♮ ‒‎ 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬.

" hm? nothing. "

he chuckles a little.

" perhaps it's just the cold. "

still staring ... is that blood on the back of his hand?

sniffle.

" that's not something you'd typically wear. "

rubbing nose.

staring at him from a distance.

june.

YOWWWWWWWWW

“ would you like to go that way? “

he’d peer down at him, deep black orbs fixated on till’s own.

“ i always win, don’t i?

i’m starting to wonder if you like losing. “

of course he didn’t. it was all just to rile him up. every little response of till’s was something to admire, after all.

… but mizi and ivan were close enough to the point where he could get her to play along with his cruel jokes. of course it was a bit mean - spirited to use mizi against him, but that was the way ivan showed his adoration for till.

not that he had any other way.

of course, the proper response here should be caution, as opposed to intrigue or amusement …

but for ivan, that wasn’t the case. he wanted to see every bit of how far he could take till’s emotions, especially if he were to add mizi into the mix. while he was right in assuming ivan was a liar …

“ do you think you’d even be able to? “

“ you got me. “

his eyes trail to her shape behind him — attempting to get a look at the braid from behind … but no luck. he just has to have faith that it looks fine.

even if it looked bad, he probably wouldn’t tell her.

“ but … what if you ( had ) to pick one? “

he’d joke, smirk returning.

“ because it’s you — “

a finger pokes till’s chest.

“ — who should sleep with one eye open. “

he can’t wait to find out.

… at least, that’s how till would see it.

“ hm.

then maybe you should get groveling. ✨ “

of course, he was trying to get him angrier … but wouldn’t it be funny if he had mizi go along with it? what fun it’d be to find out if till would even apologize …

and if he did, how would he do it?

“ ah — “

he’s pulled down from his higher position — emotionless stare growing into a cheeky smirk the moment he realized exactly what was going on. that was the aggression he was looking for …

he let out a soft chuckle as he’d be threatened, showing he was once again making a joke of him.

june.

ivan coming up with the greatest gaslight of all time to avoid telling till he was literally just looking at him to look at him

“ mizi. “

he’d pipe up, as she’d stammer out her own forms of damage control. ivan certainly knew how she felt, but mizi would never ever say such horrible things to her friends …

even if ivan wouldn’t take any offense to it.

“ you know that ( i ) know you’d vote for sua.

don’t you? “

“ oh? “

he’s catching on. let’s see if he’s calling his bluff, or if he’s truly onto him. not that he’d mind that …

it was his intention to rile him up, anyhow. if he got mad at him, then it’d just be part of the fun.

“ do you think mizi’s feelings are funny? “

head tilt.

“ i misjudged you … “

" is it? "

that shut eyed, catlike smile returns. the faux - prince definitely put her in the hot seat with that question, even though he already knew the answer to his own question.

after all, the point wasn't to get the answer, but to see how she responds to the question.

" i can handle it. " ✨

" you'll have to do it all at once. "

he'd say, expression unwavering from his nonchalant smile. it was always so refreshing to get him riled up … he almost hoped till would find out he was lying, just to see that reaction, too.

" after all, have you ever seen mizi angry?

you really screwed up. "

he’d opt to tease her, though — using her earlier reaction as a footing.

“ you don’t think i’d wear it better than sua, do you?

i’ll have to tell her. “ ✨

he chuckles again, glancing in her direction after hearing her make herself emotional at the thought.

his idle smirk grew a little, before he’d reassure her.

“ no, that’s not happening.

but … i suppose i just don’t like fake attention. i prefer the eyes of those i’m used to. “

… his faintly cheeky smirk grows again.

“ unless you want to make her angrier with you. “ ✨

“ mm ? “

his eyes widen a little hearing that from till … before they narrow again, smug look returning.

how could he keep this going … ?

“ well …

perhaps you should think about what you could do for mizi, instead. “

he almost seems happy to tell him that.

“ but don’t blow my cover. “

“ hm? “

he can’t help but chuckle, listening to her rambling on … especially after she falls into a trance.

“ hey. “

he snapped, getting her attention again.

“ don’t you think this dark prince is popular enough? maybe short hair would be better, then … “

expecting her to protest.

“ hmm … “

he thinks a moment.

“ well, i suppose not … as long as it’s nice and well kempt.

but i think having too long of hair would be too big a shock, wouldn’t you? “

he chuckles, recalling something.

“ remember when sua grew her hair out? “

till was literally quivering.

he sits in place, gazing off into the distance … simply letting the master do her work.

“ oh?

i thought it’d look better short. “

“ i don’t think i can. “ ✨

his prideful yet terrified reaction was fueling this white lie of his … he’d have let him off the hook, if he didn’t buy into it.

but now, ivan would keep it going as long as till let him.

“ after all, then she’d know i told you about it.

i think i’ve said enough … “

“ i don’t think you do. “

he’d call his bluff — although was it a bluff, or a way of comforting himself on the traumatizing matter of mizi having other companions?

hard to say.

“ in fact, mizi told me not to tell you.

so … i won’t. “

of course he’s lying to rile him up. but … till is gullible.

june.

i’ll go on a follow spree later for now me and strife play wif our tuoys

“ was i ? “

yes, he was.

“ you know, i don’t spill secrets like that, till … “

secrets? with mizi? how dare he.

shut eyed smile. it almost looks like that made him happy.

“ oh? but you approached me. “ ✨

june.

me waiting for strife to jump me