Author's Note: Happy Good Friday! I thought to just quickly review chapter 19 and post it before the start of the weekend, and commit to the weekly updates. I'm not gonna lie, I had such a hard time with this one. I was like, should I do the most and keep it clean, or mid? Or how are the readers gonna like these plot twists? Lmao. And then, of course, I stayed up real late listening to some Frank Ocean's jewels, and this chapter's final version finally came out. If y'all feel it might be too risky, I'll bump up the rating to M right away.

And I know, I was supposed to keep this chapter 5K word long. It was initially 4K-word long, and then it became 8K long *smh* Blame Frank Ocean you guys lol.

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing you guys.

Warning: Filler, kind of? Spicy (at this point, I'm damn near tip-toeing-hopscothing-moonwalking between the line of T and M content lmaoo). Drama. Magic.

Tattoo

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

Chapter 19: Expectation and Reality

"Expectation is the root of all heartache." - Shakespeare

The warm glow of the Asterian moons bathed the sky in shades of indigo and gold, their light shimmering against the floating crystalline towers that made up the ancient city. A gentle breeze drifted through the open balconies of the trio's penthouse, carrying the faint scent of blooming celestial flora. But inside, the air was heavy, thick with an unspoken tension that had been building since this morning's breakfast.

Spud had barely touched his dinner. His plate sat half-full, the remnants of a meal he had no appetite for. Across from him, Jake was quietly watching Trixie, who was pretending to be lost in thought but was obviously trying to mask her own unease. They hadn't eaten much.

The last of the plates clinked softly as Sybil moved through the dining space with her usual quiet grace, gathering dishes and wiping down the table with an embroidered cloth. The golden glow from the enchanted lanterns dimmed slightly, casting the penthouse in a softer, more intimate light. It felt quieter now. Not just in volume—but in energy.

As Sybil set the final plate in her tray, she turned back to them with a polite nod. "I've prepared your tea in the sitting room. Please don't hesitate to ring if anything is needed." Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if she could sense the weight hanging over all three of them.

Then, with a final glance, she walked toward the guest corridor and disappeared behind the hallway doors. The soft click of the service passage shutting behind her signaled the end of the evening's formality.

The reality of what was coming tomorrow—Inner's extraction—loomed over all of them, but Spud felt it the most. He had spoken to Inner earlier today, and something in him couldn't let that be the last time he'd speak to her. He had made up his mind. He wasn't going to let this night go to waste.

With a yawn that was only half-forced, he pushed back his chair and stretched. "Alright, folks, I'm tapping out early tonight. Gotta be well-rested for, y'know... big magical ritual stuff." He forced a grin, but neither Trixie nor Jake called him out on it.

Jake smirked slightly. "Right, 'well-rested.' That's a first."

Trixie, still pushing food around on her plate, only nodded, without giving her best friend a side-eye. "Yeah. Goodnight, Spud."

Sometimes she wondered if Spud knew that she could sense, hell, feel any emotions that had been exchanged between him and Inner. I mean, Inner is literally her subconscious, or whatever she was at this point. Obviously, she couldn't pinpoint the exact words that were exchanged, but she could feel Inner's heartbeat rising, the way her mood would lighten whenever his name was mentioned, or when he'd throw his trademark smirk. Or the storm of annoyance that'd brew whenever she'd see Stacey approaching Spud.

A part of Trixie wondered how a subconscious could think and feel for herself. Last time she checked, a subconscious thought for the main owner of the brain, or was Trixie trippin?

She had known Spud for years, and not once had she ever looked at him from a romantic perspective. Granted, he was definitely handsome and a sweetheart. Don't get it twisted, Mama Trix had fine friends. But it was always that sister-brother energy between the two.

So this was all Inner's emotions.

Trixie had peeped this the very moment Spud first stepped foot onto her porch, to give back her Drama class homework, after not talking for years.

Trixie being a gangster when it comes to minding her business, would just go about her days. And that was exactly what she was doing now. She knew his ass was gonna speed over to the dreamworld to his little girl "friend" - tsk.

Poor Stacey, Trixie thought as she mentally facepalmed on behalf of the blonde, who, might she add, was waiting for her partner's return in the human realm. Meanwhile, she threw a quick goodnight smile to the man.

Spud nodded back before heading off toward his room, closing the door behind him. The second he was alone, he exhaled sharply, leaning against the door. His fingers curled and uncurled at his sides before he went to the bed, lying back against the sheets. But sleep wasn't what he was after.

A beat passed.

Then another.

Jake's eyes flicked toward Trixie.

She didn't say anything—just stood, wrapped her blanket tighter around herself, and tilted her head toward the living room. Ya'know, she thought about how the two were in dire need of an actual chill night. No drama, no fighting, no magic. Just pure—rotting on the couch, binge watching TV—type of night. "Wanna watch something?" she asked, voice quiet.

Jake nodded, standing up with her. "Yeah. Let's chill."

They moved quietly from the dining area to the living room, the soft glow of the penthouse lights following them with each step. Trixie walked ahead, slippers on, her curls free and full—thick, juicy ringlets swaying with every step like they had a personality of their own. She hadn't pinned them up yet; it was only 7 PM. In her mind, the flexi-rods could wait till later.

To her, this was her casual, bedtime outfit. However, Jake thought otherwise. His eyes lingered a second too long before he caught himself.

She was still moving through the night in full goddess mode—barefaced, bonnet off, and unapologetically soft. She'd already changed into her sleepwear—black fitted shorts that hugged her thighs and a loose white tee with a glittery purple "Zzz" printed dead center across her chest. Effortless. Comfortable. Still fine as hell.

He followed, now in his own version of sleepwear—grey basketball shorts slung low on his hips and a black wife-beater that clung just enough to show off the work he put in. Toned. Relaxed. Dangerous without trying.

By the time they reached the couch, Trixie tossed the blanket onto one side and grabbed the crystal remote from the table, flopping back like she'd been waiting all day for this. I mean, earlier today, she had been put through work, thanks to no one in particular —cough, maybe the Hag. After the upcoming celestial wizard had gone over the preparation for the extraction, the old hag had the audacity to put her through more training. Her muscles were screaming for rest.

Jake hesitated for a second before joining her. "Hey," he said, voice lower now, less casual.

She looked over, remote still in hand. "What's up?"

He ran a hand down his face and leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees. "I didn't say anything earlier because… You were already dealing with enough. But I overheard something during my training match this afternoon."

Trixie paused. "With Nigel?"

Jake nodded. "Yeah. After our duel, I caught two Elders talking. Amri and Eli."

Her face shifted instantly—alert now. "About me?"

Jake's jaw flexed. "Yeah. They don't just know who you are, Trix. They've been planning around you. They called you an 'opportunity.' Said if you don't go along with whatever agenda they have, they'd make sure you didn't have a choice."

Trixie sat up straighter, her mouth tightening. "They said that?"

"Word for word."

The air between them thickened. The flicker of the enchanted screen danced across her face, catching in her eyes, which were dark brown with a hint of red wine shimmer, deep and arresting. There was a storm brewing behind them now—fierce, focused, unblinking. And whatever fear the Elders thought she had? It didn't live there.

"I'll handle them," she said, voice cool but fierce.

Jake's gaze didn't leave her. "I know. I just… wanted you to know I got your back. Always."

She didn't say anything right away. Instead, she pulled the blanket over her lap and scooted closer to him, shoulder brushing his.

"Alright then," she said softly, "let's distract ourselves. We'll deal with snakes tomorrow."

Jake let out a slow breath. "Yeah. Tomorrow."

And just like that, she clicked into the anime menu. Jake sank deeper into the plush cushions of the couch, arms stretched along the back as he watched Trixie scroll through the anime section on their enchanted streaming crystal.

He was trying to play it cool, but his brain was not helping.

Because honestly? He hadn't expected this.

Trixie Carter—flyest girl in the room, all confidence and chaos—was out here geeking over anime like she paid Crunchyroll rent. And not casually either. She was deep in the archives. She knew the voice actors. She had opinions about filler episodes. She could probably recite the Naruto pain monologue from memory—and that? That was hot.

Like, ridiculously hot.

He kept sneaking glances at her while she scrolled—loose curls bouncing with each head tilt, hoodie slipping off one shoulder, lips slightly parted in concentration. She was completely in her zone. And for some reason, that made something in Jake's chest squeeze.

A thought came as he smirked. She's low-key a geek. And I'm gone for it.

"You still watch this one?" he asked, one brow arched as Naruto Shippuden loaded on the screen. "Didn't you rewatch the Pain arc like, last month?"

Trixie shot him a side-eye from where she sat curled up in a throw blanket, legs tucked underneath her. "Uh, yeah? And it still slaps. Don't act brand new."

Jake scoffed, smirking. The intro began, that familiar theme swelling with nostalgia and heartbreak. Trixie tucked her legs underneath her and tossed half the blanket over Jake without a word. He accepted it like it was nothing, even though his heart kicked up a notch.

"I forgot how hard this soundtrack goes," he muttered as the camera zoomed in on Naruto standing over the ruined village.

The screen flickered with warm light, casting dancing shadows across Trixie's face.

Jake couldn't help it—he looked at her. Really looked.

She was right there, close enough to touch, the scent of her shampoo—lavender and vanilla—curling around him like a spell. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, but there was a relaxed curve to her lips, a comfort in her posture that told him… maybe she was starting to let her guard down again. With him.

He swallowed.

"You're lucky I didn't put on Sailor Moon Stars," Trixie teased, stealing a glance at him. "You wouldn't survive the amount of emotional damage in those final episodes."

Jake chuckled. "Emotional damage? Trix, I watched Tokyo Mew Mew with you when we were nine because you swore it made you smarter."

Trixie snorted. "And it did. Look at me now. I can fight, heal, and accessorize under pressure."

Jake laughed—and then it softened. He looked at her, really looked, as the glow from the screen lit up her curls and cast gentle shadows across her face. She caught him staring, before focusing back on the TV.

"What? You're like missing all the good parts right now."

Jake leaned in just a little, his voice lower now. "I've seen this a dozen times. I'm watching something else now."

Trixie turned to look at him, and there it was again. That something in the air. The weight of unspoken things. The memory of that last kiss. Of the almost-last kiss. The one they hadn't talked about since.

Her breath caught, just slightly.

Jake didn't back away. His hand lifted, almost like it had a mind of its own, brushing her curls back behind her ear. His fingers lingered near her cheekbone, warm against her skin.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

Trixie nodded. "Yeah. Just…" She didn't finish. Couldn't. Instead, she leaned forward—just a fraction—and their foreheads brushed, eyes locked.

Jake's voice dropped, raspier now. "Say the word, and I'll stop."

She didn't. He kissed her.

No hesitation this time. Just heat. Slow, deep, and deliberate. His hand slid to her waist, gripping gently, like he was grounding himself in her. And Trixie? She pulled him closer, one arm looping around his neck like she'd been waiting for this moment since forever.

The blanket slid somewhere behind them. The couch creaked.

They didn't notice.

Their kiss turned urgent, messy, breathless, teeth and lips and soft gasps between words they weren't saying. Jake's hand wandered, his fingers pressing into her hip, then gliding down her thigh with slow, unspoken questions. Trixie answered with a soft hum against his mouth and a slight shift that had him losing all coherent thought.

"You sure?" he rasped, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes.

Her gaze was hooded, her lips swollen, her breath ragged. "If you stop now, I'm swinging on you."

Jake groaned, forehead dropping to her shoulder with a grin. "God, you're dangerous."

His lips trailed along her jaw, down her neck. Trixie gasped softly, tilting her head as his hands slid up her sides, thumbs brushing under the hem of her shirt. She arched into him, fingers digging into his shoulders as she tugged him back into another kiss—this one deeper. Needier. Her legs shifted around his hips, the friction between them sending a bolt of lightning down his spine—and something else, too.

Trixie felt it. Him. Really hard.

Her eyes fluttered open mid-kiss, a wicked smirk curling at her lips.

"Damn, Jakey…" she murmured against his mouth. "You really missed me, huh?"

Jake groaned, forehead dropping to her shoulder. "You keep talking like that, and I'm gonna forget how to breathe."

Her laugh was low, breathy, full of power she knew she had over him now. She shifted again—just to prove a point—and the sound Jake made was straight-up sinful.

But then—Jake snapped back. This woman was such a tease, and she knew it. It was his turn now, and he could play the same game. He pressed her down into the cushions, slow and intentional, his body hovering just close enough to make her heartbeat trip. His lips brushed against her ear.

"You wanna play?" he whispered, voice low and deep enough to melt steel. "Okay, let's play."

Trixie opened her mouth to shoot back a quip—but froze when Jake's hand slid down her thigh, slow and deliberate.

His fingers moved like a man who knew the effect he had—deft, featherlight, drawing lazy circles just above the place she wanted him most. He wasn't rushing. He was studying her. Reading every gasp, every twitch of her leg, every staggered breath like it was a secret only he was allowed to learn.

"You're already soaked," he murmured, lips brushing her jaw. "And I haven't even touched you yet."

She whimpered—whimpered—the sound catching in her throat before she could pull it back. Her hips shifted toward him instinctively, chasing his hand.

Jake chuckled, low and smug. "Yeah… that's what I thought."

Then he slipped his fingers just beneath the edge of her shorts and into her heat—slow, careful, precise. And that's when she clenched around him.

Warm. Wet. Gripping him tight like she needed him.

Jake's breath caught—literally froze. His mind short-circuited as her walls fluttered around his fingers, pulsing in sync with the ragged hitch of her breath.

God.

He could feel her—every shiver, every squeeze. She was soaking, hot, and slick against his skin, and the way she clenched when he curled just a little deeper? He almost lost it. He was this close to calling off his plan and just going straight for it — but he wasn't gonna do that to her. For the longest time he'd known her, he knew she was still a virgin.

And he was going to do it right, by waiting for her when she was ready.

He bit back a curse, nearly rested his forehead against her stomach just to ground himself. His throat worked around a groan. "Shit, baby…You tryna ruin me, huh?" he whispered, voice rough, trembling with restraint. "'Cause you're doing a damn good job."

Simultaneously, Trixie gasped, her whole body jolting, unsure whether it was by his rich, deep voice or the contact. Her hand flew to his shoulder, nails digging into him as her thighs instinctively tried to close.

Jake held her open with one hand, his mouth ghosting over her skin. "Shhh… I got you," he whispered. "Let me see how sweet you really are."

He dragged his fingers through her slowly, lazily, until they were coated in her arousal—then withdrew them just as slowly.

Trixie blinked, dazed, breathless. And then—

Jake sucked his fingers into his mouth. Slow. Deliberate. His eyes locked on hers as he licked them clean, savoring every drop like he was tasting something rare. His eyelids fluttered just slightly, and the sound he let out?

Sinful.

"Damn," he muttered, voice thick. "You taste even better than I imagined."

Trixie nearly blacked out.

He pressed one more kiss to her stomach before whispering against her skin, "You still good, baby girl?"

She tried to speak—failed. "J-Jakey"

He smirked. "Thought so."

Then he moved.

Slowly.

Intentionally.

Kissing up from her neck and then down to… her collarbone… her sternum… lower.

Trixie's back arched, her breath catching. Jake's hand slid beneath her thigh again and gripped the underside of her ass firmly, grounding her to the couch. The heat of his palm spread like wildfire, his fingers curling possessively, making sure she couldn't squirm away from the way he was ruining her with each kiss.

"You feel that?" he whispered against her stomach. "That's your body telling me not to stop."

She whimpered—soft and broken.

He smirked.

"Look at you," he murmured, voice low and thick with heat. "Already a mess, and I barely touched you."

Trixie's nails dug into his shoulders, but Jake only chuckled darkly and kissed a little lower, just above the waistband of her shorts.

His other hand slid around to her waist—then lower. Slow. Possessive. Like he was rediscovering her with every inch of skin.

He didn't just hold her steady. He touched her like he had every right to be there. Fingers dragging over the curve of her hip, slipping beneath the hem of her shorts. His thumb swept across the dip between her thigh and pelvis, teasing the most sensitive edge of skin, while his palm smoothed over the swell of her ass—squeezing gently, then firmer, grounding her beneath him.

"You feel so good under me," he whispered against her stomach. "So soft. So warm."

He kissed lower—slow and maddening—his lips trailing down the line of her abdomen, pausing every few inches just to breathe against her skin and feel her shiver.

Trixie gasped, her back arching again, but Jake pressed her hips back down with both hands—one gripping her thigh, the other still splayed low and bold over her ass.

"Stay still, baby," he rasped, voice dark and sultry. "Let me take my time."

His hand slipped back up, fingertips dragging up her side, over the dip of her waist, brushing beneath the edge of her top. He traced the underside of her breast with knuckles that barely made contact—but it was enough to make her suck in a sharp breath.

"Sensitive here too, huh?" he whispered as he pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the spot just above her inner thigh. "You're shaking."

"I—I'm not," she tried to say, but her voice cracked halfway through the lie.

He nipped gently at her skin, the softest scrape of his teeth. "Lyin' to me already? That's cute."

She whimpered something that might've been his name. He kissed the spot again. Lower.

Jake moved even lower, his nose brushing along the inside of her thigh. "You know I could make you come just like this, right?" he said, his voice so low it made her toes curl. "Just my mouth. Just my hands. Right here, on this couch."

Her thighs trembled. Her breath hitched. Her soul left the chat.

She whimpered something that might've been his name. He kissed the spot again. Lower.

Then paused.

Right above her heat. Close enough for her to feel his breath—but not his lips. And that's when he whispered it:

"Timeout," he said softly. "Before I forget we're takin' things slow."

Trixie blinked down at him, wide-eyed, chest heaving. "You bastard—"

He grinned and kissed the inside of her thigh, slow and smug. Then gave her ass a possessive squeeze before standing up. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said, adjusting his shirt with zero shame.

Trixie lay there—stunned, flushed, legs still open, brain completely fried.

Jake leaned down, lips brushing hers one last time. "Goodnight, baby girl." And then he walked off, smooth as ever, leaving her melted into the couch like some kinda post-battle Sailor Moon transformation.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

He let his mind drift—let the weight of exhaustion pull him into that strange, in-between space where reality blurred and the dreamscape awaited.

And just like that, she was there.

Inner stood at the edge of the endless starry void, her violet eyes reflecting the cosmos that stretched infinitely around them. She wasn't smirking. She wasn't taunting. Tonight, she was just... quiet.

Spud took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Hey, shadow queen."

Inner let out a small huff of amusement, but it lacked her usual edge. "Hey, Spud."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was the first time they didn't need to fill the space with banter, with sarcasm, with the endless game of who could get under whose skin first.

Finally, Spud broke the silence. "So... wanna do something stupid?"

Inner arched a brow. "Stupid how?"

Spud grinned. "Midnight picnic. Shooting stars. Last hurrah."

Inner blinked, surprised. Then, after a beat, she let out a chuckle. "You're ridiculous."

Spud shrugged. "And you like it."

Inner rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she snapped her fingers, and suddenly, the dreamscape shifted. They were no longer floating in the void. Instead, they were lying on a blanket beneath a vast, open sky filled with streaks of silver and violet light, the stars above cascading in a mesmerizing dance of motion.

But Spud barely noticed the stars.

Because standing before him, Inner had changed. Gone was the combat gear, the ethereal magic robes, the arcane battlewear she usually rocked. Standing before him now, Inner looked... human.

She wore a sleek black ensemble: high-waisted shorts hugging her curves, sheer tights that shimmered faintly with every breath of starlight, a cropped leather jacket layered over a black fitted top, and long heeled boots that somehow didn't sink into the dream grass. Her wild curls had been tamed into soft, voluminous waves that framed her face effortlessly, tucked back just enough to show off the subtle shimmer of her glowing violet eyes. Tiny silver accents glowed faintly in her hair, catching the celestial light above.

She looked like she could've walked right out of a rooftop lounge in Brooklyn. Like she belonged somewhere real. Somewhere close.

Spud froze. His heart skipped. No—leapt.

Because this? This wasn't just a dream look. This was her saying: "This is how I could exist in your world."

Spud swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of the heat rising to his face.

"Well?" Inner asked, smirking slightly, her violet eyes gleaming. "Are you just gonna stare, or are we having this midnight picnic?"

Spud opened his mouth, then shut it. Then opened it again, only to say the most eloquent thing his brain could muster: "Uh... damn."

A soft, enchanted glow surrounded them, illuminating the small feast Inner had conjured—fruit, bread, and what looked suspiciously like Spud's favorite brand of potato chips, Hot Cheetos chips.

She dropped onto the blanket beside him, legs folded gracefully, heels still on like she was born to strut through dream dimensions. He sat down beside her, still unable to take his eyes off her.

He laughed. "You've been paying attention."

Inner smirked, plucking a Hot Cheetos from the bowl. "Please. You're painfully predictable."

Spud gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Predictable? I'll have you know I am an enigma. A complex and mysterious man."

Inner arched a brow. "You literally eat the same three things every day."

"It's called consistency, miss 'I live in the back of Trixie's subconscious and mess with people for fun.'"

Inner snorted, flicking a crumb off her dress. "Fun is subjective. Watching you panic is entertaining."

Spud grinned. "Well, I'm glad my suffering brings you joy."

Inner leaned back on her palms, glancing up at the sky. "Wouldn't be the same without you."

Spud felt his breath catch slightly, but before the moment could stretch into something too serious, he picked up a chip and lobbed it at her.

She caught it effortlessly, popping it into her mouth with a smug smirk. "Weak throw."

"Excuse me, that was precision aim."

"Precision failure."

Spud chuckled, shaking his head. "You're impossible."

Inner shrugged. "And yet, here we are."

They both looked up at the sky—watching the slow movement of stars, their light bleeding into one another like watercolor. For a moment, it was quiet. Safe. But Spud? He couldn't stop looking at her. The way her legs folded beside him. The glint of confidence in her eyes. How real she looked.

Like she didn't just belong here, she could belong there.

With him. In the real world.

They sat in comfortable silence, watching as the stars streaked across the sky, a cosmic farewell neither of them was ready to accept. And then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Spud turned to her.

"Promise me something."

Inner glanced at him. "What?"

"That we'll always have each other's backs. No matter what."

Inner's smirk faltered. Something shifted in her expression—something raw, something hesitant. She swallowed, her fingers curling against the blanket. "Spud, you know I—"

"I mean it." His voice was softer now, more serious than it had ever been. "Tomorrow, things change. But even if you're not in my dreams, even if you're not in her head… I need to believe you'll still be somewhere. In the world. In me."

Inner didn't respond right away. She stared at him for a long beat, her violet eyes flickering with uncertainty. And then, she nodded.

"Alright," she said. "I promise."

And just like that—something shifted.

An unseen energy curled between them, weightless but binding. Her hand reached out, fingers brushing his wrist.

It wasn't just the spark of dream magic anymore. It was heat. Presence. Her skin, warm and real, pressed against his like she wasn't some subconscious figment, but a woman. Breathing. Feeling. Choosing him in this moment.

She looked up at him, head tilted slightly, curls catching the starlight, jacket still half-unzipped to reveal the snug black bodysuit beneath. Her legs tucked beside her, the sheer tights shimmering subtly with each breath she took. She was gorgeous. No—she was devastating. And for the first time, Spud didn't feel intimidated by that.

He just felt drawn.

And that's when the magic surged.

Neither of them knew who moved first, but suddenly, they weren't just sitting side by side anymore.

Inner's fingers brushed against Spud's wrist, and the contact sent a surge of energy through both of them—electric, charged, alive. It was the same sensation Spud had felt that day when he had stopped by Trixie's place to hand in her booklet from drama class—the first moment he had touched Trixie's hand, unknowingly connecting with the magic she carried. Only now, he understood. That wasn't just magic sparking between them back then. That was Inner reaching out, marking him even before either of them knew what it meant.

His breath hitched. And then, before Spud could fully process what was happening, Inner closed the space between them. She was the one who kissed him first—fierce, unrelenting, and entirely unapologetic. For a split second, Spud froze, his mind short-circuiting at the sheer intensity of it.

But then—

He welcomed it.

He had never felt this around anyone else—not even Stacey, not even during his dumbest, most romantic daydreams.

Guilt twisted sharply in his chest. Stacey.

Sweet, loyal Stacey. His girlfriend. The girl who'd stuck by him through all the weird, all the late-night calls, all the magical nonsense he could barely explain. She deserved better than this. Better than him—especially now, caught in a dreamspace with another girl who wasn't just a flirtation, but something... more.

Everything about this moment went against what he believed in.

Spud didn't cheat. He didn't play people. He wasn't the kind of person who made promises with one hand and broke them with the other. But right now? Sitting here with Inner wrapped around him, her lips lingering on his, her warmth still pressed into his chest, he couldn't deny it.

He didn't want to stop.

It wasn't just lust. It wasn't just magic.

It was her.

There had always been something about Inner. Since the moment she showed up in Trixie's head, haunting his dreams, teasing him, challenging him, knowing him in ways no one else ever had—it was like she'd been custom-designed to wreck him from the inside out.

Only Inner was capable of making him like this.

In all their time together, in all their banter, their fights, their strange partnership, there had always been this... charge. He had ignored it, pushed it aside, but now, in this moment, it was undeniable. It had always been there, waiting, building, and now it was erupting between them like a storm he had never seen coming.

With a shuddering breath, he sank into her, his hands gripping the fabric of her leather jacket as if anchoring himself in the storm she had unleashed. Their bodies melted into the kiss, the air between them humming with a raw, undeniable force. It was hunger and fire, shadow and starlight, heaven and hell, a forbidden spell weaving itself into existence between their very souls. It wasn't just a kiss—it was something more. It was a kiss that rewrote something deep within them, something unspoken, something unstoppable. Something binding. A surge of raw magic erupted between them, a sudden, uncontainable force surging straight from Spud's heart. It pulsed wildly, unlike anything he had ever felt before, as if some ancient, buried power had just been awakened. He didn't know where it came from, didn't understand why it was happening, but he felt it—coursing through him, through her, an undeniable collision of light and darkness.

A slow, smoldering fire that started at the lips and sank into the marrow. Her lips were plush, warm, tasting faintly of strawberry lip gloss and midnight secrets. Spud's hand found her waist—leather warm from her skin underneath—and drew her closer like his subconscious couldn't bear even an inch between them.

Her fingers curled into the back of his neck. She tugged slightly—just enough to make his pulse stutter—then deepened the kiss with a soft sigh.

God.

This wasn't just a kiss.

It was a declaration.

That whatever this was—between a boy from Manhattan and a shadow-born dream girl—was real. Tangible. Consequential.

His hand slid down her waist, stopping at the curve of her hip, fingertips digging gently into the seam where her bodysuit met the sleek material of her tights. She didn't pull away. She leaned into it, shifting her leg over his lap, straddling him on the blanket with a fluid grace that made his head spin.

The dreamscape pulsed.

The sky above them shimmered brighter, stars burning violet and gold, as if the world itself had paused to watch.

Inner's jacket slipped from her shoulders, landing somewhere behind them in the grass. Her sheer tights caught on the fabric of his joggers as she adjusted herself atop him, body molded to his like it belonged there. Her curls fell forward, brushing against his cheeks.

Their lips broke for breath, but barely.

His forehead rested against hers. "You feel that?"

She nodded, breath shaky. "Yeah. I feel everything."

And then—like something ancient had been waiting for this moment—the surge hit, this time, stronger.

A golden light burst from Spud's chest, curling outward in a slow spiral, wrapping around his wrist like ivy made of sunlight. A matching violet glow emerged from Inner's sternum, weaving into his like a ribbon. The lights spiraled together, intertwined, and coalesced around their wrists until an intricate, glowing tattoo was burned into their skin.

They both gasped.

Their eyes dropped to the marks. The violet and gold tattoos throbbed in sync, hot against their skin, pulsing with magic neither of them fully understood—but instinctively knew couldn't be undone.

Then, in perfect unison, breathless and wide-eyed, they whispered:

"…Oh, shit."

And just like that, everything changed.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

The day has arrived for Trixie. In the sacred chamber within the Elders' temple, the air was cold, thick with incense and something far older—magic that hummed through the stone walls like a living thing. She sat cross-legged in the center of the chamber, her fingers resting lightly on her knees as she tried to focus on the rhythmic breathing the Hag had instructed her to follow.

But her mind wouldn't quiet.

The silver basin before her reflected the soft candlelight, its water rippling slightly from the unnatural stillness of the air. The ritual purification was meant to cleanse her energy before the extraction, aligning her spirit with the ancient forces that would sever Inner from her soul.

Yet, a deep unease gnawed at her. From knowing there was corruption amongst the Elders, to having to kill off Inner. She kept it calm last night, when she spoke to her friends, but it was now hitting her, how fucked up this situation was. She had tried to spend a final moment with Inner, but she was nowhere to be found. She had called for her during the night, but there was no answer.

She tried to take a peek at the dreamland, at least to feel that she was well and okay. But that wasn't even possible. That night alone, it was as if Inner had completely sealed off any access point.

When morning had rolled around, Trixie had urgently approached Spud to inquire about Inner, but the man looked like he saw a boogeyman. Guilty, he had widened his eyes and scurried back into his room — you'd think he was auditioning to be Bugs Bunny's roadrunner, with how fast he left her behind. Now she was really curious to know what had gone down in the dreamland. She damn well knew they had spent the night together, but what happened? Hmm. Not even Jake could get him to squeal out the truth.

Trixie never thought she'd say this, but she needed Inner more than ever. Inner, wherever you are, please protect me.

"You are restless," the Hag observed, her milky eyes peering at Trixie from across the chamber. "Doubt festers in your heart."

Trixie exhaled sharply, running her hands over her face before meeting the old woman's gaze. "I'm just… thinking."

The Hag tilted her head. "This is not a time for thinking. It is a time for acceptance. The separation must be clean."

Clean. That was the word that kept circling in Trixie's head like an unanswered question. She had been so certain about this—about removing Inner, about finally being free of that voice in the back of her mind. But now…

Now, she wasn't sure if freedom was what she truly wanted.

Or if it was what she feared most.

She reached for the silver vial the Hag had given her earlier, the liquid inside a deep violet, almost pulsating with its own life. This was part of the ritual—an elixir that would stabilize her magic, ensuring that the process would not waver. Trixie turned the vial in her hand, watching the light refract against the glass.

"Drink," the Hag instructed.

Trixie hesitated for just a second before uncorking the vial and pressing it to her lips. The liquid burned as it slid down her throat, not in a painful way, but in a way that made her limbs tingle, her magic coil tightly within her chest.

The Hag watched her with quiet scrutiny. "You have been bound to this presence for longer than you realize," she said after a moment. "Inner is not merely a parasite clinging to you. She is part of your essence. Do not be surprised if she resists."

Trixie swallowed hard, her fingers clenching around her knees. "She said she wouldn't fight it," she muttered.

The Hag's brow furrowed slightly as if the answer didn't sit right with her. "Then she has already foreseen what you have not."

A shiver ran down Trixie's spine, and she wasn't sure if it was from the potion or something else entirely.

The Hag moved to the altar, adjusting the ceremonial tools laid out for the ritual—an obsidian dagger, an enchanted orb meant to channel the severance, and various runes etched into ancient parchment. Everything had been set in place for a flawless extraction.

Yet, as Trixie sat there, her magic buzzing uncomfortably beneath her skin, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

And it was too late to turn back now.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

The sacred pond of Asteria was a hidden sanctuary nestled within an ancient grove, where glowing flora thrived under the moon's gentle gaze. The trees curled around the water like protectors, their vines trailing down into the crystalline depths. Fireflies and orbs of pure magic drifted lazily above the surface, casting shimmering green and gold light across the tranquil waters. The scent of fresh earth and blooming star-flowers lingered in the air, mingling with the faint hum of unseen energy.

Trixie stood at the pond's edge, her breath steady but her heart racing. The water shimmered under the night sky, rippling as if aware of what was to come. Draped over her frame was a celestial gown woven from translucent fabric, its surface dusted with a shimmer of stardust, making it appear as if she had been wrapped in the night sky. The delicate material clung to her body like liquid silver, the soft constellations glimmering against her skin with every breath she took. Tiny star-like embellishments traced the sheer sleeves and the cascading hem, reflecting the ambient glow of the floating orbs around her. Her hair, usually wild and free, had been elegantly woven into an intricate celestial braid adorned with delicate silver chains and tiny glowing gems that mirrored the stars above. Wisps of curls framed her face, softening her features and making her appear from cosmic magic.

The Hag stood nearby, her gnarled staff planted firmly in the mossy ground. Several Elders gathered at a distance, their robes barely moving despite the breeze that rustled the trees. Among them stood Jake and Spud.

Jake's arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his jaw clenched. He had been against this from the start—he didn't trust the Elders, didn't trust Asteria, didn't trust that this ritual wouldn't take something from Trixie that she couldn't get back. His eyes flicked constantly between her floating form and the Hag, every muscle in his body tense as if ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger.

Spud, on the other hand, was fidgeting restlessly, his fingers ghosting over the golden markings on his wrist, hidden beneath his sleeve. His mind raced, a storm of emotions clashing within him. The bond between him and Inner—their accidental, impossible magic—what would happen if the Elders sensed it? Would it interfere with the ritual? Would it hurt Trixie? Would it do something worse?

He swallowed hard, staring at the glowing thread now emerging from Trixie's chest. His pulse quickened. It was happening. And he had no idea if the magic that now lived within him and Inner would allow it to succeed.

"Step forward," the Hag instructed, voice low but commanding.

Trixie inhaled deeply before stepping into the water, feeling the cool sensation ripple up her legs as she moved forward. As she reached the center of the pond, the magic around her thickened, wrapping around her like unseen tendrils. The water was unnaturally still, waiting.

"Lie back," the Hag commanded.

Trixie obeyed, slowly lowering herself until she was floating on the surface. The water cradled her as if it had hands, holding her up, refusing to let her sink. Above her, the trees swayed gently, their leaves whispering secrets of old magic.

The ritual had begun.

The Hag lifted her staff, tracing intricate symbols in the air, and the water beneath Trixie's body began to glow—pulsing first with soft white light, then deepening into violet—ancient words spilled from the Hag's lips, a chant in a language that predated human speech. The energy in the air thickened, pressing down like an unseen force.

Trixie felt it immediately—a slow, pulling sensation in her chest, like something unraveling from deep inside her. It wasn't painful. Not yet. Just strange. Like an invisible thread was being tugged, loosening what had once been tightly woven.

The water around her began to swirl.

A glowing energy thread emerged from her chest, rising like mist before twisting into form above her. The light coalesced, shimmering in hues of deep violet and gold, flickering between solid and ethereal.

It was Inner.

Or at least, the raw essence of her.

The Elders murmured among themselves, watching intently as the form pulsed, flickering in and out of existence. The thread connecting Trixie to Inner wavered, straining as the extraction process continued.

Trixie felt her heartbeat slow, her body growing weightless. But deep inside, something was resisting. Not Inner.

Something else.

A warning prickled at the edges of her awareness, but she was too deep in the ritual to act.

The Elders did not notice the shift in the energy.

Neither did the Hag.

But Spud did.

A sharp, burning sensation erupted along his wrist, the golden markings flashing beneath his sleeve. His breath hitched as a pulse of energy surged through his body as if something inside him had been yanked toward the ritual. His vision swam, the edges of the world blurring for a split second before snapping back into focus.

Inner.

She wasn't just being pulled from Trixie—she was being pulled toward him.

Spud staggered back, gripping his wrist as the golden glow flared violently, mirroring the flickering energy thread that connected Trixie to Inner. The air around him crackled, vibrating with unseen force. He could feel it—his bond with Inner, their connection surging beyond his control, reaching for something beyond either of them.

Jake noticed instantly. "Spud? What's wrong?"

Spud opened his mouth to answer, but the moment he tried to suppress the energy, it lashed out instead. A sharp, golden arc of light shot from his wrist, colliding with the glowing thread above Trixie. The instant the energies connected, the entire pond shook.

The water around Trixie exploded outward, sending ripples of power through the sacred grove. The floating orbs of light flickered wildly, the trees groaning as if the magic itself had been disturbed. Trixie gasped, her body seizing midair as the energy surrounding her spiraled out of control.

The Elders stepped forward in alarm, their murmurs turning into sharp commands. "Something is wrong! The severance is unstable!"

The Hag's eyes darted toward Spud, her expression unreadable but sharp with recognition. "You. What have you done?"

Spud barely registered the words—his body was still tingling, his heart hammering. He looked up in horror as the golden thread of his magic coiled around the violet energy representing Inner, merging instead of separating.

"Oh, shit," Spud breathed.

Then, the energy imploded.

A violent crack, jagged and deep, split through the very fabric of reality, like the heavens themselves had been torn apart. The sacred pond, once still and reflective, churned wildly, its waters surging outward as if trying to escape the impossible force being unleashed. The sky above flickered, the stars warping in and out of focus, caught in the rupture of something ancient, something uncontrollable.

And then—

She emerged.

From the heart of the chaos, from the depths of the fractured magic, Inner stepped into the physical world.

The waters rippled around her form as she slowly rose from the pond, her movements unhurried, deliberate, and otherworldly. Droplets cascaded down her skin like liquid silver, her long, dark curls soaked and clinging to her shoulders, dripping with the stardust that shimmered over her body. She was bare, untouched by cloth, yet adorned by the universe itself—her skin dusted in constellations of cosmic light and entwined with blooming black roses, petals unfurling against the curves of her figure as if nature itself had crowned her rebirth.

A mark burned on her ribcage, just underneath her left breast—a glowing binding tattoo pulsating with the same intertwined golden and violet light that had caused this rupture. It pulsed like a heartbeat, its glow mesmerizing and alive.

Her eyes—

They were radiant, glowing an intense, unearthly shade of violet, flickering with remnants of the realm she had been torn from. Power bled from her very presence, and the air around her was thick with something neither mortal nor divine but both.

The world stood still.

The Elders, usually composed, stood frozen, their expressions unreadable yet shaken. The Hag's grip tightened around her staff, her gaze unreadable but sharpened with ancient knowledge.

Trixie, still floating midair, stared in sheer disbelief, her breath catching in her throat.

Jake was tense, his fists clenched, his eyes darting between Inner and Trixie as if trying to process the impossibility of what had just happened.

But Spud—

Spud was mesmerized, but also freaking out.

His breath hitched as his eyes locked onto her. His magic still hummed beneath his skin, drawn to her like a force he couldn't deny. His pulse drummed in his ears, louder than the murmurs of the Elders, louder than the crackling remnants of shattered magic.

Inner turned her gaze toward him, her expression unreadable. Her glowing eyes flickered as if she recognized something unspoken between them. And then, with a blink and a voice that was both hers and something more, she spoke.

"Well... that was unexpected."

Author's Note: Okaaaaay, Trix and Jake —so what's up with your status *side-eye* and Spud and Inner, oooooooooh you guys are messy. See you guys next week.