Life, Death, and Time - A Books Of Beginning Collection

Oneshot: Distorted Delight

Background: AU TBR ending: The Dire Magnus wins. Takes place over twenty years after The Dire Magnus achieves his victory and his control over the books of beginning and the world. 

Content: Lili x Eternity. Some Kate x Rafe. Angst, Fluff, Romance, Dark Romance. Some Obsession. Time Skips. Morally Grey Characters. Different backstories, same ships. Strong vulgarity and swearing. Deals with more mature concepts than my usual work.

The pink haired teenager scowled as an oblivious pedestrian stomped on her foot. The boy beside her - Tyler, she was pretty sure his name was - grabbed her arm to steady her, even though she really didn't need the help. 

"You good?" He asked, tugging her into a back ally. 

She grinned sharply, "never better. So, you asked for a word in private with me; I'm guessing you don't want to commission a piece of art?"

"I'd rather admire the one right in front of me," Tyler replied smoothly. 

Eternity laughed. He had guts, she had to give him that, and he wasn't bad looking, either. Not to say she was drooling all over him, he wasn't that special, but she did like the adrenaline of flirting, the witty back and forth banter. Mostly, though, she liked the fact that the longer she verbally sparred with this boy a year or two older than her, the longer she could avoid returning to her residence and her guardian. Not that she had anything against Abigail, the old witch who she lived with, but the woman was very busy, and always working on some business venture or another, and it drove the adolescent absolutely mad. Plus, there was the fact, that for all the kindness Abigail had, her house had never really felt like home. 

Tyler took a step closer to her, "you really are gorgeous, you know."

"Take a step back mister," Eternity laughed again, "a few compliments and some quick timing aren't gonna get you anywhere with me."

"Oh just take a chance," he leaned down so that their faces were mere inches apart, "you'll enjoy it."

Eternity raised an eyebrow, undaunted, "you're cute, but I'll pass. I'm not in the mood today."

It was true. She liked the adrenaline of flirting with an attractive stranger her own age, the clash of tempers and insults and witty compliments. It made her feel alive. But despite how much she loved the thrill of bantering, she rarely went much further than that; dates and romantic gestures frightened her too much, and while she certainly had kissed a person or two in her time, she had never felt the need to get more heated and passionate than that. 

He sighed, impatient, leaning even closer to her, "come on, just one kiss, for the road?"

Eternity took a step back, "not unless you pop a breath mint. Dude, seriously, what did you have for lunch?"

The boy's blue eyes flashed with annoyance and impatience, and he dipped down quickly, trying to press his lips to Eternity's. Eternity, however, had slid out of his way, quick in movement from so much time bobbing and weaving through the crowded city of New York, and having been taught by Abigail and the witch's associates how to hold her own in a brawl, if need be. 

"Don't get handsy with me!" Eternity snapped, her previous flirtatious, teasing mood gone. She liked to play the game of flirting and attraction, but when someone tried to force something she wasn't wanting, that angered her, as it should. 

"What's the matter?! You were practically begging me to kiss you earlier!" Tyler complained, and he would have just sounded whiny, if it weren't for the note of anger resonating in his voice. Eternity heaved a sigh. When she had wanted to avoid having to return to Abigail's, she hadn't been planning on getting into a fight with some asshole, nor was she excited by the prospect.