Twisted Wonderland 2

Just Projecting

You hold your arm anxiously as you watch Rollo pace across the bell tower, muttering to himself.

"It's not too late to stop this." You try to convince him. "You can still change how this will end."

Rollo narrows his eyes. "I know I can and I'll see to it that every mage in Twisted Wonderland has their magic stripped from them."

"But that's wrong. You can't just take-"

"Don't you get it?" Rollo whirls around, his eyes narrowed as he steps closer to you. You take a step back every time he walks closer. "Why can't you see that those mages don't care about you? They only think of you as some helpless welp they can parade around like a dog!"

Your back hits a wall but Rollo keeps getting closer until he traps you against the wall.

"I am the only one you can trust! I am your only defender!"

Your heart races in your chest. Your eyes wide in fear.

Rollo raises his hands to your face, running them along your cheeks and through your hair. "How can I protect you unless you stay here with me?"

"What?" He's sounding just like Frollo...

"I see you for who you are. I know how truly special you are." Rollo stares intensely into your eyes. "Those mages don't deserve you."

"W-what are you saying?"

"Stay here with me, Y/N. Be mine and mine alone."

Rollo leans closer, running his thumbs along your cheeks. He brings his lips close to yours but stops when you both hear a commotion below you.

Rollo hums as he pulls away from you. "Seems they have managed to reach the top despite the flowers in their path. Come, Y/N," He grabs your hand and drags you with him. "We must be ready to greet our guests."

Malleus, Idia and Azul walk the final steps to the top. They glance around to see if they can spot you. Rollo stands in the shadows, holding you close to his chest and has a hand covering your mouth so you can't speak. You struggle against his tight grip, trying to warn the boys.

"Here we are." Malleus says. "The very top floor of the bell tower."

Azul looks to the bell. "The Bell of Solace stands out even at night. Look how it glints in the moonlight."

"Now to ring it, wipe out the flowers, save Y/N and finish this stupid pop-up quest for good." Idia adds.

Malleus turns his gaze to the shadows, narrowing his eyes. "But before we do that... We must pay our respects to the host of the party."

Rollo steps into the moonlight, moving the hand that covers your mouth to hold your waist. Holding you close, he grins at the boys. "At long last, you've arrived. The greater the villains, the more they insist on parading around. Deplorable."

Azul glares at Rollo. "So you finally reveal yourself, Rollo."

"You guys hear that?" Idia scoffs. "The biggest villain of all is spouting a bunch of deluded nonsense. You're literally keeping a damsel in distress captive."

"'Tis a fine night, Flamme." Malleus says with a glare. "Is our presence not wanted? I was certain it was an innocent mistake on your part when you plunged us underground."

Rollo chuckles, pressing his head against yours and bringing his nose to your hair. "You certainly weren't invited, but I don't mind you here. I show hospitality to even my rudest guests."

The boys bristle, glaring daggers at Rollo.

Malleus lets out a low growl. "Let her go, Flamme."