i want my life back.

hayden barton / agent thirty-one.

[seizcd]

cvseyhart​:

“You know you make me really happy, and I’m so glad that I met you and that my line of work made it so that we could be together.” Casey mused as he thought about the getaway that they could go on. Both of them rangers and in love, life really could not get any better for him. “Sure that sounds perfect actually, a nice week just for us, maybe two weeks off from work?” he smiled at the idea of spending more time with the man he loved. “Doesn’t matter, I have a lot of money saved up since I don’t really spend much, and using it to spend time with you and relax sounds amazing.” he grins. “now open wide.” he giggled as he offered him a spoonful.

\\

All of this sounds exciting, the chance to get away for a few weeks. Two weeks away from work and spending it with each other away somewhere sounds ideal. Hayden has never been on vacation before so it would be a first. “You really don’t mind spending your savings on a trip to a ski resort in Wyoming? We’re going to need to buy some gear too ... I’d like a snowboard.” He hums softly at the thought. He puts another spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. “We can book the trip when we go back to your place after this, how about it?” He nudges Casey with his foot. “I’m really looking forward to this. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. So … ever been to the mountains before?”

[seizcd]

ofastaroth​:

“Oh you could say that again.” Greed wasn’t bashful, innocent, the whole shtick. Not that this kid was either of those things, but he had the capability to be. Unless it was a carefully played façade, most of her siblings lacked the grace for such charades. The only one who could pull it off was perhaps Bells. Though they were more adept at innocence then bashful, not much fazed them. “What have you heard about the guy?” She inquired, curious his source of info. It was more inclined to be true regardless of who he’d heard it from, but typically despite the truths of the sins they were often misinformed or told from a different point of view. For instance, Luci. That one needn’t be explained to know what most mortals thought of him. If only they knew the full context, maybe then they would stop murdering in his name. Asta knew he wasn’t fond of it, just like she wasn’t fond of when people used her sort-of-name, LUST, as an excuse for something or another. Ugh. Mortals. Always looking to blame their choices on forces ‘beyond their control’. What a load of– “There’s a lot to know.” She paused. “There’s a lot to unpack. It won’t stop being confusing either, know that much.”  Asta laughed. “Not knowing and being confused is our family motto.” Not knowing where dad is, being confused at his vague non-answers, the whole nine. the kid outta get used to it. 

\\

Hayden doesn’t think that he would really consider himself to be innocent but he does have a good heart. Which must count for something, right? He thought so at least at the end of the day. He knew enough about his biological father to come to the conclusion that it would be better that Hayden doesn’t turn out to be just like him. Although his mother had been sweet long as he knew her so maybe Greed has a pleasant side to him too. He doesn’t expect to ever find out at this point. He’d settle for meeting his aunts and uncles though — they were pretty cool. “I’ve heard a little of this and a little of that. I heard we look alike and that he isn’t well liked? How he can be reckless and self-centered. He can’t be all bad though, right? I mean he stayed with my mom for well over a year. She was kind … but was hurt when he left, I think. I don’t know the situation.” He doesn’t know how long really, she never talked about him. Hayden thinks that maybe his mother missed the guy and didn’t want to be reminded and that’s why she hired someone to try hiding his demon side. Were they together? Were they friends who happened to have a baby? He doesn’t know. “I suppose I’ve already accepted that I’ll not know a lot of things so I’m already latching onto these family mottos.” Hayden laughs at his own words though, maybe it brought a little comfort to him.

[seizcd]

cvseyhart​:

Casey giggled at that, finding it hard to not be entirely in love with this huge dork of a man. He likes that they’re doing this, just taking the time to go out on dates and do sweet things for each other. The green and Pink ranger, both working for shield, and Hayden was still figuring out what it meant to be a ranger himself. “Hayden,” he didn’t expect his boyfriend to talk like this but it warmed his heard, and it made him soften up a lot more. He loved this about Hayden, how he was the sweeter of the two and how he just made everything better. “We do deserve a little break, and a cabin sounds really nice and cozy. Romantic? Hmm, I think so, and we can talk and just be with each other for a while. I’ll cover the expenses, don’t even worry about it. I wonder if you’d like to go snowboarding or skiing with me,” he giggled. “I love you so much, I didn’t think it was possible to love someone this much.”

\\

“Casey.” The faux blonde says while looking over at the older man. They’ve been through a lot and been together a while now so why wouldn’t he get sappy? He never thought that someone would make him feel this way, but then Casey came into Hayden’s life at the most unexpected time. They’re both rangers and while the demon is still learning what that means … he’s excited about it. “Maybe sometime after Thanksgiving and before Christmas? It would open up for a chance to see some snow when we’re there. Maybe we can go to a ski resort? Jackson Hole in Wyoming is popular I hear. I’ve always wanted to try snowboarding.” Hayden is an athletic type, having played soccer his whole life and was damn good at it. So he would welcome the challenge. He leans against the table, and takes a spoonful of the ice cream into his mouth. “You’ll pay for it? Really? What if it’s expensive?” He blushes at the compliment. “I love you too.”

[seizcd]

ofastaroth​:

“It wasn’t much of anything,” Asta spoke, not unkindly. “Just the existence part.” She didn’t know a single thing about him. At the very least she was grateful he was all grown up and not one of those little ones. Asta wasn’t quite sure what she’d do if he was easy to damage. Stay away, she supposed. She had a knack for, well, not necessarily destruction. It was more like a lack of consideration. It wasn’t something she planned to change anytime soon. She’d rather someone who couldn’t handle such a thing not got torn into it. So, she was still accessing. “Oh, thanks.” It was a line she typically heard from guys or girls not of his caliber. His tone was a bit more genuine and innocent than she was used to. “You really do look a lot like him…” She noticed, looking over the young man. “Not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.” Still, Asta grinned. “So, what do you know?” she didn’t know the extent of his knowledge on them or their family, she was curious. 

\\

Hayden is almost used to people telling him how similar he looked to his biological father — not that the boy would know anything about that though. He just trusted the thought whenever it came up. Sometimes it was crazy to think about how there was a time when he didn’t know anything about any of this. His mother didn’t even let him look at anything religious — maybe out of fear it would break the spell or something. Who knows? He wouldn’t be able to ask her about it. He grew up thinking that he had been human and completely ordinary. How wrong Hayden ended up being but is happy to be meeting so much family these days. It opened up doors and made him feel like things made sense for once. His healing factor makes him durable at least, not easily damaged and if he would get hurt? His body repairs itself which is nice. He couldn’t imagine if his demon side hadn’t been repressed as a child —  probably would have accidentally set a lot of things on fire. “I do? I look like him but our personalities are very different.” Maybe the world didn’t need a carbon copy of Greed — maybe his son having a softer side should be seen as a good thing but that also depends on who you’re asking too. “I know a lot but also feel like I don’t at the same time? It’s all so confusing.”

[seizcd]

cvseyhart​:

“You’re hilarious,” Casey said as he rolled his eyes at Hayden, before pressing a kiss on his boyfriend’s cheek. “Pink makes everything so much better,” he said teasingly before nodding. “I think that would be amazing, and well this is nice, you taking me out on a date like this. We’ve been so swamped with work lately that it’s been hard to do this. But look at you being the best boyfriend there could ever be. I’m really lucky.”

\\

“I know.” Hayden teases but appreciates the kiss to his cheek. He orders a large bowl of the strawberry shortcake flavor and paid for it. They need to make more time for being together outside of work. He doesn’t want that to be the only time they really saw each other — even if they work well together. Once grabbing two spoons and the ice cream he leads them to sit at one of the tables. His hand placing the bowl down and handing a spoon over to his boyfriend. “I’m trying to be the best since it’s what you deserve. We’ve been working hard and deserve to have a little break too. Maybe we should look into going away for a weekend. Maybe to a cabin in the mountains? It could be romantic.” He felt like the lucky one for sure. Of course this is assuming they have enough money saved up to do such a thing. How much does that cost anyway?

[seizcd]

cvseyhart​:

“How…nice,” he really couldn’t say much about that. A horde of demons just keeping tabs on you just seemed wrong, demon or not, having someone stalk your child was way more helicopter and weirdo parent than anything. “Clint is your dad, he really showed me that when he snuck into my place, and yeah it’s totally overrated. Hmm, I wonder what flavors do they have? I’ve never actually had strawberry shortcake ice cream, which is weird cause I’m all about pink, and that’s about the most pink thing there could ever be. How’s about you?”

\\

“Nice isn’t the word I would use but if that’s what you want to go with.” Hayden chuckles a little while looking over at his boyfriend. He tries not to think about it too much but even that can be hard at times. Since that’s something that really happened and all. Besides it would be better to focus on the family he knows and loves here. Hayden decides not to dwell on it, only thinking about this date with Casey. “Strawberry shortcake kind of sounds amazing and I’ve never had it. Maybe we should get that and try it together? One big bowl and two spoons. What do you think?”

[seizcd]

ofjackkline​:

He wasn’t human. Jack could tell that much. That is, unless, humans on this earth liked red contacts and horns upon them. Then again, back there, people did dress up as demons as well… (it was confusing, and he’d felt pretty horrible after dumpling holy water on one of those really young humans). So, Jack kept an open mind. Maybe this was normal. And if it wasn’t? Well, he’d never done normal, and the other boy didn’t seem intent to cause harm. As of right now, Jack saw no issue with him. “Me too.” He grinned at the other boy. “The way they fly…” Even back when he had powers, it never was as freeing as they made it look. “Its all pretty cool I think.”

\\

This might be one of the few instances where Hayden wasn’t made fun of, which makes him feel a little emotional at the realization. He doesn’t know what normal looks like anymore. He grew up thinking he was human his whole life only to realize much later that half of his blood was mixed with something else — making him half demon. He has a pretty good grasp on his abilities now but it wasn’t always like that for the boy.  “I wish that I could fly, it looks so peaceful.” Hayden watches as the butterfly flutters it’s wings as it moves around them. He wonders what it must feel like to be so carefree. His lips form a bright smile at the sight, glad for if anything a chance to bond with someone that isn’t treating him like a freak. “I’m Hayden, by the way.”

[seizcd]

ofastaroth​:

@seizcd​​

astaroth didn’t often deal with CHILDREN. they were simply not something overtly important in the grand scheme of life. well, her life. and in the end that was pretty much the only life that mattered to asta (at least, if you asked her. her actions showed the contrary). she’d heard of the child of greed but this was her first time encountering it. (faintly, she thought, maybe i should start calling it, him). there, she was already making progress. she knew he wasn’t that old, despite being a demon. it was typical that asta dealt with young ones. children, new demons, or anything of that caliber. she never needed to and never had interest in it. but there was little choice now that he was right before her. so, kneeling a slight bit like she’d seen others do in front of little ones (he wasn’t that little but she still knelt, it was the action that mattered right?) she spoke. “i’ve heard of you, greed’s spawn- i mean child.” should she apologize for the mix up? naw. “guess you could call me astaroth. aunty if you’d prefer, or uncle too. those are the right terms i believe.” she was pretty positive, not that asta ever thought she’d be associating herself with any of them (the idea of her idiot siblings having spawn felt like a joke, even now faced with one– it still made her want to laugh. this poor youngling. bound forever to their chaos. poor sap). 

\\

Hayden has been slowly learning more about what it meant to be Greed’s son even if he hasn’t had the pleasure to meet him yet. He has been told that they look eerily alike by some who had the pleasure to meet his biological father. The young demon doesn’t know much since for the majority of his life this side of him was kept as a secret. The illusion spell his mother paid for wore off after some time and his true appearance had been revealed. Even without meeting Greed the influence of his genetics is felt — like having inherited a certain knack for being possessive. Although he often doesn’t show it in the way you would expect. “You have? I hope it was all good things …” He knows that for a while Greed sent demons to keep an eye on him and report back about what Hayden is up to but they don’t do that anymore it seems.   “Astaroth is a pretty name. Aunty Astaroth.” He smiles while looking over at her. “I’m Hayden.”

[seizcd]

ofjackkline​:

It was a calm moment, and frankly Jack wasn’t used to having those. So when the flying little creature went by, his eyes remained on it. It was so colorful, so free, so full of life in a way he wasn’t used to seeing. So Jack watched the butterfly. Idly, he wondered if they had been this beautiful back there too, in the other universe. Perhaps he simply hadn’t noticed. So much had always been going on, he never stopped and stared at a butterfly. As if noticing his captivation, the butterfly sought forward toward him. While his steps faltered a slight bit at the closer proximity, Jack’s entranced smile remained strong. “Have they always been so pretty?” He couldn’t help but wonder out loud, a slight bit of sadness at the idea this was something he’d been so oblivious to. 

@thephoenixstart​

\\

Hayden had been minding his business which isn’t easy to do when you make a rare appearance in public without an illusion to mask his demonic physiology. People tended to stare at his horns and those red eyes. Maybe some of them were afraid, wondering why his skin was grey and black as if coal dust covered his hands up to his elbows. Hayden has been trying to tell himself to go out as his true self more, relying too much on his abilities with manipulating illusions. He had been simply passing by but the question asked to him is so innocent that the demon can’t help stopping in his tracks to look at the stranger. He smiles, hoping that he isn’t afraid of him like everyone else in the park seems to be. “They’re beautiful. I like their bright colors.” Hayden smiles as he turns from the butterfly to look at the other.

[seizcd]

cvseyhart​:

“Your father might already know about me then, and well about us. I just hope you’ll be fine, since he’s your dad after all he shouldn’t really try anything.” Casey said those words but he didn’t believe them at all. Hayden’s biological father was nothing like Clint who would fight tooth and nail to protect his son. He didn’t know if Greed could even act like a father to Hayden, but he hoped he would at least bring no harm to him. “You do?” Casey curiously asked like a love struck puppy, kissing Hayden’s cheek. “We’re not perfect, but together we’re pretty damn close to it.” he giggled, stepping inside before pulling Hayden in. “Alright, operation Ice Cream date is a go.”

\\

“Maybe? It’s hard to say. He used to have demons stalk me to keep an eye on me from a distance. They’d report back to Hell with all the information about what I’ve been doing. I haven’t seen any in a while so maybe one of my uncles put a stop to it. I’m not sure but I’m relieved because it creeped me out after I noticed it. He might know about you but I’m not sure what to do with that information. Clint is my dad not him. Greed made me but he hasn’t been here.”  Hayden would pick Clint every single time. He moves on from the topic as they enter the ice cream place. “We aren’t perfect but I think perfection is overrated. What ice cream should we get? What flavors do they have …” His eyes looking over the different options before getting in line.

[seizcd]

ofhellsbells​:

“They might.” Belphegor shrugged. “I’ve never had a problem with them though.” Of course, in Hell, a lot of things were on fire already. It didn’t really make a difference. “Putting out a fire probably isn’t that hard,” not that Belphegor had any experience with that. “Have you really never decorated your horns before?” They asked curiously. If they had horns, they’d decorate them all the time. “Uh, tape,” they suggested.

\\

Fire wouldn’t harm himself at least but maybe Hayden is intrigued to see what would happen. “ suppose we’ll find out, won’t we? It’s kind of exciting actually.” He has never tried absorbing flames before but maybe if it were possible to generative the element and control it from there then he could also make it go away. It was something that the young demon would play with later, quite a way to expand upon what he has already taught himself. “It should be easy to put out between the two of us being here. I haven’t though, no. I might have to do it more often now though.” He looks around and tries to remember where the tape had been left — on a table nearby and grabs it to hand off to Belphegor. Tape might be the safest option, easy to rip off after the sparklers go out. “I can hold them in place while you tape them down? What do you think? Just don’t use too much, please.”

[seizcd]

cvseyhart​:

“I love you, but if you think I’m going to sit out going with you to hell then you’re really mistaken babe. I promise I won’t start anything, but I’m with you till the end of the road.” Casey promised before winking at the man. “I’ll stay back and out of sight then, I’ll give you that privacy I just need you to come back up with me.” he mumbled. “No, let’s go and do that and hmm I know ones that I’ve never actually tried so let’s actually do that. It’s cute, and look at you being the perfect boyfriend, I pretty much look sucky at this point and I’m not gonna lie about that one there.” he giggled. “Who cares about cliches, we are a cliche, and that’s perfectly fine. Besides, you’re just too amazing to not fall into a cliche.”

\\

Greed might even find a way out of Hell someday for all Hayden knows but either way wants it to be a private moment. “I love you but I want to do it alone when the time comes. I don’t know when meeting my biological father will take place … could even be on Earth if he finds a way out of Hell. It’ll be scary but it’s something that I need to do, Casey. He left when I was a few months old … if he wanted to see me I feel like he’d have come back by now.” Maybe Hayden a little bitter but mainly sad. “I’ll come back to you don’t worry.” He just feels like he should experience Hell on his own for the first time. They make their way to the closest ice cream shop, focusing on the first part of their date instead of ever meeting Greed. “I love any cliche that’s with you. I’m not perfect but I think being perfect is overrated anyway.” He stops in front of their destination and opens the door for the older man to step inside.

[seizcd]

ofhellsbells​:

“Why would it be dangerous?” they questioned. They were just sparklers, and Hayden was Greed’s son. Belphegor couldn’t imagine that they would hurt him much. Then again, he was part human … Belphegor probably should’ve paid more attention whenever their siblings had kids. Well, there was only one way to find out if the sparklers hurt Hayden. “Just try it.” They shrugged. “Well, no, not exactly. I don’t have horns, but some of my demons do. We’ve decorated their horns before.”

\\

Hayden isn’t really worried about himself but thinking about what would happen if the sparklers happened to set the place ablaze. Which might not affect him considering the control of fire running through his veins but anyone else around them might not be as lucky. “I just worry about the sparks from them could start a fire but we could handle that, right?” He suggests as he takes the sparklers from Belphegor. “You’ll have more experience than me at least.” Alright, it didn’t take much to convince Hayden to decorate his horns. “Do we have anything that will keep them in place?”

[3-primary-colors]

 “she’s not even that heavy”

(via Jaz on Instagram: “I’m a big ol’ sap 🤷🏾‍♀️ Also a sucker for adventure”)

[seizcd]

cvseyhart​:

“If you want to, I’ll be there with you. Immortal? Cool, cause my time’s been stopped so I’ll be looking like this forever if I so will it. Comes with the morpher, it’s pretty sweet, magical technology and all that.” he mentioned, not really sure how he would feel about venturing into hell, but if that’s where hayden had to go, he’d go into the deepest pits of hell for the man he loves. “Ice cream again? Honestly, you think I’d say no to that, so let’s go and well hopefully you weren’t just tricking me into just getting some ice cream this entire time.” he giggled. “Honestly, I think it’s fine that I haven’t found anybody else, so far you’re all that I need. I mean a team would be nice, or at least easier to know that there’s enough good here, enough good in someone for them to be accepted as rangers. It’ll be my first holidays like this, so I’m kind of excited.”

\\

Hayden is actually a little speechless at the offer, not sure about how he would feel ever going face-to-face with his biological father. “I appreciate that but I think the first time I meet him should just be me. I have a lot that I want to say, you know?” Which started with questioning why he never came back. He had been only a few months old when Greed left. Although this led him to getting adopted by Clint and he wouldn’t want that to have ever changed. The thought of going to Hell is scary, not sure what to do with experiencing it. “If you don’t want to go, I wouldn’t be offended. I have an idea, what if we pick a random flavor neither of us have had before and share it? Two spoons and we can taste it for the first time together.” It sounds fun to Hayden at the very least. “Really? We’ll have to make the best of it then and do all those cliches couples do.”

[seizcd]

ofhellsbells​:

@seizcd  “They’re MY horns and I decide how to decorate them”

Belphegor frowned, setting down the sparklers. “I really think they’d make them look cooler though. Everyone would love them if they had these.” The fact that Hayden had horns at all was interesting to Belphegor. Whenever most of them had children with humans, not that Belphegor had ever done that, they didn’t have horns like that, or maybe Belphegor just never noticed it. They didn’t really pay attention most of the time. “Plus, you said it’s your birthday … so … decorate.”

\\

“You really think so? You don’t think that it would be dangerous?” Hayden takes a closer look at the sparklers, his tone one that expresses his curiosity. It feels weird being another year older and being a real adult. He might have been before but it was almost official this time. He doesn’t think about his immortality looming over his head, just on today and being twenty. “How would we get them to stay on? I don’t decorate my horns often I have to admit. Do you have experience with it?”

[seizcd]

ferricsfight​:

there’s  something   F A M I L I A R  about  birthdays:  something  that  makes  her  miss  the  gentle  days  of  a  child  hood  where  they  weren’t  filled  with  black  holes  of  absences ( most being her dad  )  —-  she  knows  her  next  birthday  will  happen  here.  that  in  spite  of  what  she  left  behind  she’s  not  as  alone  here,  that  seems  to  be  what  sparks  a  smile. “ crazy.. ” a  laugh  toned with  no  malice  but  rather  the  contradicting  opposite.  “ happy birthday – should I go get you a cake? ” partial  to  chocolate  herself;  she  recalls  being  four  and  sneaking  into  the  pantry  just  to  steal  some  of  the  chocolate  her  mom  would  use  to  bake  with,  which  only  ever  led  to  her  hitting  a  crazy  sugar  high  and  finding  herself  in  the  garage  with  all  of  the  gadgets  her  dad  left  behind. 

\\

Birthdays had been small growing up, just spending them going to the movies with his mother or on little trips. She tried to make it special for Hayden and he never felt like there was anything missing. Although, now knowing that he’s kind of immortal it takes away a little of the magic but wanted to do something fun anyway. “Thanks, Morgan!” There’s a bright grin paired with his words. “I’d love some cake. We should get the biggest chocolate cake we can find and just eat it together. We get some forks and just dig in. What do you think?” It sounds like the best gift in his opinion. He wasn’t really materialistic so something simple as sweets would be enough to please the youngest Barton.