Chapter Text
Ray quietly tip-toed through the long corridors of the manor, quickly ducking behind a pillar every time a noise was made, not wanting to be caught by Swad.
Yes, him.
They feared being caught by him, though this wasn’t always the case.
Ray was not from this world.
In Ray’s AU; monsters did not live on the surface with humans, nor did they exist. ‘Undertale’ was a work of fiction and therefore; Swad was a fictional character, being a burning skeleton with fiery wings and a floating circlet above his head.
Ray was obsessed with this character; finding him attractive, mysterious, and eye-catching. They were upset that he didn’t exist; being a work of fiction, but that was just reality.
That was until Ray was suddenly grabbed on their way back to their car from college. A pair of burning, skeletal hands pinned their arms behind their back and a chloroform-soaked rag was pressed under their nose. They could only muffle out screams of terror and pain from the burning hands pressed down into their oxblood jacket, digging deep into their skin.
Ray then let out moans and squirms of pain as the chloroform-soaked rag slowly began to knock them out. But before they could fall completely unconscious, they caught a glimpse of who was restraining them.
That’s right.
Swad.
The next thing Ray knew was that they were sneaking around his castle, trying desperately to find a way out.
“He’s real, and he’s looking for me…” Was all Ray could think to themself as they snuck around the manor, looking around cautiously, praying to whatever god was out there that they wouldn’t get caught.
Ray didn’t find Swad as appealing as they thought they would know that he was real. They knew all about him and his… 'traits', and they were definitely more scared than attracted, that’s for sure.
Swad walked around the corner from down the hall. He stretched his back and wings with a grin as he looked around the hallway; not noticing Ray yet.
“Little ant?~ …Where did you scurry off to?” He called out in a singsong voice, his voice echoing through the empty manor.
Ray’s eyes went wide with fear as they heard the voice call out from down the hallway. They quickly scrambled into a nearby room and closed the door behind themself, trying their best to hide so that they wouldn’t be found. They held their breath, not daring to even make a sound as they listened closely to what was going on outside of the room.
Ray’s body shook with fear as the thought of being caught by Swad crossed their mind. “Oh god, I’m dead. I’m gonna die.” They thought to themself as they pressed themself up against the door, hoping to be as hidden as possible.
Swad wandered down the hallway, looking around cautiously; not noticing the small crack in the door which Ray peered out from. “Come out, come out wherever you are!” He called out into the empty and quiet halls. He looked around, not noticing a single sign of Ray. He pouted as he searched further.
“I don’t like hide and seek.” Swad huffed. He stopped as he heard the sound of shuffling from behind him. With a grin, he turned around to face the door and saw a small crack in it.
A wave of panic washed over Ray as they saw the door open a crack. They pushed back against it, trying, and failing to keep it closed. Suddenly, the door was yanked open and Ray was pulled out of the room, falling on their butt as they tumbled out. They looked up at Swad with fear in their eyes, not knowing what to do as they stared up at the towering skeleton. He grabbed Ray by the arm and yanked them up, causing them to cry out in pain as his grip dug into their skin.
Swad dragged Ray along the hallway, humming a small tune as he looked down at them. He kept a strong grip on their arm, making sure that they couldn’t escape his grasp. “Naughty, naughty little ant...” He tutted, clicking his tongue. The flaming circlet that hovered above his head seemed to burn even brighter as he tightened his grip on Ray’s arm, his touch burning their skin through their sleeve.
Ray winced in pain as they were dragged across the hallway. Their free hand instinctively reached up to try and pry Swad’s hand off of their arm, digging their heels into the floor, but it did little. “Let go, let go!” They demanded, their voice shaking as they struggled against Swad’s grip. They looked up at him, hoping that he would show some mercy. They winced again as his grip tightened slightly due to their struggle, burning them even more. “Please, you’re hurting me!” They cried, trying to plead with him.
Swad ignored Ray’s pleas and just kept walking. He hummed a little tune as he looked down at Ray, a cocky grin on his face. “Ants, always squirming and whining like little babies.” He said with a sigh. The grip on Ray’s arm tightened even more, practically burning a hole through them. Ray cried out in pain as they started to tear up, looking up at him, begging him to let go. Swad continued to ignore their cries and just continued to walk down the hallway.
Ray’s tears streamed down their face as they continued to cry out in pain, their body shaking as they walked. They couldn’t take it anymore, and so, with a newfound strength, they yanked their arm away from his grip. Swad’s grip was strong, but Ray managed to break free, stumbling backward, and falling onto the floor. They quickly scrambled to their feet and ran, trying to get away from Swad before he could catch them again. As Ray ran, Swad grabbed a fistful of their jacket, pulling them backward and sending them crashing to the floor with a loud thud.
Swad quickly grabbed them again and yanked them towards himself, causing them to hit their forehead against his chest. “Bad, bad little human,” He reprimanded them, shaking his head as he held them in place. Swad’s voice was stern as he spoke, the flames that covered his wings burning brightly as he did so. Ray winced in pain as they felt the burning pain from his wings, trying to struggle away from him, but to no avail. The harder they struggled, the tighter his grip became. He held them close to himself, making it impossible for them to move.
Ray winced and whimpered as their head pressed against Swad’s chest. They felt helpless in his grip, and the burning pain of his wings only made it harder for them to fight back. Tears streamed down their face as they began to cry harder, not knowing what to do. They looked up at Swad with pleading eyes, hoping that he would have mercy. Swad simply smirked at them, and tightened his grip on their jacket, making sure that Ray wouldn’t be able to run away again.
He smiled down at Ray as he looked them in the eyes. Swad slowly lifted his hand to their face, and gently ran his finger down their cheek, wiping away their tears. They flinched at the touch, but they couldn’t back away, causing them to be forced to let Swad comfort them. A smug grin spread across his face as Ray remained in his arms, no matter how much they struggled against him. He was simply too strong, and there was nothing Ray could do to free themself.
Ray looked up at Swad, their eyes full of fear. Their whole body shook as they felt the burning touch of his fingers. They tried to pull away, but Swad just tightened his grip on them, forcing them to stay right where they were. Swad simply chuckled at them and shook his head. “Seems that I found you interesting for a reason.” He replied, his voice filled with a sense of amusement. He slowly ran his thumb between their eye sockets, wiping away the tears that had formed there.
Ray whimpered in pain as Swad wiped away their tears. The touch left behind a burning sensation, almost as if their eyes were being set ablaze by the heat of his hand. They tried to pull away from him, but Swad’s grip was too tight for them to escape. As he leaned down towards them, his burning wings hovered above their head, almost as if he was going to engulf them in the flames. Swad gently grabbed the back of Ray’s head and pulled them closer, his voice filling their ears as his lips hovered right next to their ear.
“You’re a fighter, I like that~” He whispered into their ear, his voice low and quiet. Ray flinched at the closeness and tried to pull away, but Swad’s grip only tightened, keeping them in place. Swad began to laugh as the flames on his wings grew higher, almost as if he was teasing them. Ray’s eyes widened in terror as they realized the danger they were in. They tried to pull away, but Swad’s wings hovered over them, ready to set them ablaze at any moment.
Ray’s heart pounded in their chest as they were pressed closer than ever before to the inferno that surrounded them. Their breathing was quick and shallow, and they felt as if they were suffocating in the heat. Their eyes burned as the flames singed their skin. The pain was excruciating, and they cried out in pain. Just as Ray started to believe that they were going to die, Swad suddenly pulled away. The flames died down as he took a step back, allowing Ray to take a deep breath and fall to their knees. The burning pain remained, but it was much more bearable now that they were away from him.
Ray collapsed onto the floor, coughing and panting for air as the pain of the burning sensation remained. They felt weak and helpless, unable to do anything but lay on the floor and pray for the pain to go away. Their eyes watered, and tears streamed down their face as they looked up at Swad. Their breathing was still quick and labored, and their body was shaking as they tried to process what had just happened. Swad stood over them, a smug grin on his face. He looked down at them with amusement and chuckled softly.
“Are you alright now?” He asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. He then reached down and grabbed Ray by the back of their jacket, pulling them up to their feet. Ray whimpered in pain as they were yanked up, and they struggled to stand on their own. Their legs were weak, and their knees felt as if they were about to buckle. Swad continued to hold onto Ray’s jacket, keeping them where he wanted them. Ray could smell their flesh burning and was too scared to look at the damage that laid underneath their sleeves.
Ray shook their head at the question, and let out a cry of pain as they were grabbed by the back of their oxblood jacket. Their legs ached as they were forced to stand, and they struggled to catch their breath. They could feel the burning sensation on their skin, and the pain was excruciating. Ray whimpered and tried to pull away, but Swad's grip remained tight. They could smell the smoke from their burnt flesh and didn't even want to imagine what it looked like underneath. They were lucky if it was just 1st-degree burns, but it was unlikely.
He looked down at Ray with a curious expression, still holding onto their jacket tightly. He seemed amused by their tears, and his smile only grew wider as he watched them struggle. It was clear that this was all just a game for him, and he was enjoying every second of it. Swad chuckled softly as he looked down at Ray, and the flames on his wings flared up once more. “You know, you're such a pretty little thing. That's why I went through so much trouble just to bring you here.” He said, his voice full of mockery.
Ray stared up at Swad, their eyes wide with fear. Their lips quivered as they tried to form words, but nothing came out. Their whole body was shaking, and it felt as if they could collapse at any moment. They whimpered as they felt the heat from Swad's wings grow closer, and they could tell that he was getting ready to do something. Their breathing was still uneven, and they felt lightheaded. Ray's mind tried to process everything, but it was all happening so fast, too fast. They felt as if their legs were going to give out at any moment.
“…Please… Don’t kill me…”
Swad tilted his head to the side as he listened to Ray, and then he chuckled softly. “You really think I'd go through all this trouble just to kill you?” He asked, his voice full of mockery. The flames on his wings continued to burn brightly, almost as if they were taunting Ray. He leaned down towards Ray and gently grabbed the back of their head. “After all, why would I kill you now when there's still so much fun to be had?” He added, his voice low and menacing. Ray couldn't help but feel terrified at his words, and they could only imagine what he had planned for.
Ray's eyes widened in fear as they listened to Swad's words, and they felt tears prick their eyes. They whimpered as Swad grabbed their head, and they felt their knees buckle. Ray felt as if they were going to vomit, and they tried to swallow back the bile rising in their throat. They felt weak and helpless, unable to do anything but stand there trembling. Swad's voice was harsh and cruel as he spoke, and Ray was too scared to answer him. “W-what... What are you going to do to me?” They asked in a weak voice.
Swad smiled at Ray's question, and he seemed to enjoy their fear. His grip on their head only tightened, and his wings burned brightly as he leaned in closer to them. “That's for me to know, and for you to find out eventually.” He said, his voice low and menacing. He leaned down and gently ran his finger down their cheek, causing them to flinch at the touch. “But I can assure you... This is only the beginning... I hope you're ready for some real fun.” He added, his voice full of malice.
Ray whimpered as they felt Swad's burning hand on their cheek, and they couldn't help but shiver. Their heart was pounding in their chest, and they felt as if it was going to burst out of their chest. Ray felt like a mouse, trapped by a cat. They were helpless and completely at Swad's mercy. They were trembling badly, trying to maintain control of themselves, as they jerked and began to struggle once more in Swad’s grip, managing to pull themself away, only for Swad to manage a tug on the hem of their oxblood jacket. Ray looked up at him with pleading eyes, hoping that he would spare them. “Please, I beg of you… Don’t hurt me… I did nothing wrong…”
Swad watched them struggle for a few moments, amused by their feeble attempts to escape. His gaze finally fell to the scars that were now partially exposed on Ray’s arms. He narrowed his eyes, his amused expression quickly being replaced by a more sinister one. He looked at Ray suspiciously. “What are these?” He asked in a harsh tone. If it were possible to be more intimidating than he normally was, he certainly pulled it off. His voice made Ray shiver as he waited for an explanation.
He had no right to an explanation.
Ray managed to free themself by freeing their arms from the confines of their jacket and began to make a run for it once more.
“Just let me go! I didn’t do anything wrong!” Ray cried as they ran down the hallway, their bare feet pounding against the floor. Their breathing was ragged and irregular as they tried to force themselves to keep going, but their body was weak, and their legs felt like they were going to give out at any moment. They could feel Swad getting closer and closer with each passing second. They prayed that he wouldn’t catch them, if he caught them now, they didn’t know what would happen to them.
Swad grinned widely as he chased after them, tossing Ray’s oxblood jacket aside, his wings burning brightly as he ran. He could feel his excitement building as he gained on them, and the flames on his wings only grew brighter with his anticipation. His wings flapped intensely, sending out a wave of heat as he got closer and closer to them. Ray cried out as the heat licked at the exposed parts of their skin, and they could feel their flesh starting to burn as sweat formed on their brow. They had no way of getting away from him, and there was no escaping his grasp.
Ray then collapsed to the ground, exhausted and pain taking over their entire body and their grey tank top stuck to their chest from the sweat. The pain slowly started to fade however, they could hear Swad approaching, before feeling a foot pressing against their spine and their left arm to be moved behind and above their back.
The last thing they heard was a thick and heavy CRACKLE and SNAP before their consciousness was swept away from their body from their tiredness and agony.
They couldn’t scream, for they were already out cold…
