#I loved drawing Lucio's face/fur

[spotlightstudios]

Hehe, Light art! (And my first Canon character in one of these posts???)

Lucio is a horrid lil man/goat, but he is far too fun to draw, so here we are! (Version w/o text below the cut)

Once again I did the thing where I said I wouldn't complicate things, then proceeded to do a full background smh. But! I like this version a lot more lmao-

I love drawing Goat Lucio a lil too much, and idk, it was just soothing working on his portion of this. (Light, on the other hand, made be want to explode lmao-)

Lore Dump rq (for context):

Light (as pictured) used to have a connection to a Forest Heart. As a person who was trying to help cure the plague (Potion Expert), the magic in their heart was p potent, and like in Muriel's route, Lucio would probably seek out Light's heart since it was strong and magic-filled.

Though, I like to think that between Light's precautions and their natural charm they just kinda, evade Lucio. Maybe even get him on their good side in certain loops. One factors common though: Even when he's intangible, the only one who can kill Light is *him*, and usually just appearing will spook off just about anyone/thing.

Anywho, I try to keep my Light content to myself, but this one just wouldn't get out of my head and it was just really really nice to work on ^^ If ya wanna see more I... do post Arcana art every once in a while, but it's mostly my oc so be forewarned.

[bakuliwrites]

Intimate, Part 6- Lucio x GN!Reader

Rating: 18+ (minors DNI)

Fandom: The Arcana

Relationships: Lucio x Gender-Neutral Reader

Summary: Not much sleep to be had with Lucio.

Author’s Notes: Hey all! This is a six part series, one story for each of the M6. Just a selection of sensual moments with the M6. I have the entire fic up on my AO3, but I figured I’d post it here, too :). Here, you can find Julian, Asra, Nadia, Muriel, and Portia. Lucio is the last one in the series! I hope you enjoy :D

Lucio’s breathing is deep and even, his chest rising and falling steadily against your back. His arm is slung across your chest, holding you in a vice grip, practically clinging to you. It’s early yet, a pale sliver of dawn creeping through the curtains, it’s muted light sleepy and blue. Your mind is still groggy with wispy dreams that seem to lose their shape as the moments pass, but you’re awake enough to know that this moment is precious. The hours that you and Lucio can slumber, undisturbed, wrapped in each other’s embrace, are hours you hold close to your heart. 

Your eyes try to make out the various blobby shapes that scatter the room. A chaise lounge looks oddly formless with Lucio’s furs and cape cast over the back of it. His gilded arm rests on its stand on the dresser, magnificent still in these first moments of daybreak. You turn your head just enough to catch the tiniest glimpse of Lucio’s face. Even from this awkward view, you can see his sharp angles soften in the early morning haze. His brows, normally furrowed, are relaxed, the crinkle in his forehead nowhere to be seen. His lips, often set in a scowl or devilish grin, are parted slightly. Your form fits perfectly against his. This is bliss- pure and unadulterated. 

In these early hours, when he’s deep in his dreams, you are allowed to glimpse a moment of Lucio’s quietude. When he’s not putting on a show for everyone. His intensity and blusteriness settle in the silence of the dawn, though you can feel his bright aura envelop you in its protective light. It fizzles and bursts like hushed fireworks. That’s not to say that he becomes a different person in his sleep. Lucio is no more or less himself in his tranquil slumber. He is simply a lambent flame, waiting to burn brighter as the day brightens with him. 

Your hand finds its way to Lucio’s, intertwining your fingers with his, settling in to snuggle ever closer. He sighs contentedly, the soft release of air through his nose whispering through the strands of your hair, tickling your shoulder. In his sleep, he draws you nearer, burying his head in your neck. You can feel the pull of exhaustion tempting you back into slumber, eyes starting to flutter closed once again. As gently as possible, you begin to shift, nestling yourself deeper under the covers and closer to Lucio. As your body attempts to puzzle-piece itself into Lucio’s big spoon, you feel something gently prod the back of your thigh. 

Oh, you blush, freezing in your motions. Cautiously, you lift up the edge of the sheets, just enough to get a quick peek of the goings-on underneath. Yup, it’s exactly as you thought. Lucio is not a morning person, by any means; but, on the rare occasions that he is up early, he’s certainly friskier than usual. 

His breathing suddenly shifts to the shallower and more rapid breaths you’ve come to understand as him waking up. Your movements are no doubt what woke him. 

“Hmm,” he hums, stretching his limbs and making a half-hearted attempt to perk up. 

“I’m sorry I woke you,” you whisper, softly pressing your lips to the tip of one of his fingers. 

“Hmm- whatimeiszit?” he mumbles, voice gruff with weariness. 

“Not yet dawn, my love,” you return, rolling over to face him. He keeps his eyelids firmly shut, not yet ready to greet the coming day. His brows are furrowed once again and nose crinkled with displeasure. Morning really is not Lucio’s time of day. You feather kisses along his jawline, a silent apology for disturbing his slumber. 

“You’re just trying to get me all riled up,” he teases, a roguish smile spreading across his face. He doesn’t seem so tired anymore as he ensnares your lips with his, pressing deeply into you. His hand snakes around your waist, thrusting you close. You can feel his arousal graze your inner thigh and you let out a small, surprised gasp.

“You were riled up already!” you retort when he gives you a moment to breathe, chuckling into him as he once again captures your lips. 

“What can I say? Even in my sleep, my body just seems to want you,” he teases, finally opening his eyes. Through the strands of blonde that limply hang in front of them, you can see the mischievous glimmer in his silver irises. 

“I thought you weren’t a morning person,” you breathe as Lucio’s lips find their way to your neck. A rumbling laugh reverberates through his chest as he suckles lazily at the tender flesh just above your collarbone. 

“I’m not, but you could convince me otherwise,” he returns, voice muffled against you, “Here, I have an idea.” 

Gently, he turns you so your back is to him once again, flush with his chest. Meanwhile, his hand slips into your sleep-shorts, his elegant fingers toying with you. You can hardly help the pleasured moan that escapes your mouth as Lucio fondles and strokes. His motions are slow and purposeful, teasing and delightful. Your entire body awakens with his touch, burning rosy and warm.

“I’m not quite myself yet. Not ready to rock your world this early,” he begins, quite proud of himself, “But maybe- you could keep me warm for a bit? Let me doze a little longer?”

You turn your head just enough for him to hungrily capture your lips again. Despite his supposed exhaustion, Lucio was awfully brash for the early hour. And you can’t resist his bold, impassioned need for you.

“It would be my pleasure,” you manage to say through your constricted vocal cords, Lucio’s motions underneath your clothing so utterly distracting. With this consent, Lucio removes his touch, a whimper falling from your lips as he does. Swiftly, he pushes aside your shorts and casts aside his. As he aligns his erection with your entrance, you hear him inhale sharply, a gruff chuckle trapped in his throat. 

“Ready, my dove?” he drawls, dragging his tongue lightly along the shell of your ear.

“Ready,” you confirm. Lucio sheathes himself within you, slowly at first to allow you time to adjust to his girth. You gasp as his tip hits deep. Normally, you would receive some kind of relief when Lucio inevitably pulls back a bit, but you aren’t given such a reprieve this morning. Instead, Lucio remains still, unmoving. The pressure of his erection filling you is simultaneously wondrous and overwhelming. This is a whole new kind of pleasure, Lucio’s hardened cock buried within you, pressed unyieldingly against your most sensitive spot. You release a slow breath, the constant sensation of his dick sending pleasured waves through your whole body dazzling and torturous. 

“Don’t wriggle too much,” he mumbles, laying his head back down on the pillow and preparing himself to doze a bit longer, “I don’t wanna miss out on the fun.” 

And with this, Lucio falls silent, his breathing deepening with each passing moment, leaving you to try to stay as still as possible. As if you really could. You can tell Lucio isn’t totally asleep. His nails gently graze your hip bone and, every once in a while, he thrusts up into you, snickering to himself when you groan with tortured pleasure. 

“You’re terrible, Lucio,” you mock whine at him, when he pretends he’s going to withdraw, only to grind back up into you. He lets out a sleepy hum, as if saying, I try. You can feel your legs quaking with each passing moment, your desire for Lucio to just finally fuck you growing and growing. But Lucio is all about the game, the teasing and the building up of desire. Even in his light snooze, he wants to tease you. He’s warm inside you and you feel full, whole, complete. A part of you wants to stay unioned like this, bodies merged entirely, the closest you could ever physically get to another person. 

And yet, at the same time, you can hardly handle this proximity. Fire builds in your core, threatening to burst, but with no way to release. You want to wiggle around, to grind your hips into his, to listen to his husky grunts of arousal, to feel his essence drip down your legs as he releases into you. But no such luck. You’re to lay here, feeling Lucio’s erection sheathed inside you, warming you, warming him. Your hand slides down in an attempt to pleasure yourself, to feel some kind of completion since you’ve been forbidden from moving. But you’re halted by Lucio’s grasp, fingers closing around your wrists.

“Ah, ah,” he tuts, thrusting up into you once again, sending you reeling, “Not yet, my dove.” 

“I thought you were sleeping,” you manage to retort with a huff. 

“I’m having a hard time. Too many other things on my mind,” he returns, voice husky and low. Golden sunlight starts to make its way under the curtains, between the seams. Finally, the day has brightened enough to match Lucio’s aura. He lets you steep in desire and lust for a few minutes longer, no doubt relishing your tiny moans and attempts to adjust to feel some kind of relief. Finally, Lucio kisses your shoulder, a signal that he’s no doubt up for “rocking your world,” as he put it earlier. 

“I’m ready if you are,” he offers, nibbling at the tender flesh of your ear lobe, “You ought to be rewarded for keeping me warm. For staying so still while I dozed a little more.” 

“Please,” you whimper, body begging for release, “I’m ready.” 

“You got it, baby,” he growls. And with this, Lucio pulls out just enough to slam savagely back into you. The impact is everything you want, mind foggy with pleasure and vision dizzy with stars as Lucio thrusts in and out. Each time the tip of his dick hits the perfect spot, you let out a moan that’s sure to wake everyone else in the palace. You can’t help it. 

“You did such a good job, my dove,” Lucio compliments through labored breaths, the sheer force of his passion making him almost breathless. His hips snap into yours and with each motion, he brings you closer and closer to the edge. The flame in you builds like the dawn beyond your windows, fiery and bright. You can feel it crackle, burst and bloom in your core as Lucio’s teeth graze your neck and his cock glides in and out. 

“Lucio, I’m so close,” you manage to say. His fingers find their way to one of your nipples, gently circling in an attempt to help you along. With a final, grand thrust, you feel the fire in you burst like a supernova, Lucio’s name falling from your lips in a lilting cry. He follows not far behind, your name echoing through his bed chambers. As he releases, you feel his warmth flood you with each final, arrhythmic pump. The room seems to spin as you float down from your high, body still sensitive from Lucio’s fervent proclamation of his love for you. As you attempt to catch your breath, Lucio peppers kisses up and down your neck, still unioned with you. Moments ago, you were desperate for him to move within you. But now, you’re desperate for him to stay sheathed inside, keeping you warm, keeping him warm. 

You gasp when Lucio does finally withdraw, leaving you feeling almost empty. You can feel him dripping down your thighs and onto the mattress, but hardly notice. He’s back to pressing kiss after kiss to your soft lips, tongue tracing your teeth. His elegant fingers caress your flushed cheeks as he whispers words of praise and adoration. Lucio is loving. He is the warmth of the summer sun, of spring melting winter's chill. His love for you is proclaimed loudly in his words, yet is ever-present in his actions, lingering in each gentle touch, each kiss. 

“Feeling more awake?” you question with a smile, gently bumping the tip of his nose with yours.

“Perfect way to start the morning,” he winks before swallowing up your laughter and giving you a look that says he’ll be ready for round two soon enough. 

“Let’s just stay in bed for the rest of the day. Besides, what else is there to do this early in the morning?” he suggests with a coy smile. You roll your eyes before listing a number of responsibilities the two of you could tackle now that you’re both awake. But he pooh-pooh’s them all with a dismissive wave of his hand.

“No fun, at all,” he goes on, beaming wickedly, “I can think of a number of things more exciting than that. And none of which involve leaving this room.” 

It doesn’t take much convincing from him to tempt you into remaining in his loving embrace for the entire rest of the day. The promise of a day of debauchery with the Count is something you can hardly resist.

[juliandev0rak]

Main 6 reacting to MC crashing their own funeral? Like, MC was alone in the woods and encountered a magical plant that temporarily stopped their heart for a couple days and so they passed out. When their LI finds them, they think they are dead and obviously hold a funeral service. But in the middle of it, MC wakes up in their coffin and starts knocking from the inside until someone opens it to find MC alive and well.

spooky and angsty? sign me up! ⚰️

I also used ideas from @hellodarknessmyoldfwen who had a similar request idea 💗

MC has really been through it… dying once is enough but TWICE?

warnings: mentions of death, grieving, being buried alive (not detailed, only briefly mentioned but i wanted to include a warning in case)

(also extra points to anyone who catches my What We Do In The Shadows reference)

Asra

he’s so upset when he finds you in the forest with no pulse and no sign of life, he collapses next to you and tries every spell he can think of to wake you up again

he can’t believe he’s lost you a second time and he blames himself for not saving you again

he has to be carried away from your side hours later when Muriel eventually finds him, he doesn’t want to leave you alone even though by now he’s tried every spell he can think of and it’s no use

he spends the days before your funeral in the palace library looking for anything he might’ve missed, he brought you back once and he’ll do anything to bring you back again- even if it means sacrificing himself

at first he doesn’t want to go to your funeral, it’s too painful, but he doesn’t want to regret missing it so he goes and Muriel stands with him for support

he feels like he needs to say something to honor you and all that you mean to him. but when he steps up to the front of the small crowd he’s interrupted by a loud knocking noise

his eyes fly to the coffin as he hears another noise and then he feels your aura, terrified and bright, and suddenly he’s clawing at the wooden lid 

someone comes to help him open it and there you are, sitting up and blinking into the brightness around you, incredibly confused

he shouts your name and nearly faints in surprise, not believing his eyes

after the initial surprise dies down you explain what happened, how you’d gone to find a rare herb for a spell and accidentally picked the wrong one

he’s worried that being dead, even for a few days, might’ve affected your memories again but luckily you seem just fine 

still- he isn’t letting you out of his sight, he’s watched you die twice and there’s no way he’s going to let it happen a third time

Julian

when he sees you lying in the forest his medical skills kick in and he’s immediately checking for a pulse and doing everything he can to get you breathing again

he doesn’t want to admit that you could really be gone

he blames himself for letting you die on his watch again and he goes into a deep spiral, spending all of his time between your death and funeral in the Rowdy Raven drowning his sorrows

the morning of your funeral Portia finds him passed out in his usual corner booth and drags him to Mazelinka’s to clean up, and hopefully sober up, before the funeral

when he sees your coffin he can’t help but burst into tears, hating himself for not finding you sooner or doing something more to bring you back

when he hears the first knocking sound he figures it must be his splitting headache but then he notices your other friends reacting to the sound as the knocking becomes more frequent

he watches with wide eyes as the lid to the coffin is lifted and you pop up, just as he had not long ago after his visit to the Hanged Man

”Oh, I’m way too drunk for this” is his first response, but then things shift into focus and he rushes to your side to check you over and make sure you’re really ok 

if you thought he was overprotective about your health before, he’s now extra careful and won’t leave your side for days until he’s certain the poison is out of your system

he has to hand it to you though, that was quite a dramatic reappearance and after he’s sure you’re safe both of you love to joke about crashing your own funerals

Nadia

she isn’t the one to find you and when the Chamberlain comes to tell her the news that your body’s been found at the edge of the palace gardens, she rushes to your side 

she immediately calls an investigation to determine the cause of death and brings Julian to examine you as well

when no cause of death is found she resigns herself to the fact that she’s lost you and begins to mourn

the funeral she plans for you is elaborate and half of Vesuvia is invited, there are speeches and a parade and she only just restrains herself from naming a holiday after you

halfway through one of the speeches there’s a commotion on the raised platform where your coffin is displayed and guards rush to the sound, only to realize it’s coming from inside your coffin

they look to Nadia in confusion and she steps onto the platform to press an ear to the coffin, when she hears a muffled noise she rears back in shock and immediately orders the guards to open the lid

as you sit up in the coffin, very much alive, Nadia realizes she’s never been more glad to be wrong about something

she calls the best doctors for you and insists on keeping you in bed for the next few days as she makes sure you’re really back to full health

she cancels every meeting and event to stay by your side until you’re feeling good as new and she asks you to please be more careful when picking wild plants, she has no idea what Lucio might have had planted during his time as Count 

Muriel

Inanna is the one who finds you and brings Muriel to where you’re laying, not too far from the hut and only a little ways into the wilder part of the forest

he fights back terror when he sees you lying there and can’t feel a pulse, his first thought is to run into town to get help

his second thought is to check what’s in your hand, a prickly looking green plant

he recognizes it immediately and heaves a sigh of relief, the adrenaline in his body causing him to fall to his knees next to you

he knows all of the plants that grow around here so he recognizes that you’ve accidentally eaten something poisonous, luckily for the both of you it’s only temporary

he carries you in to the hut and bundles your lifeless looking body up in the soft furs on his bed

he wishes he could get a message to Asra to see if he can help but he doesn’t want to leave your side

the effects of the poison could last for hours or days so he sits by the side of the bed holding your cold hand and hoping you’ll open your eyes again

by the second day he’s getting worried, from what he knows it should have worn off already but you could just be having a strong reaction to it

he takes to pacing around the hut, leaving only to get more firewood so he can keep your body warm, there isn’t much he can do but wait and hope

after four days he’s about to give up, maybe he’s identified the wrong plant and you really are dead, but just as he’s made up his mind to go find Asra you open your eyes and stare up at him with wide, confused eyes

he can’t restrain his excitement and relief as he pulls you into his arms and holds you close, making you promise to never eat anything you find in the woods without showing him first

Portia

when she finds you sprawled out under a big oak tree her first thought is that you’re napping but when she takes a step closer she notices you’re not breathing 

she immediately screams and draws the palace guards who help carry you inside while she runs to get Julian

despite his best efforts he simply can't find a pulse or get you to wake up so he pronounces you dead, sending Portia into a fit of hysterics

at your funeral a few days later she stands supported between Julian and Mazelinka, she’s trying to be strong for you but she can’t stop crying for long enough to say the eulogy she’s prepared

she gets ahold of her emotions eventually and launches into her memories of you, telling you how much everyone loves you and will miss you

the casket lid isn’t closed because Portia had insisted on one more look at you so it isn’t difficult for you to sit up, feeling quite well rested and very confused

as you take in your surroundings it occurs to you that you’re sitting in a coffin and that Portia is currently talking about you in the past tense, clearly there’s been a misunderstanding

”Portia” you call, trying to get out of the raised coffin, she doesn’t hear you so you call her name again and she spins around to face you

”Will you be QUIET? I’m trying to talk about MC!” She shouts, face red from tears and now anger as she tries to find the source of the rude interruption

her eyes widen as she takes you in and then she screams and runs towards you, nearly knocking you over

”You’re alive!” she says, hands reaching for your face as if to make sure you’re real. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted Ilya, he doesn’t even have a medical license.” she grumbles, causing the man in question to object

after you’ve had a chance to explain what happened she says, ”Don’t you ever scare me like that again!” 

Lucio

he might not show it but he’s completely heartbroken that you’re no longer with him, he’s just too proud to cry in front of anyone (that’s reserved for behind closed doors)

he must admit, however, that he’s quite proud of the funeral he’s planned for you- it’s gaudy and extravagant and open to the public and he’s asked pretty much everyone you know to make a speech about you

he sits through all of the speeches without really paying attention, he’s thinking about the statute he wants to commission of you for the town square and how much he wishes you were here with him to get through these boring speeches (even if they are about you)

when it’s his turn to give a speech he starts to feel better, he loves an audience and he wants to make sure all of Vesuvia remembers you 

you wake up just as he takes the stage and are confused to find yourself surrounded by hundreds of white roses and laying in some sort of large gilded box, covered in what looks like precious jewels, you’ve woken up in some strange places before but this certainly takes the cake

you brush roses off of yourself and take stock of the situation, there's a lid on top of you but there are plenty of little holes which let in light and you can hear the sounds of a crowd around you

when you try the lid and it moves easily you reach up to push it off, reeling at the sunlight that floods into the space 

you take in the sight of Lucio on a stage set off to your left and the huge crowd in front of you, suddenly realizing that you’re currently attending your own funeral 

”MC was the bravest and most noble magician of all time, they were unparalleled in all of Vesuvia. NO- unparalleled in all the world!” Lucio is saying as you sit up and you hold back a laugh

”Was I?” you call over to him, swinging a leg over the edge of what you now realize is the world’s fanciest coffin, gilded even on the inside as if a dead person could appreciate the finery

”You were!” he answers, his signature smirk in place as he turns back to the crowd to continue his speech but the words die on his tongue and his head swings back to look at you in shock

”Well, I’m sorry to crash the party but it seems I’m no longer dead.” you explain, the crowd staring at you in as much awe as Lucio is

”See what I mean, people of Vesuvia? Unparalleled!” he grins as he rushes over to you and the crowd breaks into a cheer

once the chaos dies down you realize that Lucio still seems a bit upset and you realize that he’s upset that you stole the show, ”Are you really mad at me for coming back to life during my own funeral?” you ask

”My speech was going great and you ruined it! I was in the zone! Everyone was loving it.” He pouts and you shake your head in disbelief

”I loved it, I saw the end of it. It was a very lovely funeral, Lucio, I’m glad I had a chance to attend.” You smile

that seems to snap his brain back into place and he pulls you into his arms with a serious expression,  “I’m so glad you came back to me.”

[bastart13]

48 is an odd number to go from, but I thought I’d rate all the CGs I’ve done roughly in the order I like them (best to worst)

Under the cut because, again, 48 of them

10/10: I feel like I could see this in the game and I like the expression and colours I chose

9.5/10: I drew this 9 months ago but it’s one of few I think would fit in, aside from the messy colouring

9.5/10: Nice atmosphere and I like the lighting. Some anatomy issues

9/10: I like the bright colours and I finally drew a nice Asra. The posing could be more natural

9/10: Most improved. Even if it’s messy, I like the water effect and I drew Muriel’s face right

9/10: I like the colouring, especially with the hair and background. Sketchy lineart and wonky anatomy

9/10: Not quite Valerius’ face and odd anatomy but nice scene and lighting

9/10: Not the Arcana lighting style but it turnsed out nice and I like the pose, even with the rough lineart

8/10: Odd lineart but nice lighting and sweet expressions

8/10: Best background/composition I’ve done but Asra’s face is odd and lighting could be neater

8/10: Soft lineart and good Portia face, but bland lighting/composiiton

8/10: Also soft lineart and good Portia face, but the colours aren’t very cohesive or natural, especially with the background

8/10: Fun pose and nice colouring. Face angle doesn’t quite work

7/10: Nice colours and concept but the face is weird and needs to be neater

7/10: I like the mood of this, but it’s clearly an early one with the rough lineart and Lucio’s face isn’t quite right.

7/10: Always a delight to draw Julianne (w/timmyandscribbles). Lovely background, but not an integrated composition and some strange lineart

6/10: One of the best compositions and colours chosen, Orion (w/pumpkunbread) was lovely to draw. It’s clear I was sketchy with the lineart

6/10: Soft Isha and nice colours, but some strange anatomy with Lucio

6/10: Rought lineart and crowded composition but good mood and colours

6/10: Nice colour scheme but odd lighting and stiff pose. Lucio’s face is good but just a little too sharp

6/10: Happy with the mood but the pose needs to be more natural and the anatomy is strange

5/10: Like the colours and pose, but the lineart is too thick and the colouring is messy. Odd mouth

5/10: Good pose, lineart, and colouring, but Portia’s face is drawn strangely

5/10: Interesting lighting and composition but it’s very rough

4/10: Great expression and concept but messy lineart and anatomy

4/10: Attempt at a background, nice lighting, weird expressions and anatomy

4/10: Composition, pose, and expression makes it feel like a game CG but it’s too messy. Colours are too pink/unnatural

4/10: Like the colouring but poor Muriel’s face

4/10: Ditto but also rip wolf anatomy

4/10: I like the concept and it’s a nice drawing (w/aaliyah-draws), but the colouring and lineart is clearly not the Arcana style

4/10: Rip Lucio’s face but I’m really happy with the colours and I still have no clue how I painted that gold. I’ve never done it as well since

3/10: Nice expression and vibe but the anatomy is stiff and the colouring is too messy

3/10: Rip Lucio’s face 2.0 and the colouring is plasticy and bland

3/10: Nice concept and colours, but it’s not the Arcana style and the lineart is too thick/rough. Clearly never drawn Isha from this angle

3/10: Soulless expression, thick lineart, and strange, plastic colouring, though the hair and concept is nice

3/10: Colouring feels unfinished and the pose is stiff

3/10: Strange anatomy and the style is off but it’s a cute scene

2/10: Doesn’t look like Muriel and overambitious background for how well I could draw fur and fabrics

2/10: This colouring is incredibly rough and shoddy. The lighting is unnatural and incohesive, combined with rough lineart

2/10: Rip Muriel’s face, the pose needed more reference, and the lighting doesn’t really work. Nice expression?

2/10: God, Muriel, I’m sorry for your face. The pose is stiff and awkward with the background

1/10: Portia, I’m so sorry. Drew this when I was tired. The anatomy is stiff, face looks off, and the composition doesn’t lead the eye the right way

1/10: Did not know how to draw fur, Isha’s face, or this pose. Colouring is really bland, though I’m forgiving as it’s one of the first I drew

[starblazerm31]

Main 6 head canon Valentine’s Day dates 😊 sfw and nsfw

Sorry this is a day late, retail needed me this V Day.  >.>

Main 6 Valentine’s Day Dates, SFW and NSFW

Asra

After you close the shop, you and Asra hit up Selasi for some of that dayum good pumpkin bread.

Afterward, he sends you to another stall to buy some drinks and snacks while he slips off.

When you meet back up with him, he puts all of the food into his bag and the two of you head into the forest.

To the painted cave.

At the edge of the water, the two of you spread out a blanket and have a lovely romantic picnic.

When you’re done, Asra pulls something out of his bag.

It’s a set of matching gold chokers.  He figures that it’s about time the two of you re-collared each other.

He places a choker around your neck and you place the other around his.  Once again, you two own each other.

He pulls out a stick of that special incense and lights it.  He then eagerly sets to touching you all over, watching the colors and lights play across your skin.

You can’t help yourself.  You strip him and take his cock into your mouth and slowly go down on him, watching the colors and light swim up and down his length.

He makes love to you slowly, dragging his hands all over your body, letting his mouth leave glowing circles all over your chest, neck, and fingers.

Each glowing mark on your skin is a promise.  He will always love you, he will always cherish and desire you.  This is just one day dedicated to love.  But for him, every day for the rest of your lives will be Valentine’s Day.

Nadia

You find a beautiful outfit laying on your bed with a note from Nadia.  "It is a special day and such deserves a special outfit.  Meet me outside when you are dressed.“

You do as your Countess commands and don the beautiful ensemble.  As usual, it fits you perfectly and drapes around your body in all the right places.

You go outside to find Nadia waiting by a carriage.  She ushers you inside.

A short while later, you find yourself seated with Nadia in a gondola touring the Center City.

You disembark at the Floating Market, and Nadia sets to buying you many lovely and expensive gifts.

You have a wonderful dinner at Nadia’s favorite restaurant, a newer establishment that actually can make spiced swordfish just the way Nadia likes it.

You return to the palace and Nadia escorts you to her chambers.

Magical fairy lights dance near the ceiling, giving the room a low ambient glow.

She effortlessly strips your new outfit from your body and takes an indulgent moment to gaze over your naked form before she sheds her finery and lays down on the bed.  She pats the mattress, inviting you to join her.

She feeds you delicious candied fruit while you massage her back and shoulders.  Each time you reach a tight spot, she lets out a delicious moan.

Then your touches travel to her sensitive spots.  She lays down amongst her myriad of pillows and you crawl between her legs to let your tongue massage that most intimate place of hers.

This special night, your Countess allows you to top her.  She writhes and moans beneath you, each breath a desperate plea for your love, your touch…yours alone.

The dancing lights play across her face as she comes undone and you swear she has never looked more beautiful.

Julian

Malak flies into the shop, a note attached to his leg.  It’s a letter from Julian.  It’s asking you to go to the spot he first noticed your beautiful eyes.

You go to the hidden garden of deadly starstrand in the South End.  There, you find another note telling you to go to the place where he made the greatest mistake of his life.

You go to the pier where he tried to break up with you.  You find yet another note telling you to look to your left.  A way down the beach, you see tiny lights.

You follow the lights and come upon a makeshift tent.  The ground inside is littered with pillows and a platter of fruits and pastries lay amongst them as well as a bottle of wine.  It looks very similar to the ship the two of you spent the night on in the Magical Realms.

Julian steps out from behind the tent and bows to you.  In his hand is a deadly starstrand.

He puts it in your hair as he kisses you in greeting.

After eating, you spend a long while making out and groping.  You hold his hands above his head and feel something metallic brush your fingers.  Manacles.

Julian looks at you, silently begging you to use them.  You notice that they are nailed into the ground at their center link.

You lay him on his back and lock them around his wrists.  Already he is a blushing mess from his chest to his eyes.

You toy with him for a while, touching him here, biting him there, pinching and twisting his pale flesh until he is whimpering and whining.

Then you reach for his pants.  You see the excitement in his eyes when your fingers slip past his waistband and stroke his hardened length.

You spend a very long time edging him until he's absolutely begging you to fuck him.

And fuck him you do.  He chants your name with each stroke, his lean body twisting and convulsing with the pleasure that only you could ever give him.

His orgasm hits him hard and he can’t help but cry out, his voice mingling with the lush sounds of the surf.

You unshackle him and he curls around you, thanking you for the best Valentine’s Day he’s ever had.

Muriel

He is clearly nervous when you meet him at his hut.

He has his hair tied back, and he smells of hemp soap.  He’s made dinner for the two of you.  The fluffiest, tastiest looking omelets you have ever laid eyes on.

He fidgets all through dinner, and you wonder what is on his mind.  Once the dishes are cleared away, he suddenly says “I have a present for you.”

He leads you out into the forest and into a grassy clearing.  There, sparkling fireflies dance in the air.  In the middle of the clearing, there is a heaping pile of furs.

The two of you lay on it, and you swear you can see the entirety of the night sky.  The two of you lay there for a long while, taking it all in.

Then you’re surprised when he leans over you and starts kissing you.  You can tell by his trembling that he’s really nervous.

He settles himself on top of you, very careful to not crush you under his large form.  His hands touch you gently, reverently.

You moan into his touch and Muriel seems to get a confidence boost from this.  His hands move to your thighs and draw them up around his waist.

He pauses, looking into your eyes.  "I…I want you.  I want to try…“  He turns bright red and can’t seem to finish his sentence.

You touch his face and kiss his lips sweetly.  "Take me, Muriel.”

His hands tremble as he frees you from your clothes.  You do the same for him, gently caressing each rippling muscle, each pink scar that litters his skin.

He is slow and careful when he mounts you again, watching your face as he enters you.

He rocks his hips against yours, each blissful moan that escapes your lips both an encouragement and a plea.

Your orgasm is strong but not overwhelming; just deep and satisfying.  You feel Muriel tense up and groan as his own climax hits him and he spills himself deep inside of you.

The glow on his face is absolutely precious.  He settles next to you and you notice that his face is the most serene you’ve ever seen him.

“Did…did I do well?”  "Yes, Muriel.  You were perfect.“

Portia

Portia wakes you up bright and early.  She got the whole day off to spend with you.

She starts you out with the best breakfast in Vesuvia.  Afterward, she takes you to the Community Theatre where they are showing the Vesuvian version of The Importance of Being Earnest.

After that, it’s down to the Rowdy Raven for drinks.  At one point, a patron starts to invasively flirt with you and Portia threatens them with a fork. "MY Valentine, dammit!!”

You head back to the palace and curl up together in the library to read The Adventures of Detective Robin.

The book finds itself on the floor when Portia kneels in front of your chair and starts to go down on you.

Your knuckles are white from gripping the arms of the chair.  Portia’s mouth works over you with mischevious precision.  She knows just how to get you where she wants you.

Your keening whine as you cum echos off the walls and shelves of the empty library.

Your vision returns from its hazy state and you see Portia sitting in front of you looking very pleased with herself.

“Alright, Portia.  That’s one point for you.  Now let’s see if I can win one.”

New echos fill the room as you have Portia pinned up against one of the bookshelves.  One leg of hers is wrapped around your waist as you pound and grind into her sex mercilessly.

Her arms cling to your neck and your breath huffs into her ears with each movement.

She throws her head back and shouts when she climaxes and you follow soon after.

The two of you stare into each other’s eyes as you catch your breath.

“Alright.  That’s a point for each of us.  Let’s see how many more we can rack up.”

“Of course.  It’s Valentine’s Day.  We need to set a record for ourselves.”

Lucio

He has been planning this day for months.

He insists that the servants allow you to sleep in.  When you finally do awake, you find your room littered with your favorite flowers and a small gift box on the table next to your bed.

Inside is a golden key hanging from a thin gold chain.

You put it around your neck and head to the bath.  When you’re done, a servant is waiting for you to escort you out to the veranda.

There your beloved Count awaits with the most delicious looking breakfast spread you’ve ever seen.  He kisses you deeply and you swear you feel something unusually hard brush against your hip.

He spends the entire day with you, strutting through the streets of his city, proudly showing you off.  He buys you many expensive gifts and keeps sneaking kisses on various chaste parts of you.

Eventually, the two of you end up on one of his boats moored at the docks on his private pier.  The boat is decorated with flowing red fabrics, gold ropes, twinkling lights, and tinkling chimes.  And on deck is a romantic candlelit dinner. (Lucio’s favorite servants are like fucking ninjas.  Go in, set up, poof; they were never there)

The two of you spend a good amount of time feeding each other and listing off all the reasons why you two love each other.  Then Lucio gets a glint in his eye.

“I haven’t given you your real present yet.  Wait here.”

He goes below deck.  After several minutes, a paper bird flies up and lands in front of you.  It unfolds itself and in sloppy gold writing, it says “Come get me.”

You go inside to see Lucio chained to a plush bed, completely naked except for a gilded cock cage.

The key around your neck.  So that’s what it goes to.

He arches his body sensuously.  "Oh no…it looks like I’m at your mercy tonight.“

And you make sure he knows it.  Just the act of you taking off your clothes has him biting his lips in pain from the cock cage constricting his erection.

It doesn’t take long before he’s absolutely sobbing for you to unlock him.

When you feel like you’ve tortured your Count enough, you do release him.  And when you settle your body down on his cock, he is positively singing.

Right before you orgasm, you grip him by the throat.  "You’re mine, Lucio.  Remember that.”

And that’s all he needs to tip him over the edge as well.  He is screaming your name, proclaiming his love for you as if it’s the only thing in the world that’s real to him.

You unchain him from the bed and kiss his raw wrists.  He nuzzles into your chest with a blissful smile.

“I hope you’ve got more of that in you,” he says.  "I want so much more.“

[sunflowersseemhappy]

can i get a hc for the main six at the beach with a female MC pls

Here we are, sorry (to whoever sent the request) it took a couple of days to get this one done as I’ve made it a policy to do them in order of when I receive them! To anyone else waiting on a request please don’t worry as I will fulfil them :)

I’m taking a two-day break as I need to prep for my D&D group but will be back Wednesday for some new requests! Please don’t hesitate to request and keep it real ya’ll!

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Asra

It is a hot summers day and there’s not a cloud in the sky, you and Asra are travelling the southern coasts, and baking in the process. Even Faust is complaining about the heat, so Asra suggests a nice long soak in the ocean which sounds heavenly.

Relieving himself of his shirt, scarf, and shoes, he is left only in loose gypsy pants. Asra’s chest glows in the sun and you watch as he dives into the water from an outcrop of rocks.

You stumble out of most of your clothes to join him, Faust wrapped loose around your neck as you slide into the water and splash Asra playfully in the face.

Swimming in the water with Asra is so relaxing that you almost fall asleep on top of the surface, the sun flashing on your face.

When you are lying there on the surface of the water Asra will stand above you, water dripping from his hair onto your face. Once you finally open your eyes, he will lean carefully down to kiss you on the face, his hair tickling your nose.

A lot of the day consists of lounging around and talking, the two of you never seem to run out of conversation topics and the beach is secluded and quiet *suggestive wink*.

At the end of the day Asra’s hair takes almost half the beach with it. Just when the two of you think you have finally got all the sand out, more appears. He is not complaining though, because you touching his scalp sends shivers down his spine.

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Nadia

You have to practically drag Nadia out of the palace, she’s worked so hard and needs the break. Even still when you arrive, she is constantly worrying over what is happening back in Vesuvia.

Determined to make her relax you gently force her to sit in a lounge chair, prop a parasol into the sand and hand her an ice-cold drink. Although a bit confused, she sits back and slowly begins to unwind.

When she sees you diving under the water’s surface Nadia wonders what you’re doing, looking up from her book she’s noticed you haven’t come up for some time…

Leaping up she begins to shed the layers of her dress, primed to leap in to rescue you, but your head then bobs to the surface with a grin on your face. Noticing her there you hold up a perfect conch shell. “I got you a shell!”, you don’t understand why her face has gone red.

Seeing as she has now stripped down Nadia quickly enters the water after placing your gift safely aside (promising herself to put it right by her bedside), she asks you to show her how you found such a beautiful shell.

You spend the rest of the afternoon diving down into the waters until she finds the prettiest shell she can. Small and petite she hands it to you, but your face drops as you turn it over and she worriedly asks if something is wrong with it.

“There’s nothing wrong with it, except…” turning it around you show her the small hermit crab poking its head out of the opening, she never realised such creatures existed. You laugh it off, as you place the crab down into the water “it is lovely, but I think this little fella needs it more than I do.”

Nadia laughs too and places a kiss on your cheek, “I’ll find you another one…”

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Julian

Stopping off at an island port, Julian suggests a walk along the beach front as you wait for the ship to stock up and resupply. The two of you walk barefoot along the sand and you comment how nice the water looks, a devilish thought crosses Julian’s mind.

“Then how about a nice swim?” Before you can even register what he said, Julian traps you in his arms and runs with you screaming and wriggling towards the end of a dock. Throwing you and himself into the water.

You give him the death glare but laugh it off all the same, as you tread water and grab him, giving him a fierce kiss… and then dunk his head under the water.

Laughing and wrestling against one another, the two of you slowly transition to diving deep toward the reef lining the beach. Sharks, turtles, fish, all manner of creatures come to check you out.

Out of nowhere Julian appears with a large red lobster in hand, its pincers snapping the air as he chases you around with the creature. “Dinner is served!”

Exiting the water sopping wet in your clothes, Julian rolls onto the sand with his trademark smirk as you sit next to him. Dragging you down to kiss you once more and rolling you beneath him in the sand.

Then you notice the position of the sun, “Julian we’re late…”

“Late for what?”  “Maz’s boat it about to set sail!”

The two of you leg it along the beach, before you become castaways…

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Muriel

When you suggested going fishing, this is not what Muriel had in mind. Sitting hunched over with a line resting in his hands, he watches as you and Inanna splash around with one another. Water sparkling in the air as you chase his wolf companion around.

Apart from your undergarment’s you are bare skinned and already covered in water, seeing him watching you wave and smile at him, making him blush.

He notices you whisper in Inanna’s ear but resumes trying to catch a fish. Sneakily the soaked wolf pads over and promptly shakes out her fur, splattering Muriel with water and making you laugh at his scowl.

Catching your eye, the corner of Muriel’s mouth tips upward and he winds in the fishing line. Making his way onto the sand and letting his large cloak fall, revealing his bare chest and causing your own cheeks to redden slightly as he steps closely toward you into the water.

Water up to your knees, he gives you a rare smirk lifts a foot, then brings it quickly down, drenching you with the spray. Chuckling softly, he wraps his large arms around you and lifts you up to kiss you gently on the lips as he wades deeper into the water.

At the end of the day the two of you sit on the beach watching the sun go down. Although he doesn’t quite get it, Muriel lets you pile up sand on his legs as you shape it into the shape of a fish tail and laugh at the thought of a merman Muriel.

Needless to say, you never actually caught any fish to have for dinner that night.

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Portia

After Portia told you about this nice little beach just outside of Vesuvia, you insisted the two of you should go and make a day out of it, packing a hearty picnic and setting off.

The two of you discover a small village next to the beach where a vendor sells something called ice cream… both of you fall in love with it and Portia insists the two of you have to try make it one day (with your magic and her cooking skills how hard could it be?)

Once on the beach you settle down to eat, before long Portia is piling up sand to make a model of the palace, with the inclusion of a moat and a mini yourself, Portia and Pepi. It’s little more than a crumbling pile of sand but you love the effort that goes into it.

Before the sandcastle falls down you use your magic to keep it up and compress it into something that closely resembles the castle in Vesuvia. You also include a little model of Portia’s cottage, which she adores wishing she could pick it up and take it back home.

As you lounge on the beach, Portia is splashing in the shallows finding shells and sea glass to get creative with. Seeing you relaxed and unaware she cheekily hurls some water your way, shocking you from your nap.

You simply smirk and command magic to your fingers. Who’s to say if that giant rouge wave that hit Portia in the back was a fluke of nature or the command of a magician?

Snuggled up in towels you watch as dolphins skim the surface of the water and sigh in contentment as you kiss one another.

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Lucio

Lucio and the beach, don’t mix well, as you soon find out.

He complains about the sand getting everywhere and how dirty the water must be (despite it being blue and translucent), you just roll your eyes and think about the perfect plan to get him to love the beach…

You start simple, digging into the sand with your fingers you begin to draw his likeness with great care, that piques his interest at the very least. He gets slightly offended when the waves wash over it later into the day.

Thinking it over you receive a spike of brilliance, tossing off your clothes with only your undergarments to cover your form. You bring out a long board, guiding it into the water and sitting astride it you wait for the perfect moment and begin riding it along the waves.

Even Lucio has never seen anything like it and watches as you shakily stand and promptly fall into the waves. That in itself is enough to make him rise from his seat as he waits for you to come back up, except you don’t.

Not quite sure what to do he begins to stride into the water searching the waves, you pop up next to him smiling. “Gotcha!”

Annoyed he begins making his way toward the beach before you stop him and gesture to the surfboard, “why don’t you give it a try?” Unimpressed he turns back, “or are you chicken?”

Needless to say, he wasn’t going to leave the beach until he could surf, he won’t admit it but that was the best day he ever had and to thank you he gave you a promising kiss.

[that-boy-needs-therapy]

Something Borrowed

Here's a link to the AO3 page, and below that will be the chapter if you prefer to read through tumblr!

Chapter 1: Deception

Summary: When the bonds of love breaks and you're willing to do anything to bring back your better half from the shadows of death, sometimes you do things that come back to bite you in the ass. Now the body of a dead man is possessed by the Devil's pawn, and making plans for a not-so-fun future. How long will it take for the people around him to realize the truth? And how long before it's too late to save the real Verek and stop Lucio's plot?

_____________________________________________________________

In the mind of someone, who, has lost their dearest love in a most horrible fashion- I must ask, what lengths would you go to in order to bring them back from the dead? What would you risk, and who would you hurt? Desperate times call for desperate measures, as some would say. But people die, that is the way.

Unless you intervene, that is.

__

Silence fell over the City, in all places but two; the Rowdy Raven, and the most dubious party with a fair few equally dubious attendees. The latter takes place in the palace- a grand place, riddled with gilded gates and grand windows of stained glass. Gold and silver and shining stone. The hour was late now, and the party in full swing. A masquerade in honor of the beloved Count Lucio. His birthday certainly being a time to celebrate, well and truly.

But the man himself lay dying in his bed, ill and weeping blood. It oozes from his red sclera and stains both skin and bed covers, his face gaunt and pale. Lucio sweats from his clammy brow and groans. He grows ever weaker in these last days. Long has he been kept alive- longer than most who contract the dreaded plague. But now the hour draws near, and weakened he is by this loathed illness. Tonight is his last chance, his cure. More will die should he live, and the part of him that still has coherence knows this.

But the Count fears nothing more than death itself, and the demonic clutches he so futilely flees from. Those that now sit in his court and taunt him so. But now is the time, and with little strength left in his body he takes part in that which he believes will save him.

And then Lucio finds himself betrayed.

Fire engulfs all that he sees, the room which he escapes from remaining so ominously pristine. His chambers which he enters burns with him, and he in his bed as he falls, screaming. The Count wakes later, ghostly in form and not quite as dead as he'd thought he was. And the Devil moves his latest pawn across the board. To the other side.

__

Verek sits in a chair hidden from view of the shop proper. The day is warm and the sun is bright. He sews, because that is something he enjoys. Yes. Master is leisure among a spot of pillows on the ground, reading and lounging with his familiar sitting pretty around the Magician's head. All is well, yes. And Verek sews.

His nerves get the better of him and Master notices, worry evident in his kind amethyst eyes. “Verek, are you okay?” They ask, tone careful and concerned. “You look pale.”

“Yes, Master,” And the Magician looks uncomfortable then, but Verek doesn't point it out. “I-I'm alright, just a bit hot I think.” And he is, the light prickling of sweat at his temples. “Maybe a nap, and some cooled sheets to lay under will help.”

And it does, eyes drifting closed as he burrows into the cold sheets. Chilled by Master's magic and a lesson on how to do it himself thrown in. A year it has been since he woke, without memory, in his Master's arms. Verek still has no memories, and his headaches sometimes grow worse. Master is despondent on those days, tending to him with sorrow in his gaze. Verek doesn't ask, though he wishes he did. Something tells him it isn't the time.

He falls asleep thinking on it.

His dreams shift and change in a way that he can't quite grasp onto any one concept, like his mind is trying to take him somewhere it can't reach. The same thing every time he sleeps.

Verek walks through the shifting landscape, following a feeling he can't describe. He grows uneasy as he moves, but his feet keep dragging him forward. Silver eyes are the only thing he can make out ahead, alongside a peculiar, familiar? Necklace.

He tries to stop himself from getting closer, something foreboding wriggling in his chest. Something is wrong- this isn't a dream anymore. He knows those eyes but- where? Who? The young man takes too long thinking on it, now inches from the violent gaze. Those eyes stare into his very soul and fear grips at Verek's heart. Why, why?

“Goodnight” A voice says, and suddenly all is black. Then a blink, and red architecture fills his vision.

Someone else wakes in his body.

__

A fever is caught as he rests and he sleeps for days, tended to by a frantic Asra and a reluctant Muriel. The large man still can't quite accept that this is really, truly the Verek he and the magician knew for years. A ghost, he must be. A figment of both their desperate imaginations. He wanted to believe. He did. But..

Cool water is replaced into the near-empty bowl that Asra hands him, and is handed back in turn. The white-haired magician dips a warming rag into the water and rings it with shaking hands. Amethyst eyes are rimmed with sleepless bags and reddened skin. His crying lasts for hours each day as they tend to the fallen Verek. The stranger with Verek's face. Muriel just... but he says nothing, that small bit of hope inside him just strong enough to quiet him. Maybe, just maybe he's wrong. He hopes he is. He otherwise pretends that he isn't. "Is his fever getting any better, Asra?" Muriel asks his friend, getting a small nod. Their eyes are still red and brow still creased, but his gaze betrays the relief he feels at Verek's slight improvement.

"Yes. Yes but only barely, and I-" Dark shoulders hunch, and the smaller body shakes. "-I just need to focus. Whatever is causing the fever- I'm here this time." A shaky sigh, and they regain his composure. "I'm here this time."

Muriel, having grown quite anxious in the small space that is the upper level of the shop over the past few days, sits carefully in a corner where Inanna has taken refuge today. She yawns and stretches, dark fur mussed up by her heavy napping. Muriel smiles at the sight, and she only wuffles at him in return. The man takes the moment to look Asra's direction, directing Inanna to follow his gaze. She can sense the turmoil rolling off the magician in waves almost immediately and turns her attentions onto him. Rubbing against them and digging her head under his one dry, warm free hand. Asra accepts the comfort for what it is and pets her absentmindedly, though all his real focus is on keeping the fever down.

Angry as he is.... Julian would be able to help if he were here. But no, they shake their head and purge the thought from their mind. He didn't need Julian. Not after last time. Asra can do this without him, better even! And as he says that a groan sounds through the quiet room, and the mood shifts immediately. Muriel nearly lurches from his position on the floor and, with one glance at the waking figure in the bed, exits the room with Inanna in tow. Asra doesn't blame him, really. His own mind remains wholly focused on Verek, watching as yellow eyes open and stare around the room.

The gaze doesn't meet him right away, and an odd smile passes his face before he notices the other in the room. There is a pause, then another smile. This one seems more like Verek, and Asra's relief gives way to joy. He grasps Verek's hand like it is his only lifeline, and Verek grasps back in return. Reassuring and warm. His gaze is groggy, as to be expected upon waking from a fevered deep sleep, but his eyes are gentle.

"Did I miss anything?"

[6-mcs-for-6-lis]

Love Like You

So this is something I’ve been wanting to write for a while. And while it doesn’t fit one single theme from @lovelikeyoursfest ‘s prompt list, I did take inspiration from them for each individual scene. 

This is a story of how my MC Zaza Vass got together with Muriel before he died of the plague. In this he is already involved with Asra, as they have grown up together since Zaza got injured as a teenager. So, happy polyship!

I woke up. It was too damn early. And too bright. And too hot! But I couldn’t really complain about that last part. I was too hot because I was smushed half under Muriel’s torso. He must have rolled in the night and I didn’t wake. Good, that meant I was finally getting used to his sleeping patterns. It’s only taken what… two years? Heh, close enough to it anyway. I still can’t believe he actually let me move in. I still wish he had been comfortable coming to the shop to live instead. But I want him comfortable, that’s more important than having a stove.

This was giving Asra more room to work though, and enough peace of mind that both Muri and I would be safe. I can feel Mimi crawling into my hair now. She must have gotten tired of how stuffy Inannas fur was. I carefully roll over, so my back is pressed to Muris chest and I can breathe in the cool morning air of the hut. The fire is docked, just as we left it last night; prime and ready to go again so we can make breakfast. Until then, there’s no harm inletting my mind drift… maybe get some more sleep…

************************************************************

My dreams are odd today. Memories instead of the fantastical things usually filling my head. I’m in the shop again, and I know this day. It’s the first day I met Muri. I’m bored behind the counter, leaning over the glass and drawing patterns in the fog from my breath. The bell rings. I look up and a familiar head of poofy white hair is dragging a mountain of a man into the shop. I regret my choice of pants almost immediately. “Tall, dark, and handsome” is an insult to him. He looks sculpted by the GODS and though I’ve never been a rock climber… that is a mountain I want to scale.

Asra seems to notice my interest - of course he does. He knows me too well after living together so long. He introduces us. “Muriel,” the name rolls off my tongue. My accent catches in the R and rolls it a little. I think he’s trying to scowl at me. But present me knows his body language too well too. He’s so nervous, and it’s endearing. I watch him the whole time Asra is rambling on about how they found a patch of moonberries that should ripen this coming full moon. I hear Asra’s voice fade into the distance as the scene around me changes.

Asra and I are in the hut with Muriel now. It’s years later, and his hair hangs to his waist. I’m bandaging his ribs. Those poor, neglected ribs that were so abused in the arena. Just like him. I remember the taste of my own blood as I bit my cheek to keep from sobbing. It’s the first time I’d seen Muriel since he was taken away by Lucios guards. I’d heard about what he was forced to do, but I could never bring myself to witness it. Part of me wishes I had, just so he wouldn’t have had to go through that alone. Asra tends to Muriels face. We both move as quietly as we can. The only words spoken are in soft voices. Muriel jumps when a log cracks too loud in the fire. None of us sleep that night. Inanna occupies Muriel’s lap, and eventually he tells us how he escaped. How Inanna - and that’s what she told him to call her - helped him escape. I leave for a few minutes after that. The excuse given is a need for relief. But I barely make it ten feet from the hut when I bend over and lose everything I ate that day.

Asra and I spend a lot of time in the hut then. We take turns leaving to mind the shop, help my aunt, get food for everyone. Inanna discovers a peck of wild chickens and we are able to gather eggs from them. Muriel likes them, he actually talks when we’re around them. He was always quiet, but not like this. I remember how much it scared me back then. It was like he forgot how to be a person. All I wanted was to help him remember. It was months before he laughed again.

My mind jumped right to that night. We had saved up for a couple bottles of wine for my birthday. None of us were sober, and Asra and I were giddy and delighted and he decided to try teaching me belly dancing. Muriel sat by and watched us. I tried my best to copy Asra’s movements, but between my drunkenness and the constant pain in my hips I didn’t do too well. Then Asra spun me for fun. I kept spinning and spinning and spinning and then I was falling and it was fast and slow all at once. I braced for impact with the floor, not knowing where I was headed. Strong hands caught me by the waist and shoulders and suddenly I could look up into stunned forest green eyes. Muri and I stared at each other for half a heart beat. Then he broke out laughing and so did I. The sound coming from him was freer than I’d seen him in weeks. I laughed with him in delight.

We held onto each other, laughing so much my sides hurt. I’m not sure how it happened, but suddenly our lips were touching. And we were kissing. I heard whooping and clapping behind me, but I couldn’t spare Asra a look because I went on instinct and straddled Muris hips so I could kiss and touch him better. Softer. His calloused hands were so soft and timid on my skin. I cupped his face like he was made of the finest china in Prakra. When we sobered up the next day, all three of us had massive hangovers, and a long talk about where we go from here.

Love shared, love spread, our world became a nest of cuddles and looking out for each other and those we cared about. Which really meant Asra and Muriel got to know my family and helped look after them as much as we could. That was my favorite part, seeing the two people I love - who grew up without a family, without that love in their lives - become part of my family.

***************************************************

Muri shifted behind me, and I woke out of my doze. I feel soft kisses on my neck and shoulder, “Morning hot stuff.” I grin, turning over to face him.

He blushes and kisses my forehead, “Morning Za… did I wake you?”

I shake my head, and nuzzle into his chest, “No, I was just dozing off waiting for you.”

“That still means I woke you up.” I can hear the frown in his voice. 

I chuckle. But the chuckle becomes a cough. And the cough becomes a hack. I can’t stop. I push away from Muri to get air. His hands hover over me, unsure what to do. I cover my mouth with both hands as the cough stops almost as suddenly as it came. I gasp for air and look at Muri. He looks at me as though I’m a ghost. He’s terrified of whatever he sees in my face. My hands are wet. I look down. I see blood on my palms. Blood in my fingers. The plague.

End

[16reapergrell66]

Kisses Under the Holly

It's the Winter Ball. Lucio had some help in the designing, but not the venue. Welcome to Loch Durgess, a small town known for lively festivities. Wyverne is a giddy woman, excited to see his face when they get to Chapel Whitehaven. Lucio has something planned, his feelings finally giving way during the festivities.

This my first 🍋, please bear with me! I'm tagging @queenofeden, @firewolf3473, @kidlightnings, @missantichrist, @athousandstarstodreamon. Enjoy my lovelies!

◇◇

It was all so strange, how Lucio readily agreed to do this. How strange it was to accept her thoughts on the decorations and food, how easily he had said yes to her ideas of holiday themed drinks. He was normally the party planner, the decorator, interior designer. All parties were his ideas, but he had let some of that control slip when Wyverne asked if he had wanted help one night, when he was hunched over his desk scribbling out different ideas and rehashing others. He had readily agreed; after all, she was his Court Magician. 

A few weeks later, on a cool day in Vesuvia, they all left just before dawn. Somewhere along the way, as the sun started to kiss the sky, it had started to change into soft snow and cold temperatures. It had turned so chilly that fine winter morning, the sun glinting on white snow. Snow drifted along the cold breeze, making playful curlicues along the ground. The carriage glistened in the cold sun, leaving tracks behind in the soft snow. Lucio had muttered something about hating the cold, softly pouting out the window, watching it fog with his warm breath.

"Oh, My Lord, it's not that bad," Wyverne had told him, an amused smirk on the corners of her lips. She had perched her elbow on her knee, leg crossed under her skirts. Her chin rested on her hand, curled up underneath, to support it.

"Only with you, snack cake," Lucio told her with a small huff and an amused chuckle. He was dressed in his best, a long, fur-trimmed cape around his shoulders instead of the usual elongated, fur-trimmed capelet he wore.

"I think this was a grand idea, Wyverne," Nadia said, an amused smile on her lips. She, too, was in her best, her legs crossed under her fur-lined skirts.

"Well, that's Lil' Spitfire. Always having good ideas," Mephistopheles smiled, stretching long limbs every which way. He considered his outfit his 'okayest', even though everyone else insisted it was his best.

The scenery outside had started to gradually change, making Lucio shift in his seat and look with more interest. What was once a dense grove of pine trees gave way to sparse woodland, opening up to lush meadows of pillowy soft snow that stretched for miles. Houses littered the meadows every so often, smoke lazily drifting from chimneys. Wyverne shifted in her seat, eyes bright with joy, gripping her brother's left shoulder and practically bouncing in her seat. He just smirked, giving his sister a look they both knew well. She bit her full bottom lip, not wanting to spoil any wonderful surprises they had in store.

The carriage came to a slow stop in the deep snow, the horses pawing eagerly at the ground, warm steam escaping their noses. Mephisto went out first, the slightly slimmer Lucio doppelganger climbing over limbs to open the door, stepping out into the brisk chill. He took a deep breath, exhaling softly, forming his own little cloud. He stepped aside, extending his hand to help the rest out of the carriage. Azlingua, meanwhile, had started to take the luggage from the back of the carriage. 

Azlingua Lochland was in her sixties, though she did not look a day over forty. Her deep black hair was starting to show signs of her age, steel grey wires peeking through the dense inkiness. Her skin was fair, and covered with just as much freckles as Wyverne, in the exact same places--cheeks, nose, collarbones, and shoulders. Her eyes shone with a youth that seemed to belie her age, and as gray as a coming storm.

"Wy, come help me!" Her voice was coarse, and worn with age. She grunted, taking one of the suitcases out of the back. Wyverne immediately moved from Lucio's side, having come out just moments after him. She placed her hands next to Azlingua's, and the two of them lifted the heavy suitcase out of the back, setting it into deep snow. The next few came easily, as Julian and Portia finally left the carriage. Mephisto then walked over, expertly slinging Lucio and Nadia's things over his shoulders. Wyverne followed suit, grinning as she ran after her brother, skirts smoothing any tracks behind her. Lucio and Nadia followed close behind, with Asra and Muriel behind them, and the Devoraks bringing up the rear. Azlingua had easily fallen into Lucio's long strides, smirking softly at Wyverne and Mephisto.

◇◇

The village was warm, bright and inviting. People bustled this way and that, excited chatter amongst hushed voices and soft laughter. Carolers sung hymns, carried on soft voices that sounded like angels. Store bells jingled, hearty laughter and shanties rang from the bars. Mephistopheles walked along the street, following Azlingua. Wyverne had been pointing out must-sees and out-of-the-way stores, plucking them from memory. She eagerly answered Portia's equally eager questions, and playfully gave Lucio the runaround with his prying ones. Asra was up with Azlingua, asking some of the more important questions, while Julian kept stride with Mephisto and joked with him. Muriel stayed silent, slightly behind Nadia who kept trying to make conversation with him.

Then they saw it. A massive chapel that had been turned into a splendid dancing hall, when its former patrons abandoned it in fear of demons roaming the grounds. The stained glass was dark, the vibrant shades of color dulled and darkened. Gargoyles stood atop spires, sneering at anyone who dared look at them. The stone seemed to mourn its loss of holy patrons, dark and cold with barely a hint of religious joy. The bell in the belfry rang out, loud and strong, lighting the way to the time--eleven o'clock in a glorious chime.

"Sis, there it is!" Mephisto lit up, features glowing and eyes sparkling. He almost dropped one of the suitcases he had been carrying, lost in his own excitement. Flushed cheeks flushed even more, a smile on his thin lips.

"Tell me something I don't know you dense walnut!" There was a soft, breathless laughter at the end, the one thing she could do that stirred something within Lucio out in public. Her cheeks were just as flushed, full lips in a wide smile, haughty laughter bright as snow started to fall again.

They all set a brisker pace, each one with warmer thoughts on their minds. It didn't take long to reach the massive oak doors, and the Lochland siblings quickly set down the luggage. Mephistopheles placed his hand on the freezing metal knocker, and gave three loud, measured taps. As the last tap echoed into silence, something clicked and the doors swung open. Collective gasps of awe and shock came from everyone, and Lucio took a few steps inside.

Sure, Lucio had given her inputs a go-ahead, making sure everything was largely his idea. But the way he pictured this was blown apart the moment the doors opened. A large pine tree sat in the middle of the foyer, its tallest branches trying to stroke the ceiling. Ornaments of all shapes and sizes and colors sparkled in candlelight, garland wrapped around the tree with care. Candles were set every so often, lit by a magical flame so the tree, and any ornaments, wouldn't catch. Every archway had a garland, richly decorated with large ornaments and trinkets and toys.

Wyverne had set the luggage she was carrying aside, and grabbed his golden hand, eagerly taking him into what used to be the room for sermon. The carpet had been taken up, exposing a rich wood floor inlaid with a compass-like design in the center. Above their heads, the huge chandelier glistened, its candles lit and casting shimmering rainbows around the space. The balconies all had garland on them as well, and beneath them were boughs of hollyberry, resting above doorways. Chairs were along the east and west walls, set up for the weary dancer to take a rest should they need to.

Lucio had wandered into the middle of the space, golden boots softly clicking on the wood floor. His look of shock slowly melted into a signature smile, looking over his shoulder at Wyverne, who was trying her best to contain her excitement. There was more, and she was letting it all absorb before she moved onto other rooms.

"How in the world…?" It was Nadia, soft and in awe. Crimson eyes were wide, soft and pliant as she took in wonderful surroundings, her black flats making almost no noise. A hand was brought to her lips, the other laid against her bosom, the rich yet simple decorations taking her breath away.

"Ilya, look!" Portia had pointed to one of the hollyberry boughs, clutching his arm. Julian looked, and casually brought Portia under one of them. He reached up to touch the ripe red berries with his hand, barely brushing them with his fingertips.

Muriel and Asra were peeking into the side doors, trying to discover some secret before the others. Faust was draped across Asra's shoulders, her tongue blepping at Asra's ear. Azlingua chuckled at the two boys, and she disappeared into a dim stairwell, taking all the luggage with her.

"So….," Wyverne started, padding softly across to where Lucio stood. "Is everything to your standards so far, My Lord?" Wyverne was in front of him, bright eyes locking with his mischievous ones.

"Of course, snack cake. It's blown my expectations." He snuck an arm around her waist, drawing her closer. His golden gauntlet traced her jawline, lightly pulling at her lower lip. "But you know, I've asked you to call me Lucio ever since you took your position."

"And you'll have to tell me at least once more," Wyverne told him softly, breath catching in her throat. She should be used to this. He was always close to her, it was part of her position as Court Magician. She swallowed thickly, and gently moved away from him, his fingers lingering on her hip.

Wyverne softly cleared her throat, trying to shake whatever had stirred deep in her abdomen, and started to show off other rooms, all equally as grand and festive as the last. Mephistopheles had gone around, meeting up with them in the dining hall.

◇◇

"So, is everything up to expectations?" He had an amused smirk, casually leaning against a high-backed chair. His arms were crossed over his chest, the delicate suit fabric crinkling at the elbows.

"Oh, it's wonderful!!" Nadia was in delight. It was one of the few parties she had attended that Lucio had thrown that wasn't gaudy as hell. "How did you manage at such wonderful decorations?"

"Well, to be quite honest, Nadi," Wyverne started, hands clasped together behind her back to prevent fidgeting, gently rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. "My Lo--ah, Lucio had a hand in this. He readily took my advice, and we created the decorations together." She stumbled, trying to use his name like he asked and not his title.

"How absolutely lovely, Spitfire," Mephisto said, a smug little tease to his voice. "I wonder what else you--" His teasing remark was cut off, Wyverne's fingers pointed at his throat. 

"Watch it, you insufferable sack of boiled maggots," Wyverne warned, her magic being used to stop him from talking. She had a look on her face, a look that made Mephisto grow a wicked little grin.

"Aww, what's wrong Spitfire? Afraid of being found out?" He mouthed this, his grin growing wider and wider. His hands were up in a gesture of surrender, palms turned in a touch, fingers spread.

Wyverne felt her cheeks heat, the color rivaling that of her lipstick. Portia burst out into a fit of giggles, finding the situation hilarious. Nadia tried to stop herself, Portia's giggles being contagious. Asra had a slight smirk, if only to laugh with Portia and for no other reason. Wyverne went to hit his chest, breaking the spell on his voice, when Lucio grabbed her slender wrist with his flesh hand, his touch warm and soothing.

"Not yet, darling," he murmured into her ear, breath warm and lips soft. "We wouldn't want that pretty outfit to go to waste." His golden hand touched her side, cool even through the layers Wyverne wore.

She nodded, gently pulling herself from his grasp. She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth in a fleeting moment of thought, and smacked her brother in the arm instead,  wandering off to go cool her head. Something had stirred deep in her abdomen again, warm and tingling. She couldn't shake the feeling again, no matter how much she tried. It was a craving, she knew it was. What the craving was for, she couldn't name at the time.

◇◇

The ballroom was absolutely lively with nobles and common folk alike. Some danced, others stood by the wayside, chatting and drinking. Soft music played in the background, the tinkling of glasses gently echoing throughout the space. Some patrons stood under the hollyberry, daring each other to kiss under it.

Lucio was with Wyverne, casually leaning against the wall, drinking a deep red wine and casually flirting with her. He had a smug smirk, gently chuckling at something he found amusing. Gone was the long cape, and the thin gold capelet shone as it matched beautifully with his outfit. 

Mephistopheles was out dancing with Nadia, lips resting in her hair as she laid her head on his chest, quietly chatting as they waltzed around the ballroom. Julian and Portia were also dancing around the room, having fun with traditional Nevivon dances for the holidays. Asra was with Muriel, chatting in a corner and generally keeping each other company.

"You know," Lucio began, his flesh hand caressing her cheek, thumb brushing her lips. "I've been wondering, would you love a dance?" He rolled his bottom lip between his teeth, an eyetooth catching it just the right way to set off sparks in Wyverne's chest.

"I can't refuse the Count of Vesuvia," Wyverne answered, soft and bashful, a hand resting on his chest. Her fingers found the blue ribbon used to secure a gold medal around his neck, gently toying with the smooth silk.

Lucio set his glass down, and took her hand in his golden one, leading her to the floor. She followed his lead, heart leaping out of her chest at the mere thought of being so close to him. He stopped in the middle of the dancefloor, his flesh hand on her waist and his golden hand still clasping hers. Her free hand found his shoulder, trying to quiet her racing heart.

Lucio lead, his feet easily falling into the rhythm of the song. Wyverne followed him, moving where he moved, spinning when he spun her. He held her against his chest, her back against him, her arms gently crossed in front of her. His lips brushed her hair, her temple, her cheek, her neck where her pulse was just racing away. Lucio smirked against her skin, his breath tickling her.

"Ah, snack cake. You have no idea how I've longed to have you to me alone like this," he whispered against her skin. His lips were so close, his breath so warm it set her heart aflutter. "You've been so tempting to me, I've had to hold back."

Wyverne was righted, facing him again. She was held close to him, her cheeks flushed pink. She swallowed thickly, a lump forming in her throat that wasn't there before. She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heart as soft waves of warmth spread through her that wasn't the alcohol. His lips rested in her hair, his flesh hand having found her other hip and resting there. 

It wasn't long before she found herself at the edge of the dancefloor again, still wrapped up in Lucio. Wyverne looked up at him, a soft blush on her cheeks, warmed through by dancing with him. Lucio was so close to her already, his lips almost touching hers, that it wasn't a stretch when he decided. He leaned in a little further, his golden hand cupping her chin, soft lips brushing hers. Wyverne didn't quite register it at first, not until Lucio deepened the kiss, his hand finding its way to the back of her head. She touched his chest, allowing him to deepen the kiss, letting him part her lips to slip inside and taste her. She quietly moaned into the kiss, trying to keep up with him. Her hand touched his cheek, practically standing on tiptoe trying the deepen the kiss herself.

Lucio pulled away slowly, his breath tickling her lips. He chuckled gently, his eyes finding hers after a moment or two. He stroked her cheek, savoring the touch, letting his flesh hand smooth the hair away, and brush her soft lips. Wyverne, meanwhile, had forgotten how to breathe, her breath caught in her throat. Her lips were still slightly parted, his thumb just catching her tongue. She could feel every inch of him, even the outline of his hardening cock against her thigh.

"Meet me in the hall in ten minutes," he murmured, his hand brushing her hip now. She nodded, finally finding her breath. He kissed her one last time, finally parting from her warmth, the outline of his cock visible in his white dress pants.

Ten minutes passed, and Wyverne had enough time to slip out into a back hallway, safe save for an occasional prying eye. She leaned against the nearest wall, a warmth between her legs that wasn't there before Lucio had kissed her. She rubbed her thighs together, trying to get some friction. She slipped her hand up under her skirts, starting to play with her folds, already slick from barely anything happening.

The door opened, then closed, but she paid whoever came in no heed. Her fingers found her clit, and she began to tease, gently kneading the small bud between her fingers, trying to mimic what she thought he would do. She let out a soft keen, his name a desperate beg for something, anything, when she heard his chuckle right next to her ear.

"Well isn't this a pretty present?" Lucio reached between her legs, inserting his long, slender finger inside her warm, wet hole. "All for me….and so wet too. I wonder how you'd feel around my cock, desperate and begging for me to fuck you?" He made small come hither motions, crooking the end of his finger against her walls. She moaned, a soft whine that escaped her throat as he inserted another finger.

Lucio kissed her ear, nipping at the lobe as he slowly scissored his fingers inside of her, stretching and preparing her walls for his cock. He placed his knee between her legs, making her spread them wider. His lips followed her jawline, and moved down the side of her neck, leaving hot, openmouthed kisses in their wake. His canines scraped lightly against the thin skin of her throat, more kisses soothing what he had done.

Wyverne had slowly started to shed her layers, her need for him growing the longer he played with her. Off came the pale blue plaid, the one she had chosen to match Lucio, with running lines of silver and gold. As she started to take off the crushed velvet hoopskirt, Lucio pulled his fingers away, leaving her feeling empty. Lucio chuckled at her soft whine, making quite a show of suckling his fingers, giving himself a taste of her. She had tasted slightly like cranberry, the salt of her skin deepening what he had tasted and her natural musky scent only adding to her flavor.

"Mmm, so delicious. And I haven't even started, snack cake," he murmured into her ear, licking the outer shell as he unbuttoned himself. "Though, I think you'll find you love me on my knees."

Slowly, deliberately, he sank to his knees. Wyverne couldn't tear her eyes away, her emerald green almost lost among the black of her pupil. He lifted her skirts a little higher, placing one of her legs on his shoulder. He trailed his finger down over her slit, teasing her entrance with the barest touch.

Lucio leaned in closer, the tip of his nose against her folds, taking in her musky scent. He started with little kitten licks, barely there little laps of her. He explored her folds this way, smirking against her as she groaned for him. She wanted him to go faster, to take full laps of her, and she grabbed a handful of gorgeous blond. He skirted around her sensitive bud, his tongue lapping at her entrance. She tried to contain her little whimpers and moans, her hand tightening a little in his hair. He growled against her, making her gasp at the sound. He let his long tongue explore her wet hole, tasting every inch of her, grinning when she tried a fruitless attempt at bucking her hips. His golden hand travelled up her body, finding her breast and gently massaging the flesh there, teasing her pert nipple through the dress fabric.

Wyverne had moaned his name, full of wanton need as she placed her hand on top of his, her hips trying uselessly to grind against his lips. The warmth she felt had been growing, a knot was forming at the base of her spine. She felt his lips wrap around her clit, could feel how he suckled, how he gently scraped his teeth against it as he shook his head slowly from side to side. It was almost too much, and she was afraid of coming undone so soon after his ministrations. He pulled away with a soft pop, making her groan in frustration. She heard his chuckle, felt him hum, felt his hungry silver gaze on her.

"Not yet, my dove. I still have so much to do, and I want my name pulled from those pretty lips of yours." He took her leg off his shoulder, rising to his feet, taking out his hardened cock and giving himself a few strokes.

Wyverne grabbed his lapels, her lips crashing against his in pure desire. She had never wanted a man as much as she wanted Lucio, and yet she could still taste herself on his lips and tongue. She had gasped a little, when he had picked her up by the thighs and wrapped her legs around his trim waist, feeling the hardness of his cock at her entrance. He watched her, hastily undoing the gold buttons holding his suit jacket together, watching as she spread it apart, soft hands touching his exposed chest.

"Are you sure you want this?" Ever the gentleman, he still asked, knowing he could bring her crashing down with just his mouth.

"Lucio, yes, I want nothing else." His name was a prayer, a soft little thing that held so much hidden lust and power in her voice. He nuzzled the side of her nose, looking deep into her eyes.

Lucio felt her gasp, more than he heard her. His cock was bigger than she anticipated, thick and warm and there, stretching every inch of her deliciously. He felt her grab the back of his dress shirt, how she shivered in utter delight as he fully sheathed himself inside her. Oh, she was so warm and wet and tight around him, and he could feel her flutter against him, could feel just how close she was to her own end.

"Don't you hold back, snack cake. I want every moan to reach my ears, I want to hear my name from your lips, how desperate you sound when I fuck you with my cock." He had her chin, tilting her to face him, those last few words whispered against lips smeared with lipstick.

He started to thrust into her, slow and careful at first, drawing out each stroke, letting her feel his cock against her walls. She moaned, not holding them back, her chest having been exposed at some point she couldn't remember when, because she could feel the cool air teasing her nipples to further hardness. Lucio took a breast in his mouth, swirling his tongue around the sweet bud, eyeteeth catching. Wyverne whined, a high-pitched sound caught in the back of her throat. He picked up his pacing a little, caught between taking it slow and ripping the gorgeous moans from her throat.

"That's right, snack cake. Let me hear you," he told her, picking up his pace.

Wyverne could feel the flame ignite, deep with her abdomen. The knot tightened further, her moans and curses tripping off the tongue. She could feel him against her neck, how he softly cursed with each erratic thrust. She could feel him kiss her, suckling at the skin, rolling it between his teeth. 

That was it for her. The knot came undone, heat spreading to every limb as his name spilled in a shuddering cry, her body arched against his. Her walls pulled at him, milking his cock. He had a few more thrusts, the feeling of her orgasm too much. His cock twitched, spilling his seed inside her, his moan muffled against her skin.

He waited a few moments, catching his breath. He pulled out, cleaning himself the best he could while still supporting her. He tucked himself back in, and cradled her in his arms for a few moments, letting her collect herself. He helped her right herself, fixing himself as well before taking her in arm and joining the ball once more.

[asrasotherbottom]

HC for chubby MC and Lucio specifically?

ask and Ye Shall Recieve (idk how chubby you're talking but I'm talking capital F Fat MC) (some nsfw)

-Three years of being cold and alone and now he has a literal pillow of soft and warmth? hell yeah hell yeah

-Ripped Middle Aged Ex Mercenary Can And Will Carry Them

-Will wanna spend a lazy morning in bed eating breakfast and if they feel anxious about being fed/eating in front of him hell be like "well then you can feed me!" and then periodically try to feed you again anyway because he doesnt totally get why Anyone wouldnt want to be fed by him

-BUT if they explain why then hed literally draw a sword from nowhere and ask who made them feel like that

-by the same token hed like get all meals to their room if that's what made MC comfortable but would also want to like take them out and i feel like hed be really into the Fuck You of like eating in public with them if that makes sense.

-Shows them off ALL the time, is always on their arm and is extremely liberal with threats of the dungeon if anyone gives him and MC and -looks-

-Only the best tailors will make their custom clothes tbh.

-will wear MCs clothes around the palace, especially if they plan on doing a little show for MC

-Will want MC to wear his clothes too bc it's hot af

-Gets more of his clothes made in MCs size exclusively for that purpose

-Is justttt as happy if MC is laying around in one of his furs

-What are Fat Thighs but a throne fit for a man of his status

-Dont even @me lucio wants to be suffocated by fat thighs too

-Is literally amazed and hypnotized by a Fat MCs body. Like, seems like hes just always been Buff and Ripped because of his line of work, and just their s o f t n e s s is so good

-he truly will just lay around and stare at all the curves of their body because hes only observant when he actually cares

-can and will get Rowdy ;) with them in public because he wants everyone to know how hot he finds them

-Hey also dont @me but imo lucio would LOVE going down on a fat partner he would LIVE for just burying his face and goin for it

-think about laying in bed with lucio while he traces your stretch Marks and uses it as a conduit to tell dramatic stories about his scars

[densetu-wolfenius]

It’s Caesar’s time to shine! woohoo! This is my apprentice’s Zarahalt pet, not familiar that’s Fortuna, a fancy breed of pigeon called Pouter which can inflate their crops until their faces can’t be seen. He might look a bit off cause I'm not pigeon expert and don't know how pigeon genetics work so I'm sorry If some of Caesar's markings are unlikely to exits in the real world.

I draw a reference picture and Heart Hunter chibis for this lovely pet.

Also I wrote his entire freaking story which somehow helped me flesh better Zarahalt’s backstory.

Backstory

Pre-plague

Caesar was Lucio’s idea of the “perfect” gift for Zarahalt. After finding out the girl’s magical abilities Lucio hired the magician, who previously was part of the cleaning staff, under the guise of “writing his biography” while in reality, she acted as his spymaster; Zara’s shapeshifting magic was perfect to find out who was talking shit behind the Count’s back and even helped debunk some assassination plots against him.

So what’s better than drowning this newfound pretty face with gifts? At first, he bought the tackiest shit you could imagine: a gold and red monstrosity of a dress, the flashiest of jewelry even a velvet cape with the softest of fur trims….. All of them were politely rejected by the magician. Lucio put his single brain cell to work until he had a “eureka” moment; a pet! Lucio knew of Zara’s familiar animal but it wasn’t the same as a pet, right? Everybody loves animals and what better animal than a pigeon itself? Pigeons like dogs came in all shapes and colors, they represented love and peace in many cultures and are the friendliest of creatures and easy to maintain.

Lucio being Lucio went to the best pigeon breeder in Vesuvia, probably fawned over those fantail and feathered feet pigeon breeds until one particular bird caught his eyes; insolated from the rest of the flock was a beige and white pigeon, not too big not too small the young bird was instantly friendly upon the Count’s approaching its cage. The breeder likely tried to deter Lucio from buying that bird; it was the failed result from one of his breeding lines and so he was waiting for some falconer to buy the bird for bait.

Maybe it was his pity, maybe it was his love for animals and couldn’t get out of his head that a perfectly healthy pigeon was going to be sentenced to death just for having some flaws, and he ultimately bought it. And oh boy did he hit jackpot with this bird, Zara loved the pigeon and the overtly dramatized story behind “saving him from the grasp of death” from Lucio and so he was promptly named after the famous Roman general Caesar. Both magician and Count thought the name was fitting and that perhaps the bird could be the one who ultimately helped blossom a friendship between the two.

And he did, Caesar watched those two idiot’s bond getting tighter and closer, from a bubbly friendship to some friends with benefits to ultimately lovers he was the witness of all. During this time he also formed his bonds with Zarahalt’s familiar, Fortuna, following the mischievous animal on his multiple shenanigans and failed plans.

During the Plague

Unfortunately, these were rough times. Lucio was infected with the red plague and promptly spared the magician from his pitiful state by breaking up with her hitting right in Zara’s sore spot, her family, blaming her heritage’s curse for the occurring chaos.  Asra’s “I told you so” after finding out Lucio ditched Zara which promptly an already heartbroken woman to snap at her best friend. Asra left the shop enraged leaving them behind, at least until Zarahalt commanded both Caesar and Fortuna to follow Asra to Nopal to spare them from the horrors that were occurring in Vesuvia and to make sure her cotton haired friend didn’t do something stupid.

Both Caesar and Fortuna followed the magician’s trail to Nopal. Both bird and human were horrified when Fortuna fell ill, the magician tried his magic and multiple herbs on the black familiar without success. Until one fateful night, Fortuna just died turning to ash to their horror; If Fortuna was dead so was Zarahalt. The three of them, Asra, Faust, and Caesar parted back to Vesuvia were they found what happened: Zara had contracted the red plague and was send to The Lazaret to die and be incinerated like the rest of the infected. During this time Caesar barely left the shop while Asra worked at the palace, he had lost his owner, his best friend and the man who spared his life was sentenced to the same fate. If It wasn’t for Faust’s comforting the bird Caesar would probably leave himself to waste. 

After the ritual was done and both Zarahalt and Fortuna were resurrected, Caesar was ecstatic at first but soon his heart broke when he noticed neither of them remembers who he was.

While neither human nor familiar recovered their memories back, Caesar was just happy to have them alive. What about Lucio? The pigeon didn’t forget about the crimson Count and mourned him too.

In game events (Lucio’s route)

During the in-game events, Caesar is near the end of his life, having already outlived most pigeons of his breed he is just content hanging around the shop, getting scritches and being pampered by both Asra and Zara. He doesn’t participate in the “magical realms “ shenanigans nor the masquerade itself since his body was slowly shutting down.

Caesar was still in the shop when the world turned upside down with chaos happy to see the pair back together enjoying the bath. It’s likely that at the end of the route he just peacefully pass away

[cela-astral-projection]

One day, someday My prince may come But it doesn't seem likely And even if he came and he liked me It's likely he'd be Not quite my type

It was the night of the Masquerade. Celeste's first. She had been shocked that she was even permitted to go. But, as she had learned, her cousin liked being the center of the universe. He was not particular about who he invited to watch the spectacle. And, if you were in his employ, you were either working or in attendance. And he did not need a nurse at his party...fingers crossed.

She had been given a dress for the evening. It was a hazy, dark celadon color. Simple, and unoffensive. Ankle length, with three quarter length sleeves. Her only qualm with the thing was the ridiculous neckline. It had wide lapels that were delicately embroidered with silver flowers, but the damn thing nearly fell open to her navel. She felt exposed and was not at all confident that everything was going to remain in its place. But, she didn't have much of an option. She wasn’t exactly flush with finery and flouncy gowns.

She had pinned her hair up halfway, letting the bulk of it fall down her back. It was perfectly adequate, in her opinion. She had never been to a fancy-dress ball. And, for all the discussion and excitement surrounding it, it seemed like rather more trouble than it was worth.

Standing on the side of the ballroom, she had her arms firmly crossed over her chest, watching the whirling, giddy partygoers. She watched Julian as he changed partners with each new dance. She saw him every time his eyes fell on her, and then quickly averting his gaze.

Her time of being confined to the palace was nearly done. She would be free to go, soon. She would still be in the employ of the palace, but she could come and go as she pleased, more or less. As the year mark approached, Julian had become withdrawn from her. And her surveillance by the guards and courtiers had increased dramatically, as had her workload.

Celeste felt a hand on her shoulder as someone approached her from behind. Aedan leaned down and whispered in her ear. "You know, standing over here looking miserable is just drawing more attention to yourself."

She stared straight ahead but made a noise of annoyance. "I doubt it. Most of the key players have been half-drunk since noon."

Her brother straightened and stepped to her side. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "What in the hell are you wearing?" she hissed.

He was wearing a red dress shirt with a black brocade vest with satin lapels, fastened with gold buttons, and similar black brocade trousers. His blonde hair was slicked back, with wispy curls at the nape of his neck fighting against the product in his hair. He wore a leather mask, fashioned after a duck hawk. Golden knotwork playing across it.

"You're one to talk," he whispered back, amused. "Dad would have a heart attack if he saw you like that."

She narrowed her eyes. "Well, he won't. So, I suppose it really doesn't matter, does it?"

Aedan sighed and rolled his eyes. "You're making this harder on yourself than it has to be. It's a party, Sissy. Go have fun. Please." He reached into his pocket and fished out a few coins. "Give me your hand," he demanded.

She stuck her hand out, the other arm still crossed over her chest. He dropped the money in her palm and folded her fingers around them. "It's a masquerade. Go buy a mask. The countess has some vendors out back."

She went to protest, but he was gone, back into the fray.

Julian whisked by her again and spun away, a glittering sapphire-color clad man in his arms. But, he saw her, and she saw his expression shift from delight to...melancholy? Pity? For himself, or her?

She was so frustrated, and so, so very tired. This was exactly what she hadn't wanted. She hadn't wanted to get attached to him. But, she had. And now, he kept her at arm's length. Claiming it would be easier for both of them. That he couldn't compromise both of their positions in the palace. That he was her superior, and that it was improper for them to carry on.

She couldn't bear to look at him anymore, and she turned and strode out of the ballroom.

She made her way down the corridors. Revelers pouring out of every room. Intoxicated, laughing. The sheer numbers of people that blocked her way were incredible. It was stiflingly hot. People in their formal wear, sweating, mixing with heavy perfumes and colognes. How was anyone meant to enjoy this? She dodged bodies, pushing past, sneaking between.

When she finally found the veranda, there was only a smattering of guests. Some browsing, others just enjoying the cool night air. She could see others down in the garden, playing, dancing, kissing.

She moved through the booths. There were a great many pretty things. Gems and crystals. Precious metals. Refined. Lovely. Sterile. Beautiful, but lacking personality. Unless wealth qualified as a personality. Then, they were spot on.

She reached the end of the aisle and was nearly resigned to it being a waste of time. Her eyes fell on the last booth. Seemingly unoccupied. She approached and looked over the masks. Only a few remaining. They were hand-carved and painted. They were gorgeous. True art pieces. Various animals. Birds. Foxes. Wolves. Snakes.

A bear. Just one bear mask pinned up, just out of her reach.

"I'm sorry, I had to step away for a moment. Can I help you?"

Celeste turned towards the airy voice. The person in front of her was elegantly adorned in violet and white, accents of gold, a thick golden collar, and a fox mask.  A similar one to the ones on display. Fluffy, white curls on their head. Beautiful hair. She didn't think she'd seen anything like it. Her father had been blonde, and so was her brother, but this was something else altogether. And his eyes were lavender. That couldn't be entirely natural. Could it?

"I...yes. I wanted to see that bear mask, please," she stammered, following him with her eyes as he stepped back into the stall, pointing at it.

"You're welcome to look, but I'm afraid that one is already claimed." the person said, contrite. "I might have a similar one, somewhere." They lifted the mask off the wall presenting it to her in white-gloved hands. She carefully lifted it, examining it. Tracing her fingers over the carvings.

She felt a pang in her chest. She thought of her father. The man who had bested the bear, come back from the grave. It was always a fun story to hear. The way that the villagers would tell it, and the way her mama would laugh and chide them, assuring them that papa was nothing special. Just a lucky son-of-a-bitch, and that she was the real heroine of the story.

Asra watched her face as she admired Muriel's handiwork. He rarely saw someone so enthralled with their pieces. Perhaps the Countess, who invited him back year after year. Other people went for the more elaborate, expensive pieces. It was simply a matter of clientele. They would make a few sales. But, he liked the ambiance of the Masquerade. The colors, and the excitement. A little extra money never went amiss, either. He could watch the spectacle, see the outfits. 

Muriel had agreed to come with him, under duress. But was quite quickly over the whole affair and had wandered off to find someplace quieter.

"This is wonderful," she said, handing the mask back over. "They all are. Are you the artist?"

Asra nodded. "I do the paint and some of the finer details, but my partner does the carvings and the leatherwork."

"Oh, like the peregrine falcon mask I saw earlier? The leather one?" she asked.

Asra's eyes went wide. "Yes, that's one of ours. I did the paint on it and he did the tooling. That was a commission piece for one of the guards. The countess had it made for him."

She nodded, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, another gift for Aric. If she had to guess, it was really Lucio pulling the strings and making dictates for how he wanted his guard to present himself. She forced a smile. "It was very beautiful. I know the man it was given to. I can't think of anything more appropriate for him."

Asra bent down and placed the mask in a box below the table, and rummaged through the remaining supplies, looking for another bear mask. He knew there was one here, somewhere. "Ah!" He exclaimed, pulling the leather mask out. "This might do. It's lighter than the other one. I think it might suit you better, too." He straightened, extending the mask to her.

It was smaller and lighter than the wooden mask. It was more intricate, with delicate patterns. Dainty gold accents brushed through the fur. It was so lovely. Exactly what she wanted. "Yes. I'll take it."

She reached out with her coin, and he put his hand up, refusing her. "No, keep it. It's nice to see someone appreciate them."

She raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "No. I insist. There's too much effort and love poured into these to let it go for nothing." When he still refused, she tilted her head. "If it makes you feel better, it's not my money. I don't have any use for it. I don't have a pocket in this frock to hide it in. You're doing me a favor."

He sighed and relented, taking the coins and throwing them in a small box. She watched him magic it back shut, light shimmering from his fingertips. A magic lock.

"You practice magic?" she asked, quiet, looking back and forth, nervous.

"You saw that?" he replied, taken aback. Generally, people didn't see his magic, unless he was performing. Nothing that subtle caught people’s attention normally. He was caught off guard.

She made a low noise of acknowledgment. She snapped her fingers and the lock unlatched itself. Asra stared down at the box, blinking, then up at her. The tips of her fingers glittering for just a moment longer before it faded away. She had him fixed with a hard look.

"You should be more careful. There are a lot of prying eyes here. That would gladly exploit...that." she said, taking a step back.

"I'm a magician. It's kind of common knowledge," he said, the corner of his mouth turned up. "You don't practice?"

She shook her head. "Not safe."

He eyed her, confused. "I'm not sure what you mean? Sure, some people don't understand it, but..."

She stepped further away, putting her hand up. "Thank you, for the mask."

She turned to go, and she heard him calling after her. She forged forward, and then she caught the shock of red hair descending the stairs.

She stopped, looking back towards the man in the fox mask, then back at Julian, in his feathered raven get up. There really was no good option.

So she gripped the mask tight in one hand, and balled her skirt in the other and bolted, past Julian, and down into the garden.

"Celeste!" Julian yelled after her. He threw his hands up in frustration, then took off after her. He tripped over his own feet and caught some poor woman as he stumbled. Righting himself, and calling a stream of apologies over his shoulder as he ran after her.

"Celeste," Asra said, quietly to himself. Committing it to memory.

--

She ran, but she knew that Julian's legs were longer than hers by a fair sight. She just had to keep moving until she could find somewhere to take refuge. But, she didn't know the gardens particularly well. She wasn't permitted out of the castle often.

She saw a path at the tree line and made a break for it.

Once she had gotten beyond the trees, she looked back. She didn't see Julian but could hear him calling. She quickly pulled the mask on, fanning her hair out over the strap. She looked around for other signs of life. None to speak of. She took a chance and smoothed her hand over her dress, glamouring the color. Something distinctly not her. Red. The silver accents going gold. She was out of practice and knew it wouldn't last long, but it would service so she could sneak away. A temporary camouflage.

She moved along the path. The foliage became denser. Heavy vines thick with flowers cascading down from the treetops. Moonlight casting tendrils of light that danced and glittered as the breeze moved through.

She came upon a clearing and saw a figure, half in shadow, sitting on the edge of a long-neglected fountain. He startled when she entered into his presence, straightening a bit.

She looked around. There really was no place left to go. Every other path was so massively overgrown that it wouldn't be wise to go further. But, she couldn't hear Julian anymore. It was a brief respite.

"Sorry," she said to the big man that sat in front of her, watching her, looking somewhat irritated. "I'll be out of your hair in just a moment."

Muriel's eyes were wide. He had really tried to find somewhere quiet. No small feat in the middle of this nightmare of a party. And now, this woman...

...wearing one of his masks. His bear mask. 

"Ah...sorry. I really am." She stated again. He had his eyes trained on her, staring her down, making her nervous. She couldn't really get a good read on him. Somewhere between annoyance and panic. And, this man was imposing, to say the least. Even sitting, she could tell a lot was going on, there. He was very impressive. And attractive. Very, very beautiful. Not at all dressed for a formal gathering. But, here, where nature had reclaimed the garden...that made sense. 

She bowed her head to him and started to back away, then she turned, and walked back down the path. She hesitated for a moment and looked over her shoulder, locking eyes with the man once more.

Muriel wasn’t sure he could trust his eyes. Was this really happening? He blushed, but couldn't look away. As he stared, he watched the red of her dress melt away, fading back into a dark jade green. His favorite color.

And then she was gone.

---

She came back upon the main gardens, and Julian was nowhere to be seen. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Things were clearing out. She knew the party would go on until dawn, but not everyone had the stamina for this sort of thing. She certainly didn't. It was getting late enough that she could, perhaps, steal away back to her room.

She made her way across the manicured lawn. There were bodies strewn across the damp grass, lovers locked at the mouth, rolling around. Wanton. Drunk on each other. And, the copious amounts of alcohol probably didn't help.

Then, winded, from behind her. "Celeste, please!"

She dropped her chin to her chest, defeated. She drew a deep breath and whirled on him, jaw set. "What, Julian? Tired of ignoring me?"

He looked stricken, but he continued moving towards her. "Please, I want to make you understand..."

She rolled her eyes, hands on her hips. "Understand what? I think I get the message. You're the one that seems confused." she spat at him. "Why don't you just go back to your dancing?"

He dipped his head, looking ashamed. "You were the loveliest girl at the party tonight..."

She scoffed. "Please."

"...that's just the problem. If I'd paid you even the slightest amount of attention tonight it would've been all over the palace in record time. I know how close you are to having your restrictions lifted. I just don't want you...want us...under any undue scrutiny."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Undue scrutiny?" she repeated back at him, her voice dripping venom.

"You don't know how many eyes are on us. On you." he countered, keeping his voice even. "I don't understand it, but I know that things are different with you here. They never imposed half of the rules on me that they do for you. And Valdemar hates me, so I don't know what they would do to you if they thought they could get away with it. And they would get away with it."

There was something about her presence that put all the courtiers on edge. This wasn't normal. None of the other staff was treated with quite as much judgment as she had been. And Lucio was easily swayed by the courtiers. He could, and would, dispatch her if they asked him to. They didn't have to be honest with Lucio, either. He had seen them force his hand for minor infractions. With dire consequences. 

They had shared many nights together. And it had been happy. The happiest she had been since she had come to Vesuvia. And then, he'd dropped her like a stone. She didn't know if she loved the fool or not, but he had been so caring. He was her friend. And he was her lover. She had let him in, and he had left her in the lurch.

She took a sharp breath. "I...appreciate that you're looking out for me. But, I can take care of myself. I will be okay. I just...I thought we had something."

He flushed a bit, the corner of his mouth turning up. "We do. Of course, we do, Celeste," he said, gently. "I don't want to draw more attention to us. And...I'm not good at being quiet."

She cast her eyes down, thinking. "What if...what if you didn't have to be quiet? What if we just went away? We just walked away from this?" She looked back to him, gesturing vaguely. "I don't want any of it. We can go off, start over. Together. What's holding us here?" She closed the gap between them, reaching out to grab his arms. "We aren't safe here. We aren't happy here."

His eyes went wide, darting around. He stepped back and grabbed her hand in his. Trying to find somewhere less exposed.

Every dark corner, every secluded alcove, was occupied. Things were devolving into a damn orgy. A couple stumbled out in front of them, disheveled. Blushing. He pushed past them into the space they had occupied, pulling Celeste behind him.

He released her and pulled his mask off, and she did the same.

"Are you serious?" he asked, dubious. "You want to go? With me?"

"Come on, Julian. You know nothing good comes from staying here." she insisted. "Are we slaves here, or are we employees? Employees can walk away. We are good at what we do. We can go and start over. Together."

Julian was unsure of what to say. His head weaved back and forth, and he made breathy noises, trying to find words. "We...we made commitments. It's part of the palace structure. We can't just walk away."

"Please, don't lecture me about commitments. I am up to my ears in commitments that I didn’t want to make.” she retorted. “What is lifting the sequester going to do? Allow me to go into town every once in a while? I'm still trapped here. And if I'm going to be trapped here, I deserve to have at least one friend." she pleaded. "We have to take care of each other."

"That's what I'm trying to do. I promise you...I just don't know how to do it." exasperated and sad. This was uncharted territory for him. Even if it had been better circumstances, the wouldn't know how to navigate these emotions. He wanted her. But he knew it was a terrible idea. 

"There has to be some sort of compromise here, Julian. Please, help me." She begged. 

He averted his gaze. "Please, lovely..." He sighed. "It's...we can just ride this out. We'll see what happens. How long is it? A few months more. We just have to buckle down. We can get through this. We just have to be careful." he concluded. There was nothing else to do.

She drew a shaky breath and steeled herself, glaring at him. "Then I guess this conversation was entirely useless. Thank you for chasing me. Very helpful." She snarled. "I'd rather be alone if the only other option is this." she threw her hand up, gesturing at him. "Some condescending clown that treats me like his subordinate when I can run circles around him. I will figure this out on my own. I do not need you getting drunk and existential at me every time you have a bad day that you have imposed on yourself. I have enough problems of my own."

He reeled back, shocked. So much for being quiet, he thought. 

She continued berating him, her finger in his chest. "I won't hold my breath for you, Doctor Devorak. I enjoyed the fucking, but I assure you, I am quite over being screwed by this whole situation. One day I'll wake in the arms someone who will love me with all that they are. But you're too afraid to even pretend that you like me. So, good for you. You got under my skirt. You win. See you Monday.”

She whirled out of the alcove, and she did not look back, brushing past the smattering of people who had gathered to listen in. She was wholly unashamed. Even when she saw her brother, standing there, looking scandalized, but amused.

"Shut it," she said, putting her hand up as she strode past him.

"You want me to kick his ass?" he called after her.

She made a rude gesture in reply, not breaking her stride.

From across the garden, Asra and Muriel watched her from under the willow tree near the fountain. They had been just about ready to go when they'd heard the commotion and saw the gathering crowd.

"Who the hell is that?" Muriel asked, bewildered, shifting the box of masks on his shoulder.

Asra gave a breathy sigh, smiling broadly. "That is Celeste." 

[maybeawriter6]

Safe Together (Demon!Valerius x Female Reader)

(This is definitely in the running for the most self indulgent thing I’ve ever written, but eh who cares XD

This is inspired by Julian’s reversed ending but I haven’t actually played it, so forgive me if the world I’ve built here doesn’t work the way it does in canon.

Valerius is a full demon here; basically the human parts of his sprite are gone and both sides match now.)

—————————————————————————————————-

Sometimes, you still wake up screaming. Dreams, memories, what’s the difference, anymore? The visions are all horrific, all tragic.

Gentle claws pull you close, a normally cool voice warm with concern murmuring comfort in your ear. “There, there, Darling. You’re perfectly safe.”

You bury your face in the crook of a familiar neck covered in a medley of scales and fur. Your trembling eventually fades as you lie enveloped in faintly wine-scented warmth.

Valerius brings one clawed hand up to thread carefully through your hair. “We’re safe and together, my love.”

Safe and together. The mantra that’s kept you both sane. As long as it’s true, you can convince yourselves nothing else matters. It keeps the bad feelings at bay.

“I saw… him, again,” you whisper.

Valerius frowns, slit pupils narrowing as he somehow manages to hold you even closer. “Don’t worry about him. He promised to leave us alone, remember?”

Oh, you remember all too well. The Devil’s bargain. Valerius’ choice. Lucio’s death. The meshing of the worlds. The end of life as you’d known it. The fusing of this estate with the Hierophant’s realm.

The sight of chains wrapped tight around the man you love. Chains which you know have only gotten tighter, since then.

“Until he needs something from us. From you.” You caress a scaly cheek. “I wish… I wish I could free you from him.”

Valerius swallows audibly, but his face shows only a dismissive sneer. “And let him hurt you? Let him separate us? Never.”

You nod sadly. He sighs, then brightens a little. A claw lifts your chin.

“Besides, I’d have to give up this form, and all the little bonuses you’ve grown so fond of.” A smirk tugs at his mouth, revealing his fangs.

He has a point. Once you finally convinced him that he’s still attractive, like this, a series of extremely pleasurable experiments had followed. There were, indeed, many advantages to his current form.

You give a tiny laugh and settle against him again. “Good point.”

“Of course, it is.” He smiles into your hair. “All of my points are good.”

You can’t know how long you spend like this, curled around each other. A bubble of contentment in a sea of chaos.

Valerius can know, however. His internal clock is still infallible, one of the more stubborn remnants of his humanity. You’re grateful for the sense of routine it provides, but there are times when you could do well without it. Such as now.

“We should get up,” he mutters regretfully.

You whine and tighten your hold on him. “Nooo…”

“It’s almost noon, my dear. We ought to have been up ages ago.”

You’re tempted to protest that your usual activities can wait indefinitely, but the routine is all either of you have, in this upside-down world.

You sit up with a pout. “Fine, but you owe me another cuddle session, later.”

He chuckles, the sound raspier than it was when he was human. “Naturally.”

Breakfast is on the table, just as it always is. It is summoned by your desire to eat, rather than being manually cooked. As such, it always takes the form of whatever you felt like eating. The only catch is that the food tastes like your memory of the original food, so you can’t taste anything new. And if your memory shifts, so does the taste of this food.

You munch a croissant that tastes a lot fruitier than you think it’s supposed to, while Valerius sips his usual glass of wine.

“We need to sneak out into the city and find some food that’s been freshly baked. I heard a friend of mine is keeping up the habit for old time’s sake.”

Valerius nods. “I suppose we cannot content ourselves with ghost food, forever.”

Your thoughts wander back to the days when you and Asra would stop by the bakery. Things were so much simpler. Easier. You miss your old life. You miss Asra and Muriel and all your other friends.

Most of them are hiding in what’s left of the Arcana’s realms or behind their personal doors. You see them very rarely, and when you do… Well, you and Valerius chose your side. They chose theirs. Julian is the only one who isn’t angry or distrustful of you both, as he claims he’d have done the same thing in your place. And he’s usually busy, trying to help the people cope.

Valerius can easily guess where your thoughts have turned, and does his best to change the subject, but things hang unspoken in the air.

After breakfast, you set out for a turn about the estate in a carriage without wheels, pulled by a pair of giant worms. Housewarming gifts from Vlastomil. You aren’t a big fan of the creatures, but they’re gentle enough, and get the job done.

The carriage ride is quieter than usual. You’re still brooding a little, and Valerius seems absorbed in observing the shifting landscape.

“…A penny for your thoughts, Consul?” Pennies no longer have value, and Valerius is no longer a consul, but your phrase sparks enough nostalgia to draw his attention.

He sighs, staring into his wine. “…It’s nothing. I just… Do you think I made the wrong…” He blinks at you, a rare show of vulnerability in his features.

You take his clawed hand and squeeze it comfortingly. “We’ve been over this, Valerius. We both did what we thought was best. You didn’t want to risk the Devil hurting me, and I didn’t want him to hurt you, either.”

He squeezes your hand back. “…You’re right, of course. Besides, what could we have done? It is arrogant folly to suppose we could have saved the world.”

You both suspect otherwise, but neither of you have the heart to say it aloud. To admit you could have stopped the Devil would be to assume a lot more guilt than your fragile spirits could handle.

The evening- or, rather, what Valerius’ internal clock deems “evening,” is spent reading. One of the few things that survived the fusion intact was Valerius’ library. Thousands of books, generations’ worth of collecting, plus many that you and Valerius have bartered for or salvaged from the ever-shifting ruins of the city. You both find hefty novels to get lost in, reading in companionable silence.

Eventually, your focus shifts to Valerius. His monstrous shape does nothing to dilute the old mannerisms of your lover. Everything from the angle of his brows, to the way he sips his wine, to the feigned annoyance in his golden eyes when he notices you staring at him.

“What?” he demands.

“You’re so cute when you read.”

He blushes, his flustered expression every bit as endearing as ever. “I… Thank you, I suppose?”

You laugh as his confused expression and go to him, sitting beside him on a sofa. “You’re cute all the time, to be fair.”

He clears his throat. “Not as cute as you are.”

You’re the one blushing, now. “Oh, stop…”

He chuckles, tilting your face up. “I shan’t. You are ravishing, Magician.”

You smile, and he leans in to kiss you. His lips feel very different, these days, but their intent hasn’t changed. Even scaly and strangely shaped as they are, they’re still soft enough to caress yours. As much as you sometimes miss the old velvet pillows, you’re more than compensated by the gentle nip of sharp teeth.

You sigh into the kiss, scooting closer to Valerius. His hand travels from your chin to your cheek, claws cool against your skin, while the other settles at your waist. Gentle, reverent. Holding you as if he’s never touched anything so precious.

You lick at his mouth and he takes the hint, his long tongue wrapping around yours as your faces press closer together. You climb onto his lap for a better angle, straddling his waist and pushing him back until he’s reclining against the sofa cushions.

Your hands move up and tangle in his hair. It’s longer and coarser than it once was, but your little tugs cause him to moan into your mouth just as easily as ever. Clawed hands hold you close, very lightly scratching the skin under your top.

“Beautiful,” Valerius whispers, nibbling at your ear. “So beautiful. I can hardly believe you’re mine.”

“I can hardly believe you’re mine.” You tighten your hold on his hair. “You’re magnificent.”

Valerius sighs in rapture, his mouth finding your neck. He’s very aware of how sharp his teeth are, never breaking the skin unless you want him to. Never harming you without your consent. He takes such care of you, his priceless treasure.

You gasp as he licks and bites along your throat. He knows every place that makes you whine, lavishing extra attention to the sensitive spot your neck meets your shoulder. You melt like warm butter into his arms, all tension falling from you.

“I believe it’s bedtime,” Valerius states suddenly.

You look at him with a confused frown. “Already? We haven’t even had dinner yet.”

“Now now, my dear, who has the better sense of time? If I say it’s time to go to bed, you should probably listen to me.” There’s a smile in his eyes; you suspect an ulterior meaning to his words.

“Very well, Consul. Let us retire to our room.” You turn and stretch out on his lap.

Valerius snorts, catching the hint. He picks you up as he stands, carrying you bridal style in his arms. The added height and strength of this form allows him to carry you easily up the stairs. You wrap your arms around his neck and grin the whole way, earning yourself an affectionate kiss to your temple.

The room you and Valerius call your own isn’t especially fancy. It doesn’t need to be, as you spend most of your time in other parts of the house. The bed is the exception, the result of your combined willpower shaping it. Sheets of the softest cotton, blankets spun of golden silk, pillows stuffed with the fluffiest down. And it’s huge, big enough to comfortably fit you and your demon lover with room to spare.

Valerius sets you down in the middle of the bed and then climbs onto it himself, looming over you with a familiar smirk. You pose seductively on the sheets, blushing but excited by his hungry gaze. His eyes are half-lidded and smoldering as they drag slowly over your body. As if he’s already planning what he’s going to do with you.

“Something tells me your plans don’t involve sleeping?” You tease.

“Well, technically, I only suggested we go to bed. I said nothing about sleep.” He hardly wastes another moment before leaning down to kiss you.

You hum happily, grabbing his shoulder and pulling yourself up. He deepens the kiss, eyes fluttering shut as he supports your back with a clawed hand. His other hand tugs at the fastenings of your clothes, soon assisted by your own free hand. Together, you manage to fumble your clothes off, his fur tickling your bare skin.

Valerius moves down and licks slowly over the nearest nipple. You whine softly, clutching at his hair. He moves to the other nipple after a while, working it with his long tongue and sucking gently, then switches back. He keeps this up until you can’t help begging just a little.

“Please, Consul.” You gaze at him longingly. “I need more. Please.”

He huffs a laugh into your cleavage. “Patience, my darling.” He moves down, rubbing the pads of his thumbs over your nipples as he licks a stripe down your stomach.

Your dynamic shifted drastically as he changed. Letting him top used to be a rare treat; now you switch it up frequently. And today, you’re more than happy to let him care of you.

Valerius nips gently at your thighs, working his way up to where you really want him. He waits until you start squirming to finally put his mouth on you. You moan, appreciating how long his tongue is as he delves into your depths. Your hands find his hair and sink into it, tugging him closer. He chuckles, his warm breath puffing onto your sex.

“Do you know what ‘patience’ means, my dear?” He teases, sinking a finger into your other hole and very carefully working it, always conscious of his claws. “You know we technically have eternity to do this.”

You whine, pulling him even closer. “When it comes to you? Even eternity doesn’t feel like enough.”

Valerius moans softly against you, relishing both your words and your hands in his hair. He returns to his prior task, working absolute wonders with his tongue, and adding a second finger as you relax. Pleasure rushes through you in tingling waves every time he hits a particularly sensitive spot.

He eventually pulls away, and you pout at the sudden loss of sensation.

“What’s wrong, ma Chérie?” Valerius’ smirk is back. “Do you need something?”

“You know darn well what I need,” you counter, trying to act angry and not laugh.

“You’ll have to be more specific, darling.” His voice is soft but deep, with the slightest growl running underneath it. It races down your spine and causes your arousal to increase just from the sound. “Use your words. What is it exactly that you want me to do with you?”

You whine a little. “I- I need… I would like you inside me. Please.”

Valerius’ expression is a mixture of lust and adoration, wrapped in smug delight. “I thought you might.”

He moves up the bed, flopping against the pillows, then takes hold of you and flips you onto him so you’re straddling his waist. You give a surprised yelp, then shiver at the feeling of something hard pressing into your rear.

“Do you trust me?” Valerius asks quietly, persona dropped for a second.

“I do.” You run a hand through his hair. “With my life.”

“And you’ll tell me if anything hurts in a non-enjoyable way?”

“I promise. Will you?”

“Of course.”

You always have an exchange along these lines before things get serious. It was a comforting habit when he was human, and now it’s an essential step in the process. Context has made it feel sexier over time, and now you’re that much wetter in anticipation.

Picking up the dominant thread where he left off, Valerius smiles lazily at you. “Disrobe me, then.”

You nod and start undoing the fastenings. Unbuttoning buttons, untying ties. Rubbing your butt against his bulge every so often, earning a little gasp each time.

“It’d be faster with help,” you hint.

The smirk darkens mischievously. “Earn your keep, Magician. Prove you really want this.”

You flush and mutter and your fingers fumble, but you eventually get the robes undone. They fall open to reveal lightly toned muscles, covered in broad swaths of fur and scales. You scoot back a little, feeling both of his dicks poking you. Valerius bites his lip, a blush creeping up his neck and blooming across his sharp cheekbones.

“They should be slicker before we start,” he mutters, trying to compose himself. “Think you can help me with that?”

“I think I can.” You smirk as you move down the bed.

They’re both quite large, longer and a little thicker than his original one was, and sky blue in color. They’re flushed purple towards the head, now. Both have glistening beads of arousal at the tip.

You start with the upper one, running your tongue greedily up and down his length. Your jaw automatically rubs the lower one, and you keep it there with your hand. The reaction from Valerius is so instantaneous, the moan so easily escaping his throat and his hands burying so quickly into your hair, that you know he’s been hiding his arousal all evening. You move very slowly, unable to resist teasing him a little.

“Cunning Witch,” he hisses, pulling your hair. “Don’t try to toy with me. I’m in charge, tonight. Are you going to make me prove it?”

You’re tempted to disobey for that exact purpose, but you’ve been denied so long already… You don’t want to risk him extending the wait.

You pull back long enough to whisper a breathless “No, Consul,” then return to your work with an increased pace. Valerius bites his lip, trying to hide how much he’s enjoying this. You switch back and forth between the two, now, always rubbing the other with your free hand.

Your mouth is watering and it isn’t too much longer before he dubs both dicks sufficiently wet and stops you. “That’s good enough, I think. Come here.”

You crawl over Valerius until you’re face-to-face again. He hesitates a long moment without asking anything else of you, caressing your cheek with his claws.

“…Uh, Val?” You tilt your head in confusion.

“Indulge me for a few heartbeats, Darling. I want to savior you, all flushed and eager, like this. What are our lives, now, but a series of moments and memories? I want to keep this one.”

You smile bittersweetly, and lean in to kiss him. He reciprocates with a sort of tender desperation, and you know that he’s thinking those sad, guilty thoughts from earlier.

You deepen the kiss and tangle one hand in his hair, reaching back to rub him with the other. Trying to distract him. It works, Valerius shivering under you with a hissing gasp.

“I’d like to savior you too, Consul.” You grin at him, your expression and tone a challenge. “Do you intend to let me? Or must I satisfy myself?”

Valerius gives you a matching smirk, his mood visibly rising to meet that challenge. “The only satisfaction you’ll be getting will be at my discretion, Witch.” His hands sneak around to your rear and he resumes gently stretching you, the other claws digging into your butt lightly. “I suggest you behave, if you want to earn it.”

You squirm impatiently, but nod. “I am butter in your hands, Consul. Melt me at your leisure.”

“Your pretty words don’t match your wiggling, my dear.” He chuckles, drawing you closer so warm air ghosts over your neck. “But I’m feeling merciful. You have permission to ride me, now.”

“Both, my Lord?” You blink hopefully.

The title draws an extra lustful gleam to his gold eyes. “Start with the lower one. Slowly, now. Don’t get too ambitious.”

You gingerly lower yourself onto him, moaning at how he fills and stretches you. Valerius growls, the sound reverberating in your chest. He shifts a little so he can more easily nibble and lick at your collarbone.

“Go on,” he mumbles into the crook of your neck.

You raise yourself up and sink slowly back down, whimpering. Valerius’ claws drag along your back and sides, settling on your hips.

“That’s it, keep going.”

You set an agonizingly slow pace, whining at the sensations as well as from his mouth on your throat. His upper length is in perfect position to rub your clit as you move, which you suspect was the idea.

Valerius hardly moves, except when he pulls away to sip from a wine glass he procured from somewhere. He’s clearly expecting you to do most of the work, but he’s more than happy to encourage you. “You’re doing so well, Chérie.”

You bite your lip and speed up a little. He watches you with adoring eyes for a few minutes, then gently stops you.

“Good. Are you ready for both?” He smirks, setting the glass aside. “I’m not certain you can handle it.”

“More than ready. Please, Consul. I’ve been waiting so long.”

The smirk softens as he relents. “Then get to it, Magician.”

You reach back to guide him into your holes. All the preparation is suddenly paying off, as you feel almost no discomfort as he slides into you. Just glorious fullness. You whine, your limbs going weak, and it’s a very good thing Valerius is supporting you.

He hisses under his breath, holding you close. “You feel so divine, my love.”

“So do you.” You kiss him, your hands finding their way up to his horns.

They’re sensitive, you know, so you keep your grip light at first. It’s still enough to make him shiver under you, growling as he rakes his claws down your back just hard enough to sting. You give a strangled cry, your grip tightening as you start riding him in earnest.

The noise Valerius makes isn’t human or even animal, but something otherworldly. A strange growl-whine, like a sound from the bottom of an abyss. He’s a creature of willpower and shadow and hedonistic desires in the form of a monster. And he belongs to you. Craves you. Needs you.

He breathes hot air over a pert nipple, licks firmly over it, delights in your resulting shutter and breathy moan. He loves seeing the effect he has on you.

“Valerius…” you whine, gripping his horns like a lifeline. It feels like your whole body is stretching to fit both of his dicks. You never get tired of the feeling, no matter how many times you’ve taken him.

Whimpering your name, Valerius is looking at you as if he’s never seen anything so beautiful. He can no longer resist thrusting up into you. Can’t help gripping your butt, guiding you to a faster pace. In spite of trying to control the situation, he’s losing himself to the pleasure. His head is thrown back as far as your grip on his horns will allow, eyes squeezed shut as he moans.

You tremble, making high pitched little noises as you get close. So close. You just need a little more…

As if sensing this, Valerius moves to rub your clit, expertly keeping his claws away. You moan, releasing a horn so you can grip a handful of his hair.

“Come for me, my darling,” he growls, the sound setting your nerves on fire in the most delicious way.

You tumble over the edge, crying out as a rush of pleasure crashes over you. You clutch at horn and hair to ground yourself.

This, combined with your walls clenching around him, brings Valerius over the edge right behind you. He roars your name, the sound ringing from every corner of the room, while his claws leave red marks on your skin.

You cling to one another, panting for breath, your combined fluids pooling beneath you.

“Ma chérie,” he whispers, his tone awestruck.

You lift yourself off of him with a whine, then collapse next to him on the pillows. He pulls you close and you run your fingers through his hair as you kiss him.

“You did so well, my love,” he mutters when you stop to breathe. “Such a good girl for me…”

“Remember that next time I’m in charge,” you tease.

Valerius smiles mischievously. “I will try, but you mustn’t be surprised if I misbehave a little. I am a demon, after all. It’s in my nature.”

“Well, I happen to like your nature.” You kiss him on the nose, your playful tone turning affectionate. “You were wonderful too, you know. I’m very lucky.”

He’s beaming at you as if you’re his entire world. “I’m the lucky one.”

Valerius wraps you in his warm arms, fur caressing your skin. He buries his face in the crook of your neck and holds you close. You breathe together. Just breathing. Simply existing. A tiny paradise.

It’s moments like this, when you hold each other this close. When all your senses are consumed with love. With him. These moments make it all worthwhile. All the pain, all the guilt, the state of the world around you… None of it matters, right now.

You’re safe, and you’re together.

And it’s enough.

[higheverweave]

Cute animal arcana headcanons

Julian:

Mazelinka scolds him for giving Malak pieces of his dinner when she’s not looking.

He buys dog treats despite not currently having a dog to give to other people’s dogs

Has at least at one point had a vet section of his clinic

Knows how to snuggle Malak mainly letting Malak sleep under his neck.

Plays fetch with Malak no seriously ... he’s thrown keys... sticks... leeches.... no rules

Likes to tie notes to Malak and have him deliver them.

Asra

Has magic pool floaties for Faust despite the fact she can swim just fine.

Asra and Mc try to do that thing animal parents do where they try and get Faust to come to them...

Faust is a food catching pro

Hide and seek however Faust usually just hides in somebody’s shirt

Is it possible to message a snake?

Read aloud to Faust on book night....(although he’s accidentally read some that resulted in Faust saying some interesting things.)

Nadia

Please Chandra has her own mini Palace

Does that thing pet owners do where they have conversations with thier pets based on how they move.

Owl jewelry now invented

Owl shawls now invented

Messages

Chandra has a special tree in the palace gardens

Mc and Nadia have organized races between Chandra and Vesuvian birds

Mc and Nadia take turns baking owl treats

Pasha

Pepi please get off the table

Pepi please do not eat the vegetables I’ve been growing all year

Pepi please stop referring to yourself as death

Pepi !!!! Good job scaring off Birds.

Pepi come cuddle

Pepi... have the leftovers I made

Pepi were gonna see Maz

Pepi were gonna see Ilya

Pepi time to see Nadia

Pepi Melichor And Mercedes will way you

Pepi you’re the best.

Muriel

This wolf is basically mountain bois social life

Sometimes he crawls in a ball to cuddle Innana so she doesn’t have to feel like she’s without a pack.

Howls at Innana to speak her language

Has attempted vegetarianism at least once

Enjoys birdwatching

Will bring animals inside if they are alone and it’s too stormy

The chickens are cuddled as well

Has knitted the chickens blankets

Lucio

This boiii is big soft (he acts like he’s not but he is.)

He actually gets really uncomfortable as goat because he can’t pet Melichor and Mercedes and they need him....

Seriously it hurts him.... they have dietary routines and they need to be brushed on time.... and then tucked in. Mc better tuck them in he just has to knock over the special dog blankets.

Brings homeless animals to live in the palace gardens but tells nobody because he has a rough and tough reputation to uphold.

Those gold collars are gold because they are hypoallergenic

Has also tried vegetarianism at some point.

Has commissioned paintings of them he keeps secret.

He also draws them... especially if Mc fell asleep with the animals

Sings to Camio

Wears fake leather but he’ll tell you it’s real...

Palace staff are told to leave leftover food in the gardens for the stray animals that live thier

Secretly has an interest in studying them if he wasn’t a prince or a mercenary he’d be a zoologist or a biologist... he has so many beastiaries with intricate art. He has them shipped in from other countries so he can learn about animals he’s never seen.

Don’t bring the beastiarys up to him he’ll deny it and say he’s going “on a hunting trip.” Meaning he wants to find one ,and keep it as a pet.

Valerius

Acts like he’s going to hate them Yells at them but then when the door shuts he can’t stop squeeeeing he pets them and holds them to his face.

He loves Persian cats

His familiar is a weasel he calls Pino

He has bought animal safe wine they sip together

Pino has products to protect his fur

Pino also gets his teeth brushed

Pino keeps trying to make friends with the other familiars

Pino enjoys warm baths

[immiebee]

Camio Isn’t What You Think

(Lemon writing/ conspiracy theory at the end🍋📌)

“Meddling witch! Meddling! Meddling!”

Lactarius rolled her eyes as the cockatoo flapping his wings, his crest flared as he nodded his head. The shrieking continued until Lucio gently placed his gauntlet under the irate birds feet. Cooing softly as the bird turned towards him, head leaning forward to accept the Count’s kisses.

“Pretty boy! Yes you are!” Gently scritching Camio’s head Lucio eyed Lactarius, smirking. “Behave for the pretty witch, Camio. She’s helping your Papa.”

Camio’s eyes blinked repeating Luico’s words with enthusiasm, “HELPING!”

Lactarius stood watching the two, rubbing her hand on her arm as she carefully watched the bird. Something was wrong. Her senses sending alarms as she shuffled closer to the man and the bird.

Lucio reaching out to grasp her waist, pulling her closer to his chest as he alternated between nuzzling with Camio and dropping kisses to the shorter woman’s face. Closing her eyes she enjoyed the affection until the lingering smell of sulfur had her blinking open her eyes.

“You think Camio would let me hold him?” Lucio grinned as Lactarius batted her eyelashes, while holding out a slightly trembling arm.

“Camio, be nice. Let’s show her what a handsome boy you are!”

Camio grasping Lactarius’ arm he slowly strutted his way onto her arm as she breathed a sigh of relief. Laughing she slowly raised her other hand for the cockatoo to inspect, Camio grasping it with his claws as he curiously nibbled.

“You are a handsome bird!” Camio began shaking his head at the compliment, “What a handsome boy you are, Camio!”

“There! Nothing to be worried about. Camio is a good boy to those that treat him right! Most people try to drive him away, they don’t like his boisterous attitude.”

Stroking the birds cheek Lactarius hummed thoughtfully, “I know how that must feel. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” Gently running her hands over his wings she continued. “Lucio, did you know some towns, far from Vesuvia don’t believe in magic? They fear magicians and witches alike. Some witches and magicians go into hiding fearing for their safety.”

Camio’s eyes tilting to stare at her as Lucio listened on, “Unfortunately, fear does horrible things to people and rumors spread fast. So in order to sort out the liars, the towns would hold burnings. If you were considered a witch or magician you were burned alive. If you live then you were a witch, if you died.....then the Devil must not have favored you.”

“Sounds harsh.” Lucio smirked leaning over to kiss her temple. “Sounds like you had experience with that.”

Smirking Lactarius shrugged as she glanced nonchalantly at the bird on her arm recieving pets, “Maybe.”

A cloud of smoke billowed around her and Camio, the cockatoo screeching as Lactarius’ clawed hand pinned him on his back. The dappled manticore snarling, her face inches from bird as he hissed biting at her fingers. Swishing her scorpion tail, her blue,black carapace rattled tense as her hackles raised. Lucio grabbed fistfuls of her chocolate mane as he struggled to pull her off his beloved pet, the Count’s gauntlet ripping fur.

“What are you doing!? Your hurting him!”

Lactarius didn’t flinch at the sting, her eyes squarely locked onto the bird’s. “Damned if you do, damned it you don’t.”

Striking her large head forward, the two were thrown back as red smoke clouded their vision. Lucio standing drawing his sword as his eyes scanned the smoke until a familiar figure stood to full height in front of him. Sword lowering to the ground, the man’s lip trembled.

“Foolish meddling witch! YOU DARE ATTACK ME!” The Devil wipping his head in Lucio’s direction, “Know your place!”

Stepping out of the smoke Lactarius human once more stood in front of Lucio, arms raised in defense as her magic spilled off of her in confidence. Blue eyes alight with fury she hissed back, “I know my place. It’s right here,” widening her stance her eyes locked with the Devil’s. “Between you and my Count.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Here out my theory. Camio is the Devil. Literally.

The Devil can effect the physical world as we’ve already been hinted during Nadia’s Route when Valerius says the Devil came to him as a MAN.

Why wouldn’t he be able to keep an eye on Lucio as a bird. Lucio loves animals, so it only makes sense that the Devil would take the form of something that Lucio would be comfortable around and wouldn’t set off any alarms.

Camio=Camo... camouflage.

[thrandilf]

Plot Relevant Red (Part 4)

Some Lucio/Valerius fluff <3

-~-

Working for the government was taxing, to say the least. Even more so with Count Lucio in charge. Valerius found himself alternating from falling into bed with Lucio at night and fuming at him the very next day at his utter lack of responsibility and organization.

Valerius idly toyed with the end of his braid, admiring the ruby jewelry and warm golden ombré of his hair. He was used to being swamped with work constantly, since all other courtiers did absolutely nothing save for Valdemar who kept disturbingly graphic notes on human anatomy. He leaned an elbow on his desk and pored over treasury paperwork late into the night that should’ve been Volta’s problem with a deep sigh.

“Working past midnight? Tsk tsk, I thought I was the vampire.” Lucio’s soft voice was directly behind him.

Valerius must’ve been tired if he hadn’t even noticed Lucio’s heels tapping on the stone floors. Valerius rubbed his eyes, the low candlelight over the piles of accounting paperwork straining his eyes. “What is it, Lucio? Shouldn’t you be practicing turning into a bat?”

Lucio put his hand on Valerius’s shoulder, rubbing his tense muscles soothingly. If Lucio has gone out of his way to find him and was trying this hard to put him at ease, he must’ve needed blood that night. “Awwwww, are you mad at me? I’m trying to save you from all this pornocracy.”

Valerius groaned. “It’s bureaucracy- and yes! No one else you’ve appointed to court does anything remotely useful! I’ve never seen you do anything to help this city, and you’re SUPPOSED to be Count! I’m doing all I can to ensure this institution can provide at least incredibly basic services to our citizens, but the truth is this government couldn’t even run a fruit stand!”

Lucio huffed. “Rude! You think I do nothing? I have schemes far above your head, my dear consort.”

“Consul.”

Lucio ignored him. He dragged his fingertip along Valerius’s jawbone, drawing his weary eyes up to Lucio’s face. “I know you want me. Come on, climb into bed with me. You wanted information, didn’t you?” Lucio wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

The scrolls of numbers and dull paperwork weren’t getting any easier to decipher. Valerius sighed in defeat. He rose from his perch on the edge of his desk chair and laid his hands on Lucio’s shoulders. Lucio instantly urged him closer until their chests were flush together. Valerius angled his head and kissed Lucio, soft and sweet. “I despise you, you uncivilized cur,” Valerius murmured.

“Hmmhmm. Sure you do.”

Lucio’s long fingers traced patterns against the small of Valerius’s back as they kissed. The time of day no longer meant anything to Lucio aside from the fact that he was disgusted by mornings, but he could sense exhaustion from a long day in every muscle of Valerius’s body. Moments like these were why Valerius indulged in Lucio. His cheekbones were a rosy pink by the time they’d stopped kissing, and Valerius was content to walk the palace corridors with Lucio’s arm around his waist.

Mercedes and Melchior were waiting in front of Lucio’s room. They raised their heads from their resting positions and barked happily, tongues lolling out as they charged Lucio. “Good dogs! Hello! Are you my favorite puppies?!” Lucio knelt to accept licks and enthusiastic white paws all over him as his rowdy pets woofed and demanded attention. He pet both dogs and continued gushing as if Valerius wasn’t even there. “Do you want a treat? Papa brought you treats!” Lucio tossed a couple of pomegranates from his pocket and the dogs stopped mobbing him to bound down the hall after the fruit.

“How gruesome.” Valerius observed as the dogs tore into the juicy pomegranates.

“They take after me,” stated Lucio proudly as Mercedes and Melchior made a mess of dark red juice on the marble floors.

Valerius let himself into Lucio’s bedroom and sighed at the aches in his back and shoulders from stress. Valerius stepped out of his heels and started to undress, facing away from Lucio. “I’m tired. Find someone else for blood tonight.”

Lucio’s pout was almost audible. “You sure?” He caught Valerius’s black shawl as it fell from his shoulders. “I’ll let you rest, although no one else is as intoxicating and rich as you are.” The only thing Lucio could be beaten into submission about was bedroom activities, for which Valerius was grateful.

“I’m far too tired for anything tonight. Accounting documents are the worst.” Valerius yawned and accepted a lingering kiss on his neck.

“Fine. I’ll be back later.” Lucio left the bedroom still pouting but without fuss.

Valerius finished undressing and slipped into a sheer silvery robe, blearily folding his consulate finery and setting it aside. Lucio’s royal wing was starting to become more and more like a second home. He padded over to a wine rack and uncorked a bottle of rosé wine, inhaling its sweet scent as he delicately poured himself a glass. He set the bottle and wineglass on the bedside table and curled up under the plush blankets and furs, propped up against an ocean of pillows.

Was it so terrible to want to enjoy life’s pleasures? Valerius hadn’t had a lover in too long, too absorbed in his work or education to care for comfort until he was starving for it. Lucio just happened to be his work- a fact that irked him daily. Lucio’s touches, flirts, and general neediness brought out a side of Valerius he hadn’t had time for. Clinginess wasn’t a behavior he’d encourage but, as he took a sip of wine with a smirk, it felt awfully good coming from the Count of Vesuvia.

Valerius reclined and fumbled around for a novel, reading with the warm light from the fireplace and chandelier. ‘Hard in Hightown’ was hardly a piece of classic literature, but Valerius loved nothing more than good wine, murder, and a dose of drama to lift his spirits. He heard a shuffle of steps near the door as he read and didn’t look up as he patted the bed, expecting Mercedes and Melchoir to bound in. “C’mere, pet.”

Instead, Lucio flopped on the bed next to Valerius and laughed warmly. “Pet now, is it? I’d ask that you’d watch your tongue if it didn’t delight me so much.”

“Hmmmm.” Valerius didn’t look up from his book as Lucio kissed his neck, lips warm from his latest drink of blood. “I suppose you slobber as much as Mercedes and Melchoir anyway.” Despite his aloof words Valerius put his arm around Lucio.

“You like it.” Lucio continued to kiss up his neck to his cheek. Valerius turned his head for a moment to accept a kiss before continuing to read. His fingers idly stroked Lucio’s blond hair as if Lucio was an oversized cat. Relaxation seeped deep into Valerius’s bones and he smiled slightly, to Lucio’s glee. “Oh who knew? The uptight Consul can be cute!”

“Don’t tell anyone.” Valerius took a sip of wine and Lucio pulled him in for a full kiss, tongue soft as they tasted each other. Valerius managed to stick a bookmark in his spot before giving into the kisses. His cheekbones flushed pink and he moaned, content with Lucio’s embrace. Lucio tried to roll on top of Valerius but he playfully huffed and took Lucio by surprise and guided him down instead.

“Oh? Usually you want me doing all the work. Like the view?” Lucio opened his mouth to spew more suggestive things but Valerius kissed him again, cupping Lucio’s cheek with one hand and pressing his chest down with the other.

Valerius kissed Lucio long and deep, satisfied when he felt Lucio relax under him. Lucio soothingly pet the small of Valerius’s back as they wordlessly sought the other. Valerius trembled with overwhelming desire, warmth blossoming in his chest as he lost himself in Lucio’s embrace. They parted for a few seconds for air.

Lucio’s eyes were half closed, a look startlingly like adoration on his face. Valerius’s heart stopped. “Lucio?”

Lucio arched up and kissed Valerius, sweet affection on his face as Valerius gasped. He stroked Lucio’s hair and kept his eyes open with wonder. How their lips met and tongues brushed together hardly mattered anymore. He was awestruck by the fondness and gentleness he’d seen in Lucio, committing his soft expression to memory. Lucio broke their kisses and rested his forehead against Valerius, breathing hard as if they’d just made love.

Valerius swallowed. He’d attempted to keep his heart carefully sealed away, only to take what benefitted him. The idea that the man under him could satisfy his tactile needs and work his way into Valerius’s genuine soul seemed ludicrous. Lucio drove him up the wall. He could go in for hours about everything he couldn’t stand about Lucio, and yet he had a deep connection to him anyway. Valerius cared for Lucio, felt a comfort and home in him he’d never had before. The words came naturally. “I love you.”

Lucio’s eyes widened. Valerius warningly pressed a finger to Lucio’s lips. “If you ruin this moment, I’ll start wearing silver.”

Lucio chuckled. “I love you too.”

Valerius closed his eyes and laid his head on Lucio’s chest, asking for protection and affection Lucio was happy to give. Lucio kissed Valerius’s hair and held him close. Mercedes and Melchoir nestled in with the couple and Valerius felt like he was in heaven. Valerius slept well past his time to get up, and Lucio let him.