#oc: valerio

[vmygdvlv]

After hours: echoes of a night !

Genre: angst. series / part.ii

Pairing: valerio x riccardo + (some edoardo & cesare in the mix) italian boys!au

Summary: valerio finds himself drawn into the world of his older university peers, eager to fit in and prove himself. When they invite him out for a night of drinking and revelry, Valerio is excited but anxious, knowing that the crowd he’s with is more experienced and reckless.

Warnings: emotional distress, substance abuse, peer pressure, aggressive behavior

The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, harsh and unforgiving, as Valerio groaned and rolled over in bed. His head pounded, each throb a painful reminder of the night before. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the fog that clung to his mind. Every part of him felt heavy, weighed down by a mix of regret and the lingering effects of too much alcohol. But it wasn’t just the hangover that made him feel sick; it was the memory of Riccardo’s furious expression, the disappointment in his voice. Valerio couldn’t forget it, no matter how hard he tried. As he lay there, trying to piece together the events of the night, his phone buzzed on the nightstand. He grabbed it, squinting at the screen. Some friends’s unread messages from the night before.

Cez : Ricky called me after he found you. Are you okay?

Edo: You good Val?? Rick said you were pretty out of it, man.

Valerio stared at the messages, his stomach churning. The last thing he wanted was to face everyone after how things had gone down. But there was no avoiding it. He knew they’d all be coming over soon—probably to hash out what happened, probably to lay into him, just like Riccardo had. He sighed, dragging himself out of bed. Riccardo, who had spent the night in the spare room, emerged into the living room, his expression tight with lingering frustration. By the time Valerio made it to the kitchen, Riccardo was already there, leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in hand. His face was hard, but there was a trace of concern in his eyes. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension. Valerio hesitated in the doorway, unsure of what to say.

“Morning,” Riccardo finally said, his voice flat.

“Morning,” Valerio replied, avoiding his gaze.

He could feel Riccardo’s disapproval radiating from across the room, but he wasn’t in the mood to deal with it. Not yet. Before they could say anything more, the bell’s ring broke the silence. Valerio reluctantly got up to answer, revealing Edoardo and Cesare on the other side. Both greeted him with casual smiles, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the air, the aftermath of the previous night still hanging over them.

“Can we come in?” Cesare asked, his tone clipped. Valerio nodded, stepping aside to let them in. They filed into the living room, each of them casting glances at Riccardo, who still hadn’t moved from his spot in the kitchen. The atmosphere was tense, like a storm cloud ready to burst.

“Hey, man,” Edoardo said, moving closer. “How are you feeling?”

Valerio shrugged, avoiding eye contact. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

Cesare followed, his gaze flicking between Valerio and Riccardo, sensing the strained atmosphere. “We figured we’d check in on you, see how you’re doing after… everything.”

Valerio’s jaw tightened, irritation flaring up. “I’m fine, Cez. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Edoardo, sensing the tension, chimed in with a light-hearted tone. “Hey, we’re just here to hang out, no lectures. We all have our nights, right?”

Riccardo, who had been silent up until now, crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, his expression hardening. “Some of us know when to stop before things get out of hand.” The comment hung in the air, sharp and accusatory.

Valerio’s eyes narrowed, a defensive edge creeping into his voice. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Riccardo began, his voice low and controlled, “that last night was a disaster, Vale. You were reckless, and your so-called friends took advantage of that. You don’t see it, but you were this close to being in serious trouble.”

Edoardo stepped in, his tone calm but firm. “Ricky, come on, it wasn’t that bad. Vale was just blowing off some steam with his friends. We’ve all been there.” His voice was calm, almost too calm, as if he was trying to smooth things over before they escalated. “I’m not saying it was smart, but he’s not the only one to blame.”

Riccardo’s eyes narrowed as he turned to face Edoardo. “You’re defending him?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife. “You think what happened last night is just blowing off some steam? I don’t call that normal.”

Edoardo bristled, his own frustrations bubbling to the surface. “You’re overreacting. He didn’t need you to swoop in and save him. He’s not a kid, and he doesn’t need you controlling every aspect of his life.”

The words hit him hard, but his expression remained stoic. “I’m not trying to control him. I’m trying to keep him from making mistakes that he’ll regret later. But you wouldn’t understand that, would you?”

Before Valerio could respond, Edoardo’s voice cut through, low and heated. “And who keeps you in check, Ricky? You’re so busy trying to control everything that you’re pushing everyone away. Vale isn’t a project for you to manage.”

Riccardo’s temper snapped. “You think I’m trying to control him? I’m trying to protect him from ending up like you—drowning in mistakes you can’t take back.”

The words hung in the air like a slap. Edoardo’s eyes darkened, his expression a mix of hurt and fury. Edoardo’s face darkened, a hint of guilt flickering in his eyes as Riccardo’s words struck a nerve. “And now, what’s that supposed to mean uhm?”

Riccardo’s voice was cold, calculated. “It means I’ve seen how you acted on your nights out. You’re defending him because you see a bit of yourself in him. But this isn’t about you, and it’s not about being right. It’s about keeping him safe.”

Edoardo didn’t back down, his expression hardening. “And what’s your plan? To scare him into submission? You can’t control everything he does. None of us can—to be honest, you need to stop to control everything we do.”

Riccardo’s jaw clenched, the accusation striking a nerve. “You’re one to talk about control. You’ve got your own issues, Edo. Or have you forgotten all those nights where you didn’t know when to stop?” The room went still, the air thick with the weight of Riccardo’s words.

Edoardo’s thoughts had drifted elsewhere—back to his own battles with alcohol, to nights he wished he could forget. He knew what it was like to lose control, to let the bottle dictate your actions. And seeing Valerio now, caught in the same destructive cycle, brought an uncomfortable realization crashing down on him. It wasn’t that long ago when Edoardo himself had stumbled home after one too many drinks, his vision blurred, his mind clouded with poor decisions. There were moments—flashes—where he remembered Riccardo’s concerned gaze, the unspoken judgment, and the subtle way he’d try to steer him away from another drink. He had brushed it off back then, laughed it away with the same bravado Valerio had shown last night. But deep down, he knew Riccardo saw right through him, just as he was now seeing through the youngest boy.

Edoardo leaned forward, breaking the silence. “Look,” he started, his voice calm but edged with a quiet plea, “He made a mistake, sure. But we’ve all been there, right? We’ve all had those nights where things got out of hand. What matters is that he’s here now, that he’s okay.”

Riccardo’s eyes flicked over to him, a shadow of something unspoken passing between them. He knew exactly what his friend was trying to do, and the subtle tremor in Edoardo’s voice didn’t go unnoticed. Riccardo’s jaw tightened slightly as he replied, choosing his words carefully. “It’s not just about one night. It’s about the pattern, the choices. You can’t keep pretending it’s all just harmless fun when it’s starting to spiral.”

Cesare, who had been watching the argument unfold, finally stepped in, his voice steady and calm. “Guys come on, this isn’t the solution. We’re supposed to be here for helping, not fighting with each other.”

Valerio, who had been silent throughout the exchange, suddenly snapped. “You’re all talking like I’m not even here! I don’t need you fighting my battles for me, and I don’t need you treating me like I’m some kind of problem that needs fixing.”

Riccardo turned to him, his voice softer but still firm. “We’re just worried about you. Last night was out of control, and I don’t want to see you go down a path you can’t come back from.”

Valerio scoffed, his irritation boiling over. “You’re always worried. Always hovering, always trying to fix things. Maybe I just want to live my life without you breathing down my neck.”

Edoardo, sensing an opening, nodded in agreement. “He’s right. He’s old enough to make his own decisions. We all make mistakes, but he should be able to learn from them without you constantly watching over him.”

Riccardo’s jaw clenched, the frustration evident in his eyes. “I’m not trying to suffocate him, but someone has to look out for him. You weren’t there last night. You didn’t see how bad it was.”

Cesare, seeing the argument spiraling out of control, stepped forward, raising his hands in a calming gesture. “Enough. This isn’t getting us anywhere. We’re all friends here. Let’s just take a step back and talk this through.”

But Valerio, still simmering with anger, wasn’t ready to let it go. “You all think you know what’s best for me, but you don’t. I’m not some kid who needs rescuing every time things get a little rough.”

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Valerio’s words hanging in the air. Riccardo, feeling the sting of Valerio’s rejection, looked at him with a mix of hurt and frustration. “Vale, I just want what’s best for you. But if you can’t see that, then maybe I’m wasting my time.”

The words were harsh, cutting deeper than Riccardo intended, but the frustration of the last few days had taken its toll. Valerio’s eyes hardened, his expression unreadable. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, his phone buzzed on the table. Valerio glanced at the screen, and his face darkened as he read the name. It was one of the older peers from the night before, a reminder of the chaos that had started all this. Ignoring the tension in the room, he took the phone.

Andrea

Hey man, u good?? You kinda took off last night (11.04am)

Let me know when you’re free (11.07am)

Valerio’s grip on the phone tightened, his eyes flicking to Riccardo, who stood silently, his expression unreadable. The room felt charged, as if it was on the brink of another explosion. But this time, Riccardo took a deep breath, calming himself. “We seriously need to talk about this. But not like this. Let’s take a step back, cool down, and figure this out together.”

The words were reasonable, measured, but Valerio wasn’t ready to listen. The anger, the embarrassment, and the pressure all coalesced into a wall he wasn’t ready to break down. “Well, seriously, I don’t need your help. I can handle this myself,” his voice tinged with defiance. The argument wasn’t over—far from it—but for now, it simmered just below the surface, waiting for the next spark to reignite it. Valerio’s abrupt tone echoed in the room, hanging heavy in the tense silence that followed. He put his phone down with a finality that made it clear the conversation was over—for now.

Riccardo’s eyes narrowed as he processed Valerio’s words, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. He was torn between wanting to shake some sense into Valerio and stepping back to let him make his own mistakes. But the protective instinct within him was too strong to ignore. Before the oldest could respond, Cesare cleared his throat, breaking the thick silence. He had been watching the tension escalate, hoping it would fizzle out, but it was clear that wasn’t going to happen.

“Look,” Cesare began cautiously, his tone diplomatic, “we’re all just trying to help here. Vale, we get that you want to handle things on your own, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to listen to Ricky. He’s only looking out for you.”

Valerio shot him a look, the defiance in his eyes barely masked. “I’m not some project for him to fix. I know you guys think you’re helping, but this isn’t your problem.”

Edoardo, who had been quiet since Riccardo’s subtle dig earlier, felt the need to jump in, his loyalty to Valerio driving him to speak. “He’s right. He doesn’t need you playing the overprotective brother. Maybe if you backed off a little, he wouldn’t feel so cornered.”

Riccardo’s gaze snapped to Edoardo, his temper flaring again. “This isn’t about playing big brother, Edo. Last night was a mess, and it could’ve been worse if I hadn’t stepped in. You didn’t see what I saw—he was out of control, and those older guys were more than happy to push him further.”

Valerio bristled at Riccardo’s words, his temper flaring up once more. “I didn’t ask you to step in! You act like you’re the only one who knows what’s best for me, but you’re not. You’re just—”

“Just what?” He interrupted, his voice rising. “Just trying to keep you from doing something stupid? Just trying to make sure you don’t end up regretting things later? Yeah, Valerio, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Because someone has to!”

He clenched his fists, his voice hardening. “Maybe I don’t want your help! Maybe I just want to figure things out on my own without you breathing down my neck all the time!”

The room fell into a tense silence again, the argument teetering on the edge of something deeper, something that had been building for a while. Riccardo took a deep breath, trying to rein in his anger. He could see that Valerio was pushing back harder than ever, but he couldn’t just let this go.

Cesare, sensing that the situation was getting dangerously close to boiling over, tried to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Look, maybe we’re all just tired and stressed out. We’ve been through a lot these past few days. Let’s not tear each other apart over this.”

But Riccardo wasn’t ready to let it go, not yet. “You’re right, we have been through a lot. But this isn’t something we can just brush off. He’s not seeing the bigger picture here, and if he keeps going down this path, things are going to get worse.”Valerio, feeling cornered and defensive, shot back with an edge in his voice. “The bigger picture? You’re acting like I’m falling apart, but I’m not! I’m handling things the way I need to, and I don’t need you judging me for it.”

Riccardo’s expression darkened, his frustration reaching its peak. “Handling it? You call getting wasted with a bunch of guys who don’t give a damn about you handling it? Come on, you’re smarter than this. You’re better than this.”

Valerio’s eyes flashed with anger, his voice trembling slightly. “Don’t you dare lecture me about being better. You think you know everything, but you don’t. You have no idea what it’s like to feel like you’re constantly under a microscope, like you can’t make a single mistake without everyone jumping down your throat. It’s fucking exhausting!”

Riccardo’s temper flared at that, but before he could respond, Valerio’s phone buzzed again on the table, breaking the tension momentarily. Valerio grabbed it, his expression souring as he read the message. He muttered a curse under his breath, his frustration mounting.

“What now?” Riccardo asked, his tone sharp.

Valerio didn’t answer immediately, his eyes scanning the screen. Then he turned the phone toward Riccardo, showing him the message. It was from one of the older peers, another taunting remark, this time with a link to the video from the night before. The video was even worse than he’d imagined—Valerio, clearly intoxicated, egged on by the older students as they pushed him into doing more shots, the entire scene a blur of loud music, slurred voices, and reckless behavior.

Riccardo’s face went cold as he watched the clip, his anger mixing with a deep sense of concern. “This is what you call handling it?” he asked, his voice low, almost dangerous. “This is what you wanted to do last night?”

Valerio’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t back down. “It’s not your business what I do with my friends.”

“Not my business?” Riccardo’s voice rose again. “Valerio, this isn’t just some harmless fun. These guys don’t care about you. They���re just using you for a laugh, and you’re letting them.”

“Enough!” Valerio snapped, his voice cracking with a mixture of anger and something deeper, something vulnerable. “You’re not my dad, you’re not in charge of me. Just—back off!”

Riccardo opened his mouth to retort, but Cesare stepped in, once again, his voice firm. “Alright, stop it. You’re acting immature and this isn’t helping anyone. You need to cool down before you end up saying something you’ll both regret.”

But Riccardo’s gaze remained locked on Valerio, his frustration barely contained. He was about to argue further when he realized the futility of it—Valerio wasn’t going to listen, not now, not while he was this defensive. Taking a deep breath, Riccardo forced himself to step back, his voice strained. “Fine. You want space? You’ve got it. But don’t think this conversation is over.”

Valerio watched as Riccardo turned and left the room, his emotions swirling in a confusing mix of anger, guilt, and exhaustion. As the door closed behind him, Valerio slumped back onto the couch, staring blankly at the video still playing on his phone. The tension in the room was palpable, and for a moment, no one spoke. Finally, Edoardo, who had been watching the entire exchange with a troubled expression, shook his head and muttered, “This is messed up.” Valerio didn’t respond, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He knew, deep down, that Riccardo was right—that he had gotten in over his head. But admitting that, even to himself, felt like a defeat he wasn’t ready to accept.

The tension lingered in the air long after Riccardo left the room, his heavy footsteps echoing down the hallway. Valerio remained slouched on the couch, staring blankly at the phone in his hand. The video had stopped playing, but the scenes replayed in his mind, each frame a reminder of how far things had spiraled out of control. His heart pounded with a confusing mix of anger and shame. Part of him knew Riccardo was right, but admitting that felt like giving up some essential part of himself—his independence, his pride. Edoardo shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing over at Cesare, who was watching Valerio with a careful, measured expression.

Finally, Edoardo broke the silence, his voice softer than before. “You okay, man?” Valerio didn’t answer immediately. When he finally looked up, his eyes were hardened, his defenses back up. “I’m fine. Just tired of everyone acting like I’m some kind of screw-up.”

Cesare sighed, leaning forward. “No one thinks that. Ricky’s just worried. We all are. Last night—it got out of hand, and we’re just trying to make sure you’re alright.”

Valerio clenched his jaw, frustration flaring up again. “I don’t need everyone treating me like a kid. I know what I’m doing, alright? Let me breathe.”

Edoardo frowned, a pang of guilt tightening his chest. He could see so much of himself in Valerio—he knew what it was like to push back, to act like everything was under control when it wasn’t. “Look, I get it,” Edoardo said, his voice careful. “But Riccardo’s not wrong, either. Those guys… they’re not really your friends, you know?”

Valerio shot him a sharp look. “And who are you to say that? You barely know them.”

Edoardo hesitated, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing his face. “I know enough. And I know what it’s like to get caught up in that scene. It’s easy to think you’re just having fun, but it can turn on you fast.”

Valerio’s gaze narrowed. “You’re saying I’m just like you, huh? That I’ve got a problem?”

Edoardo stiffened, feeling the sting of the words. Before he could respond, Cesare stepped in, his voice calm but firm. “Alright, watch it. We’re not here to judge anyone. But you’ve got to understand that we’re coming from a place of concern, not control.”

He scoffed, but the edge in his voice was less sharp than before. “Yeah, well, I don’t need concern. I need people to trust me to figure things out.”

Cesare nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. “We do trust you, Vale. But trust goes both ways. You’ve got to trust that when Riccardo, or any of us, step in, it’s because we care, not because we think you’re incapable.” There was a heavy pause as Valerio absorbed Cesare’s words. He looked down at his phone again, the screen dark and blank now, and took a deep breath.

“I get it, okay? But you’ve all got to back off a little. Let me deal with this.”

Edoardo exchanged a glance with Cesare, who gave a slight nod. Edoardo turned back to Valerio, his tone gentler now. “Alright. But just… don’t shut us out, man. We’re here when you need us.” Valerio didn’t respond, but the tension in his shoulders eased just a little. He knew deep down that he wasn’t handling things as well as he wanted to believe, but admitting that felt like crossing a line he wasn’t ready for. Just as the silence settled over the room again, Valerio’s phone buzzed, breaking the moment. He glanced at the screen and felt a jolt of irritation as he saw the name of one of his older peers flash across it. Without thinking, he answered the call, putting it on speaker.

“Valerio!” The voice on the other end was loud, almost obnoxiously so. “Man, last night was wild, huh? We’ve got to do that again sometime.”

His expression hardened, a mixture of embarrassment and anger tightening his chest. “Yeah, about that…” he began, but the peer cut him off with a laugh.

“Oh, don’t be a downer. You’re one of us now. Just need to loosen up a bit more, and you’ll fit right in.”

Riccardo’s words from earlier echoed in his mind, and a fresh wave of anger surged through him. “You guys left me at the club, remember? That’s not exactly how friends act.”

The peer’s laugh faded slightly, replaced by a tone of indifference. “Come on, don’t be so sensitive. We figured you could handle yourself. Besides, it was all in good fun.” Valerio’s grip tightened on the phone, but before he could respond, Riccardo’s voice broke through the tension. He had walked back into the room without anyone noticing, his expression dark and resolute.

“Fun? Is that what you call it? Getting him trashed and leaving him to fend for himself?” There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line. “Who the hell is that?”

“The guy who had to pick up the pieces after you bailed,” Riccardo shot back, his voice cold. “And let me make this clear—Valerio’s not your entertainment. He’s done with you and your bullshit.” Valerio’s eyes widened, torn between anger and relief as he watched Riccardo take control of the situation. The peer on the other end stammered something incoherent before the line went dead, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Riccardo stared down at Valerio, his expression softening slightly, but the anger was still there, simmering just below the surface.

“This isn’t over. But for now, you need to figure out who your real friends are.” He met his gaze, the weight of Riccardo’s words sinking in. He knew Riccardo was right, even if he didn’t want to admit it. But there was still that stubborn part of him that resisted, that didn’t want to give Riccardo the satisfaction of being right. Before he could respond, Riccardo turned and walked out of the room again, leaving Valerio to sit with his thoughts. Edoardo and Cesare exchanged a look, unsure of what to say. They both knew this was just the beginning of a much longer conversation—one that wouldn’t be resolved in a single morning.

Valerio’s thoughts churned, each one crashing against the next in a relentless wave of frustration, guilt, and defiance. The silence stretched out, thick and uncomfortable, as Edoardo and Cesare exchanged wary glances. They were used to Riccardo’s overbearing nature, but the intensity of the confrontation had left even them on edge.

Finally, Cesare spoke, his voice cautious. “Vale, he’s just worried about you. You know that, right?”

Valerio stared at the phone in his hand, his mind replaying the events of the night before like a broken record. The drinking, the laughter that had turned hollow, the way his so-called friends had ditched him without a second thought. But what gnawed at him most was the way Riccardo had stormed in, taking control of the situation like Valerio was some helpless kid who couldn’t handle his own life. It made his blood boil.

“I don’t need him handling my shit,” Valerio muttered, more to himself than to the others.

Edoardo leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “He’s not trying to handle it, man. He’s trying to protect you. There’s a difference.”

“Is there?” He shot back, his eyes flashing with anger. “Because it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it. It feels like he doesn’t think I can handle anything on my own.”

Edoardo bit back a sigh, recognizing the familiar tone in Valerio’s voice. It was the same defiance he had used countless times when people tried to tell him he had a problem. He had always pushed them away, too proud or too stubborn to admit he was spiraling. He could see Valerio was on that same path, and it terrified him.

“Look,” Edoardo said, choosing his words carefully, “I know what it’s like to feel like people are coming down on you, like they don’t trust you. But sometimes, they’re right to be worried. Sometimes you’re too deep in it to see how bad things are getting.”

Valerio’s jaw tightened. “I’m not you, Edoardo. I’ve got this under control.”

“Do you?” Edoardo’s voice was sharper than he intended, his own frustration bubbling to the surface. “Because last night didn’t look like control to me. It looked like you were being used by those guys, and you didn’t even realize it.”

Valerio’s eyes blazed with anger. “I don’t need a lecture from you, alright? You’re not exactly a saint. Nobody here is.”

The words hit home, and Edoardo flinched, the accusation cutting deep. But before he could respond, Cesare intervened, stepping between them like a mediator. “Okay, cut the shit,” he said firmly. “Drop the attitude Vale, because we’re not your enemies here. We’re just trying to make sure you don’t end up in a worse situation.”

Valerio crossed his arms, his anger still simmering just below the surface. “You’re all making it out to be more than it is. It was one night.”

“Was it?” Riccardo’s voice suddenly cut through the tension as he re-entered the room, his expression stony. He had clearly overheard the conversation, and the look in his eyes made it clear he wasn’t done with this discussion. “Because this feels like it’s been building for a while now.”

Valerio glared at him. “Oh please, you’re overreacting.”

Riccardo stepped closer, his presence imposing. “Maybe. But I’d rather overreact now than have to scrape you off the pavement later because you decided to trust the wrong people.”

Valerio’s chest tightened, the reality of Riccardo’s words hitting harder than he wanted to admit. But he couldn’t back down now, not after everything that had been said. “You don’t get it. You think you’re helping, but you’re just suffocating me. I need space to figure things out on my own.”

“And what about when that space gets you into trouble?” Riccardo shot back, his voice rising. “You think those guys care about you? They left you to rot as soon as things got messy. That’s not friendship, Valerio. That’s manipulation.”

Edoardo, sensing the situation escalating again, stepped in front of Riccardo, trying to defuse the tension. “Ricky, ease up. We’re all on the same side here.”

But Riccardo wasn’t backing down. “Are we? Because it seems like everyone’s just enabling him, pretending this isn’t a bigger problem.”

Valerio’s anger flared. “I don’t need you to babysit me!”

“I’m not trying to babysit you!” Riccardo snapped, his control slipping. “I’m trying to make sure you don’t end up in a situation you can’t walk away from.”

“Like what?” Valerio challenged, his voice rising. “What do you think’s going to happen?”

“Worst case?” Riccardo said, his voice deadly serious. “You get into a car with someone drunker than you are, or you get into a fight you can’t win, or you pass out in some alley and never wake up. That’s what I’m afraid of, Valerio. That’s what keeps me up at night.”

The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of Riccardo’s words sank in. Even Edoardo, who had been ready to argue further, couldn’t find a response. Cesare looked between them, his own concern etched on his face, but he didn’t know how to bridge the gap that had grown between them all. Finally, Valerio looked away, his anger replaced by a hollow feeling he couldn’t shake.

“I’m not that stupid,” he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

“I know you’re not. But you’re also not invincible. None of us are.” Riccardo’s expression softened, but his resolve remained.

Valerio didn’t respond, his thoughts swirling in a chaotic mess. The truth was, he didn’t know where to go from here. He felt trapped between his pride and the undeniable fact that Riccardo might be right. He couldn’t meet his gaze. The reality of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks. He felt sick, ashamed, but also angry at himself, at those so-called friends, and at Riccardo for being right all along. Riccardo handed the phone back without a word, then turned to leave the room, his patience finally exhausted.

“You figure out what you want. But don’t expect me to just stand by and watch you destroy yourself.”

As he walked out, the tension in the room remained thick and suffocating. He had never felt so lost, so conflicted. He wanted to lash out, to deny everything, but deep down, he knew the truth was staring him in the face. Edoardo shifted uneasily, his own guilt and fear gnawing at him. He wanted to say something, anything, to break the silence, but he knew Valerio needed time to process everything.

Finally, Valerio spoke, his voice low and strained. “I—I screwed up, didn’t I?”

Cesare, who had been silently watching from the sidelines, nodded slowly. “Yeah, Vale, you did. But we’re talking about Ricky, he gets aggressive when scared. You know he loves you and he will always, always, worry about you. About all of us. So it’s not too late to fix it.” Valerio looked up at his friends, the weight of their concern pressing down on him. For the first time, he realized just how far he had pushed them away, how much he had taken their support for granted. And now, standing on the edge of something he couldn’t fully understand, he wasn’t sure how to make things right. But one thing was clear—he couldn’t do it alone.

[archersartcorner]

OC meme cus I saw this goin around, enjoy my large-brown-eyed child :-)

[valentine-cafe]

Valerio Agresta Callari, the retired hunter

[Afab reader]

Thinking about Valerio fucking you, a low-ranked vampire!!:( He'd have a hand tightly wrapped around your mouth so you don't get any ideas!! Your moans would be all muffled from his hand while his hips had set a punishing past against your pussy!! You'd stare up at him with wide and teary eyes as he finally let you have some of his blood! Only barely sinking your fangs into his skin because you didn't wanna hurt him!!:( But he'd push his hand onto your fangs even more, how he loved how you clamped down on his cock.

-🍄

˖⁺. ﹙ the retired vampire hunter x afab reader. ﹚ .𖹭 ݁

. . . dirty, fuckin' vampire slut !! 🍒 :  retired vampire hunter ˖ dilf﹙ vampire au 781 valerio. ﹚

ah, a hunter fucking a low rank vampire, it does not get anymore shameful than this for both parts.

“looks like I found a little slut in the woods. lucky me.”

his cock bullies your gummy walls. it's far too big for you to take and yet you do so with pride. your soft ass rippling with each jam of his hips into yours.

you're bent in front of a tree. one hand buries in your hair and the other reaching over to rub calloused fingers at your clit. get you off just as much. the feel of your clamping down on him is addicting.

much like the scent of his blood. you've already got a taste. and you are yearning for more. yet all you are subjected to is rough thrusts and his harsh words. large hands that caress, grip and manhandle you in every way.

a disgrace, that's what you are. taking a hunter’s cock in your tight cunny. an agresta’s cock no less.

but the way he grabs onto your breasts. pinches and uses the leverage to slam you back till his balls are tapping against your clit aggressively. . .

you couldn't care less.

“p-p — e-eaasee - hmngh!”

“please? yeah? is that all you know how to say? patetico.”

he'll click his tongue. shove his dick deeper. and fuck you harder to hear your whines and spill your tears into the snow.

[nocturnal-bishop]

"You Will Never Ever Walk Alone..."

THE BRAINROT FOR THESE BOYS HAS BEEN BAD!! OCs are Bishop Dante Armani (mine) and Cadence Valerio ( @chase-the-music )

Close-up:

[malsfefanfics]

OC Profile: Davi

Art by @cringeyvanillamilk, edited to icon size by me.

"We're not exactly sure where he came from, but he's become a fine member of the monastery. Davi has the heart of a knight, but he has a laid back side as well. I get the feeling he keeps us all at arms length, though. I wish to know him better. He seems particularly awkward around Felix, Dedue, and is actively avoiding Seteth and Flayn." -- Dimitri about Davi.

Full name: Davi Valerio Nicknames: Dava (by children), Vi, Brat (by Graham, affectionate) Birthday: 19th of the Pegasus Moon, 1164 Age: 21 (Pre-Timeskip), 26 (Post-Timeskip) Crest: [REDACTED] Family: Unnamed mother (deceased), unnamed father (deceased), Rui (twin brother, deceased), unnamed grandfather (deceased), Graham Govain (Adoptive Guardian), Chliodna Govain (Adoptive Guardian) Nationality: Duscur Titles: Crepuscular Commander, Warrior of the Mind Voice Claim: Jonah Scott (Legoshi from Beastars)

Interests: Weapons training, the Opera, Religious Studies Likes: Horses, Choir Practice, Training, Dancing Dislikes: Most of Faerghus, Crests, Heroes Relics

Favorite Meals: Onion Gratin Soup, Grilled Herring, Fruit and Herring Tart Liked Meals: Saghert and Cream, Beast Meat Teppanyaki, Pickled Rabbit Skewers, Derdriu-Style Fried Pheasant, Disliked Meals: Garreg Mach Meat Pie, Country-Style Red Turnip Plate, Gautier Cheese Gratin

Tea Preferences: Chamomile, Cinnamon Blend, Almyran Pine Needles

Liked Gifts: Fishing Float, Exotic Spices, Floral Adornment, Book of Sheet Music Disliked Gifts: The History of Fodlan, Legends of Chivalry, Book of Crest Designs,

Lost Items:

Strange Book of Music: A notebook filled with unfinished sheet music. The lyrics are in a language you don't recognize.

Traditional Kilt: A garment fit for a warrior. An elaborately weaved design colors it like the twilight.

Suppression Charm: A charm meant to suppress magic power. You remember seeing something similar in a Crestology book.

Starting Class: Commoner Preferred Class Path: Soldier/Monk --> Cavalier/Mage/Dark Mage/Priest --> Paladin/Wyvern Rider/Bishop/Dark Bishop/Warlock --> Wyvern Lord/Dark Knight/Holy Knight Strength: Lance Weakness: Heavy Armor Budding Talent: Faith Personal Skill: Merciful Pantheon - Increases nearby allies critical hit rates by 5% when their health is less than half.

Weapons Starting Levels:

Sword: C Lance: B Axe: E Bow: D Brawling: E Reason: D Faith: D+ Authority: C Heavy Armor: E Riding: D Flying: D

Base Stats:

HP: 30 Str: 12 Mag: 6 Dex: 7 Spd: 7 Lck: 6 Def: 8 Res: 8 Cha: 10

Learned Faith Spells: Heal (D) Nosferatu (D+) Recover (C), Seraphim (B), Aura (A) Learned Reason Spells: Thunder (D), Thoron (C), Bolganone (B), Excalibur (A), Agnea’s Arrow (A)

Recruit Requirements for Canon-Compliance AUs: 

Blue Lions: must complete the Paralogues "War for the Weak" and "An Ocean View", and have B or higher in Lances, Reason, and Riding

Golden Deer: must complete the Paralogues "Dividing the World" and "An Ocean View", and have C or higher in Faith and Flying

Black Eagles: must complete "True Chivalry" and "An Ocean View", have a B in Axes and Heavy Armor.

Black Eagles (Silver Snow): Must also have completed Ashen Wolves Paralogues and have a B in Swords and Authority

Potential Supports:

Byleth

Dimitri

Dedue

Felix

Sylvain

Ingrid (up to B)

Annette

Mercedes

Edelgard

Caspar

Dorothea

Bernadetta

Petra

Claude

Lorenz (Up to B)

Hilda (Up to B)

Leonie

Raphael (Up to B)

Ignatz (Up to B)

Seteth

Flayn

Manuela

Hanneman (Up to B)

Yuri

Constance

Hapi

Balthus

Crit Quotes:

By the grace of the gods!

Ashes to ashes, as they say.

This is my vengeance!

You are not much of a challenge.

My mentor calls.

You're in my way!

You shall regret crossing blades with me!

God of War, guide me!

You are a disgrace!

Defeat Quotes:

Apologies, friends. I must fall back.

This is too much. We must retreat.

I....I won't die here....not now....

Ah...so this is what Rui felt that day...

I'm sorry, Graham. I failed....

Don't weep....I....made my choice....

Skill Level Increase Quotes:

This will aide my people well.

This blessing will serve me well.

Blessings by the God of Wisdom.

Now this is curious.

Insightful. Thank you.

Level Up Quotes:

To grow is part of life.

Blessed by the God of War.

I know I can do better.

The Gods are testing me.

Gift Quotes:

Liked Gifts: You found something truly magnificent. I am grateful.

Neutral Gifts: This is delightful.

Disliked Gifts: Perhaps you should take your curses elsewhere.

[theesirenteller]

❝Wait- we’re having a baby?❞

Valerio Montesinos Rojas x F!OC Lolitá

"Valerio, estoy embarazada."

I'm pregnant .

"What?!" The Diplomat Heir yelled out from across the indoor pool room. The vibrant reggaeton music blared from the speakers; causing a vibration rattle to the glass walls and windows. The fluffy-haired male only shot her an intoxicated smile before continuing to sway his hips and dance to the music. Valerio jumped around as the beat sped up.

Lolitá sighed and chewed at the side of her lip. Her pineapple juice trembled within the flute glass that she held onto tightly. The familiar sense of nausea crept up the back of her throat. The in-between of her toes grew sweaty like her armpits and neck. Her head began to throb as her eyes grew blurry. Oh, how she wished she wasn't a coward. Lolitá had been with Valerio for over six months now and with both of their track records regarding relationships, that was the closest to serious either of them had ever gotten. She loved him. She loved him more than she ever thought she loved anyone, even herself. He was truly one of a kind. Not just as a lover but just as a person in general. So wild at heart, so upbeat, and felt his emotions deeply, embraced every and any emotion he felt. And Lolita didn't want to lose him. Or be the cause of breaking his sobriety.

The pair had met at an overpriced Rehab facility in Italy. He made the once dreary place turn to sunshine. They'd recovered from their addictions and as a result of that became addicted to each other. Valerio took her everywhere with him. Now that he managed Carla's winery, he was busy quite a lot. "Co- dependants" was what Lolitá's psychiatrist called them. The shrink was shortly fired after that. Lolitá lived in a blissful delusion when it came to her relationship. As long as they weren't cheating on one another or doing drugs…then they were perfect.

"Fuck." she cursed to herself and just as she was about to get from her seat, Lolitá was tackled onto her back by Valerio. "¡Idiota! You're gonna suffocate me!" she wheezed as he smothered her with kisses.

Valerio could be the living embodiment of the phrase 'Golden Retriever Boyfriend'. He couldn't keep his hands off of her. His palms gripped her breasts as he kissed her neck. His long fingers tugged at the skimpy strings of her bikini top as he playfully bit at her ear, "Aw mí flor no seas así." my flower don't be like that.

He then cupped her face in his hands as he placed a kiss on her forehead " Why so tense baby?" he asked with a thick accent.

This was it. It was now or never.

"Because…" she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "I'm pregnant."

"Wait, so…we're having a baby? Un chiquito Valerio y Lolitá?" His questioning tone slowly turned to one that was filled with excitement. " Por favor, open your eyes, Litá." Valerio laughed.

And so she did. "You aren't upset?"

"Upset? No! This is amazing. Una regalo de Dios." it's a gift from god." He smiled. He then proceeded to place a soft kiss of reassurance to her lips. To which Lolitá kissed him with a passionate embrace. Her arms wrapping around his neck. Happiness vibrating off of the both of them.

Valerio pulled away for a moment to reveal to mischievous smirk. "We're gonna throw the biggest party to celebrate. Wait until Lu finds out she's going to be uná tiá."

[chase-the-music]

Introducing Cadence Valerio; Ghost's Advocatus Angeli

I first started developing Cade as an OC about 6 months ago, including my initial sketches for these sheets, so this is how he'd look in early 2024. I will be posting a written piece about how he got his role soon, but I'm also always very happy to answer questions about him!

I've added a massive lore dump for him below if anyone's interested in reading. I would say "full" lore but chances are I will keep adding to this more and more. Tw/cw for mentions of dysphoria, death, drug addiction, alcoholism, mental health issues, sex. There are also Rite Here Rite Now spoilers right at the end(I haven't actually seen it myself yet so any contradictions will be rectified later).

Cade's grandmother, Shirley Gibson, was a huge fan of the original iteration of Ghost as a band in the 60s, and obsessed with Nihil. She was one of the women that he ends up kissing in the Kiss The Go-Goat video, but when he left to find Sister Imperator after the show, she ended up partying with the Ghouls, and sleeping with one of them named Vigor. Shirley only found out she was pregnant upon returning to England, raising Cade's mum Catherine as a single mother with Vigor sending generous monetary support.

Catherine was very visibly different as a child being half-human half-Ghoul, and as a child in England she was very much ostracised for it. She took solace in her best friend, an Italian immigrant named Luciano Valerio, and in their teens, the two fell in love. Unbeknownst to them however, Catherine shared her father's high fertility and a singular slip-up led to the pair concieving when they were only 17. They decided to marry and make it work. Catherine gave birth to twins, Isabelle Violet and [I haven't decided if I'm going to share Cade's deadname yet] Valerio on Friday the 13th of May 1988.

As a child Cadence was outgoing and highly strung whereas his sister was far more shy and reserved. Both were small and slight with frequent health issues which for Cade mostly ended by his adolescence but for Isabelle were more severe and continued into adulthood. Both initially struggled in school but later surpassed their peers. They were intelligent, curious children and were inseparably close.

Cade experienced gender dysphoria for a long time but didn't quite know what it was until finding out about transgender people in his early 20s. His family were fairly accepting, but none more so than Isabelle who was Cade's biggest advocate, helping him get the support he needed. He began socially transitioning in 2011, started testosterone in 2012 and got top surgery in 2014. He was originally on track for bottom surgery in 2015 but this ended up delayed until 2021 for reasons explained below.

Being a quarter Ghoul, Cade has some traits from his grandfather despite appearing fairly human. Vigor is a very lively sun-like (in terms of the elements, Fire/Quintisessence type) Ghoul golden skin and fire-like hair and eyes. Cade's natural hair colour is strawberry blonde despite the fully human members of his family having dark hair, his skin has a slightly golden sheen in sunlight, and his eyes glow slightly in low light, with a candlelight-like effect. He has a higher than average body temperature which may be noteable to others who touch his skin but feels normal to him. That said he feels more comfortable in less clothing and will usually just walk around in his underwear in private, in public it's harder because he prefers not to show too much skin so he often gets a little too hot. His hair and nails grow very rapidly and his skin has a fast cell turnover so it's usually very soft and sensitive, he also has higher than average flexibility. He's presumed to have had high fertility like his mother and grandfather but since he had a hystorectomy as part of his bottom surgery he no longer has to worry about that(unless someone steals the eggs he had frozen)!

Cade studied Law in London and moved to a flatshare outside of the city after graduating, becoming a legal secretary straight after university. His coming out as trans soon after getting the job was a slight setback as a lot of his colleagues were new to the concept, but he was extremely good at his job and was in the process of moving into being a paralegal where he would get to use what he had studied more.

In 2014, Isabelle died suddenly after complications from a congenital heart condition which was one of the health issues that Cade did not share. As well as a heavy dose of survivor's guilt due to the circumstances, Cadence was understandably devastated by the loss and sunk into a deep depression.

He was already recreationally taking cocaine with work friends, but he became much more dangerously addicted, stopped caring about most things, and eventually lost his job, started missing appointments including for his initial bottom surgery, and generally stopped taking care of himself.

His parents helped him get treatment for his addiction as well as bereavement counselling and general mental health support. However once he stabilised he was still left unemployed and rather aimless, so his mum called her father, now retired from the Ministry but still occasionally visiting, and asked him to pull some strings and get his grandson a job so he could have a fresh start. Sister didn't agree with his appointment given his grandmother coming between herself and Nihil when she was pregnant with Copia, but gave him a shot expecting him to leave soon.

Cadence joined in late 2016, at first not having a defined role, just being a standard Clergy member and just seeing where he could be useful. At the time he was still feeling a little lost and still not his usually confident self, so he wasn't sure he belonged for a while. Shortly after the first three Papa's deaths, however, an argument with Sister Imperator over that choice led to him being given the role of "Advocatus Angeli"- an inversion of the original Advocatus Diaboli, or Devil's Advocate in Catholicism- via a phonecall from The Old One himself. He's considered a similar rank to an archbishop where he sits just below the Cardinal, but he's not able to ascend to that rank when Copia becomes Papa because it's considered a different skillset.

Cade's primary role for the first two years as AdvAn was to question and challenge Cardinal Copia and make sure he was worthy of becoming Papa. His criticisms were not sufficient from keeping Copia from the role, much to his chagrin, but he remains an important part of the Ministry, dedicated to making sure all are dedicated to demonic worship.

Cade is curious, observant and has a great memory. He's also very stubborn when he's sure he's right whether that be factually or morally, the latter backed up by his strong sense of justice. Usually his rebellious nature emerges when he comes across what he feels are unfair or unnecessary rules. He's usually very outgoing and talkative, though this took a knock for a while after Isabelle's death, not really returning to his usual self until 2019-20.

He is a hopeless romantic and falls in love far too easily. He's demisexual which I know can play out a bit differently depending on the person, but for Cade it means he doesn't really experience primary attraction, he needs to get to know a person to some extent and then the attraction develops. His actual drive for sex and/or masturbation on the other hand is rather high. When you combine all this with how easily he does end up falling for people, he's prone to setting off with friendly intentions in mind but then ending up with quite intense attractions to and fixations on people.

Cade is quite active; he doesn't have much interest in twam sports but he loves to swim, lift weights and kickbox; once he came out of his shell he started to invite Ghouls to spar with him(often in his office, which Sister is not too happy with).

Cade is a good singer and would love to lead rituals as he also has the charisma. His voice isn't as powerful as the Papas, but it does have a nice tone to it. He also plays piano/keyboard, so he can provide backup vocals or fill in on keyboard when needed for rituals. He likes to serenade his partners in low light, preferably on a real piano, because his soft voice combined with the glow of his eyes can be oddly hypnotic. He likes watching any sort of crime documentary and for films he quite likes psychological thrillers. He's creative and can draw to some extent but not very good with physically making things so often has clothes/accessories/props custom made for him.

Cade's favourite food is ice cream/gelato, especially coffee, hazelnut and pistachio flavours. He also really likes steak and pasta. In terms of animals he quite likes reptiles; he doesn't have any pets at the Ministry but is very tempted to get a snake because a. he's dramatic and b. if Copia pisses him off he can threaten his rats (he wouldn't actually though).

He never got to know Primo or Secondo well, he would perhaps consider them acquantances up until their deaths. Papa Nihil and he have an odd relationship; Nihil actually seems to quite like him but because of Sister Imperator he can't really get to know him well. Sister herself starts off very cold to Cade because of his relation to the woman who wrecked her marriage to Nihil(I hc them married in the eyes of the Ministry, hence why Copia is seen as needing to prove himself; only bastard children are fit to take the Papa title automatically as I've talked about here). It looks like she may warm to him a little until he finds out about Copia being her son shortly after the Papa's deaths and accuses her rather confrontationally as mentioned above, gaining him his role but almost guaranteeing the cold relationship continues.

He got to know Terzo quite a bit as he was Papa when he joined the Ministry, he studied and admired his performance in Rituals and ended up considering him a friend. He was somewhat attracted to him once they became close but he mostly ignored it. Terzo's death therefore hit him harder than the other two, though all three were hard for him as he'd agreed to come to Ghost to get away from death.

Cade initially had no issue with Copia and vice versa, he was just someone he saw around the halls, but after he was assigned to challenge him and judge his worthiness for Papa (despite still being below him in rank), the two begin to frequently butt heads. They maintain a genuine dislike for each other over many years. There is some degree of sexual tension there, but they fucked once only to find they still couldn't stand each other.

When Copia became Papa against much of his advice, Cadence reacted very badly, including going off to find some sort of purpose to everything he was doing. He ended up getting to know and then having a short-term relationship with Lucifer himself. They ended up having to part ways for various reasons but it gave Cade a more solid belief in the purpose of the Ministry, and he soon returned. He still doesn't like Copia and frequently thinks about usurping him but nothing really comes from it.

He has a very up and down relationship with @nocturnal-bishop's OC Bishop Dante. Cade doesn't make friends at the Ministry for a while because he's not his usual confident self, and Dante is his first friend there. As they grow closer, Cadence develops feelings for Dante, but he can tell he's in love with Terzo so while he's not too secretive when it comes to flirting etc, he never makes a definitive move or confession. When the Papas die, Cadence tries to be there to console the Bishop, but when he gets his promotion soon afterwards, Dante becomes suspicious and it takes a while for him to trust Cade again.

From then on, tension grows between the two professionally, as Dante helps prepare Copia for his duties as Papa while Cadence challenges whether he's worthy of the role. Unlike Cade and Copia though, there is a genuine like for each other and want to understand the other at the heart of it. They do sometimes have genuine arguments, but a lot of the time it's far more playful, and over the years I can see genuine affection developing, probably a lot of situations where one has feelings for each other they don't express. Once they can be more open with each other about everything, it would assuage all their doubts about each other and they would build a loving relationship, I don't think it's really been decided when they get together but really any time from 2021-24 I can see working. Me and Dante's writer are both multi-shippers but in my heart I can definitely see them as endgame. Oh and their ship name is Dance. 💜❤

Post-Rite Here Rite Now, I imagine Cadence would be heavily disadvantaged by Copia's appointment as Frater Imperator. He's going to have to hope he can gain some sort of promotion- which is difficult when his role is rather unique- or try his best to make a good impression with the new Papa.

If you read all(or any!) of this, I really appreciate it! I'm hoping to work on some art pieces of Cade and hopefully of Vigor soon but I'm not the fastest. I love talking about my little guy so again feel free to drop me an ask or message or whatnot!

[surnumanaja]

inkvisiitor magda, eesel milli jt

[lifeonthemurdersim]

Ardens Aeturnum- Chapter 1: Castitas Fandom/Universe: Ghost (band) Characters/Pairing: OC x OC AO3 Link(full tags, warnings etc here) Word count: 1,805 words Synopsis: "Whatever burns, burns eternally..." Author's Note: This fic is comprised of a collection of little moments from Dante (@nocturnal-bishop's OC) and Cadence(my OC)'s time at the ministry together. Only Chapter 1 is part of GKtober, the rest will be uploaded on AO3 and possibly on @chase-the-music. More about Gorekinktober on my pinned post here! Kinktober prompt(s) used: Wax Play Goretober prompt used: N/A

MARCH 2020

Drip. Gasp.

Drip. Gasp.

Drip. Gasp.

Hot wax drips ever-so-slowly from the flaming end of a wide black candle in the Bishop's hand onto the Advocatus Angeli's back. Not an unusual pasttime for the two of them at all. Dante recalls it from as far back as their first night spent together. He knows how much the other loves it. He loves it too.

Cade's hair is tied up in a messy bun on top of his head, revealing his smooth, toned back covered in copious spots of wax already. They take longer to cool on him than anyone else Dante's done this with. Such a beautiful man. It's funny how arguments between the two often devolve into this. But how could Dante ever resist the way this little fireball melts under his touch?

His gasps and hisses of pain are so soft, subtle, yielding, so contrary to the disgruntled comments he was making throughout the Papa's anointment ceremony. Dante's not surprised that left him in a bad mood, but he's not opposed to providing a distraction. It's not like he hasn't needed the same at times.

"F-faster..." Cade urges, shifting his shoulders a little. "Please..."

"I'm sorry darling, I can't control the speed at which the candle burns." Dante teases lightly. Cade lets out an unusually frustrated growl into the pillow in front of him.

"Dante, please!" he replies.

"You seem to have lost the ability to talk back now, gattino." he comments of the other's begging.

"Shut uuuuup..." Cade whines, startling the taller man somewhat. He frowns down at him, but he's not overly offended considering he knows he's presumably only out for punishment.

"Oh dear, perhaps not." he replies, tutting at him and flicking the candle hard, delivering a larger splash of wax which has Cade cry out in a mixture of pain and pleasure, suddenly breathing a lot more heavily, while Dante too draws in a deep, aroused breath.

"Closer, closer, bring it closer!" Cadence urges, and it's... strange. It's not the hazy, soft murmur he lets out when he's in so much pleasure he can barely speak. It's hard, angry, still very much the tone he had when they were arguing and it leaves Dante a little... concerned.

"...Cade?" he asks, actually raising the candle up a little so the melted wax remains at the top.

"More... harder... closer... more, please, Dante!" the other insists, his voice cracking with the desperation. While that sweet begging would normally stand to urge Dante on all the more, it's something he's used enough to hearing to know that right now it actually sounds... extremely off. He places the candle back in it's holder, bending down slightly beside the bed and turning the younger man's face to look at him.

There's pleasure in those hazel eyes, yes, and anger too, but there's also a tremendous amount of hurt. Not physical pain, but pain Dante heavily suspects he's trying to counteract with physical pain. "You're... not OK, are you?" Cade doesn't look away, he holds his stare but looks on the verge of breaking into tears. "Aspera." Dante says softly.

"I didn't say it." Cade replies in a quiet, choked voice.

"I'm saying it." Dante says, pulling him up and into a tight embrace. At first Cade tenses up further, but then his body softens and begins to shake as he starts to sob against Dante's shoulder. "Idiota..." he scolds gently. "Don't ever use me to hurt yourself." Cade nods against his shoulder.

"I'm... sorry..." he replies. "Just... it's everything at once, Copia being anointed and... and my dysphoria's been really fucking bad recently and... and I... I haven't been sleeping well at... at all..."

"It's OK." Dante assures him, stroking the back of his neck and letting him speak.

"I'm... worried that I'll lose my job b-because I won't be needed anymore." Cade continues. "And I've... I've really started to love it here, Dante!" The fact he's so passionately upset about this is actually heartbreaking.

"You're an excellent asset to the Ministry, Cade." he assures. "The Clergy all agree your role here is secure."

"Really?" Cade sniffs, leaning back a little to look him in the eyes, arms still draped over his shoulders. Dante's not used to seeing him looking this vulnerable, not in a platonic sense anyway. "I... kind of thought maybe... no-one liked me."

"Your role is divisive by nature." Dante points out.

"Think I'm divisive by nature." Cade suggests.

"Perhaps... it's a little of both." Dante agrees with a fond smile. "But the Ghouls like you a lot now you've come out of your shell." he reminds him. "The Papa likes you too, even if he's loath to admit it."

"I find that hard to believe." Cade mutters, but Dante suspects that deep down even he knows it.

"And not to overinflate my significance." Dante finishes, putting a hand to his bare shoulder. "But I think I like you most of all."

"...Why?" the Advocatus asks, some genuine bemusement in his expression. "I... I've been such a dickhead to you!" Dante chuckles slightly but shakes his head.

"Never more than I could bear." he assures. He feels he's very much responsible too, he knows he's found it hard to control his temper at times. "I know we've had our differences, Cade." he points out. "But you're passionate, dedicated, loyal..." His hand slides from Cade's shoulder up his neck and to his face, where a very slight smile is breaking at his kind words. "You've been there for me through some of the hardest times of my life." His thumb slides across the other's cheek. "Despite all we've been through, I have to say, you're still my closest friend here."

"Dante..." Cade says with a soft, affectionate look in his eyes, bringing his hand up to rest against Dante's. It's a look he recalls well from the other man when they first became friends. It's less common now. He misses it. "I feel the same, I..." He looks down and sighs. "I just wish we weren't so in opposition professionally sometimes."

"We don't have to be." Dante tells him softly. "Not anymore."

"What?" Cade looking back up at him curiously. "In... what sense?"

"I no longer have to ready the Papa for his role, from this day forth I merely protect him." he reminds him.

"Oh... right... and... I don't need to challenge his suitability..." Cade realises in response. "Only everyone's loyalty to the Ministry."

"Precisely." Dante agrees, nodding slightly. "So unless you have doubts about me in that regard..."

"Never!" Cade interrupts with another slight laugh. "You're like... the most dedicated person I know!" Dante smiles. "Wow, you're right, we can just... go back to the way we used to be." He looks to the side, smiling to himself a little. "Well... almost..." Dante gazes at him for a moment, but can't easily ascertain what he means by that.

"...Why almost?" he questions, unable to avoid the curiosity. Cade gives him a slight grimace; the kind of look that suggests he knows this is awkward but intends to go through with it anyway.

"Look... Dante... erm..." he begins, taking the hand that's on his face back down to rest against his thigh, holding it in hus more fully. "While we're sort of starting anew, I... I want to confess something. I've dropped hints before but..." He takes a deep breath. "When you were with... well... OK maybe not really with..." he rambles, glancing at Dante and then seemingly restarting his sentence entirely. "There was a time... before things became so complicated between us..." He pushes his bangs off of his face. "Fuck, I'm just going to bloody say it. I used to be in love with you."

Dante looks at Cade. He looks entirely serious, and Dante is... somewhat shocked. Because the truth is, he did suspect that back when they'd only been friends for a few months, Cade's feelings for him weren't at all platonic. He was never the most subtle with it, after all. Dante had been attracted to him too, in a way that extended beyond mere sex if he was completely honest. He guessed in the back of his mind he saw Cade's feelings the same as his; an initial infatuation that would fade with time.

Because Terzo was his absolute world back then. Cade could have given him anything and everything, in fact maybe at times he tried to, and still the fact he liked him rather a lot would have never been able to compare to his love for the now late Papa. "You... did...?" he asks slowly.

Cade nods. "Tried to tell you, too..." he says with an embarrassed laugh. "The shit you always tease me about."

Ti amo. He'd said ti amo, and Dante had assumed he was mistranslation rather than ask, because... well maybe because he didn't want to hear it. Didn't want to have to let him down. Because he'd liked the way things were, he supposed. The same reason he'd let the incontestable flirting and the closeness and eventually the sex happen in the first place. "I'm... so sorry if I hurt you..." he murmurs softly. Cade shrugs.

"They do say all's fair in love and war." he replies. "I could have ended things at any time but I chose to take every moment I could with you." Dante exhales softly, not quite a sigh but very close to one, squeezing the other's hand tight. There's something so lovely about Cade that he's not sure most people appreciate.

"You are... telling me all this in the past tense, yes?" he asks curiously.

"Oh, one hundred percent." he assures hastily. "I mean, don't get me wrong, you're amazing, Dante. I'm never going to stop admiring you, you're an incredible friend and... well I'm all for us continuing to mess around together every now and again because you're hot as fuck." He shakes his head, letting out a soft laugh. "But I don't think I would put myself through all of that again."

"Yes, that's... understandable." Dante replies with a slight nod, giving a polite smile back. It makes perfect sense of course. So... why does he feel almost... disappointed?

"I do love you though, Dante." Cade says fondly, smiling. "Ti voglio bene." Dante smiles slightly despite his mixed feelings.

"The "o" in "voglio" is... a little longer." he advises him a little uncertainly. "Ti voglio bene, Cade." he repeats with the correct pronunciation.

"Right." Cade says. "I'll work on it." He looks at Dante a moment more, and then pulls him into a tight embrace. "Thank you." he says earnestly against the Bishop's neck.

"You're very welcome." Dante replies. But with the unease that's stirring at the centre of his chest... he's really not so sure he is.

End note: honestly super excited to continue this in November/December 😊

[aestheticallypleasinganimeboys]

Valerio - Dragalia Lost

[lieutenant-amuel]

💫 Valerio + Personality 💫

***

Happy birthday, Valerio 🧡

[vmygdvlv]

After Hours: echoes of a night !

Genre: angst. series / part.i

Pairing: valerio x riccardo + (some Edoardo & Cesare in the mix) italian boys!au

Summary: valerio finds himself drawn into the world of his older university peers, eager to fit in and prove himself. when they invite him out for a night of drinking and revelry, valerio is excited but anxious, knowing that the crowd he’s with is more experienced and reckless.

Warnings: emotional distress, substance abuse, peer pressure, aggressive behavior

The tension in the small apartment was palpable. Valerio’s place, typically a haven of calm and order, had transformed into a raucous gathering spot. The cluttered living room was a stark contrast to its usual neatness, with snacks and half-empty glasses strewn across the floor. The sound of loud laughter and clinking bottles filled the space as Valerio’s older peers took over.

Luca, a tall figure with an air of effortless charm, was holding court. “Tonight’s going to be epic,” he declared, his voice carrying an edge of bravado. “And let’s not forget, it’s Andrea’s birthday. We’re going all out!”

Andrea, the birthday boy, grinned broadly, raising a nearly full glass in a toast. “Cheers to another year of living it up!” He downed his drink with exaggerated gusto, prompting cheers from the group. Valerio, caught between the excitement of the night and the unease of his disheveled home, tried to keep up the facade of confidence. His attempts to join in the conversation felt hollow, a stark contrast to the wild energy of his friends. He moved around, picking up after them, though his gestures were more resigned than enthusiastic.

“Hey, Valerio, don’t sweat it,” Marta said with a teasing lilt in her voice. She was perched on the arm of the sofa, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It’s a party, not a library.”

Valerio managed a tight smile. “Yeah, I guess. Just trying to keep things from getting too crazy.”

Marta’s laughter was cut short by Luca’s booming voice. “Come on, let loose! We’re celebrating Andrea’s big day, remember?”

The apartment, once a serene sanctuary, now echoed with the sounds of unchecked revelry. Bottles clattered as they were opened and closed, music blared from a portable speaker, and the group’s loud conversation reverberated off the walls. Valerio’s initial excitement was overshadowed by a growing sense of anxiety. He was keenly aware of every misplaced item and every spilled drink, the mess a stark contrast to his usual orderliness.

A loud crash from the kitchen interrupted Valerio’s thoughts. He hurried over to find that someone had knocked a stack of plates onto the floor. The pieces were scattered, and the wine that had been spilled mixed with shards of porcelain. Andrea and Luca were in the middle of it, laughing as they tried to clear the mess with little regard for the damage.

“Ah, don’t worry about it,” Andrea said dismissively, stepping over the broken plates. “It’s just a bit of fun.” Valerio’s frustration bubbled up, but he forced himself to keep calm. “Can we try to keep it down a bit? It’s a lot to clean up.”

“Relax,” Luca replied with a dismissive wave. “We’re just having a good time. It’s not the end of the world.”

As the evening progressed, the energy in the room was infectious. The group’s laughter and animated chatter filled the space, creating a sense of camaraderie that Valerio tried to embrace. He put on a brave face, masking his anxiety with a veneer of excitement. He was eager to make a good impression and prove himself to his friends, even if it meant pushing his limits. In the midst of the preparations, Valerio’s phone buzzed with a message from Riccardo. It was a simple, straightforward text: “How’s everything going? Remember to be careful tonight.”

Valerio’s stomach tightened slightly. Riccardo, though well-meaning, had always been a bit overprotective. He was like an older brother, and while Valerio appreciated the concern, he didn’t want to appear as though he couldn’t handle himself. He quickly typed a reply, trying to keep it casual. He texted back: “Everything’s great! Just getting ready for a fun night out. I’ll be fine.” Valerio sighed and tucked his phone into his pocket, deciding to leave it behind for the night. He was determined to embrace the freedom of the evening, even if it meant temporarily disconnecting from his usual support system.

As the group finished getting ready, Valerio’s mind wandered back to Riccardo’s text. He knew his friend was just looking out for him, but the thought of him hovering in the background added an extra layer of pressure. He wanted to prove that he could navigate the nightlife on his own, without anyone’s interference.

“Alright, everyone, let’s get going!” Luca shouted over the din. “Time to hit the pub and keep this party rolling!”

The clock ticked closer to midnight, and the group decided it was time to head out. They gathered their things, with Valerio feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. His friends were chatting animatedly, and he tried to match their enthusiasm, though he could not completely shake the feeling of unease that lingered beneath the surface.

Before leaving, he glanced at his phone one last time. There was another message from Riccardo, this one more concerned. “Just checking in. Remember, I’m only a call away if you need anything.” He sighed and tucked his phone into his pocket, deciding to leave it behind for the night. He was determined to embrace the freedom of the evening, even if it meant temporarily disconnecting from his usual support system.

As the group spilled out into the chilly night air, their laughter echoing down the street, he took a deep breath, trying to shake off his lingering doubts. Tonight was about enjoying himself and proving he could hold his own. He pushed aside any lingering anxiety, focusing on the camaraderie and the promise of an exciting night ahead. Little did he know that the night would unravel in ways he hadn’t anticipated, setting off a series of events that would test his limits and the strength of his friendships. But for now, as they made their way to the pub, he was determined to enjoy the moment and make the most of the evening.

Across the table, his friends laughed loudly, already deep into their drinks. The bar was dimly lit, filled with the low hum of conversations and the clinking of glasses. Luca nudged him with an elbow.

“Vale, why so quiet? You’re not bailing on us, are you?”Valerio forced a grin, raising his glass. “Nah, just… trying to keep up with you guys,” he said, the alcohol making his words slur slightly.

Marta leaned in closer, her voice dripping with mock concern. “You sure? You look like you’ve had enough already.”

“Hey, let the kid drink!” Andrea, shouted, laughing. “He’s gotta learn sometime.”

Valerio’s phone buzzed, but he quickly shoved it deeper into his pocket, ignoring the concerned glances from his friends. He didn’t need anyone’s interference tonight. But deep down, a knot of anxiety twisted in his stomach, once he tried to drown with another gulp of beer. His vision blurred even further. He laughed along with the others, but it felt hollow, forced. He was barely holding it together.

Marta noticed, her smile turning a bit sharper. “You sure you can handle this? You’re looking a little worse for wear.”

He nodded too quickly, the motion making his head spin. “I’m fine, really. Just need to… sit for a minute.”

Andrea exchanged a glance with Marta, smirking. “Maybe he’s more lightweight than we thought. Should’ve stuck to soda, kid.” The teasing hit harder than it should have, and Valerio’s pride flared. “I’m not a kid,” he snapped, trying to steady himself. “I can handle it.”

Marta raised an eyebrow. “Prove it, then. One more shot?”

He hesitated, but the challenge was too much to back down from. He reached for the shot glass Marta slid over, trying to ignore the way his hand shook. Just as he brought it to his lips, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text.

Riccardo. Again. “Vale, answer your damn phone. I’m worried. Call me back.” He glanced at the message, a pang of guilt momentarily cutting through the haze. But he shoved it aside, downing the shot in one go. The liquid burned on the way down, and he nearly gagged, but forced himself to swallow. His friends cheered, but the victory felt hollow. Everything felt hollow.

A while later, he stumbled outside for air, the cool night hitting him hard. His head was spinning as he stumbled out of the club, the thumping bass still reverberating in his ears. The cool night air hit him like a slap, but it did little to clear the fog in his mind. He fumbled with his phone, blinking hard to focus on the screen. His vision blurred as he tried to dial Riccardo’s number. His hand shook, partly from the cold, but mostly from the alcohol coursing through his veins. His mind was a chaotic mess of regret and anger. He hadn’t wanted to call Riccardo—he knew how furious his older friend would be—but he didn’t see any other option.

The night had started innocently enough. A few drinks, some laughs with the older guys from his sound engineering program, an attempt to fit in. He had been eager to prove he wasn’t just the young, inexperienced student they all saw him as. But things had quickly spiraled out of control. The older students, with their easy confidence and their years of experience, had pushed him further than he was ready to go. Drinks kept coming, faster than he could manage, and before he knew it, Valerio was far past his limit.

Riccardo paced back and forth in his living room, the clock on the wall ticking relentlessly. It was past two in the morning and he hadn’t heard from Valerio since earlier that evening. The last text had been short, almost dismissive: “Heading out with some friends. Don’t wait up.” It wasn’t like him to be so vague. Usually, he was upfront about his plans, especially when it came to going out late. But something about tonight had felt off, and his instincts were screaming that something was wrong.

He grabbed his phone and opened the call log. The sight of his unanswered calls and unread texts only fueled his growing frustration. He’d tried to give Valerio space, tried to respect that he was an adult now, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Valerio was in over his head. These older guys from university—they weren’t the kind of people he trusted. They were the type who saw Valerio as an easy mark, someone they could mold into their own image. He dialed Valerio’s number again, but it went straight to voicemail. He swore under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “Damn it, Vale, where the hell are you?”

He tossed his phone on the couch and sat down, trying to think rationally. He knew he couldn’t just storm in and drag Valerio home like a child. But the thought of him out there, possibly drunk and surrounded by people who didn’t have his best interests at heart, gnawed at him. He had seen this kind of thing before—he’d watched friends fall into bad crowds, make bad decisions, and end up paying the price. And he’d be damned if he was going to let Valerio end up the same way.

Now, standing outside the club, feeling the world tilt dangerously, Valerio cursed under his breath. He had ignored his friend’s calls earlier, too caught up in the thrill of the night to care. But now, as he swayed on the sidewalk, the weight of his mistake pressed down on him. He knew Riccardo had warned him about this group, had told him to be careful. But he hadn’t listened. He wanted to prove himself, to show he could handle it. Instead, he had ended up here—drunk, alone, and desperate.

The phone rang in his hand, and after what felt like an eternity, Riccardo picked up. His voice was sharp, tinged with a mix of relief and anger. “Where the hell are you?”

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. “I… I’m outside the club. Need… need you to pick me up.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, and Valerio could almost picture Riccardo’s expression—tight-lipped, eyes narrowed in frustration. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Riccardo finally said, his tone dangerously calm. “I’ve been calling you for hours. Hours. And now you decide to answer?”

“I… I’m sorry,” he mumbled, his words slurring together. “Didn’t… didn’t see the calls.”

Riccardo let out a harsh laugh, the sound devoid of humor. “You didn’t see them? Or you ignored them? Because I’m pretty sure you were too busy getting trashed with those so-called friends of yours.”

Valerio winced at the accusation, shame prickling at the back of his neck. He knew his friend was right, but admitting it felt like swallowing glass. “I wasn’t… I just—”

“Save it,” Riccardo cut him off, his voice hardening. “Just tell me where you are.”

Valerio gave him the address, his stomach churning with a mix of guilt and nausea. He heard Riccardo mutter something under his breath before the line went dead. The abruptness of the hang-up left him standing in the cold, the silence pressing down on him. He shoved the phone back into his pocket, feeling more alone than ever. Minutes passed like hours, the cold seeping into the bones as he waited. He tried to ignore the looks from passersby, their judgmental glances only heightening his sense of humiliation. He knew he had messed up—badly. And now he would have to face Riccardo’s wrath. When he car finally pulled up, his heart sank. He could see the tension in Riccardo’s posture even before he got out of the car. The older man’s face was a mask of controlled anger as he approached, his eyes locking onto him with a look that could burn through steel.

“Get in the car,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Valerio didn’t argue. He could feel Riccardo’s fury simmering beneath the surface, and the last thing he wanted was to set it off. He slid into the passenger seat, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated. The door slammed shut beside him, and the sound echoed like a gunshot in the quiet street. Riccardo got in behind the wheel, his hands gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence thick with tension. Valerio could feel the anger radiating off Riccardo, a palpable force that made the air in the car feel stifling.

Finally, Riccardo broke the silence, his voice cold and sharp. “What the hell were you thinking? Going out with those guys, getting drunk off your ass… What were you trying to prove?”

Valerio stared at his hands, his shame battling with the lingering buzz of alcohol. “They said it would be fun.”

“Fun?” Riccardo spat the word like it was poison. “Does this look like fun to you? Being so drunk you can barely stand? Having to call me to bail you out?”

“I didn’t want to call you!” Valerio snapped, his frustration boiling over. “I knew you’d react like this!”

Riccardo’s eyes flashed with anger. “React like what? Like someone who gives a damn about you? Because, believe me, I’m the only one who does! Those friends of yours left you out here to rot. They didn’t care what happened to you, and you’re too damn blind to see it!”

Valerio clenched his fists, the words cutting deep. He wanted to argue, to defend himself, but he knew Riccardo was right. The truth was hard to swallow, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. “I’m not a kid. I can make my own decisions.”

“Yeah? Well, you made a hell of a decision tonight, didn’t you?” Riccardo’s voice was laced with sarcasm, his anger barely contained. “You think you’re proving something by getting wasted with people who don’t give a damn about you? You’re only proving how easy you are to manipulate.”

Valerio’s chest tightened, the words hitting harder than he expected. “I just… I wanted them to take me seriously.”

Riccardo let out a bitter laugh. “And did they? Did they take you seriously when they left you out here? When they pushed you to drink more even though you were clearly out of your depth?”

The question hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. He didn’t have an answer. He knew Riccardo was right, but admitting it felt like a defeat. Instead, he turned his gaze to the window, staring at the passing lights as the car sped through the empty streets.

The silence stretched on, thick and oppressive. Valerio’s thoughts were a tangled mess, the alcohol making it hard to focus. But one thing was clear—he had messed up, and there was no easy way to fix it. When they finally pulled up to Valerio’s apartment, Riccardo turned off the engine but didn’t move to get out. He sat there, his hands still gripping the wheel, his jaw clenched tight. Valerio could feel the tension radiating off him, the anger that had yet to fully dissipate.

“Valerio,” Riccardo began, his voice softer now but still laced with frustration, “I need you to understand something. I’m not just angry because you got drunk. I’m angry because you put yourself in a situation where you could’ve been seriously hurt. And for what? To impress a bunch of guys who don’t give a damn about you?”

Valerio swallowed hard, his throat dry. “I didn’t think it would go this far.”

“That’s the problem,” Riccardo said, his voice tinged with sadness. “You didn’t think. You were so caught up in trying to fit in that you forgot to take care of yourself.”

Valerio nodded slowly, the weight of Riccardo’s words pressing down on him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to get this bad.”

Riccardo finally released the wheel, turning to look at Valerio. The anger had faded from his eyes, replaced by a deep concern. “Just… promise me you’ll be more careful next time. I don’t want to have to come find you like this again.”

Valerio met his gaze, the guilt gnawing at him. “I promise.”

The late night air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the warmth of the arguments and emotions that had filled the previous night. Valerio, now sober but visibly drained, shuffled out of the car and leaned against the passenger side, taking a moment to steady himself. Riccardo watched Valerio with a mixture of concern and frustration. He had insisted on staying the night to ensure that Valerio was safe and had a chance to reflect on the events of the previous night. There was an unspoken understanding between them—Riccardo’s presence was both a gesture of support and a necessary intervention.

“Let’s get inside,” Riccardo said, his voice softer now but still carrying an edge of determination. He nodded, though his expression was a blend of embarrassment and resignation. He led the way into the apartment, unlocking the door with a trembling hand. As they stepped inside, Riccardo glanced around, noting the disarray of the living space. Empty bottles and takeout containers were scattered about, remnants of a night that had spiraled out of control.

Valerio dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and sighed, clearly exhausted. “I didn’t expect you to stay over,” he said, trying to mask the vulnerability in his voice with a note of defiance. Riccardo closed the door behind them and followed Valerio into the living room. “I wasn’t going to leave you alone after everything.” he replied firmly. “You need to take some time to calm down and think about what happened. I’m not going to let you do that by yourself.”

Valerio rubbed his temples, the weight of the previous night’s events pressing heavily on his shoulders. “I get it,” he said, sounding more resigned than defensive. “I’m just… tired.”

Riccardo nodded, a heavy silence settling between them. “Good. Now get some sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

He knew things would be different after this—his relationship with Riccardo, his view of his so-called friends, and his understanding of what it meant to make the right choices. As he collapsed onto his bed, the room spinning around him, Valerio couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight had been a turning point. And as much as he hated to admit it, he was grateful that Riccardo had been there to pull him back from the edge.

[archersartcorner]

MAY EACH WORD I SPEAK

BE BACKED BY EACH OF MY TEETH

I CLAIM THIS AS A PACT

THESE WORDS AS CEREMONY!

[valentine-cafe]

Now that I KNOW he is a DILF can I request vampire au Valerio with the (GOLD.) prompt? 👉👈 I'm not desperate I promise.

. ˚◞♡ retired vampire hunter x gn reader◞ ₊˚

⊹ ۪ ࣪ ᥫ᭡ vampire au valerio agresta caliari

. ˚◞꒰ 🍮 ꒱ vampire hunter x reader, dilf x reader ⊹ ۪ ࣪

‧꒰ character sheet . legendarium . prompt page ꒱‧

“I don’t ever think I’ve seen your scars before,” the sound of your voice breaks the silence that had settled within the bedroom. despite having been with him for a few nights now, you only really began paying attention to the scars last night.

it was early in the morning. silk sheets remain swept across your body, while the aromas of coffee and tea float through the room. sun shining through the windows and catching in the small prisms that hung by the window. gently swaying around the space as wind gently tugged at them.

valerio let out a small hum and looked back at you, his shirt halfway thrown off as he was headed to the bathroom.

messy hair shifts slowly on his shoulders as a raspy hum emits from his throat, head turning just slightly. processing your words, his eyebrows furrowed. so turning to you fully, he leaned back and swept his tongue across his teeth, before letting it click against the roof of his mouth.

“no?” he responds, voice heavy with sleep still. as if his italian accent couldn’t get thicker, yet the second he spoke again, your heart fluttered.

“you seen the ones on my arms. no gold to be seen there.” he grunts. shirt draped across the backlean of the chair closest to him, just as he makes his way over to you.

“I haven’t seen all of these though. well, maybe glimpses.” you murmur, dragging your tired body out of bed and sighing at the shivers that rush through your body as the cold morning air tickles against bare skin.

at the very least the sun is your friend as usual. caressing your body and aiding it with warmth. it always made the man jealous to see the way the sun could get so close to your skin.

jealous of the sun, wasn’t that impressive.

he inhales quietly, rolling a pair of tired shoulder back, and stretching the equally exhausted body that he has dragged and carried across the meadowlands these past few days.

“come with me to the bath,” he mumbles, brushing his hand across your hair and combing the ends with long, calloused fingers.

you feel the tips of your ears burning up at the words that slip through his lips. it takes a millisecond for him to see it too. you hate him so much, always teasing you.

“was kissin’ you breathless to sleep last night, this flusters you?” he huffs, amusement evident. and something in the atmosphere shifts.

with a sheepish grin you look down and get out of the bed. muscles screaming to be stretched and thanking you over and over once you listen to them.

“ay, i get flustered, okay? leave me. we never bathed together before.” you chuckle.

gentle is the hand that meets your back, almost careful. so is the expression that settles before your eyes.

“just let me take care of you a bit, ‘s the least i can do after last night. lo farai?” hordes of butterflies rush through your stomach at the quiet words. almost crooned out, with that specific tone he always carries staying around like the small sparrows that has put down their own little residence outside his window.

it is so incredibly hard to not simply melt in his hold, as if you have not already done so thousands of times before.

“well what other choices do i have other than accept?” you whisper, chuckling softly at the small squeeze your shoulder received from the usually rough hand.

with a small push you enter the bathroom. though you needn’t undress, you remain naked as ever. waiting for him to join you, while he slips off his pants and yawns.

barely do you adjust to the sight before you’re dragged into the tub full of hot water. followed by a groan that weaves threads into your ears and leave fond imprints of the sounds that your beloved makes each time he makes one you haven’t heard much before.

with a small smile, you lean back and meet eyes of emerald. legs stretching across his. laughs help their way out at the small: “why,” that he lets out when your foot moves up to splash water on him.

and you yelp when he grabs onto it and yanks you over, face momentarily submerged in the water. with a few coughs and chuckles after, irises flicker around his body.

it’s true, there really is no gold left. just scars.

his legs, arms, back, waist, goldless and now scarred. a shiver rushes up his spine when a careful hand mindlessly traces each and every one of them.

“where did the gold go when you stripped yourself?” the question is quiet, yet carries so much curiousness. it killed the cat, they always say that.

what worse answer can you get other than a little: “doesn’t concern your pretty little head.”

yet, to your very own surprise, he answers.

“don’t remember myself, mi amore. i just remember i wanted it gone.” he sighs and strokes his thumb across your cheek, before moving both of his hands down to your shoulders. massaging away at the tender skin.

with a small click of his tongue and a furrow of his brows, he looks back up at you.

“’s tense. turn around, god. keep tellin’ ya to do some stretches, never listen huh?” he grumbles. waving his hand to signal you to turn around.

with a little laugh and compliance. you turn around and groan at the feel of firm but gentle fingers rubbing against your tense muscles.

“if it means i get to feel you close i don’t see why it’s too bad.”

[oc-poll-tournament]

OC Poll Tournament Round 1 Poll 4

Propaganda below the cut:

Valerio Álvarez (he/him) @lieutenant-amuel: “Off-screen”: Valerio is a fandom OC. He lives somewhere in the 19th century in a fictional kingdom inspired by several Latin American countries. In my story where he’s one of the main characters he’s 35-42 years old.

About the character: Valerio is a history school teacher. The reason he’s decided to become a teacher is his wish to inspire other people, guide them, and help them fulfill their full potential. He’s kind, outgoing, warm, and very good at understanding other people’s emotions which makes him empathetic, open-minded, and compassionate. He’s extremely people-oriented and always makes sure to get to know everyone in every company he joins.

And why history? It was his favourite subject when he was a student and later on it became the main target of his study since history made him think and analyze a lot about the current regime of his kingdom.

As a young man, Valerio travelled a lot around the world, and one of the purposes of his adventures was not only seek out new experiences but also to discover and learn something new. He was curious and adventurous to the point of being a thrill-seeker (cliff jumping was one of his favourite activities). Despite being possibly the craziest among his friends Valerio had always been a shoulder they could rely on and a wise guide who could give them advice and comfort them when needed.

Besides he’s very responsible, has great strategical skills as he’s an amazing chess player and is also very good at planning. All of these qualities he’s kept to his current age.

At first glance he might seem way too perfect, right? Unless you learn about his past. It’s veiled in mystery, and to put it literally he wears gloves in order to cover his burn scars he’s got after surviving a fire.

Nobody in Valerio’s new surrounding knows that he was born in the military family. He’s a son of the reputable Royal Guard and always strived to do everything to make him proud even if he didn’t fit into the military environment and never thought being a guard was his true destiny.

He had a very strong bond with his mother and after her death he could finally realize how power-hungry and violent his father actually was.

He wanted to leave the guard but couldn’t due to his father’s high position and after graduating from the military school, he stayed there as a teacher, assisting his mentor who had a very big (and positive) impact on him when he was a student.

Eventually Valerio left the guard. But certainly not the way he wanted. He was driven away with shame. After becoming a fire victim he committed a crime the weight of guilt of which cannot release him from its grip even nowadays.

Valerio doesn’t want anyone to find out any details of his past, and whenever someone gets close enough to expose it, his dark side comes out. He tends to run away from his problems instead of dealing with them, he’s indecisive, aggressive, and prideful as he never listens to other people’s advice and thinks he knows better what do to. The fact he’s good at reading people helps him to inspire them but it also helps him to play with their feelings to direct them against themselves - he’s manipulative.

Anyway, to not make him sound like a redeemable monster, Valerio is also scared of being a burden which makes him keep his feelings to himself to the point of exhaustion because he doesn’t want to bother anyone with his problems and also because he’s deeply attached to people.

He had a close relationship with his late mother and late wife yet he never showed to anyone how much he grieved after their death. When he lost them, those periods of his life were the most directionless to him because he didn’t know what to do and who he was without them.

Will Valerio ever accept his past and stop running from it? Well, this is what his journey is about so he have yet to find out!

The main ideas I want to convey through his character:

A character with the dark past who tries to stay positive and kind to others.

A character stuck in his past but from a bit different perspective: he’s not captured by the thoughts about his past - he ignores his past and runs away from his fears which doesn’t allow him to accept it, move forward, and be himself.

A character who strives to help others yet is damaged himself.

I have a lot to say about him but I’ll stop here so I won’t reveal everything in one post. He’s my favourite among my OCs (and I have many), and as I developed him, he’s got to be very important to me on a personal level too so I’ll be very happy if anyone finds him interesting 🖤

Viper (she/her) @maple-writes: Loyal and devoted Viper is a member of a small band of mercenaries led by Winter, her definitely not girlfriend (neither have admitted it to the other) called the Aristata. Within the Aristata she is in charge of their horses, training, upkeep, and anything else that comes up, and she loves them all. Unable to speak around those she doesn’t know and trust, she can only manage a whisper with those she is able to talk to. She comes off as a stoic, strong silent type to those around her or in front of anyone watching her while she is actually very anxious around those she doesn’t know and prefers to have a friend she can lean on in social situations. Viper is observant, and smarter than she thinks she is but will swallow what she knows and any feelings of unease in favour of what Winter wants done and will protect her no matter what.

[malsfefanfics]

He is here! My boy, Davi Valerio.

Thanks again to the wonderful @cringeyvanillamilk for the amazing work!!!