BLAKE

Gasping for air, Blake snapped upright in bed, flinging off his bed sheets. He half coughed, half screamed and fought for gulps of breaths. Kicking the rest of the sheets off, Blake ran to the nearest window. He threw the doors open and a swirl of cold air and flecks of snow rushed inside. Blake gripped the edge, bracing himself so he wouldn't fall through the world.

It felt like ages before his heart settled. He thought maybe he'd spend the rest of his life wracked with these nerves. That this panic would never go away. Taking another deep breath, Blake finally detached from the window and pulled the curtains closed. He rested against the velvet fabric.

"It was just a dream. It was just a dream," Blake told himself, kidding himself. He could still feel Edward's hand around his throat and squeeze. Nervously, Blake went to the bathroom and check his neck in the mirror, turning around all the way to search for bruising or any mark at all.

Nothing. It was a dream.

"I'm losing it," Blake whispered.

Shaking his head, he walked back into the bedroom, but hit the door fumbling backwards. He forgot about Ignacio. Instead of doing his normal disappearing trick, tonight Ignacio slept on Blake's couch, wrapped in blankets with little clothing on. While asleep, he couldn't conceal his red skin, his tail, or the horns.

Like this, curled up like a cat and hugging a decorative pillow, Ignacio could've been a completely different demon than the one in Blake's dream... which was fine. Since it was just a dream. All at once, Blake had the overwhelming feeling that he didn't want to be alone. He grabbed the white robe Adele had given him when he arrived and took one step outside when he realized he didn't know where he was going. He wasn't sure who he was running off to find.

Daniel was probably in his office, but no one ever told Blake where that was in the castle. As quietly as possible, Blake tip-toed back into his room. He crept around a snoring Ignacio to grab a pillow and a pair of scissors.

With his stash, he walked back into the hallway and whispered, "I don't know which Bellerose picked out the pillows, but I hope they don't mind what I'm going to do next... and if they would mind, I hope they're not invited to the wedding."

Blake cut through the belly of the pillow, uncovering its goose feather stuffing. "Help me find Danny," Blake asked the feathers, calling upon his own magic. All the anxiety riddling his body, the feeling of flies beating down the window of his body calmed and faded, replaced by a warm sensation. A handful of feathers trickled out of the pillow, somersaulting into the air. Blake grinned.

One by one, the feathers flew out of the pillow and made a trail. Blake ran after the feathers, sprinting through the hallways of the palace, lit only by the moonlight. Every light in the castle was off, so he could see the sliver of golden light from a mile away. It came from a small crack underneath a great oak door. Blake could hear the faint hum of music. The feathers lost their life before they hit the door, scattering across the checkered marble.

Suddenly nervous, Blake glanced down at his Star Wars pajama bottoms and his old college T-shirt and felt his face warm. He closed the robe and tied it shut. Maybe he should've let Michael pick out some sleepwear too. He curled his toes on the cold floor.

Blake supposed it wasn't the stupidest he ever looked in front of Daniel...

Still, looking ridiculous felt like a better option than being alone. He knocked on the door, expecting "a go away" as if the teen Daniel was going to pop out.

Instead, Daniel said, "come in" from the other side.

Taking one more deep breath for strength, Blake crept inside to find a much longer room than he expected. That was when the realization hit him and his face warmed. There was a chance those feathers would lead him to Daniel's bedroom in the middle of the night too... thank God it was Daniel's study.

It had a vaulted ceiling that stretched farther than Blake expected. Before he could even make it to Daniel's desk, he'd half to pass an entire table, a lounge area with gold and white couches that didn't look like they were made for sitting. There were fireplaces on either side of the with a line of hanging lights between them. All of this encased by two long walls of books and built-in china cabinets. It looked magazine ready.

Daniel did too.

He still wore the same clothes from earlier in the day. Mostly. He just wore his white button up with the top few buttons snapped opened. With his sleeves rolled up, Blake was given the rare opportunity to see the shape of Daniel's muscular arms. His body shivered remembering how easily Daniel picked him up that night in the city.

"Hey," Daniel perked up a little, asking Blake in a dreamy tone. "What on earth are you still doing up?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Blake smiled, but didn't have the emotional energy to tease Daniel for long. "Actually, I..." he almost admitted to having a nightmare but flushed with embarrassment and changed his mind. Thinking about it sounded too childish. Instead, he said, "I just couldn't sleep, I guess."

Daniel sat the paper in his hands down and smiled. "Why are you being timid over there? Come here."

"Sorry, I just realized I must be interrupting your work—"

"No, no. Come in. I could use the company." He stretched his muscles and Blake could hear their tired wail from here. "There are dozens of people living in this castle, and yet when I'm the last one awake at night, it gets lonely."

"If you're sure?" Blake took a hesitant step inside.

"Positive." Daniel smile and Blake couldn't help smiling back. He walked through the study. He walked around Daniel's desk, resting against his chair.

"I've never heard that song before," Blake motioned to the opened Spotify window on Daniel's screen.

Daniel nodded. "I'm always listening to something. It helps me focus."

"What music do you like the most?"

"Hmm..." Daniel hummed, thinking his answer over. He leaned back in his chair and it almost felt like he was leaning into Blake.

"That's kind of an impossible question for me. Music is the soundtrack to life. Different sounds, different songs suit different situations..." Daniel said, but his voice sounded strange. Blake looked again and his heart jumped up his throat. It wasn't Daniel anymore, it was Nicholas. Nicholas dressed up like Daniel, smiling and gushing. It made Blake's heart race. "If I'm feeling upset, I'm not going to listen to the same song I'd play if I was angry. Music is its own form of magic that can change the mood and sometimes, even help people fall in love."

He leaned closer and Blake rubbed his eyes, taking a deep breath and trying to calm down. Blake muttered, "I think I'm still dreaming."

When Blake opened his eyes, he found Daniel there again and a wave of relief almost washed him away. His body deflated and he thought he might pass out then and there. Daniel leaned closer. "Is there something wrong?"

Blake just shook his head, which wasn't enough for Daniel apparently. He cupped Blake's cheek, freezing him in place. It was difficult to lie to Daniel when his face was this close, when his eyes were looking right through Blake as if searching his soul. Blake admitted, "I've been having weird dreams lately. This time it was a nightmare about my ancestor, Henry."

"You know his name?"

"Yeah, Iggy confirmed it." Blake touched Daniel's hand, keeping it there. He liked the coolness of his touch and the gentle way Daniel caressed his thumb across Blake's cheek. It made Blake's knees go pillow soft. "I've never had dreams like them before. They're... they're making me nervous."

Daniel's brow narrowed. "Don't worry. I think I've come up with a way to end all of this."

"Really?"

"Yes. I think we make a new deal with Ignacio. He wants to become human? Okay, then let's make a new deal that will simulate that feeling."

"How?"

"I'm not sure, yet. We'll brainstorm tomorrow. You need sleep. Real sleep." Daniel let his hands drop and Blake squirmed with this awkward feeling of disappointment. He didn't know why he had to be so dramatic. That wasn't a kiss. It wasn't even a hug. Daniel just barely touched him, and his heart was beating way too fast, fast enough to warrant a doctor.

"Why don't you grab a book or something? The most boring one you can find, and you can rest on the couch."

"Are you sure? I don't want to bother you. I know what you're doing is important."

"Not more important than you. Technically, I'm finishing up this work for Josephine so I can spend time with you. As long as Ignacio keeps the deal intact, then the wedding is still on, so that means we still have to plan it. Plus, I'm not done with you yet, Blake Winslow. Even if we don't get married, I'm going to help you become a prince."

"Even if I'm not royalty?"

"Anybody can be a prince. Whether you're the prince of the kitchen, prince of mismatched socks or just the little Winslow prince, you can be one."

Looking down, Blake tried hiding his goofy smile and hurried to the nearest bookshelf. Daniel said to grab something boring, but most of the books were about the history of Sagewick, which actually interested Blake a great deal. He just nabbed something random and hopped on the couch, landing on his back with a bounce. It wasn't particularly comfortable, but he liked being able to watch Daniel work over the pages of the book.

"Did you ever want to make music?" Blake asked after a while.

Daniel shook his head, immersed in his work. "No. I always knew I was going to rule this coven. I'm so suited for it, I almost believe in destiny."

Blake grinned. He almost called Daniel out for being cheesy, but that might keep him from continuing it. Blake didn't want that. He reopened his book as if he was now officially going to start reading and adjusted his position again. Fat chance.

"What about you? What do you want to do?" Daniel asked.

"Um... I'm not sure. Of course, I want to help my family in any way I can, but what I really want, more than anything is to see the world. I want to break free and travel. I've always been stuck inside one place or another. I'd like for a while... if that wasn't the case."

#

DANIEL

And if they couldn't break this deal, Blake would just be stuck again. Daniel's home, his castle was beautiful, but a cage was still a cage, no matter beautiful the bars might be.

A knot formed in Daniel's chest, tightening when Blake returned to his book with a small sad smile. Daniel could always tell what Blake was thinking. The guy couldn't bluff to save his life. It must be difficult living with his heart on his sleeve. Such a dangerous position. It's so easy to crush.

Daniel didn't have anything to say because he refused to make a promise, he might not be able to keep and he didn't want to give him a temporary comfort like a flimsy Band-Aid. Settling back into work, he finished his list of tasks and Josephine wouldn't need anything else to complete work on the charity gala. Then, the day of the event, she'd be on her own. He hoped her club, the Verona wouldn't suffer on his account.

Sighing, Daniel rubbed his tired eyes. They itched with exhaustion. If he closed his eyes and laid his head down, he'd be lured into sleeping. Taking a sharp breath, he leaned back in his chair and checked his watch: 3:45 am.

Last time he managed that he was in college.

Glancing up, he noticed Blake half spilling off the couch, his book laid open on the floor. Daniel stood, carefully walking up to the wizard. With Blake laid out in front of him like this, it was hard controlling his lustful thoughts. Somehow, every time Daniel looked at Blake, he becomes more attractive. And with his lips lightly opened, he looked downright kissable.

Blake's brow pinched together, and he rustled, turning onto his back. This couch wasn't bought to be slept on. Like most of the furniture, it was displayed for looks. Sometimes Daniel felt that way about himself. He bent down, using his thumb to flatten the wrinkle between Blake's brow, until his porcelain skin was smooth again, and Daniel brushed his curls away. Still asleep, Blake nuzzled towards Daniel's hand and Daniel jumped, pulling his hand away from the shock.

His whole life, Daniel learned how to make people happy and comfortable. He'd find someone a better job, find them a better position in the coven, force opportunities into people's laps and sometimes he'd do things as simple as buy them what they desired the most. Daniel himself had never been the direct source of comfort to anyone. Except now. Blake didn't come asking for something from the kitchen or for a new bedroom or anything. Blake asked for Daniel.

A shuddering breath left Daniel's lips.

"Blake," Daniel whispered, gently stroking his cheek. "I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to pick you up. I don't want to wake you, not when you worked so hard to fall back asleep..."

Hearing no protest, Daniel slipped his arms underneath Blake and scooped him off the couch, pulling him in close. Blake fit inside his arms easily as if Daniel had held him a thousand times before and his arms could remember Blake's shape.

He left his office, taking a stroll to his room. Under his breath, he muttered, "Somewhere, Ignacio is yucking it up."

As if summoning him again, Daniel found Ignacio on the exact couch Daniel had planned to sleep. Sighing, Daniel laid Blake on his bed. He leaned Blake forward, slipping off the robe on top of his pajamas. Daniel shook his head, keeping his laughter down when he noticed the Star Wars theme. Blake groaned and Daniel tried to pull back, but Blake grabbed his arm. Blake turned with Daniel's arm like he was supposed to be the blanket.

"Blake, that's my arm," Daniel whispered, grinning ear to ear.

Blake just grumbled some nonsense and held on tighter. Giving up, Daniel pushed Blake a little towards the middle of the bed and crawled in behind him. This close, Daniel could smell his shampoo and the smell of freshly washed cotton.

"Blake," Daniel whispered again.

Hushing him, Blake just nuzzled his face into the pillow.

"If we weren't engaged because of a five hundred year old curse..." Daniel whispered, using his free hand to stroke Blake's hair. "I might have asked you out." He chuckled over his own little joke and settled against the mattress. This wouldn't be the first time they slept together. Not the first time in this bed either, or with a demon only a few feet away. Daniel smiled wider and shook his head.

Blake Winslow has certainly made Daniel's life much more interesting. 

#

Author's Note

After all the recent dramatic moments, it's nice to have some good old fashion fluff ~ Y'all aren't even ready for who's POV starts the next chapter. I'll give you a hint, his name rhymes with Rances (lol). Seriously, I could feel myself blushing in this chapter.

See you guys next time! <3 Miss Bonnett