Chapter Text
4 ciphers, no need to slug!
Ithaqua was a fucking god. He thought the team would be annoying with Naib, William, Edgar, and Patricia. All he had was excitement and a dream. But luck was on his fucking side.
The map was Leo's memory, but something was different today; the snow was a bit heavier than usual.
This map was always unpredictable though. At times it was day, at times, night. What was so odd about an extra few feet of snow?
Patricia was the first chase, but being a smaller person, the snow disagreed with her. Ithaqua didn’t blame her for her short kite, she vaulted out the shack window and promptly got stuck in 5 ft of snow, that's a good few inches more than her.
Ithaqua was going to put her in the basement, and William tried to do a balloon rescue. But alas, balling in through a wall of snow wasn’t going to work out well. He blasted in from the snowy outdoors and slipped. Ithaqua ended up with two people in the basement at 5 ciphers.
Naib came to rescue, and he did a half decent job. He pulled William out and took a hit, but Ithaqua managed to down Patricia right out of the chair. When he managed to last-effort William too, Naib bolted. Unfortunately for him, Ithaqua timed his skill just right, so he bolted backwards, knocking William into him. Tide turner didn’t get them far from the basement at all.
It was 4 ciphers now, Patricia and William were gone, and Naib was getting there.
Edgar’s probably going to surrender soon. Easy 4k!
Pop
Ithaqua was fucking wrong.
The night watch quickly left the basement and went to look for the dungeon. He checked the spots in all four corners, behind the shack.. That was all of them, right? There were 5 dungeon locations on Leo’s memory right?
That damn dungeon was nowhere in sight. Ithaqua didn’t have any luck finding the painter either.
The snow was picking up, and the sky was dimming even more. Perhaps he could blame his failure to find the last survivor on the heavy winds.
“Hunter.”
Ithaqua turned around to see the painter walk up to him.
Well.
“Surrendering in person?” Ithaqua chuckled.
“No, I just need to show you something,” the painter, seemingly unafraid, beckoned the night watch to follow him.
“…? Is this some kind of trick?”
“What trick can I play here?” The painter walked quickly, but frequently paused to make sure the night watch was following. He wasn’t trying to run away at least.
Ithaqua didn’t know all that much about the painter. The two have had a few interactions because of mutual friends, but nothing further than nodding as a greeting and handing things to each other across a dining table out of courtesy.
“What is it you want to show me?”
“We’re almost there.. This.” They arrived at a cipher. Ithaqua remembered- this was the cipher that lit up to signal 3 ciphers remaining but.. It wasn’t popped? It was beeping at the highest pitch, but at a very slow frequency.
“Is it broken?” Ithaqua asked.
“I think it’s worse than that.”
“I just slaughtered your friends and now you’re showing me a malfunctioning cipher, why?”
“As I mentioned before, it’s worse than this..” Edgar started walking again, and Ithaqua followed.
They soon made it to the exit gate, only.. Oh shit.
The keypad was frozen, and it seemed like the gate itself suffered a good amount of damage. Something was wrong, not just with the gate. The pallets, which were usually still in place, were moving out of their places with the strong winds. Moreover, many of the game's functions, Ithaqua noticed, seemed to not work; He didn’t have his ‘excitement’ trait anymore.
“I tried to surrender when Naib died, but there was no option,” Edgar said with a sigh.
“No access to the controls or..?”
“No access.”
“We’re stuck here then.”
“Mhm,” Edgar started to shiver a bit now.
“…Well.”
“I also want to bring to your attention that it’s getting late.”
“You found me to remind me that I have a bedtime?”
“No, I found you because the game is malfunctioning, which means the coldness of this map is going to feel more realistic very soon. And I’ve heard that you had history handling that.”
Ah right, even though the map was cold, some stupid fucking plot device makes it so that you don’t freeze to death.. But since the plot is fucked, there’s nothing stopping it now.
Ithaqua remembered that there was a fire in the basement. They had to go there, but before it got too cold….
“Help me pull out the cushions from the rocket chairs before this map becomes truly unbearable.” Ithaqua said, ripping a cushion out of the nearest chair.
A game malfunction was rare and no one’s ever experienced one on this map. Edgar heard that Norton and Michiko experienced one on arms factory once. They figured it out when Norton got hit with her fan and it didn’t hurt one bit. She initially thought it was a missed hit because yk, shit hitbox, but then he threw his magnet at her and it bounced right off her head. The two of them were stuck on that map for a good few hours before they were pulled out, so that was probably the fate that awaited Ithaqua and Edgar.
The two of them worked fast. Soon, the basement was full of rocket chair cushions.
“The only thing we can do right now is try not to die. I heard that something like this happened to Galatea and Emily. In an effort to get out, Emily let Gala bleed her out.. But because it wasn’t a game regulated death, she was on bedrest for a whole month following resurrection.”
“That’s why Ms. Dyer was out for so long? I thought they were giving her some doctor's vacation for working so hard..” Edgar arranged the cushions in a neater position.
“Mm.”
The basement was cold, but comfortable. The rocket chair cushions were the best idea ever.
Ithaqua laid down, “Come on.”
“Come on?” Edgar asked.
“Body heat is great for keeping warm in this weather,” Ithaqua had his arms open.
Edgar had his reservations about cuddling with the guy who still had some of his teammates’ blood on him.
But.
It's fuckjng cold.
The painter crawled into his arms and moved until they were comfortably puzzled together. Ithaqua was content with hugging Edgar’s waist and drifting off, but his head was in Edgar’s neck/shoulder junction.
His mask uncomfortably pushed against Edgar’s chin, and no matter how Edgar moved, that damn thing was in the way.
“Ithaqua.”
“…Mm….”
“Your mask is bothering me.”
The night watch nodded, “Deal with it..” After a moment, his breathing steadied again. He was back asleep.
Alright then, Edgar will deal with it. Carefully, he took the mask off. Almost naturally, the night watch moved closer to Edgar to fill the missing space the mask left.
Shit.
Why was this bloodthirsty barbarian so fucking pretty???
Edgar couldn’t help but stare down at him as he put the mask aside, “Wow..”
Ithaqua reacted to his voice, nuzzling into his neck almost as if urging him to go to sleep. Fuck. Cute- thing. This fucking hunter- Ah?
Edgar suddenly felt claws at his throat.
“My mask..” The night watch looked up at him angrily, but still drowsily.
“It’s over there, but wouldn’t you be able to take in more body heat with your face out anyways?” Edgar asked, barely reacting to the threat at his neck.
Ithaqua sighed, his eyes closed again, “…I’m sorry you had to see it but.. You brought it upon yourself..” he turned to hide his face in the crook of Edgar’s neck.
“See what?” Edgar asked.
“The face of a murderer..” Ithaqua’s voice still seemed drowsy.. It came out so naturally, did he really believe that to be true..? Well Edgar couldn’t fucking have that now could he?
The painter pulled away a bit and held Ithaqua’s face with both his hands.
That woke him up.
“The hell are you doing?” Ithaqua asked, confused. He held Edgar’s wrists tight, almost like a warning.
“Lots of us are murderers, lots of us have faces of murderers,” Edgar looked at him nonchalantly.
“Is this the ugliest murderer-face you’ve ever seen then? You need to do a double take to make sure? Don’t be immature, let go.” The night watch gripped his wrists tighter, but made no move to pull him away.
“Ugly?” Now where he fuck did Ithaqua get that idea? “You think you’re ugly?”
“..Do you not?” The night watch looked confused. Genuinely confused.
What was there to be confused about? Ithaqua had a conventionally attractive face. He was pretty; he had bright, sparkly blue eyes, soft, clear, skin, and silky, shiny, hair.
Did he actually think he was ugly?
“You’re beautiful, truly.” Edgar said, moving a bit of hair out of his face.
“..I heard that many in your faction were liars, but I didn’t think you were so ridiculous .” The night watch chuckled, as though he heard a genuine joke.
“I’m not lying, you’re gorgeous.” Edgar chuckled back.
Ithaqua stopped smiling, “Then there’s something wrong with you.”
“I thought that by now my artistic credibility was well known in this manor.” Edgar moved his hand under the night watch’s chin and gently directed his gaze upwards towards himself.
“Then you’re lying.”
“I don’t lie,” Edgar slid his hand down his neck, then reached the collar of his shirt. He playfully pulled it up a bit before settling back against his cheek.
Ithaqua scoffed, “You’re not disgusted by this face?”
“Not at all,” Edgar smiled.
“Then.. Prove it.”
“Prove it? How do I do that?”
Ithaqua pondered to himself a bit, “Well.. You have the balls to touch it..”
“Hah, what else would you have me do? Kiss it?”
“No, you wouldn’t have it in you to kiss something so hideous,” Ithaqua remarked casually.
Edgar frowned at that, “Well little hunter. You’re wrong.”
The painter didn’t give the night watch any time to prepare when he suddenly leaned in. A gentle hand found its way through the hood of his cloak and behind his neck.
“Wai- Wait!” Ithaqua managed to shield his mouth, “You- You don’t have to do that.”
“Hmm?” Ithaqua could feel Edgar’s voice against his hand as he spoke, “But I want to.”
“Why the hell would you want to?”
The painter’s other hand got around his waist to hold him closer. Ithaqua had both hands over his mouth, and couldn’t defend against it. He could only look at Edgar in genuine fucking confusion.
“Why?” He asked again.
Edgar stuck his tongue out, successfully moving Ithaqua’s hands out of the way. He leaned in, but just to the side, and whispered his answer in his ear, “Because quite frankly, you’re a catch.”
“A what?”
More of that adorably genuine confusion.
Edgar pulled away, but still stayed close enough so their noses touched, “It means like.. A lot of people find you attractive.”
“Why would anyone find me attractive?”
“Again darling, you have a beautiful face. And I would be delighted to prove it to you.”
Ithaqua stared at him for a moment. Quickly, his expression shifted from confusion to something more.. Oh! The little hunter seemed to challenge his claim.
The poor thing didn't understand that this was a trap. Edgar pulled him closer so their bodies were really pressed against each other. The night watch still stared at him with such foolish determination.
“Last warning, Ithaqua.”
He didn’t say a word back, only replying with stern eyes.
No way he was actually going to do it right? He wasn’t going to do it. This face is too disgusting. Way too.. too..
Ithaqua felt warm.
The painter’s mouth was so, so warm.
He guided him with a gentle, yet firm grip behind his head. His fingers tugged at his hair a little, but it was barely noticeable when paired with the tongue in his mouth.
Ithaqua couldn’t comprehend what the painter was doing to him.
The hand at his lower back moved fluidly with his mouth, pulling him impossibly closer.
Closer.. Closer..
This…
“Mmn, nn.. nah- mah!” Ithaqua pulled away, panting. The painter smiled, using his tongue to cut the brief string between them as he licked his lips.
Not a second after they pulled apart, Ithaqua felt the hand behind his neck push him in again. But- this wasn’t something that-
“N-No!” Ithaqua turned to the side, earning an accidental peck on the cheek.
“Oh? I’m sorry, did you not like it?” Edgar let go of him, pulling away.
“It’s just- It’s..” Ithaqua shifted a little lower and covered his face with his hands, “It’s too much..”
Oh!
Fuck!
Edgar was fucking smitten!!
“Ithaqua.. Look at me,” Edgar gently lifted his face with both his hands under his chin, “Come on.. Show me.”
Ithaqua refused, his eyes still covered. Oh well, Edgar knew of a way to get rid of those easily. A quick flick of the tongue and both his hands retreated from his face.
“..Crystals..” His eyes looked like crystals. Edgar leaned in and kissed them.
“How can you do this..? How can you be so amorous with something so unsightly?” There was a beautiful hitch in his voice.
The crystals were spilling out of him. The painter was content with collecting them all. Poor thing was overwhelmed.
Words weren’t getting through to him before, Edgar doubted that they would now. He had one hand gently caressing his cheek, and another holding his neck, marveling at the little hiccups and trembles that could be easily felt there.
The crystals dried up eventually, and the painter decided, instead of waiting for any more falsities to come out of his mouth, he’d take the little hunter for himself.
Ithaqua was a trembling mess, and Edgar was a bit too proud of it. But alas, he had to take responsibility.
He set a comfortable pace, smoothly fitting his lips between the night watch’s. He pulled back, went back in, and pulled back again. Ithaqua’s eyes were glazed over and unfocused. Edgar briefly looked at his face with a smile before going back in. It would take more than a terror shock to pull him out again.
He felt crystals against his face again, and clawed hands balled up against his chest. But Ithaqua wasn’t pushing away, in fact, Edgar felt the little hunter's lips part against his, welcoming him in.
He tasted so sweet. Edgar was way too happy when one of Ithaqua’s hands mimicked his movements, and cupped his cheek.
He decided to test the waters a bit and pulled away. Edgar briefly surveyed Ithaqua’s face, kissing away a few of his tears as he started moving down. Before Ithaqua could question what he was going to do, Edgar’s mouth was capturing his neck.
The whine the little hunter let out could cure any one of the artblocks he’s suffered through.
The painter had an arm slither around Ithaqua’s neck, holding onto his shoulder. His other arm went around his waist, pulling him closer.
The darling was trapped, and it seemed he lacked a bit of coherence.
Every time Edgar sucked on his neck he could only whine in response, he hasn’t said a word in the past few minutes.
The painter didn’t want to stray too far from his face, but he didn’t want to see his expression just yet. He felt he could get more out of him first.
But what else could he do here?
Ithaqua’s arms were around his head, hugging him, holding onto him for stability as he did as he pleased.
Hm, just how daring was the painter?
Edgar opened his mouth, nudging the shirt down a little, then bit.
…
His teeth sunk down deeper when he heard the almighty Ithaqua quietly whimper above him. He couldn’t help himself. He let out a long shaky breath against the night watch’s soft skin, then finally pulled away.
Now he had to see his expression, the face of the all powerful, unrivaled Ithaqua.
“Little hunter?” Edgar peered up at him. There were a few crystals spilling from his.. …Closed eyes. The hand behind his back soon detected a consistency in his breathing.
The night watch was asleep.
Oh but the red faced expression he had on, his half open mouth, and the nicely indented bite mark in his neck were enough for him.
Edgar leaned down and helped to close his mouth with his own before holding him to the next maintenance.