#⭒ ˙ ˖ ✧ — ˗ˏˋ ❝ ɪ’ʟʟ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴅᴇᴠ; ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇᴠ-ɪɴᴇ ❞ ¦ 「 Dev and Peri 」

[canon-fcdder]

(( Tag Dump - Dev Dimmadome ))

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「 ☆ 」 Dev knew he shouldn’t have asked even as the question was leaving his mouth. But he REALLY knows when Peri offers an answer that feels… off. His voice, his demeanor, his words— everything about the godparent so painfully unreadable that he may as well be holding a giant sign that says ❛ I’m uncomfortable with this conversation ❜ . Were Dev a better kid, he’d take that as his sign to drop the subject.

Unfortunately for Peri, he’s no Hazel. He’s not some emotionally well-adjusted, mature, thoughtful super godkid who always seems to take the most terrible of situations in stride. Dev isn’t the sort to get yelled at and then retaliate with happy birthday wishes and double-edged ❛ understanding ❜ . He’s DEV DIMMADOME. He’s mean and selfish and says things like— ❝ She’s not the one who ruined my birthday. ❞ —when offered even more condolences he knows aren’t truly deserved.

Muttered as he crosses his arms and leans against a wall, Dev’s tone isn’t openly accusatory. It’s not meant to hurt Peri. The huffy irritation of a little kid with a million thoughts racing in his mind and only choppy bits making it past his mouth. Vicky isn’t the one who shoulders the most blame for ruining his birthday. She wouldn’t even have BEEN there if his dad didn’t hire her. But maybe Dale wouldn’t have been so horrendously distracted, to the point of hiring the worst person in the world, if he wasn’t focused on Hazel. Although if Dev were to keep unraveling the thread, he COULD simply blame himself… for having a birthday party in the first place.

No matter how he views it, Vicky is just the cumulation of someone else’s screw-up. ❝ I should have known I couldn’t have a good one. All my other birthdays were terrible— why would that one be any different? ❞ He complains, scolding himself under the guise of talking to Peri. Although at him is more accurate, Dev not even looking at the fairy. ❝ It’s stupid anyway. I mean— who even cares about birthdays? Whoopee, you’re another year older. Tch- Big deal. ❞ Pouting Scowling as he looks at the ground, he kicks at it with his shoe.

His dad probably doesn’t even know how old he is.

❝ … Did Timmy have horrible birthdays too? ❞ It’s a quiet question— blue hues flitting to the side at his fairy —Dev yet again struck with an urge to- ask. About someone else who was miserable had fairies like him. Someone who made a big enough impact for Cosmo and Wanda to mention by name. Someone who Vicky had apparently terrorized… Who Peri would have known. When he was young, so Dev is doubtful about how much Peri remembers. But anything is still something.

He doesn’t know WHY curiosity sees fit to claw at him so much right now. Maybe he’s merely trying to distract from his birthday. Like how Peri deflected to it. Maybe he just wants to offer Peri a veiled opportunity to dive into his past. To better know the person who has been assigned the task of his happiness.

Maybe Peri is simply the person who is here… and Dev wants to talk without being brushed aside. 「 ☆ 」

@canon-fcdder said ;

❝ Sooooooo... Vicky, huh? ❞ Dev asks, breaking the... awkward air. Not trying to cause a commotion or open old wounds— although he suspects that may be a result anyway, considering how Peri acted during his... birthday —but too curious to keep his ponderings to himself. ❝ She REALLY scared you. ❞ It's understandable, to be honest. Dev had only been exposed to her for mere hours at the most. He can't imagine how often Peri must have been around her during his infancy. — (( *YEETS like :3* ))

Vicky.

Just hearing the name sends shivers up his spine. And of course Dev would latch on to Peri's reaction. He couldn't just let it go. And here Peri thought that he actually got away with it after a few days went by without Dev mentioning it.

" I'm pretty sure Vicky scares everyone. " Peri replies, trying to keep a neutral expression. A neutral voice. Really he just wants everything about him to scream neutral.

Because he's fine. Who cares if the main figure of all his most horrible nightmares turned out to be real. That's fine. She doesn't even know he exists. It's not like she's going to come for him.

So he's fine.

" Sorry she ruined your birthday. " Yeah, good, turn it back around on Dev and that horrible day. Great idea Peri. Top notch.

[canon-fcdder]

"Deeevvvvv?" Peri starts out, tone clearly unsure as he searches his godkid out. "Heh. C'mon, bud. You're not still mad about earlier, are you?" ( have this to start with uwu ) - ✧ ˖ ˙ 「 @deceitfulmorals 」 ˙ ˖ ✧

「 ☆ 」 The godkid doesn't bother to look away from his screen, taking a page from his father's book and hoping Peri will get the hint Dev never does. Barely paying attention to the game, he fails the same level over and over... Scowling down as the sad little tune makes him aware of his failure. Poor tarantula forced to perform the same song-and-dance for all eternity. Or at least until Dev decides he's had enough mindless tapping. Looks like they're both in the same situation.

How many times is Dev going to bother trying when it always hurts him in the end? That's the good thing about loneliness. There's no one around to make things worse. Or BETTER, but... Perhaps better is overrated. At least, the type of ❛ better ❜ Peri seemed determined to promise him. One filled with rules and friends who are your friend one moment and then not the next because of stupid fights that only happen when you have stupid friends to be STUPID about.

❝ Oh? You mean when you QUIT? And how the only reason you're here is because you didn't do it the right way? ❞ Dev snips, emphasizing his words with haphazard taps on his screen. He swipes across it with a bit more force than necessary. Eyes narrowing, shoulders tense as he hunches further over his game, glaring down at the colorful patterns, ❝ Or maybe you're talking about how after you quit— ❞ Word is spat through a grimace, Dev's stomach twisting at the memory. Wondering how long Peri had been wanting to leave him... and only recently worked up the nerve to.

❝ —and I finally had a Godparent who would listen to me... You decided to ruin that too. ❞ Scoffing, he spares Peri a glance and ends with, ❝ Thank goodness for the precious rules, huh? Otherwise Irep would be here instead of you. ❞ 「 ☆ 」

[canon-fcdder]

Just as Dev is about to walk into his home after school, a little purple cat runs up to him and rubs against his leg. / i'm not cowheard uwu - ✧ ˖ ˙ 「 @cielsmuses 」 ˙ ˖ ✧

「 ☆ 」 Halted in his tracks by an unexpected guest, sunglasses slip down his nose as he looks down at the strange cat.. He's never seen one come in purple before. Of course, people often decorate their pets in the weirdest ways. Like those fancy pink poodles. So a purple cat isn't too much of a stretch for the wealthy boy. What feels oddest about the situation is the lack of PEOPLE nearby. Something Dev makes clear by the way he quickly starts to look around for its owner.

❝ Hey, hey— knock it off. Shoo. ❞ Dev mutters, gently nudging the feline with his shoe. Unfamiliar and therefore uneasy with animals, he hastily steps away a bit to try and escape the cat's rubbing. Sparing it brief glances— as if worried it may claw him when his guard is down —as he keeps looking around, ❝ Who is supposed to be looking after you right now? ❞ He complains, partially to himself... partially to the cat. He doesn't know if animals can actually understand people, but it's still nice to feel as though someone is listening to him.

❝ Whoever it is... they aren't doing a very good job, huh? ❞ Maybe it's lost. Maybe its family is worried sick right now... Or maybe no one is. Maybe no one cares this cat is wandering around all alone, waltzing up to people as though the concept of ❛ stranger danger ❜ was never taught to it. Dumb cat. What if it got hurt?

Looking down at the creature, hands nervously fidget in front of himself. Swallowing thickly, Dev spares one more quick look around— more-so to ensure he's not about to embarrass himself —before reaching out a tentative hand. Acting as though he's about to touch a swarming hive of bees rather than a friendly cat, lower lip quivers but resolve remains FIRM. Awkwardly, he pats the cat on the head... Honestly, the touch is a bit clumsy. Less of a gentle pet and more of a well-being but hasty ❛ pap pap ❜ , trying to pass off the scared touch as an affectionate gesture.

❝ Good kitty? ❞ Dev tries, wondering if a Dimmadome's inability to make friends extends to animals too. 「 ☆ 」

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" W-wait, Dev, you- you can't be serious! You can't lock me up! I'm sorry I couldn't break the rules, but just- just give me another chance! " / from peri to dev of course <3 - ✧ ˖ ˙ 「 @cielsmuses 」 ˙ ˖ ✧

「 ☆ 」 Dev is serious. More serious than he's EVER been... He's done. With the wishes that either don't make him as happy as they're supposed to or never come to be in the first place. With the wishing and the hoping and eventual disappointment of being let down by everyone around him. His so-called friend, his fairy, his DAD. With having magic at his beck-and-call, yet feeling as though NOTHING has changed. Except somehow seeming more powerless than before. With finally being on the cusp of having a chance at everything he could ever want...

And it being snatched away by people who don't have the decency to even feel bad about it. No one cares... and why should they? Everything is going great for THEM! Hazel with her parents and fairies, Peri with his parents and getting to keep his job... Meanwhile he and Irep are cast aside to wallow in the unfairness of it all. One only they seem to recognize. But that's fine... because Dev is going to FIX it.

All of it.

❝ NO! No more chances! No more waiting! I'm done— I'm DONE waiting for things to change! ❞ Dev screams as he closes his eyes and covers his ears, as if trying to block out Peri. Like a child hiding from monsters that lurk in the shadows. Truthfully, what he's doing is scary. He's never gone through something so... extreme, before. But drastic times call for drastic measures, and he's not about to be the Dimmadome who proved to be a coward when his strength of will was tested. If he DOESN'T go through with this, he'll have no one to blame but himself for how things are.

Breath catches without warning— and a small squeak of a whimper that makes his face heat up —a worrying sting arising in his eyes. Growling before he throws his arms down with a huff, burning blue hues glare at Peri through the growing blur of tears, ❝ You can't help me! You're supposed to but you CAN'T! So I'm going to help myself! ❞ Along with some assistance from the Anti Fairies. They actually listen to Dev and support what he wants. ❝ If you're really sorry, then you'll quiet down and stay out of my way! ❞ 「 ☆ 」

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Without warning, Peri flies into Dev's arms, wrapping his own around the child's neck. He makes sure to hold him tight, but not tight enough to hurt, just like his parents had always hugged him. " I'm sorry, Dev. I'm so sorry, but I can't grant that wish. You don't deserve to be alone. And I'm not going to be the one who leaves you like this. " or how the birthday episode should have ended - ✧ ˖ ˙ 「 @cielsmuses 」 ˙ ˖ ✧

「 ☆ 」 Fairy Godparents are supposed to make things easier… They’re magic. They’re specifically assigned to ❛ miserable ❜ kids. Their sole purpose— as far as Dev is aware —is to take terrible circumstances, wave their wands and twist things around to be BETTER. But Peri didn’t fix this. He wasn’t there when Dev needed him. He wasn’t there. Now that he is— there’s nothing he can do. He may as well be gallivanting about doing whatever it is faeries do when their godkids have no use of them. Maybe they do the same thing kids do when their parents set them aside.

Just… try to pretend they don’t mind it.

His dad was gone. Was never even there to begin with. Hazel was gone. Pushed away with an ease that scares Dev as much as it relieves him. Peri… isn’t gone. He’s supposed to be. But, as has become common with the fairy, Dev’s wish goes un-granted. Only this time it’s not because of the rules. It’s because— … Stiffening when arms are abruptly around him, it takes a second for Dev to even realize what’s happening. Brain struggles to tear itself from the fog of shock, the boy still as a statue. Not even breath seems to shake his form. Wide eyes, unseeing where they gaze off into the depths of his dad’s ❛ secret evil lair ❜ — as expected of a Dimmadome, even if Dev hadn’t understood that until this moment —blink, dull hues brightening back to consciousness.

Slowly… tentatively…. arms wrap around Peri. Shaky hands holding onto the back of his shirt with a whisper of a grip, such a far cry from the firm hold the fairy has on him. Like he wants to be sure Dev understands he won’t be ripped away. That he doesn’t want to be, no matter how much he should. Dev had yelled at him, after all… It’s scary when people yell. Although, perhaps it isn’t when Dev does it. He’s not big enough. He doesn’t realize his grip has tightened until his hands hurt from the strain, tears brimming to blur blue hues before trailing down his face.

Expression crumples like— … Well, like a little kid. Dev feeling more like one than he ever has before. Go figure, on his tenth birthday— double digits; a big kid —he’d bawl like a baby. It’s been a while since he cried like this. Really cried. He wants his dad. Hiding his face in the embrace, he hiccups and fights for breath, reminded of how uncomfortable it is to fall apart. Dads are supposed to be there when their kid cries. After what feels like forever, he manages to breathe enough to speak. But all Dev can think to say is— ❝ Wh-Why… Why doesn’t he care about me? ❞ Weakly sobbed with a raw desperation, as if Peri has the answer. As if somehow… his fairy godparent really could make everything better.

He can… Right? Peri can help him. Please. Please, help him.

❝ What am I doing wrong? ❞ 「 ☆ 」

[canon-fcdder]

" Dev, I really wish I could grant every wish you come up with, but we have rules for a reason. Without them it would be utter chaos! " [ also fr. peri, to Dev, maybe for that one idea I had.......... ] - ✧ ˖ ˙ 「 @cielsmuses 」 ˙ ˖ ✧

「 ☆ 」 Rules, rules, rules… Since being granted a Fairy Godparent, somehow Dev has been told ❛ no ❜ more than he has in his entire life. How is it that with his dad’s money, he’s managed to grant his desires more efficiently than Peri has? A literal magical being sent here with the express PURPOSE of making him happy! How is it that even when given such a massive advantage, Dev still can’t get this right?

… Peri is such a liar. He doesn’t want to grant Dev’s wishes. He just doesn’t want to be a failure of a godparent. Which are two VERY different things. Dev would know, since he’s very familiar with the fear of failure.

❝ Ugh! Well, with them I can’t seem to do anything! ❞ Dev retorts with a roll of his eyes— mimicking the gesture his dad often does when deigning to give him attention —before outstretching his arms ( an arguably childish action ) ❝ For every wish I get denied, Hazel has probably made TWO wishes! ❞ Because she's so much better at having Fairy Godparents than he is. Certainly has enough of them to get the job done. ❝ If mine are all so terrible, then why give me a Fairy Godparent in the first place? You're supposed to be making my life better but all you do is tell me everything I'll never be able to have even WITH magic! ❞

Pointing an accusatory finger at Peri, he spats out a question he had been wondering since the first mention of the ❛ rules ❜ , ❝ Is it that you can't grant my wishes because of the rules or that you're just choosing NOT to! ❞ 「 ☆ 」