#heist mark

Darkiplier

For the sake of the argument, I'm going to divide these into more general nicknames/petnames and nicknames/petnames that scream Damien and Celine specifically - mainly due to the fact that I feel like they'd be very different in how they adress you, and because I headcannon one of them to have more influence than the other in specific moments, which translates to nicknames/petnames too (there are, of course, still moments where they're in agreement - these are the general ones I'm referring to).

as a general rule, I feel like Dark would be very classic with it, I daresay even old-fashioned. it's safe, it's tried and true - why would they change it, especially because something being that constant resonates with what they want from your relationship too - safety, security, consistency. and let's face it - all parts of Dark are older, so it's just something we could say all parts of them grew up with and find to be the default to rely on. names like darling and love come to mind in this case. Dark would also prefer to use your full name, instead of a shortened version on more general ocassions - full names carry more weight than nicknames and give a more serious tone to whatever they want to say, which is exactly how they want for you to view them.

(if you are the District Attorney, I feel they would also, very sparingly and very rarely, in crucial moments, call you my mirror - if only to signify that while you did not manage to get inside your own body when Dark was created, you are still alive and part of them. you are their mirror - in a way that you literally gave them a body - but also because you reflect their soul(s), or whatever is left of it, too. just because you couldn't manage to get in by whatever eccentric, eldritch rule, doesn't mean they can be whole without you.)

Damien's influence can be most felt in soft, intimate moments, or ones requiring a certain dose of logistics - in cases where Dark is listening to the other egos, acting as head of the Manor, trying to be diplomatic and understanding. also, more prominently this includes moments when they're confessing something to you, talking about their past or feelings, or making plans for the future. in these moments they are sensitive, pliant, soft specifically for you. because Dark internally knows they're a monster, or at least forever changed in a grotesque way that fits their purpose, there's a certain affinity they carry towards calling out to you as a being of higher morals, something holy, something perfect - something not corrupted as they are. when Damien's more active, this comes across more clearly, as does the emphasis and heightened frequency of usage of the nicknames themselves. while in these moments Dark would use petnames like lovely, sunshine or in rare, affectionate or when they're feeling closer to you (either physically or emotionally) moments - teacup, there's also a rare chance of something happening that gives you a clear cut sign Damien's in the building: using a shortened version of your name, (either as a playful jab, joke, teasing or in casual conversation) or a play on words with your name if you have a short name originally. Dark... rarely ever jokes, and seeing as Celine herself is a very serious person and her influence is very prominent in Dark when there's no obvious influence struggle, it only makes sense that that kind of behaviour would stem from Damien.

(in the case of you being the District Attorney, they would have a very... unlikeable habit of calling you little monster, too. they don't like it much, mood souring soon after they realize they did it, but it's an involuntary thing at this point - they can't really help it. why? they prefer to keep things separate. yes, you are the District Attorney (or at least you used to be), but they used to be Celine and Damien. they aren't anymore, and you yourself had changed from the moment of the transformation. why would you, then, limit yourselves to what you used to be? you're different people now, if only to love each other in a way you never have before. some things should stay in the past.)

Celine, on the other hand, as a wielder of the arcane, prefers nicknames and petnames that clue you into that part of their nature. Celine herself is very... straightforward, so to say - likes things done right, efficiently and cleanly, and isn't afraid to take things to the next level or use any means necessary to get to her goal. Being stuck in a body with her brother doesn't change that much. Celine is the protector - she steps in when things need to get done, when fights need to be won and people at fault need to be punished. she is Dark's fury, their instincts and she is the one who knows most about their true nature as a being of the occult. therefore, it's very rare you'll hear nicknames or petnames from Dark when she's more active, as most situations she takes the reigns in are usually very emotional - when they need to be comforted, pacified or stopped before they do something they regret. but there are moments when she can be persuaded to come more into focus that aren't threats or intense bouts of energy - and in those she sticks to a... theme, you might say. when Dark's more influenced by her, they can be more in tune with what they're feeling, but in a more... physical way - as well as trying to connect with you more than anyone else. they become a bit poetic, too, so you'll often hear things like my moon, my dearest one, little thing or little sparrow. they're simple and don't hold much meaning besides them thinking they're pretty and can be both sources of great inspiration and utmost darkness - at least for the night themed ones - so they think they're perfect for you. unlike Damien's periods, Celine's are full of recognition - there's nothing holy about you, nothing divine - you're equals, and you're just as dark as Dark themself is. they'll tell you what they see - and tell you what attracted them to you, as simply as possible.

(when Celine's active, the closest thing to a joke you might hear is them calling you their lucky charm, but even then their grip is curled around you protectively, deathly strong and secure - as if they're clutching at that same charm tightly in the palm of their hand.)

Yancy

ah, our favourite jailbird. Yancy is very... well, he tries to be traditional - emphasis on tries - with nicknames like doll, dollface and toots. why do I say tries? well, using those petnames should feel right with his accent and the inspiration that made him want to adopt it in the first place. it does sound good when he says it, and for the first few months of your relationship it feels good too. it's his character - this tough, Brooklyn dude who just got out of jail (or is still in jail, depending on the time period), and you, his companion that's so sweet and pretty - but after a while, it just starts to feel like he's playing a role of some kind. like he's playing into a part in a musical he thought was his, that felt like him for so long he forgot to be anything else, but you're different. you treat him the same regardless of the implications, regardless of who he wants to be represented as, regardless of this tough persona he tries to put up half the time. so he slowly, over the course of a few months, melts into a puddle of gooey, sirupy sweetness whenever you call him by anything else than his full name. and in turn, starts thinking about how to get you in that mindset too. doll is fine, dollface is good as a default backup or when he wants to sound tougher, but he really thinks names like honey, baby or sugar fit you waaaay better. don't get him wrong, he's not a particular fiend for sugar related things or anything but you really, and I mean really, are sweet. and he intends to show you how sweet he can be when calling you those.

in specific moments, more likely when he's asking you for something or being overly sweet, he has the tendency to string them together into compound nicknames - like calling you baby doll - or come up with other, closely related longer nicknames, like honey bee or sweet cheeks. this is more rare though, as he usually finds most compound petnames to be a bit extra sometimes and annoying, in terms of their length, to pronounce. but when he wants to be extra, well, they sure come in handy.

(Yancy's also the one most likely to use a shortened version of your name most frequently (even if it's already short. he'll find a way), so much so that most who don't know you think he's your best friend, rather than partner. it very much gives off the vibe of 'how you doin', buddy?' instead of 'hello, love of my life'. if anything, it's really funny, especially if you ever get married and then are able to watch how people go from sweet to trying not to appear too shocked.)

Head Engineer! Mark

let's start with the obvious, shall we, captain? yes, he's going to call you that regardless of if you're his actual active captain or not, because as he says, 'you're the captain of my heart' with a very exaggerated, teary eyed expression. being an engineer that's very interested in space in general and who also works in a space station or a newly formed space colony (whichever time period you want to put him in), of course he has plenty of space themed nicknames for you. like my supernova when you do something particularly amazing; my North star or my starlet (in terms or it referring to a small star) with a soft smile on his face. he's also the most likely to shout 'baaaaabe!' across the entirety of your house, or the Manor, or the Invincible II when he needs something, sometimes resulting in you having to respond to whoever you're talking to with a sheepish smile in place of an apology before scurrying off to find him (before he finds you and clings to you, interrupting your conversation).

when you're upset, either with him or in general, you'll usually hear things like my storm cloud. you're just so cute to him when you're angry, especially if it's something smaller and more manageable - then you're like a little huffy and puffy thing (regardless of your actual size) with your arms crossed and brows knitted together, and you are just so. cute. even when you're glaring daggers into the back of his head. just the cutest.

if we're talking about Engineer when he's in his colony era more specifically, the space petnames don't really stop, but they just... get added onto. he does miss home, to some extent, so he'll usually wedge some Earth references in there: lovebug (or, more commonly, just bug), my spark (this one's more related to his work, which was started on Earth originally), precious (adding some sort of jewel at the end as well for maximum effect) - and to tie into this: he loves annoying you with them. no, really. he loves it. he'll call you any animal or element under the sun, or even those not seen by the sun. I mean he's the type of guy to go past you while you're drinking juice that is red in color, grip you by your shoulders from behind and in a faux sweet voice go: 'my little mosquito'. NO I'M NOT KIDDING. HE WOULD DO THAT I KNOW HE WOULD.

if I was not a better person that juice would be staining his uniform in seconds. he better start running.

Actor! Mark

just to get this out of the way - kitten. unironically. maybe not in public, but he totally would and he would see no problem with it at all. man does not know cringe culture, doesn't know the heinous stuff that gets posted online with that petname specifically - nope. he heard it during one of his gigs in a script, probably, and decided it was cute. that, plus you're either as lazy as he is or you get pulled into it forcefully by him and we all know this man is so cat coded it hurts. I'm talking sleeping until early afternoon or taking naps throughout the day and ignoring his responsibilities, either as a result of his failing mental state or just... being one of his characteristics. but no, of course - that's aaaaall you. how could he ever act like that - nono, it's your fault because you yawn and stretch so cutely he just wants to keep you in bed longer, that you work so hard he knows you deserve a break, and how could he deny you more of himself during it? (you were working for an hour, tops, before he showed up. you absolutely did not need a break yet.)

focuses a lot on and emphasizes your looks - handsome, gorgeous, pretty (also compounds it with other nouns - pretty girl, pretty boy, pretty thing, pretty little dear, etc.), which makes a lot of sense considering he values his own looks a lot - of course you need to think about yourself like that too! really, he insists.

another one who uses darling (oh the irony) but for different reasons. while yes, this man is, khm khm, old, khm, he is also very into trends and don't make him forget himself and misremember that being british was always a trend in the movie industry! especially that british accent and that petname specifically. (he secretly hopes it makes you swoon. does it? does it?) despite all the movie references (seeing as it is very him, being an actor is instrinsic to his character, either as a profession or as the diva he presents himself to be), he still fell in love with you - that must make you pretty special, no? to him it does. he's easily your number one fan. (we often forget, or I feel like we do, that this man adored his wife while they were married. you think he wouldn't do the same for you, especially if you prove to be different than Celine in the way that you wouldn't leave him? please. he's on his knees immediately.) for this reason, (especially if you're in the movie industry too) he's calling you my star or my superstar - either one fits. and no, nobody can measure up to him in terms of how much he knows about you, or how often he notices the littlest things you do that nobody sees, so yeah, he's obviously your number one fan and no, you're not replacing him, ever. you're his star, and his alone. so shine for him, won't you?

Wilford Warfstache

the type of man to look at you with a straight face - or at least as straight of a face as Wilford can manage - and call you something like cutiepie, sweet pea or cupcake. especially when he gets that low, murderous edge to his voice, eyes trained on you like an apex predator before he switches up his tune to a cheery one. other favorites are equally as bad or good, depending on your opinion on them: peanut, pumpkin, little chick, bunny, etc. really, anything that's small and cute, especially desserts and animals. there's the cuteness of it, sure - but the agressive kind. whenever he envelops you in a hug, casual or serious, there's an underlying feeling of being close to being crushed in an iron maiden - and his petnames reflect that perfectly. sure, you're all cute, sweet and squishy, as they indicate in their base meaning, but the situations he uses them in... are anything but, let's put it that way. a bunny is meant to be caught. a cupcake is meant to be eaten. there's a hidden edge to each of the ones he uses that reveals his true intentions.

you'll know which ones are his favorite by the frequency of their usage. while Wilford's names for you are extremely varied, he'll use specific ones that tie into repeating dialogues, situations or your own reactions to them. definetly prefers puppy, considering he usually means to demean you with it. you'll bark and you'll snap your teeth at him, but it's so cute, he can't help himself. there's a very sadistic part of him that revels in the way he can just wrench your jaw shut by nudging a gun sliiiightly closer to that one specific artery on your neck. gosh, you're adorable then, when you finally let him lead the conversation. especially if you're a more serious character - he loooooves making fun of you. just seeing how you react when he threatens you over and over and over again before just plain giving up, because half of the fun is in being unpredictable.

if you get really comfortable with him, and I mean a year or so into your relationship, he will have weaker moments where he'll be completely serious with you, without the whole switching back and forth on his words or actions. brief moments of lucidity. this is when he'll actually tell you things about who he was before this, before the party at the Manor, while he was still a Colonel, and even while he was still a Private. during these, and after you've had those conversations (especially if he's introducing you to someone), he'll most likely refer to you as his other half, or his person - both as a sort of prideful possessiveness and loving acknowledgement of you, regardless of if you're actually married or otherwise romantically engaged.

Illinois

this man is not one for petnames, at all. how could he be, after all, if he's... not there half the time? I mean, it depends on what kind of person you are.

if you're someone that insists he takes you along, adventures with you instead of forcing you to ponder if he'll show up for dinner that night or not - he's hesitant, sure, more protective, but when you finally prove yourself to be as reliable as he needs a companion to be, you earn the scout's honor of being called his partner. more than the literal, crude sense - you could still date without being his number two in all sorts of escapades - but if you didn't take that bold step, you wouldn't be privy to being as easily boasted about out and about. Illinois loves a daring partner, loves someone bold, as much as you'll give him a heart attack one of these days. (as if he isn't doing the same things to you.) when you do do something dangerous or flat out impulsive without even talking to him about it, like taking a leap of faith - he'll surely give you a mouthful after, but you'll catch him muttering 'no-good, braindead daredevil' or something of the sort with a hidden smirk on his face. this man is weak, but please don't go throwing yourself off cliffs or anything. (he's also very keen on calling you that when he's challenging you, or teasing you, alongside things like rookie or newbie. as if you could outdo him, a seasoned veteran- oh. huh. well wouldya look at that. hm. maybe he does need to brush up on some things.)

if you're more of the studious type in terms of archeology, or just have dreams of your own that have nothing to do with artefact hunting or treasure hunting, he adores that side of you too. someone to come home to. someone to help him clean up, someone who always makes room for him, no matter what. he doesn't really care about the artefact, having all but forgotten about it as soon as his boots are off and you're in view. putting his arms around you, he leans in with a 'i'm home, treasure/my gold/my jewel.' and it's like he gets hit hard with the fact he doesn't really care about anything but you. when it comes to hunting, it's about the thrill, about the chase. but you - well. your love isn't something that he could hunt down. it's more about letting himself go and sinking into it. plus, your smile twinkles more pleasantly than any dusty jewel would.

The Host

his eyes. of course he calls you that, settled into the couch as you're sprawled across and between his legs, reading one of the literary classics to him. having been the Author before, an avid writer and fan of writers even now, he misses books - and learning Braille to try and read himself has been... a touch and go project for as long as he can remember. not like he ever needed to learn it before, so it's tougher to learn now that he's older and doesn't soak up everything like a sponge. so you read for him. it's like an audiobook, except it's his favorite person reading and in turn, being very close to him for hours at a time. yeah, he's living the dream, truly.

it's not just that, though. being treated like a fortune teller or a narrator of current hidden emotions and intentions is most of his purpose at the Manor and it gets tiring, fast. not only because of the emotional aspects of it, but also because his head starts to hurt. needing to think and use every other sense except his eyes at a 150% or more rate does that to a man. so it's easier when he... doesn't have to do that. doesn't have to talk, to narrate, to decide, to notice everything. this is where you come in. you take over easily - not to do things for him he can do himself, but to be a reprieve, a moment of an isolated voice instead of a cacophany of four or five, if not more, at a time while he tries to discern what each person is doing besides talking. you just... talk. you don't move much, don't complicate things. plus, you can stare. a lot, so, yeah. eyes. it's cute how you're so curious about him. (he gets it, too. knowing you don't have to keep up appearances because a person isn't actively looking at you - despite the fact he can sense you - kind of relieves you of the usual societal norms in a conversation. it's okay, he doesn't really mind.)

he likes dear a lot as a baseline. though, even then, he still has instincts from before, when he was a writer - so the rest of his petnames for you are based on what he can sense and use in a situation, while being super poetic, of course. bringing him something? thank you, my hands. (after which he jokes with a soft chuckle that you might as well be one body now - not only are you his eyes, you're his hands too. what's next? his brain? you're already in there.) you're flirting with him, distracting him? he gets it, Casanova. let him finish this and he'll be there in a second. you let him feel your face with his hands, while he tries to commit it to memory as much as possible? hell-ooo, angel. (he's so smitten.)

can't help but always compare you to flowers, though. if he can't see you, at least he can feel you. and you're as soft as a rose petal, aren't you? if he can't see you, he can at least smell your perfume. today you chose to smell like lilies, huh? love that one - great choice. he's just being honest and telling you what you remind him of - he really can't help it. literally. he's going to be narrating it all anyways, why not just tell you outright?

Heist! Mark

he's so indecisive. goodness help him, someone help this man. you yourself barely know what he's going to be calling you half the time, or which one of his many, many choices to call you he's going to be using this time. it gets so bad sometimes that in the middle of calling you something, he changes his mind. becomes especially awkward when you're around other people. ('bab- no. wait. hm. well- hng. um... de-ar? no. sweetheart? come here for a second! please?') you don't even know why he changes his mind half the time. the best you've gathered from him is just that it 'doesn't feel right in the moment', as if every moment deserves and is categorised by a specific petname. like, what?? no matter how many times you reiterate to him that you're okay with literally anything, as long as there's at least some succinct theme so you know when he's calling specifically for you, he always has some sort of response. ('I dunno, just... nothing seems to fit you. like, one moment you're super brave and it's like, I can't call you baby! that would be so, like, putting you down, right? you're so, like, you and so, agh- I don't know!' someone help him. someone help this man.)

if it makes you feel any better, he does have a handful of petnames that are kind of like names on a wheel he spins in his head whenever he's deciding how to get your attention. but even then, they're pretty generic, considering how he's always teetering on the edge of 'appropriate' and 'inappropriate'; of 'too personal' and 'not personal enough'. some of these include: baby, sweetheart, honey, angel, hun, babe and dove. as I said, pretty generic, no real further meaning. just something to show closeness, rather than leaving you high and dry with people thinking you're not even together. he wants to, though! he'll find the perfect one. one day. maybe soon. who knows, really.

(the most you'll really get out of him that's kind of personalized is my partner in crime or my accomplice - though you're unsure, just as he is, if he means that more platonically, professionally (you're technically colleagues, being in the same profession and all) or romantically - and, when he's feeling particularly brave and too caught up in emotions to overthink anything, little thief. though he'll sometimes confuse himself - wait, he's a thief too, though, so like... isn't that - hypocritical- y'know what, just scrap it. he'll workshop it later. it sours the mood, if even a little, when he unintentionally has to stop and actively think about it. you just wish he'd decide already.)

Antisepticeye

listen, a classic is a classic. you can see it coming from a mile away - puppet. of course. I wonder what it could be, truly. it usually comes with prefixed additions of my or little as added bonuses while he twirls around you and sings 'there are no strings on me' in a low, breathy and mocking voice, staticky chuckling accompanying his words. (asshole.) he also likes pet. it's similar in meaning, though it differs in how he uses it as you grow closer. in the beginning of your relationship, or, well, knowing you in general - it's just what it is - you're his pet, his slave, something under his control, or soon to be. as soon as he develops feelings, though, nope. yes, he still wants to control you, yes, he still wants to be the strings piercing your limbs, but now you're more like his favorite toy rather than something expendable. and he takes care of his favorites, either by keeping their terror up to an all time high as he makes sure they can keep taking more of whatever he's dishing out in, or by shielding you from someone who might interrupt that cycle, like, oh I don't know, people trying to save you from him. who do they think they are?! he takes such good care of you. a jumpscare here and there is healthy for you, just to keep you vigilant. or at least he says so. other iterations of similar meanings he uses are poppet, tiny pawn or doll, specifically dollie (or dolly, however you want to spell it).

once he's got you doing his bidding, you're his precious little ruined thing. his nightmare. his monster. his little horror. and he's so, so proud. you've finally reached your full potential. really, if he wasn't your (forceful or not) boyfriend, he'd feel like a proud father! now you're perfect, his golden boy/girl/baby. and you do exactly as you're told each and every time, don't you?

(when he's finally vulnerable around you, though even when you've been together for a while or are in it for the long haul - it very, very rarely happens, usually when he's tired or drained - he'll hold you tightly to his chest and just call you his. he's very, very possessive. him calling you that is almost like a searing brand across your heart, doomed to stay even if you are apart. an active pattern in the flesh of your organs.)

Simon the Convict

Simon already thinks your name is enough in most cases. I mean, it's your name - what's more special than that? he doesn't have a lot of people sticking around, at least not enough for you to have a duplicate who goes by your exact name - so it is really completely yours. he doesn't think of anything or anyone else when he says it, so why would he change it? it's so you.

but well, when he thinks of you, looks at you, sees you, it does make him think of things. he still remembers what the stars looked like - though it's blurry at best, and even if it was a clear memory, they were so far away - but he can see them again in your eyes. he's not the kind of guy to be overly sweet out of the blue, or to use petnames a lot, but oh, well, when he gets emotional - well, he can't really stop himself. especially if you're crying, the tears reflecting underneath the flickering shine of the overhead light, he feels like you're crying pure stardust. it's so pretty on you, starlight - though he'd rarely tell you that. he doesn't want you crying unless it's happy tears.

I feel he'd be drawn to more religious petnames and all, seeing as he came from Eden - a primarily religious based community. things like angel, or angel face - highlighting how gorgeous you are - but those are everyday examples. he hasn't told you yet, but he'd really like to call you his god/goddess/deity some day. he just hopes it doesn't come across as too intense - though, what isn't intense where you're both at at this point?

other examples of him referring to you as a source of light - sunbeam or sunshine, or especially my star. that last one's the most frequent one, but he would use basics like dear or honey, too. just not baby, or babe. you're not a child, and it seems ridiculous to him to refer to you as anything similar to what he would call a child, even if it doesn't carry the same meaning.