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~~~

"Must we really go to class?" whined Nikolai as he lazily lounged on the bed. "It's, what, a couple weeks until Christmas break? Come now, we can take an early one, yes?"

"No." the Sin replied easily with a pout. "It's good experience for him. He'll thank me in the end." he huffed and curled in his blanket, though he couldn't relax because he knew he'd be getting up to dress soon enough.

There was silence for a moment. Then, finally, Nikolai pulled the blanket away from his head to give Leon a sleepy glare. "Hmph. You're lucky you're cute." he grumbled and reluctantly got off his wonderful bed. The blanket was still wrapped around his arm from his movements, but it felt like his bed was pleading for him to come back. He almost fell for it. Sighing, he took the blanket off him and moved to get his suit.

"Probably nothing." Nikolai admitted while buttoning his shirt up. He frowned as one button refused to go through the hole and quickly gave up. It wasn't worth the energy, and his blazer could always cover it up. "I don't like celebrating that holiday, being a hell spawn and all. Or do you have something in mind?"

"No, no. If you'd like a party then I won't stop you. My only request is that everyone wears an ugly sweater. Except me. No sweater looks ugly on me. It's a gift." Nikolai looked down at the button when Leon tried to fix it then looked up at him with a confused narrow of his eyes. "Ah... I'm sorry, dearie, but are you saying you want me to? I can't understand your tone." He grinned and wrapped his arms around the man's shoulders. "I certainly understand if you want me to visit, however~"

"Oh my, I like your idea of a party~" Nikolai grinned and graciously accepted the kiss by sliding his long fingers into the man's soft hair. "I'd be happy to drop by, dearie. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Dear me, the abandoned classroom? Oh you naughty boy, you~" Nikolai teased then waved the man off. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, darling! Ta-ta!"

~~~

Nikolai stepped into his classroom. It was empty, no surprise. Class just ended, after all. Of course, Markus didn't have to come in, because the Sin made sure to email his students that class was cancelled. Not like they didn't know anything they needed to anyway. All he was left teaching them was the worst of diseases and the best of positions. That would all be interesting to teach.
As he stepped in, Nikolai caught sight of a plastic coffee cup at his table. He walked over and picked it up. Full. And warm. Removing the lid, he looked at its contents. Not fully black, but still dark. This was coffee. There was also a small note card next to it.
"A reward for actually showing up today. - Mark"
Nikolai smirked. "What a brash child." he chuckled and drank the coffee. It wasn't the best, but certainly not worth throwing away. He took a few more gulps and relaxed in his seat, thinking over what to teach his incoming students since it was only the morning class that got his mercy. Perhaps he would traumatize a few students with the infamous blue waffle. Ooh, yes, that would be nice to look at before lunchtime~ A devilish grin formed on his face as he moved to turn on the comp- What? A perplexed look showed on the Russian's face as he tried to move his arm, but it stayed against his arm rest. So did his other arm. His legs weren't working properly either. Nikolai's eyes widened as he tried desperately to move, but his entire body had gone numb.

"Wow, do you just eat and drink whatever's lying around?"

Nikolai's eyes widened at the familiar voice. He tried to turn his head to confirm his suspicions, but that too was numb. There was no need for that, though, because the person walked into his line of sight.
"Did you like the gift I sent you?" Arthur beamed while waving at the teacher.
Nikolai's wide eyes narrowed into anger. "I should've known Markus darling wouldn't have such bad handwriting." he spat, glad he could still at least work his mouth.
Arthur tsked at the insult, feigning offense. "So mean. Are all teachers supposed to be like this? Oh wait," He moved towards the Sin and grabbed his chin gently, forcing him to look into his malicious ones. "Leon's not. He's kind and gentle and doesn't deserve a sick freak like you." He tossed the teacher back into his seat and walked to the front of the desk.
"Still as jealous as ever, are we?" Nikolai smirked. "Did you drug my drink just so you could rant at me, darling? It's very unbecoming."
"Oh no, I've got a far better plan." Arthur smirked. He set his right leg on the desk and slowly began to roll up the pants sleeve. As he did so, he said, "You know, just yesterday I was doing some interesting research. It was about how to successfully kill a Sin. How was I able to do this? I was graciously given one that wouldn't fight. She didn't even budge whenever I sliced into her. Now, that's not the best part. After the umpteenth hour of countless tests, something happened. Something interesting." The denim was pulled back enough to show one crudely etched letter a little about his ankle. It was only an E, but Nikolai knew just well what it meant. "You-" he breathed, only to be cut off by Arthur's laughter. "That's right! Envy chose me to be the next host! It hurts like a b-tch, but this new power is amazing! My shape-shifting abilities are perfect now! I can look like anyone, sound like anyone, be anyone, and for as long as I want!" As he said that his entire form began to change until he was a complete copy of Nikolai. "Why be myself when I can be you?" he laughed in Nikolai's lazy voice. He pulled his sleeve back and grinned as even the brand was copied perfectly. The real lazy Sin stared at his copy in horror. "You're not honestly planning on-"
"Oh yes I am." Arthur snickered while putting his sleeve and leg back. "Leon's bent on loving you, he won't even bat an eye at me. Now I can just take your place and he won't even know the difference."
"There's only two things wrong with your plan, dearie." Nikolai said dryly. "One, you're not nearly as good at sex as I am. Two, I'm not going to be paralyzed forever."
"Come now, Nikki dear, I'm not that stupid." Arthur winked, making the other clench his jaw. "You have many fans, you know. After a few conversations I managed to convince two people into buying you."
"B-Buying?"
"You know, as a sex slave. You did say you were great at sex." Arthur's lime green eyes glinted. "Let's put your money where your mouth is." Grinning, he punched Nikolai in the head hard enough to knock him out. As he picked the man up, he noticed something glinting off his finger. A ring? How perfect. "Won't be needing this anymore." he snickered as he slipped the ring off and put it on his own finger. Adoring the sight, he carried his doppelganger off to his new life.

Leon Court




After school, Leon finally returned to the house, mentally and physically exhausted. The day had been way worse than he'd expected, having to put up with complaint after complaint with each student due to his absence. He was certain that Mark would do a good job, but apparently, it just wasn't the same. He sighed as he put his keys down and took off his coat, hanging it, along with his bag, up. "Nikolai, I'm home!" he called, running a hand through his hair and looking into a mirror. He looked older and older as each day passed.