TWs: Mention of death/killing/scars, secrets, yelling, physical violence, and belittling/humiliation. Stay safe :)
Matt examined the black woven bracelet in his hands, eyeing the white skull charm. Edd was setting the table up for dinner, placing milk before the ginger, and peering at the jewelry in Matt's hands.
"That looks like Hellucard's bracelet." He spoke, "Only the skull is a different color."
As Edd walked back to the counter, Matt's eyes widened as he jolted out of his seat.
"That's it!" He exclaimed, startling Tom and Tord out of their heated dispute and causing Edd to nearly drop a plate of food.
"Matt!" Edd scolded.
"Sorry..." He muttered.
"What was that about?" Tord asked.
"Oh, it's just Larry's bracelet- Hellucard was wearing an exact copy of it, only the skull on his was red. Maybe, just maybe... they're connected somehow." Matt explained.
"Or maybe Hellucard bought a different version of it," Edd said, "It looks like an ordinary bracelet."
"Not likely." Matt shook his head, "These are hand woven; you can see it in the twine; it's made by someone who had an idea of what they were going for, only they don't copy the same twining pattern around the bracelet. This was made by someone with steady hands, but they're still an amateur."
The others looked bewildered as they heard Matt ramble about the piece of jewelry.
"Also, this bracelet is old, dusty, and everything. Stores would probably stop selling them after a year, and that's being generous." Matt paused, looking up to see the group's faces, "What?"
"How do you know all that?" Tord asked.
"I have an eye for detail, and my mother taught me the basics." The ginger shrugged, sitting down again, "Hellucard's bracelet looked new, not worn out or anything."
"I'm sure Hellucard has no connection to this- he's just a random guy," Edd spoke, setting down a few plates.
"More like a creepy guy," Tord muttered, wincing as he felt Edd tug his hair.
"Be nice." Edd glared as he sat down.
"Right... just a random guy," Matt muttered, pocketing the bracelet.
"Tommy, do you mind if I sleep in your flat tonight?" The ginger questioned as he put his glasses on, looking around in case anyone was nearby.
"Again? This is the third 'tonight,' is everything okay with your flat?" Tom unlocked his apartment, stepping inside with Matt following him.
"Oh, yeah! Everything's great!" Matt smiled, 'Except for the fact a mirror nearly crushed me.'
Tom squinted his voids at the taller, "Matt, is there something you're not telling me?"
"Uh- no, I don't think so." His smile wavered.
"Matt." Tom turned toward him, his gaze steady, "What is it?"
Matt frowned, "It's stupid, really."
"Matthew." Placing his hands on Matt's face, Tom peered at him softly, "Just tell me."
Looking down, Matt sighed, "Have you ever experienced paranormal activity...?"
Tom smirked, "My whole life is paranormal activity. I'm possessed by a demon, remember?"
"I'm being serious, Tom." Matt pouted.
A small smile appeared on Tom's face, "So am I."
Moving his hands around the taller's neck, Tom huffed.
"As much as I love spending the night with you, you need access to your flat," Tom mumbled.
Matt whined, "You're coming with me, right?"
"If you want me to."
"Please." Matt pleaded, "Don't leave me in there with a ghost."
"You're scared of ghosts- but not demons, zombies, or vampires?"
"This ghost nearly killed me, so of course, I'm scared."
"Did the ghost throw a stake at you?"
"Worse." Matt spoke, "It was one of my precious mirrors."
Tom looked at Matt, deadpanning. He let go of the ginger, sighing, "Goodnight, Matt."
"Wha- did you not hear me? It was my mirror, Tom, my own mirror!" Matt exclaimed, following him into the bedroom.
"You would've lived." Tom grabbed a shirt and sweatpants from his closet and went to the bathroom.
"Yeah, but then I would be scratched up and scarred for a few weeks." Matt complained, "Just imagine how ugly I would be."
Tom grunted, "You realize Tord is scratched up and scarred, right?"
"Well- he can actually pull it off!" Matt frowned, "I can't, obviously."
Tom opened the door, now in a long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants, "Obviously."
Matt nodded, following Tom into the bedroom, watching him pull back his bedsheets and climb in. Tom looked at the ginger expectantly.
"Oh-" Matt pulled his lavender hoodie off, showing off his 'I 3 M tt' shirt. The bassist turned his reddening face away as the taller took his pants off. He still wasn't used to seeing Matt in his boxers.
The ginger hopped on the bed, startling Tom.
"Hey, Tom?" Matt spoke as they settled down.
Tom hummed, peering at him through the darkness.
"Why do you always wear long sleeves?" He asked.
"I don't always wear long sleeves." Tom scoffed.
"Yeah, but even then, you cover your arms with all sorts of bracelets you have lying around." Matt quirked an eyebrow, "Why is that?"
"It's- uh, personal." Tom sighed, "I'll tell you later."
Matt hummed, "Okay..."
"Just go to sleep, Matty." Tom nuzzled into his boyfriend.
Matt wrapped his arms around the smaller one, pulling him closer, "Alright..."
William, or Corvidae, stood at the head of the room, waiting. He breathed behind his respirator mask, eyeing the soldiers before him slowly.
Glancing at the wall clock, he tapped his foot impatiently.
"Where is he?" He glared at the soldiers.
Rave and Bombshell glanced at each other, both shrugging. Goo and Glitter averted their gazes from the fuming leader. Mad Scientist stood beside him, the smile on his face wavering as he also grew impatient.
"Well!?" Corvidae yelled, stepping closer to the group, "Where is-"
"Sorry, I'm late!" A wispy voice called as a brunette appeared before them in his opaque form, quickly joining the others.
Corvidae sighed, massaging his temple, "Alright, let's get started with the meeting."
The Black Leader gave his orders to each of them, waving his hand to dismiss them. When he got to the one that was late, Corvidae scowled as he hit him over the head.
"Ow!" The smaller groaned as he covered his head, "I didn't even say anything!"
"Exactly, and that's the problem with you, newbie." Corvidae spat, "You're pathetic."
Idesa turned his gaze at the ground, "I know."
"What was that?" Corvidae raised an arm.
"Y-Yes, sir! I know that I'm weak, sir."
"Pathetic."
"I-I know that I'm pathetic, sir."
"As long as you know." Corvidae lowered his arm, "If you fail me one more time, you know what happens."
Idesa gulped as he glanced at Mad Scientist, who was grinning like a madman.
"Go and get some sleep." Corvidae ordered, "I'll tell you your mission in the morning."
Idesa nodded, backing out of the room. He dragged his feet along the floor, tears coming to his eyes. He sniffed and huffed as he wiped them away. He held his head up, glancing outside at the foggy shipyard.
"I'll show him..." He muttered, marching down the hall as he forced himself not to be seen as weak by the other soldiers, "I'm not pathetic."
Even if it was a lie, even if his heart was thumping inside his ribcage, he was going to make it through this.
Even if it was only him against the world, he had to get through this.
If not for him, then for his friends.
He ignored the tiny voice that said they probably didn't care he died.
'I'll see them again one day.' He thought, 'And I'll show them how far I've gotten without them.'
He didn't need to be pushed around all day in his afterlife as well; he's had enough of it when he was living.
He's had enough of being insecure and sensitive. He was going to make someone proud, even if he died at the hands of a tyrant again.