#my au after all

[loosesodamarble]

Welcome to the Black Bird Part 6: Aurelius the Devoted

Summary: Introducing Nacht as Aurelius, the butler with a dark heart which he devotes to his master. Genre: general Word count: ~1000 A/N: Artwork was done by @cringeyvanillamilk.

..........

Nacht glared at his reflection, specifically the dark roots that were beginning to show in great contrast to the pristine white he was so proud to have achieved.

“Looks like it’s time for a touch up,” he said to himself with a huff.

The worst part about bleaching his hair used to be the smell of the chemicals. But nowadays, Nacht was most annoyed by the process of applying the bleach by himself. He used to have someone—two someones—to help him but going to them for anything wasn’t something Nacht could bring himself to do.

Nacht’s favorite music blared as he combed through his hair and applied the bleach mixture to his roots. Even with the days of jamming with a ragtag band behind him, Nacht’s hands still knew the right hand positions to play the chords he heard and his voice matched the vocals easily. He never forgot how to let himself be carried away by music.

The hectic rhythm of a song was cut off by a mechanical chime. Knowing what it meant, Nacht let the phone ring until the other end was sent to voicemail.

[Hello again, brother! I see you’re still not picking up. It’s okay. I know how you are.] Morgen’s voice was warm. [Anyways, I’m calling to let you know that I’m doing well. We both are. We miss you, too. Our lives have changed drastically but that doesn’t mean we have to go our separate ways. We want to be there for you just like how you’ve been there for us.]

Nacht grit his teeth as he listened. As glad as he was to hear from Morgen, it also made his stomach churn knowing that his brother was trying to maintain contact after… everything.

[Take care of yourself, Nacht.] An affectionate voice spoke, making Nacht’s heart ache. [I can’t wait to see you again.]

Even if she wanted to, Nacht didn’t deserve to see her or Morgen.

…..

Nacht strode across the cafe floor, eyes dead set on the table he was to serve. It was a pair, a woman with unruly red hair and a man with the tips of his brown bangs dyed green. He saw a busser chatting with them, likely after refilling their drinks.

His honest feelings on the situation were of apathy. The customers were being helped and that’s what mattered. But as per the role he played, he knew he had to put on a show when he arrived. 

“What do you think you’re doing, speaking with my masters?” Nacht asked in a cold voice once he was behind the busser. He saw the other man bristle at the sound of his voice. “Are you trying to take my place?”

“Aha… N-nothing like that Aurelius,” the guy squawked. “I’ll, uh, be going.” And off he went, with Nacht sending a glare after him.

After a sigh, Nacht said in a tender voice, “My good masters, I’ve brought your meals as ordered.” He set the dishes in front of the customers before continuing. “If I may, as your humble servant, I have a request.”

“Huh? What kind?” the brunet man asked.

At that prompting, Nacht lowered himself onto one knee.

“I am here to serve you forevermore. It would destroy me if you didn’t accept all I have to offer,” Nacht said with his hand over his heart and a practiced look of heartbreak on his face. “So I beg, you need not return my adoration but don’t turn me away. Allow me to stay close to you until the end of my days.”

Nacht spoke, not to the customers seated before him. Instead, his heart directed the words to someone immeasurably precious to him.

Deep brown eyes that sparkled with affection. Umber hair which he yearned to comb his fingers through. A gentle smile which never failed to take Nacht’s breath away. She was everything to him. Yet she was out of his reach.

All Nacht could do was give empty declarations to strangers. It left people surprised and entertained, which was good for his job.

But it ultimately meant nothing to him.

…..

Black Soul Soup. Made with meats and spices cooked in vinegar water and squid ink for its color, the dish had a salty and sour flavor, making it an acquired taste.

The rest of the staff had grimaced in disgust and confusion when Nacht had proposed the dish. But it stuck since Secre liked the distinct flavor profile and it fit the archetype Nacht played.

Both were hard sells at the cafe. The eerie blackness of the soup and the sharp flavor put people off. Meanwhile, the trope of a yandere was niche at best. Not that Nacht minded. He didn’t wish for the attention or acceptance of the masses so a lack of it had no effect on him.

It went beyond his work persona, too. Nacht saw himself as someone tainted and unkind, who caused trouble more often than not. People kept their distance from Nacht instinctively, as if they could sense the danger he brought. He preferred it that way. And if anyone didn’t steer clear on their own, Nacht pushed them away.

Despite the peculiar nature of the dish, it wasn’t without its fans and there were customers who enjoyed the unhinged character of Aurelius.

As for Nacht, he wasn’t alone in life either. The circle of people close to him was small. Because the more people he allowed into his life, the more he had to fear for their sakes. Maybe if he didn’t care at all, he’d have nothing to worry about. But then he would have nothing to live for.

Nacht cared, as painful and as scary as it was, and he prayed that his devotion wouldn’t cause any more damage to his loved ones. He couldn’t know for sure though, not yet.

[crowkip]

yeehaw, baby!

[soupdwelling]

ok au where after becoming archivist jon starts getting into the habit of making vent tiktoks in his car after work because tim showed him how and at first he was like “this is stupid” but then it genuinely started helping him decompress so he just kept doing it in secret. and he eventually he gains a minor following who are becoming increasingly concerned because it goes from “the most INSUFFERABLE statement giver came in today” to “i got fucking KIDNAPPED AGAIN!!!”

[a-scary-lack-of-common-sense]

Fiddauthor divorce arc speedrun <3

After 30 years of searching for his lost brother through demonic rituals and summonings, Ford has become a bit of a notorious demon collector over the years. He's made a LOT of deals with MANY different demons over the years; from minor and harmless little entities to big and powerful overlords. Most of the time, these deals aren't really a one-way situation, so a lot of demons have a strong grip on him just as much as he does on them. It often ends up being a mutual sort of destruction, as in: "I know I'm but a mere mortal trifling with things I couldn't begin to fathom, and I know you will destroy me eventually; but I don't care as long as I get to destroy you too." He just needs to live long enough to find his brother.

The red hands are essentially pieces of himself (his soul, you could say??) that he wields as his method of restraint to the demons he has "tamed" so far. They act as a leash to contain each demons' powers, and he can loosen or tighten his hold on them as much as he wants. The number of hands required to contain a demon really depends on their individual strengths, but 3-4 hands are already very energy consuming.

YES, I gave all of his demons stupid names. SUE ME.

[puppyeared]

renaissance dogys

characters belong to @canisalbus

[eggdrawsthings]

she graduated 🥺

[junotter]

Part 2 of my modern avatar au, The Gaang (part 1)

[tawnysoup]

the fritter (frin critter)

[chez-cinnamon]

Page 7 yippeeee!!!

Caine suspects something about Kinger's new powers - they seem all too familiar......

( Page 6 - Page 8 )

[leqclerc]

Charles Leclerc in Top Gun Canal+ Supersonique

[eggcromancer]

look at these 4 friends go, I'm sure nothing bad will happ-

👈 you get a virus!

👉 you get a virus!!

🫵 you get a virus!!!

Oops! All Virus au!

[void-dude]

There’s no rest for the wicked

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6

Siiiiigh things are heating up in the Stanford pines au fandom or whatever….

[backpackingspace]

My actual favorite part of wisdom saga is telemachus trying to lean against Athena (he thought about that for .03 seconds and then was like nah !!! :D she's my friend not the goddess of war!!! Good to see that the audacity is running strong in odysseus's family) and then just passed threw her and fell on the floor. And then Athena did not move at all!!! And just stood there looking at him.

[a-scary-lack-of-common-sense]

I think I made some of you guys a little sad with my last post, so you can have some happy aftermath twins before part 2, as a treat ❤️

[demonic0angel]

Health Insurance (click for clarity)

I have a headcanon that Maddie and Jack did not have health insurance or insurance at all tbh, so Jazz really enjoyed the benefits of marriage.

So basically, in this idea, Dick and Jazz marry (bc Dick needed custody of Damian but he’s a single 20-something year old man, while Jazz was getting hounded by the Ghost Zone/her parents idk) but never fall in love. The two of them make a deal to get married and then parent Damian together, but then Dick finds out that they’re falling in love with each other’s siblings so he’s like “let’s divorce”.

It goes well and they both split things evenly or equally and it’s a very peaceful, amicable divorce.

Until they get to the custody of Damian. And then all hell breaks loose.

One of the dirtiest, most underhanded, and vicious custody wars ensue. In the end, they get split custody of Damian between Gotham and Blüdhaven. (He’s weirdly happy with it bc they fought so hard for him and they didn’t involve him at all except for courtesy questions).

Part two

Image description below:

Panel 1 has Dick’s solemn face as he’s looking away.

Dick: Jazz… we need to talk. I know that you’re in love with Jason…

Panel 2 has Dick’s side profile while we see Jazz stare at him in shock, holding a spilling teacup as she’s dripping tea.

Dick: *still looking sad* And I’m also in love with your brother Dan, so I think we should divorce.

Panel 3 is the both of them across from each other, in a very simplistic style. Jazz still looks vaguely shocked and Dick still looks sad.

Dick: I know that we both care for each other, but we’re in love with different people.

Panel 4 has Jazz finally snapping back to reality, as Dick continues talking.

Dick: It’ll be an amicable divorce, so I think that—

Panel 5 has Jazz standing up with a BAM! and knocking her teacup when she slams her hands on the table. Dick looks startled.

Dick: !

Panel 6 has a close up of Jazz’s panicked expression as she’s shouting.

Jazz: BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HEALTH INSURANCE?!

Edit: I changed the pictures to add the right font and a ring on Jazz’s finger.

[malacandrax]

Sex worker/Charity worker Halstarion AU [set late 70's/early 80's]

---

Why did I set the whole thing inside a car :). Also forgive me that is not a period accurate interior I did it from my head because apparently I can do that now...because I keep setting things in cars...

AU TAG

To read them in order:

[Part 1- Meeting]

[Part 2-Embellish]

[Part 3-Theory]

[Part 4- Number]

[Part 5- Bruise]

[Part 6- Scenic]

[Part 7- Nice Things]

[Part 8-Pizza]

[Part 9- Want] -That's this one!

This is loosely based on current UK resources, not 70’s-80’s, and I also don’t know how well a nuanced situation like this would be dealt with by our gov/councils. I don't have much faith in the systems but we're gonna pretend they work.