#and I bet they listen instead of saying that actually it's totally fine that all people can talk about is losing weight

[auspicioustidings]

Bet Soap shuts down all the diet talk around the office girls by generally being outraged that they're talking about how they should do this diet or that diet (all of them wildly unacceptable to him from a health standpoint, like fuck off you work on a military base 400 calories for a day is NOT ON) and then loudly saying he is going to fuck some self worth into them while already taking his clothes off. There is a massive sigh and Gaz drags him out of there while profusely apologising (but also telling them to meet him at lunch and if they want to talk about good eating habits he can help).

Soap will spend the rest of the day pacing and grumbling under his breath about how much he would die to get stuck into these girls and how he cannot believe they think they're not hot as fuck.

[stylesonfilms]

ink & innocence - 10

word count: 5.4k

sorry for the late update! sooo busy today!!

Isobel followed Aspen around the library while she pushed the cart. "I don't understand. So, he asked you to hang out, but then he posted a picture with Kirsten?" 

Aspen sighed. "He left me on read after I told him I'd be out with Shawn, and then Kirsten posted a photo of them together last night." Her voice was soft, wavering slightly. Aspen skimmed the bookshelf as they came to a halt and slotted one of the books from the cart onto the shelf. Isobel only scoffed, following behind her friend. 

It was normal for Isobel to come pester Aspen at work whenever their schedules aligned. It was a day where Zayn had back to back clients and Isobel was off, and she wanted to lend a comforting shoulder to her friend. The girl grabbed Aspens phone from her back pocket, connected to her ear buds, and unlocked it. Aspen didn't mind, she always welcomed Isobel to snoop through her phone. When her song stopped and changed, she huffed slightly. 'Cool' by Gracie Abrams played through her headphones, one tucked into her ear and the other draping on the inside of her shirt so she could hear Isobel. 

The squeaky wheels on the cart filled the air before Isobel opened her mouth to speak again. "Maybe he thought you were going out with another dude, so he got jealous." 

Aspen let her hands rest on the cart handle, one eyebrow raising at Isobel's ridiculous conclusion. "Jealous? Harry? Come on," she muttered, though the flush on her cheeks betrayed her casual tone. "I don't think he really cares that much."

"Fool, I'm a fool if the shoe fits,

You probably met up with Cass and said the same shit."

Isobel scoffed, shoving Aspen's phone back into her pocket and crossing her arms as she leaned against the bookshelf. "Are you serious? Did you see that picture? The man had his arm around her and a drink in his hand. That's textbook 'I'm pretending not to care but I totally care.'"

Aspen shook her head, pushing the cart a little farther down the aisle as she mumbled, "Or maybe he was just having fun with Kirsten because he actually likes her."

Isobel groaned, practically jogging after her friend, her voice laced with disbelief. "Oh my god, you're so dense sometimes, I swear. Harry doesn't like Kirsten. Not like that. Everyone knows that."

Aspen blinked, her brow furrowing slightly as she placed another book onto the shelf. "Well, I didn't know that," she replied quietly.

Isobel tilted her head, watching her friend's face carefully. Aspen was trying her hardest to look unbothered, but her lips were pressed into a tight line, and there was a distinct heaviness to her movements. She was upset—really upset.

"Okay, fine. Let's say he does like Kirsten," Isobel said, her tone almost conspiratorial as she leaned in closer. "Then why did he text you asking to hang out before posting that picture? Huh?"

Aspen's hands stilled on the cart. She hated how much sense that made, and she hated even more that her stomach fluttered at the thought. She tried to dismiss it with a shrug. "I don't know... Maybe I was just Plan B," she murmured, trying to sound nonchalant.

Isobel gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like Aspen had just slapped her. "You are not a Plan B, Aspen! I swear, if Harry actually thinks—"

"Shh!" Aspen hissed, her face going bright red as she glanced down the aisle to make sure no one was around. "Can we not shout about my personal life in the middle of the library?"

Isobel grinned mischievously, though she lowered her voice to a loud whisper. "Fine. But listen to me—Harry's jealous. I know it. Boys are dumb like that. You say you're busy, and suddenly they've gotta prove they're just as busy and cool and... I don't know, over it or whatever."

Aspen didn't respond, instead busying herself with rearranging a row of perfectly aligned books. Isobel narrowed her eyes, determined to get a reaction out of her friend. "You know I'm right. That picture was all for show. I bet you anything Harry was just—"

"Can we stop talking about it?" Aspen interrupted sharply, her voice breaking just slightly. Her hands gripped the edge of the cart tightly as she turned away. "It doesn't matter, okay? He can do whatever he wants. It's not like..." She paused, inhaling sharply before shaking her head. "It's not like we're anything."

"I'm not pretending in the way you are, You run your hands through your hair, phony superstar, Then say you miss me, you're sad, yeah, I bet you are."

Isobel softened, the teasing edge to her voice disappearing as she walked around to face Aspen. "Hey," she said gently. "Just because you're not together doesn't mean you can't be upset. You like him, don't you?"

Aspen swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the wheels of the cart as she mumbled, "I don't know." But they both knew that wasn't true. The heat in her chest, the sting behind her eyes when she'd seen that picture—it all said otherwise.

"You do," Isobel said softly, nudging Aspen's arm with her elbow. "And it's okay. Just... don't let him mess with your head, alright? He's probably just being dumb and jealous, and he'll get over it."

Aspen let out a shaky breath, nodding faintly. "Yeah. Okay." But the truth was, Harry had messed with her head. The moment she saw Kirsten's photo, it felt like something had cracked deep inside her—a tiny, fragile hope she hadn't even realized she'd been holding onto.

And the worst part? She didn't even have a right to feel this way. She was the one who'd turned him down. She'd been honest—she had plans with Shawn, plans that were innocent and completely platonic. And yet, the thought of Harry with Kirsten—his arm slung around her, his face too close to hers—made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

Her fingers curled tightly around the edge of the cart as a million thoughts swirled through her head. Was he trying to prove something? Did he even care? Did I mess everything up?

"Harry does not get jealous," She muttered to Isobel, plopping an encyclopedia in her hands to put back on the shelf. "He doesn't look like the type to, anyway. It would be very surprising." 

Aspen could definitely be jealous, she was quick to realize. Although it was a foreign feeling to her, especially around boys, the knot in her stomach never left. She never got jealous over boys, just her older sister getting a new car (even though Aspen was nine), or her middle school best friend being able to get blue highlights. Those kinds of things. 

Isobel shrugged and pulled more books off the cart to help Aspen file back. "And what about you? How do you feel?" It was a loaded question, one Aspen wasn't sure she had the answer to. With a reluctant sigh, she answered. "I'm... okay. It's fine, really. It's not like we were a thing." A little shrug graced her shoulders while the music continued to play.

Isobel hooked her arm with Aspens and continued to shuffle around the library with her. The blonde hair girl didn't want to push the narrative any further, she didn't want Aspen to dwell on it too much.

"No, I'll be fine, I'll just look for the silver lining, Stay out of sight, Half my mind, you're still occupying."

The last of the books were slotted back into place with practiced ease, Aspen handing her phone off to Isobel while she climbed the narrow ladder to reach the sixth shelf. The rickety metal creaked under her weight, but she barely noticed as she balanced a small stack of books in one hand. From below, Isobel busied herself scrolling through Aspen's phone, clicking around her playlists and scrolling through unread notifications.

It wasn't until Isobel let out a sharp gasp—one that echoed a little too loudly through the quiet library—that Aspen froze mid-movement.

"What?" Aspen asked, distracted as she leaned precariously over to the left to make room for the last book.

"It's... Harry," Isobel breathed, her voice a mix of intrigue and drama.

Aspen snapped her head around so quickly she nearly lost her balance. Her heart lodged in her throat as she scurried back down the ladder, the books in her arms practically tumbling as she thrust them into Isobel's hands without ceremony. "W-what? What about Harry?" she muttered, already reaching for her phone. Her voice cracked slightly, betraying how much her pulse had picked up.

Isobel handed over the phone with a teasing smirk, stepping back as Aspen's hands fumbled to unlock the screen. The message notification stared back at her, simple and unassuming, but her stomach flipped.

Harry ⭐: Hello.

Aspen's fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long beat, her brain short-circuiting as she tried to figure out what to say. What did hello even mean? Was he just being polite? Did he want to talk? She could feel Isobel practically breathing down her neck, waiting for her to type something.

Finally, Aspen tapped out a simple 'hi,' her thumb hesitating just a second before pressing send.

Almost immediately, Harry's name appeared again.

Harry ⭐: How was lunch with your friend?

Her eyes flickered up to meet Isobel's, wide and panicked. "What do I say?" Aspen whispered in a rushed breath, clutching the phone tightly.

Isobel, however, looked thoroughly unimpressed. She waved Aspen's concerns away, reaching for the phone. "Give it here," she said, already peering at the screen.

"No—wait—Isobel!" Aspen yelped, her voice a frantic hush as she relinquished the device. She watched helplessly as Isobel's fingers flew across the keyboard, her brows furrowed in concentration. The wheels of the book cart squeaked softly in the background as Aspen fidgeted nervously.

A beat later, Isobel hit send and handed the phone back triumphantly.

Aspen: it went good. how was your night with kirsten?

Aspen froze, her eyes widening in horror as she stared at the message. "Isobel! You can't ask that!" she hissed, her voice low but sharp as she smacked Isobel's arm in protest. She looked around quickly, her cheeks burning as she noticed a few patrons glancing their way. "I'm working," she muttered, forcing a polite, apologetic smile toward a man browsing nearby.

Isobel shrugged unapologetically, clearly pleased with herself. "What? It's a fair question. You saw that picture, Aspen. Don't pretend you don't want to know."

Aspen groaned, slumping against the cart with a defeated sigh. She wanted to argue—wanted to say she didn't care about Harry's night with Kirsten—but the truth sat bitter on her tongue. She did care, and she hated that she did.. 

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Meanwhile, miles away at the tattoo shop, Harry stared blankly at the message on his screen, a sinking weight settling in his chest.

"How was your night with Kirsten?"

Shit.

Harry blew out a slow breath, setting his phone down for a moment as he ran both hands through his unruly curls. He tilted his head back, his eyes drifting to the ceiling as guilt gnawed at him from the inside out. She'd seen the picture. Of course, she had. It was stupid to think she wouldn't— Kirsten had a knack for drawing attention online.

"Everything alright over there, mate?"

Zayn's voice pulled him from his thoughts, and Harry turned slightly, waving off the question with a grunt. "Yeah, yeah. Fine," he muttered.

Zayn didn't look convinced, but with a client in the chair, he didn't press. Harry's gaze flickered back to his phone, the little read receipt glaring back at him. What the hell do I say to that?

He picked the phone back up, his thumb hovering over the keyboard as he typed and erased the same words three times over. He could play it off, say Kirsten just stopped by, that it wasn't a big deal. But it was. At least, it felt like it was.

Finally, he typed out something else entirely.

Harry: Can you come over? We should talk.

He hesitated only a second before hitting send, his heart thudding dully against his ribs as he stared at the screen, waiting. The little bubble that indicated Aspen had seen the message popped up almost immediately, and Harry swore he stopped breathing.

But then there was nothing. Just silence.

He groaned, pushing his phone away like it might burn him. "Brilliant," he muttered under his breath, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. The distant buzz of the tattoo machines did little to distract him as seconds dragged into minutes.

Finally— finally— his phone buzzed against the table, and Harry snatched it up so quickly he nearly dropped it.

Aspen: i get off at 6. does that work for you?

Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his shoulders sagging with relief. His fingers moved quickly to type out a response.

Harry: Yeah, that works. I'll be home.

He shoved the phone into his back pocket, still feeling like he'd just narrowly escaped something worse. Running a hand down his face, Harry grumbled to himself before pushing off the chair. He still had hours to kill and a final client at four, but his focus was shot.

"Oi, Niall," he called, pointing vaguely toward the back. "Tell Zayn I'm leaving right after my last one. Close up without me."

Niall, who was halfway through his sandwich, looked up and snorted. "What, got a hot date?"

Harry shot him a glare as he turned toward his station. "Something like that," he muttered under his breath.

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

5:57 PM.

Harry nudged the apartment door shut with his foot, the soft click of the latch echoing in the quiet space. Tossing his keys onto the kitchen counter, they landed with a metallic clink, the sound bouncing off the minimalist surfaces of his small but comfortable apartment. He shrugged out of his jacket, hanging it on the hook by the door before ruffling a hand through his hair.

From the corner of his eye, Jasper stirred on the windowsill, the black cat arching his back in a long, lazy stretch. A soft meow followed, raspy from sleep, as the cat padded toward him with tail high and expectant.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Harry muttered, crouching down to open the plastic bin tucked into the corner of the kitchen. Scooping out a generous helping of dry food, he tipped it into Jasper's ceramic bowl, the familiar clatter of kibble drawing the cat's attention immediately. Jasper purred his approval, rubbing his head against Harry's hand in thanks.

Harry let his fingers linger in Jasper's fur for a moment, scratching behind his ears and along the top of his head. The warmth of the small, steady creature was grounding, something simple in the midst of his increasingly complicated thoughts. Standing to his full height, he ran a hand down his face, already feeling the tension creeping into his shoulders.

The apartment, at least, was spotless—a rare occurrence that Harry felt oddly grateful for now. After Kirsten had left the night before, he'd thrown himself into a cleaning frenzy, desperate to rid the space of whatever lingering presence she'd left behind. He'd changed his sheets without hesitation, tossed the empty bottles in the recycling, and even went as far as to throw away the cup Kirsten had used, as if that would erase the memory of her lipstick-stained smirk.

He'd flipped the couch cushions for good measure, meticulously straightened the pillows, and scrubbed the kitchen counters twice. By the time he realized there was nothing else left to clean, two hours had passed, and he was left feeling hollow and restless. A long shower hadn't helped much, but at least it wore him out enough to get a few hours of sleep.

Now, standing in the quiet calm of his space, he felt a flicker of relief. The place was clean, orderly, and ready—though for what, exactly, he wasn't sure. His stomach churned with anticipation, nerves twisting in a way he hadn't experienced in a long time.

It wasn't until the soft tap-tap-tap of three little knocks broke the silence at 6:15 that he realized he'd been staring at the same spot on the counter for far too long.

His breath hitched, heart picking up speed as he turned toward the door.

When Harry finally opened the door, Aspen was standing there, looking as small and hesitant as he felt. Her tote bag hung loosely over her shoulder, her hair falling around her face like a curtain. She gave him a soft, nervous smile, and he felt something inside him tighten— an ache he didn’t know how to name.

“Hey,” he said, his voice hoarse.

“Hi,” Aspen murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She shifted on her feet, her eyes darting to the floor.

“Come in,” Harry said quickly, stepping aside. His heart pounded in his chest, and he cursed himself for feeling so unsure, so unsteady. Aspen walked in, her movements careful and deliberate, like she didn’t want to disturb anything.

He shut the door behind her and took a deep breath. “D'you want some water? Or, uh, anything else?”

“Water’s fine, thanks,” she said, her voice quiet but polite.

Harry nodded and made his way to the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. His hands were shaking slightly, the glass clinking against the counter as he set it down to steady himself. Get a grip, he thought, running a hand through his hair.

When he returned to the living room, Aspen was sitting on the edge of the couch, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She took the glass from him with a small “thank you” and sipped it carefully, her eyes flickering up to meet his for only a moment before darting away.

Harry sat down next to her, keeping some space between them, though the tension in the air made it feel like they were closer than they actually were. He clasped his hands together, staring down at them as the silence stretched.

“I… I wanted to talk to you about last night,” he began, his voice tight.

Aspen glanced at him, her brows knitting together. “Okay,” she said softly, her tone cautious but curious. She hoped the sound of her heartbeat in her ears would quiet down in time to listen to what he had to say.

Harry took a deep breath, the words sticking in his throat. He wanted to tell her everything, but the fear was suffocating. What if she hated him? What if he scared her off completely?

“I… I screwed up,” he said finally, his voice breaking slightly. He looked over at her, his green eyes raw and vulnerable. “I saw your text 'bout lunch with him, and I—” He stopped, shaking his head. He wasn't even sure who 'him' was. “I got jealous. I didn’t know how t'deal with it, so I didn’t. And instead of dealing with it, I tried to distract m'self. Kirsten showed up, and I let things go further than they should’ve. But I swear, nothing happened. Nothing real, anyway. And," he took a deep breath, "I’m sorry.”

Aspen’s fingers tightened around the glass in her hands, her lips pressing into a thin line. She appreciated his honesty more than she could express. Something about the glint in his eyes let her know he was being fully honest. “Why were you jealous?” she asked quietly, her voice steady but fragile.

Harry’s jaw tightened, his heart hammering in his chest. “Because…” He hesitated, swallowing hard. “B'cause I like you, Aspen. And it scares the hell out 'f me.”

Her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. “What?”

“I don’t do this,” Harry admitted, his voice wavering. His teeth caught his lip ring again before he sighed. “I don’t let myself feel things f'people. It’s easier that way. Safer. But then you came along, and now I’m all messed up. I don’t know how t'act around you. I don’t know how t'stop thinking about you. And last night, when I thought you were spending time with another guy…” He broke off, running a hand through his hair again. “I got angry. Not at you— but at myself. Because I didn’t know how t'handle it.”

Aspen stared at him, her own emotions swirling in her chest. Her eyes followed the tug of his lip ring before her eyes darted back up to his. She felt exposed, like her own carefully constructed walls were being stripped away. “I wasn’t on a date,” she said softly.

Harry’s head snapped up, his eyes locking onto hers. “What?”

“Shawn’s in my major,” Aspen explained, putting a name to who Harry was worried about, her voice shaky. “He was helping me figure out my class schedule for next semester. After lunch, I went straight to work. That’s all it was. I.. I promise you.”

Harry let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his shoulders sagging. “Jesus Christ,” he muttered, dragging his hands down his face. “I’m such an idiot.”

Aspen hesitated before speaking again, her voice trembling but firm. “Why didn’t you just talk to me?”

“Because I didn’t know how,” Harry admitted, his voice breaking. “I’m not used t'this, Aspen. I’m not used to caring about someone like this. It’s new, and i’s scary, and I didn’t want t'screw it up. But I did anyway.”

Aspen felt her heart ache at his words. She could see the fear in his eyes, the vulnerability he was trying so hard to hide. “I’m scared too,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t… I don’t let people in easily. But I don’t want to push you away either. And you didn't screw it up. I still...," she mumbled off, her eyes still shy.

Harry looked at her, his chest tightening. “I don’t want to mess this up,” he said, his voice raw. “I don’t want to lose whatever this is. I’m still figuring this out, and I know it will take time but I don't want you off to the sidelines.”

Aspen nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the tears welling in her eyes. Harry could tell she wasn't completely sure about what he meant, so with a newfound confidence and bravery, he reached for her hand. His warm palm rested on hers, his eyes checking with hers to make sure it was okay before he scooted a bit closer. 

Harry held her hands between his large ones, the girls small hands bundled between his. “I'm saying that I want this with you, Asp. I don't... I can't want to do it without you.” he said softly.

And in that moment, with their hands intertwined, it felt like they were finally on the same page. It wasn’t perfect, and it wouldn’t be easy, but it was a start. And for now, that was enough. 

Aspen nodded, her glassy eyes moving from their bundled hands to Harrys green ones. He was so honest and so open. Bringing the moon down to the Earth for him still wouldn't show how grateful she was. A shy laugh puffed through her lips. "I was so worried you didn't want anything real to do with me."

Harry brushed his lips against her hands that were balled up in his. "No, that couldn't be farther from the truth. I just," he sighed. "I know I made m'self out t'be a douche. I kissed you, twice, and I shouldn't have done what I did. I will never stop being sorry f'that, Aspen. But you, all of you, are what I want."

Hearing his words made Aspen's heart and stomach flip all around her body. She swore her heartbeat could be hear down the block. A flare of red shot up her neck and to her cheeks. She shyly looked away, feeling so seen under his gaze. Harry's hooked index finger came to rest under her chin and guide her gaze back to him. He felt so close, and so warm. 

"It was always you, since the party it was always you. Please tell me it was always me, too." With the softness Harry spoke at, you were sure to laugh in his face when he would tell you he's normally more intimidating. But something about Aspen flicked that switch off in the best way.

"Oh, Harry...," she whispered, her brown eyes softening into her doe like state. Her nimble fingers came to wrap around his wrist, her other hand still intertwined with his. "Of course. I... I was jealous, too. Because of that picture and still... I just wanted to be with you." It would've taken Aspen approximately ten hours to even muster up the courage to say something so open, but it came naturally with Harry. 

The warmth of her hand shot through Harry's flesh like fire. Like a spark was burning its way to blow the fuse. His green eyes traced over the soft curve of her nose and how it rounded at its tip, and her soft cupids bow. He let his eyes linger with no shame on her rosy lips. No lipgloss this time, yet they still looked soft as ever.

Slowly, the gap was closed. Harry tilted Aspen's chin up slightly and ducked the rest of the way to press his lips to hers. He gave her hand a small squeeze, slow with his actions. He wanted to make sure it was still okay for her, and when he felt her give in just the smallest bit and lean forward (her way of saying it was okay, though she didn't realize she did that), his lips slowly parted to fit hers. A content sigh escaped through their noses as their lips slotted. It wasn't rushed, but it wasn't like the other times as well. This kiss carried a certain promise to each other. With a little kick of bravery, she only made a small tilt of her head to deepen their kiss. Harry responded with another squeeze to her hand, his ring clad fingers now cupping her jaw to bring her further in. 

She couldn't deny the heat coursing through her face. Just as she got fully comfortable, Harry pulled back with a small laugh. "Y'can't forget t'breathe, baby." His thumb brushed along her bottom lip, taking note of the deep color they now possessed. She muttered a shy 'sorry', to which Harry smiled that lopsided smile to.

"'s it okay if we try something?," Harry asked, his tongue poking out to wet his lips. Aspen kept her eyes trained on his lips, especially that damn lip ring. It never got in their way, she thought, it always added to it, it seemed. 

"Y-yes," She nodded, just wanting him to kiss her again. Harry let out another small chuckle. It was starting to be her new favorite sound. "I haven't even told you yet, angel. But 'm flattered at your eagerness. Means 'm doing something right." The blush crept back to her face and she huffed in embarrassment, but unable to look away due to Harry's hand. It's not like she wanted to, anyways. 

"Nothing too over the top, I promise it'll feel good f'you, too. Okay? Jus' let me know if it's too much or if y'don't like it. It wont upset me, alright?" His green eyes scanned over her face, her pretty face, and the corners of his lips turned when she agreed with her little voice once again. "You'll feel my tongue here," He started with a slow mumble while his thumb grazed the girls bottom lip, "and when you do, open your mouth f'me, yeah? Jus' a bit." Harry's hand went back to cupping her jaw while his thumb brushed over Aspen's hand that he held in their lap.

After a slow second, which felt like lightyears to Aspen, his lips were back on hers. They slotted with ease now, no hesitations necessary. She always appreciated his kind gesture of waiting for her to approve, but god, she just wanted to kiss him and she was very glad he got the memo eventually. Harry tilted his head to the side, merely deepening their kiss. Aspen reminded herself to breathe and her hand squeezed his wrist gently-- reassuringly. Harry took that as his sign to part his lips, swiping his tongue along her bottom lip. He kissed her once more before her lips fell into a small part like Harrys. 

He smiled slightly against her mouth before brushing his tongue over her bottom lip again, testing the waters. He let her get used to the feeling by alternating between a soft kiss and a bit of his tongue. Aspen felt the foreign feeling of his warm tongue swirl against hers. But she came quick to realization that the feeling could never touch the word bad. Hell, it couldn't even touch the word good. She squeezed his tattooed wrist again, imitating the movements as best as she could as she felt his tongue do them. A groan of approval fell from Harry's mouth and straight into hers. 

Aspen wore the flash of red on her cheeks once more. She was shocked to have evoked such sound from Harry. As if it was possible, Aspen gave in more to Harry. Her lips worked against his with ease whenever he removed his tongue, only to have it prod back in after a kiss or two. It was her turn to let out a small whimper, but this time, the sound shot right down Harrys spine and... well, straight to his cock. He groaned slightly and pulled away, a string of saliva connecting their slick lips before it broke. The man swallowed around air as he looked down over her face. How her eyes fluttered open to reveal her doe eyes, her lips slick with their spit, and that beautiful red on her cheeks. A shaky inhale followed while his eyes landed back on her eyes. 

Oh, yeah. It was inevitable that he was doomed. 

In the best way possible.

Harrys hand slid down to the side of her neck, thumbing along the bare skin. She was so soft, so smooth. The warmth of his hand and the contrasting cool of Harry's rings made Aspen lean into his touch slightly.

"W-was I good?," she asked softly, a small squeak in her voice. Fuck. 

Harry nodded, parting his lips to speak but only a breathless chuckle came out. "Good doesn't even begin. Thank you f'trusting me with that, baby." 

Aspen gently squeezed at his wrist again, her lips turning into a shy smile. She was good, Harry thought she was good. Better than good. Her heart fluttered happily and she let out a content sigh.

Before either one of them could speak, Aspen's phone rang from the inside of her bag. "Sorry, let me--.," she squeaked out, fumbling over her own hands to reach inside the bag for her phone. Isobel. The girl swiped to answer the call.

"Hello? Asp? Are you there? Are you okay?"

"I, uh, hi! Yes, I-I'm okay," she took a breath, "I didn't check my phone, sorry."

Aspen swore she could feel Isobels squint at her breathless voice. 

"Okay..."

"Well, I'll let you know when I'm almost--."

"Oh my god. You didn't just lose your virginity to Harry Styles, did you?"

Aspen squeaked in shock, pulling the phone from her ear and fumbled to end the call. "Bye, Isobel!"

Harry only laughed at her antics, his brow perching. "Is everything alright?"

She nodded, huffing softly to herself as she tucked her phone back into her bag. "It was just Iz asking if I was still here."

Harry nodded, leaning back slightly, his hand propped casually on the couch between them. "Do you need to head home? Did y'walk here?"

Aspen’s head bobbed in a small nod before realization dawned on her. She had walked from the library. Which meant she didn’t have a way back home now that it was dark out. A quiet groan escaped her lips, more at herself than at the situation. “Is it okay if I call an Uber from here? It’s already dark, and I’d rather not—.”

Harry’s fingers brushed against hers, cutting her off. “You’re acting like I wouldn’t give y’a ride home, Asp.” His voice was steady but laced with a softness that made her heart flutter unexpectedly.

Her nose scrunched in an adorable mix of shyness and self-awareness. “Oh… right,” she murmured, a soft, nervous laugh slipping past her lips. The sound was light, yet it carried a weight of uncertainty she didn’t know how to shake.

Her brown eyes flickered up, peeking at Harry through the dark frame of her curled lashes. When their gazes locked, the moment felt suspended in time. His dark green eyes bore into hers with an intensity she wasn’t sure she could name, but it sent a shiver up her spine nonetheless.

Her pulse quickened when he leaned in slightly, the tension in the air thickening.

“But,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave, rough and deliberate, “who said I was done kissing you?”

[igotanidea]

Glimmer: Jason Todd x reader

request: Jason Todd x fem!reader who is optimistic, sees good in people and gives him hugs and kisses when he comes from patrol.

****

She never knew it, and even if she did she would totally refuse to believe it, but there was something in her eyes that always made Jason feel better about world and about himself. A bit.

He met Y/N on one of his night patrols and not-so-surprisingly rescued her from a mugger. Typical Gotham occurrence, but unlike any other citizen of this god-forsaken city she did not seem shaken or terrified or even sad.

“How are you so fine with what happened?” instead of taking off the second the robber was dealt with Jason found himself captured by her unusual behavior

“I’m not” she sighed deeply and her e/c orbs focused on him, making him shake inside due to the intensity of the gaze “I’m not all right with how Gotham affects people. That the poor had to go to the great lengths to survive on the streets while crime lords have everything. I’m not fine with the fact that kids here suffer because their parents abandoned them. I hate that GCPD seem helpless when it comes to dealing with all this shit and vigilantes have to take matters in their own hands.”

“So, pretty much you hate Batman?” Jason scoffed, trying to act casually, not showing how touched he was by the mention of kids on the streets. After all, he was one of them many years ago and the memory of what he went through was still hunting him sometimes.

“I never said that!” she laughed. She laughed a few seconds after a traumatic events. “I admire everything he does. But unlike our fierce protector, I’d rather focus on seeing good in people.”

“Good?” Jason scoffed, his helmet muffling the sound a bit “There’s nothing good in this shithole.”

‘Maybe that is your problem, Red. Your aim is to get rid of the crime lords. Arguably by killing them all off….”

“I don’t do that anymore.” He chimed in

“Then hurting them. Injuring them. Making them remember the pain. I’d rather spread the good emotions. Like in the homeless shelter where I volunteer after work. Or at the child center. You should see the smile on those people faces just because you gave them ten minutes of your time. To talk, to actually ask them how they feel, if there’s anything they would like to do. Elders have so many to say, yet no one ever listens. And children, those poor little souls, who did nothing wrong in their life, except for what’s necessary to survive. A hug or a joke is enough to make them cry happy tears.”

“You’re being awfully optimistic, aren’t you?”

“Can’t help being who I am” she smiled so bright, Jason could swear that it lighted up the whole alley “you should try that sometimes, Red Hood. Anyway, sorry for keeping you this long, bet you have another parts of the city to patrol.” Once again her beaming, hopeful, sincere eyes landed on his face (or rather helmet) “thank you for helping me. I know you do not see yourself this way, but what you do matters. The method may be a bit extreme, but still, I appreciate what you did. What you do.”

“I……” Jason stuttered. It was the first time someone actually said something like that to him. Was he really good in her eyes?

“I gotta go.” She shook he head, hair falling all over her face and Jason had to use all his strength to fight the urge to brush those strands of. There was something about this girl…. ”Stay safe, Hood, will you?” she turned around and started walking away, but he called after her, making her stop.

“Can I get your name?!”

“Wonder why that matters to you.” she laughed, but decided in favor of answering “It’s Y/N. My name’s Y/N.”  with a single wave of the hand she was gone, leaving Jason wondering and muttering that single word over and over again.

***

“Hey, Drake. I got a favor to ask.”

“And out of all the people in the world you came to me?” Tim raised an eyebrow “You must be truly desperate, Todd.”

“I can always go and ask Barbara. Bet she’ll deal with the search I need much faster than you. She’s an expert after all.” Jason smirked knowing well enough how the reverse psychology affected Tim.

“Better!? No way!! What do you need?” the younger boy spun around on the chair, now facing the bat computer, fingers hanging over the keyboard, twitching in anticipation.

“I want to find a person. I only got a name, Y/N, possible living location and I know she works at the homeless shelter and kid center. Can you target her?”

“don’t know.” Tim tapped his chin, wondering “Is he a Red Hood’s object of interest or Jason Todd’s one?”

Fuck. There was no good answer to that question and Jason found himself falling right into Tim’s trap. 

“Let’s say a little bit of both.”

“Whatever you say……”

***

Tim was faster than Jason anticipated and with just a few clicks and searches he managed to locate the girl. And just a few minutes later, after breaking some speed limits (Bruce would pay for the tickets obviously) Todd was in front of the building she was spending her evening at.

It’s been a while since Jason seen so many hurt and scared people in one place and that reminded him how much crime actually was in Gotham. He was fighting some part of it, but the rest…. Damn it. The view was just painful. Starting from a few-years old, ending up on the elders, every age group has a representation in this place. And amongst all those citizens he saw Y/N. With messy hair and a smudge of something that seemed like a paint, but was awfully similar to blood she was telling a story to a bunch of kids, one of them placed on her knees. That little dirt on her cheek made Jason shudder. In the depths of his mind he already saw her injured, bleeding in some alley, after being attacked or raped, her optimistic attitude not serving as a shield.  But apparently her positive attitude was not a result of obliviousness and being raised in separation from the bad aspects of life, but rather the opposite. She experienced the sadness and pain everyday while working with those people and yet, remained cheerful. That was….. strangely alluring.

“Hey there.” She put the kid down, noticing him standing in the aisle, looking confused “Are you lost? Are you hurt? Do you need help?” she was so tiny in comparison with a tank Jason was and she wanted to help him. Not even expecting anything in return.  

“No…. I ……”

“Hey, it’s ok.” she reassured, putting a hand on his shoulder and he immediately felt the warmth coming all over his body. “You’re safe here. We can give you any aid you need.”

“I don’t need help. “ Jason shook his head.

“You sure?” she tilted her head “Cause it seems to me like you got a strained muscles, a bruise on the jaw and some cuts on the forearms.”

“You are quite observant, aren’t you?”

“Did my time as a doctor assistant.” She shrugged “never get to finish though”

“Why?”

“Um… you know, typical Gotham stuff. Parents getting shot. No one to help me pay for college…. I had to tend for myself and that required a full time job, not just studying. So I dropped. Became an assistant nurse instead. Shitty job, shitty pay, shitty work hours, but  get to make ends meet.”

“And you still find time to volunteer?”

“Like I said to someone before, I’d rather help people by spreading good. Seriously, can I help you with anything…..?”her voice hanged a bit and it took him a while before realizing she was waiting for hi name.

“I’m Jason. And I …. I think I want to be a volunteer as well.”

***

It’s been three years since then.

Three years in which she was constantly surprising him with her attitude, her smile, her uptake on things.

Three years of her being his rock, getting him through the shittiest, lowest day, never letting him give up or his darkness and shadow consume him. She was his ray of sun on those days when he had no power to push through.

Jason was not the first person to trust people, but somehow she managed to gain it quite quickly. After a few months of acquaintance, shaking because of the emotions (mostly fear) he told her about his alter ego, awaiting abandonment, terrified, judgmental gaze and her leaving him for good.

There was a moment of silence after his confession, two young adults just sitting on the couch opposite of each other. Jason looking down, silent begging for her to not leave him, missing the fact that Y/N’s signature honest gaze were focused on him.

“Jason….” she said quietly, careful not to startle him “Jace, please look at me.” The boy hesitantly raised his head, scared what he might see on the girl’s face “did you think I would leave you?”

“Yes.” He blurted not able to control himself anymore.

“You silly boy.” She leaned forward slightly, reaching for his cheek, not touching yet, since she learned how hard physical contact was for him “Can I?”

“Please….” He mumbled, and once she cupped his face, immediately leaned into the touch. So touch starved, so desperate for her, without even realizing this.

“Listen to me, Jason Todd. I am not going anywhere.”

“You’re not?”

“Of course not.” she whispered “I’m honestly a bit offended you could even think something like that. Do you even know me?”

“I know you see good in place where there is none. And I’m no good. I’m bad news, always have been and….”

“Oh, for crying out loud.” She hissed and not giving a shit about being gentle put her lips on his, the urge being just too strong to hold it anymore. “Sorry….” Just a few seconds later she realized what she did and pulled back, her face turning apologetic. “I didn’t mean to push….”

“Come back here” Jason breathed out, wrapping an arm around her waist and claiming her lips again, this time fully. God, he never knew how much he craved her and how much fear of rejection on her part he had.  “I need you.” he whispered pulling her flush to him “God, I shouldn’t  but I need you so bad.”

“Good thing it’s mutual.” She smiled, brushing a curl from his face and connecting their foreheads

“But….” He tried to say.

“if you start talking about that shit about darkness and everything else I won’t kiss you for a week.”

“Are you threatening the Red Hood, princess?”

“Guess, I am” she laughed, realizing that little fact “is it working?”

“Sure as hell it is.” Jason gasped before closing the gap between them.

***

Y/N was quickly accepted into the Wayne family, turning into a valuable member of the team. And damn, she was good at working with Oracle from the cave. But the most important part of her job (in her own words) was still giving the good vibes. Keeping the batboys (and batgirls) up and running, showing them how much good they were doing and how grateful people were for that.

Jason needed it more than anyone else, still doubting himself and dealing with past trauma, not that anyone blamed him for that. If nothing else, dying and resurrecting definitely have an effect on one’s mentality. And that was precisely why, Y/N would always stay up in the night, waiting for Jay to come back from the patrol to welcome him in the most caring and loving way she could.

“Jace!” she jumped off the couch as soon as she heard him walk thought the door, his helmet and jacket already discarded on the floor. She practically jumped into his arms, wrapping legs and arms around him, tugging her boyfriend tightly, feeling his muscles relax under her touches and caresses.

“Hi, baby….” He sighed deeply feeling her in his arms. The only person that made everything he did worth the effort.

“My hero.” She tugged him even tighter, hands tangling in his hair massaging gently.

“Hero? That’s funny princess. Are you sure you’re not mistaking me for Grayson? Do you wish that it was someone else in your arms?”

“What are you…..?” she pulled back from him slightly, but his arms kept her in place, familiar smirk forming on his face. “You are incorrigible Todd! Why are you constantly playing with me?”

“Cause you look cute with that surprised Pikachu face” he kissed the top of her nose and she pouted.

“Stop it! It’s my job to kiss you and hug you. You’re tired and hurt. Let me take care of you.” her hand travelled down from his neck and rested on his heart “Please, love. I just want to take all the pain from you. Let me, Jason.” she was practically begging him now, and the fact that he truly had someone who was willing to do that for him was making him melt. Since the words failed him, he just nodded, closing his eyes not to show any vulnerability. Almost three years of being together and it was still hard for him to show her his emotional side. “Open those eyes” she commanded, once he put her back on the floor and they just stood in place. “I love you, Jason.” Y/N said with fully convinced voice “whatever you think about yourself, you are a hero to me.” a little kiss on his forehead “A protector.” Kiss on his nose “a fighter” one on each of his cheeks “I can never see you differently” a peck on his lips, too short, leaving him wanting more and chasing her lips “but it’s me. You don’t need to act strong with me when you are tired. You don’t need to hide your emotions. You could never be too vulnerable for me. I accept and somewhat understand Red hood, but it’s Jason Todd I fell in love with. My Jason. The emotional one. All right, baby?’ she caressed his cheek, grabbing his hand and leading him backwards towards the bed “will you rest with me?”

“Yes.” He whispered “Please……”

“All right.” She helped him lay down and once he rested head on her chest, feeling her fingers play with his hair, the other hand caressing her back, Jason slowly let the tension and the burden of opinion, judgments and expectations go.

She was making him feel better about himself.

She was making him feel better about world.

And maybe it was wrong and selfish and careless, but he loved her.

And he was going to tell her that.

Soon.  

[iwriteasfotini]

Regulus/Evan

A little piece of Slytherin bromance today. (That doesn't feel like the appropriate word but I don't know what other word to use.)

So Evan and Regulus are totally platonic in this series, but they have a really nice friendship. I really like Evan, another deeply feeling Slytherin making the best of a shite family. Here’s a moment with some Rosekiller references. Also, bit of a Jegulus spoiler in there, beware.

Regulus POV, Regulus is in year three, as is Barty. Evan is in year five. James is in year four.

…

“What’s up?”

And Regulus wished he could say something coherent, but instead he rushed forward, like Evan had hugged him a hundred times, when in reality, Evan had never hugged him before. To Evan’s credit, he took the whole thing in stride, wrapping his arms around Regulus and not saying anything. 

Evan was taller than James, and broader. With his head ducked slightly, Regulus pressed his ear against Evan’s chest and listened to his heart beat. This, this was what he needed. He relaxed into the warmth and heartbeat, until Evan cleared his throat. 

“Are you ok?”

Regulus nodded against his chest. 

“I didn’t realize you were a hugger,” Evan said, and he could hear the smile in his voice. 

“I’m not,” grumbled Regulus. “Sometimes I have a hard time and I need someone else to help me calm down. Sev used to be that person.”

“And now it’s me!” Evan said with way too much enthusiasm in his voice. “Good riddance, Severus is a moody git, bet he didn’t let him hug you for awkwardly long periods of time.”

Regulus chose not to respond, instead giving Evan a light punch in his side. Then Regulus went to pull away, but Evan squeezed him tighter, making him laugh. 

“Nuh-uh, you’re getting more than you signed up for with me Black. I’m a closetted touch addict, and you’ve just unleashed the monster.”

“Shut up Evan!” Regulus laughed, pushing hard to break free of Evan’s nearly crushing embrace. “Go find Barty to fill your touch quota.”

“Barty’s in detention. Besides, he’s still discovering his enthusiasm for physical affection, very slowly, like a turtle.”

“I’m going to tell him you called him a turtle.”

“Be my guest, I call him worse.”

Regulus rolled his eyes. 

“Apparently he likes being insulted as long as he knows it’s coming from a place of affection. In fact, I can usually get him to crawl right into my lap if I lay the criticism on hard enough. Wicked discovery.”

Regulus threw his hands over his ears. “Enough Evan. I don’t want a play by play of your and Barty’s weird secret romance. But I am really happy to hear things are working out.”

“So that’s it, you’re all better now?” asked Evan with a quirked eyebrow. 

“Pretty much.” Regulus missed having a bunk buddy. This was not something he was going to tell Evan. But it might be something he mentioned to James, as his boyfriend. “Thanks Evan.”

“Hey, it’s fine. It actually means a lot to me you felt safe to do that.”

“Now I have to leave before you go all sappy and I can never look at you the same way again Rosier,” said Regulus, pushing past Evan and drawing his wand (what a chore) to unlock the door.

“I’m available anytime Black, you know where to find me.” Regulus gave Evan the finger and Evan laughed. 

…

Let's see, this was again from The Heart of the Lion, due to post in... April. Yikes. In the meantime, check out my pinned post because things are going to start dropping in just over two weeks!

[vryivs]

time for the hsr update liveblog

im gonna sob. jing yuan is such a Dad. yanqing is such a Son

thinking so much about yanqing being forced to act older than his age but getting to let loose and actually be a kid when it comes to the things hes interested in

i love him

"miss march" LOOK AT MY POLITE SON!!! LOOK AT HIM!!!!!!

save my son from bureaucracy. and also from my daughter

ok why does huaiyan have and old man model when its canon that xianzhou natives dont physically age

hes old enough to be blades master so hes not an outworlder. what gives

he talks like a man who's had to spend extended time listening to the ramblings of a toddler and now is fazed by nothing

fu hua please give these old men a break

the fact yanqing looks to jing yuan to answer questions... oh baby

also jing yuan is so proud of him its so cute

hes so polite. even though she stole yanzhuo

oh yunli is an ASSHOLE

'you lost your sword because you were unfocused and now you have to fight me to get it back instead of expecting me to hand it over'

lmao the dad voice came out

i really like how its clear that yanqing is a lot more even tempered now. he only even entertains the idea of fighting yunli when she directly challenges him (after insulting him too!)

and when jing yuan warns him he immediately steps back

baby's first diplomatic mission

yunli darling i think yanzhuo is scared because it was possessed by a demon, not because yanqing is mean

this is so sweet. he really is jing yuans son

and remembering blades comment that jing yuan was a hothead as a kid. oh man. the parallels. oh boy

ok im not crazy. thank god

JING YUAN LORE

man it must be crazy for huaiyan to see this rebellious kid who became a knight against his parents wishes eventually succeed teng xiao and grow into one of the best generals the xianzhou has seen

i am ignoring the death flags yet again

hes so sincere its adorable

ok bestie cool it down. you have bigger fish to fry

I AM IGNORING THE DEATH FLAGS

jing yuan you cant die. he will be orphaned AGAIN

i dont know if he can take that

the parallel of jing yuan being told hes overthinking things by huaiyan and yanqing overthinking jing yuan

he is literally jing yuans mini me its so cute

yanqing, dan heng and jing yuan all sharing the same thoughts. i love their dynamic. they are the understanderrrrrs

MISTER DAN HENG

sobs

man yanqing is too young to be implicated in political intri-

hang on. if the abundance yanqing theory is true its gonna look real bad on jing yuan for looking after him. and like. that would be the ideal twist for this

but its only a continuance its fine nothing too important will happen

i hope

YANQING STEPPING IN TO PROTECT LINGSHA HES SO CUTE

hes good boy. jing yuan raised him well

this is maybe the first praise he's had to his face like. ever

at least in the entire game

well now we know why jing yuan was so uneasy

huaiyan's remark was so pointed jesus.

im curious to see where they'll go with this because i bet jy feels guilty as all hell

yes yunli thats what trauma does. and adding to it by insulting him and confiscating his property will totally help

she is so. 13. this is a 13yo

its striking me that yunli is everything yanqing haters claim that he is

i really hope yunli gets some character development. i can see all the yanqing stans realising this ^ and talking smack about her.

btw. dont do that. thats my 13yo edgy emo daughter

FEIXIAO IS SO HOT

well. i guess i do need a wind dps

oh my god shes so hot. oh my god

hes so excited to see her this is so cute

hey. she. she kinda looks like kiana. now that i think about it. with her hair like that and the blue eyes

ok its fine they dont share a va. false alarm. no kiana yet

bur GOD does she make me nostalgic for the og

kiana would absolutely say this

acheron come get your girl

DIPLOMACY KING!!!!

fearing how westerners will react to him being ticked off by yunli because they dont understance face

every girlboss must have her malewife

this warms my heart

she really is kaslana coded

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #203

I did a lot of scattered things today.

First, though, there was therapy. And on the way to there, I managed to snag a few really nice pictures of a tree for ya:

I talked a lot about you today, especially as related to how your story will influence how people in my world see and interact with abuse survivors. Thankfully, my therapist understands the implications and why I feel so strongly about what happens to you; it's going to affect actual human lives in my world. If you are slaughtered like a rabid animal, I have to wonder how many people who relate to you will fall into hopelessness and despair, thinking like they can't change their circumstances.

My world absolutely does not like people like us. They would say that we are better off never having been born. They would say that our lives are tainted and have no value. I live in a world where people say, "hey, you should totally ask for help from the people around you if you need it!" but in the same breath, they'll call you inconsiderate for "trauma dumping" if you do. They say, "you should totally open up! just be yourself, it's fine!", but then their sanctimonious platitudes quickly dry up when they realize that we don't have happy answers to the standard social questions, and all of a sudden, you're either "oversharing" or "evasive". There's no winning for folks like us in social situations, typically.

…Apparently, the only solution for it is radical acceptance of the loneliness and isolation, because people have their own traumas in response to the unreasonable expectations that society as a whole places upon us, and it doesn't look like any of that is gonna change anytime soon, because, again, as mentioned in my last letter to you, people in my world, for whatever reason, dislike talking about solvable problems. It makes them uncomfortable, so the brainstorming required to build a better world never gets done, and so more people get hurt, and so on and so forth.

It's a vicious cycle. And I'm not smart enough to know how to break it on a mass scale. And even if I was smart enough to know, my voice doesn't belong to a body or a set of life circumstances that are considered valuable, so it's not as though anyone would listen to anything that comes out of my mouth or out of my fingertips anyway.

…What can ya do, ya know? So I just weave my stupid little trees. Make my stupid little music boxes. Make my stupid little acapellas. Doodle my stupid little pictures. Cook my stupid little noms. Write my stupid little letters. Help as many folks as I can in the meantime with my stupid little bits of advice. Pretend like everything's not on fire, just like everyfuckingbody else, because doing otherwise is apparently "rude" and "cringe" or whatever else.

So that's what I did today. I worked on planning a stupid little music box to sing to. Why not.

There's a fancy one called a Muro Box. It's got some 40 notes, and it is a mechanical music box that sounds beautiful. But instead of using music box paper, it uses midi files to strike the tines. My music box paper has only 30 notes, and using the paper comes with technical limitations as to how quickly notes can play; this one has no such limitations, it seems. So I decided to play with it, using midi files I already made. There's a phone app you can use and it makes the music box play. Here's how it goes:

If you like, I can set my midi file to play on it; I have the app on my phone, so it won't take but a minute - just lemme know. It's the midi file that I made of "In the Earthen Womb" from Illusion of Gaia, which I then adapted to play on a 30-note box; as it turns out, it doesn't need to be adapted on a 40-note box, and so this one sounds a little better. I want one of these, but it's not in production for real yet. But you can bet your bottom that I'm gonna get it once it comes out. Making music boxes will be so much easier as a result.

In the meantime, I'll be content with my 30-note one. I've mostly finished planning the basic structure of a new tune. I'm hoping to tweak the results for accuracy in the coming days. And then, rather than punch out music box paper, I might simply arrange pre-recorded notes from my music box, with the help of Audacity, to get around the technical limitations of using paper. We'll see how it goes.

Oh right. On the way home from therapy, I ended up needing to stop at the bakery. I was marked as absent, which is strange, given the fact that I was taken off the schedule for Tuesdays, going forward. The manager of my department was absent - he is on vacation. So instead I had to go to the manager of the whole store to get it corrected. And it did indeed get corrected, and that was very good.

I decided, for my trouble, that the thing to do is get hotdogs. LOTS of them. For science:

I wanted to see which one was best. So I got all of them, and I put cheese, onions, ketchup, and mustard on them:

I decided that the best one was the knockwurst. But the White Eagle hotdogs were probably a very close second. I liked the bratwurst least, I think. And this was all I ate today, because I probably ate too much in one sitting, and my guts still feel kinda weird from it, even though this took place like 9 hours ago. Oh well.

I wonder if you've ever done stuff like this. Like, comparing similar food items to see which one you like best. Or accidentally eating too much in one sitting and feeling weird for the rest of the day as a result. I wonder what some of the more ordinary memories you carry are like.

Well. I'm gonna finish up today's letter, methinks. It's getting late, and I gotta wake up early-ish tomorrow. So I had better shower and get to bed.

Please stay safe out there, okay? So that someday you can find your way to a nice shower and a comfy bed, too. I love you. And I'll write again soon.

Your friend, Lumine

[petruchio]

Are there any songs from the vault that you do like?

YES!! i LOVE bye bye baby, like an uncomfortable amount, the one thing demo was always one of the unreleased tracks i really liked but i think the altered lyrics are actually are a marked improvement on the song (you took my home but you just couldn’t keep me/all i have is your sympathy — they just flow better to me) and the vocal thing she does on bye byee babyYEAAAH before the last chorus just scratches an itch in my brain in the best way. i love that one!!

i also loooove that’s when — it makes total sense to me why it was left off the album bc the lyrics are a little opaque and confusing and the way she changed it around to fit the feature def doesn’t help with that issue but the melody is GORGEOUS and i do really love the line “you said honestly, did you ever think of me? and i said - that’s when, when i wake up in the morning/that’s when, when it’s sunny or storming” it’s just so cute!! (i think the perspective on that one is flipped from the og demo but i enjoy both)

i also love IBYTAM — i actually think it would’ve fit well on the album if RED had gone in a more country direction instead of leaning into the folk/pop sound that it did but i love the lyric “ill BET your friends tell you she’s BETter than me” and “i bet you couldn’t believe when you realized i’m harder to forget than i was to leave” is a brilliant line too. it’s like the sassier i almost do and i love it for that.

i also love better man, though my (blasphemous) take is that i prefer the little big town recording. their harmonies are just gorgeous on that song and i prefer the vocal inflections. babe is great too but i think better man is the superior song

i also DEEPLY enjoy foolish one, though i actually think it plays better coming out now than it would’ve as an actual speak now track!! like i think it’s a bit like fifteen in the sense that hearing it in older taylor’s voice gives it a sense of resigned wisdom, as if she’s literally talking to her younger self saying “the day is gonna come for your confessions of love” and saying, like, just stop trying so hard!! so i love it as a song and i listen to it quite a bit to remind myself of the very same thing ;)

those are probs my fav tracks. say don’t go is the only 1989 vault track that i think actually feels like 1989. my mom also LOVES message in a bottle which i think is funny. but yeah overall i think the vaults are fun but i think it’s obvious why those songs were left behind when you hear them. (like, run is a fine song but in terms of folksy ed sheeran collabs, everything has changed is just … better.)

[justasadboi]

Like you fucking piece of shit I have told you things I’ve never told anyone about and we have done things I can’t see myself ever doing with anyone else. Like are you fucking kidding me right now. So now I just go back to my mom and fucking start over? Like you need space to focus on you fucking awesome great. But you have felt this way for a long fucking time but let me fucking move states away with you. Like how fucking selfish can you be. You didn’t want me you wanted someone and it’s just totally fucked up everything I could’ve been back home working towards college and actually keeping my insurance and getting the fucking help I needed but instead I’ve been struggling my ass off all alone up here with no fucking family or friends and you get to just end it over a fucking phone call. You’re to big of a pussy to even wait till you get home. Like after 7 years and all the bullshit you’ve said and done to me I don’t even get a fucking face to face conversation with you. I deserve wayyyy fucking better than you I always have but I always thought you could get better. But you never fucking wanted to. I’ve tried to help and it never fucking mattered. Like I put my shit on hold to help you and that doesn’t fucking maytwe you can’t even do this face to face like the fucking “grown” adult you fucking are. Why do you get to make this choice that effects me this much just on ur own. Listen to ur stupid fucjing friend who can’t keep her own fucking man in check. Liek sure that’ll be awesome for you. Like that bitches man is addicted to his meds but it’s fine cause they’re prescribed. I wish the absolute worst for that bitch. But I wish you the best. I hope that you get better one day and realize how much I actually did even when you shit all over me saying it was nothing and feel bad. I hope you realize this and actually feel upset and want to reach out but you can’t. This is fucking it. I will leave and never talk to you again ever. And that’ll be that. 7 goddamn years down the drain like it means fucking nothing to you but it meant fucking everything to me. But like fuck me ig. I’ll just have to start over and tell all my personal shit to people and try to somehow find someone who can do this stupid shit I’ll never get over. I bet that’s a big fucking reason you did it too like I wasn’t honest from the fucking beginning. Like you weren’t the one being fake and lying. I wish I never would’ve ever given you a chance. I wish I would’ve just fucked my life up in different ways and avoided you forever.

[possessesnightshift]

I don't usually respond to these kinds of posts beyond the realm of the tags but like... jesus christ people are you fucking serious??

like i don't even know where to start with this reblog chain alone, not to even getting into all of the replies. i guess chronological order? (in fitting tumblr fashion lol)

ok so the poll itself. this is fine. it is very interesting for the data to show a statistically significant difference in opinion between trans women and the rest of the queer community. i am not judging this poll itself. i totally empathize with trans women who are put off by drag bc of the reasons listed further down. you can not like something that's popular within the queer community. in fact, it is important to listen to people who don't like popular things lest we all succumb to groupthink.

HOWEVER, the moment someone dares to say in the most non-confrontational manner possible "huh its kinda disappointing trans women don't get to enjoy this artform like everyone else" all bets are off.

Now that post might not have been trying to be condescending but the way its written it kind of is. i reiterate that i think trans women are valid for saying they have more negative feelings than positive based on their life experience. maybe some of these women ARE educated and still hold a negative opinion and that is totally fine. but the pushback goes beyond just that

"i already know that cis people respect drag queens more than they do transfems"

um? which cis people? cis people within the queer community? cishets? those are already two wildly different groups to sample, but apparently it's just cis people.. fine ok whatever maybe there's a point to be made about how crossdressing (an important tradition that's been a thing in the queer community for a long ass time) is easier to accept in a temporary performance than as part of a permanent stable identity. the resentment isn't a constructive thing necessarily but i get why its there. fine let's move on

"but I fucking hate how any time some shit happens with trans femme people's rights the news bring in fucking drag queens to talk about it, and they accept. we are not drag queens..."

ok immediately im done being charitable. what the fuck. what the fuck is this nonsense? why? what the fuck are you saying? oh my god.

what is the point of this harsh anti-drag queen stance? are you on the side of the anti-drag bills in congress? this is fucking extreme. do you think these bills exclude drag queens and cisgender crossdressers? do you think the transphobic us govt will just give these people a pass? do you the most homophobic cishet legislators can even differentiate between a trans woman and a drag queen and a cisgender gay man and a bisexual man who happens to be a twink? ALL of these people fall under the umbrella of icky sinful queer. all of them. which is the entire reason we need solidarity in the first place. i can get being frustrated (which is all the original poll really measures) but this goes beyond that. this is about the question what do with we DO with our frustration.

this shit is bad. this is the textbook example of the queer community turning against itself instead against the actual cishet oppressors. while yes cishets are chided lightly in these reblog chains for being bad (what else is new?) the vast majority of the words and analysis in this thread go towards shitting on other queer people, either drag queens directly or cisgender queer people who don't differentiate enough between transfems and drag queens or whatever. however you slice it, this is the definition of infighting. that is what is happening on this post.

i think i've mostly made my point but i'll finish with the very last lines of the last response which is the closest to reasonable:

"And I guess it just frustrates me that the people who use the idea of "queer history" as a bludgeon to tell trans women to be quiet don't know what they're talking about."

Like... telling trans women to be quiet? the snarky post saying for trans women to educate themselves on the history of drag is not silencing trans women. it is literally inviting trans women to stay in this discussion and potentially find value in this artform. that is not just shutting trans women down entirely. in fact, it kinda feels like that is what is happening to the cis queer people and cishets who like drag.

i dont' have any pulitzer prize winning arguments to make the trans women who inevitably will disagree with me see what im so concerned about. i don't know what string of words to use to get people to understand why i find this so threatening to the future of the queer community's existence. we NEED to disagree with each other respectfully. we NEED to have constructive dialogues. but what i see in this post specifically is evidence of trans women being radicalized against the rest of the queer community in real time. and why? because of resentment. supposedly drag queens are making a mockery of transfeminitity by making drag into this big public display that's watering down the queer essence into something palatable for the straights. idk. maybe that's true.

but again. what is the response? what do we DO with this information? well apparently spend a lot of time shitting on drag queens ig. the saddest thing of all is that in a lot of ways i agree with the idea that being expected to just adore drag in an uncritical uncomplicated manner because you are a queer is very annoying at best and deeply hurtful and insulting at worst. i basically have no reason to like modern drag in and of itself save for its association with the queer liberation movement and that history. i have positive feelings of drag not because of any of the times i went to a drag show and enjoyed it (a grand total of zero times) but because of the importance in my heart to support any kind of intentional gender bending in society. whether that's gender bending like they do in the new york balls in paris is burning, gender bending by being born one gender and transitioning to the other later, or gender bending by being a man indiscernible from any other cisgender average joe but still preferring to want to be with another man, i NEED to support all of it because all of this makes me safer as a queer person. sadly, it seems the separatist movements have already taken root. it seems as though individual factions of the queer community are dividing against each other in a time when gay rights have become mainstream but QUEER rights on the whole are more threatened than ever, basically the perfect breeding grounds for resentment and infighting to get out of control.

i want to emphasize the need for queer solidarity. the need to accept people even if their queerness feels like its brushing up against yours. and then i want to ask every queer person on here alongside every straight ally to ponder deeply what the POINT of this rhetoric is.

no i mean it. do it. ask yourself what the point is in being this militant against drag queens? or ace people? or intersex people? or any other hypothetical group that isn't your neck of the queer woods? why is this group of queer people gaining rights a bad thing for you? why? can you say why? and if you can, is that a valid enough reason to go to war with the rest of the queer community?

i don't care if you agree with me.

i just want you to be brave enough to ask the question without any expectations and just listen. listen to yourself, to your internal biases, to other queer people, to straight people who support you, to people who don't, it does not matter in the end. i just ask you to pose the question:

what. is. the. point. of it all?

I've gotta admit I think about this one a lot for many reasons. I'd really love to see what others think

[fanimesenseiwrites]

Things the MC would bring back to their demon bois from the mortal realm:

Lucifer:

MC goes to second hand stores and vintage shops always on the look out for vinyl records that they think Lucifer would like.

Most of the time they try and bring back stuff he'd actually like, such as Tchaikovsky or Vivaldi

Once, they brought back Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and Lucifer wouldn't stop kissing them (once they were in the privacy of his room of course)

Sometimes the MC will bring back more modern music just because it makes them think of him

"I dunno, I just listen to Hozier and think of you"

Lucifer doesn't like all the modern music they bring back but he appreciates the sentiment just the same

Then there's the gag gifts...

Any kind of music that has a reference to the devil or Satan or hell is fair game

These gifts usually elicit an eye roll from the eldest brother but he keeps them all the same

This is why Lucifer owns a copy of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia"

So when MC brings back a copy of Giuseppe Tartini's Violin Sonata in G minor, they're a little surprised at Lucifer's delighted reaction

"You know, I was the one who visited Tartini in his dreams."

MC's mind = blown.

"Also, this copy is cursed. I know you know how much I enjoy cursed vinyls."

"I- wait... What?!"

MC is very upset that they had a cursed vinyl in their possession this whole time

Mammon:

This boy loves stuff, and he loves MC, so he's gonna love any gift really

But MC knows he loves treasure and jewels and as much as they'd love to just bring him back nice watches and jewelery...

MONEY IS A THING, AND MC IS NOT MADE OF IT.

So MC settles for semi-precious stones instead

They always find fun and beautiful stones at museums and those metaphysical stores and they always pick out one that reminds them of Mammon

They're really nervous when they give him his first gift

"Hey, I got this for you and I know it's not fancy or expensive but I saw it and thought of you and I just wanted you to have it."

Mammon will love them until they die. He is really just so touched that MC thought of him. He'll try and play it cool though

He totally fails. MC won't tell him that though

MC brings him Lapis Lazuli and tells him it reminded them of his eyes and Mammon is now a puddle of lovesick goo on the floor

Mammon puts more shelves in his room dedicated to all the gifts MC gives him

One time MC brings him back some fool's gold in a teeny little jar on a chain, so that he can wear it

"Fool's gold? Why cuz I'm a fool?" Mammon asks with a roll of his eyes.

"What? No, cuz I'm a fool for you."

Mammon only love MC until they die? WRONG.

He's gonna love them forever now

He was gonna do that anyways

Leviathan:

C'mon, this boy is easy. Anime/manga stuff and TSL. Need I say more?

At first he'll be suspicious of MC wanting to give him gifts, but once they've convinced him that they're doing it out of the kindness of their heart he's really touched

The first thing the MC brings him is a pen with a little Ruri-Chan on the end of it

"I know it's not much, but I just happened to see it and I knew you'd like it"

Like it??????

HE LOVES IT! HE'S OVER THE GODDAMM MOON.

He's never seen anything like this in the Devildom and he doesn't think about the small stuff usually because he's too busy trying to get the big collectors edition items. So he actually really loves this.

MC continues to bring him cute small stuff like buttons and keychains and Levi loves them all.

His favorite item(s) that MC brought him is a pair of Lord of Shadows and Henry BFF enamel pins

He definitely tackle hugged MC when he got them

He gives the Lord of Shadows pin back to MC so they can each have one and show off their BFF status with them

Satan:

MC loves going to second-hand bookstores to shop for Satan.

Satan also appreciates new books, but there's something special about how his face lights up when he finds something old or rare. Anything with a little bit of history to it.

Of course, finding rare books for not a lot of money is a rare event in itself

So a safe bet is to bring Satan non-fiction, the boy loves to learn

But he really loves it when MC puts thought into finding fiction books that he would like

"I just really feel like you'd like Dean Koontz so I brought you one of my favorites by him."

Satan loves those gifts the most because he can talk to MC about the books afterwards

Satan's absolute favourite gift is a leather bound copy of Arabian Nights though

"I was thinking we could read this one together"

"Like you read it to me and pretend to be Scheherazade?" Satan suggests.

MC is flustered at the connotation of the suggestion but agrees anyways

The time they spend together reading that story will forever be one of Satan's favorite memories

Asmodeus:

He's a little harder to shop for than the MC had originally imagined

They tried bringing him make-up and skin care, which Asmo always graciously accepted, but he never seemed super excited about the gifts

But what else is to be expected from the guy who already uses only the best products?

MC suddenly gets an idea when they send Asmo a selfie of them at the park

- OMG! You're so cute! And the background is pretty too!-

MC starts dressing up and going to nice and beautiful places just with the intention of taking pictures

Botanical Gardens, museums, downtown skylines, anything that would make for a good picture

MC goes full on aesthetic art hoe just for Asmo

Only the best pictures get sent to Asmo

Asmo is LIVING for the looks their MC is serving up

- You are absolutely STUNNING! I'm in awe at these AMAZING pictures-

MC makes a scrapbook of the best pictures to give to Asmo the next time they see him

Asmo loves it and keeps it on display in his room always

Also, Asmo definitely makes MC their personal photographer after seeing the wonderful shots they took

Beelzebub:

Obviously, the boy loves food. He's always down to try new snacks from the mortal realm.

But MC wonders if there's something better that they could bring him

One day MC is at GNC for supplements for themself when they notice the workout supplements and get an idea

They grab some fun flavored protein powder and some BCAAs and a really nice shaker bottle just for Beel

Beel is actually really excited to get these gifts!

The Devildom doesn't have fun flavors of protein powder and the shaker bottle is such a great idea!

MC always brings new flavors of protein back for Beel, doing their best to find the weirdest flavors for him to try

Beel's favorite is definitely Birthday Cake.

MC starts bringing him new stuff to try too, protein bars, recovery supplements, collagen, and superfoods shakes

Beel tries everything and tells MC what their favorites are

"I love the BCAAs, I just wish the Devildom had them..." *sad Beel noises*

MC may or may not talk to Diavolo about researching BCAAs and getting them produced and sold in the Devildom

The supplements MC brings actually help Beel with his workouts and to control his hunger (a little)

Beel actually gets hotter??? Who knew that was possible???

MC definitely takes advantage of Beel's new 8-pack 😏😏😏

Belphegor:

What do you get the boy who only wants to sleep?

MC has gotten him stuffed animals and blankets and even a couple of nice pillows, but nothing seems to excite him

... but maybe that's just his personality??

It's not until MC accidentally leaves a sweater in the Devildom, that they figure it out

- You left your sweater down here- Belphie texts MC.

- Oh no, I'll just get when I come to visit y'all again-

- That's fine. I like having something that smells like you-

And the light bulb went off in MC's head.

Every time MC goes to visit they leave a shirt or sweater behind for Belphie, so that he can have something that smells like them.

Belphie loves how MC smells, its like a sweet dream all the time. It helps him sleep better when they're gone.

Belphie starts to complain when MC is gone longer than the item they left smells like them

(Which is every time)

So MC will start leaving Belphie more than one item, packing them in airtight bags so he can use them one after another until they return

Belphie can and will fight anyone who tries to take MC's clothing

"Mammon, you have two seconds to put that sweater back or I will kill you."

And Lucifer probably won't stop him

Diavolo:

He's honestly the easiest to please.

He's so fascinated with any thing that humans do that he'll enjoy any gift from the human world.

MC's first gift to him is a rubber duck.

"The duck is wearing a crown so it made me think of you and I just thought it was cute."

"I love it! What's its purpose?"

"Uh... to float around in the bathtub with you and look cute?"

"Isn't that what you're for?"

Diavolo loves the rubber duck so much it gets his own silk pillow to rest on when it's not taking a bath with Diavolo.

MC brings him cute pens, and keychains sometimes bottles of wine if the bottle is cute.

"The bottle is shaped like a cat! Isn't that delightful?!"

MC's proudest moment was when they found a full and intact tea set at the thrift store

Diavolo immediately fell in love with it.

He insists on only using that set when having tea with MC

But his favorite gift will always be the rubber duck.

Barbatos:

He'll insist that he doesn't need any gifts but that won't stop the MC.

MC is with him in the kitchen in the Demon Lord's Palace when they get an idea.

KITCHEN TOYS.

Barbatos works so hard, he deserves some things to make his life easier and liven up the bland kitchen

MC's first gift is a vegetable spiralizer.

"You use it to turn zucchini and squash and the like into noodles so that you can do fun stuff with vegetables!"

Barbatos accepts it graciously, but he'll probably never use it.

MC brings him spices from the mortal realm and Barbatos actually really loves those.

When MC brings him a food processor, he offers to cook for them right then and there

Despite all the weird gadgets MC ends up bringing him, and there are plenty out there, Barbatos's favorite is a ladle that looks like a stegosaurus.

It's far more whimsical than anything he would've ever picked out, and he'll never use it, but only because he's afraid of ruining it, not because he doesn't love it.

At some point, Barbatos does ask MC to stop bringing him kitchen gadgets

"Why? Do you not like them?" MC asks with a pout.

"I appreciate all of them, but I have everything I need when you're in the kitchen with me."

If MC wasn't already in love with him they are now

Smooth bastard just doesn't want anymore shit in his kitchen

[capricorn-stark]

Late Night Drives w the Batboys

warning: none

a/n: just trying headcanons lol, lmk me what you think. also, tysm once again for 100 follows you guys!!!

Dick Grayson

The drives probably happen after a date or after he picks you up from work/uni on a Friday night

First thing he does every time is turning on the radio

He’s down for whatever you like listening to, but if you’re good with anything it’s probably just pop hits

You’ll probably hear him humming some of the tunes under his breath or tapping his fingers against the wheel to match the beat

He loves talking and making conversations with you while driving

Will tell you about all sorts of crazy shit going on in his life, whether it’s about his day job or what happens during patrols

Loves listening to your stories and about the random issues going on in your life, gives great advice (when it’s not him making the decisions) and is just generally wonderful to talk to

He feels like the type of guy to take your hand while he’s driving or when you’re just sitting at a red light or stuck in traffic

You’re either going to drive around for the sake of driving around, or he’ll take you to one of Bludhaven’s docks or some hillside, some place with a nice view

Sitting on the hood of his car and just talking while he holds your hand, wraps his arms around your waist, brushes your hair out of your face

Just little things that make you know he’s paying attention and makes you feel like he really loves you, which he does

Jason Todd

If you’re in a car, he would be blasting music and it would probably be both of you screaming out the lyrics to the song that’s on

I feel like there would be a time where one of you doesn’t know the lyrics and tries to discreetly look them up without the other person realizing it

The other person totally figures that out and you never let them live it down

Probably the handsier type, one hand on the wheel while he drives, other hand resting on your thigh

Acts like he doesn’t know the effect he has on you 

But he definitely does, considering how long you’ve been together

I also feel like he’d probably take you for trips on his bike instead of a car, though, so if you’re taking his bike: 

He likes having your arms wrapped around him while he drives, he likes feeling you relax and resting your head against his shoulder

He loves driving, so he might just take you down long mostly-empty roads and just fly through the night

Depending on his mood and yours you could be talking about anything from his dark traumatic past to discussing how great the new chilidog place is downtown

With Jason you can literally never tell

Will probably pull over at some point to chill on his bike, talk, or kiss

He’s bad at telling you he loves you so times like these are his way of letting you know that

Driving is his way to escape, and he loves having you there with him to feel like you and him are the only things that matter for a little while

Tim Drake

You’re probably the one dragging him out of the house or his office just to get him to stop working for an hour or so

He’ll definitely protest saying he has “so much work to do” and how he’s “so close to being done”, but you both know he secretly loves taking a break just to drive with you

It’s mostly just you guys talking about absolutely anything and everything, from his life at WE to philosophical debates about stupid shit

And I mean just random, stupid shit

“If you drop soap on the floor, is the floor clean or is the soap dirty?"

“If I try to fail, but succeed, which one did I do?"

“...Tim, is this a personal question? Because I feel like you’re talking about something you personally went through right now-”

He gets really into these kind of conversations

You’ll probably stop by a drive-through to grab something to eat while chilling in your car

He’ll let you steal his fries 

Unless he was talking about how his day was going and brings up the office, he won’t even mention work

He’s definitely way more interested in you and what you have to say, he loves hearing about your problems and trying to think of ways to help you get around them

These would be some of the few times he really gets to forget about everything else and focus on just you, and he loves it

Damian Wayne (aged up) 

Honey, he steals the Batmobile

Like actually, he’s done it before in the comics to impress chicks and you can bet he’d do it again

If he acts this way as a literal twelve year old imagine what he’s gonna do when he’s older

You’d have a fine time perusing around in it, clicking all the weird buttons it has just to “test out” the different functions

You may or may not have accidentally activated the flamethrowers Bruce had installed for unknown reasons

And that may or may not have ended up getting you guys caught after some poor GCPD officer on a late shift saw the Batmobile zooming down the street with a whole column of fire shooting out of it, but it ended up being okay because Damian acted like he didn’t know what his father was talking about when he was confronted with it

Otherwise, you’d probably end up on a late night drive after you and Damian decide to ditch a gala or some random fancy party

“It was far too stuffy to stay in that place, Father will understand our absence.”

“Damian, you were hosting the event.”

He lets you do most of the talking during the drive because he likes listening to you and the sound of your voice

He’ll still act all cool, but he’ll be smiling and letting out the occasional laugh at your stories here and there, adding on his own snarky comments or stories every once in a while

Instead of going home, he’ll probably want to take you somewhere to grab dinner or just to head to a nice part of Gotham to get a moment between yourselves and enjoy a pretty view

He feels like the type of guy who would really be into grand gestures and giving you the best of the best for literally everything

So your late night drives are little moments where he’s dialing all that back just to get some time alone with you, listen to you, and get to know you better 

And as much as he’ll deny it to everyone else, he’d love those moments the most

______________________________________________________________

Taglist: @cipheress-to-k-pop 

[procyonloser]

Lilith was going on and on about who the fuck knows what, Adam wasn't listening to her say a damn thing. Blah blah blah don't kill my people blah blah you're a hypocrite blah blah sinners have feelings too. Yeah, he bet she thought that, the original fucking sinner. It was boring, Adam was over it, they'd done this song and dance before.

"-is a testament to the imperishable spirit- Adam, are you even listening?" Lilith snapped mid sentence, and Adam just shrugged, spinning in his chair, bored out his gourd. "You know, maybe if you took the time to actually hear me, you'd see things slightly differently; that was always our problem, you never heard a single word I said."

Adam rolled his eyes, "you were naked, babe, why would I listen to you when I could be looking at tits?"

Lilith's tail rattled against the marble tiles of the floor, and her eyes began to shift from violet to red. "Ohh scary, kitty has cl-Aah!"

Adam jumped, eyes going wide, fingers digging into the table until they left grooves. It'd felt like for all the world that some thing had run something down from his chest to his crotch. It was just a brush, but it felt so real that Adam shoved away from the table, looking down to see if any weirdos were trying to sneak up under this robes again. But, alas, nothing.

"Are you well, Adam?" Lilith asked, venom tainting her question. He tried to brush it off, he was about to say he was fine, but pressure returned, rubbing against his chest, against his nipples. Pierced and overly sensitive, Adam felt his face turning bright red, even under his mask as he tried to keep his composure.

"Are you..." Adam started to ask Lilith if she was responsible, but she just blinked at him owlishly, looking confused, an eyebrow raised. It didn't seem like she knew, but she was a good actor, so he couldn't rule her out. "I'm fucking fine, let's get this over with."

"Okay... Then, about the decree and our ongoing agreement, and how the Exorcists are used. I'd like to circle back to point 12b that I pointed out, if you'd agree to hear me out." Lilith said, flipping through paperwork. It was no surprise that Lucifer had left her to do all that boring shit, worst off, she seemed to enjoy it.

"Ugh, r-" Adam's breath hitched in his throat, voice cracking as the feeling moved from his chest, down to his crotch. It barely even brushed over his dick, not giving him the pleasure of that release - instead, it ran over his ass. It massaged the muscle there, pinching at it in a way he'd never felt before. Adam was tall, he was domineering, he'd not had really anyone take that big a handful of his (sizeable) ass before. It felt kinda...

"Is there a problem?" Lilith asked, and Adam shook his head, trying to slow his breathing. It wasn't really helping.

"I'm good, totally fine, sounds great." Adam got out, and Lilith's eyebrows shot up into her hairline.

"Really? That's great. Then we can... Hmm, let's see, I had a few propositions about changes we could make, would you like to hear?" Adam just nodded without hearing, as the pressure moved more inward, against his- oh, no it was fully trying to push inside him. Or, at least it felt like it. He wasn't actually moving, or being moved, his clothes weren't getting messed up, nothing was changing, yet he could feel as something began to stretch him open.

It was large, but his body gave no real resistance, because it wasn't actually happening to him. Yet, he felt all of it, the stretch of it, the burn of it, as his body took it all in. It seemed almost exploratory at first, just moving inside him, and doing little else. It was violating, but it wasn't fucking him, at least he thought not. More than it already was, anyway.

It pulled out of him slowly, dreadfully slowly, and Adam breathed a sigh of relief, sweat beading up on his brow, until it rolled down the tip of his nose. Still, he didn't want to take off his mask and let Lilith see how overwhelmed he felt. As long as it was over, he'd be fine n-

Nope, nope, nope. It wasn't over, not at all, something much larger was pushing into him, and it felt hotter, slicker, and it wasn't tentative anymore. Adam felt as though he couldn't breathe by the time it was all inside him, he was moving in his chair, trying to make sense of it all, when it began to thrust inside of him.

The part Adam didn't want to admit to was that it felt fucking amazing. His cock had already filled out and hardened, leaking as whatever it was, fucked into him. His fingers twitched, until he balled them up, trying not to let Lilith know what was going on with him, but eventually she had to realize something from the way moans kept escaping his lips.

Adam wasn't sure how long it lasted, but suddenly he felt a wave of heat inside of him, and it took him a minute to realize what it could have been. Then it hit him. Whatever it was had just cum in him, it'd just filled him up... Or, it would have, were it real.

"Ah, that's our time. Thank you for finally listening, Adam. I'm glad we could agree on how to run the Exorcists. Our new treaty will be highly beneficial to all sinners." Lilith said with a smile, gathering up her paperwork and standing.

Her words slowly filtered into his brain, and Adam pushed himself up, eyes wide. "What the fuck do you mean new t-"

It began to fuck him anew, and Adam bent over double on the table, whining, and scrambling for purchase on the smooth surface. Lilith walked past him, uncaring, and with a shadow of a darker look in her eyes, as she passed him, she gave a short smack across his ass, and left through a portal. Adam tried to yell at her, but it began to fuck him in earnest at that moment, and he was left just crying and moaning over the table until the lights turned off in the meeting room.

Lilith walked into their bedroom to find Lucifer red faced, nude, and with a very messy doll of Adam beside himself. Lucifer sent her a sheepish from, trying to appear somewhat apologetic.

"I ... uh, can explain?" Lucifer said slowly, but she just kissed his forehead.

"No need, have fun with your gift, I need to start preparing for my new army."

Lilith makes a doll of Adam and enchants it so he feels everything done to the doll, then she conveniently leaves it where Lucifer will find it, right before she's scheduled to have a meeting and negotiation with Adam and heaven.

[fruit-salad-ship]

Plum and gray fully con peach into a spa day? Maybe she lost a bet and was forced to let them pamper her, or maybe it l was an absurd fake emergency call/lockdown where they try to trap her in the spa center to get cleaned up but she's trying to macguyver her way out?

The bet was 'whoever wins picks the activity' both Grey and Plum setting up the situation so there was no way Peach could win. In all honesty she expected them to pick something more normal for their wins, often it was going to some new place, or the others doing chores or tasks for the winner. She didnt even try to win, too tired to actually care what she did, so long as they were happy. As usual her work burnt her out, she had no real motivation in her by the end of the day. Upon losing, she shrugged, looking over some exchange forms, making notes, only half paying attention to the demands of her duo. Only when Plum mentioned 'spa' did she double take, look at her confused, somewhat irked by it. Like...she mant it just for her right? Grey and Peach wuld stay back and carry on working, and she could duck out and have a nice day out being pampered. Only upon having it reitterated that they would ALL go, did it sink in that she'd have to stop doing her job, and have strangers near her, hell even touching her? Made her skin crawl. She tried to barter to get out of it, suggesting she do extra jobs or whatever in exchange, but neither of the other two listened, and so her anxiety rose while the days ticked down to the vist. She had to just do it...right? Wrong. By the time they'd coaxed her away from the office, all the way over to the mainland, late because of her delaying and fussing, it was starting to get scary. She didnt want a stranger near her, didnt want their hands anywhere on her, didnt like to be touched by random people at all. maybe it was the issue with recognising faces, maybe it was something in her childhood, maybe it was a problem with personal space, but it just made her feel sick. They had to coax her into the building, she really was digging her heels in, it was only the other two pleading that forced her hand, made her very cautiously go inside, clearly uncomfortable. While Grey and Plum relaxed, had massages, mud masks, soaked in nice smelling waters, got nails done, had foot rubs, peach spent the entire time tense. Every employee who put their hands on her made her want to run, just get up and start sprinting. But she said she'd just do this for her loved ones, so she had to just bite the bullet. When they asked she would grin and lie, say it was fine. It was not.

She left the place tense and exhausted from social interaction, but never once told them that. They looked so happy, she wasnt about to say anything to ruin it. I think they saw her pretending, as subtle as it was, she didnt look rested or calmed by it, but the second they got home, she seemed to slump into a chair and finally stop holding all her stress. Grey found a loophole about a week later, after mulling over the event and knowing she was struggling with stranger human contact, he would look at her, several pokemon hanging off her, didnt even pause what she was doing, fine with it. He proceeded to ask for an Accupressure medicham to come in and give her a massage, and finally they found a way to relax the big idiot. She didnt have the same issue with pokemon at all. He learnt a few tricks from it to help her when she had a knot or two that caused her pain.

Plum knew she likes doing her nails, often seeing her fuss over them when she had five minutes at the end of a day, so they'd instead of going and getting them done where someone would have to touch her, would have a day at home where they'd watch movies and do each others, mud masks, fancy moisturisers, all that junk. Peach seemed totally fine with it compared to the actual spa, and could even accept putting her work down for the time once she knew it was at home and free of strangers. Their realisation that she let them put their hands on her any time became quietly special, seeing as she loathed everyone else in her personal space, and recoield from stranger contact. They were the special few allowed in.

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LOST EDEN ー Subaru Dark [10]

CHAPTER MASTERLIST

ー The scene starts in the hallway at Eden

*ROAAAAR*

Yui: ( We’ve been hearing these cries non-stop since just now...I wonder what it could be? )

Subaru: Che...Such an eerie sound.

Ruki: So you two have come here as well. 

Subaru: Oi. What are these cries?

Ruki: I don’t know either. It has never been this bad.

They have been getting worse with each passing day, ever since that man left this Earth...

Yui: You’re talking about Karlheinz-san, right...?

Subaru: ...You’re basically saying that it’s my fault, huh?

Ruki: ...

Yui: ( I guess...We should take his silence as a ‘yes’... )

Subaru: Haah...

Kou: Oh come on, Subaru-kun, cheer up a little!

I’m sure you’ll learn to control your powers sooner or later.

Subaru: ...

Yui: ( He looks utterly dispirited... )

Yuma: Oh come on, don’t be makin’ such a sour face.

Don’t ya think that’ll only make the situation even more shitty? 

Subaru: ...I know that much. 

Yui: Ah...

Selection

→ Go after him (❦)

Yui: ( I can’t let him be alone right now... )

( I better go after him...! )

Wait, Subaru-kun!

→ Leave him be 

Yui: ( I wonder how I should try to comfort him when he’s so depressed...? )

( Perhaps I should just give him some space...? )

Kou: Come on, what are you doing, M-neko-chan? Hurry up and go after him already!

There’s nobody here who can lift Subaru-kun’s spirits right now except you. 

Yui: Kou-kun...

...Okay. I’ll get going.

ー The scene shifts to the Chamber of Time

Yui: ( This is the place where Karlheinz-san passed his powers down to him... )

Hey, Subaru-kun? 

Subaru: ...

Yui: Subaru-kun...?

Subaru: ...Say, Old Man. Why did you pick me? 

I bet you’re still watchin’ from somewhere, aren’t you? Tell me...Damnit.

Yui: ( He doesn’t seem to realize I’m here... )

Subaru: Youーー ... Don’t tell me you heard what I said just now...?

Yui: Y-Yeah. Sorry.

Subaru: ...Nah, it’s fine. 

...Say, what do you think I should do? 

Yui: Hmー...

...Listen, while it’s very difficult to change someone else’s thoughts or opinions...

But I heard that it’s actually much easier to work on bettering yourself instead.

Subaru: ...Better oneself...? 

Yui: Please don’t think your current self is bad. 

But if you keep going as you’ve been doing, the situation will remain the same. 

So why not try out something new for once?

Subaru: ...What, for example? 

Yui: I’m a human, so I’m not very well-versed on the ins and outs of the Demon World. 

Don’t you think it’d be best to try and consult your brothers about what you should do exactly?

Subaru: Haah? I need to ask those guys, out of everyone!? 

Yui: Don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll understand.

Let’s go?

Subaru: ...But...

Yui: It’ll be fine. They’re your brothers after all. 

Subaru: ...Guess I have no other choice. You seem pretty insistent, so I’ll listen. 

Yui: Yeah!

( I hope this will point him into the right direction... )

Monologue

Subaru-kun has a bad habit,

of keeping everything to himself (自分). 

However, that’s a big mistake. 

The people around him are far more concerned about him,

than he realizes himself. 

Just like his brothers (兄弟たち) decided to follow him to Eden this time around. 

That’s exactly why I believe,

it’s totally okay for Subaru-kun to rely on his surroundings more. 

I hope he will come to understand that step by stepーー 

As said wish passed through my mind, my gaze remained fixed on his back. 

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

[ancha-aus]

Is it obvious I love it too?! :D Because i LOVE figuring out LORE! :D

I love that NIghtmare aparently OVERCORRECTS which is so fitting for him. The perfectionist sees what he is doing isn't working or wrong? Fine. complete 180. Lets go. No questions asked.

and true. Nightmare i sMUCH older than these guys so for him it works still. The guys eventually get used to the hovering, I bet it take sthem a while to figure out that Nightmare is PARENTING them at this point. Some crisis for the four for that. (horror is horrified to realise HE is the golden child and favourite.. Killer the absolute menace nods and says 'of course you are! You were the latest of us three so you were the baby and the baby is always the favourite.' Horror sputtering "Cross was brought in later!" Killer nods "I know but he was adopted as teenager at least." Cross decides to NOT interfer and become the target. Same for Dust.)

Okay but Horror having had the chance to truly take care of Killer? Of helping him recover because horror knows what it is like? giving horror the chance to better connect wiht killer and for them to bond instead of horrro keeping a distance to the others? it could ahve worked!

Bt i love the idea of Killer having his own thing ina way. He lost a leg but he has a prostetic that he, with the help of dust, upgraded and now there is a gun in there!! (Nightmare is horrified)

Dust and Reaper <3 they are so much fun!

okay the fact that Nightmar enad Reaper already know one another and nightmare tried to get reaper to join his forces. reaper deciding to stay neutral. Not fight against nightmare but also not fight against dream. It fits! and of course Reaper knows about nightmare and how nightmare treats his henchman. (and ouch on the first dust thing. Though i think it is cooler that they only connected with THIS dust. otherwise dust from now may think he is just a replacement for the one they ACTUALLY wanted and lost. So i think that while reaper may have spoken with all of them he really connected with this dust <3) and of course reaper goes home to his lovely wife- I mean boyfriend to talk about the new minions and how one is just very cool and honestly looks adorable and cute but strong!

Geno gently reminding reaper that nightmare doens't take care of his henchman. Reaper asking geno if they can keep him instead. please! Reaper can deliver him here! Geno stops him mostly because geno doesn't want reaper and nightmare to start a war because he does not want to know what a war between DEATH and NEGATIVITY looks like. Reaper is unhappy and mutters about totally being able to kidnape him sneakily and stuff. Geno just tries to talk it out of reapers head (we often talk about dream and nightmare being odd for being gods but REAPER is also a god. Like. The God. Like older and been there longer than either Dream or Nightmare. there is no way that reaper is normal. Sure he kinda is because he spends so much time with mortals and watching them because death but still. There is some stuff off about him. ((there is a reason reaper found it perfectly normal to keep stalking geno and intruding his space the whole time.)) )

But then as you said. the newest batch isn't dying. Reaper starts to stalk them even more and specifically dust. Dust notices but decides against mentioning it. (maybe before it was nightmare who stalked him, making sure he was okay (dust thoguht nightmare was checking to make sure he didn't make a run for it) )

And as you said. Reaper keeps stalking him. Keeps lightly interacting with him. Dust would huff and look annoyed before walking awya. reaper grows actualyl attached. Geno reminds him to not get attached to those working for nightmare but reaper isn't listening and all of his talking and the little things reaper finds out to share with geno about dust makes geno curious.

reaper keeps shooting his shot. sure dust seems angry now but geno also always used to appear angry! So maybe this is just a thing! (geno is hrorified and tries to get reaper to stop harrassing this stranger) ((Oh what a differnece between them here and in newage okay i will stop))

And dust! Dust is a smart cookie. Sure he thought it was a joke at first. a way to taunt him as dust comes clsoe to death relatively often compared to the others (or as you said just being very tired. the whole death tired thing) and reaper will tease him. Mention how he must be flriting with death, so him, to keep pushing himself this far. Dust is annoyed until he one day actually has a close call.

He straight up feels lighter and like disconnect for a moment. The whole light at the tunnel thing. And he is staring and slowly going towards it. Then Reaper distracts him. pretty much demanding his attention. and he stays. stays the whole time. long enough that his team can find him and safe him (maybe he got knocked by a full front attack from ink and launched somewhere else. somewhere stuck or something so it took time for the gang to find him. they had been so worried and finding dust just kncoked out with his HP VERY low did not help)

Dust wakes up at home- he means at the base. in the first aid room with most of him being bandaged. Everythin hurts. but he remembers what happens... and if death realyl wanted him dead... why not claim him then? especially as he hears how long they search for him and how they are thankful he managed to hold on for so long.

them after a hunt. just chilling. Dust having felt that brush of reaper's magic. knowign DAMN well that none of them moved to kill anyone and none of them are actually hurt to be a reason for reaper being there.

and dust just blurts it out "I think death/reaper has a thing for me." becuase the others TOTALLY met reaper as well, nightmare explained to them not to fight or bother reaper as he IS the god of death.

So the gang KNOWS who dust is talking about even if they don't know him personally like nightmare or dust. and OF COURSE Cross nad Killer go to snitch.

Dust is horrified and rushes after them. Don't fucking snitch to dad on him! Stop that!

Nightmare sitting Dust down and asking him what Killer and Cross meant with 'Dsuty said that death is stalking and flirtign with him!'

Dust annoyed as he mentions he didn't say that. but he explains kinda what is going on. wihtout many details because dust is a private person but also if ANYONE knows what a god could want from him and why a god would act this way towards him nightmare would know.

ngihtmare needs time to consider this but in the ends lets it go. mentions that it is fine as long as it doesn't bother or harm dust. Dust nods and goes to search for cross and killer to HUNT THEM DOWN for putting him through this.

Reaper had enough. He wants his beau and second beau to interact and he wants it now! He snatches dust and drops him right by Geno. The fact that dust doesn't even need to chew reaper out as geno does it for him. Geno going OFF about reaper being irresponsible and what if this endagers him and you don't know how nightmare will react to this!

(reaper probbaly figures that either it is fine. or nightmare will try something and reaper will jsut be near to snatch dust agian to keep him permanently! It is fine! he thought it through :D)

and Dust meets reaper and geno. Dust having to check wtih geno what the fuck this all means. geno just like "yeah he is a god. Yes we are a thing. Yes the flirting was serious. No he doens't just flirt with everyone. Yes I am fine with whatever he does."

Dust is in shock. He does not agree to ANYTYPE fof relationship for a wHILE this is weird. he needs time. but i think reaper would start snatching him more often to give the three of them a moment to interact. (geno once mentioned that he misses dust and reaper is gone and moments later he drops dust next to geno. gneo is mortified)

Reaper really just dropped his new BF off and the protective father appeared within SECONDS! Reaper is so lucky that nightmare was distracted by dust or he would have sensed reaper and reaper can see that protective parent vibe just being a thing at this point. oh boy. maybe he should ahve made a move much sooner.

Dust is very confsued about what just happened but as you said he tells it vaguely. Nightmare is VERY unhappy that reaper just snatched one of his boys and nightmare will make sure to tell him that the next time he gets (reaper does not care. he is wingmanning his mate and dust together so that he can also have dust a smate. he has PLANS!)

After a long time i think dust will agree to try dating... a tiny bit. and that is very comfrotable and he just decides to introoduce them as his boyfriends. Reaper is grinning. Nightmare is glaring MURDEROUS at reaper. the gang is amused. geno is just content to be out and about. Dust is n't sure how to feel about this moment but that is his general vibe so nothing new.

something COMPELTELY else. The post you had about the room situation.

I thinnk that after nightmare grows more attached to round four. He starts to regret the other loses more as well. Maybe he sneaks into the old rooms to search for things of all of them. to keep for himself. his own private collection. (a small wooden cat statue. Maybe a finished project or a sketch of one. A small book with notes to help with someones memory. stuff like that.)

Maybe he will offer killer a new room. saying that he should have done this from the beginning and it was unfair to not offer it to him. Killer may or may not take it. on one hand. fucking aweomse. new room that is ACTUALLY is. on the other... even if it were memories of someone elses life. it helped. because he figured out there were mutliples of him here. But all of them had been slightly different from one another. each of them had been their own person. which means that killer is also his own person and that is nice.

and then horror goes to try and get answers. Why does nightmare tell him? the truth? that ngihtmare is tired of being lonely and alone?

Idea-dumping under the cut ig as a distraction!

(Actually this got like... long, so here's some bonus design visuals!)

So, this is mostly me thinking out-loud about those alt/personal versions of Nightmare's gang.

First establishment: in this version, Nightmare follows the *was* evil but does so poorly with several versions of the group that he decides he's probably the problem and goes searching for answers before finally settling on a few and keeping them alive. (Yes, Nightmare keeps the original 3 sets dust. Most of it was scattered, but the bits he kept all went into an hourglass. He keeps it on a shelf high in his office so no one can turn it over again.)

In this same vein, Dream and Nightmare are battling because Dream believes Nightmare is no longer his younger self and an entirely separate entity. (Is this true? Probably this time? We'll see.) So, Dream has Ink usually on-hand, and has lost a few comrades over the years, Blue being the only one who'd survived to this point. (I think he might've managed to recruit a Color at some point, Night killed both the Color and Killer. Maybe he also recruited a horror of his own, who was executed by the 2nd Dust. Point is, Blue has been around to see these monsters be cycled out and behave different and all die expendable on Night's side, and has lost friends on Dream's side.) Dream nowadays tries to stick to only himself, Ink, and Blue.

So, establishing that, there's the trouble of Nightmare and his mortals.

Nightmare lives in an older Victorian mansion rather than a castle, his domain is an abandoned au set in that time period, where him and his crew have free-reign. (Basically think the streets of London but entirely unoccupied and almost constantly night-time or rainy/dreary/foggy.)

Initially, he used this landscape to torment those he brought to his domain, whether that be chasing a new killer/horror/dust until they were exhausted or bringing au inhabitants back for his men to hunt down and torment for him. It was useful, a lot of left-over objects and items from inhabitants long since dead, and a lot of interesting hiding places. The edges of the au are just a blackness. Eventually there is an invisible wall, and if you reach that, You're easy pickings for Nightmare. he knows.

I think that the way Nightmare finally decides on his henchmen needing better treatment is when the 3rd Horror, the very last surviving one, *let* Dream get a lethal hit in on him. There was no chance for Dream or Nightmare to act, and they'd both retreated in the aftermath. Normally this wouldn't have bothered Nightmare, but that Horror had been his most obedient and resourceful one yet, and he'd actually grown to like his presence. So. The silence in the castle while he recovered from injuries and prepared for the next batch? It was particularly striking for him. It felt *icky* to not have another person there, and it felt icky to have lost that Horror in the way that he had. Not even an honorable death. He decided he needed to figure out how to keep a monster similar, if not *better than* how he'd kept horror.

After about a month of debating, he finally settled on visiting a Ccino. And no, this isn't just because Ccino's been growing on me lately. He knew one of the Killer's he had, the 2nd, enjoyed sneaking off to the fluffytale aus and he figured there must have been a reason. So. Nightmare takes advantage of his shape-shifting and what little sense he has, and finds himself in an inaccurate replication of a passive Nightmare. He goes to a Ccino, though it might as well be one involved in the multiverse, since Night is now shattering that view. He makes several trips, regularly over the course of a few months. Biding his time. The balance isn't tipping yet. Until he can become at least slightly familiar enough with this Ccino to ask the burning question. How does one care for another living being?

Ccino, at this point, is used to his weird British customer and his odd way of asking questions. Asks if he means a pet, like a cat. Nightmare clarifies that, no, he means monsters. And Ccino has to try and figure out what he means by that. Is he expecting? Is he... adopting? He asks the second one, and Nightmare nods. Ccino breathes a sigh of relief, and realizes it must be because Nightmare is a boss monster. They live much different lives from a normal monster, require less to eat, less sleep, rely on their magic a lot more heavily. He suggests Nightmare come by again the next day and by then he might have some advice.

And while Ccino mostly gives him information on how to raise kids, from babies to teens, Nightmare takes in the information. He's still convinced he's learning all this because he wants to make perfect soldiers. Monsters who will obey him through whatever means that last Horror had. So he takes in all the information he can. He focuses a lot on the suggestions for teenagers. Even though the ones he had before were certainly adults, they often had outbursts and these solutions seemed reasonable. And Ccino was kind enough to stay after closing to talk with him on multiple occasions. It became a little club, between the two of them, almost.

And then Nightmare finally went out to find new replacements. 4th time's the charm.

The first one he collected this time was a Killer. The most volatile usually, but also the easiest to coerce into cooperating with his goals. Normally, his first act would be to let the Killer run loose in the streets and hunt him down. A show of dominance and control. This time, he decided he'd show patience. He stole away the Killer like he normally would, and left him out on a street, but with a note in his pocket. Detailing exactly what Nightmare was offering and why, along with the address of the mansion incase he wanted to discuss more.

It only took two days before Killer arrived at Nightmare's doorstep. He was cautious, but Nightmare was cordial. Not subtle, no, he acknowledged that he was actively kidnapping him. That if he made a misstep Nightmare would kill him. That he was replaceable. But, he also explained exactly what he was looking for from Killer, and *offered* work to him. Killer wandered away for a few more days, before coming back and accepting.

The trial runs with Killer were rough the first few months. Nightmare visited Ccino less, and found himself trying very hard to balance authority, Killer's loyalty, and the fragile trust growing between them. Sometimes he'd catch Killer doing something and he'd physically refrain from lashing out and punishing. Other times, though strangely only when Killer was making choices poor for his own health, Nightmare lashed out. Corrective behavior was not kind, but it was for the best in Nightmare's mind.

One thing he had a lot of trouble with was letting Killer explore the domain. He used to restrict all his henchmen inside unless they were hunting or on missions. Killer had an insatiable urge to explore, and several times Nightmare saw it as escape attempts. Dragging Killer back inside with threats of retaliation. Only once he let Killer escape and *watch* what he did, he realized he was literally just looking around, picking up trinkets, once he stole a shirt and brought it back with him. Then he returned, willingly, to the mansion. It was no trick, no escape, just simple curiosity. Nightmare took a page out of the book of the advice from Ccino and actually complimented Killer's shirt when he finally wore it one day. Killer's hackles were raised about it, obviously afraid of punishment, but Nightmare waved it off. As long as he wasn't bringing harm to himself or running away, Nightmare didn't mind.

It was only after Killer proved himself capable of hunting down captives in the city maze that Nightmare went out to find another. The 4th Dust.

Dust was a bit more of a handful than usual. Maybe it was because Nightmare wasn't stern enough. Or maybe it was because this Killer was a lot more friendly than his others had been. This Dust immediately attacked. Instead of aiming at Nightmare, it was aimed at Killer. Normally, it the past, he would've let Killer get hurt. Learn a lesson. This time he tugged his Killer out of the line of fire and forced Dust to listen to him. Held him in place.

Dust did not wander into the city like Night had let Killer do. He was confined to the mansion, mainly because Nightmare knew the previous Dusts had a tendency to curl up and let themselves rot if given the chance. So, Nightmare made sure he was fed, and would dunk him in the pond if he refused to bathe, and was always on the watch for hostile attacks, all while Killer was usually playing antagonist.

Nightmare's actually not sure what it was, but one day Dust simply... stopped disobeying his orders. He was up for breakfast, and didn't make Nightmare drag him out to see Killer chase down a victim. Nightmare did his best to be genuine when he told Dust he was pleased to see him up and about.

(Killer had been part of the change in attitude. He would sit outside Dust's door when Night was out and tell him how good of a gig it was. Nightmare wasn't perfect, but the place was cool and it was better than an empty underground. Killer was right, it was better than an empty underground. He gave it a shot and found he didn't feel awful.)

Dust still had his days ofc. Days where he'd get overwhelmed during a mission and overwhelm his magic. Days where he'd be too exhausted or depressed to get out of bed. Days where he hated being there and wanted to go back to his old au. But, on those days Nightmare would check in on him verbally, and visit with meals, or a small gift, or answer a question. Dust liked it when Nightmare answered his questions. And Nightmare, sometimes, would twitch his tendrils and throw something around when Dust was out of commission... but never infront of him. In front of Killer? Yes. Infront of Dust? No. That was not for Dust to worry about.

Sometime after Dust warmed up to him, he resolved to let them visit Ccino. Ccino had been asking about how things were going, and Nightmare wasn't sure how to express the extent of his frustrations a lot of the time. Ccino had suggested a visit might help if they were antsy. Nightmare had agreed.

After a particularly hard day, Nightmare having run into Dream, Blue, and Ink while on a supply run with the two he had, he decided they deserved a break. He prefaced that they were not to torment. Not to harm. Not to do any damages or there would be consequences. When both had agreed, thinly veiled curiosity, Nightmare took them to the au. Just around closing time. He adopted his shapeshifted passive form and brought the two of them along.

Ccino has been... visibly shocked. These were obviously two full-grown, or at least in they 20s-30s, monsters. They didn't look like they were in the best states either. But he'd held himself strong as Nightmare guided them to sit at his and Ccino's usual rounded table, the two extra chairs now being used up. Nightmare handed them the menu, and it seemed he got hesitant orders from both of them before approaching Ccino at the counter. He ordered. Ccino got to work.

When the drinks were brought out, Ccino was almost pleasantly relieved to find that the two additional monsters had cats swarming them. Nightmare introduced them, and Ccino saw how Killer had one cat cradled in each arm, both purring up a storm. Dust had one in his lap, asleep, with one of his hoodie-strings trapped by the cat's jaws. Night didn't bother with a made-up story. Just vaguely explained that they had come from toxic and unhealthy environments and were staying with him for the time being. Like... roommates. Ccino just kinda has to accept that the other two don't seem to be in any immediate distress and minds his own business.

I think it'd be at least a year or two, Nightmare ensuring he's made Killer and Dust comfortable and loyal. Making sure he knows just how to keep them alive properly, and establishing silently to his enemies (the stars) that he's done using expendable pawns. That's when he finally collects the 4th Horror.

It was a hard choice for him. Something about seeing another Horror's face, especially after he'd finally been making an effort to provide better support and care to this Killer and Dust? He figured it out. His last Horror was only so obedient and relaxed because if he was, Nightmare went softer on the others. When the others were both gone, he lost hope. Nightmare, some part of him, was scared he'd do it all over again. Somehow lose Killer and Dust and be left with just Horror. That was why he focused so heavily on Killer and Dust's wellbeing this time. So this Horror wouldn't have to worry. Would turn out the same.

And the plan worked out. Nightmare brought himself to go find a Horror. One from a collapsing timeline, right in the cross heirs of Error's attacks. He was basically a scrap of code, and Nightmare tugged him to safety at the last second. This Horror was confused, but grateful, until he noticed Killer and Dust. Horror was entirely avoidant of the two for the longest time, willing to do as Nightmare said once he heard him out, saw what was happening, but he did NOT like Dust or Killer. He was cagey, kept to himself, only showing weakness if he was injured in battle or had fallen ill. Night tried to watch out for him, but that wedge between the three of them was troublesome. Night hoped it'd work itself out. It never quite did.

Night doesn't have a favorite. He'll refer to Killer for important tasks, he's been there the longest. He'll let Dust fall asleep on the couch near to him and curl tendrils around him while he haps. He'll find recipe books and new supplies from aus for Horror to try out. He'd willingly get in the way of any attack to improve their chances of survival. Having said this, he pays an extra attention to Horror. Everyone notices it, Horror finds it unsettling sometimes but can mostly ignore it. It isn't until a fight with Dream where Horror chases Ink off to the side and Ink reveals to him the fate of the last Horror that any of them know *why*. Horror takes time to process it, before bringing it up to Nightmare very very nervously.

Nightmare, pained, admits his previous faults. He's not proud of his methodologies back then. He doesn't admit how much he cares about this 4th round of them. He doesn't need to.

Fun bonus! There's a year where Cross comes into the picture. At first he seeks out Nightmare for his help. Like in Underverse, he wants to rebuilt his au. But Nightmare denies him. It wouldn't benefit him or the others, it wouldn't benefit the balance, find someone else. But Cross can't. When he tries to work alone, Cross finds that Dream and the stars intercept him. They assume he'd working for Nightmare, which he denies, and they try to talk with him. Ask what he's doing. Ink and Dream can't allow Cross to keep going, even if he's trying to make himself a new home. They ask if he wants to join them. Defend against evil in the multiverse. And as it is, he has to agree.

So Cross teams up with the stars for a while. But as he's working with them, things don't seem to be lining up. Dream claims Nightmare tortures his followers, trades them out like cheap toys. But... Cross never sees these ones change. And if one gets too injured, Nightmare calls a retreat. The same ones come back each time. Even in the midst of battle Nightmare seemed to keep tabs on all of his players.

Once, Cross isolated Dust from the rest of the fighting. He was wounded and clearly getting more exhausted by the second. When Cross pinned him finally, he asked if he wanted to stop fighting. To go somewhere safe. Away from Nightmare. Dust had always seemed like the most actively dis-engaged fighter of the three. Cross thought he could convince him. But Dust just stares at him and says "Nah." Before getting a second wind and summoning an attack again. Cross tried to knock him out, take him by force, but the hit just dazed him rather than knocking him out, and by then Nightmare had figured out where they were. Seeing, or sensing, Dust's state, he signals for retreat instantly. Cross is forced to move or get skewered by darkness, and he's shocked by how gently Nightmare scoops up the dazed Dust, and how willingly Dust let's it happen. Horror and Killer are right on Nightmare's tail and hop through the portal first. Night through very last.

Cross had never seen Nightmare pick up his men so carefully before. Usually they'd walk through on their own, or he'd lift with tendrils. This time he carried Dust in his own arms. That was... weird.

Cross, eventually, comes to terms with not rebuilding his AU, just being barred from it for so long. But it takes *ages* before he goes to Nightmare. For one reason or another, Cross realizes that the state of his friendship with Dream is unhealthy. I mean, Dream cares for him, but it feels overbearing. And when he asked to visit the omega timeline once, Dream advised against it. Basically placed him on house-arrest unless everyone was going out to fight. He had to stay inside Dream's au, since he was an outcode. A fragile one. (Dream was afraid of losing Cross, like he'd lost many others.)

During a fight, Cross decides he's going to try something new. He's going to get as close as physically possible to the portal at the end of the fight, and lunge inside at the last second. No weapons, no hostility, nothing. That Domain of Nightmare's is untraceable. He needs in there.

And when he enacts the plan? Nightmare actually allows it. On his end, acting like he didn't notice a thing until he steps through.

Ofc, Cross immediately got tackled and pinned by Killer, but Cross doesn't fight back. Night demands he explain himself, abd Cross takes one more hesitant look at the surrounding enemies before admitting. Dream's kept him on a short leash since he joined. No exploring, no harsh training, no visiting friends, nothing. He needed to get somewhere Dream couldn't follow him. Even though it was a suicide mission, Night's domain was the safest choice.

And Nightmare was frankly baffled. Someone had willingly chose his domain over his brother's? It was a bit of an honor. But I'm the sane breath, he couldn't just let Cross leave. If he did, then that wouldn't be just to his three loyal wards.

So, Nightmare gave him an ultimatum. Either he stayed and acted as a teammate, eventually earning privileges just like the others had, or they could kill him. No one can just freely enter the au and expect Sanctuary. Cross knew as much, and as much as it seemed to pain him, he agreed he'd work for Nightmare.

And for Cross? Nightmare decided to reach back into the old days. He told Cross he had ten minutes to go somewhere in the city. Evade for as long as he could. Told him to get running. Only when Cross had confusedly left the mansion did Nightmare tell the group that whoever could scare Cross the most, without intentionally wounding him, would get to choose the next big leisure item he brought back from supply-running.

Boy did the guys torment him! Nightmare kept an eye on it, and there was some excellent restraint from all three of them. It went on for several hours, and Nightmare only cut it short because he'd noticed Cross had developed a limp. Some sort of twisted ankle maybe? (For the record, Dust managed to win. He suggested a projector for movies and stuff.) Back at the castle they all sat at the table, including Cross (though he was wary) and ate. Then they had leisure time. Then curfew. The next morning, when Cross was still limping, he postponed further 'training' to check how truly hurt Cross was.

Basically, Cross figures out Nightmare only does fucked-up stuff because it's part of his nature. He needs to to survive. Outside of that? He's learned to be amicable and borderline kind to those he cares about. Cross is there to witness Killer getting his first cat, he's there to witness the three of them get into intense debates about high-level science and scribble all over a whiteboard, he's there to witness a lot of good moments. Including Nightmare bringing a Ccino for a visit to the house.

This Ccino visit is prompted by him noticing the boys haven't been by with Night lately. Nightmare assures him that they're fine, but also suggests Ccino could come by for a visit? And Ccino, friendly and optimistic Ccino, agrees. Nightmare, upon portalling them, walks a bit with Ccino. Explaining the nature of the realm and why he lives there. Ccino listens and accepts it, even if he is a little spooked. Nightmare then guides him to the mansion and shows him around. The guys are all screwing around in the kitchen, trying to make cookies with Horror. The three are excited to see Ccino and greet him. Cross, who was sitting in the corner trying nit to make things worse with the batter, was confused to find a normal Ccino visiting the domain. A part of him was angry, another was hurt, but he kept quiet. The Ccino was nice and greeted the others, then introduced himself to Cross. Cross did the same.

Ccino, at this point, officially became knowledgeable of the multiverse and unintentionally/intentionally aligned himself with Nightmare. Night seemed to be doing very well despite all the worries he'd had, and also, Ccino considers Night to be a friend. They discuss books together, play newspaper games, etc etc.

After Ccino leaves he starts getting more multiversal visitors, he can always tell, but he has his favorites.

...

Hard cut, day 2 of adding to this ramble post and now I have drawn designs with extra lore!!

Nightmare and Dream's magic from the apple incident has condensed around their skulls like halos! They can't be touched nir damaged by attacks, but they do glow when either is feeding/exerting their magic.

Nightmare did his best to keep the 4th round of the mtt in top shape, but it wouldn't last forever. Dust was the first one to get a major injury, though it wasn't very prominent visually. Shortly after they got Horror, Dust was slashed in the socket by one of Ink's corrosive paints. He fought through the pain, but upon getting back to the base, Nightmare discovered Dust's state. Nightmare's first instinct was to clean the wound like he'd been taught by Ccino, then to ask if Dust could still use the magic in that eye. As it stands, he still can't reconnect to the mana there. Night fought against every instinct telling him that Dust was broken, and to get a new one, and just told him to go rest and recover. Dust has a scar on his bone and his eyelight is missing in that socket. But he's alive, which is a testament to Nightmare's improvement.

Killer lost his leg shortly after they took in Cross. It was a combative fight where Dream wouldn't let up, hunting them down to any au they moved to, not allowing them to make the supply run they'd been on (it was after a period of quiet after Cross ran and was taken in by Night. Dream + the others believe Nightmare killed him.). It was Blue who almost got a solid hit in on Dust, but Killer got in the way to block. Only, he wasn't sturdy enough and his leg-bone practically shattered when he tried to stop Blue's swing. Horror scooped Killer up, and in the wave of negativity and Dust's cursing that followed, Nightmare signaled a retreat.

Under normal circumstances, such a substantial, mobility-altering, injury would prompt Nightmare to just put a follower out of their misery and claim a new one. But. Not anymore. He had to act fast because Killer was fading in consciousness abd Nightmare was never one for major wounds like limb loss. Luckily, Horror was familiar, and him and Night managed to stop Killer's limb from dusting any further up his body. (Dust was furious with Killer for taking that hit. Horror was shocked. Nightmare regretted not taking up the rear in the first place. Cross was mortified to see Killer in such a state and was 1000% sure Night was going to off him.)

Recovery for Killer was... rocky. About 50/50 good/bad days, but he pulled through and learned to use a prosthetic. In the meantime, Cross offered to cover for Killer on runs if he was needed, a good step for Cross and for Nightmare. But, instead, Nightmare asked Cross to focus on making sure Killer didn't hurt himself while the others were out on runs. He couldn't risk revealing Cross' being alive just yet. This leads to plenty of Killer Cross bonding time, and Killer gets to tell all sorts of stories about how much the Boss has been improving. Killer knows he was the pet project, the test dummy to this 'new him'. Nightmare hasn't laid much of a finger on Horror, abd only let them spook Cross, while Killer was tossed around like a ragdoll. And now look! Night was going through the trouble of replacing his limb and nursing him back to health! For Killer it's like watching someone take their first steps. Cross realizes then that Nightmare hasn't always been like this. He used to be worse. He's taking steps on his own to improve. And for what? The sakes of Killer, Dust, and Horror?

Meanwhile, Dream has Blue and Ink, both of whom he extends his positive magic to. Even when they're in their own domains, they can spread his aura to those they interact with and call upon his power.

Unlike those two, he's also allied with Outer and Lust! Those two are from the omega timeline, and they work to help anyone fleeing from destroyed, corrupted, or otherwise uninhabitable aus. They had their own little thing going before Dream entered the picture, but when he approached them about seeing anyone from a destroyed au, they kept in contact. Now they act as a little home-base, keeping track of the battles and the conflicts and making sure the main three fighters don't work themselves into the ground. And! Because the main 3 are always out and about? If you need help with smaller tasks, Lust and Outer are on it. Lust finds it a nice distraction from his past and anxieties, and Outer does it as repayment to Dream (who saved his life from the 3rd Killer once).

Uhhh, one last note I think? Horror is the favorite child from an outsider + inside pov. Night doesn't think that way, but he is actively more careful with Horror than the others. He feels like he failed the last one (he failed all of them but y'know) and he can fix it with this one. This one doesn't understand the treatment and often resents it, but decides not to say anything lest he offset whatever kindness Nightmare is doing for the others. The others don't mind that Horror is effectively the favorite. They know Nightmare was fucked up long before they arrived, and it was just one of his many quirks.

[solomonish]

Dork Solomon Agenda

You say sexy shady sorcerer I say nerd and love of my life

Solomon is a sad lonely little man why just wants a genuine connection us that so much to ask???

No but seriously like. It's totally fine if you hc Solomon as this man-turned-lowkey-sex-god with a million succubi and more at his whim whenever he wants and would be a tough one to put the ol' ball and chain on like to each their own for sure! But that's not MY hc

(Thats not to say my hc means he doesn't ever engage in casual sex like that and wanting a genuine long term relationship at some point [or finding out thats what you want when you meet someone] are not mutually exclusive yknow)

So like Solomon isn't the type to be short with you or keep you at an arm's length (i mean...u get what I mean. Once you're close enough and all that jazz) or get annoyed by you wanting to be affectionate?? Hello??

He LOVES the little things you do (some on accident tbh). You feeling affectionate today and give him a kiss or three on his face before you leave to go to your separate classes? Adorable, he's fallen in love again. You do that thing where you like.. forget how to walk straight and just accidentally bump into him? No come back he likes being close to you :( He doesn't SAY these things but there's a light, airy laugh he has that gives him away.

If you're ever facetiming he will say "boo!" when you connect instead of just. Greeting you like a normal person.

His fuckin. His devilgram name is monSOLO. My mans is a star wars fan!!! I dont know any of The Discourse bc I'm not super into star wars myself but he has IN DEPTH opinions about the movies. Seriously rivals Levi in this aspect. Please make time for movie nights where you watch the movies together 🥺 especially if you haven't seen them before he'd love to convert you 🥺

Didn't Solomon also have a thing for TSL??? Or am I just imagining it??

I feel like his ideal date would be exploring something new, whether its this new spooky forest or "hey have we been down this alley before? Let's check it out!" but ideal date number TWO is movie night. Even if it isn't Star Wars. He likes to sit on opposite ends of the couch throwing popcorn into each other's mouths (and big candies like peanut m&ms where you both have almost choked before) and maybe a footsie war if he's feeling real devious. Then at some point you grab a blanket and snuggle up to him and you both fall asleep on the couch

Simeon yells at him when you leave because there's popcorn EVERYWHERE

LOVES when you laugh super loud. Idk man he just thinks its great when you have such unbridled joy and then he laughs too 😊 not as loud though he's more of a quiet chuckle kind of guy (most of the time).

Is friends with Asmo so is extremely great at slumber party gossip. Catch him in his pajamas, cross-legged on the floor while clutching a pillow to his chest and listening intently to you rant about the brothers.

"Come here I have a secret to tell you" (blows air in your ear) "okay okay I'm sorry but come here again" (blows air on your neck) "okay okay last time! I actually have something to tell you. Please? Its important...." (kisses ur cheek) "like u a lil bit xo"

Never the type to send "good morning beautiful" or "good night 💞" texts. Instead he'll send you something at 4 am like "the infinite cosmos will eventually swallow whole all familiarity and life as it is now presently known and despite the adaptations humans or demons or angels could make i will still have to adapt and face the world as an alien in the realm I love so dearly. Funny how the strongest of beings bow to the whim of space and time. But sometimes my eternal journey doesn't seem so daunting when I realize that with my everlasting life will be the memory of you no matter how distant and the survival of the vessel you loved...."

And then at lunch that day when the brothers pull you away he'll send you a picture of the lasagna they're serving with "this kinda looks like you? Don't worry I'd still hit it" and then two minutes later "you not the pasta"

Is the type to think randomly "oh damn I love you so much" but has an impressive filter about it. Or he thinks he does until Luke grumbles "ugh get a room thats the fifth time you've seen that since monday" ok, sometimes he has a good filter about it

He can't help it! Sometimes you just say something really smart (or something SPECTACULARLY dumb) or you do something cute like lean on him or smile a specific way or-

Sir.....you're head over heels sir :/

The type who would go to a playground at night with you and just swing on the swings talking about life

Wants to have a secret handshake with you!!

If you're ever on a road trip with just the two of you, you can get him to join in on the terrible singing but he'll be a lot quieter than you

Also will only join in if he isn't driving. If he is and you aren't talking, he's just humming underneath his breath. Will drum on the steering wheel though

Cooking

(Yes, it gets its own section because MAYBE I'm obsessed with the idea of MC teaching Solomon to cook and the food still turning out terrible but at least it isn't a void when MC is helping)

The type to flick water at you every time he washes his hands. Will chase you down just to do it.

"Hey, tilt your head back and open your mouth MC" (proceeds to dump too big a handful of shredded cheese in your mouth)

100% the type to lean over you just to hinder your cooking abilities. Who cares if the sauce splashes he's tiiiired.... you'd let belphie do it :(

Puts a hand on your lower back when he passes behind you. Hopes you'll lean into it/step back and offer him a kiss 🥺

Believes in always having a proper table setting. Prepare for whatever juice they have (or water) in wine glasses if you're having a nice-er meal

Under the assumption that a spell ruined his sense of taste (and not that he's just bad at cooking) he hates spicy food. He can feel the burn but he gets none of the flavor??? Wack. Don't hurt him like that MC. If you do because its hilarious to watch him try to be cool about it he will pout

Gets cheesy aprons. He just likes them.

Will hit you on the top of your head with a whisk to hear the noise it makes

Will buy every kitchen hack tool there is. A ketchup dispenser that looks like a gun? He's got it. A fish that helps you squeeze out the egg yolks? Yes! A dinosaur soup ladle? You bet! Pizza scissors? A tool that makes hard boiled eggs into cubes? Something that's gotta be like 200 years old and no discernable purpose? Absolutely! He wants a hot dog toaster. Do they even have hot dogs in the devildom?

Will sneak bites just because it bothers you

Overall

Look at him. He hasn't had friends in centuries. He's playful!

Look at his DEVILGRAM NAME

His funky little WAND

This is a man who is a huge nerd, thrives off of cliches and just wants to have a good time. So let him! Its mentally exhausting having those pretenses up all the time.