Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ben's Note of Sheer Benliness: Ok, so Ben had an idea after reading a fanfic (which recently turned M, unfortunately.) Anywho, basically, I was thinking it over… and I was just stuck on the main plot point: how far would you go to save someone you loved? And thus, this! I figured Kittystair is great… but I needed to focus on another couple. So, Cupid/Dexter!

Now then, this takes place sometime during the recovery arc in my Kittystair story. (I know, same universe, multiple plot lines that branch off of each other. Cray-cray!) Dexter and Cupid are together at this point, as mentioned in the other fic. Now then, let's get started!

Prologue: Ordinary

It was an ordinary day for Cupid and Dexter. Cupid stood by Dexter's locker while Dexter seemed to be chatting away. However, Cupid did seem to be paying much attention. Instead, she seemed to be dreamily staring at Dexter.

"Cupid? Hello?"

"Huh, what?! I'm paying attention!" Cupid said, jumping into alert mood. Dexter chuckled while Cupid blushed embarrassed. "Sorry… I was just admiring how you look," she said, going a deeper shade of red.

Dexter smiled and kissed his girlfriend. "It's alright," he said. "I do that to you sometimes too." Cupid blushed an even deeper shade of red, making Dexter chuckle even more. "Seriously, you are the best girlfriend ever."

"Well… you're the best boyfriend ever," Cupid said blushing even more.

Dexter simply shrugged. "Eh, I'm just a simple guy who screws up a lot," he said. "I'd hardly call that being a good boyfriend."

"Pfft, are you kidding? You always make me feel warm inside, Dexty. Because I love you," she said. Dexter smirked, making Cupid blush. "What?"

"I knew that. I just wanted to hear you say it again," he said and kissed her. "I love you too Cupid."

"Ooo! Are we ditching making out in private now!" Maddie said, randomly appearing from nowhere. Cupid and Dexter quickly pulled apart and they both blushed. Maddie continued to grin. "I see how it is. Let me know when the gushy romance stuff continues," she said and slowly began to move away.

Cupid and Dexter shared a look. "Where the heck did she come from?" Cupid asked.

"No idea… she's mad," Dexter shrugged.

A while later, Dexter sighed as he entered his dorm room. A perfect, ordinary day. Great grades, Cupid was his girlfriend, and simply nothing else got in his way. He'd be willing to bet that the day was a complete success.

Dexter was about to go get ready for bed when he noticed something on his desk. Curious, he walked over to it to find it was a note. He cocked his head and read over it. It read as follows:

Dexter,

You and Cupid interest me. You may not know me… but I know you. Quite well, actually. You're Cupid's boyfriend. I know Cupid well. But enough of that… the point. I found that your love is binding, greater than everything else in the world…

I want it crushed.

For you see, I feed on the hate of the world. The blackness, the wretched self-hate, and the pain. All of it allows me to live and continue living. This love… is tearing me apart from the inside. Therefore… it must end. To do so… I'm going to kill her.

Dexter froze at that point of the note. Who the heck was this guy? And… why was he targeting him and Cupid? This couldn't be happening…

However, I'm a fair man. I want to see how far you would go to save her. And therefore… I devised a little test. Seven tests. You see, love is great… but sin is greater. Seven sins, seven trials. Is love greater? I doubt it is, but I'll allow you to try.

Quite simple: I have seven hearts. Every trial is connected to my heart. Complete a trial, one heart dies. Complete all seven, I die, and you're free to live your life with Cupid.

However… fail a trial… and one of Cupid's hearts goes. And last I checked, she only had one. More reason not to fail a trial, now isn't it?

I'll give you till tomorrow to answer. Simply say you are ready. I'll know what your answer is. I'll be waiting eagerly.

Sincerely,

The Witchdoctor

P.S. Tell anyone, including her, and she's dead.

Dexter stood reading and rereading the letter. The Witchdoctor. He wasn't any fairy tale Dexter knew… but he didn't seem like a very good guy. Dexter looked at the note again.

The Witchdoctor threatened to kill Cupid.

Dexter had to endure seven trials to save her.

If Dexter failed, Cupid died anyway.

Dexter looked at the note and nodded. He knew what he had to do.

Cupid yelped as she heard a knock on her door. She shoved something inside a drawer as she looked at the door to see Dexter walk inside. She offered him a fake smile. "Hey Dexter," she said nervously. "What's up?"

"I just… needed to ask you something," Dexter said. "If… something came up… and I had to risk it all to do something important, would you trust me that everything would be ok?"

Cupid looked into Dexter's eyes. If Dexter wasn't mistaken, she looked older than she was inside her eyes. He wondered if he looked the same, after reading what he just read.

Cupid smiled, a tear falling from her eye. "I trust you Dexty," she said. "I trust you with my life if… you trust me with yours."

Dexter offered her a sad smile. "Of course Cupid. I trust you more than anyone," he said. "I just needed to know. I'll see you later."

Dexter left her room, leaving Cupid alone. Cupid waited a moment before pulling out a scrap of paper, the one she stuffed in the draw earlier.

Cupid,

I do believe you know me, my dear. You may not remember me, as you were a baby… but I certainly remember you. And guess what? You sicken my existence. Therefore… I'm going to get you back for tormenting me for existing. By killing Dexter.

I feel as though this will get back at you for haunting me. Murder the one you love. You are the adopted daughter of the love god, correct? I figure this would hurt you more than anything.

I'm not totally heartless though. I'm willing to give you a chance to save your boyfriend Cupid. You must pass seven trials for the seven sins. Love is lesser than sin. Here's the deal: pass a trial, one of my seven hearts dies. Pass all seven, I die, and you can live your life with Dexter without me bothering you.

Fail a trial, however, and one of Dexter's hearts dies. He only has one, so I suggest you don't fail.

I'll give you till tomorrow to decide if Dexter dies by my hand or not. Just say you wish to begin, and you shall. I'll hear you.

Sincerely,

The Witchdoctor

Cupid didn't know who this person was, or why he was threating her. But she knew one thing that Dexter just confirmed. She and Dexter both looked up and nodded. "I have to save him/her," they said at the same time.

BN: There we go! I know it's pretty dark, but I know how not to go over the M rating. Maybe. For now, it's T. Just a warning, I don't know if it'll get worse. But still, it'll be cute! Dark, but cute! Just be wary, mmkay?

Like? Hate? Meh? Let me know via review!