this is the home for my yume stuff, mainly consisting of written scenarios/fanfics, and the occasional artwork ๐
i write for myself first, so the reader character will have similar characteristics across works: awkward, sappy, a bit cheeky. they'll always be gender neutral, unless stated otherwise. i prefer lightner reader so some works include that, tho i usually try to keep things open to imagination
some works feature sensitive subject matter or suggestive themes, so viewer discretion is advised! any works including those things will always come with a warning
always feel free to ask to tag! i tag anything sensitive i can think of, but i may still miss stuff, and it's no problem adding more
i'm more of an artist, but i'd love to improve my writing, so feedback & constructive criticism is always welcome! it will make me a better writer ๐
main/art blog: @askyofexplodingstars
ao3: br0kenhal0 (all sfw atm. could change..? undecided)
divider cr: concept art, sourced from the cutting room floor
one: i made an ao3 (same username) and mirrored my works over there for those of you who prefer reading there (like me). anything i make in the future will be added there as well :D
two: i know it's my acc and i can do w/e i want w it, but this is mainly a place to share my writings so i know that's what y'all are here for. cause of that, i sorta felt like i was imposing by sharing my oc x canon drawings here, but y'all have been rlly sweet abt it anyway...
sooo i made a separate sideblog to share my art & writings of my silly little yumeship - @hypnot1ca (still spiffying it up lol), so it's there for those interested, while being outta the way for those who aren't - win/win!
that's all for now! i still got plenty of ideas for x reader works, so i'll still be making & sharing those~ ๐๐
[defernull tenna x reader, ~500 words: gender neutral reader, meek reader, reader & null tenna's villain x lap cat dynamic reappears, reader being spoiled, fluff with a silly ending]
You're resting against Tenna as he does some paperwork. His free arm is wrapped around you, holding you close and secure โ like a plush toy, or a cherished dollโฆ
The peace and quiet is filled by the perpetual drone of static that follows him everywhere, the sounds of papers being flipped through, and pen to paper.ย
Alongside being held like this, it puts you at ease.ย
You let your eyes drift shut and your head droop to rest on his warm chest. You release a slow breath and begin sinking into twilight...
Tenna gets a signal, startling you awake. He makes a quick "tch" sound before putting two fingers to the side of his head.
โWhat is it. ...You cannot be serious. ...Really?โ His hand clutches at you. โ...Fine. Give me a few minutes.โ
After he hangs up, he releases a frustrated huff thru his nose โ sounds like he has to get up.
You start to get up so you can climb down and retrieve your shoes, only for him to grab you and set you on his desk. You're left blinking as your mind catches up to what just happened.ย
Meanwhile, Tenna kneels to the floor.
He takes hold of your ankle, causing you to jump a bit. From then on, he's slow and methodical as he lifts your ankle with one hand and holds up your shoe in the other.
With the gentle hand of someone caring for a fragile, antique doll, he guides the shoe over your foot.ย
You blush as your heart hammers against your ribcage. โA-ah, hey, y-you don't need toโโ
โSave it.โ
And so, you watch as Tenna latches any clasps or buckles into place, and ties any laces snug and secure (though he has to shrink briefly to accomplish that).
Once he's satisfied, he repeats the same careful process with the other shoe.
He's making you feel like such a pampered princess...your face burns hotter as your hands tremble where they grip the edge of the desk tight.
Once he's gotten both shoes on and secured, you look down at his handiwork in awe.
โAll set?โ Tenna asks.
โY-yeah, they're perfect... T-thank youโฆโ
โMm.โ
He stands, then goes to pick you up again. Is he...gonna carry you? You reach up as he takes you into his hands and lifts you off the desk...
then unceremoniously drops you to the floor.
As you reel and scramble to regain your balance, Tenna says, โNow come on,โ and starts walking off.
He just has to ruin every nice moment, doesn't he...
What a jerk.
You nearly break out into a sprint to catch up to him, then fall in line next to him.ย
Tenna holds his hand for you. You take it without hesitation.
This might sound a bit odd, but I love love the way you draw DN Tennaโs body type. Itโs just like how I see him in my head too. He is built like a tree and I want to climb him like a tree. Huh who said that
JDHKDJ
took me a minute to figure out how to draw him w the "strong" build i envisioned him w, but i'm quite happy w my art of him, so thank you very much for noticing it and for the kind message ๐
2nd Collection of Defernull Tenna x Reader Ideas & Short Scenarios
a/n: the reception to my first collection was rlly sweet, thank y'all a bunch! here's some more ideas, please enjoy ๐
also, love and flowers to this artwork; it, its tags, and tags others have added motivated me to finalize this, because they express similar ideas i used for the 3rd scenario here. always makes me rlly happy to see ppl understand and appreciate his character ๐๐
[cw: mentions of smoking]
Programming
You're feeling low and in need of some cheering up. You ask Tenna if he'd play something for you, but his programming isn't exactly cheery: non-stop bad news, true crime, intense sermons, and so forth. Those broadcasts kept his previous Lightners hooked, but they don't interest you.
Although, he does have a few channels the children enjoyed binging when no one else was home, so he offers to play one for you. Intrigued, you agree.
With a spark between his antennas, Tennaโs feed switches over to a ghost hunting show. It's not long before you've started to smile and snicker. This show's incredibly campy, and the editing is very overdramatic.
As soon as aliens get brought up in a deadly serious tone, you're sent into hysterics.
Tenna's a little taken aback, because he doesnโt believe the show is trying to be funny. He feels like he should be offended โ and yet, thereโs a dizzying fluttering in his stomach. When's the last time he made a viewer laugh..?
He's glad you can't see his face right now; watching you have so much fun watching him has got him grinning far too wide, and his chest swelling with warm, stupid pride.
Nicknames (Lightner reader)
Tennaโs not big on nicknames. Saying a personโs full first name tends to elicit a quick, knee-jerk response, so he sees no need for shorthand. However, he does give nicknames to a select few who've left an impression on him, for better or worse โ though any he doles out carry a sarcastic edge. Like the ashtray in his office that says 'Casanova'...
Or the nickname he gave his new, easily startled, and sensitive Lightner: โOh you poor, sweet thing.โ It was followed by raucous, scratchy laughter at the horrified, yet indignant look on your face. Priceless.
To your dismay, it stuck. Although, slowlyโฆ
Tenna took one look at you as you lethargically entered his office and barked out a harsh laugh. โGod damn ____, you look pathetic. What's got you upset this time, sweet thing?โ You didn't respond, and were unable to meet his gaze as you shrunk further in on yourself. He stared blankly for a momentโฆthen beckoned for you. โ...Get over here. Now.โ
You stood behind him on shaky legs, heart thudding uncomfortably against your ribs. โ____. Listen to me.โ Tenna took one of your shaky hands in his and gave it a firm, grounding squeeze. โGet out of your head. I won't let anything happen to you, sweet thing. Donโt forget that again.โ
Tenna cupped your cheek, bathing your face in the light of his screen. With a low rasp, he whispered, โMy sweet thingโฆโ before pressing his buzzing, glassy lips to yours.
โฆthe bite it carried fell away bit by bit, until all that remained was something...gentler. Still unkind, yet strangely affectionate.
Even after being together a while now, Tenna sticks to calling you by your name most of the time. In addition, he's also come to favour calling you his ____, his Lightner, or simply his.
Sometimes when he wants to get a reaction out of you, he'll casually slip a pet name like โdearโ or โhoneyโ into conversation, then dryly chuckle at the look on your wide-eyed, flushed face. Heโs sparing with those to ensure they won't lose their punch anytime soon.
Silliness
You have some silly mannerisms and traits. You love to bounce and twirl, are sometimes overdramatic on purpose, crack yourself up often, and are an accident-prone klutz.
Tenna looks at you blankly, his gaze lingering a moment too long. You figure he must find your mannerisms stupid. Surely he's looking down on you, judging you.
In actuality, Tenna finds himself feeling wistful โ even a little jealous. He remembers when he used to express himself in much the same way. He grimaces remembering his past self...and yet there's a part of him that misses when he was unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and be so animated, so expressive.
It emboldens him to never let you lose that light shining so brightly within you.
Sweet Tooth (Lightner reader)
One day, you casually let yourself into Tenna's office โ only to hear him splutter and choke. You whipped your head up just as he hastily shoved something in one of his desk drawers and slammed it shut. You tried to ask what was going on and if he was alright, but he just waved you off.ย
You furrowed your brow, then took a slow breath to try and ease your nerves. Tenna's office smelled of cigarettes like usual, though this time it was accompanied by something...sweet? Something light and fragrant.
The faint but unmistakable scent of vanilla.
Upon looking at him more closely, you couldn't help but notice a white splotch on the collar of Tennaโs dress shirt. When you pointed it out, he initially denied anything was there, but then he noticed it too. He swore and tried to scrub away the evidence, but he knew it was already too late.
โ...You're taking this to your grave, ____.โ
That earned him a laugh. โYou know it.โ
Now that you've learned one of Tenna's most closely guarded secrets, you're more than happy to indulge him. You bring him all kinds of sweets, like cakes, cookies, candies, pastries, puddings โ anything you can get your hands on, really.ย
He turned your gifts down at first, so you'd find sneaky places to leave them before returning to the Light World. Since you were being so insistent, he begrudgingly began accepting them โ usually without saying anything, other times with a hum or flat "thanks."
Your actions confuse and frustrate Tenna to no end. Surely youโre getting a kick out of lording this juicy blackmail material over his head, knowing full well thereโs little he can do about it.
โฆRight?
Yet, you seem almost giddy when you give him a gift, as if you're the one receiving something. The next time you visit, you ask him what he thought of his latest treat with expectant eyes and poorly-masked excitement in your voice.ย
Why you'd believe he of all people is worthy of these gifts is beyond him...but Tenna really does appreciate your thoughtfulness, and everything you pick out for him.
Tenna keeps them stored away, waiting for just the right moment. When he knows he won't be disturbed, he brews some coffee, collects the treats you've brought him, and indulges โ they pair nicely with his black coffee. He takes his time with them, savouring every bite, as he thinks of you.
Tenna comes to associate you with sweetness โ both metaphorically, and the taste of sugar on his tongue.
A Collection of Defernull Tenna x Reader Ideas & Short Scenarios
a/n: i've been writin' all kindsa null tenna yume ideas for months now, but most are too small to make into full fics. still wanted to make use of em tho, so please enjoy this little collection of cleaned up ideas ๐
[cw: mentions of smoking, kinda creepy behaviour, suggestive (๐น)]
Lap Cat
Tenna will never admit it, but he likes having you sit in his lap when heโs at his desk. He makes it pretty obvious, though โ he often orders you to come sit with him, or just takes it upon himself to grab you and drop you in his lap.
He needs to focus, so the two of you donโt talk much while heโs working. He finds the weight and warmth of you leaning against him relaxing, and grounding. It makes the busywork a little easier to get through.
You lay your head on his chest and listen to his mechanisms click and whirr. From where you rest, you can smell that he's tried to cover his persistent cigarette scent with cologne. Its lavender notes are pleasant, and soon cause your eyelids to drift shut.ย
Slowly, to the sounds of pages turning and pen to paper, you're lulled to sleep.
Once Tenna notices you've fallen asleep, he places his hand behind your shoulder blades so you won't fall.
Then, he leaves it there.ย
He idly strokes your head and back, and runs his fingers through your hair, which never fails to make you melt further into him. Sometimes it's a little too effective, so when your body grows too lax to stay upright, he carefully lays you across his lap.
He watches you for a moment. Just to make sure he's got you in a secure position, of course.
He carefully scratches your scalp, causing you to shiver. With a quiet hum, you lean into his touch. Swirling warmth blooms in his chest, weaving all through his internal components and causing a few indigo pixels to dot the cheeks of his screen.
...You look so cute like this.
A Pippins barged into his office while you two were like this once โ it barely escaped with its life. And yet, ever since, rumours have been flying around the studio that you and Mr. Tenna are like a cartoon villain and their spoiled cat.
Surveillance
Tenna always wants to have an idea where you are.
After barely being home one too many times, Tenna convinces you to start telling his Light World counterpart when you're going out, and the time you plan to be back by. And oh, he holds you to it. If you aren't back when you said you'd be, you won't hear the end of it.ย
So, to save yourself the trouble, you start giving him an overestimate of how long you'll be. Better to surprise him by being home a little early than waste the precious time the two of you get together by bickering.
When you're in the Dark World and he can't be there with you, Tenna tasks some of his goons to stealthily trail you and keep him posted on how you're doing. They aren't exactly great at the whole stealth thing though, so you know what's up. Still, you pretend to be none the wiser, knowing full well if you don't, they'll surely incur his wrath.
You find the hovering kind of annoying, to be honest. Yet, you can't help finding it kinda cute Tennaโs come to like you so much that heโs gotten clingy, even if he would vehemently deny that claim if he ever heard it.
For the sake of his sanity, Tenna has to know you're safe not trying to run from him.
Kisses๐น
Tenna's not one for romance, so he normally won't go out of his way to initiate anything romantic. He'd rather burn his studio down than be seen as "going soft," or remotely sensitive โ even by you.
However, when the lights are dim, and the two of you are hidden away behind locked doors...he's willing to make an exception.
A long, shared look soon turns into him looming over you. Tenna plants his arm beside you on the sofa โ both to support his weight as he brings his face closer to yours, and to give you no chance to escape.
When his lips find yours, his kisses start slow, chaste. His glassy lips are surprisingly soft, and crackle gently against yours as you eagerly return his affections.
It doesn't take long for the kisses to turn hungry, however.ย
Theyโre suffocating, all-devouring โ you barely get a chance to catch your breath before Tenna's chasing your lips for more. He boxes you in, pressing you into the cushions. You can feel his claws prodding your skin as he cradles your face in his large palm.
It's barely noticeable, but still there โ Tennaโs hand is trembling.
Despite his controlling, domineering behaviour, there's a quiet desperation there โ like if he lets you go for even a moment, you'll slip away forever.
He canโt have that. He wonโt let you.
Weakness
Initially, Tenna doesn't let his feelings show. He doesn't want his love for you to look like weakness, or potentially even make you a target. So, for a long time, he keeps you his little secret.
However, he eventually decides he won't let you be his weakness anymore.ย
He makes you his strength.
Tenna pushes everybody else away, yet he keeps you close. He's not one for PDA, yet he keeps your hand held firmly in his everywhere you two go. Whenever people try to talk to you, he clutches your shoulder โ not tight enough to hurt you, but enough to be noticeable and make the other person uncomfortable.
He doesn't need to say a word, the message is clear: you're his, and if anyone tries to mess with you, the fallout won't be pretty.
This goes especially so much further down the line, when the two of you wear matching rings...
โโโ - + โ + - โโโ
Tenna doesn't talk about you on the air, but he leaves his ring on during broadcasts. He figures it makes him appear more trustworthy to the folks at home โ like heโs an ordinary family man, just like them or someone they know.
Laughter
To Tenna, laughter is a tool.
During his late-night show, Tenna laughs along with his guests to make himself seem more approachable and charming. During his news broadcast, Tenna laughs dismissively to encourage his audience to disregard things he doesn't want them thinking too hard about. During conversation with those he deems beneath him, Tenna slips in harsh, condescending barks of laughter to get a reaction out of whoever heโs talking to โ to rile them up so they make a fool of themself, to intimidate them and shut them down, to make them feel stupid. He knows exactly how to use laughter to get what he wants.
Though, frankly, he's forgotten what it's like to truly laugh. To laugh because he found something funny or endearing and he can't help but show it, rather than as a means to an end.
At least, until you came along.
You're the only one who can pull real laughter from Tenna. It's dry, wheezy, and world-weary, but genuine. He feels light and fuzzy inside after a good laugh...
He hates that you have this power over him โ and loathes that it actually feels kind of nice to laugh for someone again.
bonus: a doodle i did when i first thought of the idea above ๐
inspired by the crazed laughter at the end of saga!'s defernull: tv time! i love how raspy and intense the voice clips are, it's a great fit for him
some random defernull tenna thoughts i've had for a while that i wanna get out of my system
boss
normal tenna's shown to be a pretty shitty boss. null tenna likely would be as well, yet i think he'd be relatively better?
one moment tenna could be bursting with energy, the next he's enraged and yelling at his staff, the next he's shrunken and glooby. he goes on power trips, yet caves at the slightest bit of opposition.
but null tenna? due to his emotional repression and resulting apathy, he'd be more stable. likely a huge asshole, but predictable, steady - easier to imagine what he wants out of his staff, and what he wouldn't like. there's no question he's the one in control, and he's not going to budge an inch.
the above has been circling my mind for a while, but this idea is great and makes for an excellent addition - it's what inspired this post. him making sure his staff is taken care of like that would be a rlly interesting detail...makes things feel even seedier somehow.
lightners
i find null tenna's dynamic with the lightners really interesting.
dark worlds and the darkners therewithin wouldn't exist without lightners - the interactions and memories that make darkners who they are, and the lightners who create dark fountains that bring their worlds to life. to them, lightners are god-like figures.
thusโฆnull tenna essentially has gods wrapped around his finger.
thanks to his words and the hypnosis channel, he's successfully manipulated them into being hooked to his programming. he's a trusted voice, feeding into their paranoias and keeping them scared - a false sense of security and misplaced trust.
now for some miscellaneous headcanons
he's really good at reading people. after all, if he can tell how someone's feeling or what they're thinking, it's much easier to manipulate them into feeling or thinking whatever he wants them to.
he's got a sweet tooth he keeps under wraps so he doesn't appear soft or stupid. based on this art and his angel motifs, i like the idea that he enjoys angel food cake - it being soft, sweet, and delicate would make for a funny juxtaposition w his personality. but in this art it seems he likes flan, which is absolutely adorable <3
i think he'd be a-spec; i personally hc grey ace. he considers relationships a waste of time (especially after spamton).
some random defernull tenna thoughts i've had for a while that i wanna get out of my system
boss
normal tenna's shown to be a pretty shitty boss. null tenna likely would be as well, yet i think he'd be relatively better?
one moment tenna could be bursting with energy, the next he's enraged and yelling at his staff, the next he's shrunken and glooby. he goes on power trips, yet caves at the slightest bit of opposition.
but null tenna? due to his emotional repression and resulting apathy, he'd be more stable. likely a huge asshole, but predictable, steady - easier to imagine what he wants out of his staff, and what he wouldn't like. there's no question he's the one in control, and he's not going to budge an inch.
the above has been circling my mind for a while, but this idea is great and makes for an excellent addition - it's what inspired this post. him making sure his staff is taken care of like that would be a rlly interesting detail...makes things feel even seedier somehow.
lightners
i find null tenna's dynamic with the lightners really interesting.
dark worlds and the darkners therewithin wouldn't exist without lightners - the interactions and memories that make darkners who they are, and the lightners who create dark fountains that bring their worlds to life. to them, lightners are god-like figures.
thusโฆnull tenna essentially has gods wrapped around his finger.
thanks to his words and the hypnosis channel, he's successfully manipulated them into being hooked to his programming. he's a trusted voice, feeding into their paranoias and keeping them scared - a false sense of security and misplaced trust.
now for some miscellaneous headcanons
he's really good at reading people. after all, if he can tell how someone's feeling or what they're thinking, it's much easier to manipulate them into feeling or thinking whatever he wants them to.
he's got a sweet tooth he keeps under wraps so he doesn't appear soft or stupid. based on this art and his angel motifs, i like the idea that he enjoys angel food cake - it being soft, sweet, and delicate would make for a funny juxtaposition w his personality. but in this art it seems he likes flan, which is absolutely adorable <3
i think he'd be a-spec; i personally hc grey ace. he considers relationships a waste of time (especially after spamton).
"to me null tenna x reader is like. possessive x wants to be cherished. โyou're mine.โ (stern) x โi'm yoursโฆโ (dreamy). ya feel me"
You're so right and you've nurtured the part of me that yearns to be loved. I'm like Tenna, clingy and wanting to be loved. So having Deltarune Tenna wanting to be loved so much makes me feel seen and Null Tenna makes me feel all warm n fuzzy on the inside. Is it healthy? Probably not. Do I care? Only a little. Will I talk abt how the fic made me feel in my next therapy appointment? Absolutely.
Thank u for ur service to this fandom
oh totally same, that's where that characterization came from. after all, the reader insert in all my writings is p much just me/my self insert tbh lol
thanks a bunch for reading my work, and for the kind words ๐
in the final hour of writing the normal tenna ver of "sudden hugs", i got the idea of tenna coming down the hall so quick that he barrels straight through battat and sends him flying across the green room and right into a wall
the mental picture made me burst out laughing, but unfortunately it didn't make the cut. truly tragic, i know. i offer up my head for this injustice
