Archive of Our Own

Alex was completely normal. He has no mental illness. Even if his therapist said otherwise during their latest appointment. She was wrong, of course. He was normal.

He wasn´t addicted to anything. Valued his fellow people. Tried to be as nice as possible. Joked with his friends. He had full emotional control over himself. All NORMAl.

The water glass shattered in his grip. Hundreds of shards buried themselves into his palm and fingers. He looked down upon the mess. Drops of blood dripped down and splattered across the tiles of his kitchen. He exhaled. He was normal.

Alex stepped to the side and forward the sink. Cold water ran over his skin, dying itself pink on its way down. He pulled the shards out of his flesh with a steady hand and laid them down on the countertop. His wet hand only slightly dried while he dabbed it with a piece of kitchen roll. The first-aid kit was directly beneath the sink and it only took a short moment for Alex to pull it out. The wounds were then bandaged with practised motions.

Armed with a dustpan and broom, the clean-up took just a few minutes. No traces of the debacle left behind. Alex smiled.

He would need a new therapist.
------------------

The corridors were filled with mumbling, which crashed upon Alex in deafening waves. The magical auras littered his sight like stars. Blinding in their beauty. He followed Morden as his freshly chosen aide. Alex hoped that the rapid beating of his heart would be mistaken for the sole result of his agitation by anyone who might take notice of it. The palms of his hands were becoming more clammy as the seconds ticked by. With his gaze and mind focused on the way ahead, he attempted to turn the rest out.

Morden hadn´t given him any instructions and merely threw him into cold waters. Alex still had a hard time thinking about his impending failure and the noose tightening around his neck, while the others perfume wafted into his nostrils. He smelled it just a few days before, when his relatives were threatened with their imminent slaughter. It had been gruelling to present the older man with a face that was distorted with suppressed rage. But oh, how Morden had looked, upon viewing Alex's bared teeth while giving in to his demands. The hours spent practising his acting truly weren´t wasted after all.

That Alex had... certain feelings towards Morden hadn´t even been his own discovery, but rather Luna's. She had found one of his sketchbooks, which was filled to the brim with drawings of the older man. Charcoal hair was immortalised between the pages, together with broad shoulders and delicate suits. Alex hadn´t given it much thought up until Luna called him out on it.

He expected her reaction to be anything, but what it was in the end. She merely requested him to be discreet, least of all that their friends find out. Luna hadn´t been worried about the certain scandal it would appear as, but rather what knowledge the others would gain about Alex. Knowledge she could once barely match with her conscience.

Alex knew Luna´s worry. Knew why she asked this from him. After all, he still held the memories of their first encounters close to his heart.

Alex was normal, or at the very least he had been taught how to appear as such. That he put his parents lessons on the sidelines, after Luna first entered his shop, had been, in his opinion, an inevitable necessity. He merely wanted to guarantee her well being. She drew him in like a rare artefact and he just couldn´t help himself, but wanting to find out everything about her that there is to know.

That she still reproached him the "excessive" surveillance was entirely incomprehensible for him. It had been for her own good. Of course had she been fearful at the beginning, but Alex had made it clear that he only had good intentions. He couldn´t just leave his little nebula unprotected.

He did notice his derailed behaviour and started stepping in line again. Following his lessons.

He respected her boundaries. Laughed at unfunny jokes. Took bites of her cooking attempts and tried not to drop dead on the spot. Still. Her knowing gaze bored into the back of his skull whenever he talks to Variam or Anne.

Alex learns from his mistakes. Slipping and showing Luna the whole person beneath his mask had been one such error, that won´t happen again. He repeated his lessons like a mantra for the past years and eradicated every crack, before it could form.

He appeared normal for everyone. He was normal.

The only living beings that would contradict that fact were Arachne, Luna and his mother, but he made sure it stayed by only those three.

"Will it go like it went with me or worse?", Luna had asked him. Eyes trained on the ground below her feet.

At that time he hadn´t had a answer to her question. Looking back at it from a later point of view, where he was able to assess the situation better, the reply should have been obvious . But at the end what "worse" meant in this context was a question of perspective, Alex wasn´t willing to inquire. He might argue with her over it and that just wouldn´t do. It wasn´t a good trait to patronise others opinions after all.

Alex returned from his musing, just as Morden halted next to him. The doors to the Star Chambers laid just ahead of them.

"You will be waiting here, Verus. I am sure you will find something to do in the meantime."

The small curve of his lips was still present, while he started walking again and vanished into the room ahead. Alex made his way towards one of the niches and let his gaze wander. The other nooks housed the aides, that now could technically be considered his coworkers. One approached him and started talking about a deal, Alex never heard of. His ability to improvise came in handy for the rest of the day, as more and more people spoke to him over matters he could be none the wiser about.

Than Jarneff got closer. An air of defiance and superiority drifting after him, like the stench to a rubbish collection. He tried to poke Alex into a reaction. Jibe him were he believe it would hurt. Threaten him in Sal Sarque´s name. And Alex merely listened to the gibberish escaping from between slightly off-coloured teeth.

It was a rather one-sided conversation with Alex humming along, to whatever Jarneff threw at him.

"Are you done with your temper tantrum?", Alex finally asked, after the other finished his tirade.

"What did you just say to me? Do not believe you can talk to me like that, you-"

Alex lifted his hand and Jarneff faltered in his words. The taller man, who had stayed seated till now, stood up. Towering over the other aide by two heads. The creaking of the doors to the star chamber announce the end of today's meeting. The other aides stood up too. Some threw slight glances towards them.

"If you think that your childish behaviour will bring you everywhere, than you are mistaken, Jarneff. Your little threats mean nothing to a man, who has a death sentence dangling over his head. But rest assured, if I ever hear you speaking like that to me again, than the seat bearing your name in the spectator area will be empty during my execution."

He levelled the other with a stare. Alex clawed at the edges of his mask to keep it up. A smile bloomed on his face and he reached his hand out.

"To a good future cooperation."

The other man took it. Face a bit paler than it was a few moments before. Jarneff hadn´t anticipated to receive a death threat back, least off all inside of the walls from the war rooms. Especially not from someone he had deemed a push-over . But the mage Verus he had imagined and had found before him in the last ten minutes, was vastly different from the mage towering over him now. A cold shudder crawled along his spine, as a predatory gaze was fixed upon him. It was gone in the next moment, but had already engraved itself in his mind, even when Verus´s eyes soften immediately after and looked just as normal and harmless as before.

Alex moved away from the nuisance, after their hand shake and fell in step with Morden. The people around them parted, as if the older man was the reincarnation of Moses.

"Was your first day educational?", he inquired.

His steps were deliberate slow in their pace and it took a bit of effort to himself from walking ahead.

"In a sense, yes."

"Well, than please don´t spare me with the details."
------------------------

A courtship between mages was a tradition reaching back for hundreds of years. And while it was a rarity in today´s time, it was still seen more regularly between dark mages. After all, if your future partner can impress you with the offerings of his own labour, they can be considered strong enough to keep around, without having to protect them every step of the way.

Alex racked his mind for a way to create the same conclusion for Morden. How does one impress a death mage? He doesn´t have the potency as the other in a direct fight. Not the political might as him. Not as much wealth and status. So what could he accomplish to sway Morden in his favour?

The idea struck him like a lightning bolt, while looking at one of the few paintings in the house. His mind gripped it with its greedy claws and started expanding it into a full picture. Details slotted into place. Possible actions laid themselves before him and Alex was already venturing through the futures to set everything into motion. He still noticed Luna staring at him.

It was the first time that she visited him in Wales. She certainly recognised the house for what it was. A temporary solution. But they had a nice time talking on the couch to one another, till everything was said that they wanted to share.

Her gaze now held a weight that Alex wanted to grasp. He therefore asked her about it.

"You looked so exited all of a sudden."

"I am."

"Is it because of Morden? I can´t imagine that it would be anything else."

A smile appeared on his face. Teeth bared.

Luna wasn´t nervous. She hadn´t felt that around Alex for along time. She was more... agitated. She knew what her former master was. What laid beneath the layer of caring and kindness. Knew that she was more of a priced possession to him, than a person. A pet he could train till it perfected its ability. Her curse.

He would never admit to it. To controlled to ever slip up so gravely in front of her again. He clutched himself onto the morals he was taught, despite seeing no value in them. He tells himself and her that he does. They both knew he lies.

He throws them out the window, as soon as they become to hard to maintain. As soon as they become to inconvenient. Luna doesn´t call him out on it. This discrepancy was the sole reason she was still alive to this day.

And maybe, just a little part of her deep down enjoyed it. That she held so much worth in Alex eyes, that he would give his life for hers. A bigger part certainly ravelled in the gentleness he offered. A hug, when she didn´t even knew that she needed one. A small heartening touch to her shoulder, when she feels down. Uncaring if her curse might graze his fingertips and he will be doomed to bump his toe later on in the day.

Luna knew the monster lurking beneath his skin. Alex sometimes grazed her with a few glanced at it. The one her mind calls father wasn´t normal, but she wouldn´t want him any other way. He would protect and care for her till his last breath. Alex was her rock in breaking waves.

So she tries to give something back. Even if it means to brainstorm Alex´s planned courtship of one of UK´s most powerful dark mages. That his plan was warped and beastly in its entirety, was a trifle thing for her compared to the joy it might bring Alex. So she ignored the tightness in her throat, as they planned a streak of murders that would bring itself to the attention of every mage in Great Britain. Luna rather focused on the fulfilment it might bring her to have helped Alex and to potentially earn another parent.

Alex was enough, that goes without question in her mind, but there are some things she rather tells someone else. And despite her close friendship with Anne, the other girl had problems more severe than her own. She wouldn´t want to burden her to much. And Variam...well...he was a good companion, but nobody she would just bare her heart to.

That the fantasy of another parent, and finally having a family that better represented the one she left all those years ago, would mean to have two psychopaths around her, was a small price for her to pay. Especially because one of them was Alex. And he was normal, as he liked to say.
------------

His first offering for Morden came in the role of an art display. It was discovered in the early hours of a Wednesday morning. Residing nestled between the red walls and paintings of the national gallery. The white and high ceiling stretching over it, like a cloudy sky or the heavens they might now belong to.

The pair laid on the light wood parquet. Two man. Cold bodies resting against one another in an almost loving embrace, only to be separated by their suites. Their faces were covered with white clothes. Isolating them in their vain attempt at a kiss.

"The Lovers" it was recognised as, by the curator on scene. Policeman piled in from around London, to investigate. Forensic Scientists scurried through the rooms. Seeking evidence they will not find. Alex made sure of it.

The thing that caused the keepers to disrupt the police, was when the extra layer beneath the suites was discovered. The undergarments of a mage robe.
Like a spreading wildfire were the policeman replaced by members of the Order of the Mantle .

Alex knew that nobody would feel addressed with by his presentation. They rather find the murderer of these two young mages and convict them, than try to analyse the scene and its meaning. Well the keepers could try, but their time mages won´t be able to help them in this museum. It was part of the security to have various bans around the building. Least of all will there be a mage trying to steal.

In conclusion, there was nothing to worry about for Alex. Nobody was the wiser, while he walked besides Morden through the war rooms. The only thing, that caused him to feel his heart stir in uneasiness, was the thought about Morden´s reaction to his letter.

The envelope was A4 in size and held a photo in its insides. Not a random one, but a picture of the display. Shot shortly after its set up. In a quality and perspective, that left no doubt about who took it. The creator. On the back were two simple words written in Alex´s best cursive handwriting.

´for Morden´

It took a few treats for Hermes to agree to bring it to the others mansion, but Alex knew the blinkfox´s favourite delicacy. Snails. And he brought him loads of them for future alliance.

To Morden´s credit, Alex found himself incapable to guess what might be going on behind those dark eyes. Not even a hint to anything, except that ever present smile. As if there was a joke, only he heard.

The rest of the week was spend like the one before. The only thing to look forward to was his time with the older man, even if it only meant walking alongside him. Caldera still gave him the cold shoulder, which wasn´t anything that bothered him, but he still let his small smile drop, whenever she walked past him, without sparing him a glance. It would be more fun, if he regained her trust after all.

After the successful first step in his plan had been set in motion, all there was for him to do, had been to wait. Alex was patient. Diviners have to be.

He started to sketch in his office from time to time. Nobody felt the need to ask him for help, despite their tables being filled to the brim with paperwork. Alex looked at his empty one with a smile. Shall they suit themselves.

The only interesting part was, when Rain decided to take mercy on him and talk for a bit. It was how Alex assured himself that they got no leads to his crime. And while he spoke a few comforting words to cheer his boss up, was his mind already scheming his next course of action.

Something more...spectacular.
---------

Exactly two weeks of quiet followed, were the keepers already expected for it to have been a one time gig. But they were fools. If the public had been astonished by the first recreation, so were they not prepared for the second.

The headquarters of the keepers were ablaze with keepers running around. A pair of bodies found in Westminster Abbey. Draped on the tiles upon golden fabric. Their mage robes just as extravagant. Black rectangles on the clothes of the taller man and a flowery pattern on the other. Their robes flowed over them like liquid gold. The two black-haired corpses looked almost like a piece of the divine. "The Kiss", on of the keepers recognised.

The ripped vaults stood mighty over the heads of the keepers. The clacking of boots echoes through the church. The muttering of voices was what Alex imagined a busy beehive to sound like, except that the people around him were hasting around more similar to ants. He had a right to be here, despite the snarky looks thrown his way. He came to a stop next to Rain.

"Verus.", the man said with a nod.

"Rain.", Alex returned.

They stood their for a while, taking in the scene before them. A sigh left the older man.

"I´m sure you will get them, Rain. Just because they were no leads the first time, doesn´t mean there won´t be any now. They will slip up eventually.", Alex consulted.

"I appreciate your optimism, Verus, but my gut feeling tells me something else. The time mage wasn´t able to find out anything useful, again. They still found no fingerprints, no left over hair or a footprint. Lets hope the autopsy reveals something useful. Anything, really."

Alex merely nodded along. A warm feeling spread through his chest, upon seeing his labour start to grow roots. A sapling about to breach the surface of the soil.

Pure electricity tingled beneath his fingertips, urging him to continue. To pick up the pace. To bare his soul to Morden and let him devour him whole.

Patience, he reminds himself, is a virtue. His fathers word rang in his ears and let him fasten the mask again. He had yet to step out of line. He doesn´t plan to do so.
------------

The appearance of his works became a two-weekly occurrence. The keepers started brooding over the case with more and more eagerness. Their faces hardened with resolve. They would catch this monster.

The victims, spanning from everyday people to even mages, confused the investigators. No pattern at how the victims are chosen. No ethnicity seemed relevant. From interpretations of paintings to own creations. The Fisherman and the Syren or just a corpse, which rips had been laid bare to the world. His chest cavity, empty of organs, but instead filled with lavender roses, red tulips and white lily's were the eyes should have been. As if the dead man was seeing the very beauty the flowers represent. The murder displays were not located in a contained area, but spanned over the entirety of the UK.

Alex knew how to cover up his traces in a game were he was two steps ahead for once. Only to be thrown into a losing one, when Archon stood before his door. He didn´t argue much with the man. He just wanted to get it over with and return to a more interesting task. He still had something to build after all.

They stepped into the warehouse, after the man had given Alex a few instructions. Six people waited for their arrival. Most likely Adepts, he thought.
Archon explained that Morden wouldn´t be able to join them today, which hadn´t found much approval within the group

"We want to speak with Morden.", one of them declared. Chest puffed out in defiance.

Alex felt something claw up his chest at the words. Who do they think they are? As if they have a right to Morden´s presence.

If someone Alex knew would have been here, he might have thought it more through. But everyone need a relief once in a while and keeping his mask up in front of everyone that matters, including those were he needs, but doesn´t want to, was exhausting at times.

His past few weeks had overall been a breeze. He gotten to talk more with Morden, after deeming it the right time to finally help him out in his office. Hiding his intentions in the disguise of providing intel to Talisid. Alex hadn´t told Morden a reason for his sudden change of pace, but was sure the older man thought that to be the case. Quite far off from the actual mark, but Alex promised Luna to be discreet and couldn´t be anything else, even if he desired to.

And now such a pesky man stood before him souring his mood. Archon tried to speak again. The futures showed Alex, that he would explain that Alex was Morden´s substitute, but he made his mind up and cut Archon off, before he could even start.

The indirect taunts forwards Anne from the aides, he brushed off every day, never left completely. The burning pit of anger that was closed by a steel door in his being, which allowed him to stay calm in situations were he shouldn´t, had been filled to the brim for months now. The threat of killing Luna by Levistus little attack dog, still hadn´t left his mind. The way his little fog cried, after finding out, nearly had ripped that door apart.

Training with Anne released some of that steam, but not nearly enough. Draping bodies for Morden´s gaze helped, but not enough. In the very back of his mind, there was a single thought, that this fire might never be extinguished. He wiped that idea from his mind. No need to bother with it now.

The comment, bordering on an order, had set something in Alex of that he tried to contain in his every waking moment. He was a calm person. Rather watching than jumping into action, if it can be avoided. He doesn´t have a problem with others trying to beat him down, but one of his treasures? Acting as if they are entitled to his treasure´s time?

Alex wasn´t a violent man...but he could be.

With three long steps was he in front of the other man, who dared utter the words. He gripped him by the collar and lifted him up. The mans feet dangled in the air, as Alex brought their faces closer. The mans eyes were blown wide. Five guns were pulled at his head by the others. Alex paid them no mind. Not everyone who wields a pistol is ready to shot it. He only had to worry about the woman and the man to his right. If he moved in the right way, they would shot each other on accident. Giving him enough time to level the battle field, if it came to it.

The man in his grip enclosed his wrists, trying to free himself. Alex shook him once. The group tensed.

"I will tell you this only once, so listen up.", Alex spoke in an icy voice, which stilled the mans erratic breathing. His unfavourably reputation certainly helped by intimating the adepts into compliance. They hung to his every word.

"If you believe yourself mighty enough to croon your head like that, why don´t we look how well you can do that having it impaled on the top of the Elizabeth Tower? I´m certain the audience will be more to your liking."

The man in his grip swallowed. His adam´s apple popping. A small nod and Alex released him. He landed with a thud on the floor. Alex stepped back next to Archon, watching as the group huddled together.

"That´s is one way to resolve it.", said the man next to him with his mechanic voice.

Alex merely clicked his tongue. He had hoped for a fight, but the face the other had made had been worth it.

He does not get a sick satisfaction from hurting others, like Crystal, but rather through knowledge. His curiosity had been able to be temporarily sedated by the anticipation of what expression the man would make next. How would he react? Which future path would he chose? Alex just likes to see what would happen.

Archon and the bigger part of the group went to a room in the back not shortly after. Alex stayed, levelling the remaining members with his gaze. A drop of sweat slowly descended down from one of their faces.

Alex, as always, patiently waited for the other mans return, so he could finally go back.

When he did come back, with the adepts in his tow, the other two were more than ready to leave. They practically fled to their fellow adepts. More than willing to finally take their eyes of Alex and make him someones else problem. And nightmare.

Trailing after Archon allowed him to finally feel a sense of joy again. They were finished with this waste of time. Without even being properly dismissed, because the man was about to say it anyway, Alex´s hand was in his pocket, fishing for his gate stone. He went through it with a brief wave as a goodbye. Alex got the feeling this wasn´t a one time gig after all.
-------------

The small case shut with a quiet click and Alex eyed his work one final time, before handing it to a waiting Hermes. Box and fox were gone the next moment. Alex hoped Morden liked it.

The wristwatch, that Alex spend the last few days crafting, had come together quite nicely. It had been a bit irritating to wear gloves throughout the whole process, but he doesn´t want to take the risk.

The black dyed leather for the watch strap was made out of alligator. Robust and durable. Most of the visible parts had a silver finish, to give it a colder look, but the main part were the hands. Delicately carved from human bone. Metacarpal bones to be exact. The irony made Alex smile. Even more so, with the thought who they belonged to. The keeper certainly won´t be able to withhold documents from Morden again.

He started revisiting his plan, now that he was another step further along it. He kept it up to provide Morden with pictures of the scenery's, that no other would ever get. Only meant for his eyes and the first to know of them, too. Alex made sure the letters would be by his mansion, before the bodies were discovered. Morden must know so by now, too, even if he can´t be bothered to notify the keepers.

That he might slowly start to become more extreme in his displays was a afterthought, not yet loud enough for him to be bother by. They certainly became a bit more gruesome in resent weeks. A result of his encounter with Lightbringer and Zilean. And Talisid inability to do something about it. He certainly planned to take matters into his own hands now, but not just yet. It would be to obvious.

Maybe he loses his grip on his lessons. Alex frowned. Since when would that be? But alas, had he ever had a good grip on them in the first place? He told himself so, yes, but did it match reality?

The first time he actively realised that he might not be normal after all, was when he had been about four years old. The memory had engraved itself into his mind.

He had been playing in a nearby park. Climbing through bushes, picking up sticks, just to throw them around, all while his mothers watchful gaze looked at him from the pathway. And than he found it. She still had looked pretty at the time, even for a rotten cat. His hand had reached out to pet her, but his curiosity got the better of him soon enough. Small fingers pried at fur that was ripped near her stomach, pulling it aside. A eager hand reached inside. It smelled bad, but the young Alex couldn´t have cared less. His hand came back with a slight brownish fluid and Maggots on his skin. He wanted to put his hand back, see what else he´d find, but his mother, who had lost sight off him, found him before he was able to. A muffled scream tore itself from her throat and she had grabbed him by the arm, pulling him away.

"Alex.", she said in a hushed voice.

His mother had never screamed at him, but just the way she said his name, at the time, was worst than any spat words could have ever been. Void of the loving tone it once harboured and replaced by disgust. Alex hadn´t liked that voice. He hadn´t wanted to hear it, so when his mother told him that this was bad and how to behave instead, Alex listened. He hadn´t understood why it was bad, but ignored the resulting confusion, by simply following his mothers words.

And it worked! After she saw him act as she said, her voice started to sound like it used to do. So Alex kept going, following his parents words. Acting like they wanted him to, even when his first visions of the future threatened to tear his mind apart. He kept being nice and kind. At the end it had just became a habit for him to fall into. Ignore what his minds tells him it wants and rather follow his lessons.

Up to a certain point, it went smoothly, but than came the looming task of his first kill during his apprenticeship. Everything his parents have ever told him went against it. Every lesson he followed contradicted the task ahead. There was no bending of a few words here and there to make it work.

And so he refused, because a habit is the hardest thing to break, once it settles into your very bones.

It was miserable and there was no comfort in having done the supposed "right thing", because he couldn´t understand why it was considered that.

Maybe the consequences of that day made him stop seeing his lessons as an almost religious mantra to tell himself, and rather as a suggestion. He kept up with them, but not always. Not when there was more to lose, than to gain, by following them.

A sigh slipped past Alex´s lips. His look on the futures became sloppier by the second and his eyelids started dropping. Having his calendar stuffed to the brim, without a days rest, started taking his toll on him. But whenever he thinks about crossing something off, the only things he could take out were his times spend with his friends. And that wouldn´t do.

A yawn stretched his features. No use for anything if he is so tired. Alex stood up with a crack from his back. The reward of sitting to long in a not recommended position.
-----------------------

Alex´s tongue was bitten bloody, when he saw Morden the next day. A better alternative, than jumping at the older man, because there it was. Fastened on the man´s wrist was his present. His heart shuddered, whenever he glanced over in the futures towards the other, on their way from the Star Chamber.

He couldn´t help himself anymore, after he worked through two stacks of paperwork and excused himself to the bathroom. Alex clothes were to tight and hot. He wandered along the corridors, following the path his future self had scouted out. The restroom was empty as he stepped inside and there wouldn´t be anyone coming in for at least a few minutes. He closed the stall door behind himself with a click and leaned against it.

His body pulsed with longing and he could feel his cock arching to be touched. Already leaving a dent in his trousers.

Morden had accepted his gift. The festering pieces of doubt that had clung to his mind, and believed Morden to be uninterested, after all, dissolved. The nagging thought, that he just threw his pictures away, crumbled to pieces. Morden wearing his offering was the best show of accepting his courtship, than anything else. At least outside of his mind, because its opinions about it differed.

Alex swiftly opened the buttons on his pants. The ´different´ scenarios provided by his mind fuelled the fire in his stomach like gasoline. He pulled his cock free. The tip already coated in a few drops of precum.

Alex unceremoniously spit into the palm of his hand, grabbing his length. A sigh of relieve pushed past his lips, while his hand slowly stroked him. He rested his head against the door and picked up the speed. A flicker of his wrist had him groaning in the quiet of the restroom. His hips moved slightly to meet his hand.

His imagination went wild. Images of being bend over a office desk, legs spread wide to give Morden better access. Sitting in a chair with the other bouncing on his lap. Pressed against the wall of a shower. Hot water trickling down his skin, just like Morden´s tongue. Having his own leave wet traces along the older mans abdomen, coating his cock with spit.

His hand started to move more erratic, as his nerves started to set themselves ablaze. Alex´s mind wasn´t able to put two thoughts together anymore. His legs wobbled beneath him and he panted.

His orgasm crashed into him with a vigour, he hadn´t experienced before. Alex´s vision went white for a second and his shaking body slid down to the floor.

Heaving a breath after another, he was able to finally calm himself enough to clean up, button his trousers and get back to work. Remnants of his fantasy's still ghosted through his mind as he sat back down in Morden´s office.

The man´s gaze rested on him for a moment. Prying. His aide had been gone for a quite a few minutes and the nearest restroom wasn´t far after all.

"I meet Julia on my way.", Alex elaborated, "The issue with the database, again. She tried to coax me in a discussion about it. Certainly was hard to put her off."

Morden gave a short nod. Accepting the explanation.

Alex just hoped the other would think his slightly dishevelled state came from a supposed heated argument with the other aide, than from anything else.

They kept working in silence after that, with Alex stealing glance towards Morden through the futures, again. He was a normal man. And sometimes a simple one, too.
-------------------------

The keepers were running around like a flock of headless chicken. Trying to find clues that won´t be there, even after turning their papers for the tenth time. Alex kept himself ahead of them at all times, which turned into an easy task. He sat right at the source.

Their department were all called to a meeting, regarding the issue of the killing spree, that they were incapable to contain.

The amount of auras overwhelmed Alex for a brief moment, while stepping into the stuffed room. Rain and Landis stood at the front, next to the white screen for the projector. The fire mage noticed him and gave him a curt nod. Alex offered on back.

He found a space along the left wall. The seats having seemingly been all taken since a while. A cadence of murmurs drove itself into his ears. He didn´t even bother to look ahead in the futures. There were just to many possibility's laying ahead, that it would be a futile attempt to grasp them.

The tension in the air was thick and Rain cleared his throat. The rumbling quieted down a bit. His boss mustered the present keepers.

"I will go under the assumption that everyone here knows why this meeting takes place. As of now, there had been over a dozen dead bodies we discovered. The youngest died only at the age of nineteen."

And Rain failed to mention what a relief for humanity his death was. Alex pursed his lips. The boy had been misogyny personified.

"Most of the later ones have been found to be in a completely disfigured state. We are dealing with a person, if you can even call them that, which doesn´t shy away from atrocious and beastly acts. They kill their victims in their homes without remorse. Using a unknown artefact to deter any attempts of a time mage giving intel about the killer."

Alex was still happy that he had kept the little watch in his collection. Now it even earned itself its own cushion inside of his spare vault, also called the hole under a tree.

"They leave no trace behind, neither physically, nor digitally. The only connection we can gather from between each murder, is its way of displaying dead people without shame and and having a similar overall topic. Love.", Rain spat the last word, like it was poison on his tongue.

The room was quiet now. Not a single whisper broke through the air. Sternly looks were focused at the two man in the front. Landis took an inhale.

"We know that there are many things each single one of you has been tasked to do, but I hope that you all are willing to bear this load as well. Even if it´s just by reading one the papers, to give a new perspective. Everything helps. All of you can help. And faced with a new victim to include with the others, I hope for all of your support to bring that monster to its knees and give them the punishment they deserve."

Landis´ words were meet with many nods and approving mutters. But Alex´s mind drowned all the new sounds out, while one thing stuttered through his head.

New victim.

Alex hadn´t presented his latest piece yet. Did someone copy him? Take his work, to sell as his own and ruin months of hard work? Jeopardise his courtship? He was seething. His blood rushed in his ears, as he made his way towards Rain and motioned him that he likes to speak to him.

"Yes, Verus?"

"May I take a look, Rain? I want to know what it is this time."

The older man only saw what Alex wanted him to see. A keeper torn by such tragic events, with a mind that won´t settle, before it caught a glimpse of what that monster created. A fellow keeper that seeks vengeance with just as much vigour as him.

Rain nodded and walked towards the laptop on the desk next to Landis. He clicked a few times and stepped back. Alex moved closer. Eyes gazing upon the screen before him.

And he could have cried. His vision even started to blur. His heart shuttered failing to keep up with the glee cursing through his veins. Bared before him laid the part of his soul that must have been separated from him by Zeus. There was no other explanation for it.

Pinned upon a wall stood two figures. One encircled the others waist with his arm, while using the other limp to reach towards a bolt on the door. The second man bared his neck to his lover. Both were in suits, but the top buttons of the half seated one, were undone. Revealing the pale skin laying beneath it. And on the wall they stood at, painted in blood, which had already started to turn dark, were written three simple words.

´for my Beloved´

Only Morden could have made this. Alex was certain.

His precognition warned him of the hand that was placed on his shoulder a few moments later.

"It is tragic, I know.", Rain commented.

"Yeah.", Alex replied numb. To mesmerised by the sight to realise that his Boss had mistaken his tears for sadness.

"The Bolt" by Fragonard crossed Alex´s mind. Sure that it had been the inspiration.

He left the meeting a few minutes later. Not capable to do anything but sit down and stare ahead in his shadow realm.

He imagined how Morden would have looked like, draping the bodies on the wall. Driving metal rods through their flesh and pining them into position. Alex´s face flushed red.

No more bothered by once followed lessons or plans out of his sight, were he is meant to play a part in.

His head could only provide him with images of Morden. Alex didn´t mind.
-------------

Alex walked down the path towards Morden´s mansion. Barely contained excitement bubbling beneath his skin. The older man doesn´t know who his admirer is. The one able to make a foul out of the keepers. Stay undetected even against their best attempts. Invade the homes of mages and kill them there without leaving a trace behind.

Alex had wanted to present himself in the best way and one thing diviners are able to excel at is in assassinations. Staying in the shadows, away from prying eyes and striking when a lethal hit is guaranteed.

He wouldn´t reveal himself. Not for a few more weeks. Maybe it was cowardly, but Alex also had never had a problem to run away like squirrel if the situation calls for it.

His shoes thudded against the tiles, as he stepped in. Morden would expect him in his office. The layout hadn´t change since the last time that Alex had been here and finding the way was possible even without his divination.

His knuckles rasped against the wooden door, before taking a hold of the handle and entering.

The room was comfortably warm. Morden looked up from his desk, while Alex stood on the other side.

"Verus.", did he greet him.

"Morden.", Alex gave him a nod, "You requested my assistance?"

"I did indeed.", the man said. Gaze never leaving Alex. "One of the balls the council loves so much will be held in a few weeks. I need you to answer the invitation letters. All you need is over there."

He sat down on the couch, that Morden had motioned towards and started writing. Because of course does everyone and their mother send a separated invitation to ask if the death mage is attending. At least there was already a filled out one by Morden, at which Alex could orientate himself.

Every note of thanks was written in cursive and even as his hand started to ache, he tried to keep his words tidy. Morden laid his own pen down and walked over to Alex at some point. Watching while the other wrote. He leaned a bit closer. The taller man halted in his movements.

"Are they not to your satisfaction, Morden? Shall I try to give it more squiggles?", Alex inquired.

The short flare in his precognition was all the warning he got, before Morden´s hand was resting on his nape. Warm fingers splayed along the curve of his neck. He swallowed and tried to hide his twitching fingers.

"You have a nice handwriting, Verus.", whispered the older man in his ear.

When had he gotten so close?

"Thank you. I tried my best."

A thump caressed his skin. Morden hummed. It was a deep rumble in his chest.

"There was question on my mind lately, I´m sure you could answer me, Verus."

Alex looked at Morden. Pupils blown wide, with a sinking feeling in his stomach, as he gazed upon the futures.

"What is your pet fox´s favourite treat, my beloved?"

Alex mouth was dry and he was to occupied in his own thoughts to be able to see what would happen next.

Morden moved forward. Capturing the others lips with his own. A startled sound escaped him, before his mind caught up to the situation and set his nerves ablaze. His hands shot out, gripping black hair and pulling the older man closer. Morden´s legs hit the edge of the couch. He let himself fall towards the other.

Their kiss deepened, becoming more a clash of teeth and tongue. They plunged into each others mouths. Saliva mixing. Breathes mingling. Alex bit into Morden´s lip, till he tasted blood. A groan left the man and he returned the sentiment.

Their hands roamed over their clothed bodies, trailing along hidden muscles and curves. Morden moved his head to Alex´s neck, leaving a trail of bites in his wake. But wherever teeth broke skin, a gentle press of soft lips were given to the spot, before he moved on. Alex gave him more access by craning his slender neck backwards. The death mage hands gripped around it, pulling the taller man upwards by it. They stood chest to chest before each other.

Alex gaze flickered over the others.

"How?", he asked and was rewarded with a smile stretching across Morden´s face.

"Your little friend certainly made a habit of visiting my at breakfast and you are sometimes covered in matching orange fur. It is not a hard conclusion to come to."

A crooked smile spread from his lips. The downfall of his plan had been Hermes´ inability to resist the chance of an extra treat. Bloody traitor. A laugh bubbled out from Alex´s throat. He surged forwards again, bending down to meet the smaller man. Their arms embraced each other, neither wanting to let go.

Slender fingers found their way towards Morden´s waistcoat, unbuttoning it efficiently. His blouse fell victim to Alex´s hands next, gliding of the man´s shoulders and landing in a heap on the carpet. The palm of his hands caressed burning skin, felt the muscles twitch in anticipation at his touch.

Morden retreated from their jointed lips. His eyes gazed up towards Alex.

"Would you rather transfer this to the bedroom? I can´t imagine that the couch would be comfortable."

Alex nodded pressing their lips together, just before sturdy hands grabbed his thighs, hoisting him up. The younger man´s hands weaved through strands of hair, as they made their way towards the bedroom. Barely allowing each other a break to breath.

There was no need for words. Alex had laid his soul bare for the other and Morden done just the same. Presented each other with the creatures that hide behind their human skin. Appreciating the twisted folds of their minds. Ravelling in it. The only thing not yet shared where their body's, which would change soon enough, as Morden dropped Alex onto his bed.

His hands stripped the t-shirt from Alex´s body, letting his fingers roam the vast surface of the taller man. An eager grip opened Morden´s buckle, letting his trousers drop to the floor in the next moment. The older man pulled away from Alex for a moment discarding shoes and socks without a care. He moved towards his bedside table, while the other stripped himself bare.

Morden took the bottle of lube from the drawer, moving onto the bed, after discarding his boxers, where Alex was waiting for him. Laying on his stomach, long legs stretched over the blanket. The man knelled before the diviner. Their gazes fluttered over each others body. Assessing.

"I won´t be able to just take you. Is that correct?", asked Morden, as if he hadn´t known the answer already.

"Not without a proper fight, yes."

Morden´s grin stretched further, as he squeezed a bit lube onto the man´s palm. He put some into his own, too. Alex coated his fingers with hit, rubbing it a bit, to heat up. He turned to lay on his back, letting his hand trail down. He ignored his already weeping cock and ventured further. Letting his first finger circle his hole for a moment. His breath shuddered, as he pushed the same one in.

Morden bent forward, face hovering over Alex´s. They stared into the depths of the other´s eyes, before a moan slipped past Morden´s reddened lips, as he, too, slipped a finger into himself. Their pleasured breathes where shared in the small space between them. Alex moved his head, capturing the dark mage´s lips with his own. Their groans were fed to one another, as their mouths refuse to let up from their lover.

They worked their fingers into themselves. Air growing in anticipation. Alex finally deemed himself ready and pulled them out. Waiting, while Morden rested his forehead on his. Breathing out small puffs of air. Than Morden moved his hand back.

Alex´s muscles twitched. Tendons pulled taut. His mind raced through the possible futures. They shifted constantly and then...there. And Morden pounced.

His hands shot towards the others shoulders, attempting to keep him pressed against the sheets, but Alex saw it coming. He pulled his torso to the side, avoiding them and used his own hands to topple Morden over, by gripping the back of his thighs and pulling up. A shift of his weight had Morden descending down into the mattress. But the older man used his lifted knee to buried it in the younger´s stomach. There hadn´t been enough room for Alex to move out of the way. The air left his body. Morden´s grip was around his waist now, throwing him to the side. He pulled the other´s legs over his shoulder, settling behind him.

Alex kicked his leg downward. Bashing his heel in the others back, all while a joyful laugh bubbled up his throat. His heart was racing and pleasure crawled its way through his body. His cock twitched, as Morden folded him further in half. The older man secured the pair of legs with a strong arm, setting his free hand onto Alex´s chest in a closed fist.

Magic flared up in it, while resting over the diviners heart. A threat. A permanent smile had chiselled itself into Morden´s face. Alex subdued his thrashing. His eyelids fluttered close, as he felt the tip of the death mage´s length enter him. Slowly being pushed further inside. Morden started to leave love bites along his calves. They groaned in unison, when the older man bottomed out.

The man rocked his hips, slowly picking up speed. Alex´s fingers dug into the sheets, while a blazing heat started building in his groin. Morden put his weight further forward, to get a different angle. A slight move of his own hips and Alex saw stars dance across his vision. Animalistic sounds were dragged out from him, only muffled by Morden´s lips on his own.

"My beloved.", was muttered into Alex´s ear, letting a moan slip from his mouth.

The pressure inside of him was building up. Morden moved his arms, putting his hands next to the others head. Alex smiled. And than punched Morden in his face.

The slight disorientation of his lover, allowed him to grab towards his discarded pants, which still laid on the bed. He pulled a hidden knife out and just as Morden´s fingers tried to grab him, he used his height to his advantage. Flipping the dark mage onto his stomach, letting the blade of the knife rest against the skin of his neck. Morden tried to move, only to be greeted with steel nicking him. A wet droplet ran down his neck.

Alex pressed a kiss to his nape, while using his free hand to guide Morden´s legs further apart.

Alex had warned him, but he certainly doesn´t mind the slip up on his part. Even if he had enough room between himself and the knife, would the diviner behind him know if he tried to pull up his shield. Seems like that they got a winner. He arched his back in invitation and Alex eagerly complied.

He pushed himself inside, not quite as gentle as Morden had been. Burning heat enveloped his cock and a groan rumbled through his chest. He picked up the pace, gripping Morden by the hip with his free hand. The death mage´s sounds were just like chimes in his ears. he couldn´t get enough.

His lips kissed him along the shoulders, leaving small bites behind. Alex gaze noticed Morden´s hands, digging into the pillows. He released the others hip and intertwined their fingers. A sob like noise left Morden and he twisted his head to the side. Their lips stole each others breath away. Tongues exploring rows of teeth. Morden´s hips moved to meet his thrusts.

Alex knew just how to angle himself, to make a mess out of the other, and ravelled in the sight. He realised, with a quick look into the futures, that Morden was close. He dared to release his grip on the handle of the knife and bring his hand between the others legs. His fingers dragged their way over the older man´s length. Alex´s mouth moved to Morden´s shoulder and buried his teeth into the soft flesh. Sweet blood coated his tongue and made his eyes roll back. A scream tore from Morden, as his orgasm crashed into him. Body going rigid. Alex followed him a few thrusts later, with his body going limp over the other.

Morden started to stir, so Alex slipped out. The older man beneath him turned around to face him and the diviner merely settled down again. Head resting on the man´s chest. The death mages chest rumbled with a deep laughter. Fingers started to trail through strands of his hair. A pleased humming left his throat.

They laid there for a while, basking in the afterglow.
But Morden was, to quick for Alex´s liking, insisting on a shower.

"Or I will rat you out to the keepers.", Alex´s lover threatened, earning a gentle kiss from the diviner.

"Such a cruel monster.", he commented, as they moved towards the bathroom.

Thick steam filled the room a few minutes later. Droplets of warm water glide over their skin, while their hands mapped out each others body. Light touches tracing long healed scars. The water started to get cold, when they finally released the other from their embrace.

They settled into Morden´s bed for the night, never completely letting go from one another. Drifting of into sleep encircled in their arms and bodies pressed flush together. Hearts only separated by rips and flesh.