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Victor sleeps a lot these days.
Satanick keeps him in a special room of the castle. It’s very cold in this room, off in the basement level, but Victor doesn’t mind. He never minds much, Satanick has noticed, which is fine by him. He keeps Victor bundled in bed under several blankets. He brings him food and water every day. Envi keeps his room tidy every day. Satanick is just so happy that Victor agreed to go with him to Ne-no-Kuni. He can’t wait to show Victor all that his land has to offer once he feels better. For now, though, he gets to sit beside him on the bed and read him all sorts of stories. Sometimes, Victor chimes in with a quip when Satanick stumbles on his words, or has something scientific to add about the flowers all around the garden.
And that’s where they are today. Satanick is accompanied by Envi and he is pushing Victor along in a wheelchair around the garden, pointing out the different flowerbeds he has cultivated over the years.
“Isn’t it lovely, Victor!” Satanick hums. “Oh, what’s that, you’re cold? Let’s head back inside, then. Envi! Fetch some more blankets for Victor, alright?”
“Yes, Lord Devil,” Envi says, avoiding his Lord’s gaze as he hurries back inside.
Satanick follows shortly after picking flowers for the vase he keeps forever stocked and blooming in Victor’s room. He carefully picks up Victor’s body, who is always so much lighter than he anticipates, tucking him back in bed. Envi returns soon with more blankets, draping them over Victor. He keeps his distance otherwise.
Satanick doesn’t notice.
“Was there anything else you needed, Lord Devil?”
“Replace the flowers in the vase with these new ones.”
Envi nods, taking the new flowers. He removes the old flowers, delicately placing the new ones in the vase. He’ll need to replace the water soon, but he won’t bother with it now. He wants to leave this room. He always hates lingering here. But this is his job, his duty as Satanick’s head subordinate and housekeeper of the castle. He is to remain here until Satanick deems he is done for the day.
“Do you think it’s cold enough in here?” Satanick asks.
Envi nods. “Any colder and we’ll see our breaths.”
“Hmm… What do you think, Victor? Colder? I thought so too. Turn the thermostat down, Envi.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’re dismissed for now. Thanks!”
Envi bows after he lowers the temperature, so cold he is shivering. He draps an extra blanket over Satanick’s shoulders before he leaves, hurrying up the stairs and away from that cursed room.
“Now it’s just you and me…” Satanick giggles, reaching forward to brush his fingers against Victor’s ice cold skin. He smiles down at Victor lovingly, moving up to stroke his hair. A few strands come out in his hand and he stares at it, eyes glassy for a few moments, before he shakes his hand and the strands fall to the floor. Forgotten. Satanick laughs again. “Just you and me! Oh, Victor, I love you. I never told you before, but… it’s true. I love you more than anything!”
To Satanick’s ears, he hears Victor’s low voice, the exasperated huff that the man always gave him whenever he lingered too long, whenever he fussed too much or looked at him for too long. Don’t be silly, the voice rings in Satanick’s ears. Don’t be so foolish.
“Oh, but it’s true, I love you so!” Satanick giggles like a lovesick schoolgirl, tucking some hair behind Victor’s ear. He removes Victor’s glasses, placing them on the nightstand, and leans in, breathing in the cloying scent of flowers. The entire room smells like flowers, sickly sweet, as if to cover up another smell. Not quite like he remembers Victor smelling, but that’s alright; the man will grow to appreciate his flowers in due time, surely. “I love you more than life itself. And I’m so glad you agreed to come here… You may have turned down my offer of immortality but at least you get to live out your days with me in my castle! Our castle, even!”
More laughter. Satanick leans in closer, pressing his lips against Victor’s icey lips. He kisses him, gently, cautiously, careful of his pointed teeth; humans are so frail, so fragile, he doesn’t want to be rough with Victor at all. He is always so careful with Victor. Even as his pants strain with how hard he’s getting, just from this, he doesn’t pounce on the bed and take Victor right there. He doesn’t pin the man down, despite what his instincts tell him, he doesn’t rip their clothes off and fuck him into oblivion. They haven’t reached that point yet, no, so he just kisses him softly. And he could swear that Victor kisses him back.
“I kne-e-ew you felt the same way!” He sing-songs, sitting back and kicking his feet like a giddy child. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Victor! I would do anything for you. Here, maybe Envi was right, it’s a little too cold in here! Let me warm you up a little!”
He kicks off his shoes and pulls off his cape, crawling into bed beside his first ever love, draping his arms around the man, snuggling against his chest. “I love you so.”
Victor says nothing, head lolling against Satanick’s, too loose, his eyes glassy, unseeing. His chest emits no heartbeat, no pulse to be found in his empty veins. Satanick cuddles the lifeless body of the man he loves more than anything.