Chapter Text
Gimmi was in the business of granting wishes. Anyone who could and would move heaven and earth to summon her deserved to have their efforts pay off. A wish is a desperate, raw thing. It oozed with pure need, and she was the only being in the universe who could make it happen.
When an older male human stood in front of her, begging for his wife to wake up, she just about granted it. She could hear the pain in his voice, the plea for his other half. He was screaming with all of his heart and spirit for her to wake up.
But, in the distance Gimmi heard an even louder wish, a wish two people were crying out for. She heard as they cracked and broke under the weight of their grief. It seemed the human who summoned her had given the two voices alter egos, alter egos they had come to love and care for as their own.
The younger humans couldn't bear to lose them, they cried for the time that was robbed from them. They were choking, drowning in sorrow, and for the first time Gimmi found herself deciding to grant a different wish. A wish so loud, so pure it reached even her heart.
For so long humanity had made selfish wishes without even caring about speaking with her. No one ever wanted to talk. They only wanted what Gimmi could give. This wish so earnest, so different.... because it was selfless.
Yes, the two loved their alter egos, but they were crying out for a life that wasn't their own. They were asking for them to be born, to be their own person. They were begging for a chance to live and love. And that.... Gimmi couldn't turn her back on that.
"I am sorry, Gabriel Agreste, but I cannot grant your wish. There is another, louder wish than yours."
The human looked distraught. He'd sacrificed so much, harmed so many, and for what? To be told no when he was so close. He had destroyed his son, himself, everyone, just to resurrect Emilie.
All of this pain, all of this hate, he fostered it for one purpose and one purpose alone. And he'd do it again. Gimmi could hear the words resonate deep inside him.
"And that is why I will not grant your wish. You hurt others. You bent, you stole, and you broke people, all in the pursuit of what is yours. But their wish is selfless. They may not wish to lose the ones they love, but they didn't scorch the Earth to do it. Their wish is earnest. They wish for a new life to be lived and loved. You wife has already had one."
The Monarch lowered his head, but Gabriel would not cry. He would not bow to anyone, not even a mistress of the universe. He did what he did for the sake of love. He fought... He sacrificed.... He...
Adrien popped into his mind. He winced, remembering how he neglected him, how he kept him from having friendships. And for what? If his son had those things it wouldn't have affected Emilie. But he felt if he had to suffer, so should Adrien. The life he ruined the most was his own flesh and blood's.
For once, Gabriel felt shame. Did he really have to do all he did? And what would Emilie think? After everything, if she had woken up, would she have looked at him the same?
He can't answer that.
"Fear not, Gabriel Agreste, for I will not leave you empty-handed. For balance must be maintained, for two new lives to exist, two must be taken. You will see your wife again... on the other side."
____________________
Have you ever felt the world stop and start? Like someone pressed the reset button on the fabric of time? Like a moment just didn't happen or you didn't experience it? It's almost like there's a piece missing from one minute to the next.
That's what Marc feels. He feels like he blinked and missed something important. He was standing next to Nathaniel, finally free of Hawkmoth's poison, but he didn't feel relief. When the sickly sweet power left him, it left him in sorrow.
He felt sick, the floor disappeared from under him. Without Hawkmoth, there's no Evillustrator. He has Nathaniel, he knows that, but he can help but feel his heart break at the thought of losing the akuma.
Marc wanted them both. He loved Evillustrator, he wanted him by his side. He wanted to make love to him again, but most of all he wanted Evillustrator to have a life. How cruel is it to be birthed into existence for the soul purpose of being used by a madman, only to be wiped away when he got what he wanted?
The noirette doesn't remember getting here. He just popped into reality and sees Evillustrator dissolve in front of him.
Piece by piece, he watched the akuma fade away into mist. They lock eyes, Marc's lips tremble at the sad smile directed his way. It's almost like he's knows, but he's telling Marc to be okay, before Nathaniel's visage takes over.
The redhead is trembling with tears streaming down his face. Instantly, the noirette knows he watched Reverser disappear like Evillustrator did. The sound the artist makes is indescribable. It's pure anguish and he hears it in his bones, mimicked in his throat.
They hold onto each other, sobbing uncontrollably sharing a pain only they can understand. They hear Hawkmoth laugh in triumph. It's a horrible juxtaposition of pain and joy and it sounds so wrong in his ears. Nathaniel keeps him upright, trying to be strong even as he breaks down with Marc.
Then the world stops.
Marc can't breathe. He can't think. It's like he's on pause. The only thing that resonates is how unfair this all is. The akuma never got to live, they never got to have time. The grief settles in his heart, weighing it down like an anchor.
They should've gotten to experience everything. They should've gotten to know love and joy and the world. And he wishes things were different. Marc prays for the first time in his nineteen years, begging a God he doesn't know for two lives to be spared.
And the world starts again so suddenly. Hawkmoth is gone, so is the sleeping woman. But what is there, is light.
A light so golden and bright, it blinds him as it comforts him. Nathaniel is next to him, shielding him, protecting him, while he stands just as awed. Rooted to the spot, they watch the light split.
At first they're spasming blobs, but soon they look humanoid. Then they come into focus. Marc watched the gold turn to lilac, forming a face, forming a body. Next to it, a black and white hand bleeds into existence.
Slowly, too slowly, they come into view. It's like watching an artist fill in the outline of a painting. And finally, thankfully Evillustrator and Reverser, in picture perfect color, are birthed into reality.
Too stunned to speak, Marc takes a moment to really understand what he's seeing. Navy blue eyes open, taking in their surroundings before looking into his. He's running before he knows it, screaming in joy, in terror and every other emotion under the sun.
Nathaniel's right behind him, tearing across the floor to get to his boyfriend. He knows he's a mess, but Marc can't bring himself to care as he tackles Evillustrator to the ground.
The thud next him confirms the redhead threw everything he had at Reverser. However, his focus is on the man in front of him.
"EVIE!"
He hears a twin cry of "REV!" right next to him. He looks down at the akuma, running his hands all over Evillustrator to make sure he's there, to make sure he's real. The solid thump of his hand against flesh vibrates in his bones.
He runs his hands up and down the akuma before cupping his face. He's scared to let go, to watch Evillustrator fade from him again like a cruel joke. But he's there smiling that soft smile that's reserved for the people he loves.
"I won't leave you again, my prince."
____________________
Nathaniel knows he's making a fool of himself in front of two versions of his boyfriend and his own akuma, but Rev was right there. The same crooked grin, the same coal dark eyes. The man he fell in love with first is staring back at him in flesh and blood.
He's hiccuping and sobbing into Reverser's chest, tugging at his tunic. He doesn't care. It's a fucking miracle.
"You're here. It's you. I thought I lost you."
"Oh darling, you can't get rid of me that easily."
The words are cocky and all Rev. That makes Nathaniel cry even harder. It was really him. And Marc's there too. He can have them both. He can have what he dreamed about. The two men he loves, two sides of the same coin, right here.
Reverser is holding him tight, rubbing circles into his back to calm him down. He gropes to the side and grabs Marc's hand, pulling him, along with Evillustrator, into a pile.
He needs them close, he needs to know they're all there and he's not hallucinating in his grief. Nathaniel leans up and kisses Rev deeply, expressing every bit of love and fear into the akuma. His hold on Marc tightens, grounding him.
Finally, Nathaniel calms down enough to pull back but he doesn't dare move too far. He feels like if he does, something will break. His free hand reaches out, smoothing down the twin-tone locks. He needs to touch the akuma, just to keep him there.
He looks over and sees Marc, face buried in Evillustrator's neck. Navy jade eyes stare back at him. It's his first time seeing his own shadow in person, but the lilac-skinned man smiles at him and Nathaniel feels himself blush.
He feels more than hears the deep chuckle Rev gives, watching Nathaniel watch his other self with rapt attention. The origami akuma copies the redhead, tangling his fingers with Evillustrator's. He turns to smile at his partner in crime, still wrapped up in a desperate embrace.
They're all connected. A full circuit. A complete circle.
Finally.
____________________
It takes an embarrassing amount of time for the two humans to stop sobbing. By the time they do, tears stain their faces and their eyes are bloodshot. Ladybug graciously saw their moment for what it was, said "aw," and left. The akuma help them stand, noticing how tightly Nathaniel is holding onto Marc.
The smaller of the two look at their conjoined hands, before blushing and shyly looking back at the akuma. Rev is smirking wolfishly at them, and Evie has a gentle, knowing smile.
Marc speaks first. "After you two, well.... Got together... It only made sense we did the same."
Nathaniel's as red as his hair. He really can't catch a break today. He went from a Hallmark moment to subtly admitting he fucked his boyfriend's civilian self who's also his boyfriend.
"It seems we have a lot to talk about." Evillustrator's smooth voice cuts in. He's holding Reverser's hand, completely unashamed.
"Yeah, we do."
They end up taking the Akuma Express back to Nathaniel's house. It made sense. The redhead didn't live with anyone, so it was easier for all four of them to have a conversation without concerned parents interrupting.
Evillustrator drew himself some wings and scooped Marc up easily, while Reverser carried Nathaniel bridal style before speeding off on his glider. The two humans look out into the night, watching the stars fly past them, white thorns in the black. The backdrop of the Eiffel Tower touches the nighttime clouds.
Up where the moon meets the edge of the world, there's nothing but silence. They use the time to bask in each other's presence, unbothered by the bustle of the city. There in the quiet, everything solidifies.
This is real.
They make it to Nathaniel's apartment. It's a tight fit with the four of them, but they manage. Reverser sits on his couch, one leg up on the cushion. Evillustrator sits next to him, leaning into his partner's side. Marc sits in front of the art akuma, and Nathaniel sits next to him, an arm wrapped around his middle, in front of Reverser.
Nobody talks for a long while, unsure of what to say. So much happened in last few hours. If they speak on it, it may break the spell.
It's then that Evillustrator draws something on his tablet. A rose as red as the dawn appears in his hand. His deep blue gaze is unreadable as he debates on what to do, before handing it to... Nathaniel.
"I... What?" The other redhead is so completely caught off guard, his brain short-circuits.
"He does that," Rev unhelpfully supplies and doesn't elaborate.
"True." Marc seconds, and again, doesn't elaborate.
Nathaniel sputters like teapot. He face burns fire engine red. He's so confused he doesn't realize he's still holding the rose.
"Someone so pretty shouldn't be without a token of appreciation." Evillustrator only adds fuel to the fire that is Nathaniel's mortification. The situation is so absurd, so unfamiliar, the redhead defaults to what he knows. Unfortunately, it's to automatically depreciate himself.
He doesn't know how to handle the idealized version of himself calling him pretty. Not when Evillustrator is beautiful. He's taller than Nathaniel, with better posture and more confidence.
"You're the one who's pretty, not me."
As soon as the words leave his mouth, the temperature drops. He doesn't even have to look at Rev or Marc to know he's in deep shit, he can feel the outright indignation on both sides of him. Nathaniel is going to be punished later, they'll make sure of it. Before they can say anything though, the art akuma speaks.
"Don't say that. Everything you admire about me is in you, or else I wouldn't be this way."
Nathaniel can't look at him, not when Evillustrator looks so heartbroken. It's so odd that the person he wants to be is upset he doesn't like himself. The mental gymnastics to keep up with that is stressing him the fuck out.
"I won't hear of it. You deserve so much more than you give yourself credit for."
"You don't know me." He says it to say it even knowing it's bullshit. He thinks he hears Marc say, "They really are alike," under his breath.
Evillustrator glares at him. It's a heated thing, his cobalt eyes are like fox fire. He scowls at Nathaniel who cowers like a scolded child. What the fuck was happening?!
"Now that's just not true and you know it. I know you, I came from you, I know you better than anyone. And you know what, you're worth knowing."
Nathaniel looks at Evillustrator, choking down tears. No one's ever said it out loud, not so plainly. In a way, he's telling himself that he's worthwhile, that he matters. The akuma keeps talking.
"You're worth knowing. And I want to get to know the pieces of you that aren't in me."
The redhead human is shaking, holding back tears by the time Evillustrator's done. Marc comes close and rests his head on Nathaniel's shoulder while Reverser strokes his hair. They agree.
"O-Okay." Even one word nearly causes the damn to burst. Cobalt pins itself to ocean blue. Evillustrator is so earnest, and so damn noble it makes Nathaniel crack a watery smile.
His other self, no, he's his own person now, Evillustrator smiles back at him, touching the hand with the rose.
"Good."
___________________
After that emotional rollercoaster, they hash out the logistics of what happened. You know the important stuff.
"So I fucked Nath first, which turned into fucking Evie over there." Reverser points at them as he runs down the explanation.
"Evie then fucked me, you two woke up in the aftermath of that... sorry by the way." He's doesn't look sorry at all. "But you met because of it, talked, got to know each other, sexted, which got Marc akumatized into me."
Rev is in rare form.
"Nath then fucked me stupid in front of Lady Bitch and Shat Noir. Evie rescued me, nearly fucked Marc, but the condom bitch baby interrupted." At that Marc pouts, still mad Hawkmoth interrupted them.
"Then Evie tried to kill Alix, Marc kissed him. Then he finally fucked Marc. After that, you two talked and ended up going to Luka's and fucked there. In his bed."
The black-and-white akuma looks proud of himself. The other three roll their eyes, but acknowledge he's right.
"Yes, but did you have to say it like that?" Marc huffs at his former akuma.
"I say what you won't, darling." Nathaniel and Evillustrator see the immediate effect the nickname has on Marc. He becomes a blushing mess and Reverser's grin widens like he's won the lottery.
"So are we all boyfriends or what?"
"Uh," Nathaniel is fairly sure he was lost two fucks ago, but he answers anyway, "Yes? Well you and I are, we talked about that. And Marc and I are. And you and Evie definitely are."
The redhead thinks that that's right, everyone nodded along with him. Reverser is winking at him, Marc's beaming and Evie is blushing at the crassness of it all, but the akuma agreed.
"And Evie's crushing on Nath. And now that I can see him, I wouldn't mind taking a piece of Marc's adorable ass." Reverser throws it in so casually it's like he's talking about the weather. Marc scowls muttering lowly.
"Who says I won't take a piece of yours?"
Nathaniel gets it. Reverser is hot, and now Marc can see just how hot he is. He's in the same boat with Evillustrator.
"No one's jealous?" Evie, ever the reasonable one asks.
"Well, why would we be?" Nathaniel looks at him. "We're all different versions of the same couple."
"We just need to connect the final two pieces." Marc pipes up.
Nathaniel finds himself really looking at Evillustrator. He already knows Reverser and Marc wouldn't have a problem with it. To them, they fell in love with two sides of the same person, and he really can't think of reason why he'd be mad if Marc and Rev got busy. In a weird way, it's self love... with your other self's dick.
Probably not what his therapist had in mind, but if it works, it works.
Nathaniel focuses on on Evillustrator. The akuma's lilac skin is exotic, complimented by his purple tipped hair. He's broader and a bit more built than Nathaniel. And his eyes, he could draw those eyes all day and never do them justice. They swirled with deep blue and fox fire. Nath's fingers twirl the rose in his hand.
He'll hash out whether this counts as masturbation or not later, Nathaniel is pretty attracted to Evie, and the akuma made it known he wanted to get to know the human half.
He's striking, a masterful blend of color and poise. Yeah, he wants to get to know Evillustrator too.
"So how is this gonna work?" Before he's even done asking, Marc has a calendar, that he pulled from absolutely nowhere.
"Okay, so we could do days." They talk and figure out that one day the akuma will spend time together while humans do something. The next they'll do human-akuma pairs, and the next they'll get some self-love. Rinse and repeat. That takes up six days. On Sunday, the four them will do something altogether.
"No one should feel left out. We're in this together. If someone needs us, we'll be there for them. The schedule is just a guide to cultivate individual time with every part of the polycule, but we're all a part of this relationship." Marc declares with confidence that he usually doesn't show, let alone have.
"I'm just glad I can have sex and remember it. I feel robbed." Nathaniel says.
"Same." Marc echoes
The akuma at least have the decency to look sheepish. They got to keep most of the memories.
"I am beyond jealous that Evie got to feel your load inside him." Nathaniel crosses his arms.
"Well you you got to taste his what his cock's like! I only got to see it after it was soft!" Evie rebuts, blushing a deep purple.
"I'm still trying to figure out how you and Reverser found the time to date." Marc deadpans.
Rev wisely keeps his mouth shut, realizing he's the only one who benefited from all sides. He also remembers most of it. He hoped they didn't catch on, especially since he got a two for one.
____________________
Living arrangements come easily. Nathaniel had an apartment to himself with no supervision. Later on, they'd figure it all out. Marc still stayed with his mom. She was on tour with Luka's band for the moment, but she'd eventually come back. She'd definitely want to know where Reverser came from if he was there. It doesn't feel right to make Marc stay alone, though.
The only logical place they could stay was Nathaniel's. He'd just have to convince his dad to let him move into a two bedroom. He could say he wants the second room as a studio or find a reasonably priced home. What he's not doing is sharing a bathroom with three other people.
All that can wait, tonight the four of them are staying together. Too much has happened and none of them are quite willing to part just yet. It's a tight fit on Nathaniel's queen size, but they manage.
Reverser spoons the redhead from behind, tunic tossed to side. His bare chest, alabaster and obsidian, is on display. He's the most defined of all of them. Sharp and strong, the protector. He smirks down at them, cocky as ever. By the grace of God himself, the origami akuma has on boxers.
As much as Nathaniel loves that cock, after everything that's happened, he cannot handle anymore. He's overstimulated and needs to sleep for three days.
Evillustrator looks delicately sculpted. It's like someone took their time when they crafted him. His lilac skin glows in the moonlight. He looks like a tapestry. He settles in behind Marc, holding him around the waist.
Nathaniel and Marc are in the middle. They smile at each other before looking up at their respective akuma. The redhead feels how Rev leans over him to look at Marc, and finds himself looking at Evillustrator.
The akuma is smiling at him. He reaches out a hand, cupping Nathaniel's cheek and tucks a strand behind his ear before settling it back on Marc's hip. Rev just laughs, jostling the redhead. He notices how the noirette blushes up at his doppelganger, but snuggles into Evie.
They fall asleep like that. Come morning, they'll be a tangle of limbs with someone's foot in someone's side. For now though, the four of them lay together, like pieces of a puzzle that finally fit.
____________________
When Marc wakes up and sees Nathaniel, for one horrible moment he thinks last night was a dream and the universe reset its mistake. Evillustrator is once again no more.
Of course his stupid fanfic fantasies made him hallucinate that the akuma is still alive. Oh God, why did he have to wake up? Couldn't he have fallen into a coma? That would be so much better than life without one of his boyfriends.
He starts to panic before something white lands in his hair. He looks up and sees coal dark eyes on a split color face, peering over Nathaniel's red bushel of hair. A sleepy glare startles him.
"Darling, it's far too early to be worrying about nothing." Reverser already had a deep voice, it's even more so in the morning.
"Rev- Reverser?"
"The one and only."
"So you're still here."
"Yes, darling, I'm here, and so is Evie. He's right behind you."
As soon as he says it, Marc notices the comfortable weight on top of him. Breath ghosts over his neck while the aforementioned akuma snores softly. The panic finally unhooks its claws from Marc's spine.
"I'm... I'm sorry."
"S'okay. You're used to waking up without him. It's a thing of the past now."
Reverser's voice is soothing, he knows exactly what to say to Marc, which makes sense. The noirette needs assurance above anything. He needs to know where he stands and how things are. The worst thing for his anxiety is not knowing. His brain overloads with all the possibilities of how everything will go wrong.
Rev knows all of this, and he's telling Marc it's okay now. He tugs black stands gently, petting the human like you would a skittish deer. It's a test of his patience because he's half asleep and he hasn't gotten nearly enough, but Rev comforts Marc as best he can.
Even he has to admit it's a bit jarring to see Evillustrator there. He's relieved at the feeling of Nathaniel in his arms. He won't admit it, but he was scared. He doesn't show it like Marc does, but he was terrified of what the morning would bring.
Reverser remembers disappearing. He remembers watching Nathaniel break in front of him and he didn't even have hands to pick up the pieces. He never wants to see that look on his face again. He never wants to see that look on any of their faces.
He heard that scream with the last bit of consciousness he had. It was inhuman. It haunts Rev that he wasn't there. He would give anything to take away the trauma they wrought.
Heaven help anyone who took them from him. He was the part of Marc that would rend and tear and destroy anything that got in his way. And now he was looking in vulnerable green eyes, looking at someone one verge of teetering off the edge. He couldn't let Marc spiral.
Big doe eyes stared up at him, asking him for comfort. Marc loved head rubs so he does what he can.
"It's okay to be scared, darling. I was too."
"You were scared?"
"Course I was. I was terrified hearing you both break down. There was nothing I could do. And I was scared that I'd have to hear again this morning. But we're all here... Together."
Marc is shocked Reverser gets scared. He thought the akuma was all the parts of him that were brave and strong and dominant. But even the akuma has things that keep him up at night.
It strangely makes him feel better, to know that someone understands him so completely they don't need words. He calms down.
It of course doesn't last.
Nathaniel wakes up screaming for Rev, who goes wide eyed at the how loud he is. Evillustrator shoots up behind Marc, startled awake. The redhead is in hysterics, sobbing and grabbing blindly at the air.
"REV!"
The three of them look at each other. Nathaniel was having a panic attack, convinced Reverser was gone. Marc is frozen and Rev doesn't know what do except try to make sure Nathaniel doesn't hurt himself.
He's choking even though there's plenty of air. He can feel his heart clenching. It's too scared to beat. He's trapped in the moment. He watches Reverser disappear and give one last smirk that doesn't meet his eyes.
In the moment, everything crescendos into crystal clarity. There's a sort of peace that lasts the barest moment, before panic explodes. His eyes roll back and he's nails tear at his throat.
Everything's too much and Nathaniel is trying his damnedest to tear his skin off. He can't see anything in front of him, trapped in an hallucination. His nervous system is alight with a storm, lightning crackled in his brain. It felt like it was frying. And still he screamed.
It's Evillustrator who takes charge, eyes firm. His voice is strong, unwavering. He pulls Nathaniel's hands away from his neck, wincing at the deep scratches. He keeps the redhead from doing worse.
"You're okay, Nathaniel. Reverser's right here. Can you listen to my voice? Can you tell me five things you can hear?" The akuma coos softly. He talks like he's coaxing a small animal. His counterpart is teary eyed and looks small on Rev's arms.
It's a struggle to get Nathaniel to focus on his voice, but the akuma manages. He gets the other redhead talking and goes through the motions of calming him down. Right down the list. Tell me what you feel. Tell me what you see.
Eventually, Nathaniel is breathing evenly again. His eyes are wild, rimmed red with bags under them. He's holding onto Reverser like a lifeline. Evie comes up with a weighted blanket, wrapping it around the other boy. Nathaniel is even paler than usual and his freckles stand out starkly.
Wherever he is, Evillustrator pulls him back. It's almost practiced the way he knows what to do. He's shoving a cup of coffee into the redhead's hands, while Rev and Marc stay by his side.
Through all of it, Nathaniel doesn't speak. He doesn't trust himself not to scream again. The nightmare was vivid. Rev disappeared, but this time in a haze of bone and blood, right before his eyes. He'd been picking up pieces of him.
"It's okay. You're okay." It's Marc who's talking now while Evie frets. Rev stays his anchor to the world.
____________________
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Last night was hard on you." He's surrounded by warmth on three sides. He's in Rev's lap with Marc and Evie on either side of him. The art akuma won't hear his apologies.
He hates when he gets like this. It feels like all his coping mechanisms fly out the damn window. But if this is what happens after from now on, he can't complain. He's being doted over, which is a nice change of pace. Nathaniel's had to deal with his panic attacks alone for a while now.
But last night really hit too close to home. He despised the look of quiet acceptance on Rev's face. It didn't fit him. Rev was defiant, a force of nature. It was unnatural to see him just... give up.
And his mind twisted it, created something monstrous.
But it was nice to see he's cared for, especially from Evie. Nathaniel didn't know what his akuma self would think of him. He was better than the redhead, that was a objective fact, at least to the human half. But he said himself he wouldn't be who he was without Nathaniel.
Did that mean he thought Nath was good enough? Was he good enough? He wanted to be, if not for himself, for them.
It was obvious Evillustrator wanted to court his human half. The rose sat on his desk because he didn't have a vase to put it in just yet. Said akuma was holding his hand. The contrast between pale and lilac was beautiful. His fingers fit snuggly between the spaces. Huh, Evie's just a bit bigger all over.
Intrigued he flips over the palm, tracing the lines. Their hands aren't the same, he notes. Which shouldn't they be? But they aren't. Maybe they were before he was reborn, but now they're different. They're his own.
It really dawns on Nathaniel then. The akuma are here, they're real and they're here. Evie doesn't pull his hand away, the lavender-skinned man just beamed at him. His cobalt eyes light up so earnestly Nathaniel can only stare.
His face was just so open and honest, so free. Has he ever made a face like that? Maybe when he was a child. Children hadn't grown jaded yet, everything about them feels weightless. That's how it feels when he looks at Evie.
Holy shit. He gets it then He gets what drew both Marc and Rev to his akuma. He means everything he says and doesn't say. It's refreshing, and super attractive.
A little dazed, Nathaniel smiles back. He's not sure if it's like Evie's, but it's there, tentative and open. He draws shapes in the akuma's palm, playing a game with him. They don't talk, he just watches Evillustrator's mouth move around the words.
Triangle.
Square.
Circle.
Nathaniel swallows when he starts to draw the next shape. The palm in his hand feels hot and heavy. Slowly his finger traces the outline.
Heart.
The reaction is instantaneous. Evillustrator smiles with all his teeth, eyes full of happiness. He looks like a small puppy. Akuma were made to destroy, but here one was looking soft and cuddly.
It's honestly adorable and he can't reconcile this with the man who topped both Marc and Reverser. He's seeing that akuma aren't just the idealized parts of themselves, but they have their own layers.
He feels his heart thump in a way that signals he taking the first step in falling for someone. For the third time. Jesus Christ. If this is gonna happen again, Nathaniel is glad he has the time to spend now.
It's the one thing he's grateful for. He'll get time with Rev. He'll get time with Marc. And he'll get time with Evillustrator. They can finally go one dates and do sappy things couples -or polycules- do together. It makes something get caught in his throat.
He doesn't want to cry again, Nathaniel's done enough of that for today, thank you. But it's undeniable how happy he is about this revelation.
Looking around all their faces, the redhead smiles. They get to do this right.