Blessed Arte the Pink!

Happy Holidays, all. 

been a little busy, so responses will probably come in after New Year’s Eve.

“It’s not your fault, Oriole. You’re doing what’s necessary to feel comfortable–  I can’t blame you for that.” Especially not anymore when Star sneaked into Oriole’s apartment and carried him all the way home so he’d feel comfortable. “Your comfort also matters to me more than almost everything. So even if I don’t like something… I’m willing to try it if it helps you feel better about being with me.” 

“And no, I won’t tie you up again. This was a one-time mistake, a-although I know that just sounds like a bad excuse.” Because it was despite being true. His “mental blackouts” didn’t waive the sane him responsibility for his actions. And that’s what he sought to do in spite of how it’d make himself feel. His feelings were secondary to Oriole’s. 

But, in own small selfishness, Star’s next immediate thought was to sweeten the “stay” pot a bit more. He scooted closer to Oriole and embraced his friend, gently rubbing his back as the other held him tight. “I love you, and I want you to be genuinely happy when you’re at my side. I hope you still know and believe that.”

Ludger audibly sighed in relief when Star said he wouldn’t be tied up again. That was...good. It was good that he wouldn’t be bound again. That made him feel less...trapped. And it did sound like a bad excuse...but...Star was trying to make things more comfortable...so...

He was about to ask if the no being tied up thing also applied if he tried to leave...but he was very suddenly embraced. And somehow that distracted him enough to not ask the question.

Oriole felt his cheeks get a little warm at the contact...and from the words. Even after being kidnapped, Oriole still believed that Star wanted him to be happy while he stayed by Star’s side. “I know...and I believe you.” 

He was quiet a few moments, just enjoying be close. He didn’t want to hurt Star...and he knew that leaving would hurt him. But...

“Interacting with other people is included. Just… remember that I can hear you, please.” Star hoped Oriole didn’t interpret that as a thinly veiled threat. He asked because listening to the person he loved tell others how deranged, horrible, controlling, or what else have you about him while he watched silently from the background would hurt him. 

But if that’s what Oriole wanted to do, Star wouldn’t stop him. He’d only break his word of staying back if Oriole used his time to beg others for protection and separation from from Star. Hurting and killing others were still acts he didn’t like to indulge in lest he found it absolutely necessary. Keeping the two of them together was his ultimate priority. 

“Is that enough to make you stay…? Or do you still need more from me? Wh-which it’s fine if you do! I-I’m only asking…” Star hated this feeling of walking on eggshells every time he said something. It’d stop once Oriole agreed to stay, though a bad feeling told  him all these compromises weren’t going to be enough…

It...did sound good. Or at least...okay? But Oriole was still uneasy and that showed in his expression. His eyes flicked to the door again and he tried to quash down the urge to run. Running would hurt Star...and Oriole didn’t want to hurt anyone...

but I don’t want to be trapped either.

“I...I’m sorry...” Oriole mumbled as he looked down at the ground. “I...know I’m being difficult...”

Was he really being all that difficult? Probably not by most standards...but...

With Oriole’s binds cut, his friend’s eyes were sneaking glances at the door. It hurt to witness, even if Star predicted his friend would try to escape the moment he cut him free. Although should he actually try running away, Star wasn’t against tackling Oriole to the ground if it meant keeping Oriole here just a bit longer. To keep his world from stopping as it always did when he was left alone. 

Upon asking for anything to keep Oriole here, he got an answer he’d heard multiple times: Oriole wanted the freedom to go out. Unlike himself, Oriole couldn’t stand being cooped up inside for very long and would go stir crazy in a matter of days when forced to stay in. While Star couldn’t understand Oriole’s infatuation with the outdoors, he nonetheless wanted to respect his friend’s wishes… in a way that wouldn’t override his personal feelings.

Ignoring his feelings too long inevitably lit the fuse for the desperation bomb to blow. This kidnapping situation happened because he bottled them up and hoped they’d go away; didn’t work the first time, failed yet again the 20th time.

“If I let you go outside, can I at least follow you…? I’ll stay completely out of sight, you won’t even be able to tell I’m there.”  He’d become an adept at keeping to the shadows– how else could one explain Star managing to carry someone in his arms back home undetected? “As long as I can still see you, I-I won’t worry… as much.”

That was...more than Oriole honestly expected. Though the idea of being followed by someone who was so well hidden that he wouldn’t know he was there was...unnerving. Oriole thought he was rather perceptive...but...

He guessed he wasn’t. 

After all, he hadn’t noticed Star following all this time. And he must’ve been to be able to get him here without anyone noticing...

      their head lay rest in their hand as they stared to their captive. why did they do this? for answers of course.  ❝ i don’t need you running away or avoiding things right now with me which is why i chose to do this ludger. ❞  the jeweler spoke as they moved to sit on the floor before him.

      ❝ i want answers. ❞  they state as they look him in the eye.  ❝ ludger where have you been running off too so often when you get those calls? ❞

Ludger stared at Plum, eyes wide. Running away? Avoiding things? What did Plum mean...? And then fact that they resorted to restraining him to make sure he didn’t...

Answers...?

He went a bit pale when Plum mentioned the calls, though. “Plum...I...that’s not exactly easy to answer...” He bit his lower lip and tried to figure out what he could say...

Oriole’s answer was at least better than a yes. Regardless of his response, Star made his way to the kitchen and removed a knife from the knife rack. “I’ll cut the restraints. Hold still for me,” Star explained before he knelt back down at Oriole’s side. With careful, precise slashes, the ropes around Oriole’s wrists and ankles fell to the floor in halves. That should make Oriole a bit less anxious (in spite of his own anxiety now shooting through the roof). 

“I’m sorry for tying you up. I wanted to make sure you’d wait and listen to me once you woke up, but… I-I know that’s not really an excuse.” Star would understand if his apology was too little too late for Oriole. Taking Oriole home without his consent was objectively wrong. He knew that, and yet… “I-It’s just… I don’t– I can’t function when you’re not here with me.” Whenever Oriole was away, Star’s thoughts were a constant wave of worries and possible disaster scenarios he’d fail to prevent being so far away. 

“So even if you do find me horrible or scary now, please don’t leave. I’ll do anything if it means you’ll stay! I-I mean it, anything at all!”

Oriole nodded and stayed perfectly still for Star. He wanted to be able to move... The ropes being cut away immediately had Oriole wanting to escape. He rubbed at his wrists a little. He mumbled a thank you and sighed. 

His eyes drifted to the door and he tried to calculate if he could outrun Star. If he could get to the door without having to resort to violence...

Even if Star kidnapped him...he didn’t want to hurt him... 

Getting to the door would be difficult, but potentially possible...? It was at least plausible...

Those thoughts were interrupted when Star was asking him to not leave...that he’d do anything to make sure Oriole stayed...

His stomach churned with guilt and he felt his shoulders slump. It would hurt Star if he left...he knew it would. And he didn’t want to hurt Star... But he wanted to keep his freedom...

“I carried you while you were sleeping– I’m a bit surprised myself you slept through the whole trip.” Julius used to say he was a very heavy sleeper; the same probably applied to Oriole. “As for why….”

“We were already home by the time I realized you were in my arms. Holding you just feels so natural to me that I didn’t process I was doing so until I had to set you down.” In other words, Star couldn’t remember why he chose to bring Oriole back to his home. Somewhere in him he felt satisfied now that they were both here, but the man couldn’t begin to explain the logistics. 

What Star could process is Oriole’s terror directed at him. Sort of like Julius back when he–… maybe he’d be better off asking than assuming. “Are you afraid of me now…?” 

While he was asleep? How had Star gotten into his apartment? The answer only brought about so many more questions...and more anxiety. Oriole had literally been taken from his apartment. While asleep. And no one had stopped him...

Was he afraid of Star right now? Or was it the situation? Or was  it what Star was capable of when he was pushed to the brink? 

He tried to get his voice to work, but it was difficult. He was having trouble figuring out what he needed to say. 

“...I...” Oriole took in a slow breath. He needed to try and stay calm. “I...don’t know what to think right now?” 

from abduction starters

Oriole was...scared. Yes. He wasn’t entirely sure how he had gotten into this situation. He stared at Star with wide eyes. Yes...he believed that Star loved him and that he wouldn’t hurt him...

But...Oriole was finding he couldn’t exactly move at the moment. Which only made him more afraid..

@prototype-ibrahim

from abduction starters

Ludger squirmed against the restraints, very nearly panicked by the very idea of being trapped. He didn’t like feeling trapped. He hated feeling trapped. His gaze drifted over to who spoke, eyes going wide a moment later. Why would...

That didn’t make sense...

"Hey, hey, hey, hush, I'm not gonna hurt you, I'm just gonna keep you for myself."

"_____, enough. You aren't escaping again. I made sure of it."

"I REALLY don't want to punish you, but if you don't stop, I will."

"Little one, I know you're confused, but I'M going to be your Mommy/Daddy now."

"Shut up! Bad pet, get back in your cage!"

"Stop screaming, nobody can hear you but me and the ghosts anyways."

"Hmph. You're a fighter. Good, I'll enjoy breaking you."

"Here's the deal. I. Own. You."

"I'm gonna make your screams echo, baby."

"Welcome to your new home."

"You'll get used to the handcuffs sooner or later."

"I know you're scared, but I won't hurt you. I love you!"

"I'm going to count to five,give you a headstart. You have until sunset to escape."

"Go on, keep begging."

"If you give in, it'll be easier."

"If you bite me, I'll muzzle you, pet."

"This is going to be a nice weekend, for me, at least. I hope your gag isn't too tight."

"You're so cute, struggling like that."

"You don't need to cry. It's not like your life was going anywhere before me."

lost and found

Star’s guess was square on the money– the man remembered being called ‘Oriole’ in the past. “I had a friend I used to call ‘Oriole’ because we were almost mirrors to each other, down to our names. He’d also refer to me as ‘Star’ by my suggestion.” A somewhat sly way to remind his friend of their old relationship; jokes had a way of naturally easing tension. 

“It’s been a long time, Oriole-san.” 

Star...

Yes, that name certainly did seem familiar. Especially in relation to being called Oriole... 

thank you!

I have missed tumblr, I just hadn’t considered coming back because of a massive mental block on writing.

talesofdebt​ — ludger

      ❝ i dunno, maybe by kissing or something? ❞

“I think I can manage that.” 

@ofstarsandskies​

Ludger blinked and considered the words. Calling him by a bird’s name? That did seem really familiar... He tilted his head as he considered the other man. “...yeah, I remember someone calling me...um...Oriole?” He paused and seemed confused. “w...why do you ask?”

talesofdebt — dork

      ❝ well i was seeing if you’d react in a certain way! not just smile like a goofball. ❞  they moved to lightly elbow him with a playful smile.