Chapter Text
Geno had barely stepped into the throne room before the chill hit him.
Not the natural cold of deeper waters, or even the subtle, ghostly pressure that clung to Reaper’s deathly magic. It was an icy frost, crawling over his soul in a tumultuous mix of horror, disgust, and rage. The sight that he was greeted with made his fins stand on edge.
Reaper was no longer draped with his traditional robes and chains, but now lounged in silks that were disturbingly lascivious. The fabric was barely covering is ribs - if at all - and pooled dangerously short around the hips, just barely giving his pelvic region the modesty it deserved.
And leaning over him was Fatal, lush and lolling in Reaper's throne as if it were his own, claws brushing over the prince's body in places too intimate to be proper- especially in public...!
Geno remembers Reaper telling him how awkward he felt without his robes.
He can still feel the way Reaper flustered when Geno had accidentally caused his hood to pull back with a current.
Yet looking now, you'd never know that the orca had such a reserved side, only twisting in Fatal's hold with a hazy, infatuated expression. Allowing himself to be debased so easily...!
Geno felt like he was going to be sick.
“Reaper!” He quickly settled on an emotion - rage: protective. Defensive. Fearful - and charged into the room, pinning his twin with an accusing glare. “What the hell are you doing?!”
Fatal only tutted mockingly, seemingly unsurprised by his presence. Poor Reaper flinched with a yelp, quickly scrambling for robes that weren't there to defend his modesty.
"Geno! How... so like you, to show up where you're not welcome."
Noticing Reaper's flustered state, Fatal smoothly wrapped an arm around the prince's waist and pulled him close, nuzzling into the orca's neck with a too-sweet smile with those sharp and lethal fangs.
"Shhh, relax baby, no need to feel ashamed in front of this bottom-feeder, remember? Your body is a work of art. You deserve to be admired.”
Reaper’s blush deepened, face ducking shyly into Fatal’s shoulder despite the unease flickering faintly in his sockets.
Geno’s fists clenched. “Don’t touch him like that,” he snarled.
Fatal gave him a pitying look, phalanges brushing Reaper’s cheek. “Jealousy is such a poor look on you, dear brother.”
Reaper blinked. “Brother?”
“You didn’t tell him who you are?” Geno’s voice was low, incredulous. “You didn’t tell him you’re my brother?”
Fatal only smiled, all teeth and cruelty hidden beneath the veil of false charm. “Half-brother, technically,” he cooed, brushing a kiss against Reaper’s temple, possessive and deliberate. “I didn’t want to taint your impression of me with his bitterness. I wanted us to start fresh, darling.”
Reaper hesitated, slowly hunching in on himself as a blush formed over his face. "O- Oh... that... that explains a bit..." he muttered to himself.
Geno snarled, realizing he wasn't getting anywhere like this. “Reaper, listen to me! He doesn’t love you. He’s using you. He just wants to-!"
"Ah-ah.” Fatal rose with fluid grace, cutting a hand through the water between them. “That’s enough, dear prince. You had your chance, didn’t you? Weeks of being wooed by the sweetest creature in the sea- and all you ever did was scowl and sneer. You turned him away. Don't you think it's in bad form to try and sabotage our happiness over your own pettiness?"
Geno’s saw red. “You slimy little-!”
"Now, if that's all you have to say," Fatal interrupted, voice syrupy with false politeness, “I think it's best you leave. Before you humiliate yourself-"
"I challenge you to a duel!"
"-further..." Fatal paused, blinking once in surprise before his mouth curled into a slow, indulgent smile. “Oh. Oh my. That’s adorable.”
Reaper looked between them, startled. “Geno? Wait-”
“For Reaper’s hand,” The selkie pressed, voice low with fury. “I'm not leaving this castle without him.”
Reaper’s mouth parted in stunned disbelief, blinking rapidly as if trying to comprehend what he’d just heard. "G- Geno, you... you don't have to-"
“I do.” Geno’s voice trembled, not with fear, but with conviction. “Because you don’t see what he is. But I do. And I’m not letting him hurt you.”
And that was a promise.