ᴵ&#x27;ᵐ ᴺᵒᵗ ᵀʰᵉ ᴰᵘᵐᵇ ᴼⁿᵉ

Flicker || Bird&Bones

featheredxdiablo:

Diablo had wondered all day what the best way to give Barrell the news would be. There had bene so many options to spring the surprise at him, of course, but this time he had been the one surprised. He came in knowing nothing and, well, now he had to wing it.

Silently at first, Diablo’s hand trekked down the smaller man’s arm, stopped to squeeze his hand, and backed away to look at him in all his glory. Then, he smiled yet again. “Well, you technically already had it,” he admitted, choosing to go down the longer road and create expectation.

After clearing his throat, the bird-man twirled slightly in place and pointed to himself. “It’s me!” he proclaimed, giddy. “Except… Well, it’s just that I won’t have to turn into a bird for the entirety of the day now,” he finally said. “Y’know, you can have me around all day now. Hope you don’t get too annoyed!”

For a moment he sat there, eyebrow quirked up in a playful fashion as he waited for his boyfriend to elaborate. The childish side of him wanted to make a ‘ you’re the gift that keeps on giving ‘ joke when he announced that he himself was Braeden’s present. The immature part had to fight back a classic ‘ does that mean I get to unwrap you ?? ‘ remark. --- But he sat quiet instead. Amused by Diablo’s giddiness.

God, he was cute. All happy && junk.

Barrell was smiling && fighting back the urge to laugh, happy just that his boyfriend was happy. But then... He realized what he’d just said. You can have me around all day now. It clicked && the blonde’s smile faltered, stunned.

“... You mean it ?? “ He managed, voice soft && full of disbelief. Don’t misunderstand, the younger was perfectly fine with Diablo the way he was. Like, sure, two hours was a short portion of the day, but that’s how it’d always been. He knew that when the bird boy became his best friend && again when declaring they were going to try this dating thing. He knew what he was getting into.

This was just... It was so much to take in.

Before he knew it he was grinning && moving his box of food aside, adjusting himself on the blankets so that he could throw his arms around his boyfriend’s neck. Only, among all the excitement, he practically knocked them both over. “ As if I could ever get annoyed with you !! “ He laughed, peppering little kisses on the boy beneath him. “ I can’t believe it. I’m so happy for you !! H-How... How did it happen ?? How do you feel ?? “ He took a half second to brush his thumb over Diablo’s cheek, looking him over as though he half expected something to be different. Of course nothing had changed though. He was still as handsome as he’d always been, skin soft to the touch.

“ This is the best present. “ He admitted quietly.

Territory || KillerDamsel

frostskader:

Peri just didn’t understand in all the sadness that she was that he could just be so happy. Maybe that’s what made them so different. Made her blur the lines and think it would work. Yet even now she couldn’t walk away.

“I’m still learning either way. I’ll be an apprentice for awhile.” Peri admitted dropping her eyes to the floor and shaking her head. “I don’t think having us in the same little area for a long period of time is a good thing?” She admitted softly she didn’t think she could do it without bursting out into tears mid way through.

“Why didn’t you have the snowflake covered? You could have a whole lot better ones done over it.”

The way she kept her gaze on the tiled floor, her slender fingers picking at one another. He’d been around her long enough to know that this conversation was making her a bit uncomfortable. But to hear her put it like that- that them being near one another was a bad idea- made it feel so much more... serious. A reminder that his actions actually had an impact && weight to them.

“ Like I said, ‘ artist willing ‘. You have the right to refuse the clients you don’t want. “ He chose every word carefully. Trying to make it sound light-hearted, when really there was a tiny twinge of guilt digging at his chest. Poking && prodding, eating a hole there.

He considered, for a moment, just telling her that he wanted to still be friends. That he held no ill will toward the girl at all for what had happened between them. But before he could find the words she said something that caught him off guard.

Braeden blinked. Once, twice. “ Because I like it ?? “ He hadn’t meant for it come out sounding like a question, but in all honesty he hadn’t considered removing it. Or covering it up. That thought never even popped into his head.

Territory || KillerDamsel

frostskader:

Digging into her nails Peri slowly picked at the skin and the nail peeling bits off as she stood there. She couldn’t just run away now could she? They always got her in places that she couldn’t run away from.

It was just easier for her to focus on the tattoo on his skin her eyes eventually trailing to the snowflake. Why hadn’t he gotten it removed yet? Why didn’t he just get it covered? Why did he want to see her artwork on him every day?

Unlike him though she couldn’t even force a smile on her lips. She didn’t feel like it. “I spend a lot of time here. People are giving me some good chances to work on them.” His own brother was in her binder as well. A piece she was still really proud of. “Your artist id good though. Better then me. You chose well.”

Selfish. That’s how he was behaving right now, smiling up at his ex as though he didn’t have a bother in the world. Deep down he knew she was too polite to step away from him, too kind to put on a show or kick him out the door for being in her place of work. He hadn’t walked into the shop with the thought ‘ oh I’m going to go see Peri today && bug her today ‘, contrary to what he assumed she was thinking in that moment. He simply wanted a tattoo. It hadn’t even occurred to him that they’d possibly be stuck in the same building together until he was in the chair, nostalgia kicking his ass.

Barrell didn’t get attached to people very easily. He never held friends very well, his own parents ignored him. He had his siblings, && occasionally an acquaintance or two would stick around for hot second. But Peri... Romantic or not, it was weird having some he grew so close to suddenly ripped from his life. So, that’s why he smiled so easily. It wasn’t forced. He was genuinely happy to see her, despite being well aware that he was probably causing her some sort of pain. Or irritation, at the very least.

“ As they should. “ He followed her gaze down to the art just above his elbow. The little snowflake she’d designed && inked into his skin. Dark eyes flicked back to her face, eyebrows going up when she put herself down. “ I wouldn’t go that far. I’d commission you again in a heartbeat. “ He wasn’t smiling anymore, expression indifferent. “ Artist willing, of course. “

Flicker || Bird&Bones

featheredxdiablo:

“Hey, you’re the dork among us, don’t forget that,” Diablo argued, with a little laugh as he watched the other take out the food. He was genuinely surprised. While he hadn’t ever tried it, Diablo knew for a fact that Remy’s was a fancy and expensive place. It was probably delicious, too.

“Wow, that’s a gesture,” he mumbled almost to himself, as he listened on. Of course, he didn’t expect anything else. Much less a rose or a box of chocolate. Since when did they become the protagonists of a terrible rom-com?!

Whenever that happened, the bird-man didn’t care. To be honest, he loved it. What he loved most, though, was the way Barrell smiled, all proud and satisfied after giving this gift. He really was the best.

Diablo stood back up because he just couldn’t resist - Approaching the shorter man, he leaned down slightly to kiss him longingly, before taking the take out box and the romantic presents. “Like I said, you’re the best,” he whispered, before sitting down again. “I got something for you too, sort of. It’s probably not as romantic, but… I think you might like it all the same!”

Oh course the little punk was going to go all out. He was going by what he thought romance was supposed to be. The ridiculously cheesy, Tv full screen definition of the thing. But to be fair, he wasn’t really sure how else to go about it. His parents weren’t good role models, the three siblings mostly had short flings && one night encounters all through their teens, && Peri... He’d never done anything close to this. So perhaps the universe would forgive him for being a cliche just this once.

He popped the top on the box to find that his dish was some sort of pasta. Which, to his delight, smelled wonderful. “ Not really. “ He replied, fishing around for some plastic cutlery. “ S’just food. “ Even if he was a little proud of himself for thinking of all of this, he hadn’t the slightest idea how to just accept a compliment in regards to any of it.

Diablo moving out of the corner of his eye, the blonde smirked when the met his gaze. Playful, flirty-- && yet all so sweet, his chest fluttering when the boy caught his lips. It would have been to easy to ditch the food && focus on the boy’s touch instead. Barrell began to say something childish && dirty when Diablo whispered that he was the best. Eyes wide, skin flushed, the words died on his lips. A sheepish smile instead tugged at his mouth, gaze cast downward.

Those words alone made all the effort && money spent worth it.

I think you might like it. The younger quirked an eyebrow up curiously, gazing to the boy’s hands then back to his face. This night was supposed to be for Diablo, not himself. && yet he found himself intrigued, wondering what it could possibly be. “ ... Okay ?? “ He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to act, “ What’d you get ?? “

Flicker || Bird&Bones

featheredxdiablo:

DIablo received the peck with a smile and a still-red pair of cheeks. He moved forward and held Braeden’s hand, as he pulled the shorter one ot the middle of the laid-out blankets, before taking a seat.

Then, the bird-man’s hand let go of the other’s, but his eyes didn’t. He kept looking up. Some of the glowing bugs did laps metres behind Barrell’s head, which made him look bizarrely dream-like.

“Okay, so, what’ve we got here?” he asked, surprisingly excited, as he looked at the other and waited for him to present said great food. “I doubt it’s as delicious as you, but you can give it a try,” he teased, going back to his usual flirty self, at least for the time being.

He let the other lead, following suit as they plopped down onto the pile of fluffy fabrics. To be real, he could have stood there much longer. Holding each other && smiling like children. But he knew he’d better get done what he set out to do quickly. Not wanting to waste any of Diablo’s human time. “ Pfft. “ He playfully rolled his eyes at the comment, voice light && teasing. “ Dork. “

As temping as it was to just order take out like usual, the blonde had gone all out this time around. Hands freed, he turned && gathered up a couple of take out boxes && a bag of bread. It’d probably cooled down a bit since he first picked it up at the restaurant, but that could hardly be helped. “ Remy’s. “ He announced as he placed the boxes in front of them. “ I wasn’t really sure what to order, so I told them to give us whatever was the staff’s favorite. “ To be honest, he still hadn’t peaked inside. But the place smelled wonderful && had amazing reviews, so it obviously had to be delicious.

“ But that’s not all. “ He mumbled as he moved to grab his backpack. The rose was easy to find, he’d put it on top of his junk for safe keeping. The tiny red box of chocolates though?? that took him a second. -- He grinned, obviously proud of himself, before placing both on top of Diablo’s take out box.

Boom. Romantic as hell. Aced it.

Flicker || Bird&Bones

featheredxdiablo:

It was all so strange. For starters, Diablo didn’t feel like smiling smugly and flirting precariously. He could feel, instead, the way his cheeks continuously heated up and the way his heart beat at the sight of that familiar face under the faint light. It was so fucking weird.

WIthout saying anything, Diablo moved forward. He trotted right into Barrell, and placed his arms around him, holding him hard. As soon as he felt that familiar blond hair under his chin, Diablo leaned down slightly to smell it - It smelled of home. What was that smell? He didn’t know. Again, fucking weird.

“I didn’t know we did Valentine’s,” the taller male confessed. His trademark devilish smile returned to his face, but he still held the other where he couldn’t see it. Why was there, all of a sudden, someone willing to do all this for him? He had to take into account that he did it with full knowledge that he had to be a bird for most of the day. That he was squatting in his room with no rent paid. And yet, Barrell had gone through all that trouble…?

“You’re the greatest, Braeden,” he finally said, loosening on the hug so he could look down at that oh-so-pretty face. How sappy.

Shock from being suddenly pulled into a hug quickly transitioned to comfort. Face nuzzled into the taller boy’s chest, he reciprocated the action. Hands bunched into the fabric of the hoodie they shared. Funny. It would be so simple to just buy Diablo his own clothes now, what with his steady income && all. Yet just about every article ended up on the other at some point, the younger purposely finding/purchasing everything a side or two bigger as to accommodate.

“ Meh. “ The smaller mumbled indifferently. They certainly didn’t seem like the type of couple to celebrate such a commercial holiday. && Barrell certainly hadn’t expected anything of it. ---- More than anything, he just wanted an excuse to do something nice for him. && low && behold, the holiday fell into his lap perfectly. He couldn’t pass it up.

Arms shifting ever so, Barrell took the opportunity to lean back a bit, grinning up at Diablo like a dork. How dare he say such sweet things ?? It was hard not to smile && flush when he spoke like that, his birth name sounding like term of endearment. “ M’not. “ He sided, leaning up on his toes to give the quickest of pecks to his lips. “ But if you think i’m great now, wait until you see the food I got !! “ To think, he almost forgot about the best part. It was so easy to forget these things with those eyes looking at him like that.

Territory || KillerDamsel

frostskader:

Peri put her focus in her work, it was the easiest place to be because even though EVERYONE seemed to find her there this was also the place she was always surrounded by people. And she was doing good, even with her Mother missing she was doing little things to feel like herself. Or at least take control. Hence the coloured hair and the new tattoo and even a new piercing. She was taking control.

But good moments always seemed to end because who other then Barrell would be in the shop. Diablo and Lord Milori had found her there already it was only a matter of time before he would as well and she could help stand awkwardly in front of the artist’s section. She should have just run away when she had the time but that was gone as she met his eyes.

“Oh hi, Shoulder place cool.” She mused with a slight shrug.

The faint sound of footsteps caught the boy’s attention, his gaze raising from the screen of his semi-shattered phone. He assumed it was his artists ready to get back to it, his mouth parted as though to say something-- But the words died on his lips the very second their eyes met. Blank. Numb. He sat there, expression cold, unsure what to say or how to react.

Barrell half expected her to simply turn away && carry on as though he wasn’t there. When she spoke to him so casually he couldn’t help but reply, playing it off the same way she had.

“ Thanks. “ He replied, putting on the slightest hints at a smile. “ There was too much of a gap there. Had to fill it with something. “ His unmarked shoulder bounced in a shrug, careful not to move the one being worked on. A second or two passed but he was quick to speak again, filling the silence. “ I saw your binder when I was making an appointment to get this sucker done. It’s impressive. You really stepped up your game. “

Flicker || Bird&Bones

featheredxdiablo:

Diablo didn’t know what was happening to him. He had good news for Barrell, of course. He also was pleasantly surprised to find a note at the foot of the bed when he arrived to tell him the news. The note was sweet and told him to go somewhere.

He decided to walk there, so as to bring the clothing Barrell left behind. You know, because he could. No longer did he have to manage two hours of being human a day. No longer would his partner have to put up with a bird for twenty-two hours, nor did he have to feel like he was a squatter in someone’s home.

The walk was pleasant. It was nice to be out at night, but not speeding through the air like a bird. It was great to be able to feel the breeze - That breeze that suddenly felt much colder than it had felt for a hundred years, but it was something he enjoyed. It felt more human.

Diablo moved along the soft grass, toward flickering lights in the distance. He assumed that was what he was looking for. For strange reasons he couldn’t comprehend, his heart felt like it jumped in and out of his ribcage repeatedly.

Then, his eyes glanced around and noticed more flittering lights. They were glow bugs, peacefully going about their business, while he kept walking. Looking at the world from down below was very different.

Eventually, he came into view: There was that familiar blond he shared a room with. He was looking in Diablo’s direction and, surprisingly, even thinking of telling him the good news made Diablo’s usually perfectly colored cheeks a tint of red. His steps sped up slightly, but they slowed down again once he caught wind of what was going on. Was that… a romantic picnic? Wow.

“…Did you make all this?” he mumbled as soon as he was within hearing range of the other. Braeden looked really pretty under candles and moon light, unsurprisingly. “Wow.”

Something flitted over head && for a moment the boy turned his attention there, half expecting a black bird to appear at his side && transform into the male he’d grown so fond of. But alas, it wasn’t him. Just another bat or fluttering creature in the night. He settled into a fluffy blanket, a tiny huff leaving his lips. No patience at all, the kid was a anxious little thing. Wanting so badly to make this special && sweet, without pushing it too far.

Seconds felt like hours with nothing but the faint sounds of the trees && lake to keep him company. -- But surely enough, a moment later, there he was. A ways just a bit. His form was fairly easy to spot, inching closer with every step.

Braeden sat up a tad, hand instinctively raising to his hair in an attempt to make himself look presentable before the other boy got a decent look at him. As if pressing one loose curl down would somehow make himself look better.

Trying to gauge his boyfriend’s ( !!! That word was still sinking in ) reaction to the scene before him was difficult. Even with the dim lights, it was hard to see his expression, to read what was going on in that head of his. Is he grossed out?? Is this too cliche?? Barrell chewed the inside of his cheek, ignoring the way his stomach flipped. It is, isn’t it?? Oh gosh. Abort. Too late.

He shrugged in response to his awe && got to his feet, attempting to meet the other on the same level. “ It’s just... ya know. It’s not much. “ Wow, so great with words. The younger smiled a bit, already flustered. “ I just missed Valentines, so I wanted to make it up to you. “

Territory || KillerDamsel

All week Barrell had been hyped up over his new shoulder piece. But now that he was actually in the chair, the machine digging at his skin, he suddenly felt ill. The last time he’d sat in this building his eyes had been on his artist instead of the tiled floor like they were now. --- He could easily recall the way they sat across from each other, tucked in the corner near the shop’s window. Every so often he would try to pull his gaze away but in a matter of seconds they slid back to her. Finding her expressions more amusing than anything he could see out on the street.

Looking back on it, what he did was for the best. ( For him at least. ) But that didn’t make the air feel any less thick. This place was her territory, not his.

“ Let’s take a breather, yeah ?? “ His artist must have noticed Barrell’s discomfort && mistaken it for pain; offering the blonde a smile before venturing off toward the bathroom.

@frostskader

Flicker || Bird&Bones

Little tea candles were dusted along the lakeside grass, bright orange flames flickering && jumping in the breeze. Illuminated by the lights && waxing moon, a blonde boy sat on a mess of thick blankets, his gaze narrowed as he looked out into the darkness. Searching for his boyfriend among the trees. Barrell had left him a note on the foot of his their bed, along with a hoodie && pants to keep the boy warm on the walk over.

To put it simply, Valentines Day had come && gone while the younger of the two was stuck behind a comic book case. He loved his job but because of it, he’d missed an opportunity to try && impress his new partner. An excuse to be unbelievably sappy && gross. ( Ya know, all that good stuff. ) Actually, to mention it, Barrell had been missing a lot of stuff lately.

But now he was going to make up for it by going all out. A picnic by the lake, food && gifts in his backpack, && glow bugs in the air. The little punk knew absolutely nothing about romance, but dammit, he was trying.

@featheredxdiablo

Have Some Glue || Bird&Bones

featheredxdiablo:

A strange chill trailed Diablo’s entire body as he wondered when he had become sensitive enough to feel strange over Braeden’s thumb touching his skin. Was it the result of whatever it was that was happening? It was hard, for the first time in a hundred years, to describe the very particular situation he found himself in.

Meanwhile, the hand on the smaller blond’s stomach and its fingers explored every crevice, while Diablo’s mouth still hovered by his ear. It was the first time he had the freedom to be as close to him. He hadn’t realized, but he’d been craving that for a long time. Maybe since the first time they met? They flirted that time, but other than that, Diablo had never gotten as handsy or suggestive as with any other acquaintances he had met. For a second, he asked himself if he knew even from back then what would happen, before affording to release a little laugh at such a silly thought.

“Then I like what it entails,” the bird-man confessed, once again whispering into the other’s ear, before backing away a little and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Wine is a bad idea. When I turn into a bird you’re going to have to take care of me all day so I don’t fly off,” he joked, grinning. He had learned that if he drank, his bird-self would really struggle with its senses afterwards.

After a few seconds, Diablo’s other hand joined the one under Barrell’s shirt, but they moved toward the boy’s back and slowly pulled him forth, toward Diablo. Then, his thumbs rubbed the soft skin on Barrell’s back as he kept talking. “Of course, we’re going to have to annoy more mushy couples to make up for it in the future!”

Funny, how much he loved Diablo’s voice. Whispering near his ear was enough to make him shiver, his mind in a fog. Every touch, every kiss, his body reacted. “ I’m glad. “ He confessed as he leaned up on his toes. The boy’s hands moved over Diablo’s chest, eventually wrapped around his neck. Holding him close. “ Because I like the sound of it too. “

He couldn’t help but laugh at the imagine in his head. “ I mean-- We don’t have to drink. It’s a figure of speech, but now I’m picturing a drunk bird. “ Like that old app the blew up for a week or two a few years back. Flappy whatever. The little bird that twitched and bounced, swooping in && out of a virtual sky. Surely if saw such a thing in the sky for real, it’d be alarming. But in the moment, he found himself smiling playfully && teasing the boy. “ I wouldn’t mind babysitting a little drunken bird. I’ll just close off the windows. Problem solved. “

The blonde did his best to ignore the way Diablo’s hands felt against him, fingertips exploring against his bare skin. It was such an odd ( but nice. ) feeling. For someone to want to touch him. To find something so innocent, amusing. He smirked, only to suddenly be pulled closer. Closing any of the space between them. --- “ Of course. “ He let out a little hum when the boy began to rub his back, “ It’s only fair. We have to balance it out. “As if teasing && annoying sappy couples would somehow balance out them being a sappy couple themselves.

This just came so easily. Holding him, kissing him, the witty banter && casual flirting. They got to skip all the awkward ‘first date’ vibes && anxiety that came with trying to impress the other. No, they were pretty much beyond all that. --- && Yet, Barrell still flushed at the idea of certain things. “ So. “ He began after a moment, brown eyes gazing up at his new boyfriend. “ I was thinking. We still have some human time. && we’re official. “ It was so obvious that he was flustered, but his smile was mischievous. As if the little shit was embarrassed about what he was going to say, but at the same time unapologetic. No shame in this boy. “ Option one, we can stay like this all afternoon. “ He let his fingers thread through the hair back on the back of Diablo’s head as he spoke, playing with it. “ Option two. I can attempt to cook. We can put on a movie && not watch it. “ The softest chuckle at that one, eyes rolling at his own joke. “ Or three--- “

SLAM. The sound of one of his siblings coming home was enough to shut the blonde up, his attention moving toward the closed bedroom door. They had all this privacy, && yet-- He huffed quietly, turning his gaze back to Diablo. Stupid sibling. Ruining his moment of shameless flirting.

#{ queue }#alice-in-every-land

Babies?? / Open

Alice: Thank you, kind stranger.

Alice: Oh, of course. I just mean, you know, there are perfectly good parts in here. Might as well use them to help somebody else out if the opportunity comes along. Wouldn't be so awful to carry a child for nine months at least once in my life, I think. And then they get to raise it. I don't have to worry about mucking it up.

Alice: And, yes, money is a necessary commodity in life, unfortunately. I do wish they'd bring back the bartering system at times.

Barrell: Welcome.

Barrell: I mean, it's your body. Not like I can bring up all the barfing and aching and sleepless nights and talk you out of it if it's something you want to do. Nor am I that invested lol. Soooo go for it. If you don't have anything stopping you and it's something you got your heart set on.

Barrell: Unfortunately, it's that way for us all. What would you barter with?? Everything's so... meh. Not worth much. Unless you're whipping out gold, but even then that shit's down, isn't it?

Babies?? / Open

Alice: Heavens no, I would not want to be a mother. I do not believe I'd be very good at it. I also don't want to pass along any of my genes, really, just in case only the bad were to come of it.

Alice: Though I'm not sure I'd like the attention, either. I get uncomfortable when too many people stare at me or try to touch me. I wouldn't like that part. For me, I do believe it's more about the fact that I don't want to waste a capable body when others don't have one.

Alice: People will also pay loads of money for it, but that's the selfish reasoning.

Barrell: At least you know it now. Rather than having kids and it being too late. So.. kudos, my dude.

Barrell: Ahhh. Well. I mean, it's your bod. You're not obligated to use it if you're not down. Ya know?? Like, lots of people who /can/ have kids, don't. Because it's not something you gotta do. ALSO sidenote strangers that like to touch preggo chicks are the definition of creepy.

Barrell: lmao get rich real fast. I could get behind that part.

#alice-in-every-land

Babies?? / Open

Alice: You know, I'm not sure if I would ever have a child of my own. But I do think I would be a surrogate for someone else's baby.

Alice: Is that odd?

Barrell: I think it just means that you like the attention of being pregnant but not the responsibility of being a mom

Barrell: Which, I mean. Is kind of common, I guess.

#alice-in-every-land

penny-wiggins-blog

Training | Penny, Barrell, & Al