#holyscorch

@holyscorch : oh. he didn’t expect to run into satan here; well, technically it was his home including his brothers’. of course he’s free to linger in the living room if he so wished. it’s just not often taiyou had the opportunity to run into him as often compared to the rest of his brothers. “ a sight for sore eyes. ” taiyou playfully remarks as he gives him a casual wave, a handful of books tucked under his arm while approaching him. “ is it alright that i stay here to read ? figured i’d take the opportunity to read some of the books here that might help me get used to your world a bit more. ”

         upon  hearing  a  voice,  satan  looks  up  from  his  book  briefly.  it  wasn't  really  because  he  cared  about  who  approached  him,  it  was  more  on  reflex.  taiyou's  comment  only  made  him  roll  his  eyes.  there  goes  his  peace.  ❛ do  whatever. ❜  it's  not  like  he  could  force  him  to  anything  without  consequences.  a  small  sigh  of  defeat  escaped  him.  the  demon  really  didn't  want  to  share  his  space  with  another  person,  let  alone  someone  he  barely  knew.  in  his  mind  he  was  already  closing  his  book  and  leaving  to  escape  into  his  room,  however,  before  the  thoughts  turned  into  actions,  his  gaze  fell  upon  the  books  the  other  was  carrying.  ❛ ...  what  are  you  reading? ❜

⟡ ݁. ⊹ ₊ unprompted ✦ @holyscorch ₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡

Whenever Casimir is near, Atlas finds his attention wandering toward him with a frequency that has become increasingly difficult to ignore. The realization is an irritating one, made worse by the fact that he cannot seem to determine the reason for it. It is not reassurance he seeks, he has never been the sort to require another's presence in order to feel settled, but should Casimir abruptly rise and leave, there is little doubt that an unwelcome train of thought would follow. Where had he gone? Why had he left? Would he return, and if so, how long would it take? The questions would arrive unbidden, each more absurd than the last, enough to make him resemble some lovestruck fool waiting by the door for a lover's return. The idea is ridiculous. What he feels is nothing more than an appreciation for an attractive body and an insatiable curiosity toward a creature he has yet to fully understand.

He is so occupied with reassuring himself of that conclusion that he fails to realize how long his gaze has lingered. Only when Casimir speaks does Atlas return to himself, desire loosening its grip upon his thoughts just enough for reason to reclaim them. He does not answer immediately. Instead, one brow lifts in silent consideration, a response more generous than most ever receive from him, before the quiet gives way to blatant amusement.

❝ If I want to kiss you? ❞ he repeats, the words carrying just enough disbelief to suggest the question itself is humorous. His gaze remains fixed upon Casimir, studying him with renewed interest before the corner of his mouth pulls into something that almost resembles a smile. ❝ It sounds considerably more like you want me to kiss you. ❞

The observation redirects the conversation exactly where Atlas prefers it, away from himself and back toward the other... man. ❝ I've never taken you for someone burdened by shyness, Casimir. If you want me, all you have to do is say so. ❞

@holyscorch : “ i’ve got your back, just as i hope you have mine. ” / yoru — unprompted.

         the  city  had  finally  grown  quiet.  rain  still  clung  to  the  pavement  outside  the  cafe,  reflecting  the  amber  glow  of  the  streetlamps  in  fractured  gold.  chairs  had  long  since  been  stacked  atop  tables,  the  lights  inside  dimmed,  except  for  the  one  just  above  the  counter.  camille  stood  by  the  window,  a  cup  of  coffee  warming  a  hand,  more  out  of  habit  than  necessity.  the  barista's  words  settled  into  the  comfortable  silence  between  them.  for  a  moment,  the  vampire  said  nothing.  his  gaze  lingered  on  the  darkened  street  beyond  the  glass,  watching  the  occasional  passerby  disappear  into  the  night  before  finally  responding.  ❛ ...that  isn't  a  promise  i  make  lightly. ❜

         the  other  hand  unconsciously  reached  for  his  belt,  a  thumb  brushing  against  the  old  key.  ❛ i've  trusted  people  before. ❜  he  stated  quietly.  not  just  any  people,  but  family.  however,  he  didn't  feel  the  need  to  share  that  detail  with  yoru,  at  least  not  yet.  it  was  his  burden  to  carry  alone.  either  way,  the  consequences  had  taught  him  to  choose  those  people  carefully.  with  that  in  mind,  he  turned  toward  the  other,  his  expression  as  composed  as  ever,  though  noticeably  gentler  than  when  they  first  met.  ❛ you  ran  toward  danger  for  someone  you  believed  to  be  a  stranger. ❜  he  noted,  recalling  the  events  in  the  alley  —  the  flash  of  a  scythe,  the  creature  falling  back  before  he  even  had  the  chance  to  use  his  blood  arts. he couldn't help but feel indebted.

         a  faint  smile  appeared  on  his  face.  ❛ you  simply  acted. ❜  he  lifted  his  cup  in  a  small  motion  before  taking  a  sip,  eyes  closing  briefly,  as  he  savored  the  taste  of  the  coffee.  it  was  great,  like  always.  ❛ if  the  day  should  ever  arise  when  you  are in need of someone  watching  your  back... ❜  he  eventually  spoke  up  again,  his  gaze  meeting  yoru's.  ❛ you  won't  have  to  ask. ❜  glancing  down  into  the cup,  he  fixated  on  the  surface  of  the  beverage.  if  they  happen  to  cross  paths  again  late  at  night,  he  hoped  it  only  involved  the  other's  espresso  machine,  instead  of  another  corpse  or  monster.  as  the  thought  crossed  his  mind,  the  faintest  hint  of  amusement  softened  his  usual  stoic  features.  ❛ we've  both  earned  at  least  one  uneventful  evening,  don't  you  think? ❜

❛ ... pass, as much as it pains me to say it. i stress him out enough already, i think he would rather spend his free - time very much free of me. in a perfect world, i could imagine us sharing a bed without him criticizing my prior transgressions mid - fuck. alas, i'm as disappointed as he must be to hear this. ❜

atlas keeps glancing at jianyu expectantly. he wants something. but he doesn’t know how to ask for it. (a kiss. they are dating, and he still doesn’t know how to ask for it.)

IF THERE WAS ONE thing that one could gain from watching Jianyu and Atlas, was the fact that they could be such awkward men. Neither was particularly good at asking for things. A kiss, a handhold, a touch – it was like watching someone stumble and slip on ice as both struggled to voice their wants. However, in this particular case, it was hard not to notice that Atlas was attempting to catch his attention. For what? Jianyu didn’t know. Why did he keep glancing in his direction? And why was he staring so hard before looking away? Brows furrowed slowly in confusion, his frown deepening from his attempt at comprehending this rather bizarre behavior. He’d almost think that there was something on his face if Atlas’ stare wasn’t so…ah…searching.

Searching…

Wait! Sudden understanding dawned upon him then, Jianyu visibly perking as if he had just figured out a complex puzzle that would have stumped many (it wouldn’t have stumped anyone, really…). Letting out a soft chuckle, he shook his head, both with a sense of fondness and his own amused bashfulness. Without another thought, he leaned close, lips pressing gently against theirs in a soft, chaste kiss. It would forever be odd to him, how such a simple gesture could make his heart feel so warm within his chest. How a small kiss could make him feel quietly giddy throughout the day from the sheer memory of it. Honestly, sometimes Atlas was just really, really…

@holyscorch : ‘watch your back.’ / yoru — prompted.

         the  alley  had  long  since  fallen  silent.  no  witnesses.  no  footsteps.  only  the  metallic  scent  of  blood  clinging  stubbornly  to  the  cool  night  air.  camille  knelt  beside  the  victim,  gloved  fingers  hovering  just  above  the  drying  crimson.  blood  never  truly  lied.  it  pooled  according  to  gravity,  splattered  according  to  force,  and  remembered  the  violence  that  shaped  it.  his  arts  traced  those  memories  in  silence,  each  detail  carefully  fitted  into  the  next  until  the  image  slowly  began  to  take  form.  ❛ … one  assailant. ❜  he  murmured  to  himself.  ❛ no...  two. ❜  one  fled.  one  remained.  the  realization  settled  in  just  a  little  too  late.  something  moved  behind  him,  something  fast.  instinct  screamed  before  thought  could  follow,  blood  began  to  gather  around  his  hand  just  when  —

         ‘watch  your  back.’  a  familiar  voice  suddenly  cut  through  the  alley.  steel  answered  before  the  vampire  ever  had  the  chance  to.  in  a  flash,  with  a  single  movement,  the  creature  that  had  lunged  from  the  darkness  was  forced  back  with  a  guttural  shriek.  black  ichor  splattered  across  the  pavement  before  it  dissolved  beneath  the  blade  of a scythe that  looked  far  too  practiced  to  belong  in  the  hands  of…

         ❛ the  barista. ❜  the  words  left  him  almost  absentmindedly.  crimson  eyes  lingered  on  the  scythe,  then  the  stance  and  the  ease  with  which  the  other  held  it.  the  pieces  rearranged  themselves  almost  instantly  in  his  head  and  clicked.  ❛ the  cafe... ❜   a  brief  pause,  followed  by  eyes  blinking.  ❛ ...was  never  your  only  profession. ❜   the  vampire  rose  at  last,  blood-red  arts  quietly  blooming  around  his  fingertips.  not  out  of  distrust,  but  readiness,  should  whatever  had  survived  decide  to  attack  again.  ❛ i  owe  you  my  thanks. ❜  his  gaze  returned  to  yoru,  composed  despite  the  surprise  hidden  beneath  it.  being  a  regular  at  the  cafe,  meeting  each  other  like  this  felt…  almost  awkward.  of  course  the  keeper  wouldn't  ever  let it show.  ❛ you…  fight just as well as you brew coffee. ❜

@holyscorch ♡'d for a one - liner.

❝   children   are   much   like   flowers,   lucian—they   need   love,   patience,   and   light   if   they   are   ever   to   bloom   as   they   were   meant   to.   ❞