ʏᴏᴜʀ ɪɴꜰᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴍᴀᴊᴇꜱᴛʏ

𝖆 𝖕𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖊𝖝𝖎𝖑𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑

[absclutio]

#absclutio //  independent . private . highly selective . terzo (papa emeritus iii) of GHOST LORE as created by tobias forge . heavily headcanon based. tobias forge canon critical . EST 2025

PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE FOLLOWING .

// 𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬 𝗜𝗡 :: velvet silhouettes , scandal in sacred halls , a crown carved from sin , divine ego wrapped in silk , shattered mirrors in golden frames , a hymn for the damned , roses blooming through marble floors , dangerous devotion , sacrilege made seductive , confession in a crimson glass .

DNI FOUND HERE DUE TO STALKING AND HARASSMENT mox . 30+ . est 2025 . please read all rules before following . memes [ mutuals only ]!!

also found at : @anticristvs , @la1cized @phan7asma , @scarbound , @vcrtexed

[literaryvein]

L. V., excerpts from a past life

[absclutio]

thankful for terzo

had to reset my computer. trying to get back around <3

[absclutio]

@deusabsentas ( dew ) asked : ❛ how long have i been asleep? ❜

                  BY  THE  TIME  DEW  HAS  ROLLED  OUT  of  bed  and  wandered  into  the  kitchen ,  terzo  already  has  a  pot  of  coffee  on  to  brew  and  has  started  a  simple  breakfast .  he's  fairly  certain  that  the  smell  had  woken  the  other ,  just  as  intended .  it  had  been  a  long  week  of  performance  after  performance  after  performance .  so  much  time  being  pulled  around  by  press  and  other .  he  knew  that  the  other  had  to  be  exhausted  after  following  his  brother  around  for  the  past  months  with  very  little  break .  he  can't  blame  the  ghoul .  he  remembers  coming  home  after  his  first  time  on  the  road .  he'd  walked  in  and  PROMPTLY  COLLAPSED  on  his  bed ,  clothes  and  all ,  and  slept  for  a  solid  eighteen  hours .  the  second  time  he'd  gone  on  tour ,  he'd  learned  to  sleep  in  moving  vehicles  and  take  advantage  of  any  canceled  meeting  or  press  or  appearance .  as  much  a  he  loved  meeting  fans ,  he  loved  his  sanity  more .

perpetua  seemed  to  be  just  as  energetic  as  copia  had  been ,  certainly  leaving  the  ghouls  just  as  tired  as  their  papa .   and  poor  dewdrop …  working  for  half  of  the  tour  with  a  broken  foot  had  to  have  taken  more  energy  than  ANY  OF  THEM  WERE  USED  TO .  but  he's  home ,  now .  healed  and  resting  with  no  set  date  of  going  anywhere  except  for  wherever  the  two  can  escape  to  for  much  needed  time  together .  it  had  taken  everything  in  him  to  not  wake  the  ghoul  the  moment  he  had  woken .  he'd  missed  the  other  more  than  he  could  say  and  didn't  want  to  waste  a  single  moment .  

but ,  as  he  was  well  aware ,  an  exhausted  dew  was  a  grumpy  dew .  and  a  grumpy  dew  was  a  bitchy  dew .  and  a  bitchy  dew  meant  that  instead  of  enjoying  the  day ,  they  would  both  instead  spend  it  existing  in  separate  rooms  BECAUSE  TEMPERS  ARE  RIDICULOUS .  doesn't  matter  that  anything  said  wouldn't  have  been  met .  either  way  ,  terzo  doesn't  want  to  risk  it .  all  he  wants  is  time  with  his  partner ,  time  that  he's  missed  for  the  better  part  of  three  months .  so  he's  as  patient  as  he  can  be  until  he's  bored  with  a  book  and  sketching  and  refuses  to  turn  on  the  television  because  the  noise  would  be  awful  to  wake  up  to .

so  when  the  other  appears  in  the  doorway  of  the  kitchen ,  hair  mussed  from  sleep  and  eyes  still  fighting  sleep ,  he  gives  him  a  soft  smile  before  looking  at  the  clock  on  the  wall .  “ well ,  la  mia  palla  di  fuoco ,  i  believe  that  would  be  AROUND  THIRTEEN  HOURS .  i  wasn't  going  to  wake  you .  you  looked  peaceful  and  i'm  sure  you  needed  every  fucking  minute  of  sleep  you  could  get . ”  he  pulls  a  mug  from  the  cabinet  and  quickly  fills  it  with  coffee ,  mixing  it  just  as  dew  likes ,  and  offers  it  to  him .  “  i  have  a  frittata  cooling  and  sweet  rolls  baking .  and  the  bacon  just  stopped  it's  horrible  attack  on  my  skin . ”

[nonbinarykuma]

I Am Death, Now… (instagram)

[anticristvs]

a few quick house keeping things that have been rolling in my head for a bit

i'm finally starting to feel comfortable and safe again and happy with my writing . i shut my blog down and had exclusives because of anxiety and abuse and wanting to keep my circle close . it's been a bit since dealing with all of the craziness of the stalking and harassment , so i'm going to make a few changes based on that .

exclusives are being dropped on @absclutio , @anticristvs , @la1cized , and @phan7asma . rose keeps her exclusives because of the kind of muse she is and what makes that comfortable .

mains and affiliates are VERY MUCH still a thing . however , they will no longer be on my pinned post . when i turned off anon last year , my pinned post was used to figure out who could be harassed about being friends and writing with me . so , it's not perfect , i will be listing them in carrd only . i just want to try to protect my friends as best i can .

gonna be reblogging this on all of my blogs , so if you follow all of them , i'm so sorry for your dash . just want to make sure it's where it needs to be .

[faithstar-archive]

❝ we all need something to believe in until it's over, anything, anyone, anytime but it's not over yet. ❞ @absclutio

𝐓𝐇𝐄   𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓   of   the   emeritus   line   cannot   meet   his   older   brother's   gaze.   those   familiar,   intense   hues   that   so   closely   resemble   his   own.   he   doesn't   understand   how   his   brother   could   speak   to   him   of   faith   now   of   all   times,   but   perhaps   resurrection   will   do   that   to   you.   it   still   hasn't   fully   settled   within   him   the   realization   that   one   of   his   brothers   was   alive   once   more.   despite   the   fact   that   terzo   was   walking,   talking,   existing   within   his   new   ghoulish   body   before   him.   all   he   can   think   about   is   the   weight   of   his   brother's   head   in   his   hands,   placed   there   by   his   own   mother   for   some   gruesome   display.

❝   fratello   ...   perhaps   tonight   is   not   the   night   for   such   talk.   ❞   he   sighs   softly,   gloved   fingers   running   through   his   hair   pushing   loose   bangs   back   from   his   eyes   &   into   place   once   more.   ❝   you   must   be   tired   no   ?   ❞   it   is   a   poor   deflection,   one   he   knows   that   the   third   will   see   through   immediately.   still,   he   cannot   bring   himself   to   move   past   what   has   happened.   he   doesn't   know   why   terzo   has   come   to   him,   the   one   who   had   benefitted   so   greatly   from   his   brutal   murder.   it   wasn't   that   copia   didn't   want   to   be   near   his   brother,   far   from   it,   but   the   guilt   he   felt   simply   wouldn't   allow   him   to   peacefully   exist   within   terzo's   space.

as   if   sensing   his   distress   he   hears   his   daughter   crying   in   the   next   room.   letting   out   a   curse   under   his   breath   he   excused   himself   for   a   moment   before   coming   back   with   the   tiny   ghoulette   in   his   arms.   she   settled   as   soon   as   she   was   cradled   within   his   arms,   something   that   admittedly   brought   a   tired   smile   to   his   face.   ❝   you   just   wanted   to   be   held   didn't   you   la   mia   piccola   stella   ?   or   perhaps   you   wanted   to   see   your   uncle   ?   ❞   it's   the   first   time   he   manages   to   look   at   terzo,   though   it's   only   for   a   brief   moment   to   judge   how   terzo   was   feeling.

dusk   had   only   had   such   a   short   time   with   her   uncles   before   their   sudden   demise,   something   that   copia   regretted   deeply.   despite   his   conflicting   feelings   about   being   in   the   same   room   as   terzo   presently   he   wasn't   going   to   deny   his   daughter   a   second   chance   to   get   to   know   the   last   of   her   uncles.   the   tiny   ghoulette   wiggled   in   his   arms,   her   violet   eyes   peering   up   at   terzo's   features   in   slight   confusion.   ❝   ah   little   one   this   is   your   uncle   terzo   you   remember   him,   si   ?   he   just   looks   a   little   different   now,   more   like   you.   ❞

[absclutio]

                  MORE  THAN  ANYTHING  HE  WISHES  HE  COULD  take  the  burden  of  guilt  from  his  brother's  shoulders .  there  had  never  been  a  moment  he  blamed  the  younger ,  only  moments  where  he  begged  satan  to  let  him  survive ,  allow  him  to  thrive  for  longer  than  any  of  the  elders  had .  he  was  aware  that  cardi  had  an  advantage .  being  the  son  of  the  imperator  had  been  a  cloak  of  protection  that  terzo  was  thankful  for …  despite  the  fact  that  the  bitch  made  sure  he  was  killed  to  put  him  into  his  place .  and  seeing  cardi  at  the  top  of  the  ministry  CALLING  THE  SHOTS ?  he  couldn't  be  more  proud  or  pleased  with  how  things  have  turned  out .  he  doesn't  have  to  worry  about  sister  coming  after  him  or  anyone  else .  there  would  never  be  another  ghoul  sent  away  because  of  the  feelings  they  carried  for  a  human .  so  much  good  had  come  from  the  woman's  death  but  terzo  did  not  dare  voice  that  in  front  of  the  younger .

brows  pinch  at  his  brother's  reaction ,  concern  painting  ghoulish  features .  “ fratellino …  i  am  trying  to  tell  you  that  LO  CREDO  IN  TE .  you  are  the  best  thing  to  happen  to  this  ministry  in  satan  knows  how  long .  look  around  you  at  all  of  the  good  you've  accomplished .  look  at  how  the  ghouls  thrive  and  laughter  fills  the  halls  rather  than  ominous  silence .  my  faith  is  in  you ,  cardi .  it  always  has  been . ”  if  sister  weren't  already  dead ,  she  would  have  claws  around  her  throat  for  the  pain  she's  caused  the  younger ,  for  the  blame  she's  allowed  to  settle  on  his  shoulders  when  HE  HAD  DONE  NOTHING  WRONG .  he  had  followed  instructions  from  his  superior  and  his  mother .  had  he  not ?  he  would  have  had  a  needle  in  his  neck  just  like  the  rest  of  them .  it  had  been  better  this  way …  at  least  one  of  his  brothers  could  survive .  much  better  than  being  alone .

he  hopes  that ,  with  time ,  he  can  ease  his  brother's  guilt .  he  desperately  wants  a  family ,  needs  to  have  what  little  bit  he  has  left .  and  watching  cardi  pull  away  time  and  time  again  breaks  his  heart  out  of  fear  of  NEVER  BEING  ABLE  TO  SAVE  HIM  from  his  own  guilt  and  grief .  the  younger  has  been  through  more  than  any  should  and  he's  come  out  of  the  other  end  beaten ,  but  not  broken .  no  matter  how  much  the  younger  seems  to  believe  otherwise .  he's  pulled  from  the  thought  by  the  cry  of  a  child  and  he  can't  help  the  soft  smile  that  pulls  to  his  lips  at  the  sound .  oh  how  he  has  missed  dusk ,  his  piccolo  tramonto .  

slowly ,  he  crosses  towards  the  two ,  eyes  on  the  little  one  in  his  brother's  arms .  “ oh  my  little  sunset  look  how  YOU'VE  GROWN . ”  he  reaches  out ,  finger  glamored  clawless  brushing  gently  against  the  little  one's  cheek .  he  briefly  considers  full  glamor ,  but  he's  well  aware  how  seeing  his  glamored  form  might  push  cardi  further  away .  dusk  would  remember  him .  he  smelled  the  same ,  sounded  the  same …  everything  about  him  is  just  as  it  was  only  shoved  into  a  ghoul's  body .  “ now  you  and  i  can  conspire  to  give  your  dad  hell ,  yeah ? ”

[absclutio]

drop this sunflower🌻 into the inboxes of the blogs that make you happy! let's spread a little sunshine. ☀️

sobs . i'm just now seeing this .

but please know that you are such a bright spot in my life and i'm so thankful we met . honestly , i'm not sure what i would do without you <3

[absclutio]

( #absclutio )  —    hiding from the light . sacrificing nothing . still you call on me for entrance to the shrine . hammering the nails into a sacred coffin. you call on me for powers clandestine . are you on the square ? are you on the level ? are you ready to swear right here right now , before the devil ? that you're on the square . that you're on the level . that you're ready to stand right here right now .

                                        —  right here right now !

[absclutio]

@eldrtchblst ( keegan ) said : ❝ The world kept spinning after you died. I don’t understand how. ❞⠀

                  DYING  HAD  NOT  BEEN  ON  HIS  BUCKET  LIST ,  but  neither  had  been  being  resurrected  and  forced  into  some  limbo  of  immortality  that  still  left  his  heart  with  the  ability  to  stop  breathing  and  his  lungs  to  stop  filling  with  air .  a  bit  of  a  fucked  up  in  between  that  ensured  that ,  no  matter  how  he  died ,  he  would  always  find  a  way  back  within  moments .  the  thought  had  originally  disgusted  him ,  terrified  him ,  upset  him .  he  was  forced  into  an  unlife  that  he  had  never  asked  for  and  he  almost  wished  that  they  had  left  his  head  decorating  the  backstage  floor  JUST  SO  THAT  HE  COULD  CHASE  PEACE .  but …  in  quiet  moments  locked  in  his  suite ,  torn  away  from  the  majority  of  the  abbey  outside  of  those  sister  imperator  allowed  to  visit  him  for  experiments  and  questions ,  he  knew  he  had  something  to  live  for .  someone  to  live  for .  and  he'd  been  given  a  second  chance  at  it .

he  wishes  more  than  anything  that  he  could  say  IT  HAD  BEEN  EASY  to  slip  back  into  life  with  keegan .  that  the  joy  he'd  had  before  he'd  died  was  enough  to  keep  him  on  track ,  enough  to  keep  the  nightmares  at  bay ,  enough  to  ease  the  aching  scar  tissue  wrapped  like  thorns  around  his  neck .  but  the  burning  of  a  closed  wound  and  the  reminder  of  hellfire  that  had  licked  at  every  inch  of  his  being ,  every  atom  of  his  soul ,  had  torn  everything  that  was  easy  out  of  him  and  left  him  a  shell  of  the  man  he  remembers .  a  shell  that  was  filled  with  so  many  cracks  that  it  was  a  wonder  HE  COULD  EVEN  STAND  AT  ALL ,  threatening  at  all  times  to  crumble  into  dust  and  become  the  nothing  he  should  have  been  the  moment  blade  touched  skin .

there  is  no  doubt  that  keegan  is  the  glue  that  holds  him  together  and  the  rest  of  the  abbey  knows  it ,  has  watched  as  light  slowly  crept  back  into  the  third's  eyes  and  his  lips  found  a  way  to  form  a  smile  that  closely  resembled  what  it  had  been  in  the  before  times .  he's  still  not  sure  how  HE'S  MANAGED  TO  KEEP  HIM  after  everything .  he  hasn't  been  the  easiest  to  deal  with  or  the  kindest .  most  nights  he  wakes  in  cold  sweats  on  the  verge  of  screaming ,  nails  tearing  at  the  scar  around  his  throat  as  if  the  hands  of  god  himself  were  choking  the  life  from  him .  and  yet  keegan  stays .  and  yet  terzo  wakes  up  to  him  in  the  middle  of  the  night  or  the  morning  and  knows  that  he  doesn't  have  to  be  alone .  that  no  matter  how  terrifying  this  new  life  gets ,  he  HAS  SOMEONE  ON  HIS  SIDE .

he  pulls  the  other  closer  to  him  on  the  couch ,  shifting  so  that  he  faces  the  man .  he  studies  his  features ,  thankful  for  the  chance  to  be  able  to  memorize  them  all  over  again .  his  words  a  reminder  that  whether  the  world  could  keep  going  without  him ,  it  didn't  mean  that  he  would  be  forgotten ,  that  he  wouldn't  be  craved ,  that  he  wouldn't  be  missed .  one  hand  lifts  to  card  gently  through  his  partner's  hair ,  quiet  for  a  long  moment  as  he  tries  to  pull  his  own  thoughts  together .  something  that  is  MORE  DIFFICULT  THESE  DAYS  with  his  mind  often  wandering .  but  he  tries .  “ because  i'm  not  the  whole  fucking  world .  no  matter  how  much  i  used  to  act  like  i  was ,  i  wasn't .  you  would  have  survived .  at  some  point  you  would  have  stopped  visiting  the  memorial  daily .  maybe  you  started  visiting  on  special  days ,  but  you  would  have  found  a  way  to  move  on .  and  that's  what  i  would  have  wanted  for  you .  to  find  happiness  because  that's  what  you  deserve .  but …  i'm  so  fucking  thankful  that  i'm  the  one  who  gets  to  BRING  IT  TO  YOU ,  a  second  chance . ” 

[absclutio]

main blog atm is @la1cized <3 working on building a queue on other blogs including here .

[hexsreality]

Wanda sat across from the emissary of the church at the neutral meeting ground of a cafe. It was one of her favorite local small businesses that she swore was the best in all of New York City. She couldn't tell whether her guest was fond of the coffee or the pastry she had ordered with the thick sunglasses that blocked his eyes. Her back was toward the sun, giving her the shade of the umbrella they sat under, allowing her to discard her sunglasses on the side of the table. Her violet eyes with the fiery crimson ring around the ebony pupil stared at the man seated before her. In contrast to his cardinal garments, she wore a violet floral dress with black ballet flats. Wanda had cursed herself for not wearing something more formal to this meeting with the church representative.

Wanda was the representative for the Avengers for this meeting, a role that was reluctantly placed on her shoulders. None of the other Avengers wanted to meet with the Ministry because they viewed them as a "cult." Wanda had more dealings with these sorts of groups, even more than Doctor Strange. Therefore, they elected her to find out what they wanted and if they were a threat. She wasn't entirely sure if they were a threat or not, considering the fact that they were the ones who reached out first. Wanda still had to remain unbiased to assess if they were a minor or a Galactus-level threat.

So far, in the presence of Terzo, she hasn't sensed anything dangerous about him. Wanda senses his negative emotions, but they weren't directed at her. This heavy cloud of emotions hung heavy over them more than the silence. It prompted Wanda to say, "they know nothing of true sacrifice, and are weak for their ignorance." She didn't know if her words would have an effect on him, but she hoped it cemented an understanding. Wanda doesn't know who Terzo is or what he has gone through in life, but it was her way of saying she sees his pain, the scars he carries. He spoke in return, preferring to get right to business about their meeting. "I know a little about you from some briefings and the media, but I would prefer to hear your explanation." 

[absclutio]

                  HE  HAS  ALREADY  MADE  A  MENTAL  NOTE  OF  the  coffee  shop .  that  is  one  thing  he  will  always  give  america  credit  for …  every  little  shop  is  different  and  charming  in  its  on  way ,  but  when  you  pair  good  coffee  with  amazing  pastries  and  sweets ,  you  truly  have  a  treasure .  he's  almost  sorry  for  the  sunglasses …  almost .  the  witch  had  come  to  the  meeting  more  open  than  he  seemed ,  but  he  CAN'T  BE  SURE  his  pure  enjoyment  of  the  treats  infront  of  him  wouldn't  be  used  against  him .  there  was  also  the  issue  of  being  completely  unable  to  take  his  eyes  off  of  the  violet  ones  staring  back  at  him .  the  glasses  could  stay  for  a  moment  longer .  he  envies  her  the  comfort  of  her  clothing .  he  would  have  been  perfectly  content  to  attend  this  meeting  in  jeans  and  something  a  little  more  comfortable  than  a  cardinal  frock .  the  stares  from  the  public  HAVEN'T  GONE  UNNOTICED ,  though  the  addition  of  the  grucifix  has  seemingly  managed  to  keep  any  curious  minds  at  bay .

good .

this  meeting  had  been  on  the  radar  for  what  felt  like  eons .  it  had  been …  difficult  to  arrange  an  emissary  for  the  avengers .  the  idea  of  the  church  being  a  cult  was  laughable ,  but  there  was  no  changing  their  minds .  funny  how  they  had  not  decried  any  other  religion  or  church  a  cult .  were  THEY  CATHOLIC  OR  PROTESTANT ,  the  meeting  would  have  happened  months  ago .  instead ,  those  who  don't  understand  continue  to  prove  their  ignorance  as  if  they  expect  satan  himself  to  attend  a  meeting .  the  dark  one  didn't  trouble  himself  with  such  things  and ,  usually ,  neither  would  terzo  when  the  proposal  had  already  been  turned  away  once  or  twice .  but  he  had  promised  copia  that  he  would  take  care  of  it .  he  still  can't  imagine  why  he  would  be  trusted  to  not  piss  someone  off  enough  to  have  them  call  the  whole  thing  off .  were  it  sister  who  had  sent  him ,  he  would  be  doing  it  on  purpose .

but  as  it  was ,  wanda  had  done  nothing  TO  EARN  HIS  IRE  and  she  even  seems  to  be  attempting  to  understand  him .  whether  that  was  for  the  sake  of  knowing  him  or  assessing  him ,  he's  not  sure .  but  it's  more  than  some  would  bother  with .  “ then  allow  me  to  properly  introduce  myself .  i  am  terzo  emeritus ,  the  third  of  the  papas  and  one  of  the  few  surviving .  if  what  you  have  heard  about  me  is  from  the  media ,  then  you  will  know  that  my  time  as  papa  ended  rather  violently .  i  believe  that's  why  i  was  chosen  to  meet  with  you .  who  the  fuck  else  would  believe  THAT  A  DEAD  MAN  CAN  RISE  that  doesn't  celebrate  easter ?  some  would  say  that  makes  me  resilient  or  strong  or  what  the  fuck  ever .  but  in  reality ?  i'm  tired ,  ms .  maximoff .  and  i  am  hoping  that  this  meeting  is  not  a  fucking  crap  shoot . ”

[absclutio]

eventual fallout ghoul terzo verse incoming soonish

[panthermouthh]

He's not in the mood for pictures 🙄

[absclutio]

au where terzo becomes a grim reaper after his murder ... his beheading is pushed to when the brothers are all poisoned . terzo isn't properly dosed , wakes up in the morgue but isn't able to move , mortician only notices after he's started the embalming when terzo is able to scream and twitch ... sister suggests beheading him to make sure that he can't beat the embalming . disappears from the morgue ... is found " alive " in his suite but something feels off about him . somewhere between dead and alive .

i have a lot of thoughts if anyone is interested in this as an au .

[absclutio]

@evocat1o said : “You look at me like prayer, but you touch me like confession.”

                  THERE'S  NOTHING  MORE  DANGEROUS  THAN  FALLING  for  one  of  your  ghouls ,  summoned  or  not .  that  danger  didn't  come  from  the  ghouls  themselves ,  though .  the  ghouls  were  some  of  the  most  gentle  beings  that  had  come  through  the  abbey ,  more  kind  than  most  who  existed  within  the  ministry .  the  danger  fully  existed  within  sister  imperator .  few  know  this  better  than  terzo .  at  even  the  hint  of  something  growing  between  he  and  his  first  rhythm  guitarist ,  he  had  been  reassigned  to  another  abbey ,  banished  without  the  ability  to  say  goodbye .  and  now …  he'd  told  himself  he  would  never  put  himself  in  that  position  again ,  would  never  PUT  ANOTHER  GHOUL  in  that  position .

but  then  he'd  summoned  aether .

he  was  well  aware  that  there  would  always  be  a  connection  between  a  ghoul  and  their  summoner ,  that  there  would  be  a  bond  he  couldn't  imitate  with  anyone .  but  he  hadn't  expected  for  that  bond  to  be  something  so  much  more  than  that .  he  isn't  even  sure  when  it  started  to  be  more  than  just  a  summoner  and  his  summoned .  but  he  can  remember  the  first  time  aether's  fingers  HAD  BRUSHED  THE  BACK  OF  HIS  HAND  and  it  had  sent  a  shock  from  tip  of  his  fingers  and  down  his  spine .  he  had  known  then  that  this  would  be  more .  and  yet  he  was  desperate  to  keep  it  secret ,  desperate  to  keep  his  own  feelings  out  of  the  mix  because  he  couldn't  be  the reason  another  ghoul  was  lost .

stolen  glances  and  eyes  cast  downwards  when  crossing  paths  everywhere  but  the  stage .  but  at  least  in  the  glow  of  the  lights ,  he  could  pretend  any  weakness ,  any  moment  of  giving  in ,  was  JUST  A  PART  OF  THE  SHOW .  no  one  would  question  it .  how  many  times  had  he  playfully  flirted  with  every  ghoul  in  his  lineup ?  and  how  many  times  did  the  congregation  eat  it  up  and  come  back  for  more ?  so  if  that  was  the  closest  he  would  ever  get ,  he  could  be  content  and  could  protect  the  other  from  sister's  wrath .  it's  easy  enough  to  explain  away  anything  done  onstage .  it's  when  sneaking  around  that  you  have  to  worry  because  there's  no  way  of  knowing  who  is  one  of  the  bitch's  spies  and  who  IS  ACTUALLY  TO  BE  TRUSTED .

so  when  he's  cornered  in  a  locked  dressing  room  by  the  ghoul ,  a  panic  bubbles  in  his  chest ,  terrified  that  someone  would  report  it  back  to  clergy .  how  the  fuck  was  he  going  to  explain  being  dragged  into  a  dressing  room  by  the  guitarist ?  he's  already  turning  excuses  in  his  head  when  aether  speaks  and  mismatched  eyes  turn  to  look  up  at  him ,  thoughts  freezing  with  his  words .  he's  silent  for  a  long  moment  before  lifting  a  shaking  hand  TO  REST  AGAINST  THE  GHOUL'S  CHEST .  “ and  there  is  a  reason  for  that .  but  a  reason  that  could  cause  a  lot  of  fucking  problems  that  you  don't  want .  believe  me .  best  to  let  me  pine  than  watch  you  get  thrown  away  by  a  bitch  angry  that  she  couldn't  even  keep  someone  as  fucked  as  nihil  from  straying .  just  wants  to  punish  where  she  can . ”

[absclutio]

au where terzo becomes a grim reaper after his murder ... his beheading is pushed to when the brothers are all poisoned . terzo isn't properly dosed , wakes up in the morgue but isn't able to move , mortician only notices after he's started the embalming when terzo is able to scream and twitch ... sister suggests beheading him to make sure that he can't beat the embalming . disappears from the morgue ... is found " alive " in his suite but something feels off about him . somewhere between dead and alive .

i have a lot of thoughts if anyone is interested in this as an au .