#pre DSR

[cuttingpenisblackmetal]

i really am convinced that magnus and abigail were friends before dsr like i think they hung out. i think they went to the funeral together. i think abigail came out of the dethsub and immediately honed in on god's natural dethklok repellent to be her new scary bestie. the reason we don't see nathan and abigail interact before the funeral was she showed up in magnus' lifted jet black f-350 and spent the whole pre-funeral dragging him around like a tall snarling protective amulet

[toomanythoughts2]

I think something we don't consider enough about Toki is that he grew up basically in front of all his fans. Like, whether or not you subscribe to the idea that Toki was a minor (16/17) when he joined Dethklok or a young adult (18/19), it's still very apparent that Toki grew up in front of the world. He went from a nobody, farmers boy in an abandoned village in Norway to being on stage to millions and millions of people in the blink of an eye.

Like, no wonder the fans think he's the cutesy one, he was literally the cute baby of the group. I bet there are fans that put side by side photos of when Toki first joined, baby face, to his adult, modern version. Toki is basically a child star to some degree. But that's also why people underestimate him so much because he was introduced to the world as a minor or very young adult and then grew up, but still stayed excatly where he was. He never branched out, so he's stuck in this child-rememebered position.

But there's also so many cute or shitty things that could have happened in that time to influence how people saw him. Gig went on super late, got really sleepy and was allowed to nap. Got his first interview done, was socially awkward and nervous. Got his first paycheck, went and bought toys and showed them to the paparazzi before getting escorted away. Had his first few drinks, got incredibly sick and left the party early. Gets asked questions he doesn't know how to answer, immediately asks for help from someone in the band in front of the interviewer. Got hurt while touring, wanted to be patched up by a band member or Charles. Just like in DSR when he's talking about how happy joining the band made him while singing "I Believe", he probably took every chance he got to tell interviewers and whatnot how happy he was to be part of the band and that he loved them very much.

Like, there's so much missing content between the beginning of the band to the start of the series. 10 whole years of Toki (and Dethklok) growing up under the public eye. Idk, I just love pre-klok Toki but there isn't much Post-Klok Pre-Series Dethklok.

[songwithfivenames]

Posting something Metalocalypse related again(long post)

A while I go I filled out this shipping chart made by @redcrowz and I want to go through it since I haven’t posted anything Mtl related in a while

Murderface/Toki and Murderface/Skwisgaar as BROTPs just work for me, especially Murderface and Skwisgaar with the Dethcamp episode. Abigail and Toki I feel like would just bond a lot after the events of DSR and still stayed friends after AOTD

These should all be pretty self explanatory

I don’t like Knubbler and Abigail because I really don’t think Abigail would ever like Knubbler like that(though I do believe that they somewhat got along after she was introduced)and with Murderface and Magnus I mostly just read a lot of fanfics where Murderface was considered the youngest in the band before Toki so it just felt kinda wrong

Nathan/Magnus is something that is also depicted in pre-klok which is something I can see happening and Magnus/Charles is something I’m cool with because I’ve seen @fishklok make a lot of good stuff with that ship. Abigail/Charles is just one where their personalities work well together

I know I put Toki/Murderface as a BROTP but I also see them as a cute couple. I see Amber and Seth as a malewife and girlboss relationship, bet Seth also kinda sucks, and MMA/Magnus I like just because I like antagonist pairings.

Honestly I feel like these, besides Nathan/Charles, are the most popular Nathan ships in the fandom. Abigail/Nathan I have always liked and Pickles/Nathan really grew on me as I watched the show.

I feel like a lot of the conflict in season 4 would have been prevented if Nathan, Abigail and Pickles just got together. Melmord, Amber, and Seth really grew on me because of @fishklok fan art

These ships I feel like have the most you can work with because both these ships include a lot of one on one time with the characters which is why I like them so much

[dichromaticdyke]

23- Write about your ship supporting each other through a hard time. (Please with the scandigayvians <3 )

two of them... some post-DSR/pre-AOTD 💔

"I doesn't wants it," Toki said, shoving away the food Jean-Pierre had prepared for him, that Skwisgaar had then brought to his hospital room. It wasn't Skwisgaar's job to feed Toki, but ever since the rescue, he'd been looking for excuses to visit him during his recovery. "I amn'ts hungries."

It wasn't surprising how erratic Toki had gotten since his rescue. He had always been nearly impossible to predict, but now? Now, when Toki was even thinner than Skwisgaar, his muscles barely clinging to bone, his pupil distorted...

Skwisgaar didn't know when he'd become so familiar with Toki's appearance. He didn't know when the Norwegian had clawed his way into his heart. He didn't know why watching Toki refuse to take care of himself felt like a personal attack.

"You's gotsta eats," he reminded him. "You hasn't eatsted in..." He paused. He still couldn't remember when Toki's rescue exactly was.

"I hates all da foods dey gives me," Toki grumbled. "Alls dese vegestables ands flavorless meats. Amn'ts good."

"Wells, what else ams dey supposeds to gives you? You can'ts has sugars, Tokis—"

"Yes I cans! My blood sugars ams too lows, da doctors said sos."

"Dens fuckings eats somethings!" Skwisgaar pressed his palms to his face. "Why... Why doesn't you fuckings eats somethings?" he asked, quietly this time, his voice a whisper. "Doesn't... Doesn't you wants to gets betters?"

Toki was silent, and Skwisgaar could only hear his own harried breathing. He didn't want to look at him—he didn't want to see the sad, nearly waifish husk of the person he cared about so much.

It wasn't metal to care. But he did.

"Skwisgaar...," Toki finally whispered.

Skwisgaar forced himself to look at the man in the hospital bed, forced himself to swallow his pride and look at what had happened to him while he and Dethklok were partying around the world. "Ja?"

"How..." He paused. "How's ams I supposed to knows you won'ts throws it aways just when I's abouts to eats it?"

Skwisgaar was taken aback, his mouth falling open. "I... Why woulds you thinks I would does dat?"

"I don't knows... I just has dese dreams of...of someones takings my foods away...when I sos hungries..." He sniffed, turning his face away. "And whoevers it am, it ams someones what means a lots to mes."

Skwisgaar looked away from Toki then. The words left unsaid were too much to bear. "Waits heres."

"Where I gonna goes?"

Skwisgaar managed a smile, but it hurt too much to commit to. He left the room and came back just a couple minutes later. "Heres." He pressed a candy bar into Toki's hand before turning away.

"Where's you goings?" Toki asked.

Without looking at him, Skwisgaar said, "You needs to eats. You amn'ts gonna eats if you thinks someone's gonna takes it aways from yous, nej?" He left the room without another word, without waiting for a response. He pressed his back against the wall, shutting his eyes.

It was all too much for him to handle.

But the next time he visited him, the candy bar wrapper was in the waste bin, and Toki's blood sugar had spiked just a little bit.

[fishklok]

Hey Fish, I'd like to hear your thoughts on Abigail!

Sexuality Headcanon: Bisexual (seriously need to finish that Amber/Abigail pwp fic)

Gender Headcanon: Cis woman, but I haven't thought about it too much (maybe she hasn't either, idk)

A ship I have with said character: Abigail/Skwisgaar ;;0;;, Abigail/Amber, and I still have a soft spot for Abigail/Charles even though I hc him as gay, Abigail/Magnus in the veerrrry specific context I set up in that old fic I wrote (they bond pre-dsr over their shared frustration with Dethklok, but Abigail sees Magnus as a dark mirror into what she could become if she lets her anger fester, so she bounces)

A BROTP I have with said character: Abigail + Charles + Knubbler (they go on work retreats)

A NOTP I have with said character: Again, I really don't have notps. As long as people aren't weird.

A random headcanon: She's Afro-Caribbean, she's Canadian, she likes noise music, her mother was a classical pianist, she's now in a place in her career where she can insist people use her full last name instead of calling her "Abigail R.", had her first queer experience in a night club in Brussels, she does really hard crosswords because she likes to push herself but she always does them in pencil because there's still a part of her that still has doubts.

General Opinion over said character: Mtl really went off making a woman who I believe someone would tank a career and a life-long friendship for. But in all seriousness, I think she's a fun character. I love how she has a weirdo streak instead of her just coming in as a stale love interest (which she does kinda become unfortunately). Most of my complaints are "I wish she was weirder" or "I wish she had more screentime," so the pieces were there I guess.

[chordsykat]

does Abigail exist in dethkomic?

She does! But she's an intergalactic bounty hunter sworn to make out with everyone in the universe named Nathan Explosion. In...in space.

Okay, so... No, that's not true (but it'd be awesome). Abigail simply hasn't shown up in dethkomic yet because the 'komic is a work of additive fanfiction. I'm adding on to canon plot and we simply haven't gotten to where she's arrived, yet:

As you can see, if I'm motivated crazy enough to do a third dethkomic, the current idea I have for it will be post DSR, pre-movie, and that means she'd definitely make an appearance (along with a bunch of other people who haven't shown up much, if at all, yet). Still just an idea at this point, but I very much want to do it, at present.

[pysch0-teddy]

hey guyz I toki had a silly little idea and we're sharing it with you!

What if Dethkloks "rejects" had their own band???

VOCALIST(SINGER)- Magnus bc hes babygirl and his voice is pretty(he also is technically the guitarist bc their actual guitarist has no idea what he's doing)

BASS- mma bc as someone whos had past (b)romance with my bass player, bass/vocals is my second favorite band shipping dynamic so theres so 4 him being bass there's literally no other reason besides who tf else would be bass

LEAD GUITARIST- Rockzo, because y not and also he doesn't even play guitar he pretend plays on his balloon guitar while Magnus does his work 4 him

GUITARIST- uhh I counldnt think of anybody so trindle bc I really want 2 include her and in my head she can play guitar

PERCUSSIONIST(DRUMMER)- seth.

Melmord is ther manger and edgar is their producer

the name of their band is respectively the Revengencers and the (in universe)everyone hates them. but. Not me

Also I feel like I(toki) would really like their.music. well only if it's pre-dsr

Post dsr mma and magnus r dead so the band falls apart

HAPPY ENDING!!! i WILL b drawing them as ponies. good day

[syrakhanistan]

FromSoft music for PMMM-MGNQ characters

((Possible spoilers for both PMMM and MGNQ.

Moemura/Glasses - A Moment of Peace [DS1]

Akemi Homura - Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin [DS2]

Akemi Homura (Wraith Arc/Pre-Rebellion) - Malenia, Blade of Miquella [ER]

Homulily, Fated Demise - Dark Reality [KF4]/Lord’s Apparition [ER]

Homucifer; Akemi Homura, Devil of Love - Point of No Return [AC6]

Transcendent One (post-Homucifer) - Lady Maria Phase 1 [Bloodborne]

Awakened Transcendent One - Lady Maria Phase 2 [Bloodborne]

Faust/Human Gretchen - ALLMIND [AC6]

Kaname Madoka - Promised Consort [ER-SOTE]

Madokami - The Final Battle Phase 1 [ER]

Awakened Madokami, the Blessed Lady - The Final Battle Phase 2 [ER]/Do You Remember? take2 [AC:FA]

Kriemhild Gretchen - The Omen King [ER]

Ultimate Kriemhild - Nashandra [DS2]

Sayaka Miki - Knight Artorias [DS1]

Oktavia von Seckendorf - Lichdragon Fortissax [ER]

Sayaka Miki, the First Knight (Angel of Madoka) - Great Grey Wolf Sif [DS1]/Steel Haze (Rusted Pride) [AC6]

Sakura Kyoko - Rough and Decent [AC6]

Ophelia, Remnant of Flame - Ornstein & Smough [DS1]

Sakura Kyoko, Knight of Blood (Officio Eversor) - Nameless King [DS3]

Mami Tomoe - The First Hunter [Bloodborne]

Candeloro, Invitation to Despair - Administrator [AC3]

Mami Tomoe, Architect of Heaven (Officio General-Secretary) - Coral Guardian [AC6]

Nagisa Momoe, Angel of the Blessed Lady - Divine Beast Dancing Lion [ER-SOTE]

Charlotte, Scourge of the Banquet - Mytha, the Baneful Queen [DS2]

Hitomi Shizuki - For the Dark Soul [DS3]

Chiaki Matsuda (pre-Akashic) - Mohg, Lord of Blood [ER]

Chiaki Matsuda (post-Akashic) - Mechanized Memories [AC5]

Midori Hanegawa - Pontiff Sulyvahn [DS3]

Midori, Miracle of Salvation - Contact with You [AC6]

Kharn the Betrayer - Lord of Frenzied Flame [ER-SOTE]

Kharn, the Betrayed - Legacy [AC6]

Haruka Amane, Prognosticator for the Fallen - Abyss Watchers [DS3]

The Seven Deadly Sins, Forsworn of the Devil - Godskin Apostles [ER]

Vintage Karasawa, Raven of Lost Times - Maiden in Black [DSR]

Hazuki Amane, Warmaster of the First Officio - Infall [AC6]

The Stranger, Fool of Fates - Black Knives [ER]

Hazuki Amane, Godslayer - Sister Friede (Phase 2) [DS3]

Incubator, Master of Fate - Bayle the Dread [ER-SOTE]

Kyuubey, Abomination of the Void (post-Rebellion) - Kalameet [DS1]

Itchy, Emperor of Destiny - Elder Inquisitor [ER-SOTE]

Lucius, Scion of the Third - Laurence, the First Vicar [Bloodborne]

Oriko Mikuni, Master of the Past (Oriko in Oriko Magica) - Regal Ancestor Spirit [ER]

Oriko-Ahriman, Fallen Emissary (Ahriman controlling Oriko through the Staff) - Orphan of Kos [Bloodborne]

Kirika Kure, Sword of Agony - Suppression (PCA Helicopter) [AC6]

Special Bonuses:

Kaname Madoka vs Akemi Homura - Gwyn, Lord of Cinder [DS1]

Madokami vs Homucifer - Soul of Cinder [DS3]

Sayaka Miki vs Kyoko Sakura - Remains [DS2]

Battle against Homulily and the Incubator - Lament over the Howling Age [AC5]

Inside the Akashic Realm, Home of the Witches - The Ancient Dragon (Ash Lake) [DS1]

Infiltrating the Transcendent One’s Tower of Solitude - Destroy the Ice Worm [AC6]

Mami’s Betrayal (PMMM and MGNQ) - Manus, Father of the Abyss [DS1]

Chiaki vs Midori (Reprise) - Cries of Coral [AC6]

Walpurgisnacht (PMMM) - Bell Gargoyle [DS1]

Walpurgisnacht (MGNQ) - Those United in Common Cause [ER-SOTE]

…

Yeah, this list is a bit funky. BUT I started thinking of it at random, started writing, and here we are. What can I say, really??))

[golden-route]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Fancy 14K Yellow Gold Puffy Gucci Mariner Link Chain Necklace Italy - 26.25" L.

[myinternshipjourneymroyal]

Entry 2: Finding your feet in the internship: induction, and completing initial tasks

My first day at NMFC involved a tour of the facilities, trying on and being given the uniform to wear at trainings and game days, being introduced to volunteers, players, coaches and other staff, and a rundown of what the training sessions encompass. As I started in pre-season, there were no games to attend for the first few weeks. This gave me the opportunity to settle in, get to know people and familiarise myself with the VFL operations procedures. I met fantastic people who I quickly built relationships with, who I could rely on for support and guidance in the beginning of the internship. The players and coaches were welcoming, and assisted us with settling in. NMFC quickly felt like a very natural place to be, as everyone was supportive and welcoming. The initial tasks involved learning how to take stock of playing equipment, bench equipment and the nutrition used at training and game days. This was invaluable time, as when the first game day arrived, I was already comfortable enough to pack everything that was needed without supervision.

Trying on the NMFC uniform. (Royal, 2023a).

My first day at DSR I was thrown right into the deep end and was tasked to completely refresh the Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards sponsorship proposal prospectus. I attended a meeting in which the award night was discussed, and given a list of aspects that the team were looking for in the document. To help give me a more solid idea of the information that was to be included, I was provided a copy of the previous year’s document, but was instructed that the design should be different. For the first few weeks, this was my main task, and I was able to complete the document quickly and effectively to a high quality standard – everyone really loved what I produced, and after a few small changes, the document was ready to be sent out to prospective sponsors. As with NMFC, everyone at DSR were welcoming and supportive, and made it known that I could reach out for help at any time. A task spreadsheet was set up for me on SharePoint, as well as a folder for me to upload my finished tasks.

Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards sponsorship proposal 2023 (Royal, 2023b)

For the beginning of both internships, I relied heavily on my communication skills to settle into the environments. I documented tasks and instructions, and remained flexible (Coffelt & Smith, 2020; Indeed, 2023) to demonstrate my dedication and willingness to learn and excel. I took this time to observe and listen to those around me (Indeed, 2023) in order to find my place and discover how I can best contribute and apply my skills.

References:

Coffelt, T. A., & Smith, F. L. M. (2020). Exemplary and Unacceptable Workplace Communication Skills. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 83(4), 365-384. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329490620946425

Indeed (2023, May 27). The First 90 Days and How to Succeed in Your New Job. Indeed Australia. https://au.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/the-first-90-days

Royal, M. (2023a). Trying on the NMFC uniform [Photograph].

Royal, M. (2023b). Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards sponsorship proposal 2023 [Screenshot].

[cuttingpenisblackmetal]

wow I should have read the tags on this one first

[prime-cars-north-cyprus]

NEW STOCK!!2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ MERCEDES-BENZ GLE 400D 4MATIC AMG LINE PREMIUM PLUS 3.0 325 BHP 5-DR 9G-TRONIC PANORAMIC SUNROOF MERCEDES-BENZ APPROVED VEHICLE FACTORY GUARANTEE NEW VEHICLE Year 2021 Transmission Automatic Engine Size 3.0 L Body Style SUV Coupe Fuel Type Diesel Colour Blue CO2 Emissions 219 g/km Fuel Combined 38.7 mpg Performance 0-60MPH 5.7 secs Top speed 149 mph Engine power 325 BHP/PS Driver Convenience Attention assist Cockpit display 12.3" widescreen digital instrument cluster Crosswind Assist Cruise control Direct steer speed sensitive steering DYNAMIC SELECT with a choice of driving modes (ECO, Comfort, Sport and Individual) Easy-pack tailgate - Powered opening/closing automatically ECO start/stop function Head up Display Lane keeping assistant (LKA) Mercedes me connect including emergency call system, accident recovery, breakdown management and maintenance Outside temperature display, rear seatbelt status indicator Parking pilot with 360 degree camera Reversing camera Service indicator (ASSYST) Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android auto Sports direct steer system with speed sensitive power assistance Traffic Sign Assist, Traffic sign recognition including wrong way warning function and display of posted speed limits in the instrument cluster Passive Safety 3x3 point rear seatbelts Active bonnet Active braking assist Airbags - windowbags Anti-lock braking system (ABS) Child proof door locks Downhill speed regulation (DSR) with switch and variable speed control Driver/front passenger airbag Drivers knee airbag Electronic four wheel traction control Electronic parking brake Electronic stability programme with acceleration skid control First aid kit, warning triangle and high visibility jacket Front side airbags Hill hold function Hill start assist Perforated front brake discs and brake calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering Pre-Safe anticipatory safety system Tyre pressure monitoring system Security Alarm system/interior protection/immobiliser Chrome surround electric key Remot (at Prime Cars) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl3_H0Ysl5O/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[scalecallerpeak]

My personal headcannon is within the ears. This is where humans used to have gills in pre-evolution and also gives a direct acsess for oxegen to enter and co2 to exit via the posterior auricular vien and atery.

But DSR has contion mention of gills so they do have them for sure. They also have modifed elf ears in summerset onwards that look like gills.

So hey Maormer enjoyers: where are the gills on a Maormer?

I read ESO lore pages that suggest it's in the ears because they don't like headwear underwater.

Some other pages make no mentions of them.

So can they breathe underwater or have just a huge lung capacity?

[dichromaticdyke]

and here we have the unofficial end to a post-DSR/pre-AOTD trilogy i like to call,

never let @takiniteasynightcoreremix, @supersaturnnyoomkitty, and me cook!

links to their respective fics are in the author’s notes, please give theirs a read before continuing on with mine—mine won’t make as much sense without the context of theirs, but also, more importantly, their fics are fucking phenomenal and deserve all the hits and kudos in the world.

AND as always, bear in mind the tags. i’m gonna be really mean to these boys, some lines are gonna be crossed, and everyone’s gonna be left with conflicting feelings. ✨

[fishklok]

Summary: Before Magnus prepares to leave and carry out his plan with the Revengencers, he says goodbye to his mother.

I wrote a quick oneshot about Magnus saying goodbye to Satenik pre-DSR

[atmilliways]

On the 11th day of Dethmas this writer gives to thee…

Dec 23 - Home (or alone) for the holidays

Toki is totally not lonely because his bandmates forgot about him, and Magnus is totally not guilty about rolling with it to sate his own curiosities.

Like Kevin McCallister, it wasn't like Toki tried to get left behind . . . but he's not entirely mad about it, either.

Anyway, this is my first Magnus/Toki fic, so, hmm.

~

Mordhome Alone

“So,” Magnus said as he crossed the threshold. “This is the famous Mordhaus.”

“Yeah, isn’t it cools?” Toki enthused as he ushered the older man inside. 

It certainly was a step up from the crappy apartment they’d had back when Magnus was still in Dethklok. For one thing, he never could’ve broken in to paint REVENGE IS COMING on the walls here. He’d counted at least eleven snipers that he could see on the way in, and knowing both the band’s reputation for over the top security measures and the limitations of his one good eye, probably at least double that number that he hadn’t noticed. If he weren’t here by Toki’s express invitation, he’d be so many different kinds of dead right now. 

He didn’t need any recon inside this place for The Plan—it would never work to pull anything there, not with so much security in every nook and cranny. But he’d always been curious, so here he was. 

“And none of the other guys are here?” Magnus pressed, still looking around. Fuck, this place was huge. (This could have been his.) “Not even Offdensen?”

“Nah,” Toki replied offhandedly, “they thoughts I was on the plane and tooks offs withouts me to goes on a ski trip, ands now they’re stucks in a blizzards. They can’t gets back and I can’t goes theres. So, I calls you!”

Without any warning that Magnus had picked up on, Toki reached out and grabbed his hand. It wasn’t like he threaded their fingers together or anything, but the surprise connection was more than Magnus felt comfortable with, an uncomfortable feeling in his gut that he wasn’t used to at all and had no idea how to label. (He didn’t do guilt; he didn’t do ‘cowed by how open and naively friendly someone was unexpectedly being’ either. It was definitely, one hundred percent neither of those things.)

“Come ons, I shows you around!”

The young guitarist pulled him from room to room, chattering nonstop. It was annoying in an informative, easy to tune out the rambling bits sort of way. This was the room where Dethklok hung out and played video games, this was the room where they hung out to watch tv and eat snacks, this was the room where they hung out in a surprisingly small hot tub for five male billionaires who didn’t seem to like each other’s company that much, this was the cavernous kitchen that they frequented when they wanted more snacks or possibly even a meal. It was endless and irritating, and Magnus didn’t actually want to spend a ton of time with this babbling idiot, but he reminded himself that this was all part of The Plan and sullenly continued to let himself be dragged around and shown all the shit that he could have had, but didn’t. 

He did ask for a drink, though, to blunt the edges. Toki gestured to someone in his blind spot, and moments later a cold beer was handed to him by a hooded servant. 

“And this ams my room,” Toki told him proudly, tugging Magnus into . . . the smallest room he had seen yet. It was basically a stone box with an on-suite. Model airplanes hung from the ceiling, action figures crowded the edges of his bookshelf, and the desk was piled with unfinished projects and puzzles and crap. One of the pictures hanging on the wall over the narrow bed and beneath a double-sided battle axe was an early promo shot of the band, and another was a close-up of some scary zombie-looking asshole’s face, maybe a relative or something. The rest of the walls were mostly just decorated with taped up posters of boats, planets, and sharks. 

“This?” Magnus repeated. “Seriously? You have . . . and entire fucking mansion that’s tricked out with all kinds of cool shit, but this is your room.”

If it had been him, he’d have his own arcade, giant tv, and hot tub in his room, so he could do all those things on his own if he wanted to. Plus a bitching sound system. Plus bigass windows to let some actual fucking light in. Plus . . . god, was that bed from IKEA or something? Was all of this from IKEA? Riches were wasted on this kid, Magnus decided scornfully. He had no idea how to appreciate what he had at his fingertips. 

Toki shrugged. “I gots all the rest of the place if I wants that other stuff, so this ams just all stuffs I mades by myself. Evens the desk, I puts that together. Just Toki’s.” He met Magnus’ incredulous look with a sudden grin and squeezed his hand. “Comes on, let’s go back to the others room and watch a movies!”

~

It wasn’t until halfway through the movie that Magnus wasn’t even paying attention to—he was looking around and trying to appraise the cost and potential EBay value of anything he saw that wasn’t nailed down and small enough to fit in his pocket—that he realized Toki kept scooting closer to him on the couch. That, after all the hand holding, finally started to set off alarm bells. 

Did the poor simple bastard have some sort of crush on him or something? How embarrassing. So embarrassing that he couldn’t decide if he wanted to try and snap a picture to sell to some gossip rags later or not. 

That was totally why he felt weird and jumpy, and only more so once Toki had inched close enough to rest his head on Magnus’ shoulder. A weird, warm, hyper-awareness bloomed anywhere Toki touched him—first his shoulder, then his side, then (Magnus absolutely did not gulp when this happened) his thigh. He had to wrestle down the impulse to start bouncing that leg restlessly, because he didn’t dare shake him off and potentially ruin The Plan. 

So he stayed still. And the thing about the warmth was that Toki was just radiating with it, and the longer he was so close the more it spread. Magnus felt as though he might incandesce at any moment and he fucking hated every second of it. 

He tried directing his attention to the tv and remembered it was December, so Toki had picked a Christmas movie at random. On the giant screen, Sarah Jessica Parker was covered in egg and screaming in a kitchen. Not the best distraction ever. 

“Needs anything?” Toki asked casually, as if everything was just fine and dandy, apparently somehow not noticing that Magnus was on the verge of starting to worry he might have a heart attack. 

“No,” Magnus grunted. A way out would be great, thanks. He remembered he still had a beer in one hand (his fourth or fifth, at this point) and raised his unencumbered arm to glug the rest of it down. 

“You sures?” Toki pressed, looking up at him with guileless eyes. 

Shaking the last few drops out and tossing the bottle down the couch, Magnus started to say Another drink, something stronger this time, but he couldn’t. Toki’s lips pressed warmly, nervously against his, kissing away the aftertaste of beer. 

He had not come prepared for this. 

He didn’t even need to be here, it wasn’t necessary to The Plan. 

Toki was too goddamned nice, inviting him here and showing him around like he genuinely wasn’t a threat, like he was someone Toki actually enjoyed being around. (Magnus thought pretty highly of himself, but even he had to admit that most people didn’t ever appreciate his presence. Or if they did it, usually wasn’t for this long. Jealous douchebags, that’s all they were, the whole fucking human race.) 

Magnus took it anyway. Fuck it, why not? It had been one thing when he was still in his twenties or thirties, hot in a rough-and-tumble bad-boy musician way, getting his share of action after playing a gig at some nothing bar, but at his age and painful lack of fame and fortune, to have anyone this young and ripped pressed up against him was a rare occurrence. He was taking the kiss out of spite, he told himself, and gave back as good as he got. 

Surely he wouldn’t regret this later. 

Toki sighed against his mouth, bright blue eyes fluttering open. “Thanks you, Magnus.”

“Uh.” Magnus fought against instinctively grimacing at the thanks, which he wasn’t used to. He licked absently at his lip, not realizing he was doing so until the tip of his tongue brushed Toki’s lip too and made the other man giggle. Fucking giggle. “For what?”

“For beings here,” Toki told him. “Is nice to nots be alones on Christmas, don’ts you thinks?”

Magnus wanted to say he’d ever particularly noticed Christmas one way or the other before, but for some reason it (the lie) stuck in his throat. “. . . Yeah, I guess.”

Something in Toki’s eyes shifted and he suddenly looked . . . he looked lonely, as familiar a sight as though Magnus was recognizing it in a mirror (which he definitely never did). He wondered what Toki was gunning for here—a friend with benefits, or something more than that? 

Something ‘just Toki’s,’ a little holiday closeness with someone he thought actually cared?

(That thought didn’t make Magnus feel like a two-bit white masquerading as something better, not even a little bit.)

“You wants to sees my room agains?” Toki whispered?

On the tv, sappy holiday ambiance music played as the movie went out of its way to establish that everyone was friendly and happy and appropriately paired up now, all two-by-two sheep marching into Noah’s ark before the winter flood. 

“Sure,” Magnus said. 

He wasn’t a sheep, he told himself, it had just been too long since he’d last gotten laid. 

Christmas had nothing whatsoever to do with it.