea back around; You don't know everything about me and yet you're still so kind."

"So why should I offer you any less, right? Especially after seeing you keep giving me your best."
​

Arc sat down on a nearby bench with his old clothes hanging on his arm. "I don't regret anything I've done for you. Judging from how you're willing to spoil me back too, I doubt you're going to give me any reasons to regret my decision either." The detective gave her a smile. "You keep giving me more things to look up to; Including how you look in those clothes. Go along and change. I'm excited to see how they look on you too." He waved at her, gesturing to her to go inside the fitting room. "And don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here, waiting to see what we look like standing side by side." As Twyla disappeared behind the door, Arc turned back to his phone. There was a lot he had in mind for the upcoming holidays. With Christmas and Thanksgiving around the corner, he had parties to look forward to with his new friends. Though, before he could indulge in these happy thoughts further, a growing cold had gripped his heart. Adelaide wasn't going to be there.

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'Paradise means nothing without you.'

'Is it truly alright to enjoy myself if you're not happy.'
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To: Addy

---

Hey, its me again. How are yo|

---

'You're right. You were the one who should've died. Too bad that didn't happen.'​

His hands were quick to type up a message for her, only for them to stop in their place. Adelaide's words still stung, ringing in his head as it anchored him to the ground. Even if it might not have been a sin to feel happy for his newfound companions, the act of being happy alone felt as heavy as betrayal. Arc was the reason why she ended up living a life she hated in the first place. He was the reason why she left her friends back home. He was the reason why her family was gone. What was going to stop him from doing the same with Twyla and her family? Who was he to say that he was on the side of good when he's fighting for retribution instead of the sake and safety of others? Remaining quiet in thought for the moment, a tear had broken through his mask of confidence. He was an imposter, fated to serve the dark goddess willingly or not. Why else was he left to survive while his parents suffered a brutal death at the hands of their beloved son?

However, before he drowned in his overwhelming regrets, he heard the door open. The sudden noise took him out of his despair, his eyes now met with the sight of Twyla's daring outfit and nervous voice. "H-How do I l-look?" Arc's face turned red upon catching a glimpse of her exposed skin. With her name now inscribed into his heart, he was vulnerable to the emotional sways of his body. Though, out of everything else he paid attention to, her eyes were where his focus droned on most. "You've done a splendid job, Twy. You look amazing!" He walked over to her, observing her outfit from different angles. "You look like a natural in that outfit. That research you've done, you must have put a lot of time into it, haven't you?" Standing beside her, he posed similarly to the picture she showed him the morning before. "Wow. We really do look like a couple with these matching fits. Thank you for trying this out with me." He gave her body another pleasant look over, admiring her before meeting her eyes with his own flushed cheeks. To some extent, he couldn't help but see a reflection of himself on her. They were both nervous, yet they took comfort in knowing that neither was alone in this new experience.

"Oh... My... GOSH. YOU TWO ARE FABULOUS!" Inspecting the two, Axel clapped excitedly. It was rare to find a pair so fashionable yet so perfect for their outfits and each other. Being caught off guard, Arc blushed and smiled, waving his compliment away. "Axel, you're too sweet. Thank you for your words, they're really flattering." Instead of lowering the intensity of his energy, he doubled down. "You will ABSOLUTELY turn heads at the club. I'm jealous that I can't see what you guys look like out of it too." The cashier hinted at the party after, causing Arc to once again, chuckle. Though, before he could make his partner any more embarrassed, he switched conversations fast.

"Might I ask for your number? I had some questions for a club that we were planning on heading to and I want to make sure that my girlfriend and I are properly prepared for it." Axel nearly fainted upon hearing his Arc's lie. The detective lied as naturally as he breathed, wrapping an arm around her waist with his hand on her bare thigh to properly mimic the image of romance. "OF COURSE. Oh man. You two are gonna kill it, promise-promise. You're gonna make everyone jealous~" Taking Arc's phone, he tapped his number in. "If you have any questions or you need any advice, feel free to ask! I'm here to bring out your best!"

"Thanks Axel. I appreciate it." Arc turned towards Twy, speaking into her mind. [Apologies if this is unwelcome, Twy. If this place is frequented by people who might go to that nightclub, it might be useful to treat Axel as a resource, though we'll need to act like a couple in front of him, especially if he goes to that nightclub himself. Just do your best to follow my lead, okay? If we become memorable faces he might bring up with others, it would be good to build up our couple mask with him first.] He gave Twyla an exaggerated squeeze, ensuring that the cashier could see it.

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"Now let's get going, Twy. I have a private place in mind for us."

"That is, if you're still interested in treating me back."
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Across the pier from where the nightclub sat was a beach with a bench and a view of their target in the distance. It was a beautiful place overlooking the water off a trail rarely visited by other visitors, where he and Vega would often go to clear their mind. With the sun rising above the lake, the two vampires were given a chance to see the golden water rumble and roll over the sands. Still dressed in his nightclub outfit to break it in, Arc spoke up, breaking the monotony of the waves. "Hey, Twy. In the case something happens to me at the nightclub, I just wanted to tell you;"

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"Thanks for saving me from myself back in the hospital.

If it wasn't for you, I would've given up everything for revenge again."
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