tempting_the_fates

The wagon didn't look very large, but magic was deceptive that way. The horses had been fed and tethered for the night, still grazing near the camp as the sun went down. A fire nearby was cooking something, the soft glow showing off the colours of the painted wagon that had been parked nearby. It wasn't much to look at, with its tatty curtains and chipped paint, but inside was nice, with a plush bed that didn't seem like it should fit, and rich velvet bedding.

Nyx was sitting just a bit too close to the fire, a slice of veg charring on a stick over the flame, beside a pot of something filling and warm. Potato soup, most likely- Maybe with a bit of leek.

"Did you see that man before, the one that was headed into town? He had a nice watch. I'd like a watch, I think," the nymph said, even though he had no need to tell time, and never seemed to wear things that had pockets to hold a pocket watch.

He was a week into treatment, and he was struggling. He wouldn't admit it, wouldn't slow down, but he was struggling. He was exhausted and unsteady, and though he'd made it through another day on set without anyone seeming to notice, he collapsed the moment he got home, falling asleep on the sofa.

He just needed to get through this, and then he'd be fine. He just needed to get through this without fucking things up at work. and he'd be fine. Everything would be fine. It would be like he'd never been ill at all.

"You're the only person I know who could move to LA and somehow get paler," Olivia said.

She'd been perched on the counter beside him while he scrubbed off his makeup. Some of the crew didn't seem to like her, but truthfully, Nyx thought she was alright. Maybe a bit attention seeking, but who wasn't in this industry?

"What can I say, I'm a vampire," Nyx joked, drying his face.

"Yeah? Didn't know vampires bruised so easily," she said, pointing at a rather nasty one that was starting to bloom on his arm.

Nyx hadn't even noticed it, and frowned as he gave it a closer look. "I must have whacked my arm off something earlier," he said with a yawn.

"Are you sleeping at all?" she asked. "Jesus, Nyx, you seem permanently exhausted."

Nyx shook his head though, rubbing his arm a bit and then shrugging. "I swear, lately all I do is sleep. It's become my favorite pastime."

Olivia clicked her tongue thoughtfully, then pushed away whatever she'd been thinking with a laugh and a smile. "Yeah, well, if you're sick, keep it to yourself. I'm hosting a charity thing this weekend. Don't need your germs, thanks."

"I'm hurt," Nyx said, pretending to pout. "Thought we shared everything, Liv," he teased, leaning over and pretending to try and steal a kiss.

Olivia shrieked out a laugh, pushing him away and nearly falling into the sink. "Dickhead," she snorted, still laughing as she fixed her hair.

"Your dickhead though," Nyx grinned, walking away as she laughed again and flipped him off. On the way out the door he nearly walked right into House- Who was either on his way in, or on his way past. Nyx couldn't really tell. "Alright, Greg?" he asked.

from here

"I don't remember agreeing to anything," Nyx snorted, turning to face him. "What makes you so sure I want you, huh?"

from here

Nyx wasn't sure how he was meant to think of anything at all, head tipping back as he closed his eyes and swore softly at the feeling of the other man's lips on him.

For as much as Nyx seemed to go off the rails, he did quite like having a routine. Seeing Hannibal once a week scratched multiple itches, a little high, a little danger- And a weekly appointment to keep. Something to center his week around when everything else was a bit messy or out of order.

This week was no different, saying hello at the desk, then making his way to Hannibal's rooms. The only real difference was he was dressed a bit nicer this week, having spent the afternoon recording a few promotional videos for the upcoming holiday season, and a TV special he was to be a part of. Rather than his usual casual style, he had on a rather nice suit. Well, some of it anyway- The tie and jacket had been abandoned in the car, but the shirt and trousers still looked nice.

After Eliot left, Nyx mostly slept. It was really all he could do. Even with the painkillers, he ached all over. He knew he'd heal, and fast, but right now it was all misery. It didn't help that they had him on iron, making his magic sluggish. He wasn't with it enough to make up some lie about being allergic or whatever he had to say to get off it.

He wasn't sure what time it was when the lights came back on, another nurse coming through to check his vitals. Morning, maybe? He knew they'd kicked Eliot out last night, since it was already well past visiting hours when he'd been brought in, but he had no idea how long he'd been here.

His phone had been chiming all night, but a nurse had plugged it in to charge across the room, encouraging him to rest.

It had been nothing but press and performances all week now that the album had dropped. Magazines, TV, the BBC... A headaches worth of stupid questions and blissful shows. The Live Lounge had gone down a treat, their new single paired with a cover of this month's pop song du-jour. No formal announcement, no lead up, just a tweet and a post on TikTok, and The Swallow was streaming on every platform. There was even a second video out for the new single, this one featuring the whole band.

The reviews were excellent, some even suggesting it could be the album of the year. 'A mix of heart, pain, and party anthems', one reviewer said- And yeah, that felt about right. Nyx should have been riding the high, had no reason not to, but that misery of his was never far behind, and lately it was nipping at his heels, waiting to drag him under again. He could drink, he could party, he could fuck... But he couldn't outrun his depression. It always caught him in the end.

It didn't help that he hadn't seen Willy in a while. He could manage the sickness he felt when they were apart too long, but not for forever. Eventually that would catch up to him too.

He found himself staring at the other fae's door, before forcing himself into the kitchen to finally eat something. When had his last meal been? He couldn't remember, but drink and drugs couldn't fill a stomach, and as good as the hunger felt, he knew he needed to eat. Grabbing a fistful of nuts, he leaned against the counter and waited for the kettle to boil.

"This is it, this is what we are owed," Nyx purred, flopping onto the bed in the five star hotel room the label had paid for. For the first time ever one of their songs was creeping into the top twenty, and to say the label was excited would be an understatement. They were booked everywhere. Podcasts, talk shows... Everything. But tonight they had the night off and no limit on the company card.

"Let's order room service. I want to get naked and put a robe on and just eat and fuck around until I pass the fuck out," he laughed, only getting out of bed to start stripping and raid the mini bar.

His ears were back and he hissed loudly as the man tried to catch hold of his arm.

"I said no," Nyx said, baring his teeth. They were down one of the many winding halls near the residential area, alone, but not hidden.

"I don't see why you're being so difficult. I paid you last time, and I'll pay you again. Come on, just come back to mine," the man snapped, glancing around to make sure no one was watching as he caught Nyx around the middle to try and haul him along.

Nyx hissed louder and gave him a kick in the shin. "I said I would not take you as a client again!"

The man hadn't been too rough or violent, those things didn't bother Nyx at all. No, this man had almost been too friendly, calling often after their encounter and sending Nyx little gifts. Usually he loved that sort of thing, but this man... He made him uneasy.

"I have money, you could just let me look after you," the man said, trying to soothe him. "I could be good for you..."

Nyx bit down hard on his shoulder, sharp teeth piercing through the man's uniform. That seemed to be the final straw as the man moved to strike him.