#devorak-titties

Muriel

adoption??

you mean getting more chickens together,,,? 

Portia

She would be the one to suggest adoption, of course

there’s nothing more that she would like than to have a family with them

she would squeal and pepper mc’s face with kisses when they’d accept

immediately she would start knitting baby clothes, and every day mc would come home to a new pile

and a sniffling portia

“what if they don’t like the colour?? what if they don’t like wool?”

they would always wind up curled up on their bed, mc holding her and murmuring just how much their child would be lucky to have her as a mother if she was already worrying about their colour preferences as a baby

she would be so gentle and soft when she’d hold him for the first time, tears spilling down her cheeks~ and mc would be so much more in love with her

“I hope he won’t get in as much trouble as ilya did” she would giggle, and they would pinky swear that they would never let uncle Jules around their child without supervision

although they both hoped (*cough* knew *cough*) that julian would find ways to sneak their son away and bring him on a million and one (amazing) adventures 

Lucio

lucio would DEFINITELY want to adopt a baby

“they’re going to be our heir! we can’t have them being raised by anyone else!”

he would act all high and mighty (as he always does) and pretend to be above it all as he and mc go to visit the orphanage

as if his heart isn’t bleeding seeing how many lost little babies there are in his city

but then he would glare at one of the crying babies (a tiny, tiny baby, born much too prematurely judging by their size)

and all of his façade would crumble the moment that child would look at him, lip trembling

mc would catch on, of course, and they would be smiling as they picked up the child with the gentlest touch

and lucio would melt

mc would have to stop lucio from trying to adopt EVERY child in the orphanage (bc of course he would, have you SEEN the amount of pets this man has??? he has no self control)

This is going to be….a LOT of work, Nicodemo thought. At Lucio’s request, he had traveled from his home kingdom of Nevion to Vesuvia to aid in transforming the city to its glory days. As his ship was sailing to the docks, Nicodemo pondered on Lucio and his past. He had obviously changed. And for the better. War crimes used to be his favorite hobby. The armies of Vesuvia and Nevion had fought alongside one another before, although Nicodemo had never entered the war himself. Lucio, on the other hand, had been right in the thick of it. It was an absolute thrill to him to see his enemies surrender...or worse. Now, Lucio was relearning about what being a leader of a kingdom is like and that’s why Nicodemo was there. To teach him compassion, to help him understand what he has done and to understand Lucio and to help him recover from the ashes of this city. Nicodemo knew what it was like to start from scratch-he had to do it starting at the age of 14 when his father, the King of Nevion, a kingdom across the sea, died. “Good riddance” Nicodemo muttered under his breath. He had been an absolute...well, bitch. And his mother had left early in his life. All he had left was an inherited kingdom and the royal court. But even the court was an atrocity. After years of them persuading him to make the same decisions as his father, he had enough and fired them. And from the ashes, he too was rebuilding his city and his court.  At this point, Countess Nadia had forced Lucio to face his mistakes and the consequences of them. And Nicodemo was there in order to help him make better decisions. They could learn to be better together.

The ship creaked and groaned as it came to a halt in the bay of Vesuvia, water splashing up against the hull and back down onto the docks below. As Nicodemo looked down from the ship’s deck, he saw the familiar glow of blonde locks and exquisite white clothes flash in his vision.

“Welcome my dearest, Nico!”

Lucio. He was trotting down the docks with his arms raised high, welcoming Nicodemo. With a glint in his eyes and a smile flashing perfect pearly white teeth, Lucio continued “Nico, my darling, have you come to surprise me before the Masquerade?”

“Uh...you invited me here”, Nico said with a raised brow, descending the ship's plank onto the docks.

“Yes, yes of course,” Lucio twirled away from Nico with a flurry of his cape, most likely to hide the embarrassment, “But don’t forget before the party I HAVE to take you on a tour of my statue garden!”

“Ah, Lucio, I know you love parties, but we really need to, well, get to work.”

Nicodemo knew that Lucio craved attention. His every waking minute was devoted to parties, trying to impress people, and drunken debauchery. But even with all the extravagance, most people simply hated him. Nicodemo knew he had to change the people of Vesuvia’s image of him. He knew what Lucio was really like, how vulnerable he really was inside. But Nicodemo also knew how vulnerable Vesuvia was. The city was decaying. Nicodemo had heard of plague outbreaks in other cities and wanted nothing more than to help Lucio protect both himself and his people, just like Nicodemo wanted to do for his own.

With a scowl, Lucio resigned to Nicodemo’s request. “Nico, you’re no fun right now, but...I suppose I did invite you here to...help...me”. Finally admitting defeat, Nicodemo smiled at Lucio and took his golden claws in his hands. “Lucio, this isn’t just about you, you can help me as well!” The slightest blush appeared on Lucio’s face before pulling Nicodemo close to him. A half smirk half smile spread on the Count’s lips. “Ohh...you always know what to say”.

~

Lucio and Nicodemo had set off on a quick tour of the most damaged parts of Vesuvia, particularly the flooded district. This district was in such disarray, abandoned apart from a few urchins running through the alleyways and some of Vesuvia’s homeless.

“Lucio,” Nico began, “How did this happen?”

“Ahh who knows...probably the courtiers busy bullying the peasants and ignoring this area” Lucio rolled his eyes and laid his chin in his claw, staring out the window of the carriage.

“Lucio, you can’t blame your problems on other people anymore you have to-”

“I have to what? I’ve done so much already! The parties, the booze- the people love me, Nico!”

“You know that parties don’t solve the real problems. People are dying. Urchins are running around, orphaned and starving”

“I see...so those people don’t love me I suppose” Lucio continued staring out the carriage at the flowing river of murky water passing in the streets and throughout people’s old homes. “Nadi is loved by everyone,” Lucio said in a low whisper “you could say I’m almost jealous. But what does she do that I don’t?”

Nicodemo pulled Lucio’s fleshed hand to his face and nuzzled into it. “Lucio...my darling” Lucio perked up at the name with a slight blush, “I think you have the best intentions with all the parties and everything. Everyone wants to have a good time, I included! But...before people can enjoy those things they need to have their basic needs met. Nadia...well she cares about that. I’m the opposite of you though. I’ve tried so hard to not be like my father that I’ve neglected to have fun from time to time. I’m focused solely on the people and rarely myself and I-” Lucio pulled Nicodemo into his lap before he could finish speaking.

“The last thing I want is for you to neglect yourself, Nico,” the Count said in a low tone into Nicodemo’s ear. He brushed Nicodemo’s hair back with his organic hands, relishing in the feeling of soft hair. Nicodemo turned red.

“Then...let’s help each other my love” Nicodemo’s ears reddened to an even deeper crimson at what he had just called Lucio but continued “I teach you to care for the people, and you teach me to care for myself”.

Lucio again looked out to the flooded district, for a second there was solemnity in his eyes before turning back to Nicodemo.

“Okay,” Lucio said, “I can do that”. Lucio looked down at Nicodemo and smirked, “I love it when you call me ‘my love’ by the way. Veryyyy affectionate. Very...sweet” He took Nicodemo’s hand in his golden one and gave each finger a kiss. Lucio’s signature smirk had returned.

“Now, let us party before making plans for the reimagining and rebuilding of the great kingdom of Vesuvia! I plan to ravish you my dear” Lucio said with a bright big smile.

“Oh my love,” Nicodemo purred, “You spoil me”. Lucio’s big smile faded to a soft grin, looking deeply into Nicodemo’s eyes.

Cleo had been pacing back and forth, pulling at the hem of their shirt and wondering out loud, I hope he’s okay, I haven’t seen him in days. As they walked into the bedroom they shared with Asra, Cleo remembered when he went off for his journey just a couple days ago, and what he had left behind for them.

~

Cleo...I know I’m gone so much and for reasons I haven’t told you about yet. I know this makes you nervous darling so I made you this.

Asra had given them his old stuffed Faust. With an inquisitive look, Cleo took the lilac cloth toy. It was imbued with magical properties- Asra’s scent and aura had been attached to it, as well as, good memories that Cleo could summon and watch over and over again- the beach days, the days spent lazing around the shop, and the days spent with Asra and his friends at Nadia’s palace, meeting new people. Cleo had never received such an amazing gift from anyone before. They flapped their hands in excitement and jumped into Asra’s arms.

“Thank you, Asra...I-I...”

“No, thank you, Cleo, you are so understanding and it pains me to leave you like this. I never want you to be alone again.” He had smiled and cupped Cleo’s cheek, leaving a small peck on their nose.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can” and he left the shop with a flourish, his colorful shawl flowing behind him and Faust sticking her head out from beneath his shirt. “Bye Friend!”.

~

Cleo snapped back to the present and took the stuffed toy off the bed. They held the soft animal to their face, the scent of spices and vanilla emanating off of it. They felt the warmth of Asra’s aura fill them up and bring peace to their mind. The nervousness was residing when they heard the shop door open, the ringing of the bell startling them.

“Uhh..he-hello. I-I’m sorry we-we’re closed” Cleo stammered. They had always been quiet and had trouble opening up and talking to new people, but luckily Asra was helping them. He was the only one Cleo was most open and vulnerable with.

“My love?”

It was Asra. His voice sparked joy into Cleo’s heart.

With a gasp Cleo ran to the front of the shop, quickly wrapping their arms around him and squeezing. The hug was full of warmth, love, and a sense of calm: it yelled I missed you. Asra returned the affection and ran his tan fingers through their short hair.

“Cleo...I missed you. Did the gift I give you help at all?”

Cleo nodded excitedly, “Yes! It did! Thank you so much...it feels like you’re here...even when you aren’t”. Asra pouted his lips, “I’m sorry I leave so much…”

Cleo twirled their fingers in their hair but Asra grabbed them, giving each finger a tender kiss. He looked down, his bright eyes shining through his white eyelashes.

“Would you want to build a pillow fort, Cleo? I brought back new incense and we could light it up in the fort. We could make a little home, just for us.”

Cleo’s eyes widened in excitement and awe. They loved nothing more than being as close to Asra as possible, especially after such a long trip. Asra was the embodiment of protection and love, something that Cleo had not always received before meeting Asra. Without even answering, Cleo ran to the bedroom, a smile on their face and their hands flapping with enthusiasm. Asra’s melodic laugh drifted through the shop and he ran after Cleo to the bedroom, helping them set up a makeshift fort with pillows, blankets, books, Cleo’s favorite sweets, candles, and incense. Asra and Cleo settled into the fort, with Cleo leaning back into Asra’s arms.

“Cleo, you know I love everything about you right?”

“Really? I mean y-yes! And I love everything about you!”

Asra chuckled, “I know” and he played with Cleo’s hair. “I just want you to know, even though I go off on journey’s and I can be gone for so long, I will never, ever leave you. I love your everything: the way your skin is covered in freckles like constellations, how you appreciate the little things; I love the way you are quiet and thoughtful but can also open up and get excited about the things you love with the people you care about most. Everything Cleo, truly everything. When I’m with you, I’m home”.