#Aelius RO

[pradnyesh1008]

Male RO's:

1. Crown Prince Grendor Verdantcliff

He is a figure of regal allure and rugged charm. His eyes, as deep and mysterious as the mountain caves, hold a wisdom that belies his youthful appearance. His hair, dark as the night sky, falls in waves to his broad shoulders. Standing tall with an air of authority, his physique is a testament to years of rigorous training and mountainous adventures.

His intellect is as sharp as the peaks that surround his kingdom. He possesses an uncanny ability to strategize and lead, qualities that have earned him the respect of his people. His voice, deep and resonant, echoes through the halls of the castle, commanding attention.

Despite his royal duties, Grendor is known for his adventurous spirit. He often disappears into the mountains for days, exploring hidden trails and seeking solace in the wilderness. His love for his kingdom is evident in his dedication to its people and its land.

Grendor's attire is a reflection of his kingdom - sturdy boots made from the hide of mountain beasts, a cloak as green as the mossy rocks, and a crown carved from a rare mineral only found in the depths of the mountain.

In all aspects, Crown Prince Grendor Verdantcliff is not just a leader but also a symbol of the mountain kingdom - steadfast, majestic, and full of mysteries waiting to be discovered.

2. Crown Prince Thalassar Aetherisles

He is a figure as complex as the sea that surrounds his realm. His eyes, a striking blue, mirror the tempestuous nature of the ocean, reflecting his volatile temperament. His sun-kissed skin and windswept hair are a testament to his island heritage, but they belie a demeanor that is anything but warm.

Thalassar is known for his short temper, which can flare up as suddenly and unpredictably as a tropical storm. His words can be cutting, his attitude dismissive. He carries himself with an air of superiority that some might find off-putting. His selfishness is evident in his actions, often prioritizing his own desires over the needs of others.

Yet beneath this challenging exterior lies a man shaped by the unique pressures of his position. His snobbish demeanor masks a fierce determination to protect his kingdom and its traditions. His selfishness could be seen as a form of self-preservation, necessary for someone born into a role filled with responsibilities and expectations.

In essence, Crown Prince Thalassar Aetherisles is much like the sea that defines his kingdom - beautiful yet unpredictable, calm one moment and stormy the next.

3. Crown Prince Kazuki Stormcrown

He is a paradox of a man, embodying both the storm’s fury and its tranquility. His eyes, dark and intense, hold an arrogance that can be as off-putting as a thunderstorm. He carries himself with an air of superiority, firmly believing in the supremacy of his people over others.

Yet, beneath this veneer of arrogance lies a man of honor. Kazuki is known for his politeness, treating everyone he encounters with respect, regardless of their status. His words, though often laced with pride, are always measured and courteous.

His kindness is as refreshing as a calm after a storm. He is generous to his people, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. His actions reflect his deep sense of responsibility towards his kingdom and its people.

Despite his belief in his people’s superiority, Kazuki is not blind to their flaws. He strives to lead by example, hoping to inspire them to rise above their shortcomings and reach their full potential.

In essence, Crown Prince Kazuki Stormcrown is a man of contrasts - arrogant yet kind, prideful yet honorable. Much like a storm, he can be both formidable and awe-inspiring.

4. Bastard Prince Aelius Coralhelm (Special RO)

He is a man marked by his past. His eyes, as cold and unforgiving as the sea during a storm, rarely reveal his emotions. His body, a canvas of scars, tells a story of countless battles and hardships. A long scar on his face serves as a constant reminder of a past he'd rather forget.

Aelius is known for his quiet demeanor. He speaks sparingly, choosing to let his actions speak louder than his words. His cold personality can be off-putting to some, but those who know him understand that it's a shield, a way to protect himself from the world that has often been cruel to him.

Despite his troubled past, Aelius is a formidable warrior. He spends most of his time training and fighting, honing his skills to perfection. His strength and resilience are admired by many, even if they find his methods and lifestyle questionable.

When he's not training or fighting, Aelius can often be found in brothels, seeking solace in the bottom of a bottle or the company of others. He's a heavy drinker, using alcohol as an escape from the demons of his past.

Because of his scars and excessive drinking, he looks much older than he is. The lines on his face tell tales of battles fought and storms weathered. Yet beneath the hardened exterior lies a spirit that refuses to be broken.

In essence, Bastard Prince Aelius Coralhelm is a man shaped by his experiences - hardened by life's trials, yet still standing strong against the tide.

[sosthemortalcoil]

BLM Donation Shorts: Feed On Me

Elyyle on discord requested a nsfw healer Gabriel with a wounded Aelius for his BLM donation prompt.

The blood burns as it hits your skin, hissing and evaporating like steam, leaving behind pockmarks of wrongness.

“Stop it.”

Aelius bats away your hands, but the attempt is feeble, like the bite of a newborn baby human: toothless. There’s no vigor, no energy in his motions. The pallor of his skin is unhealthy for a human and even though he’s a demon, this much blood can’t be good.

“Gabriel, I said stop!”

He shoves your hands away again, and you lift your head to give him a look full of fear. “I can fix this,” you say, but it’s a reflex. You don’t believe it. He’s a demon. None of your training, none of your existence has taught you how to help demons.

His eyes have gone a milky white. Like a corpse, you think, as he brushes a dark curl away from his face. There’s an ethereal edge to his normal beauty, sleek and dangerous, a reminder that no matter what face he wears, he’s a predator, a hunter, a creature that feeds on others to survive.

“Not like this you can’t.” For all the blood drenching him, Aelius’ voice doesn’t waver. There’s no fear, no terror in his words. No hands reaching desperately for you, trying to pull power from you in a desperate bid to survive. “If you try to heal me with your Grace, you’ll finish what they started.”

You recoil, hands jerking away. The thought hadn’t crossed your mind; you know better than to use Grace around your boyfriend. Still, the idea that you might, that you could so easily cause harm where you seek to help, haunts you.

The sense of foreboding grows. His blood wouldn’t sting against your skin if you were using the shell correctly. It would drip down, leaving trails of black ichor, but it would not hurt.

You could have killed him. One moment of inattentiveness, one careless, desperate moment and you would have fallen back on old habits. You would have filled your hands with light and burned him to nothing.

Edging away in horror, you almost fall off the edge of the tub, but he’s fast, grabbing onto your arms and dragging you back violently to him, sending you crashing against his chest.

“No, Aelius, I can’t—I almost—”

“You didn’t.” He speaks with a careful, measured tone, like he doesn’t feel the pain at all. “It’s pointless to torture yourself over something that didn’t and won’t happen. Believe me. It’s the easiest trick in the book.” A weary smile drags half of his full mouth up before it crashes back down in a grimace. Pain draws harsh lines on his face, his brows pinching together, his disconcerting eyes hidden as he leans on you, gasping.

“Aelius,” you whisper, voice breaking. You’re supposed to be a healer. You are an archangel, a powerful being who can make the earth tremble at your feet but you can’t fix your heart as he bleeds in front of you.

Aelius isn’t a human, though. He’s not a mortal any more. He’s a demon.

“How—how do I fix this? Souls? Do I—can I raid a hell or—or do you need fresh ones or—” Each idea sounds more reprehensible to your own ears but you don’t care. You’d known dating a demon was a terrible idea, that it only worked because you were pretending to be something you’re not.

“Calm down.” Hands slide over yours, and warmth chases away the cold threatening to smother you. You stare at his eyes, but they’re not the cool white of before. They’re soft and gentle, inviting you to lose yourself in them.

“How are you using your powers on me?” you ask. “No—why? You need to help yourself, Aelius. I—I can’t.”

“My silly angel,” he whispers, his smile beatific. “I am helping myself. Or did you forget one of the tried and true ways an incubus can feed?” He draws your hands to his chest, placing them over his perfectly smooth skin. You frown. There had been wounds, terrible gashes. Something flickers at the edge of your vision and you narrow your eyes—

“Gabriel.” His voice is smooth, warm, enveloping you in its familiar embrace.

“This is how you help. This is how you heal me.”

His lips are closer than you remember them being, barely an inch from your own. With a smile, you close the distance and kiss him, groaning as he slips his tongue into your mouth. A lap full of demon is a very nice way to cope with… whatever had been bothering you before.

Feeding. He’s feeding on you.

There’s a brief flash of anger, hot and roiling, and instinctively you reach for the power to smite this impudent wretch who would dare—

Aelius pulls away with a wince, licking his lower lip. You’d split it with your teeth, without meaning too.

“Hey, I… I need you to not fight it. To trust me,” he says, blinking at you slowly and reaching up to run a hand through shadow. They coalesce into loose coils of hair but you’re not so sure anymore what’s real and what’s not. Or, rather, what’s on this plane of existence and what lies hidden beneath.

“I do trust you.”

“Good.” He leans back down and you lick apologetically at the swollen lip, but you taste no blood. “Sorry. It’s… easier to feed. Like this.” Now his voice is high, nervous, the pauses indicative of his reluctance to show you his true nature. Aelius plays at being a human, and well, but not tonight.

“Don’t be sorry.” Your words are clear, full of conviction. The haze obscuring your thoughts is easy enough to wade through once you know what to look for, but you don’t fight it. You welcome it with open arms.

“Take what you need, love.” This time it’s your turn to smile. “This has to be my favorite way of healing.”

“Only me,” Aelius adds quickly, settling on your lap. “You only get to heal me like this.”

“Only you,” you agree with a small smile. He can be terribly petty and possessive about the most ridiculous of things.

And then there’s no more talking as his mouth slides over yours again, drinking deep. You’re short of breath when he pulls away to kiss the side of your neck, unnaturally so. As healthy as you are, one kiss shouldn’t leave you panting. You don’t dwell on that thought for long though as his hand slides down, palming you through your clothes.

“Not wasting any time, are you?” you ask with a breathy laugh.

“You’re not going to last long,” Aelius murmurs before he sucks a mark against your collarbone. You don’t remember taking your clothes off but he’s suddenly touching bare skin, stroking you to full attention.

“Hey now, I am perfectly capable of lasting,” you protest.

“I know. But I need a lot of energy. Don’t worry: it’ll still be mind-blowing. You just might not recall the grand finale.”

Your demon leaves more hickeys scattered across your skin as you roll your hips eagerly into his hands, your noises of pleasure getting louder as his strokes become faster.

“Wait, Aelius, what about—”

Your question is interrupted by another fierce, draining kiss. “Your pleasure is mine,” he growls against your lips, giving a particularly harsh tug to your length. You think you reply, but you’re not certain as he demonstrates that some demons have more than earned the reputation for their skills.

And then you come. Your back arches, your hands scrabbling for your lover, trying to cling to him as you find yourself untethered, lost in pleasure, pulled down into a warm haze. You’re not sure if you remember being carried to bed, or if you constructed the memory later upon waking up, wrapped around a whole and healed Aelius.

Of course, then you’d found you’d been asleep for almost a week.

[shattered-elysium]

Shattered Elysium is a 18+ Rated IF— coded within CScript— that combines fantasy elements within the modern world. Your new journey awaits you, Harbinger.

Setting(s): Proelium (Immortal Realm) || Briar Glen, Washington || Seattle, Washington.

Genre(s): High Fantasy, Romance, Thriller, Action, Drama, and Dark Themes.

Warning(s): This story is rated 18+ for depictions of death, violence, blood, gore, profanity, sexual themes, dark themes, and mentions of torture.

DEMO (TBA)

Harbinger…

It was a word, a darkly whispered title, that haunted your dreams at night. Images— that seemed almost tangible enough to be called memories— filling your mind, but it only ever caused more confusion once you awoke.

After all there was no way in hell you were the Right Hand to an ethereal being that was older than you could ever imagine.

You weren’t ever anyone of note— even being a Detective in the Briar Glen Police Department— always passing through life on the aftershocks of those around you. You couldn’t imagine, least of all see yourself being, someone of such importance.

Dreams of sweet smelling meadows, bell-like laughter, and the overwhelming feeling of safety quickly turn to nightmares of snarling beasts; whose burning red eyes promise nothing but death. The change, while horrifying in its intensity, was chalked up to nothing but your brain ruining a good thing— as it usually did.

That is until bodies start piling up within Briar Glen— bodies that have been torn to shreds by an animal that could never be from the forests surrounding your sleepy town.

It was only when you saw the symbol— carved into the hand of the latest victim— that you truly realize that your dreams, your nightmares, weren’t what they originally appeared to be.

They were warnings of what is to come.

Play as an MC that has no idea about the life they used to have. Will you be able to become the Harbinger once more? Or will your new form hinder who you’ve always been?

Customizable MC: name, gender, sexuality, appearance, hobbies (some), and skills.

Fight the incoming darkness that not only threatens the people of Briar Glen but the world as you know it.

Reincarnation is a fickle thing— will you be able to manage the intricacies of it?

Romance 1 of 6 ROs! (Some of which will be marked with a red flag symbol as a forewarning to you all.)

Will you be able to put together the pieces of your past life? What happened to you? Or will everything shatter before you’re ever able to grasp the pieces of those memories?

Be ready, Harbinger. You’ll need every weapon in your arsenal if you wish to survive.

Aelius [M] - The Lord 🚩

1000+ [6’6” | Slate Gray Eyes | Onyx Black Hair]

The God of the Sun— and all that falls under such a domain— and one of your old Commanders. While he’s much softer than his sister— there’s still a dangerous aura lurking just beneath his sparkling smile. Every time you grow near you’re reminded of Icarus and how he, much like you, flew way too close to the sun.

“I’ve missed you, my dear Harbinger. I don’t think I’ll be able to let you slip through my fingers again.”

Céline [F] - The Lady 🚩

1000+ [6’4” | Crystalline Blue-Green Eyes | Golden White Hair]

The Goddess of the Moon— and all that falls under such a domain— and one of your old Commanders. With a cold air, stoic persona, and unwavering confidence, the Goddess isn’t someone that’s easy to get close to. You, however, always caused a soft spot to form in the wall of ice that surrounds her heart.

“Dearest Harbinger… did you really think that Death would stop me from finding you again? I’d tear this world apart if it meant keeping you, surely you know that.”

Gabriel [M] - The Warrior

500+ [6’0” | Hazel Eyes | Light Brown Hair]

A man that’s forever stood in the background of Céline. Forever at her side, doing whatever she commanded, without wavering. Silence is the solitude that he knows and understands. Will you ever be able to get him to break it? Will you find the man that’s hidden behind years of duty? Find a person behind the warrior?

“My life will always belong to Céline, Harbinger…. My heart, however? Will always belong to you if you’ll have it.”

Natasha [F] - The Guardian

500+ [5’4” | Forest Green Eyes | Golden Brown Hair]

Just as Gabriel was forever by Celine’s side, Natasha was rarely ever away from Aelius. With kind eyes, a gentle smile and demeanor, you’d never expect that she’d be considered one of the most dangerous amongst his army— following his orders with a ruthless precision. Will you help her find something worth living for besides her duty to Aelius?

“You’ve let me see many things clearly, Harbinger. For that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough. I hope my love, and my devotion, will be a good start.”

Gray/Grace [M/F] - The Partner

32 [5’8” | Light Brown Eyes | Dark Brown Hair]

The one person that seems like a calming anchor within the hellish whirlwind that has become your life. Your best friend, and the only person that’s ever truly believed in you, doesn’t truly understand what it is that you’re doing— or fighting against— but they’d never hesitate in backing you up. Will something more grow between you both because of it?

“Loving you… it just feels right. Like I finally know how to stand on solid ground again.”

Damien/Diana [M/F] - The Criminal 🚩

33 [5’11” | Sapphire Blue Eyes | Dark Auburn Hair]

Granted employing the help of an elusive criminal— although they’ve never actually been caught— isn’t your smartest idea, but when you need to get into the criminal underbelly of Briar Glen there’s no one better you can think of. With a flirtatious smile, cocky attitude, and penchant for violence, you’re certainly going to have your hands full with them. Will you end up getting something else from your time together too?

“At first I wasn’t sure you were worth my time. In fact I was close to killing you, but I’m glad that I didn’t. I quite like you, Detective. More than I have ever liked anyone. You should feel lucky.”

[kalorphic]

miss ellaaaa I was wondering if you could some facts about the pacific rim and skeleton dude ros??😩😩

ASKSJSJF okay forget Empire of Bones, it’s officially called Skeleton Dude IF now lol!

I don’t really have facts for them, but here’s some super basic info (that’s not complete) under the cut.

The Whisper in the Mist:

Name: Killian

Title: Commander

Pronouns: He/She (gender-selectable)

Height: 6’4ft

Age: 38

Ethnicity: Dutch

———

Name: Zai

Title: Dr.

Pronouns: He/She/Xe (gender-selectable)

Height: 5’4ft

Wears glasses

Can’t make eye contact, doesn’t like crowds

Age: 32

Ethnicity: Cameroonian

Only romanceable in poly with Brin

———

Name: Brin

Title: Dr.

Pronouns: They/Them (Nonbinary)

Height: 5’7ft

Wheelchair

Age: 36

Ethnicity: Lithuanian/German

Only romanceable in poly with Zai

———

Name: Cináed

Title: Captain | Jaeger Pilot

Pronouns: He/She/Ey (gender-selectable)

Height: 6’0ft

Hot tempered, viciously in denial that they love the mc

Age: 36

Ethnicity: Irish

———

Name: Jalen

Title: Lord/Lady/Liege

Pronouns: He/She/Ze (gender-selectable)

Height: 5’10ft

Bastard.

Age: 41

Ethnicity: Greek/American

———

Empire of Bones:

Name: Thane/Thana/Thean

Title: The Emperor

Height: 7ft

Species: Lich (skeleton - has a human form)

Pronouns: He/She/Xe (gender-selectable)

Note: looks like xe’d rend the flesh from you in true form, but xyr actually a softie who likes animals and flowers.

Name: Aelius/Aelia

Title: The Sun Deity

Height: 6’6ft

Species: Divine

Pronouns: He/She (gender-selectable)

Note: your (powerful) childhood best friend who comes across as a cocky player, but who has actually been in love with you for years.

Name: Senan

Title: The Keeper

Height: 5’5ft

Species: Divine

Pronouns: They/Them (Agender)

Note: intelligent yet waspish keeper of knowledge who seems to have a soft spot for you.

Name: Cahya

Title: The Legend

Height: 5’9ft

Species: Shade

Pronouns: He/She/Ze (gender-selectable)

Note: next to nothing known about zir, except that everyone fears zir.

Thank you for the artbreeders @kaiwrites-if

[thenickelportrust]

Informant Fluff

... or it was meant to be.

@dae-kalina wrote an absolutely fantastic fluff piece for Aelius (one of the ROs from her superb game, Son of Satan: The Mortal Coil- the tumblr for which you can find at @sosthemortalcoil) in return for breaking my heart with some equally fantastic angst pieces, and I wanted to show appreciation by returning the favor.

‘Wanted’ being the key word there.

I am sorry.

The rain lashed at your skin, cutting jagged scars of water over your arms and legs, the howling cry of the wind nipped at your feet. You could feel their grip against the slick rooftop failing you, skidding back and forth, turning what was already a flailing run for your life into even more of a chaotic mess of limbs- each diving through the air in an uncoordinated wildness, but the edge never got any closer. If you could just make it over to the next rooftop you could escape- you could get out of there- but the slick, water-logged roof refuses to let you go, keeping you firmly planted on the spot. Your hands reach out and drag your nails through the air, as if somehow you could find purchase in the unforgiving winds to drag yourself forward. But you’re still not moving. You’re not moving. It’s so far away. You can hear the clang of the metal rooftop door slapping the wall, flung open with ferocious force. You don’t dare a glance backwards, the phantoms already growing in your peripheral. Your legs burn with effort, and if you were to stop you would surely fall. Off the edge of the roof, plummet to the ground below. You can hear the footsteps approaching- heavy thuds in time with your thumping heart. Icy fingertips press into the nap of your neck, claws that dig into the skin around your throat-

You suck in a deep breath, eyes snapping open. Shivering despite the blankets wrapped around you, you pull yourself deeper into them, squeezing a fist around the fabric of the bed as you force your eyes to squeeze closed once more, the sound of your skipping heart fluttering around your ears drains out everything but the sensation of cold sweat soaked into your back. With a sigh, you unfurl your fingers and force your eyes open again. Staring directly into the crack that’s run from your apartment’s floor to its ceiling for as long as you can remember, you manage to dredge the last of your consciousness away from the nightmare. Collecting yourself in the comfort that it isn’t real.

At least not anymore.

Ok, maybe not quite as comforting as you thought. It’s too hot and too cold all at once- you kick the blankets aside and roll to the side of the bed, pressing into the scratchy carpet. Damn, you really need to get a new mattress. Everything hurts- you roll your shoulder, wincing when it cracks as soon as you stretch it out.

The walls creak as you move, and your head snaps to where shadows dart away from your line of vision as your eyes adjust to the dark. The silence seems to whisper, creeping thoughts clinging to the nightmare pressing against your brain with cruel grins that gleam in dark corners. With fumbling hands, you scour the wall for the lightswitch, filling the room with a dull orange glow as the bulb buzzes and flickers to life. The hiss of the faulty electrical system seeps from the walls, and the shadows cast by the light seem to shrink back whenever you dare to look towards them, only to creep up in your peripheral.

No. No you’re fine. You just need to stand- maybe splash some water on your face. Yeah, that will work. Then you can go back to bed and sleep and everything will be fine, right? After all, it was all just a nightmare and who has the same nightmare twice in a row, right? Right. So it’ll be even better if you just… go back to bed.

The shadow from your dresser peeks seems to peek around its edge, the black hand of a spectre crawling out just behind where you can’t see and as soon as you turn to look it slips back into the void.

Just wash off the paranoia first.

The cold medicinally clear white light of the bathroom glints off the stained tiles and semi-opaque glass of the shower. The sink sputters before bursting to life, a steady stream of cold water runs between your palms. Technically, the landlord has warned you to let it run for a minute or two before actually using it, but at this point you don’t care anymore, and bend down past the mirror to rub the cold water over your face- wake up to shed the last threads of the dream before going back to sleep.

The mirror fills with the face you refused to look back at on the rooftop, grinning too wide, one hand reaching towards the back of your nightshirt-

Your head snaps up, eyes darting wide and wild to the mirror but there’s nothing behind you. Of course there’s nothing behind you. Why wouldn’t there be nothing behind you?

The skin around your knuckles stretches into a paler shade as you grip the edge of the sink. With too much force, you shut the water off and shake out your hands, rubbing your wrists. Stepping out of the bathroom you take another longing glance at the bed but by now it’s become eerily clear that you’re not getting any sleep tonight. Not if your own brain won’t let you rest.

You need to- you need to- you need to move. To do something. Just keep yourself distracted. Throw on your coat, go outside, just for a tiny bit. It’s dark but…

Before you even have the time to consider anything else you’re already buttoning up your jacket and heading for the door. Blink, and you’re pushing open the apartment building’s entrance, taking a deep breath of crisp, cold night air. There’s no stars above when your head cranes back, not even rolling clouds turned a sickly yellowish by city lights- it’s just a blank, black canvas stretched seemingly just inches over the spiking buildings. Dark felt tugged taut across the sky where stars and the milky way should have been.

Your feet hit the pavement in a steady, fast-paced rhythm. There’s no real direction that you guide them in, just walking for the sake of walking. For the purpose of hearing that rhythm- unhurried, laid-back, alone.

Alone until it’s broken up by a second step- then a third- echoing one another, chasing yours. Your shoulders rise and you whirl around, gaze skittering about the street- where a young couple crosses across the path, arm in arm, laughing to themself with unconcerned grins. Neither of them are even aware of your existence as they cross in and out of your vision.

Deep breath, exhale, you’re fine. A tad bit paranoid, but fine.

There’s more footsteps, and your eyes continue to play pranks on your brain, putting phantasmal figures just beyond the edge of your sight, circling your brain with the haunting memory of rain against skin and slick shoes slipping over the edge- a jump not quite enough with flailing arms, fingers skimming the very edge of safety before slipping undone and-

You suck in a breath and look up- how far have you been walking? The pads of your feet have started to ache ever so slightly- where are you? You just tried to walk off everything that was still haunting your tired mind, but where did you end up?

Your head swivels until you manage to find a street sign, squinting to read it underneath the harsh glow of a bright streetlamp. Oh you… why did you end up here? Because if you’re here then that means…

There, the red brick building that’s begun to look familiar even shrouded in the dull dark blue hue of night. Your eyes trail up to the window with flowers- lilacs- you’d yet to meet the old lady that grows them but the first time he pointed out his neighbor’s window when you commented on the same flower he kept in a vase he’d mentioned that she was an extraordinarily kind woman, taking in most everyone on the floor as if they were all her grandchild. Receiving flowers on random occasions was just one example of how she cared for everyone.

The memory brings a smile to your face and, before you know it, you’re stepping up to the front buzzer. But- wait- it’s so late, he’s probably not even up. What are you doing? Just go home. You already feel better, so everything should be fine now. You don’t need to bother him by waking him and-

And you’re pressing the buzzer. Guilt gnaws at your stomach when you shove your hand back into the pocket but… You can’t say you’re particularly eager to head back out either. And, hey, maybe he really is asleep and you won’t wake him up so you’ll just turn around and head back home or perhaps call a cab. Might be better not to walk alone at night… even if you… walked alone at night all the way here.

“Hello…?” Fuck, he’s awake. Or he is now. Even through the robotic filter of the buzzer you can hear his voice is heavy and slurred with sleep. Damn, now you feel even more guilty. But it’s too late to turn back now.

“Hey, uh…” What does it say about the two of you that you know where he lives but not his name…? “It’s me. Sorry for waking you up.”

There’s a small pause before you hear the entrance’s lock click open, a quiet “Come on up.” following before the buzzer dies off.

You push open the door and, unlike your apartment which always greets you with the smell of musk and mold, find yourself wrapped in a fading, warm smell- roast chicken? You can see, down the first floor’s hallway past the lobby, light and muffled sound seeping out from the crack beneath one of the doors- sounds like a dinner party. The last shreds of darkness clinging to your coat are quickly cast away as you head for the stairs, those hissing remnants of the nightmare that woke you up already seem like a long lost memory.

Which, of course, means that by the time you actually get to his door, you feel positively foolish for having come here. You really did just need to walk it off, you’re fine, why did you wake him up again?

You try to knock lightly- maybe he passed out again and you should just turn around and leave. You certainly wouldn’t blame him for doing so. What time is it, anyway? One, two in the morning? The sun definitely hasn’t risen yet- is that good or bad?

The door swings open and your thoughts pass through blanky- filtering out in a single moment to be replaced with the twitching beginnings of a smile and a snicker as you look at him- “It’s pitch black outside, do you just sleep with those on?”

The Informant, in just a plain white t-shirt and boxer shorts, reaches up to his face and touches the edge of the sunglasses that, by the way his eyebrows rise in shock, he forgot were there. “I heard the buzzer.”

“And you thought sunglasses first, pants later?” You bite your lip to keep from laughing aloud and waking up everyone on the floor, “Good to know you’ve got your priorities straight.”

He moves to the side, and you step inside, taking in a deep breath and finding the tension that had propped your shoulders up quickly collapses, letting them fall down easily as you exhale. Cinnamon and pine- you should ask him what it is that makes this place smell of that, it’s such a nice smell, might help if you found some way to bring it to your own home.

You hear the Informant, unsuccessfully, stifle a yawn behind you as the door clicks closed. It feels funny to see him without the normally put-together look. Hair disheveled from sleep, dressed so casually, padding slowly to the kitchen- a far cry from the man you met what feels like so long ago now, a dark figure in the corner of a dimly lit bar selling you precious information. Now he just opens up the cabinet, pulling down a little container to wordlessly offer you some tea. “What kind?”

“Cinnamon.”

Well, that explains the smell. “Sure.”

You turn your back and look around the apartment- it’s all relatively plain. A long ruby red couch facing a simple television- the dust on the screen makes you think it’s not used very much. The coffee table in front of it is piled with different books- despite the fact that you can already easily spot two smaller bookshelves filled as well. That’s, perhaps, the one outstanding thing about this room, and something that stood out to you before as well. You walk around the couch, trailing the edge of the blanket folded over its back with your fingers, before stooping down to look at the book on the top of the coffee-table pile. “Their Eyes Were Watching God?”

“Zora Neale Hurston,” The Informant affirms with a slow nod, “You read it?”

“In high school,” You tap the book to your palm, “Usually I find that people tend to stray away from the ‘classics’ once they realize they’re no longer going to have to write an essay… Actually, even then, usually people tend to stray away from the ‘classics’ and just read a synopsis that analyze it all for them.”

You see the edge of his lips quirk up, “Which is why I’m reading it now.”

“No,” You gasp holding the book in front of your mouth in shock, “Don’t tell me that out of all the people you were someone who never did your reading assignments.”

He shrugs loosely, pouring steaming water into two cups.

“Here I would’ve bet that they had to create a whole curriculum for you.” You set the book to the side as he walks over and passes you one of the mugs. You wrap your fingers around it- savoring the feeling of warmth returning to your night-chilled fingertips. Taking a whiff of the tea you’re assured once more that this must be where the smell of the apartment comes from.

Cinnamon.

“I wasn’t the most obedient kid,” He admits, leaning back against the couch, you follow suit, letting your gaze roam over the rest of the books on the table as you take a long, slow sip from the cup- letting the sweet spice tea chase away the last of the cold in your bones. “But I found a couple of them in a bookstore recently and I thought it was a shame I never gave any of them a chance.”

“Look at you,” You purr with a grin, “You’re almost a mature adult- if it weren’t for your priorities.” The Informant turns to you with a quirked brow, to which you just point up to your eyes- the glasses. He snorts, hiding his smirk from behind the cup.

You sigh heavily, leaning back into the couch, your eyes start to flutter closed- the lids growing heavier, you feel yourself sliding slowly to the side. Your hands go loose in your lap- but just before the cup can tip over it’s snatched up, and you manage to shake yourself awake just enough to see the Informant brush aside some of his books and make room for the mugs on the table.

“Sorry I- damn- and here I thought I wasn’t going to be able to sleep again.”

He pauses at that, shooting you a questioning glance that you choose not to meet. Suddenly, the far window enraptured you just enough that you don’t have to meet the question that lies behind his glasses. “You know I was thinking about how weird it is that I still don’t know your name… I mean, I know where you live, I know that you were a surprisingly rebellious kid, I know that you love cinnamon tea and read more books than anybody else I know but I still don’t even know what to call you.”

He clears his throat, shifting uncomfortably on the couch, “Well it wasn’t exactly either your choice or mine that you ended up knowing where I live…” He trails off, “We didn’t exactly know where else to bring you- you were bleeding out and we couldn’t exactly leave you there to wait for an ambulance…”

You grit your jaw, squeezing your fingers into the palm of your hand- as if you could squeeze away the feeling of the concrete edge of the next roof slipping just beyond your grasp.

Still you force a laugh- dry and fake, not even a enough to convince yourself, “You’re telling me. I’m the one still waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat over it all before somehow ending up in front of your door even though I really didn’t mean to come here I just wanted to go somewhere safe and my home wasn’t really feelin’ it but then again I’m fairly sure that my landlord’s backup plan is to start reaching out to movie producer’s to advertize it for horror movie films so big surprise there, yeah?”

You fold your arms over yourself, digging your teeth into the side of your cheek until it stings and you’re about half sure you draw some blood. You feel the couch dip down when the Informant moves towards you, but you’re head is kept down and away, focused on not shaking like some… ridiculous child and maintaining whatever dignity it is you have left. If any.

Still, all that washes away when his hands brush over your cheeks, gently nudging your head up to meet his gaze. You lean into the touch, your jaw relaxing- though your fluttering heart doesn’t slow, it feels calmer than before, not quite so violent against your ribcage. You manage to detangle your hands from around yourself, instead you reach forward- and with just the slightest tug against his shirt the Informant pulls you into a tight embrace. You bury your face into his neck and tangle your hands around his still-mussed-up hair, breathing deeply to steady yourself.

Cinnamon.

“You’re safe.”

Two words. Two words and you feel like crying. Or laughing. Or just… just…

You end up doing a mix of both, hiding it all in the crook of his neck. The Informant doesn’t let you go until you’re done, rubbing little circles into the small of your back with the pad of his thumb. Even by the time you finish, he doesn’t let go- and neither do you, glad that he seems, at the very least, willing to let you hold on for just a moment longer.

Just a moment.

You just need a moment.

He pulls back first, your hands only reluctantly sliding from his back to his shoulders, still unwilling to let go completely- lucky for you, he simply moves to hold your face again, brushing aside streaks of tears with the back of his hand. Even past the dark glasses you can spot his eyes roaming around your face. The smile comes easier this time, much more natural. “I’m okay, now.” It feels true. A long breath out as the weight lifts from your chest.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” You let yourself lean into his touch again- you don’t bother to suppress the joy when he doesn’t pull away, you don’t even bother to try and question it. It just… feels natural, the right thing to do. “I know I woke you up when I came here and I should apologize but… Selfish as it may sound, I’m actually really not all that sorry.”

“I’m glad you did.” It’s hard to say why either of your voices drop into a whisper- the moment feels… fragile, as if the slightest word said too-loud or misplaced breath could break it. And perhaps it’s because of that feeling that you wish your heart were quieter, too, thumping heavily in your chest. Though it’s not like before, it’s nothing like before.

You reach over to the corner of his sunglasses- ridiculous sunglasses- and gently pull them away from his face. The Informant does move when you place them to the side, unable to school the small smile from your face when you can finally see his full face. His look mirrors your own, and you reach over- brushing the edge of your fingers underneath his uncovered eyes, over the curve of his ear, down to his jaw, along the bottom line of his lips. Your thumb hesitates there, eyes flicking up to meet his eyes again as you give his lower lip a little tug with the pad of your finger. He curls his hands around the curve of your jaw, and soon the both of you press forward- brushing your lips against his as you loop your arms around his neck.

The night may have started in a cold sweat, flailing and frantic, but this was slow, soft, the gentle brush of your lips before you pulled away- eyes still closed, to breathe in deeply through your nose. Your eyes fluttered open slowly, mouth curving into a smile.

He tastes like cinnamon.

[vulpixelates]

My OCs: The Master List

Guild Wars 2

Kaia Darkbrand - norn thief/daredevil, disaster bisexual

Ingunn Wildslayer - norn ranger/druid, valkyrie goddess

Isoldra of Dawn - sylvari guardian, sunshine plant mom

Sajaa Eren - human revenant, magical girl chic

Rune Valiante - human elemental, big bitch/bush energy

Mass Effect

Ro Shepard - Vanguard, Spacer, Sole Survivor, Renegon - ♡ pansexual, Garrus & Aria - canon

Letha Shepard - Adept, Earthborn, Sole Survivor, Paragon - ♡ queer, Liara

Ben Shepard - Sentinel, Earthborn, War Hero, Paragon - ♡ straight, Tali

Sara Ryder - Casual, Emotional, Vanguard - ♡ pansexual, Liam & Peebee - canon

Quinn Ryder - Professional, Emotional, Infiltrator - ♡ pansexual, TBD

Dragon Age

Luce Cousland - Noble rogue - ♡ bisexual, Alistair

Aden Brosca - Dwarf rogue - ♡ bisexual, TBD

Amatia Amell - Human mage - ♡ pansexual, Morrigan - canon

Nora Hawke - Mage - ♡ demisexual lesbian, Isabela - canon

Leven Hawke - Rogue - ♡ bisexual, Merrill

Ioren Lavellan - Dalish elf mage - ♡ bisexual, Blackwall & Alistair - canon

Julien Trevelyan - Human rogue - ♡ bisexual, Dorian

Elera Lavellan - Dalish elf - ♡ heteroromantic & asexual, Solas

Hessa Adaar - Qunari rogue - ♡ lesbian, Sera

D&D

Elen Arel - chaotic good, half-elf, arcane trickster, smuggler - ♡ bisexual, Kilgore - retired

Arrora - rebel good, half-elf, circle of the moon druid, outlander - ♡ demisexual lesbian - retired

Caerellia Asperanas - chaotic good, aboleth tiefling, wild magic sorcerer - ♡ queer, Volusena & Mahraz & Lilith - active

Kara Avasdottir - lawful good, valkyrie paladin -  ♡ lesbian, Leira - played

Leda Damaris - chaotic good, Tiamat tiefling, fist of the forest druid -  ♡ queer, Faeruit - retired

Gadget Qirie - chaotic good, orc/gnome/elf arcane engineer -  ♡ queer - active

Medal “Whit” Whitforge - rebel good, mountain dwarf artificer, revolutionist -  ♡ bisexual- played

Thea - neutral good, forest nymph godkin, druid/monk, folk hero - ♡ pansexual  - to be played

Rhialla Stormhaven - chaotic good, aasimar champion, haunted one -  ♡ queer - retired

Ryla Anzar - neutral good, tiefling of the Morrigan, witch, spirit medium - ♡ pansexual - active

Wynrie Iathromi - neutral good, orc/elf, fist of the forest druid - ♡ queer, Reima Agaestil - played

Lodden Rhithron - chaotic good, sea nymph, swashbuckler pirate - ♡ bisexual, Aelius Evenwind & Eila Vorasil - played

Elixaris Iloeni - chaotic neutral, changeling, rogue mastermind - ♡ bisexual - played

Ru Evenwind - neutral good, half-elf/half-gnome, hermetic mage - ♡ lesbian, Kaza - played

Rowan Orda - chaotic good, half-elf/forest gnome fate cleric, acolyte -  ♡ clueless bisexual, Qadri - on hold

Aja Sky-Bearer - neutral good, elf/aasimar, order of the immortal mystic, hermit and herbalist -  ♡ panromantic demisexual - on hold

Ubati Rahazur - neutral good, orc/goliath ranger, monster hunter - ♡ lesbian, Cleo Eronette  - on hold

Cosima Colwycke - chaotic good, aasimar arcane trickster, noble -  ♡ lesbian, Alys Keenseeker - on hold

Canary “Ary” Longshot - chaotic good, gloom stalker ranger, war deserter - ♡ queer, Cybil Winddriver - for one shots

Brigh Orlaith - neutral good, wild fey sidhe bard, sapphic poet -  ♡ lesbian, Hera - on hold

Verna - chaotic neutral, half-elf, illusion wizard, archaeologist - ♡ queer, Sigrun - retired

Ellywick “Wick” Coppercrank III - neutral good, rock gnome gunsmith/hexgun warlock, astronomer -  ♡ bisexual - on hold

Ashes Orra - chaotic good, infernal tiefling ill-rigger turned retribution cleric -  ♡ lesbian, Theodora Conyver - to be played

Erasmia Diagoras - chaotic neutral, reincarnated eladrin sorcerer, revolutionist - ♡ queer, Nisea Minos - to be played

Aaliyah Rahal - neutral, aasimar tattoed temple monk/rogue, tomb raider - ♡ pansexual, Andrea Colwycke - played

Vanja Velikova - chaotic good, fetchling shadow sorcerer/grave cleric, charlatan -  ♡ bisexual - for one shots

Stranger Still (RPG)

Poppy Harris - strange forest ranger - ♡ pansexual, Callie Hayworth  - active

Renna “neuralc0re” Hezal - amnesiac space hacker, punk ass rebel - ♡ lesbian, ET - active

Lo Mistrel - chosen one ghost whisperer -  ♡ bisexual, Tula Chochokpi - active

Kit Wright - private detective, conspiracy nerd - ♡ bisexual, Neya - on hold

Vela Warders - jack of all trades scientist, mutant - ♡ pansexual, Cy & Vier - on hold

Margeaux Darkeaux - possessed tattoo artist, wannabe chosen -  ♡ lesbian, Jude Jinx - on hold

Audre Amador-Ripley - nosy journalist and witch - ♡ bisexual, Violet & Vivienne - active

Sable Calabar - cursed witch, seer -  ♡ lesbian, Harriet Still - active

Ramona Beaumont - engineer and future chosen  -  ♡ lesbian, Alex - for one shots

Leilani Palmer - mystic witch, sculptor - ♡ pansexual, Demetria Garza - played

Priya Goodspeed - artificer witch, video game dev -  ♡ lesbian, Nyla Fuentes - played

Valerie Flores - witch, paralegal, secret superhero -  ♡ queer, Noor Rahmanzai -  played

Fallon Escamilla-Tao - alteration witch, social worker, enchanting bard - ♡ lesbian, Hadley Escamilla-Tao - played

Juniper Rosegrove - transmutation witch, writer, nature lover - ♡ bisexual, Rafi - played

Liere Pilar - witch, tattoo artist, liberator and rebel - ♡ lesbian - to be played

Imani Jelan - abjuration witch, occupational therapist, wellness enthusiast- ♡ pansexual, Olivia Flores - to be played

[pradnyesh1008]

Hi! Can't wait for the next update, seems really intriguing 👀

I wanted to ask if, since special ROs now gender selectable, you will make difference in female/male version of characters aside from pronounces? I'm not a big fun of gender selectable ROs because... they don't have what non-selectable have? Yeah. It's a bit hard for me, because I planned to romance prince Aelius...

Anyway, good luck with the game!

First off, thank you for your excitement about the next update! Your enthusiasm is contagious. 🎉

Now, onto your question about gender-selectable ROs. No need to worry, my friend! A male character is going to be a male, and a female character is going to be a female. Their nature, actions, and almost everything else will be the same. But when it comes to distinguishing between male and female, they will be different and they will sound like one too.

Let me clarify a bit more. When I say they will act according to their gender, I don’t mean I’ll follow the same stereotypes regarding male and female. Like, the male one isn’t always the strong, silent type, and the female one isn’t always the damsel in distress. They will be very similar, but their gender will make the difference. So, if you want to romance a prince, you will romance a prince!

And this same thing will happen with the MC too, but it will come later in the story. So, stay tuned! 📻

And if you have any more questions, feel free to send me a raven. I’m always here to chat. 💌

[pradnyesh1008]

First of all, your game is great, wonderfully developed, but I would suggest double-checking because there are some minor spelling mistakes. I found it beautiful, comprehensive as a game.

Is it a series or a standalone?

I noticed one thing, that the height of the MC is shorter than the father or the boy(RO), I wonder if the MC has a fixed height, or can you choose to change?

I don't know if you understand, but I would like there to be even more flexibility regarding the choices, (i.e. leave almost everything open and the users decide what to do) even at the level of romantic and sexual.

Aelius has its charms. But I prefer the MC because they are a force of nature to be reckoned with, but also because they believe in fair fighting. I hope you understand the review. And by chance Aelius has already captured your heart. doesn’t he?Lol 😏

Thank you so much for your kind words and valuable feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the game overall.

Regarding your question about whether it's a series or a standalone, I envision it as a series, much like Game of Thrones. However, whether it continues as a series will depend on how well it's received by players. If people are loving it, I'll definitely continue to expand the story into multiple installments. But if it doesn't resonate with players, I may conclude it with the first book.

As for the height of the MC, currently, it's fixed, but I'll definitely consider adding more customization options in the future, including the ability to adjust the height.

In terms of flexibility with choices, I understand your desire for more openness, especially in romantic and sexual aspects. Rest assured, most choices are left up to the players, allowing for a wide range of possibilities and outcomes.

As for Aelius capturing hearts, well, I can see why some players might be drawn to his charms. However, as the creator, I must admit I'm quite fond of the MC as well. They're truly a force to be reckoned with, and their belief in fair fighting adds depth to their character.

Regarding your last point, I'm afraid I didn't quite understand what you meant. Could you please clarify it for me?

[pradnyesh1008]

Thank you for the update! I didn't think it was possible, but I loved the dynamic between the mc and the family even more. Can't wait to meet ROs. They all looks so good. Although I think my heart has already been stolen by Aelius 👀

I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the latest update! The dynamic between the MC and their family is such a crucial aspect of the story, and I'm thrilled that it resonated with you even more this time around.

As for the ROs, I'm glad you're excited to meet them! They all have their own unique charms and qualities, but I must say, Aelius does have a certain allure, doesn't he? 😏 It's always intriguing to see which characters capture our hearts in unexpected ways.

I hope you'll continue to enjoy getting to know the rest of the ROs as the story unfolds. There's plenty of romance and adventure awaiting you, so buckle up for an exciting journey ahead!

Thank you for your support, and happy gaming! 📖💫

[sosthemortalcoil]

Extra: Aelius Reconciliation

@aochiro was the first place Friday the Thirteenth ask frenzy winner and requested something with Aelius breaking up with Gabriel after the angel reveal and then getting back together.

Hope you enjoy. (Winner of 750 words, clocks in at 985 words)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Don’t—” Your voice breaks as Aelius shakes his head.

“You’re an angel.” His eyes are dark today, distant.

“So what? I l—”

“Do not say it!” It’s so rare to hear him raise his voice, even in the din of The Menagerie. His fingers reach up to card through hair, except today he’s worn it shorn close to his head, a pattern of carefully curated black against deep bronze skin. It’s one of the few indications that either he tended to wear his hair long as a human, the gesture a leftover from his origins, or that he’s grown so accustomed to longer hair he forgets himself.

It would be nice if you knew which, especially since you just entrusted him with the knowledge of who you truly are.

“I am a demon, Gabriel.” His voice cracks, and tears well in your eyes.

“I know that. I have always known that. Aelius—”

He seems determined not to let you finish a sentence. “This is over.” The three words are devoid of emotion, but they punch through your chest like a blow.

“Aelius, please, won’t you at least talk to me?”

There’s a flicker in his eyes before they return to stone. “An archangel and a demon cannot be together. If you wanted to live an illusion you should have kept me in the dark.”

Before you can grab his arm he’s gone, moving with an enviable grace. You stumble to your feet and out the door.

 .~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

“You shouldn’t be here.” Your eyes close, the voice familiar. It’s one of the few constants with all his changes. Or relatively constant. The tone shifts, but the cadence, the diction—everything else remains uniquely his.

“I needed a drink; this place serves drinks.” The answer is petulant, cherubish even, but you don’t care. “Besides, this is my drink.” He’d made it for you, the sprig of lavender a tribute to your scent. Of course, before he had thought it a perfume. Now he knew better.

“Gabriel,” he sighs, and the glass is pried from your hand. “Come on.” Instead of escorting you to the door, when you crack your eyes open he’s leading you to his office. It’s something, at least, and you hurry after him.

“Why are you so determined to associate with demons?”

The question is blunt, to the point. You can respect that.

“I didn’t mean to. I’m not… trying to.”

He arches one thin, brown eyebrow. “Your actions say otherwise.”

A noise of frustration tears from your lips. “Well what else am I supposed to do? I don’t want to lose you!”

“And I don’t want to hurt you.” His eyes flash an inhuman kaleidoscope of colors. “Can’t you respect that?”

“You are hurting me!” You clutch at your heart. “You ripped it right out.”

He turns his cheek to you. “Better that then… I’m a demon Gabriel. I made my bed long ago. You can’t… you can’t rescue me from it, or redeem me or save me or whatever else you think an archangel can do for an incubus.”

“I don’t plan on doing anything for you. Do you think it was easy realizing I was falling for an incubus?” You step towards him, and he sways away.

“There is no future here, Gabriel. You’ll go back to Heaven and I’ll continue corrupting souls.” He still refuses to meet your gaze.

“You aren’t a monster, Aelius.” Reaching out, you rest one hand against his soft, warm cheek. “You’re the man I love.”

This time, it’s not you who is the only one crying. “You silly creature,” he bites out, turning to look at you. “You silly, silly angel.” He covers your hand with his, head bowed. “Why do you tempt me so?”

A laugh, sharp a cutting, bubbles from your lips. “Me tempt you? Who is the incubus?”

Eyes, light blue, find yours. “Our job is to feed what people desire to them.”

You wet your lips. “And if I desire you?”

This time he doesn’t answer with words. His mouth covers yours, soft, pliant, keeping the kiss chaste despite how you chase after his lips when he pulls away.

Fingertips brush over the nape of your neck and you wonder when he moved his hand there. Your knees feel weak and you find yourself leaning against him. Warm lips brush your forehead as you cling to his fitted shirt.

“You must promise me that you will not put yourself at risk for my sake,” he murmurs against the curve of your ear. You mumble an affirmative, because if it means getting Aelius back then you’ll promise to behave. It’s not like he’s trouble anyways.

A heavy sigh lifts some of your hair. “Why don’t I believe that?” he asks.

“Because you’re jaded. You get to work with the worst of humanity.” You lift your head, peering up at him.

“I should have known you were an angel from the start.” He combs the hair back from your face. “Despite how hard you try, I’m afraid that you don’t make the best human.”

You pull back, mouth open to protest, but the way his eyes crinkle at the corners stop you.

“That’s good.”

“How is that good?” you ask cautiously. If he means that it’s easier to break up with you because you're not human, that is most certainly not good.

“We shouldn’t be possible.” Tension draws your shoulders up around your ears. Not this again. “But… I am too weak. I cannot keep refusing what I want. Demons are, you know, selfish creatures.” That may apply for most, but in your opinion Aelius is anything but.

Before you can ask for clarification, he continues, “And the idea of eternity being able to love you? That I can live with.”  

You step away to flick the lock on his office door. The two of you have some amends to make.

[sosthemortalcoil]

Obviously, Aelius doesn't want Gabby to marry him because he doesn't want them to share his fate. But would he be opposed to Gabby referring to him as their husband even if they never get married? Just in a sense of 'yes, I am off the table and I only ever intend to be with this man', but you know, shorthand.

It would make him feel strange. Not necessarily a bad strange, but he’s accustomed to thinking of marriage as a binding contract of sorts, and to refer to him as their husband without actually getting married feels strange. Marriage is an institution for establishing inheritance as far as he is concerned. He would prefer a different term of endearment–you are taken, and if anyone is foolish enough to ignore that because you didn’t call him husband or he didn’t address you as his spouse, woe be to them. It seems silly to him that you are fixated on associating him with the word husband when he is not technically so, but he won’t stop you.

[sosthemortalcoil]

[I have arrived to make your characters a flustered mess😤] Chilly hands!Gabby: Oooh AeLuiS~ Literature? the warmest parts being the pits and the groin? ಠuಠ You're reading those sorts of 'literatures' huh? (Bonus) I guess we should try that theory out huh? just for... you know.... s c i e n c e ๛ก(ｰ̀ωｰ́ก)

Unfortunately I don’t think you’re going to have as much success as you’d hoped flustering the incubus. Genuine, soft affection gets to him. Sex not so much.

“If by ‘those sorts of literature’ you mean human anatomy and health care, then yes.” His eyes narrow, his lips pursing. “Someone has to take care of this human form you inhabit since you seem to forget how vulnerable you are.” He reaches out a hand, soft fingers stroking your cheek.

“Besides, I much prefer holding your hands in mine.” Picking up your hands he cradles them between his, brushing his lips across your knuckles. “Neither of the other options is particularly romantic.” Heat creeps up your fingers from his touch. “And the laws of human science do not apply to demons,” he adds, voice dropping lower, eyes turning dark with lazy desire.

[sosthemortalcoil]

Would aelius be ok dating an asexual gabriel who mostly just wants to cuddle and go for walks holding hands?

Absolutely! Aelius is honestly weary of sex, so the emotional bond is more important to him. Here’s a list of all the ROs and their reactions to ace!Gabriels.

[sosthemortalcoil]

First Kiss Ft. Aelius

@thesearobberssun this might balance the scales.

I tried. Fluff to counteract that tactical family angst strike earlier. Enjoy!

Aelius has kissed plenty of people before. He remembers his first shy kiss with another slave girl. She had been sold, not quite pretty enough for a house slave, not quite sturdy enough for the fields.

He’s kissed a lot of people since then. It might have been one of his favorite activities if he hadn’t become so accustomed to it, if it hadn’t become so meaningless. Maybe he’s been trying to reclaim some of that purity. He prefers to feed by touch now, skimming fingers up an arm, brushing against a patron waiting for a drink at one of the bars—no more literal soul-sucking kisses.

But he can’t stop thinking about how kissing Gabriel would be. And he doesn’t know what to do with that.

You walk into The Menagerie, which is always like stepping into another world. Worlds, really. Up front is a nice 1920s style speakeasy, with a coat-check and some of the more human looking fae in the corresponding fashion. Inclining your head to the hostess, you step around the information desk. You’ve been here enough to know your way around, although it does keep shifting.

Atlantis takes up most of the center, with the Aerie high above, a separate elevator with glass walls providing you a way up. There’s the Enchanted Forest, the Hanging Gardens, Shambhala, Avalon, and even Themiscyra.

Despite the flurry of colors and strange, wonderful creatures, the press of humanity ogling all the marvelous ‘acts,’ it’s still easy to spot the owner.

He has his own booth on one of the shores of Atlantis, away from where most of the water-based creatures entice the humans to play and sit with them. No one goes near it, except for the occasional staff member checking in with him.

He seems so maudlin, brows drawn low, hand wrapped around a highball that has barely been touched. Tonight he’s stunning in a red and gold draped toga, a laurel wreath on his brow. His black hair is at odds with the Romanesque outfit, done in a series of braids that are shot through with gold.

Looks like he had already pulled his duty as the master of tonight’s ceremonies, but he had stayed in the outfit.

You’re not complaining. It leaves most of his arms bare, and reveals a scoop of his chest perfect for snuggling against. You feel yourself flush at the thought.

What the two of you have been doing—you don’t know. When you had met him, he had been all over you and Iain, touching without restraint. Now he seems to enforce a space around you.

The moment he spots you making your way towards him is marked by him straightening up, a small smile curling his lips, his dark eyes sparking to life.

“Gabriel,” he greets with a warm voice, scooting over. “What brings you here?”

He gives your clothes a glance. “Not work, I hope?”

You take a breath as you slide into the booth, brushing against his side as he’s just a touch to close.

“No, not work,” you confirm. He raises a hand, but you shake your head. You don’t want to start with a drink.  

Aelius’ expression turns contemplative, the smile settling into a neutral line, the corners of his eyes scrunching as he analyzes you. “Why are you here then?” he asks, caution in his voice.

“The company,” you respond, working around the lump in your throat. No chickening out now. You’ve come too far for that.

“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be,” Aelius replies, dipping his head to one side before he takes a long drink from the glass.

“I think it’s pretty great,” you retort, staring hard at the incubus until he meets your gaze.

“Not worth your soul,” he volleys back. The two of you lock eyes, a silent battle of wills occurring. “They say,” he murmurs, lifting one soft hand towards your face, not quite touching you but echoing the curve of your cheek, “that the eyes are the window to your soul. And your soul is the most luminous, brilliant soul I have seen in my many years of existence.”

“Flatterer,” you respond, wondering if he has any inkling of just how close to the truth he is. “But you can touch too. I’m not some exhibit in a museum, to look at from behind a glass case,” you tell him. You lean towards his hand, but he retracts it.

Swallowing your disappointment, you lean back against the booth. “Maybe I will have that drink,” you say, turning your head away.

“Not here.”

You turn back towards him. The glass is empty, and he’s staring at it with lowered brows. “What?” You’re not sure what that’s supposed to mean.

Aelius turns to you, eyes warm, open, vulnerable. “Not here. You are not—you are not some museum exhibit, as you said, and I will not have every gawping at you like you are.” There’s a touch of jealousy to his words, an intensity that has your heart hammering against your ribs.

He slips out of the booth on the other side, walking around to your end and extending a hand. You place yours in it and he pulls you up and into him, his face suddenly perilously close.

But before you can do anything else, he bring your hand to his mouth, pressing a light kiss to the back of it. “Please, follow me,” he instructs, lowering your hand but not releasing it.

You nod, not trusting yourself to speak at the moment. Aelius pulls you behind him, threading his way through the exotic interior of The Menagerie. He takes you to the elevator and pulls you inside, pressing the button for the Aerie level.

He still hasn’t let go of your hand, but he’s maintaining a distance from you. “I didn’t intend to cause offense,” Aelius murmurs, sweeping his thumb over the back of your hand. “I… I am not the most skilled with words,” he admits.

“The physical aspects come easy, but… I am interested in you. I did not want to give you an impression otherwise, but I did not want to cheapen anything we might have either. I—” The ding of the elevator doors interrupts him.

His color peaks, annoyed by the interjection, but he tugs you out after him. “This way.”

He strides towards one of the distant railing, unlocking a gate you hadn’t realized was there. Swinging it open he bows. “After you.”

Hesitantly you stick your foot out, but the path, while nearly invisible, is firm. You walk towards the edge of the glass dome, marveling in the strangeness that is The Menagerie. You reach a platform at the other end, and wait to one side while Aelius opens up a door. Together you walk outside, into the cool night air.

A shiver overcomes you. Sometimes your forget how sensitive this shell is to the cold.

Aelius reaches out, stopping just shy of your shoulders. “May I?”

You nod, and he pulls you towards him. His skin is warm, and smells pleasant, a touch of frankincense hanging around him.

You tilt your head up, wondering when he had gotten taller than you. He hadn’t looked it sitting down.

“Did you bring me out here just to see me shiver?”

Aelius lifts his hand, this time stroking your cheek with a single finger. “I wanted you away from prying eyes.”

“You have an office,” you remind him.

Aelius’ lips quirks, his gaze dancing away from yours. “Yes,” he agrees, drawing the words out. He tilts his head back. “But then I could not kiss you under the moonlight.”

You follow his gaze up, staring at the almost full moon hanging low in the night sky. “Did you practice that line?”

“I might have dreamed about this, if that’s what you’re asking,” Aelius whispers into your ear, pressing his nose against your temple.

“Perhaps we should make that a reality,” you respond, turning your face and finding his lips with yours.

It’s shy, tentative at first, as if he’s afraid to scare you away if he presses too hard. You part your lips, trying to coax him to deepen the kiss, and he obliges, slanting your lips together, giving you a taste of the alcohol he had been drinking, sweet and slightly nutty. Amaretto.

You have to part for hair, your chests both rising and falling rapidly as Aelius and you try to recover.

“I have to admit, the reality is better,” he murmurs, before leaning in and stealing another kiss.

[sosthemortalcoil]

Would you be willing to expand upon Aelius's sexuality? Is he asexual? Demisexual? Does he enjoy sex with those he loves or is it always just an obligatory nicety for him? I love him as a character either way, but I've been debating if I want to come up with a new Gab especially for him.

Aelius doesn’t really consider his sexuality. If his hand were forced, he’d say pansexual. It’s not that he doesn’t enjoy sex, it’s just gotten really, really old. And he’s tired of being expected to be some god of one-night stands just because he’s an incubus. So he’s resigned to it, for the most part. However, he does enjoy sex with those he loves, it’s just not as important to him as just being with his lover.

[sosthemortalcoil]

Would Aelius be okay with doing the do (maybe for the first time with Gab) in his original form?

No.

You’ll be lucky if you ever see his original form.