Undead Plans

Julie's cry of delight still echoed in their brains when the pair arrived at Jelly Wood's trailer in Tokyo that afternoon. Their ride home had flown by; Kyoko's rapture over finding out Kuon was indeed her Kuon twice-over - fairy prince and the original Hizuri son she'd imitated - had ricocheted joyfully around the car's interior for the duration. She'd been too busy fantasizing about the power of fairy magic bringing them together over and over again to even bother to ask realistic questions like how on earth they would clear their schedules for the upcoming trip. Kuon didn't mind at all, grateful for the respite from an expected interrogation about his reaction to the music video shoot. He kept catching her hand mid-exuberant swing, drawing it tenderly to his lips for a soft kiss before setting her limb free to wave in ecstasy once more. Her childlike joy was contagious and he felt himself being swept up in believing perhaps every meeting was ordained by magic.

To him, though, how she came to be by his side didn't matter nearly as much as working out the details on how to keep her there. Forever. Kuon reached for the Muse's door, ready to escort the still-rhapsodizing Kyoko inside when it slammed open in his face with a bang. A whoosh of white fog leaked out of the trailer, creeping down the steps to swirl densely around their feet. The parking garage lights flickered, more fog pouring ominously out of every visible light fixture and water drainage.

"Kuon-" Kyoko gasped, clinging to his sleeve as a dark figure emerged onto the top step of Miss Wood's trailer. He firmed his stance, holding his arm out to protectively shield Kyoko from the spectre. His body tensed as he watched the apparition on the stairs for any sudden movements, ready to counter. He could feel her grip loosen on his arm and glanced at her. She was standing calmly, her head cocked in question as she seemed to analyze the dark figure. "No malice…" she whispered, looking intently at the shadow. "...President?"

Kuon's eyes snapped away from her to the figure on the steps. A booming cackle echoed forth; the dark cape swirled wide; Lory Takarada did a one-two step down the short staircase to prance over to their side, dressed to the hilt as an undead vampire lord. "Kyoko," he said, his normally suave voice distorted slightly by long, white fangs pressing against his lower lip. "How vunderful!" Lory's eyes gleamed a dark ruby red in the flickering lights as he stepped closer still, tracing his finger over her short blonde hair. "I've been expecting you." A mischievous glint made his eyes sparkle as he slanted his head to look at Kuon. "You too," he said, pausing dramatically. "I vant to…"

"Dye your hair, Darling, dye your hair!" Miss Woods called from the trailer. "Stop messing with them where he could be seen, dearest."

Lory smirked, swirling his cape around the pair as he ushered them inside. "I have covered them vith my darkness, Ten," he proclaimed. "Protecting their love from the light of day!" He cackled again, coughing slightly this time. Lory shook his head and spat out the fake teeth, frowning at them in his hand. He tossed them over his shoulder into the mist. Ruto popped out at the last moment to catch them on a pillow before disappearing back into the mist. "Enough darkness," Lory said, clapping. Rose-colored light filled the trailer. Lory's skin glistened and shone under the light as he threw he cloak down onto the couch with a dramatic wrist flick. A set of wine glasses with roses entwined around the stem emerged from the side panel of the trailer, already filled. Lory took one and sipped, humming appreciatively. He gestured for Kuon to take one, then handed Kyoko one with a different color rose. "Juice," he said, winking.

Lory settled into a plush black sofa, his arms stretched languidly across the scroll-worked back as he watched Miss Woods dive into her prep work on Kuon. Kuon said nothing, merely eyeing Lory's unusually sparkly skin. He was tempted to ask as Lory had never assumed such a dark character previously, but couldn't force himself to risk an outpouring of enthusiastic praise for some heretofore unknown LoveMon aspect of vampiric culture.

"It was my suggestion," Jelly said, smiling at Kuon's puzzled expression in the mirror. "He was in such a tizzy of moe when his old friend called to tell him his son was dating his true love that I had to tone him down somehow before he exploded. Undead seemed both appropriately macabre and delightful looking!" She ended with a squeal as she focused on Lory in the mirror, obviously trying to hold herself back from jumping on him.

"Son?" Kyoko squeaked, almost choking on her juice.

"True love?" Kuon gasped, jerking his head around and earning a gentle whack of reprimand from Jelly.

"Exactly! You see the problem— total trigger words for Darling; isn't that right?" She smiled at Lory flirtatiously.

Lory smirked in reply, rising slowly to glide over to Kyoko's side. "Kuu's dear son," he purred. Kyoko's eyes widened, darting to Miss Woods. Had they revealed the full truth to her? "Dating Tsuruga Ren." Kyoko collapsed slightly, panting with relief. Jelly's ears visibly perked up.

"Kuu's son?" she said, watching Kyoko with glimmering eyes in the mirror. "Hizuri-san?"

"I- yes," Kyoko stammered. "He asked me to play his son as training, only a simple exercise."

"And he officially informally adopted her afterwards!" Lory said, throwing his arms wide. "Isn't it glorious, Ten?"

Miss Woods smiled genuinely at Kyoko. "I'm not surprised. So that's why you've asked me to prepare disguises for them as well. I couldn't quite grasp their connection to Tragic Marker or either of you two." Lory winked at Kyoko conspiratorially. Kyoko's mind was spinning, trying to keep up with each new utterance from Jelly Woods. "But preparing the costumes for the parents of Cain and Setsuka was exactly the type of challenge the Muse lives for!"

Kuon's eyes met Kyoko's in a flash.

"Cain and Setsu?" Their voices rose in surprised outburst together.

"But-"

"President, I-"

Lory patted the air with his hands as more fog rose into the room. Miss Woods brushed away creeping tendrils from her face as she worked, pulling out dark brown contacts and black hair dye.

"Kuu told me all. It's absolutely perfect," Lory said, the glimmer in his eyes matching the shine on his skin. "I've entered Tragic Marker in the London BFI Film Festival and the judges were ecstatic. Even more so when they heard the villain would be available for interviews and photo-ops." He paused, his pose gaining greater drama as he slowly looked up toward the ceiling, raising his arm as if beckoning something forth.

"Cain Heel," he said, his voice low. He turned to Kuon, extending his hand in summoning. He stood still, his manner grave before suddenly cracking into a smile. "I wouldn't think you'd need your good luck charm anymore, though. But now she's become an intrinsic part of your character." Neither missed the glee flashing in his undead eyes as he walked to Miss Wood's side and pulled Setsu's wig out of a jet black box. He held it up in front of Kyoko and visibly started to squee out moe.

"Darling," Miss Woods said lovingly. "The plan."

"Yes, yes," Lory shook himself slightly, replacing the wig and adjusting his costume. "We do a formal release and reveal upon your return. The extra exposure from the BFI is exactly what Tragic Marker needs to become a once-in-a-generation smash." He turned to Kuon, whose hair was already swathed in dark dye. "You could become anyone you wanted to after this, my boy." He patted Kuon's shoulder, his eyes kind. "Reveal Cain Heel as Tsuruga Ren and nothing is beyond imagination and acceptance."

Lory stretched, then walked over to swirl his cape around his shoulders again. He made to leave, but apparently couldn't resist a parting shot of drama. "Perhaps we shall be hosting a funeral upon your return."

Kyoko gasped, turning to Lory with shock on her face. "President! Don't-"

"For a stage name, dearest," Lory said, covering his mouth with his cape as he backed out of the trailer, chuckling.

Kuon sighed, reaching his hand out backwards to clasp Kyoko's. "Miss Woods," he said earnestly. "Please don't ever recommend a costume as dramatic as a vampire ever again."

"Oooh," Miss Woods pouted. "But darling is so delicious as an undead immortal!"

EXCITED A/N: We are transitioning into Part Two of EMYM! One of the main shifts - other than location, as we will be going INTERNATIONAL and not just for the Heels - is that the "Side fics" of EMYM-Makes Me Want You are NOT going to be AU/OOC. Our characters are growing up! Haha!

After much thought I've decided to leave the main fic as T (I had debated ending Part One and starting a new Part Two that was M rated, keeping the lemons in with the main story). The NSFW will be all in EMYM-MMWY still, but will actually have an impact on plot and character development. Enough psychological and emotional impact will be included in the main fic to make reading them not necessary... though hopefully enjoyable if citrus is your thing ;-) Special thanks to the SB! Discord, esp mommamclain, Aki, mimag, and kaname for helping me work through this decision.

Thanks for reading/reviewing and sending me your own fic reccs! Persie loves you!