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viperwhispered · 22 days

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Too Hard

Woop part 2 of the trip inside Jamil's head. Part 1 here.

The next time Jamil caught sight of you on campus, his first instinct was to turn around on his heel.

What a stupid thought to have because of you.

Besides, that would only make him more conspicuous, not less.

So, when your eyes met his, Jamil gave you a short nod in greeting. He would’ve left it at that and kept on his way, had you not walked up to him.

“Hi Jamil! How’s it going?” you said with that impossibly disarming smile of yours.

Why was it so difficult to look at you like he normally would? You had no right to make him feel so stiff, so unnatural.

On autopilot, Jamil exchanged a few pleasantries with you - those lessons from his parents had been instilled too deep in him for him to falter too badly in a simple exchange such as this. Still, Jamil quickly excused himself by telling you he still had to find Kalim before his next class.

Jamil didn’t miss the way your smile faltered. Had you hoped to get something out of him?

“Oh, okay. I’ll see you two later, then.”

Something about that irked him, though Jamil did not allow himself to dwell on it further.

His heart really had no business still racing as it did when he walked away, unaware of the frown on his face.

Just act normal. That’s all he needed to do.

After all, he had no time for dwelling in silly fancies.

If Jamil had been acutely aware of you before, it only seemed to worsen now that he was making a conscious effort to not act any differently with you. In fact, the harder he tried to keep you out, the more you invaded his thoughts, unsettling him.

The most innocuous words from you looped in his mind, and even the simplest actions caught his eye. For goodness's sake, he’d found himself staring at you while you were queueing up in the cafeteria the other day, not even doing anything other than standing around and looking bored!

For once, Jamil found himself grateful for all his duties. At least they provided him with something else to occupy himself with.

After all, if he was busy enough, it was difficult to think about those bright eyes of yours, your sweet laugh, or the way you bit your lip while thinking.

Still, sometimes it felt like no matter which way he turned, you were there, ready to throw him off-kilter. Not like it was his fault that often the most convenient route to class intersected with your daily routines. Or that your face seemed to jump out from any crowd, catching his attention.

Which certainly did not help his basketball performance. Jamil certainly did not recall you having such an interest in sports before, yet suddenly you were always there, distracting him. What had changed?

Could you possibly-

Jamil scoffed to himself, forcing his thoughts back on track for the nth time that day.

He picked up the tray of food and started taking it to Kalim. After dinner, he’d need to help Kalim with his homework, there were some housewarden tasks that would need dealing with, not to mention the preparations for the next-

Jamil froze in his tracks.

The voice he heard was quiet, but it was unmistakably you.

Really, it should not have come as such a surprise to him. You had become a rather frequent visitor to Scarabia, and Kalim often invited you to stay for meals. In fact, Jamil had started planning the dorm’s meal prep with your tastes and dietary restrictions in mind, just in case.

Jamil rounded the corner with strange exhilaration, his heart fluttering needlessly.

Yet, his mood evaporated when he saw you.

Why did you stop talking and look so guilty as soon as you caught sight of Jamil?

Jamil knew that look you gave to Kalim, had used it himself a thousand times. The one telling Kalim to keep quiet about something.

What could there possibly be that you would be comfortable sharing with Kalim, but not with him? That would give Kalim reason to sit so close to you, a comforting hand on your shoulder?

Jamil's mind raced with possibilities, yet could not settle for any single explanation.

He’d have to ask Kalim about it later.

Jamil gave you a short, polite greeting, his eyes lingering on you in an attempt to read what you were hiding.

“If I’d known you were coming over, I would’ve prepared something for you to eat as well,” Jamil said, already thinking about which parts of the dorm’s dinner to spruce up for you.

“Oh, no need, just figured I’d pop by. I’ll get out of your hair soon enough,” you said, something sheepish about your expression.

As expected, Kalim asked you to stay and dine with them, and with just a bit more persuasion you agreed - though not before telling Jamil that he should join you too and have himself a breather.

And since Kalim agreed with you, Jamil soon found himself sharing a meal with you and Kalim. Yet, even as he sat down with the food, his mind raced.

Had you been getting particularly close to Kalim lately? But surely Jamil would’ve noticed such a thing. Maybe someone from the dorm had been giving you trouble? But if that was the case, then surely you could let Jamil know about it, too. Unless for some reason you did not want to? But if it was something that concerned Kalim, then sooner or later it was bound to concern Jamil, too.

All the while, Kalim was talking to you about this and that, the latest topic being the animals kept on the Asim estate.

“I’ve got some pictures, let me show you!” Kalim said with an excited grin.

Only, a thorough patting of his pockets and a look around confirmed that Kalim’s phone was nowhere to be seen.

Jamil pinched the bridge of his nose. Where had Kalim left it this time?

Before Jamil even had the chance to say that he would handle it, Kalim sprinted off. Jamil hesitated for a moment, automatically halfway up from his seat, before he decided that leaving a guest unattended would be a worse offense than not helping out his master.

Jamil slumped back down with a sigh, mentally tracing the path Kalim took today, trying to recall the last time he saw Kalim handle his phone.

“Breathe. He’ll manage,” you said. There was the faintest of smiles on your lips, and Jamil could not decide if it was knowing or amused. Perhaps both.

Somehow, despite his frustration, Jamil’s own lips wanted to curl up too.

“Hmm. Maybe he will.”

Sure, Jamil could’ve called Kalim’s phone, to make it easier to find, but it was not that urgent, was it?

Jamil took another bite of his food, keeping an eye on you from the corner of his eye.

How was his mind so empty and so buzzing at the same time?

“You know-”

“So-”

You looked at each other, both just as surprised that the other had spoken up at the same time.

Even your surprised look was so-

“You first,” Jamil said. The way you bit your lip... Jamil had to raise a cup to his lips, slowly sipping his drink.

“Just… Feels like it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen you be still, you know. Or exchanged more than two words with you,” you said. You were attempting a light, joking tone, yet it was quite clear there was more to it.

“You say that like it would be unusual for me to be busy.”

He was not prepared for the way your soft sigh tugged at his heartstrings.

“No. It is not.”

You were both quiet after, poking at your meals. Normally, Jamil would’ve cherished such a moment of peace, yet this particular silence between you two was decidedly awkward.

Where was your usual chatter? Why weren’t you looking at him like you usually did?

“If you’re worried about me, don’t. I’m fine,” Jamil said, some softness creeping into his tone despite his best intentions.

“That's what Kalim said too,” you said. Yet the way you looked at Jamil made it clear you were still skeptical.

Wait.

Had you clammed up earlier because it had been Jamil you had been talking about with Kalim? That Kalim had comforted you about?

The thought twisted his stomach into knots.

Eta: you can find part 3 here. Hasdhfsdf the way I fought with that last scene I swear. I don't even want to know how many versions I went through, trying to figure out how to say what I wanted without rubbing it into your face or making it too veiled. The joys of trying to convey things through a limited pov. Hopefully it came out reasonably balanced in the end. Rip to all those sentences that were lovely on their own but didn’t work for the whole. Hopefully I can rehome y’all one day. I do have thoughts for part 3 and part x (might be some chapters between those two as well, who knows at this point), so maybe we'll see those at some point, too. Tag list: @colliope @crystallizsch @diodellet @jamilsimpno69 @jamilvapologist @twstgo If you'd like to be tagged for future works, let me know! (Just be aware that sometimes I do also write nsfw, though you can certainly ask to be tagged only for particular kinds of works.)

#twisted wonderland #jamil viper #twisted wonderland x reader #jamil viper x reader #ner writes #jamil definitely knows how to deal with his feels #also writing this is making me wonder how aware jamil is of his inner versus outer life #like he’s very aware of how he comes across because that’s what he’s been told to watch out for #but how well has he truly learned to understand himself and his own feelings wants etc?#(I mean as you can tell I’m assuming not very well)#originally this went to more of a “jamil hears just the wrong part of the conversation” route but #a) I kinda hate that trope especially when it’s dragged on beyond belief and #b) Kalim maybe doesn’t want to spill anyone’s secrets but he really is such an open book especially with Jamil so #also it’s not like jamil needs the extra help to catastrophize he already does that well enough on his own 🙃#tho then I went a little too far in the other direction and had to pull back #but let's just hope I didn't edit this to death by now #also also: since I seem to have a bit of a naming theme going on for this series #if I were to be the sort to go for the angst route what part would definitely be titled Too Late or something along those lines #also x3 but loved folks commenting on that part about reader being inoffensive in the first part #I certainly had fun writing that line #(and in general extra love to everyone who leaves comments on tags replies wherever always great to read those)#(and in general chat with y'all)

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lilfriezatyrant · 23 days

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As the evening draws to a close, you listen to the last nightly broadcast of the radio demon, who also resides in the hotel. It's as if he has rehearsed a lullaby just for you, because it doesn't take long for your eyes to get heavier and heavier and you finally fall into a quick slumber.

"We'll meet again,

Don't know where,

Don't know when,

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day."

But then in the middle of the night, quite subconsciously, a steady goose bump slowly spreads over your body, starting on your arms, along your upper body, your scalp, your back and finally ending on your lower legs.

A strong cold shiver hits your palm and you abruptly open your eyes, observing your own hand dangling just outside the bed. Maybe it's just that your blood circulation has been disrupted and cut off by the perceived heaviness of your hand, because you can no longer even feel your fingers. A feeling that you actually have very often when you get into this sleeping position...

You now try to lift your arm to position yourself differently, but you realize that this is not possible... as if there is an additional weight chained to it.

What the...?

With a perplexed expression on your face, you crawl to the side, look directly at your hand, but you can only make out the silhouette and widen your eyes even more in a confused reaction. Something... stuck to the palm of your hand?

Oh god...hopefully it wasn't Niffty causing a bug battlefield in your room again and you might be bathing your fingers in their slimy little guts.

But wait...the little demonic maid always cleans all the rooms very meticulously...so it makes no sense at all.

Or...was it even a small, shelly minion of Sir Pentious that you accidentally smashed in your deep sleep while turning around? Sounds brutal, but those egg boys are unfortunately more fragile than they look.

...strange thoughts when you've just woken up. And it doesn't feel like egg yolk either.

You then feel this now volatile substance get caught between your fingers and you react instinctively, but with your other hand, which doesn't seem numb and first turns on the small bedside lamp on the little shelf within reach.

It's only a weak, dimmed light, but at least you can now see what's on your other hand.

...a black, visible, umbrageous hand clasps yours and you can feel the cold grip more than clearly.

You immediately realize who it is; after all, there is only one person in this hotel who can summon a shadowy apparition.

Still, you wonder what his shadow is doing here; you're used to it accompanying you from time to time, but it's the middle of the night and you're not in any danger...right?

"Is...um...everything all right? Or why is Alastor's dark companion visiting me?" your voice asks in a somewhat timid manner and in the next moment your hand is pushed further and further upwards and you can only watch silently as the shadow rises more. As if it were passing the ground without any resistance.

(Admittedly, it was very cute to watch as the two shadowy ears appeared on the ground first.)

It is now right next to the bed and only now do you realize how tall it actually is, both the shadow and its owner (and this has nothing to do with your current reclining position.) He towers over most demons, after all.

You can now see the outline of the eyes and mouth clearly and are greeted with a mischievous smile, it continues to hold your hand in its, giving the back of your hand a charming, fleeting kiss that sends an even colder shiver through your body, but it feels warm at the same time...like an icy fire.

Your cheeks flush as the silhouette briefly pats the back of your hand with its other hand, which is probably meant to serve as some sort of reassurance.

"Why are you here? Did you just come to check on me...?" you don't really understand. And why did he only send his shadow here?

Maybe it was just a little scouting to see if everything is really okay.

Although you know that the shadow has no voice and will only answer non-verbally, it would seem strange not to ask any questions. After all, you've known the cunning overlord's silent companion long enough to be able to read its reactions.

But his next action came so unexpectedly and in a flash: both hands are pinned next to your head and the lower end of the shadow, which now has a tail instead of legs, had darted around your legs.

"W-what...", but the quiet presence forbids you any further words and places an index finger over your mouth with a deliberate touch.

A cool tingling sensation is also placed on your lips.

Your tiredness is conjured away and it's not just because of the cold contact that the shadow causes... it is as close to you as your own shadow. Even closer.

It feels as if it is constantly seeking you out and is your protective companion.

Even back then, when you were shopping alone in the city, you were never really alone, you always had a secretly defending and watchful guardian at your side.

And at this very moment, the creature seems to be studying you curiously, this time he is not just a silent observer.

It is so close to your face that you can even feel its cool but fresh breath. Like fresh rain... that's how you feel the pleasant scent. Perhaps even a mixture of rain and snow.

"Are you on patrol or are you here voluntarily?“ Your voice remains quiet, almost a whisper, but your lips are once again sealed with a single finger. Either he doesn't want to answer that, or you really shouldn't ask any more questions.

The shadowy figure's permanent grin forms into a much larger and more malicious one. Both wrists are firmly in its grip again and without warning it presses its mouth directly onto yours.

The moment stands still for you, your eyes are dilated, your pupils are trembling in your iris.

Completely surprised, you can only manage a subtle gasp, but the shadow detaches itself again, mimics a giggling reaction with its facial expressions and finally widens one more eye curiously.

But before you could realize that it was actually a kiss, the silent shape doesn't hesitate and reconnects its shadowy mouth with your lips.

Although your chest fills more with cold, your face feels extraordinarily warm...it resembles a paradoxical supernaturalism...

Your eyes close slowly as it interlocks its obscure fingers with yours. And even if this being has a shadowy appearance, you can still feel material... as if it wants to be felt.

You intuitively squeeze your fingers together more, embrace this coldness more and more and don't want to let go of it. The shadow shows the same reaction, pulling you more into its grip and making the initially fleeting kiss more intense. And it seems to be learning with every passing second. Also that you need air to breathe again after a short time.

The shadow's head tilts to the side, secretly wondering why you're gasping for air so exhausted, before it finally understands and holds both hands in front of its mouth with a silenced cackling.

"Oh...of course you…think it's funny."

You're still panting, trying to normalize your breathing again, but blush even more when you say to your guest quietly:

"But...it was very nice..."

The shadow's chuckling gesture dies down again and its curiosity seems to have been reawakened.

Once again, it pins your hands against the sheet, very slowly dedicates his face to your right, open palm, gives the inner surface a discreet but nonetheless prolonged kiss before drawing a heart-shaped outline with his ghostly index finger.

Your face probably couldn't get any redder... You wonder if these are his true feelings? Does the shadow reflect this...?

Its fingers interlock with yours once more, humanly delicate.

As you swallow, it watches your throat closely and its curiosity is still piqued.

You wonder what it is going to do next, but you feel as if your own voice is stuck in your throat as you can't utter a word. Embarrassment envelops you and it is such an unfamiliar atmosphere for you, what this apparition has drawn you into. But it doesn't feel uncomfortable at all, quite the opposite is the case.

You simply accept the offer, or rather the dark creature's thirsty curiousness.

When you feel the touch of its lips on your neck, you flinch for a moment, but then let out a very light, pleasurable hum and instinctively stretch your neck even further to give its touch more surface area. For a brief moment, you can even feel its grin on your skin become even more distorted in amusement. And like a curious child, it even licks it with its shadowy tongue, nibbling gently, before something in it is awakened and it even bites into it.

Hard.

Too hard.

With a sharp pain that makes your whole body twitch and you let out a pained scream.

"AH! What the hell...!"

The shadow then straightens up immediately, but remains on your body, strokes the wound with an angular finger and guides it into its jaw. He tastes the sanguine essence and seems to be thinking about how he could make up for it.

You now place a hand on the wound yourself, which fortunately is not particularly large, but you still seem more startled than frightened, although it could have torn out more than just a scrap of flesh...

Next time, be a little more gentle. These words remain in your thoughts, however, as the shadow approaches you again and slides its tongue over the maltreated area to indirectly send an apologize to you.

"Do I really look like a snack to you?" you have to giggle sheepishly at this and feel more warmth return to your body as it places one palm in yours again, drawing further gentle heart shapes. If that really was an accident then it's already forgotten. Although your neck continues to throb with pain, all the gestures the shadow makes compensate for this mishap.

But time seems to have already passed when the door to your room opens and you look in the same direction as the shadow and two glowing red eyes stare at both of you, along with a radiant, ominous set of bared teeth. A voice rings out, echoing throughout the room and radio waves laced in the sound.

"Did we go astray again, didn't we?"

Is it just your imagination, or can't you see a small trace of blood on the mouth of the gentleman who suddenly appeared? Exactly the same trace of blood that his shadow shares.

Your blood.

#I finally did it #I finished this oneshot x3 #reader x Alastor's shadow #reader x Alastor #alastor x reader #fem reader #Alastor #Alastor's shadow #oneshot #have some fluffy times again I guess c:#even if I struggled so much with his shadow xwx #also the first time I made such a fancy ✨ title for a writing #my writing #hazbin hotel #(original song at the beginning: We'll meet again by Vera Lynn)#I needed to do that scene with his shadow 🥺❤ because it also deserves attention q^q #no egg boi was harmed during that writing <3

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