Chapter Text
Bright lights. They seem to be perceptible even through your closed eyelids. You attemp to shield your eyes from the blinding radiance by utilizing the thin blanket that has been given to you.
As you finally manage to drift off into a slumber, your mind finally begins to unwind and let go of the day's worries. But just as you're about to dive into the world of dreams, a faint beeping sound rudely interrupts your blissful state, jolting you back to reality. It's the signal that your day of ‘activities’ is about to begin, and it's time to rise and shine.
You finally open your eyes, put the blanket down, while you also stretch your arms and legs, letting out a deep sigh. As you sit up, you can't help but notice the pristine white walls and ceiling that surround you, reminding you of your reality. They seem to mock you, remind you of the life that you're supposed to have - perfect, brilliant, and pure. But as you look around, you can't help but feel like something is missing.
Oh, how you wish to proclaim that any of those notions apply to the wild ride that is your life, but alas, you find myself questioning if that's even possible. Hold on a minute, what are you saying? Everything is perfect, you are safe and brilliant, like papa says.
As you slip into the gown that's been provided to you, you start to head to the rainbow room, where your "brothers" and "sisters" are. Lately you can't help but notice a few strange looks and stares from some of your siblings. You shake it off, though.
Maybe they're just surprised by your new hairstyle. After all, papa recently gave you the green light to let you style it however you want. He said he was very proud of your dedication and progress, and you couldn't be happier. You like it. You feel unique, special.
You arrive at the rainbow room. Everyone is here and each person is busy doing-
“Hello there sleepyhead. Guess you’re still not quite awake yet, huh?”
“I- yes -Just my head has been giving me quite a fuss you know? Yeah, yeah that’s it” You manage to say, flashing him with the best smile you can master while you get interrupted by the thoughts that plug your mind, while being bumped right into the beautiful angel, whose name was Peter.
“Have you notified papa about your headache sweetheart?” Peter asks you, as you gaze into his mesmerizing blue eyes. You can't help but feel a flutter of excitement in your stomach. He had recently started calling you with the new nickname, and you were eager to hear it roll off his tongue as many times as possible.
“Not really… to be honest, I thought those headaches would have disappeared by now” you answered- though half true- because those headaches have been plaguing you for weeks now, thanks to all the negative thoughts swirling around your head. It's been keeping you up at night, while unabling you to follow papa's strict advice of getting a solid eight hours of sleep.
“Well then, let's go see the nurse, shall we? We want to make sure you're feeling your best. How does that sound, my dear?” the beautiful angel, you mean Peter, asked you.
“O-okay” You reply shyly while looking at the floor. Sometimes you find yourself too lost to keep talking to him while staring into his eyes.
“Let’s go then” he said while looking down at you, with a slight smirk on his face and a dangerous glint in his eyes, which you decided to ignore.
As he leads you through the rainbow room, you can't help but feel a flutter in your chest as he guides you with a gentle hand placed at the small of your back. When you reach the end of the room, he opens the door for you to exit and enter the hall.
While entering the hall you notice that his hand, which had been resting comfortably at your back, suddenly has slipsped into your hand. At that moment, a wave of warmth overwhelms you, making you feel giddy.
No one says anything, until you finally realize that Peter has been heading you to a different route than the one for the nurse’s office. You decide not to say anything or engage in any way since you know that Peter always wants to protect you and would never let any harm come your way. He had promised you fater all. Right?
Eventually he stops in front of some huge doors and tells you to get inside. -Before anyone sees or notices the absence of papa’s favourite child.-
“Where are we Peter?” you ask him feeling a bit overwhelmed, while looking around what seems to be a basement.
Peter comes closer to the corner you have been standing in. When h reaches you he slowly puts his hands on your shoulders giving you a light squeeze.
“Let me ask you something first Y/n… Okay?”
“Yes Peter. Whatever you want.” you reply without hesitation.
A low growl comes from his throat, and he squeezes your shoulders with more strength than before.
“Do you ever dream to break free from these blank walls and get back to the world you used to know... Before papa took us away?”
Well, that’s new. You didn’t expect him or anyone else for that matter to ask you anything about freedom. Because you're happy here, right? Everything is perfect.
“I- I don’t know…” you say while he goes and sits next to a pipe, while guiding you to sit down next to him.
“I know Y/n, I can tell that you don’t want to be here. I mean, sure, the others might not notice, but I know you well enough to know that you're itching to get back out there and live your past life. When you used to be truly happy! And honestly, I feel the same. Because Y/n/n, let's face it. Everyone here is a prisoner not just you… it's me too. Wouldn't it be liberating to just make a break for it and reclaim our freedom?”
“Bu-but everything is perfect like papa says why would I want to- to leave Peter?” you ask Peter while wondering why you keep lying to yourself. You know the truth, you know your true feelings and thoughts about this place, and apparently... He does too, like always. And why is he asking you all this out of a sudden? Is it one of papa's tests again?
“Y/n you don’t have to lie to me. You should know that by now. Here” He then proceeds to gently guide your arm towards his neck, where you feel a tiny clip implanted there. Your heart skipped a beat as a warm sensation starts to spread through your belly. But, after a moment of contemplation, you decided to take your hand away.
“You see Y/n I am trapped. That thing doesn't allow me to get out... It restricts me, but you…” he stands up and takes you to the end of the room where a small round hole is wide enough to fit you “You can be free! Imagine a life where you're truly free to chase after your dreams" he whispers, his hand enveloping yours as his thumb starts to trace small circles on your skin.
“But what about you Peter? I can’t just leave you here, I- we are fr-friends. What if I can take it off for you? Then we could both leave and be free!” you tell him, finally being able after a long time to share your thoughts freely, accept them and make them real. To be free. I’m sorry papa.
“You would really do that for me Y/n?”
As you give a subtle nod, you can feel his piercing blue gaze fixated on you, exploring every inch of your body and face. His hand, which had been resting on yours, slowly begins to glide up your gown, sending shivers down your spine as it approaches an area that has been feeling particularly tingly and strange in the presence of Peter.
“Will you help me sweetheart?” he whispers, his gaze piercing through you like a prey looking at its next victim. His hand rests on your thigh, tracing gentle circles, while the other cradles your face with tenderness.
Without hesitation, you reply, "Of course, Peter." Little did you know this simple choice would alter the course of your life, for better or for worse. The decision looms over you, waiting for you to make your move.