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[amorem]

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@babified

[amorem]

[ x ]

Just... don't look at the mess in the sink. Focus on my incredibly thoughtful gesture, instead.

[ whoever said romance couldn't make a joke ]

captcha is the worst

[babified]

[well, he was doing his best to not look at the sink and for a while there, he was succeeding, but now that romance has mentioned it, he's going to have more difficulty not looking.

it does make him laugh, nevertheless, and baby even raises a hand to push through the front of his hair, brushing the strands aside.] It was incredibly thoughtful, though. Seriously. [nobody's ever made him something, especially not something like food, one of his favorite things of all time.]

gonna wife you up baby

[amorem]

[ He's going to just...

slide in front of it and hide it with his body. ]

I won't make so much of a mess next time.

does he look like wife material

[babified]

[his eyebrows do lift with consideration, but he doesn't attempt to move around romance or push him aside. clearly, the sink is in a state and it's not one he wants to see at the moment, so he won't fight about it.

instead, baby moves forward and outstretches a hand, letting his fingers take up a part of the frilly apron he's wearing.] Whatever you say, Ro. [because he both believes it and doesn't; sometimes mess are made, without even trying, and he fully expects that there will come another time where romance tries his hand at deep-frying something again.]

As long as you promise not to start a fire.

for @mysteriousness bc what the fuck

[amorem]

( x )

[ Mystery crowds in closer, gets a hold of him to the point that even if he wanted to escape, he couldn't. Romance is lifting a brow; maybe he isn't the only needy one of the group. ]

I'd like that. [ He pauses, takes another deep breath of Mystery's hair. ] Are...you alright?

[mysteriousness]

[to be fair, romance could probably escape by teleporting, but why would he want to do that? and no, he definitely isn't the only needy one. mystery is just very careful about who he's needy with and romance is the lucky subject.

he nods slightly, trying to keep his breathing steady.] Just. Don't let me go.

[amorem]

[ Mystery is indeed a mystery, a confusing little demon that Romance has claimed and no, he will not be letting go. His grip tightens around him, holding him close and making no move to pull back or escape. ]

I won't, Mystery. [ He rests his cheek against his head, eyes closing, rocking them ever so slightly. ]

Is something wrong...?

@abs_solutely

[amorem]

( x )

[ It takes Romance a while to fall asleep. Mostly, he's awake, watching Abby sleep with the kind of peace demons don't often see. Relaxed features, no furrow of his brow, no waking up screaming from nightmares.

How novel.

And apparently, Abby is a clinger - at some point in the night, he ends up draped over Romance completely, nose tucked behind his ear, arm slung around his waist like they’re lovers instead of... whatever the hell they are. Mostly pinned beneath the heavy weight of him, Romance lets his fingers comb absently through Abby’s hair, slow and careful, just to have something to do with his hands, to anchor himself in this moment. Remember it, just in case.

At some point he must drift off as well, though his dreams are more complicated than Abby's, twisted, layered things that blur the lines of memory and desire. They're not necessarily good, but they're not...bad, either.

Morning will come though - or at least, as much as 'morning' can come where they are, and maybe if he pretends to stay asleep, Abby won't leave. ]

[abs_solutely]

[He sleeps for longer than usual, not typically able to experience anything restful with Gwi-Ma in the back of his mind. The warmth of another body is far more soothing than it had any right to be, Abby convinced he was still dreaming as he slowly started to come-to. He doesn't recognize the bed right away, lifting his head and giving an unflattering smack of his lips, bleary eyed and hair sticking up at odd angles.

And there Romance is, pressed into the ruined bed beneath him, flawless, despite being tousled by sleep. The memories bleed back in--Romance moaning his name, fangs against his skin... and a gentle, affectionate touch lingering over his heart.

Abby wonders what proper etiquette is here--does he slip out before Romance wakes up, or does he embrace what's there? Regardless of his decision, he takes in the sight of Romance, seemingly in a peaceful slumber...

Making a decision, Abby leans in, setting his lips against Romance's throat, just beneath his ear. There's an edge of teeth, and then a possessive bite, intent on leaving a mark that can't be easily concealed, regardless of glamour.

So much for keeping anything on the down low.]

[amorem]

[ He can hear Abby wake, the shift of his breathing from something long and steady to the sigh one gives when coming out of a deep sleep.

Then the other noise, which is so...

Manly. For lack of a better word. Utterly devoid of class, and he almost smiles. Almost. He's waiting for Abby to make a decision - if he leaves, Romance can take it for what it was and move on with his day, try to clean up thew wreckage of his room and patch the holes in his heart. If he stays...

He'll cross that bridge if it comes to it, he supposes.

Mercifully, Romance doesn't have to wait long. Abby leans in and it's nice, the lips on his throat, warm and soft, then-- ]

Ah!

[ that is one way to be woken up. Or at least, yanked out of the pretend sleep he'd been holding onto like a threadbare blanket. Romance's eyes fly open and he yelps in surprise, something that turns into a little wheezing gasp, hands fluttering, one coming to rest on the back of Abby's head. ]

Abby—!

[ His tone? Strained, definitely. Aroused? Probably. Annoyed? Unclear. But there's color in his cheeks now and his neck stings just the right amount. There will also be no hiding that mark, unless he invests in some cashmere turtlenecks which isn't really conducive to the whole frilly romantic boy vibes he's got going on. ]

for @mysteriousness

[amorem]

( x )

Turn you on, obviously.

[mysteriousness]

[oh, he's turned on alright. he's also trying not to expire in the middle of this store—]

Well, it's working.

Do you want this danish or not?

[amorem]

[ Well, hopefully this doesn't make Mystery expire, this extremely well curated photo of a very naked Romance stretched out on Mystery's bed, looking very lonely. ]

Of course I do.

@babified

[amorem]

( x )

[ His lips curve into a smile - the situation may be entirely unfamiliar (or at least, it is because it's Baby and not someone else), but there is one thing that has not and will not change: Romance knows he's beautiful.

Still, Baby saying it sends a shiver through his body. The softness of it should possibly make him wary but it doesn't, he only waits where he kneels, patiently watching Baby get undressed, remove all those pieces of clothing that are in their way. ]

[babified]

[seeing romance's smile makes his expression brighten somewhat, a slow smirk spreading across his face as he finally frees himself of what remains of his clothes and tosses them aside as well.] You like that, don't you? Being called ‘beautiful’.

[he shuffles forward a step then kneels down, reaching both hands out to cup romance's face, slowly and carefully drawing him in. it seems like he's going to kiss him, but instead of bringing their lips together, he slides one hand around, taps his first and second fingers against romance's mouth and faintly tips his head with consideration.] Open up for me, [baby murmurs, and the moment he does, he'll slide those fingers into romance's mouth, lightly pressing down on his tongue.]

[amorem]

I do.

[ Of course he does. Look who he is. Romance, the demon who spends hours in front of a mirror, who curates the perfect persona to get people to fall in love with him, who thrives on desire and want and need only to leave a soulless shell behind while he walks away with a full belly.

That isn't what's happening now.

His lips part and he breathes out long and slow, Baby's fingers a warm press on a wet tongue, lips closing around them, eyes following suit. It's easy, this. Sinking into it, following instructions. He's used to instruction, to their king hissing in his ear, telling him which soul to steal, which ones were evil and delectable enough to send back. ]

@mysteriousness

[amorem]

( x )

[ Romance is going soft in his old age. Really, he should tell Mystery to fuck off for a while until his nerves have settled, because let's be real here - Romance is kinda pissed.

But he doesn't shut Mystery out. Instead, his heart cracks open and he sighs, reaches out to wrap his fingers around Mystery's wrist. ]

It's alright. [ He gently pries one of Mystery's hands away from his head and pulls him in, shutting the door behind him. ] It's alright, you're alright. Come here.

[mysteriousness]

[honestly, that's exactly what romance should do. mystery would understand— or he'd force himself to, anyway. what he did wasn't right, no matter how fucked up he might've been, and what's even weirder is baby didn't say a single word back to him. didn't ask him why, didn't tell him to stop, but maybe that's just baby's way of it? just completely ignoring him because he knew something was up.

without him even realizing it, his breathing has quickened in pace and his whole face is burning with shame, but as romance reaches out to take hold of his wrist, it hits him like a freight train.

it's alright.] It's not, [he insists, his voice cracking, the sound immediately tearful before any actual tears start coming down his face, even though those follow shortly after. his voice is shaking as he's pulled into romance's room, the other hand still on his head, gripping his hair too tightly.] I'm sorry, I'm s-so sorry—

[amorem]

[ Oh, shit.

As smooth as Romance can be, he's unaccustomed to dealing with tears. For a moment he falters, free hand fluttering before he sets his jaw and reaches around Mystery to flip the lock on his door. ]

Shh, shh, sweetheart. Come with me.

[ He reaches to peel Mystery's other hand free, slide hands together and lace their fingers. He gently pulls them in the direction of his bed, easing himself down and tugging Mystery into his lap, an arm going around his waist, other into his hair, guiding his head to rest against Romance's shoulder. ]

You're alright.

@babified

[amorem]

( x )

[ Romance isn't a big man, but he's still a little bigger than Baby, and his grip tightens, refusing to let the smaller demon roll them, to get the upper hand.

His face is still oozing blood, but in the moment, he doesn't feel it, doesn't feel the heat of it sliding down his skin, pooling at his chin before dripping. He doesn’t feel the pain that will hit him later, or the tears burning up behind his eyes, salt mingling with blood as they spill.

He's losing his grip on reality, losing himself in pain and misery, the shame of who and what he is and that he couldn't stop Abby from being a fucking idiot, that he can't get to him now, that he can't do anything. He’s helpless, lost, and Baby gave him a target, an outlet. A place to put the rage so it doesn’t swallow him whole.

He sees red. Only red. He doesn’t release Baby’s head until he slams it down again - and again, a final time - before he finally tears his hands away to catch Baby’s wrists, pinning him hard. Romance drops low in a single, savage motion, teeth bared at Baby’s neck, gleaming with spit, looking for all the world like a rabid dog ready to bite. ]

[babified]

[which only makes him angrier, not being able to move them or get himself free. he would lash out again, if he weren't being held back, meaning the only thing he can do is growl and hiss and spit with rage, his body writhing despite the fact he can't get the leverage he needs.

more red droplets land on him, fully onto his skin this time, which is something that makes him want to stop, to reel back and really take in what he's done to romance's face— and for a second, he can do that. his expression twists into something unexplainable, something that's not quite anger, but not quite regretful, either. he sees the blood, he sees the tears, and yet part of him still doesn't think it's enough.

they should've done better. they should've tried to stop the other two, tried to force them back rather than just let them haphazardly throw themselves into the fray like it was no big deal, like they could handle it when it should've been obvious that they couldn't. yes, he started this whole thing, but it's clear that romance needed it far more than he did at this point.

his head hits the floor again and again, causing him to lose his equilibrium, his eyes squeezing shut at the pain shooting through his head. he doesn't have much time to react before romance's hands catch his wrists and pin him down, effectively holding him in place while he suddenly leans over him, teeth bared like he's going to tear his throat out, and for a minute, baby just lets him close in, too stunned to speak or react to the animalistic movement. he's shaking, breathing heavily from their altercation, his eyes wide open, though they look significantly less wild than they had moments ago.]

[amorem]

[ It isn’t enough. Nothing will ever be enough. Romance could pay for his sins a thousand times over, and it’ll never be enough. He should’ve tried harder.

His breathing is coming in ragged gasps, panting hard against Baby’s neck, breath hot, damp against his skin. The pain is starting to set in as he stays still, hovered over the other demon, cheek screaming from lacerations and the tears sliding over them, his eyes stinging with more tears.

A long breath in through his nose is rattly, more a sniffle than a sigh. Gold eyes squeeze shut and instead of tearing Baby’s throat out he presses in, noses into his neck, lips pressed against his skin instead of teeth.

He’s sorry. But he can’t say it. Not yet. ]

@mysteriousness

[amorem]

( x )

The enormity of it. It seems endless, nothing on the horizon but more water.

[ It's a big thing, going back to the place where it all started. ]

I doubt there's much left of my village. It was hundreds of years ago.

[mysteriousness]

Oh, I see. Maybe I'm odd, but that sounds interesting to me.

[if romance is really okay with it, maybe mystery will start making plans for them to go sometime.]

We could see, if you like? Or we could just explore the other things the island has to offer.

[amorem]

You aren't odd. It is interesting.

It wouldn't hurt to look, at any rate. There are other places at this point too, I'm sure.