Pet Project

by Das_Callum

Summary:

These two only bring out the worst in each other and everyone else will suffer the consequences.

Chapter 1: The Pet Bunny

Notes:

I wrote something like this 3 years ago but stopped after one chapter hopefully this time I can actually get past the...past section.

Narcian hated engaging in conversations that he knew were gonna be unpleasant, and seeing his fellow classmates face when he opened the door to his home, he could imideatly tell this was gonna be one of those.

The child in front of him, a thirteen-year-old boy only a year older than himself, wore an expression that looked as annoyed as Narcian currently felt.

His clothe seemed a few sizes too big, and what Narcian could see of his skin was bony and made him look like one of those corpses he saw in horror movies. His skin as well had a sickly shade of green hue, making him seem even paler than he already was.

Not to mention his long tangled hair looking as if it's been lacking proper care.

Yes, all in all, Narcian would call this boy unpleasant in every way.

But as his father always told him, sometimes you had to deal with those kinds of people whether you like it or not, so you'd just do it as quickly as possible.

He straightened himself in front of the boy, a strand of his blond hair gently falling onto his face, and spoke with the kind of authority he had heard his father speak in countless times. „Valter, you have the Rabbit, right?”

 

Valter seemed wholly unimpressed. Raising an eyebrow at the child in front of him. „Yeah? It's my turn with the thing, so...duh.“ The way he dismissed her as a thing already pissed Narican off.

A month ago, the teacher in their class had made the decision to teach her student's responsibility by bringing her pet rabbit with her. Deciding that every student would have to take care of her for one weekend before she inevitably took it back. She had informed all the parents in advance so that there would be no actual danger for her rabbit and, in the case of the students just simply not caring, that they could support them in caring for the animal.

 

„Let me in to see her.“ He demanded, trying not to let this rile him up. However, the demand was imideatly met by Valter closing the door on him.

Or he would have if the other didn't put his foot and hands in between the door. „I'm not gonna let you in my home, piss off!“ To which Narcian responded the whole not letting this rile him up thing failing spectacularly. „It's not my fault the teaches to incompetent to see that SOME people here clearly aren't even fit to take care of an animal! So why don't you complain to her!“ He shouted, wrestling for the door, not giving a single thought to people who could possibly hear him. „Listen, I didn't ask to take care of this rodent. Doesn't change that your not-“ The green haired youth was interupped by a loud shout of his Name, someone that Narcian assumed was Valters father.

The kid in question imideatly stopped pulling, instead managing to hold the door in place despite Narcians continued relentless pulling.

His fingers were digging into the door frame, whitening his knuckles to the point that they looked like those of a skeleton. His eyes seemed to bulge as he stared at Narcian with such intensity that he couldn't help but stop in his tracks as well.

Narcian couldn't quite place the expression on Valters face.

At that moment, Narcian felt scared of Valter.

Narcian was just about to let go of the door and just give up on the whole endeavor, when Valter suddenly retracted his fingers. „Fine. As long as you just shut your mouth.“ Valters raspy voice rung out in a hushed tone, but still Narcian could hear the venom drip of every word.

Needless to say, Narcian was a bit hesitant now to just follow the other inside, but now that he had been granted entrance, he couldnt allow himself to look like a coward. And thus he followed.

The first thing he was greeted with as the door closed behind him was an intense smell of cigarret smoke. Didn't these people know how to open a window? He thought to himself, trying not to retch.

To Narcians own surprise, Valters home was actually quite big, and Valter had to lead him upstairs to get to his room.

The problem, he found, was that nothing in it seemed to be actually clean.

The floor Narican was sure hadn't been cleaned in years and when he touched the railing it was sticky and gross like someone had placed their grubby hands all over it. There was trash lying around, and the quick look he got of the kitchen while following Valter didn't fair any better.

He would have snickered at his thought that, Valter really did fit in here to a T. If he wasn't as disgusted by all of this.

No wonder Valter didn't want him coming in here, the blond boy was sure that he needed a shower after just walking through here.

Luckily, his classmate's own room was somewhat more clean than the rest of the place,

Although Narican was sure if his own room would be in such a state, his father would have slapped him silly.

All thoughts of that were forgotten however when the boy spotted the rabbit cage on the ground.

„What did he do to you?!“ Imideatly he ran over and grabbed the rabbit out of the cage.

Holding the bunny close to his chest, he looked at Valter, anger clearly portrayed on his face before turning back to the rabbit. „Your so thin. Has this creature not fed you?! Of course, someone like that couldn't take care of you.“

Narcian dropping all pretenses as was always the case when he got riled up, which was a state he manages to slip into all too easily, basically spat every word, completely forgetting his previous fright.

Valter himself seemed more amused than bothered by his visitor's little outburst, letting out a chuckle.

Leaning forward to his guest, he said with a mischievous grin. „Better be careful with what you say then, or this creature might start actually behaving like one.“ Slowly, he tilted his head to look at the rabbit currently resting in Narcians arm. „Rabbit have better uses dead than alive, after all.“

The way Narcians face contorted and went red after that was, truly, an entertaining sight for the older boy. „Worth more than your life, for sure! Even the life of a sewer rat has more worth! If anyone's more worth dead, then it's you! How about you stop wasting precious space and air!“

Despite all his ranting and raving, the blond couldn't help but back up as Valter stepped closer and closer to him, and before long he felt the cold of the iron cage hit his leg.

Even though Valter had been only a little bit taller than him, it currently felt like he was towering over the blonde. Meanwhile, Narcian himself had been looking like a panicked cornered animal lashing out.

„Why don't we test it out! How much worth would I have? I really do wonder.“ He beamed.

„But I'm not easy prey you know, I know how to defend myself from predators, so better not hold back.“

For a second, both of them just stood there. Then, as if the surrounding air had suddenly changed, Valter busted out into laughter. In contrast to everything that had just happened, his laugh somehow managed to sound so innocent it gave Narcian whiplash.

„What are you laughing about, stop it!“ He screamed before Valter quickly put his hand on his mouth. „Okay, time to shut your mouth now. Any louder and I'm not the only problem you'll be having to deal with.“

Narcian however, continued to grunt and-

an amused look made itself Visible on Valters face.

Narcian was trying to bite his hand.

„That's not gonna work, going to make the rabbit drop too if you keep moving around so much. You can have the unless rodent if you want, I couldn't care less about where it is.“

That made Narcian stop, although Valter didn't remove his hand just yet.

„After the weekend it's your problem getting it from the next kid though. Maybe insulting it is gonna work wonders on them as well, huh!“ Another grunt from Narcian followed before Valter decided to retract his hand. „It's not an insult if it's the truth now is it?“

Arrogant as ever he huffed, turning his head away before simply walking to the door. „I won't need the cage.“

As soon as the door fell shut, Valter couldn't help his excitement as his finger dug into the side of his shirt.

This classmate, of his, had really piqued his interest.

Notes:

idk how to write children im gonna be honest here-
but i hope you enjoyed!

Chapter 2

Notes:

Wow its been a while huh...anyway heres chapter 2

For the next week, Valter bid his time. He decided to simply observe Narcian. His relationships, preferences, fears, sleep schedule, habits. It was like an itch in the back off his brain he couldn’t stop scratching. His live so far separated from Valters own, but over the week, he could sense a kind of familiarity in him.

He didn’t get along with the other kids, and his eyes looked at everyone like they were beneath him.

Though Valter didn’t see any point with interacting much with his fellow classmates, Narcian spat Venom at those he saw as lesser. And watching the spectacular failing of a show of Authority the 12 year old gave, was entertaining to say the very least.

There was a second familiarity. The rage Valter could feel boiling under the blondes skin every time he interacted with another person. How he tried to keep a straight face, before he started yelling. The sweat building in his pores, the slight clenching of his yaw. It reminded him of his father oddly enough. Although Narcian yelled and seethed, Valter could still tell there was so much more underneath that could come out. He wondered what it be like if he just let it all erupt.

This strange familiarity mixed with the unknown, oh how Valter longed to be friends!

Narcian was beyond annoyed! First he had to deal with this creeps eyes on him for the entire week, and now he popped up right infront of his desk disregarding any sense of personal space! It was as if hed been waiting under It, making Narcian almost fall out of his chair when he popped up. And now Valter was resting his arm on Narcians desk, putting all the germs he probably had on it, squatting and looking at him with those bug like creepy eyes. It took every bit of restrained pummeled into him by his father to try and remain calm.

“So, still taking care of the thing?” Valter asked, slightly waving back and forth on the tip of his toes. There really was only one thing Valter could have been referring to, and that was his angel bunny. Calling it a ‘thing’ really the nerve of-

It didn’t go unnoticed by Narcian the way Valter eyes focused in on him. Like he was a hawk watching his prey or something. Carefully he etched away with his chair.

Creep.

He thought, before turning his head away. “None of your business!” “Mhhh so the next kid didn’t let you have it huuuh?” Valter dragged out the noise in what was surely, a mocking manner. “who was it again? Se….no So…something…” Putting his finger to his lips he feigned ignorance, as his eyes seemed to search the room for the name he knew.

Still Narcian not realising his play caved and answered. “Sonya tch, her parents even called up my dad for ‘harrasing their darling angel’ bastards.”

The kid in front of him listening to his ramblings couldn’t help but laugh at the imitation of Sonyas parents, all high and squeaky sounding. In returned he caught the angry stare of Narcian. A gift Valter found.

“Aww so did daddy give you an earful?” Putting his head on his arm Valter grinned lazily, never losing eye contact with the other.

“Tch, managed toconvinced father I was in the wrong....so more than an earful....” For a second the green haired kid let his eyes fall downwards, pressing his lips together like he was thinking. “Who gets it next week?” He asked voice a tad bit more quiet. That seemed to get Narcians attention who actually got a bit closer with his head, due to the uncommon behavior of his stalker. He answered in an equally quiet voice as if it was a secret he wasn’t supposed to tell “Bruno why?” And immediately retreated said head as Valter suddenly shot up from where he was squatting, making him almost tower over the other, who was still sitting in his chair.

“W-What’s this about?!” he yelped but before the last word had even exited his mouth, Valter was barely a few centimeter away from his face.

“How about I make sure your getting the thing next time?” he whispered barely audible yet still managing to say the word ‘thing’ with all the Disgust he could manage. Narcians brows furrowed, being this close made him want to get up and run as far away as possible. However his pride and curiosity wouldn’t allow it.

“Hell I’ll make sure you can keep it forever how does that sound?”

After gulping to get the knot that has been building in his throat out, he as quiet as he could questioned. “How?” His fingers now gripping the edge of the table for dear life.

The next words he spoke made him want to recoil and hurl as the stench of his breath carried the last sentence he said to him that day. “Just let me deal with it.”

Notes:

See you in 3 years
Jk I'll try my best to update whenever possible

Also I promise Lyon is in this story its just gonna be a bit till he gets introduced T_T

Chapter 3

Notes:

Valter has a plan and Narcian gets to play a part in it

Id like to remind everyone that im not a native english speaker and also dont know how commas work lmao

Next Thursday, Narcian came into the class to the sound of crying. Peeking in, he had no interest stepping inside if this was what he had to listen to for more than a minute, he saw a kid practically smearing his snot all over the teacher who herself, also looked like she was about to break into tears.
Narcian already regretted getting up.

Before he could actually voice his distain in any further way beyond rolling his eyes, something, or was it someone? Grabbed him from behind and pulled him back further into the hall.
The shrill that escaped his throat in that moment was nothing if not embarrassing, and once again he found himself on the receiving end of a hand covering his mouth.
Shushing the blond, the person spun him around to face him. Of course it was Valter, no one else was as impudent to just touch him like that.

Seeing the other in his usual unkempt state made Narcian want to rinse himself where this thing put his filthy hands.
Almost instinctively Narcian started to rub at his now filthy mouth with the hem off his shirt.

Valter seemed unbothered by this. Instead he forcefully grabbed Narcians hand, an excited expression crossing his face. “Come~ Come~ I got a surprise for you!”
Hearing Valter actually giddy sent chills down the other kids spine.

How disgusting-

“I am not going to get an Absentee Letter beacause of you dragging me somewhere- ugh let go of me you filthy-“
“with this kid bawling his eyes out its gonna take a while for class to start anyway” Valter interrupted him, but actually stopped in his tracks looking back. “Do you really wanna listen to all thos bitching and moaning?”

Point taken. But Narcian still let out a dramatic groan as he hesitantly followed Valter outside.
In between Valter tried grabbing his hand again, however Narcian was quick to slap it away with a “never touch me again.” Making Valter retreat his own hand shrugging. “whatever.”

The grassy ground behind the school was still wet from the rainfall of the previous night, and Narcian had to be extra careful with his steps, as to not get his pants dirty.
“this better be worth it.” He muttered coming to a stop. In front of him Valter had grabbed a backpack from behind one of the many trees surrounding them. “You wanted the stupid rabbit remember?”

At that Narcians eyes seemed to gleam and he took a few steps closer while Valter crouched back down, knees sinking into the muddy ground while beginning to open the bag.
“don’t tell me you actually got it?!” the blond began. “Is that why- Wait they’re in there? Are you mental?! Its not gonna be able to breath-“ but before he could even finish his last sentence the poor boys eyes widened in shock at what he saw.

Stumbling back in shock, during his rant Valter had half-heartedly thrown the content of the back on the ground in front of him.

Between the two of them, now lay a mix of red and brown fur. A singular eye, frozen in fear, looked up at Narcian, who was trying, and failing. To hold back a terrified shriek.
Unable to tear his eyes away from the gruesome sight he stuttered. “you....you killed her..”

Finally he looked up torwards the killer who looked down upon him. Simply watching. His voice cracked, when he started to yell, a pitiful sound like that of the crying child in the classroom. “You psycho, you killed her!” He could feel his own pulse fasten, his breathing becoming erratic a giant lump forming in his throat making him feel like the air wasn’t coming out right.
His brain felt like it was short circuiting, when he charged at the other.

Valter felt his head snap to the side. A stinging pain coursing through his head, when Narcians fist connected. Losing his balance he began to tumble backwards, grabbing at Narcian to drag him down with him.

With a wet splash they fell onto the ground. Their face closer than they had ever been, and oh what a sight it was to behold. Beautiful, that was the only way Valter could describe it.
He was screaming his throat raw, face reddening, the veins on his head threating to pop. The childs face twisted in rage so that it no longer seemed human.

“I’ll kill you! I’m gonna break your fucking beck!”
Once again he felt Narcians fist connecting with his face. Tasting the coppery slimy feeling of blood in his mouth.
“Worthless! Trash! You should have been killed!”
Despite the pain, the greenhaired kid couldnt help but laugh. Causing two small hands to wrap around his throat, making it sound more like choking than anything else. “Stop laughing! Stop! Stop!”

Snap-

Was that his neck? Or something else, Valters world was turning as despite himself, he found his hands starting to grip and claw at Narcians wrist.
It must have been survival instinct because his brain screamed at him to do something.

His next sentence came out raspy, barely audible, as he felt his vision fade. “Your bunny is fine-“
That sentence alone made Narcians grip loosen a bit.
Immediately taking the opportunity given to him, Valter ripped those hands of his throat, kicking him over and making sure he couldn’t move.

Narcian himself seemed almost as if frozen eyes darting between Valter and the corpse.
“get...off.” Digging his nails into the dirt he began to find his voice again.

“Get off, get off-“ he murmured, not stopping until Valter covered his mouth yet again.
“Shes at my home.” He explained. “the kid had a spare one, greedy little fucker huh?” Finishing his sentence he quickly pulled back his hand with a hiss due to a sharp quick pain spreading through it. Narcian had actually just bitten his hand.
Now that he looked closely, Narcian did currently resemble a cornered animal.

Smiling at that though he let the younger one speak.
“Then why the fuck did you show me THAT without an explanation you freak?!” if he could grit his teeth anynore than that theyd probably chip off, walkter thought amused, actually giving Narcian some space by standing up.
Immediately the kid crawled to get up. Only now noticing the state he was in.
Dirty covered in mud, hair all out of sorts. Shameful.
“I wanted to see your true self”
Narcian was stumped. Hed never seen such a soft expression on his classmates face.

“You hold all of this inside, a whole world you locked up for no one to see. But, didn’t it feel good to let it all out?”

Notes:

Valters already in his gaslight phase. Good for him l good for him.

Next one is gonna be a little bit of a timeskip :)

Chapter 4

Notes:

If anyone wonders abour Narcians relationship to animals in this: if he has time to bond with an animal he starts caring if not he doesnt care.

18 years of hell.

Valter had survived 18 years of hell and he became all the worse for it. He never considered himself a good person, never cared if he was one. But if there was a reason he had to point his finger too, he would without hesitation lift his finger in his fathers direction. That pig had never even once contributed anything good to Valters life. And now, after 18 years of enduring Valter had finally gained the courage to do what should have been done a long time ago.

It had been oh so gratifying.
His father was stronger than him, he was painfully aware of that fact. But Valter was smart, and he had the element of suprise on his side.

With the sharpest knife he could find in the cramped kitchen, he slowly, quietly, sneaked up behind his father. The bastard was watching TV and his back was turned to Valter the way he lazily sat on the couch. So consumed in his talk show. Defenceless, Valter was sure.

Despite everything though, falter could feel his heart pounding in his chest, like it was about to burst out, alerting his father.
Quiet, dont make a single noise....in that moment Valter thought himself akin to an animal stalking its prey. Slowly he raised his knife, just high enough to reach his fathers neck.
As quick as he could manage he plunged the knife straight into his fathers neck. He couldn’t allow him to scream, if the neighbours got alerted it would all be over. So with his free and he quickly covered his preys mouth. Even thkugh he couldnt hear the full extend of the pigs noises, he still relished in the muffeld sounds his father made. That was until his fathers arm grabbed over his should and pulled Valter right over his shoulders.

God that man looked ready to break his skull. Now with his mouth noo her covered he yelled, screamed something at Valter. Insults prehaps but that was all the better. The neighbours were used to that, they wouldnt call the police. But right now Valter was less focused on that. Vision wholly focused on the blood running down his fathers neck, down over his shoulder, pooling at his shoulder blades.
A punch right in his face, snapped him out of his trance. A sticky substance escaping his nostrils, And before he had anytime to comprehend his broken nose, he began to, out of instinct kick his foot towards the others throat.
A crack sounded out as the old mans head snapped back. In return Valter got thrown off. Back colliding with the small glass table that sat infront of the couch.

Valter should have been terrified, by the sight of his father now towering over him. Reaching over to pull out the knife still stuck in his neck.
His father knew he wasnt long for this world but in his eyes Valter could clearly see. He wanted to take Valter this wild animal he had raised to go out with him.
But all Valter could feel was a warm comfortable feeling that reached deep deep down into his very bones.

His father was about to die, and he was the reason. That was all that mattered to him right now. So despite everything he still found himself smile, all the wile watching his fathers form readying to plunge the already bloodstained knife into his kid.

The end never came. The knife never connected, and Valter survived. Now staring at the lifeless form in front of him. The ringing off the doorbell barely registers with him, and when he got up he felt like he was on autopilot.
Barely thinking straight he had enough decency to rub off the blood from his face before opening the front door.

 

Narcian truly didnt know why he kept contact with Valter.
He was a freak. Clearly mentally unwell, and a bad influence, he infuriated Narcian and yet....he had somehow always been on his side when he had shown of unacceptable behaviour. Encouraged it even. He accepted Narcian, all of him. And after some time, he began to enjoy it, not his company per se, but his acceptance. And the way he allowed Narcian to let out all that has been deemed bad about him. More than a few times he’d actually been Narcians personal punching bag. And he showed him how to get away with more than a few violent ways to rid himself off negative emotions.
Thanks to Valter he could actually feel freedom of expression he found. And that is how Narcian came to be seen in Valters neighbourhood. He had been craving to Vent to the other.

The sight das greeted Narcian whem the door to Valters home opened almost made him jump though.
In front of him stood Valter, that was to be excepted, in the years he’d known him not once had anyone else opened the front door for him. What was out of the norm however, was Valters appearance. Narcian had known him as unclean and hed seen the way his friend, could he call him that? Looked at animals that were unlucky enough to cross his path, but this was on another level.

The teenagers eyes looked glazed, it was like he wasn’t even really looking at Narcian. His breathing came erratic with no clear rhythm, but what creeped the other out more than anything else was this, almost serene smile he had never seen cross Valters face before. Mouth half open with a bit of his teeth showing up from the top off his mouth. Narcian had no idea what to say, and after a few seconds of silence the only thing escaping his mouth was. “You look like garbage. More than usual.” “I do.” Was all Valter said in response before stepping away from the door, leaving space for Narcian to come in.“and your being even weirder than you are normally.” He continued. A few steps in he realised why. He froze in his steps while his gaze wandered to the man laying there. Face pale, eyes wide and blood seeping out of a wound on his neck. His gut sank, not because his friend was a murderer and not because he felt bad for the victim. The one fear at the front of his mind was that someone would find it. That they couldn’t hide this, like the animals

Notes:

Thanks for reading the chapter :D

Chapter 5: Burying a body is a bonding activity

Notes:

If you see any typos, no you dont

If there was one thing Narcian hated above all else it was manual labour.

In his eyes he was meant to sit above the working class while paying people to do those things. Of course taking a shovel and digging into the insect infected earth to body the corpse of your friends father counted as such, but Valter had made it very clear that he could either do this or be the one cutting up the body and stuffing it into a bag.

The choice at that point was obvious.

That was not to say that Narcian didnt complain about it all the while. Mumbeling to himself as he decendet the creaky wooden steps to Valters fathers makeshift Basement. Digging into the soft earth, because clearly no one had thought to actually build in any flooring down hear.

Why was he doing this? He asked himself. He shouldve just left and let Valter deal with it alone. Dammit! What if the cops found out about this? He couldnt go to prison! His father wouldnt let that happen....right? No, no, of course he wouldnt. Even if they got caught his father would proteft him. For sure...yes definetly...

He got ripped out of his paniced thought by a heavy thump next to him. Valter had decided to show up, looking at Narcians progress with the hole. Next to him sat a big blue sack containing, wellvit was easy to guess.

His friend worked fast apparently, having no second thoughts about cutting up his dad and ripping into his flesh until he was in many different shaped pieces, he assumed. Narcian distantly wondered what Valter had used to do the deed, and then a bit less distantly if he was carrying it around.

Valter was creepy on his best days, and terrified the blond on his worst, so the thought of being alone with him in this dampy basement with any kind of weapon made him break out with goosebumps.

At least Valter seemed....relativley normal again, well as normal as he could beeing Valter, but it definetly wasnt as bad as when he had first opened the door.

An uncomfortable silence had started stretching between them though. The only noise being of Narcians laboured breaths and the dirt being dug up. He mustve looked awful right now. Expensive shoes and pants dirtied with the brown soil. Sweat running down his face, while his hair was sticking to him, greasy from the digging. He needed to shower.

"Thats deep enough." Valters voice finally cut through the silence, looking down at Narcian in his dirty little hole. Has he really been digging that deep? He would have to use his hands to get out of it, the dirt would be stuck under his nail he was sure. What if he never got it out again.

But to his suprise a pair of gloved hands reached down to him.
It was probably just a coincident, Valter didnt want fingerprints on the bag or something. But they werent bloodied from the corpse either. So he must've changed them in between.

Coincident or not Narcian could apreachiate not getting anymore dirty and disgusting than he already was.
And prehaps there was a small part that thought, maybe just maybe he did it for him.

The rubber gloves felt cool to the touch when Narcian got pulled up and finally he asked. "Did he attack you?" It didnt matter, not really, but Valter being so silent was actually gonna drive him insane.

While he chugged the bag into the hole, a small smile appeared on his friends face as he answered. "No."

Then without any delay he ascended the stairs, leaving the blonde alone. Although not for long becausd quirt as a cat he came back not even a minute later. Almost giving Narcian, who had decided to make himself comfortable on the laundrey mashine, a heart attack when he noticed him just appear out of thin air.

That too was creepy about him. He moved almost without sound, fuck he even managed to not get a single creak out of these old as stairs! Walk like a normal person dammit!

Wait was that a dead squirrel?

As if Valter had read his mind, he simply said. "To cover the actual corpse, if the cops show up with mutts."
Then he simply started filling the hole, all the while continuing to talk.

"Dad cut us off from the rest of the family, and he doesnt really interact with the neighbouts either, they dont like him, or us in general." His breathing managed to be so even despite working while talking. Narcian noted. "Hes not gonna be missed for a good while. If the cops ask. I was sleeping over at yours today. Wich i will." Narcian wanted to argue that but Valters tone, and stare as if he already knew Narcian wanted to say something, made him shut his mouth. "When i come back I'll just be happy to be away from my abusive dad, maybe he finally decided to abandon me, but with my little sob story of a life it wont be that suspicious if I dont mind him being gone."

When he finally finished the job he let the shovel drop to the floor, and suddenly as if all strengh had suddenly left him, he collapsed.

Even Valter had his limits on how much psychological and physical stress he could handle huh? Tuckered himself out like a kid on a playground.

Raising an eyebrow the blond simply asked him.

"Tired?"

"Mhm."

Notes:

Whoops i dont have an excuse to upload this late I was just lazy

Chapter 6: Moving

Notes:

This is a short one sorry! Just Trying to figure out how to write these three and all that.

Also woah! Lyon! Finally!

"There!" The last box was dropped, with a hefty grunt. All in all Ephraim thought that this move had been going pretty well. Sure Lyon was being Lyon worrying all day, triple checking everything, accidentally scratching the skin around his nails all bloody, a nervous tick that they had tried to get rid off, but otherwise, there had been no incidents, the movers where on time, and with his and Erika's help they conquered the small stairway, and managed to get everything up, including the bed somehow!

Said bed was currently occupied by his sister whose head had become a shade of red not unlike that of a tomato from all the heavy lifting. Not that Ephraim wasn't exhausted, he'd love to grab a can of beer and relax.

Just as if he had read Ephraims thoughts, a long haired man came into the room. Smile seren, just like Ephraim was used to it, holding a two cans in hand. "Thank you again for the help." He said, voice soft yet containing a hint of a rugh edge to it when certain tones were met.

"Just on time! I was just thinking about grabbing some!" Without hesitation the older of the two snatched the can from Lyons hand, opening it with a grin that shone as bright as the sun to Lyon. "You know taking that step. I hope you didn't feel forced. You can always come back to us if you want to." The can opened with a szish. For a second Lyons gaze turned downward, then he shook his head.

"This is something I have to do. But thank you I'd never feel forced,not by you two."

For as long as the three could remember they had been together. If Lyon would think of childhood. There would always been Ephraim and Erica. That continued into their teenage years, and finally their young adult years as they moved in together. But now…. Erica decidet that as nice as it was, she didnt want to life together with her brother for the rest of her life and decided she would search for a place of her own. None of the boys felt angry or betrayed at that decision, a headstrong girl like her had her own destiny to follow, that and she had a girlfriend now, it really was only a matter of time.

One thing led to another and suddenly the whole houshold split. Lyon saw this as an opputunity to not be so heavily reliant on the siblings, that he didnt have to be a burden to them that they had to take care of and watch over. Because truly thats what he felt he was.

Both of them had high paying jobs. Erika for example had joined the police force, so the two of them basically payed for most things, Lyons included. He on the other hand made enough to maybe keep himself somewhat afloat. He didnt bring anything to the table. He didnt help them in any valuable way. Sure he cleaned, and cooked for them, but in his view that was far from enough. There was no way Erika and Ephraim could see him as anything but a burden. Even if they didnt say it out loud.

And so this one bedroom appartment was to become his new home. It was small yes, but it was his and he didnt have to feel guilty for living in it and taking up space. It was oddly refreshing.

"Well then-" Erika began stretching her arms high above her head as the siblings made their way out the door. "Make sure to eat well okay? Just because your not feeding us doesnt mean you should stop actullally cooking. Maybe you could bring Ephraim some to every now and then."

"Whats that supposed to mean?" Annoyance crept up Ephraims face, scratching the back of his head. In truth though he knew exactly what she meant. "Knowing you, your surviving off microwave food." She jabbed in the ribs making him push her arm aside. All playfull as always, Lyon never truly had to worry that these two would get into an actual fight.

"Im a busy guy! Also Lyons not my maid!"

"Boys and their excuses I swear…" one headshake and a few quips later. Lyon was left alone.

Although it must be his imagination, everything in the room felt colder suddenly.

The warm kindness and joy the siblings radiated had left along with them it seemed, and now the opressive air seemed to want to crush the man.

What was he supposed to do. A distraction through work was only possible once he actually started, well….working, and that wasnt until another month.

He knew himself, if he didnt force himself he'd spend that time locked up in here.

You gotta pull youself together.

Grocerie shopping was somewhere to start surely. And while he was at it hed look around the town.

He hoped there would be a caffee here where he could read.

And who knew with a new beginning like this, maybe he could even make some friends?

Chapter 7: Cafes and rantings

Notes:

Lyons very bad no good time about to begin because Narcians a prick

They're watching.

They're watching you.

Lyon tried his best to ignore that insistent voice at the back of his mind, and instead devote his full attention to the book he was currently reading.

It was the week after he had just moved in, and on one of his outings, he had discovered, hidden behind innumerable office building reaching high toward the sky, this nice little cafe. In a way it felt like a little Oasis say from the stress of the city. The inside was cozy, with soft yellow light bathing the plant filled interior.

Knowing that he needed structure in his day to day life, until his job forced one on him, he decided that, after his weekly walk, he would sit down here, order the cheapest item on the menu and dedicate himself to his books.

Still today his attention just wouldn't stick. Mainly because he felt eyes bore into him. However looking up he could never place from where in the cafe it came. Wich is why he chalked it up to his usual paranoia.

At least until a shadow suddenly darkened the table he sat at.

"Would you move already?!"

Startled he looked up at the person, eyes wide looking like a deer caught in headlights.

Tapping their arms impatient, a fancy looking blonde stood before him.

Someone was watching, I told you-

His brain nagged. Yes those brown eyes piercing him felt exactly the same.

It took the young man a bit to answer, still a bit stunned by the mans sudden and rude appearance. "…what?"

Wrong response apparently. Lyon could see the man already annoyed face fall in a way that made it seem like he was looking at some insect instead of a human.

"Tch, you really are as dumb as they come. I gave you more than enough time to move your ass from my table."

The man spat, making the younger one arch away just a little bit.

This is the worst, just get away from him guys like this are just trouble that's not worth having.

"Have you just been looking at me for the past-" like what 10 minutes? How was he supposed to know what that meant? And also who just owned a table at a cafe? Was that even a thing?

Before he could voice any of that though, he was rudely interrupted. "Dont talk back! Do you even know who I am?" The honest answer was no. But that probably wasn't what this man wanted to hear. So he prompted to not answer that question.

Non the less one thing Lyon did know was, that this man spelled bad news. Better to just move on as quickly as possible, as to not have to deal with this him any more than necessary.

"I'll leave." Picking up his thing in a hurry he answered in a calm tone as to not aggravate him. Bad idea.

With his movements so quick Lyon had managed to spill his coffee on the older mans red vest. "You-" for a moment Lyon and the man both just looked down onto the dripping stain.

Get out now. This is gonna end terrible.

Before thinking any further about it, he did just that. "Hey where do you think your going you little-" whatever curses this man was spewing at him Lyon did not hear as he rushed out the doors and onto the street.

No more going back here, probably have to search for a different spot to read.

Home preferably, there was no way he'd risk going back here though and running into that guy again.

---

"Are you even listening?!" No Valter was in fact not. While Narcian ranted on and on, his friend had started tuning him out. An important skill when choosing to stick around Narcian.

Instead the 32 year old had started trying to pick out some left over meat from his lunch out between his teeth using his cracked off nails.

He wasn't even looking at the blonde.

"Would be easier to do if you didn't talk constantly."

"For fucks sake Valter!" Reaching out, the shorter of the two gripped Valters arm and pulled it away from his current task. Resulting in the other falling forward in his chair somewhat.

The imideat reaction to this was, Narcians arm getting gripped in return, and with strength that Narcian should have been used to at this point, but still managed to somehow surprise him every time, he was pulled towards Valter their heads meeting with a slight noise, followed by a bit of pain.

"If you wanna bitch then do it but don't expect me to be your therapist about it." The words reached Narcians ears with a low hiss that sent tingles down his spine. Quickly he backed away some with his face. Valter with his shit eating grin softened his grip somewhat, still the pressure didn't vanish completely.

"Its not like you have anything better to do. I've never seen you actually do any work here." Narcian huffed.

The office Valter was currently 'working' at, had been provided by Narcian through some classic nepotism. Although it could hardly be called a job, even if Valter were to do any attempt at actually working. No, Valters true job did not lie within the gray office walls.

Ever since the incident Valter had become somewhat of an everyman to Narcian. Mostly doing his dirty work, that the prissy rich kid had no interest in doing himself. In exchange, Narcian provided him with a cover job so he could do his 'freelancing' which ranged from Drug deals to assassination.

Plus he was provided with a home, that more often than not stood empty nowadays. As the green haired man spend most of his time outside or at Narcians much more Luxurious place.

"So what do you want me to do about it? Kill some random kid over spilled coffee?" He finally let go and leaned back into his leather chair. "So you did listen." At that Valter made an 'eehhh' gesture with his hands. He Got the basics. "Tch, and no I don't want you to kill him. I'm not stupid."

Debatable.

Valter fought down the urge to say his thoughts out loud. Lest it would start another tamper tantrum. As entertaining as those usually were, he wasn't in the mood for it now.

"Just make him regret meeting me."

No matter the age, Narcian was still just a spoiled child. Valter mused, getting up from his chair. He couldn't help but let a fond smile cross over his face at that thought.

"As your majesty wishes." Seing this over the top performance, including the bow, Narcian rolled his eyes.

But Valter knew. His partner secretly very much enjoyed this little power fantasy.

With not much to go off but what this guy looked like, Valter made his exit. It would be an interesting hunt like this, at least.

 

 

 

Notes:

Lyoms thoughs is just how my brain talks to me lmao

And I thought it might fit given that in game canon he has the demon king just being shit to him in his head.