Mikhailo’s sleep was restless as the weight of the day weighed heavy on his conscience. It was only Ayden’s first day, and there were already students in the infirmary. Albeit, part of him felt like they got what they deserved. He shifted, tossing and turning in his bed before he got up. Sweat dripped from his face as he stepped into the hallway. He stared at the door in front of him and softly cursed. He had originally, in good faith, offered to host the new arrival for the first few months of them settling into their new life and position. But it was also to keep a close eye on them. This whole arrangement between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts was shaky at best. The creation of the Court of Fae was unsteady, but it needed to work if there was to be true peace. But not everyone wanted peace. If he would have known it was Ayden, he would have never offered, not in a million years. This was extremely dangerous in more ways than one. He quietly made his way out to the living room.

“Can’t sleep?” Ayden called out to him from his position on the couch in the corner of the room closest to the wide sliding glass doors.

Mikhailo startled slightly before letting out an exhale, “What are you doing?”

Ayden’s eyes wandered over Mikhailo’s bare chest, more specifically the intricate floral patterns marked over his chest with green ink, “Enjoying the view.” His eyes shifted up to meet Mikhailo’s gaze.

The Seelie’s face flushed, causing Ayden to grin and motion up towards the sky. It wasn’t technically a sky. It was the ceiling of a cave, riddled with glowing stalactites. The Otherdark was home to thousands of bioluminescent plant life and rocks. It was a sort of pocket dimension within the Fae realm, but it wasn’t considered a part of Faerie. It was the world underneath it all. No sun. No moon. No sky. For all intents and purposes, it was a neutral realm where Seelie and Unseelie could both reside. They hadn’t since the Darkest Night, until now. The Unseelie tended to stay in their corner of the world in Faerie, just like the Seelie did the same. This was unprecedented. It was awkward. Scary.

Mikhailo cleared his throat, “Is this your first time in the Otherdark?” He questioned, crossing his arms against his chest to try and cover as much of his bare skin as possible.

Ayden’s eyes drifted towards the sky, “I used to come here with my mother to study the wildlife. There are many interesting beasts down here. Dangerous.” His tongue seemed to linger on the last word he spoke. He was wearing an open cotton button down shirt and cotton pants, all white. All of his black occult tattoos shamelessly on display.

“How did you know it was me?” Mikhailo had to know as he suddenly shifted the conversation in a different direction.

Ayden smirked as he looked back and met Mikhailo’s gaze. “The way you talked to me, your gestures and mannerisms.” He paused as if for dramatic effect, “Those thoughts in your head.” His tone was oddly suggestive, which caused Mikhailo to audibly shudder.

“You don’t know what I’m thinking.” He managed to say.

“You’re scared of me being here.” His eyes darkened, and his voice became thicker. “Good. You should be.”

“Are you threatening me?” Mikhailo’s muscles tensed as his stern, authoritative tone came out.

“Yes.” Ayden rose to his feet, “And that excites you.” He grinned cockily.

“No. Enough, I don’t want you here.” His voice fluctuated from the tension.

“We don’t always get what we want, do we?” There was a double, if not triple, meaning behind his choice of words.

Mikhailo was so caught up in Ayden’s words that he failed to notice that he couldn’t move his legs. Until it was too late, he looked down as shadows danced and swirled around his legs, holding him in place. His eyes darted back to Ayden to see his fingers twirling and swirling like he was shifting a coin in between them. 

“What are you doing?” Mikhailo’s heart began to race in his chest as Ayden stepped towards him with an intense look in his eyes. “Ayden.” He added as a shiver ran up and down his spine.

“Again.” was all he said in response.

“What?” Mikhailo’s entire body was trembling softly.

Ayden was standing directly in front of him now. “Say my name again.”

Mikhailo swallowed, “Ayden.”

Ayden growled in appreciation; this close, it was easier to see his sharp upper and lower canines as he smiled. He suddenly grabbed Mikhailo’s throat under his chin, causing him to gasp.

“I could still break you, so easily.” His voice was a harsh whisper.

“L-let go.” Mikhailo’s trembling heightened.

The Unseelie leaned in close, their bodies brushing as Ayden’s lips, then teeth grazed Mikhailo’s ear, “Never.” He squeezed momentarily before he let go, the shadows retreating as he promptly left back to his room like nothing had happened.

Mikhailo’s legs gave out as he crashed to the floor, gasping for air with shaking and nervous breaths. The places Ayden touched tingled and burned. His leg muscles ached, and his heart felt like it was going to explode. He gripped the floor with shaking hands and twitching fingers. He remained like that for several moments before he was able to collect himself. He went back to his room, where he stayed staring at the ceiling for the rest of the night. Sleepless.