(Part two of Breaking Things into Pieces--

My heart hurts writing this is so cute and slow-burned

THIS IS THE LONGEST FUCKING ONE SHOT

THE SECOND LONGEST BEFORE THIS BEING THE LEMON I WROTE)

Far away, distantly, locked in my memories,

You look in the mirror.  Not skinny anymore, that's good. You had a long black dress hanging off of your curves. You push your hair out of your face as you blink. A black collar is tight around your neck, the maids wouldn't dare touch it. 

I came upon a collar

You wrap your fingers around it, lazily trying to peel it from your skin. Unable. It feels like leather, leaving your fingers to smell like gasoline. You haven't looked in the mirror for so long you forgot it was there.

Before you found it you were a normal red, no powers, no beauty. The collar was beautifully wrapped around a red spider lily - a flower. You were 10 when you picked it up, wrapping it around your neck as you innocently hook it on. 

"It's people I need!" 

"It's people I need!"

You felt the power, your hands suddenly had a heavy weight. The collar dug itself into your flesh. You tried pulling it off but it wouldn't give. 

Oh, this is what the cursed collar did scream

As you tried pulling the collar away from a hand when on your shoulder. It was your friend at the time, a little girl. 

Please don't be mad at me.

As a reflex you smack her hand away, grabbing it in the process. She started screaming, trying to pull away from you. But you didn't let go. Something wouldn't let you release your grip. 

Then, she disappeared.

You felt her life form go through you. It felt so good.

HEY

"Are you okay?" Maven asks you. You break from your dramatic flashback as you turn around elegantly, starring at him. It's better to look at him without the bars in between you two.

"I'm fine, just thinking." Your voice is soft and quiet. Your fingers wrap around each other as you shift your gaze from Maven to the floor.

"You always seem to think," Maven starts as he walks closer to you. His height is very much taller than yours, you've never failed to forget this. Maven gets a little too close for your liking so you turn around, staring back into the body sized mirror.

Put it around your neck, until your stomachs upset

"What do you think about?" He finishes. Your breath catches in your throat. Should you bring up the collar? Would he want to have a solution to it? He sounded so worried, making your heart bounce up and down. He was so sweet to you, unlike everybody else in your life. It almost made you... love him.

"I think about how hungry I am." You say absentmindedly. You need more people, more souls. You can't stop staring at yourself in the mirror. The lines in your face are returning, you're starting to look your age. Your eyes are dull and constantly bloodshot.

Lovely results, don't you agree?

"Do you want food?" He asks. You don't answer verbally, only shaking your head. It goes quiet for a while. The collar tightens a bit, hungry. You turn around once more, facing Maven with a small smile.

"I think the dress looks lovely on you," he comments. Lovely?

Lovely just like me?

Lovely is a word you've never heard somebody call you. Lovely; beautiful; pretty. 

Aren't I just a lovely child?

"Thank you," you manage to mutter out.

Hey, hey

I'm good, aren't I?

If you say no, I'll cry!

Why was he being so nice to a monster like you? You take people's life. Everybody you've met has called you a monster expect Maven.

Love me I beg, love me I beg

"Why don't you call me a monster? Why do you call me things like beautiful and lovely?" You ask him, speaking faster than usual. Maven pauses, his gaze shifting around. 

"Because I know what it's like to be called a monster." He looks at you, his blue eyes emotionless.

Until we aren't completely sane

You don't know how to react. Laugh? Cry? All you do is stand there looking at him. 

It's agony

It's agony

You're pupils lessen as your heartbeat goes up. Monster. 

This curse I bear

Was he called monster too? By who? You swear you'll suck the life out of any moral thing that even thinks about calling him a monster. He's the nicest person you've ever met. His hair is so beautiful, his eyes are to die for, and his voice is pure gold. Who would even think about hurting him?

Undo it, undo it

Hey

You close your eyes. 

It can't be stopped now.

"No matter what we do people will call us the monster. We might as well get used to it, right?" You explain with a low voice. Monster, just get used to it. Your curse will never go away. You will always be the monster they call you. And he will too. You walk up to him, wrapping your arms around his torso. He doesn't hesitate as he hugs you back, seeming to enjoy the position. 

Time goes on, time goes on,

You hold your hand out for Mare to take. She stands in front of you, hands covered in chains. You were mocking her.

After hearing so much about Mare from Maven, who happened to open up to you after awhile, you knew exactly who placed the thought of "you're the monster" in his head. She did not deserve life, no, not anymore.

Changes come to your frame,

You weren't hungry anymore, which is good. You take the lives of red servants who try to take the collar off. It isn't your fault, the collar made you do it.

But the collar stays the same.

Mare walked past you, many Arven's behind her. You could practically taste how sweet she'll be running through your veins.

It's agonizing now, but this is nothing now

You've gotten used to being so hungry. Needing to look younger. The feeling is constant. Servants won't come to your room anymore.

People just, people just, they're not enough

After watching Mare walk away you look at Maven, who was present in the room. Your heart beats faster as he huffs. He walks up to you, grabbing your forearm. His grip is tight but he doesn't look angry.

"Have fun," he whispers after leaning close to your ear. He was smirking when he pulled back, looking at you with such flirtatious eyes. You lost control of yourself. You almost kissed him there, you got so close as to grab his cheeks. But you didn't do it. You stopped yourself. You've never kissed anybody before. 

Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round, marvel at me

The throne room but weird pressure on your shoulders. It felt like everything was looking at you. Maven sat in his silent stone throne which made you feel sorrier for him than before you knew it existed. The room was basically empty, just a couple of faces. In particular Mare and Samson. You stood by Maven's throne, your hand on his shoulder. You rubbed your thumb in a circular motion, he felt relaxed under your touch.

When I told you that I was in love

Does he know yet? Does he know how much you like him? How much you want to hug and protect him? 

You paid no mind to the conversations as you just stared down at Maven.

I love you so, so very much

Maven looks up at you, his eyes pure stone. He gently brushes your hand off of him, looking back at the two charms in the room. You smile a broken creepy smile.

I'm lying, I think that you're trash.

 He doesn't know what he has. He doesn't understand how much you love him. He just doesn't get how protected he is with you.

Love me I beg, love me I beg

I'll give you everything

He continues talking as you stare forward, eyes quickly catching Mares. She looked worried. Why did it make you smile?

But in return,

It was late at night one day when you were talking with Maven in your room. You wished for 1st-row tickets to the Samson torturing Mare show, but it was sold out. 

You were folding blankets and putting them on your bed as Maven said something before you changed the subject.

"Why do you even like Mare that much?" Like me instead. 

I'll make you share this hatred I bare.

Maven was quiet as he put his hand on yours, stopping you from folding more blankets. You looked at him, turning. 

"Don't ever ask me that again." He says firmly. You hold back a laugh. He doesn't know, he'll never know.

It's not enough

"Don't tell me what to do." You respond as you turned away from him. You put the blanket on your bed as you try to say something else.

You're not enough

You're suddenly slammed onto the bed, your stomach against Maven as he holds your wrists together. He looks angry. It's hot.

Just not enough.

He opens his mouth, ready to spit venom. You couldn't help what you did. You didn't want to ruin your relationship with Maven, you didn't want to ruin that. You kissed him. His already opened mouth fit perfectly against yours. He was shocked, he almost started shaking. His grip on your wrists tightened as he kissed back.

But I won't let you go

You pulled back, letting your head fall onto the mattress. Maven put his head on your shoulders.

I'm sorry about this

One day Mare will die. That's a fact. Will it before Maven? Will it be before you? You wish you would know. 

One day Maven will die. On that day you wish to cease to exist, you wish to never remember he even was alive. One day your heart will break, and it will be Mavens fault.

Love me I beg, love me I beg

Until we're not completely sane

Maven stood up and backed away, letting you sit up after him. He avoids your gaze, he's thinking intensely. 

It's agony

Maven grabs your hand quickly and made you stand up as he walks out of the room. Your eyes go blurry as time quickens. What is he doing? Why is his grip tightening? He doesn't even look at you as he calls sentinels over. They walk behind you in lines as you try to put together what's happening. Maven squeezes your hand reassuringly. 

You don't recognize these halls. But then again, you don't really pay attention. 

I won't let go

It wasn't until you reached a familiar staircase you started to struggle. He's putting you back in the cage. You screamed and thrashing but the sentinels held you still. Maven lets go of your hand, leading the sentinels where to take you. 

Your collar pulsates. Your collar screams. Your left hand comes free first as you grab a sentinel holding the right one. You drain his life, he disappears. He doesn't feel good through your veins. He feels empty, lost. It doesn't make you as powerful as you wished. More sentinels try to obtain you. You take about three before the barrel of a gun makes contact with your forehead. You freeze. 

It's agony. 

"Shoot me," you whisper. Maven screams. Then your world goes black.

Strangle me, strangle me

Your eyes widen as you immediately sit up, your toes on the floor with your fingers as you crouch. The familiar feeling of that cold metal floor makes your veins run cold. Bares surround you. You're in the cage. At least you can see. Maven sits on a chair, his legs crossed. He looks like he's been waiting awhile, his skin is dry and his face is dead.

"I've always wanted to ask about the collar around your neck." He says. "It saved your life."

"I feed it." You growl. He hums. 

Isn't this happiness?

"Why am I here?" You ask as you sit on your butt, legs bent to your chest. He stares down at you, his blue eyes piercing the darkness.

"You are dangerous. I know you want to kill her-" you cut him off.

"She called you a monster. She placed the thought in your head that you're not good enough! I think you're perfect, and you choose her over me?!" You scream out as you crawl to the edge of the bars, grabbing them tightly. He goes quiet, rolling his eyes. He stands up. He doesn't say a word. No words, no actions. He reaches out for your face. Both of his hands cup your cheeks, his thumbs dangerously close to your eyes.

Suddenly there's pain.

Suddenly you can't see.