Jun 26, 2025
Duke -> Duchess
Ree: I'm straight now!!
Emo's egg cracks
Ree: Oh! I'm gay again!! And gayer than before!!
Ree: Gimme back my pride flag Ro-hoe!!!!
Vee: *sighs fondly*
The T4T love story they D E S E R V E XD <3
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Bangladesh
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Australia
seen from Italy
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from T1
seen from United Kingdom
seen from China
seen from T1
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from Luxembourg
Duke -> Duchess
Ree: I'm straight now!!
Emo's egg cracks
Ree: Oh! I'm gay again!! And gayer than before!!
Ree: Gimme back my pride flag Ro-hoe!!!!
Vee: *sighs fondly*
The T4T love story they D E S E R V E XD <3
Atrocity by Hedwig: Ch 1 - Sugar Daddy
@dukexietyweek 2025 Day 2 - Musicals/Theater
Word Count: 3127 (Ao3)
Rating: T+
Characters: Virge, Remus, Janus, Roman, Remy
Warnings/Content: mtf!Virgil, genderfluid!Remus, sex mention, bickering
Vi and Remus are performing in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and they have fun getting through rehearsal without getting their real feelings too mixed in
---
The stage was bright and burning hot. Vi was dying in her layers and layers of costumes, wishing she didn't have to wear that stupid blonde wig, with its stupid backwards curls that looked like lungs attached to her head. It was the last tech rehearsal and she was ready for a long nap.
The band behind her relaxed as she delivered her monologue, again, pacing across the stage, from the old Pontiac Firebird on stage left, past the band and the house in the background, to the tower of amps, stage door, and vanity set on stage right.
She was waiting for her cue to strike, for her co-star to be a brat. Remus was good at doing that in real life, so he didn't have to try hard. He was already combing another blonde wig, as scripted.
She heard Remus singing softly and spun on her heels. He was wearing the wig with a dreamy look on his face. In any other situation, Vi would have taken some time to admire just how cute he was. But her pause in this case, was meant to be indignant disbelief.
5…4…3…2…1…
“Was machst du da verdammt noch mal!?” she shouted into the mic she was holding. Remus blushed and removed the wig, placing it back on the prop shelf, and wilting. Vi was always amazed at how well he could force himself to blush like that—unaware that he was not forcing it or embarrassed.
She turned her attention to the empty audience and sighed.
“I’m sorry you had to see that my darling gentleners,” she said, “When I met him, he said he wanted to be a model.”
She peeked over her shoulder and tilted her head up and down, as if assessing Remus' looks. Unfortunately, he was adorable and handsome in his brown wig and leather jacket. Vi had to pretend she was looking at the character, Yitzhak, and not her roommate.
She swiveled her head back to face the audience, adding a little sass to her movements and added:
“A foot model, maybe—Enough about him, let's get back to the—”
“Bitch,” Remus muttered into his mic.
Vi glanced around obnoxiously, making light of the insult.
“Yes? Did someone call my name? I thought I heard my—”
“Bitch!” Remus repeated himself.
Vi glared at him. Remus surreptitiously looked around, trying to find the source of the insult and feigning ignorance. He was bold enough to move away from his mic and search even further, as scripted.
And as scripted, Remus opened the stage door. Immediately the sound of a concert crowd erupted over the speakers, only for a familiar voice to speak over the noise.
“—I realized there was only one person who had ever really been there for me in my life. And that person was me,” it was Vi’s voice, specifically her pre-training voice, recorded specifically as her playing Tommy Gnosis. She actually hated it, which made her next move all the more genuine as she ran to the door.
“The accident was a cry for help. I was yelling ‘Help!’ to me—” the sound cut out as she slammed the door shut and leaned her back against it, flustered and panting.
Vi took a second to right herself and fix her hair before addressing the audience.
“Well, what about me? Without me he never would've swerved into that oncoming short bus and got all that attention! Let me just take a second here, against the advice of my lawyers, Jacoby, Meyers and Lee Bailey…”
As she continued her monologue, Vi was acutely aware of the imp watching her saunter about the stage. She was pretty sure Remus wasn't interested in Hedwig's tale of reconnecting with her ex who she made famous, his career failures without her, and a drugged up car crash. Maybe he finally realized who she was emulating with her performance—the raunchy, unapologetic, unfiltered weirdo he always was, no matter what gender.
“So you can imagine, when the story broke, Tommy's people offered me a small fortune to keep all this to myself. As if I'd accept their filthy lucre. As if selling the story of someone else's pain was my only means of support. As if I hadn't already launched my new fragrance: "Atrocity." By Hedwig.”
And then an image appeared on the screen in the background. It was a simple golden perfume bottle silhouette imposed on a circular sandy background. Underneath the bottle, “Atrocity” was written in an outline sans serif font, in pink and all caps, while “by Hedwig” was underneath that, written in golden, rounded font.
“It's a fragrance for a man or a woman. Or a freak,” she said and motioned to the screen like Vana White on Wheel of Fortune.
“I digress. One day in the late mid eighties...I was in my early late twenties. I had just been dismissed from university after delivering a brilliant lecture on the aggressive influence of German philosophy on rock and roll entitled: ‘You, Kant, Always Get What You Want.’ At 26, my academic career was over, I had never kissed a boy and I was still sleeping with mom. The search for my other half on this side of the Wall had proved futile. Might he be found on the other?”
As Vi moved to center stage, talking about the perils of hopping the Berlin Wall, Remus was inching to his mic again. Normally they'd have his next few lines recorded, but Remus insisted that he said them live.
“Such were the thoughts flooding my tiny head on the day that I was sunning myself in an old bomb crater I had discovered near the Wall. I am naked, face down, on a piece of broken church, inhaling a fragrant westerly breeze. The new McDonalds has just opened on the other side. My God, I deserve a break today. All I ever get is the unhappy meal. The sun is hot, but I feel a sudden chill. I look over my shoulder. A head-shaped shadow is resting on the pillow of my ass,” Vi said and turned to the side, sticking out her ass and wiggling it.
Remus wolf-whistled before he could stop himself. Vi had enough cake to handle at least two weddings and he was not immune. At the very least he could claim it was ad lib.
“Girl, I sure don't mean to annoy you,” Remus purred into his mic, in the deepest, scratchiest register he could manage, “My name is Corporal Luther Robinson.”
“I turn my body to face him,” Vi said, happy that her face was buried under stage makeup. She knew that whistle was not just as lib, having lived with Remus for too long. The little pirate was obsessed with booty. Rather than start the scene from the top, Vi decided to press on.
“‘My name is Hansel.’ Luther is silent for a moment as he stares at my little bishop in a turtleneck.”
“Hansel. Well. You must like candy,” Remus said in his Luther voice.
“‘I like Gummi Bärchen,’” Vi said before going on about how Luther gave Hansel gummy bears—ones that were bigger and sweeter than the ones she'd known. She commented on the strange but delicious flavor and then…
“...He pours me a handful, his eyes heavy with an unfamiliar desire. Could it be a desire to please? Me? I suddenly recognize the flavor in my mouth. It's the taste of power. Not bad,” she added, twirling her hair around her finger.
“Damn, Hansel, I can't believe you're not a girl, you're so fine. Why don't you take the whole bag?” Remus purred, absolutely loving the opportunity to even pretend to seduce Vi.
“He searches my face for news of his fate. His expression is echoed in scores of tiny faces pressing against clear plastic. Panting faces of every imaginable color, creed and non-Aryan origin fogging up the bag like the windows of a Polish bathhouse. It's only a shower. Absolute power,” Vi continued, pausing at the end to slap herself across the face. She knew that the phrasing was meant to imply the horrors power could bring, but she had several reasons to loathe it.
“I push Luther away and stumble naked through the ruins, back towards blander, less complicated confections, leaving in my wake a trail of rainbow carnage.”
She paused for a moment and glanced around the empty theater before continuing,
“Next day, Hansel follows the trail back...and lying on my slab are three Milky Ways, a roll of Necco Wafers, some Pop Rocks, and a Giant-Size Sugar Daddy named Luther.”
While she swooned, the image on the screen changed to a pair of stick figures in a compromising position on a red background. And then the band played the opening chords of “Deutschlandlied.”
As soon as the music hit the high note after 10 seconds, it faded into a much funkier, 70s rock tune. The back lights faded between purple, blue, and green. Remus had to fight back the urge to squeal—this was the main reason he begged Vi to audition.
The spotlight was on her as she leaned on the mic stand, still holding her mic. This was the one part of the role she knew she wouldn't mess up. Singing on stage was second nature to her, although she usually had a guitar to shield her.
“I've got a sweet tooth, for licorice drops and jelly rolls,” she sang before dipping into a sultry purr, “Hey Sugar Daddy, Hansel needs some sugar in his bowl.”
Remus was dying behind her, unable to quell his thirst without biting his hand. God, one woman could not be allowed to switch from petty bitch to alluring temptress with so much ease, not when everything she did had him swooning internally.
“I'll lay out fine china on the linen, and polish up the chrome, and if you got some sugar for me, Sugar Daddy, bring it home!” she continued, pelvic thrusting with the beat.
She snatched the mic from the stand, thinking, “what would Remus do?” This was a performance and under the rhythmically flashing lights she couldn't be Vi. She twisted to face stage left and rolled her head to the side to give the audience a sultry gaze.
“Black strap molasses,” she cooed and ran her free hand from her neck to her crotch, “You're my orange blossom honey bear!”
“Sugar Daddy, Sugar Daddy,” Remus sang with Roman and Remy, amazed that he hadn't fainted.
“Bring me Versace blue jeans—” Vi turned her back to the empty theater, “—black designer underwear!”
She smacked her own ass as the backing vocals repeated. She faced stage right and pressed her tongue into her cheek, taking a deep breath. The next few moves she would have to make needed to be perfect.
We'll dress up like the disco-dancing
Vi strutted across the stage with an extra bounce in her step, swinging her free arm and swaying her hips with all the confidence of John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.
Jet set in Milan and Rome
She did a little spin when she reached the stack of amps and leapt onto a ladder hidden on the side of it.
“If you got some sugar for me,” she sang as she climbed to the top of the first amp, where a pole was waiting for her, “Sugar Daddy bring it home!”
Vi grabbed the pole with her free hand and hiked the opposite leg up, hooking her knee around it. She could not afford a mistake here.
Oh the thrill of control
She kicked off into a spin, pressing her thighs together around the pole.
Like a rush of rock n roll
It's the sweetest taste I've known
Remus was in awe watching her with a string of lights in his hands. Vi was so graceful, so beautiful, so strong. And then she got on her feet and pressed her torso against the pole, sensually arching back as her voice rang out over the speakers.
“Oh yeah,” she half-moaned before flinging herself around the pole in the opposite direction, “So come on, Sugar Daddy, bring it home!”
Vi jumped down from the amp, landing with the low bass note. She strutted to a spot marked with green tape and bobbed with the beat as Remus scrambled over and came up behind her. This was his deciding moment in this number.
Vi kept swaying and held the mic over her shoulder as Remus secured the string of lights around her waist. He still had to sing.
“When honey bees go shopping, it’s something to be seen,” Remus sang into the waiting mic.
“Sugar Daddy, Liquor Daddy,” Roman and Remy came in with the backing vocals.
“They swarm the wild flowers, and get nectar for the queen,” Remus sang and finished tying off the lit belt.
“Sugar Daddy, Liquor Daddy.”
Vi brought the mic back to her face and stepped away from Remus, sparing him from her next course of action.
“And every gift you bring me,” she sang and strode forward, swishing her hips sharply to make the string lights swing around her, “Gets me drippin’ like a honeycomb!”
Remus was back at his mic stand, trying not to lose his shit as Vi dropped her hips and squeezed her crotch.
“And if you got some sugar for me—” she jumped up again and stormed across the stage, “—Sugar Daddy bring it home!”
Vi had to keep channeling Remus, making a spectacle of herself on stage. She had to push her lungs to keep up with her fake swooning and fanning herself.
Oh the thrill of control
Like a Blitzkrieg on the roll
It's the sweetest taste I've known
So if you've got some sugar, Bring it home
Oh come on, Sugar Daddy, bring it home!
Remus wanted to ruin the whole performance and tackle Vi. He wanted nothing more than to smother her in kisses and worship the ground she walked on. If he could be her sugar daddy, he would throw away all his money in a heartbeat. He was too enamored, swooning as she switched to jumping in place, amping up the energy.
“Whiskey and French cigarettes! A motorbike with high- speed jets! A Waterpik, a Cuisinart! And a hypo-allergenic dog!” Vi practically shouted and made her way to the car.
“Oh, I want all the luxuries of the modern age, and every item on every page in the Lillian Vernon catalogue!” she sang and fell back onto the hood of the car as the music shifted and the lights turned pink.
Vi rolled on her stomach and faced Remus. This was his moment. The perfect chance to blur the line between acting and taking action.
“Oh baby,” he purred in his Luther voice and stared at Vi. She was focused on him and only him. He could hope that she was admiring him and devouring him with those beautiful blue eyes.
“Somethin’s crossed my mind, and I was thinkin’ you’d look so fine,” his raspy purr filled the theater, rumbling in Vi’s ears and making her heart race.
“In a velvet dress, and heels, and an ermine stole.”
“Oh Luther darling,” Vi hummed and swung her legs behind her, “I’ve never put on women’s clothes!—” she tilted her head sharply to the left, “—Except for once—” she tilted her head to the right, “—my mother’s camisole!”
Vi leapt to her feet on top of the car and gripped the mic with both hands. She locked eyes with Remus and sang in time with him.
“So you think only a woman can truly love a man?”
Vi jumped from the hood of the Firebird and landed on her feet, fully prepared to take over the entire show.
“Well you buy me the dress, I’ll be more woman than a man like you can stand!” she sang and posed like Botticelli’s Venus.
“I’ll be your Venus on a chocolate clamshell—” she threw herself forward to the front of the stage and acted like she was serenading a crowd, “—rising on a sea of marshmallow foam! And if you got some sugar for me, Sugar Daddy, bring it home!”
It's our tradition to control
Vi followed the script and went to annoy Remy as she continued the song. It was one of the few pleasures she could indulge in during the performance, and Remy hated it.
Vi faced the audience in a power stance, as Remus fell to his knees and clung to her leg, like a smitten dog, singing with her. She swayed left and right, as if trying to shake him off without ruining her performance, but he kept rolling with her movements. Remus would be happy to stay in this position forever, but the show had to go on.
Like Erich Honecker and Helmut Kohl
Vi whipped her leg out of his grasp and stormed to center stage, singing:
“From the Ukraine to the Rhône! Oh Yeah! Sweet home über alles, Lord I’m comin home! Oh Oh!”
The flashing spotlights behind her went off even faster as she stood as a monument, still bobbing with the music.
“Come on, Sugar Daddy, bring me home!”
The band played the closing riff and then all the lights, except for the background and spotlight on Vi faded out with the song, leaving her catching her breath and glowing.
“And cut!” Janus, the only person in the house, called out and rose from their chair. Vi immediately slumped over and let out a sigh she didn’t realize she was holding.
“Excellent work,” Janus said and adjusted their skirt, “Since we went through the whole thing once already, let’s take a break, get some lunch, and pick up from here in an hour.”
“I don’t need lunch!” Remus laughed, “I am feasting on Vi’s performance! Hot damn!”
Vi rolled her eyes with Janus. At least Remus was talking about the show she just put on and not her ass or something. That gremlin disaster just had to know how to make her blush.
“Bitch, I need food and coffee,” Remy butted in.
“Spare us your unfiltered libido,” Roman added, glaring at Remus. Remus stuck his tongue out at Roman, just to be a brat.
“Food. Now.” Vi huffed before the twins could get into a fight. She got off the stage with Nate, the drummer, wondering if Remus was watching her go. She hoped he was.
Of course he was. His favorite Violet Widow just owned the stage, and she made it look beautiful. He did not want this run to end, not when he could finally act on some of his feelings, even just for show. He would treasure the rest of tech and the next few weeks.
---
(Ch 2)
The dynamic between Virgil and the trans duchess Reina is like a dedicated knight and a wily princess who always gets into trouble (he protecc, he attacc, but best of all she lov him bacc)
On the other hand, Remus and trans femxiety Vi have the Addams family dynamic—mustache gremlin who is cartoonishyly head over heels for his queen who can handle his wiles
Y E S Y E S Y E S E X A C T L Y T H I S!!!!
If Virgil came out as transfem one of the first things Remus would do is rub it in Roman's face that he got with a princess like in the fairytales. And then Remus has to correct himself because obviously he's with a queen.
And Roman wouldn't deny it but he'd still be a little bitter because he's the prince damnit! He's supposed to woo princes and princesses and save them from monsters!
Meanwhile V is just watching the two of them bicker and laughing to herself
These Dreams
Chapter 3: Amarante and Berylus (Ao3) (must be signed in)
For @dukexietyweek 2023 Day 3 - Mythology
Word Count: 1178
Rating: T
Characters: Remus, Virgil
Warnings: Genderfluid!Virgil, mtf Virgil, ftm Remus, death mention, fake mythology, dreams
Vi has a strange dream in which she is the god(dess) of storms and she needs help. How many places is she going to see the same person she’s never met?
---
Vi was not exactly thrilled about this. The deity of storms was used to getting visitors begging for rain. She was not a fan of coming to the ground to seek out help.
As her bare feet grazed the sand, she thought about why she was even at the beach. It was a desperate plea. A prayer for one of her most devout followers.
The frail old woman was weak with age, burdened and weighed down with the life she carried in her. She had one son who was still alive. One grandson who still visited. And that young man was expecting a child. He was going on a long trip to trade goods in a foreign land.
For days on end she stayed in the temple, praying and begging for her grandson's safe passage across the sea. She did not eat, she refused to sleep, not until her desperate pleas reached Vi.
Vi had personally gone to her to assure her that her grandson would see no storms. He would be safe. She needed to eat and rest.
But Vi knew that reassurance was far from enough. To keep anyone safe on the sea, the sky could only do so much. She had to find him and ask for his help. Just the thought of seeing him made her heart race.
She looked up at the stars, breaking through her clouds, wishing she could go back and sleep instead of dealing with an influx of feelings. But the tides licked at her ankles, reminding her that she had a mission.
She descended into the depths, letting her purple aura glow around her. The currents rustled her loose flowing gown, but not her long dark hair or her hood.
Despite the vast expanse of the sea, Vi knew she wouldn't have to travel far to bump into the mysterious god of the depths.
It was strangely beautiful in the deep darkness. The odd creatures that flitted past her were misshapen and some could glow in the dark.
They were a distraction.
Vi jolted when she suddenly appeared before a large cave. A green glow emanated from it, setting her on edge.
Then a pair of glowing green eyes opened and landed on her. Slick tentacles curled and crept out of the cave, bringing a strange man into view. His torso was human, though his chest suggested he was a little different from the average man. His lower half was a mass of tentacles. And then his face came into view.
He was grinning wildly, showing off his sharp, jagged teeth from under his curly mustache. But there was something almost childish about his expression, something sweet that was more than endearing.
"Hello gorgeous!" the being cooed and winked at her, "What brings a beauty like you from the clouds?"
"I need your help," Vi bristled.
"Me?" he gasped and rolled onto his back, "Only one goddess ever needs my help! And you don't look like Death!"
"You don't recognize me?"
"I would remember someone as enchanting as you!" he had the nerve to giggle, "But I would love to remember you and all of your curves!"
One of his tentacles snuck around her and latched onto her hip. Vi growled low in her throat and zapped the tentacle with enough electricity to kill a human.
"Yeowch!" the sea god yelped and pulled his tentacle back to nurse it. He pouted at Vi for a split second before his grin returned.
"Stormy!" he cheered and flipped over, holding his head in his hands, "I didn't know you switch! You're too hot as a man and too hot as a woman! How do you expect me to survive?!"
"You can't die," Vi scoffed and crossed her arms, "And I still need your help."
"What do you need? I'm more than happy to provide a tentacle fantasy! Or if you just want to—"
"I need to guarantee that a mortal doesn't die at sea. And that's your thing."
"Again? How desperate was the person praying?" he pouted.
"No food or sleep for four days, and she was elderly and frail."
"Damn! Okay, okay, I'll keep the meat sack safe—for a price!"
"What price?"
"Take me to the clouds and marry me."
"Are you insane?"
"A little bit! But that has nothing to do with my price!" he giggled, "Think about it, if we're married, you don't have to make the trip to ask me to protect mortals. You can just come here directly! It's a good deal for you!"
"And what do you get out of it?" she pressed suspiciously.
"A beautiful wife, a handsome husband, and I can pretend that you love me!" the sea god hummed and blinked at her innocently.
"Why would you want to pretend that?"
"Because you're one of the few people who keeps coming by and lingering. Because you're so kind and understanding even with me, even if you aren't always patient. Because I love you," he shrugged and floated up to her, to be at eye level.
He was so open and vulnerable. Vi could see it in his eyes, the hope, the longing, the adoration.
"Get rid of the tentacles and get dressed," she ordered with a little smirk, "You don't have to pretend."
“Really?!” the sea god gasped. Before she had time to react, Vi was trapped by his tentacles in a tight hug and he was holding onto her with his other arms. He was so giddy and giggly, she couldn’t stay mad at him.
“Really, really. But, seriously, lose the tentacles when we go. They won’t work well on the clouds and I’m not carrying you.”
“Aw, but you’re so strong and pretty and I want you to cradle me like a dead lover on the battlefield! Pretty please?” he pouted. Vi shook her head and sighed fondly.
“I’ll carry you some of the way. But you still need to lose the tentacles if you want me to balance.”
“I think you just want to see my naked lower half so you can get ideas for later!” he teased and wiggled his eyebrows.
“If I say ‘yes’ will you do it?”
“I was going to either way!” he laughed, “But it’s nice to hear you admit it!”
Vi woke up and groaned. She knew she should have had another coffee. She peeled her face off of the book she was reading and rubbed her eyes. She could research for her novel later. The tale of Amarante and Berylus really didn't fit the vibe she was going for, and it just led to yet another strange dream.
"I'm not admitting to anything," she jeered and set off into the darkness to return home to the clouds with her new husband to be.
---
She was getting tired of wondering who she kept seeing in her sleep. If she could bring herself to focus on anything other than that mustachioed bastard. She was going to have to do a little more research if she wanted to figure out why he kept showing up.
Hiding Eyes
For @dukexietyweek Day 7: Soulmate (Ao3) (login required)
Word Count:2797
Rating: T
Characters: Remus, fem Patton, fem Janus, Virgil
Warnings: mtf Virgil, genderbend, background moceit, sex mention, alcohol
In a world where you have one of your soulmate's eyes and can see what they're seeing if you cover your borrowed eye, it should be easy to find your soulmate. Unless you can't see anything when you try and get a look. Remus, a movie star, is unfortunate that he can't see anything. He's ready to give up hope until a chance meeting at his oldest friend's drag show.
---
Sometimes it was hard to look for a soulmate even though they had one of your eyes. If they covered the borrowed eye they could see what you were looking at. For Remus, it was a lot harder to tell.
He was happy to be finished with his latest movie and wanted to either sleep or get smashed. At least this one wasn't some trashy romcom where he'd have to play straight. It was a trashy macabre romcom where he had to play bi, Cthulhu in Love , and he was the lead! He was just glad that he didn't have to sit in makeup for hours to get his face tentacles done that day and instead just put on a fake beard to match his mustache. And he had the next day off!
Remus carefully removed the color contact from his right eye and closed his eyes. All he could see was darkness but it was nice, sometimes the light was too much. He sighed, not bothering to just cover his right eye to catch a glimpse of his soulmate's world. He never saw anything. Sometimes he wondered if he even had a soulmate.
He wouldn't be surprised if he didn't, he was aro and he didn't really want to enter some one-sided romance if he could help it. But it would be nice to at least see who got stuck with him. He knew he was a lot to handle.
"Hey, Remus?" someone called to him from the other side of the door. Remus got up with a grunt and opened it to reveal his costar, Pat, and she looked worn out.
"What's up Patty-cake?" he asked and leaned against the door frame.
"Sorry if I'm bothering you, I just thought you might want to get some dinner and see Janice's performance tonight," Pat said and played with her hoodie strings. Remus couldn't really say no, he wanted to see his childhood bestie's drag performance even if she spent the rest of the night with her soulmate.
"Give me five minutes to get dressed and then we can party!" he grinned, "If you want to watch me strip you can come in!" Pat shook her head and smiled sweetly.
"I'm spoken for. I'll be here when you're ready!"
"One of us has to be," Remus shrugged.
"You have a soulmate, little mister, and I will fight you if you say you don't!"
"You can't win on an empty stomach!" Remus jeered, "And Jan would get off seeing you beat me up!"
"Remus," she scowled and adjusted her glasses.
"I'll be right out!"
.
Remus was incognito, hiding his skunky bangs with a beanie and his body in a hoodie and baggy pants. Pat wasn't as hidden as they entered the bar, reeking of McDonald's. It wasn't terribly crowded, but still full and dimly lit. Remus could see the low stage and the lights. It would be a good show.
"If you save me a seat, I'll get the drinks," Remus suggested.
"Okay, can you get me a Hemingway Champagne, please?" she said brightly. Remus ruffled her hair and laughed before sauntering to the bar.
Remus moved like he was the hottest thing in the world and leaned against the bar with a winning smile. The bartender got one look at him in his bum attire and sighed. She was pretty, with long purple hair that covered her right eye and half of her glasses. She had deathly pale skin that looked more pallid paired with her black hoodie.
"Hey there gorgeous!" Remus cooed and motioned her over. She moved towards him reluctantly and crossed her arms.
"I thought I told you I'm not doing it. I'm not falling for it."
"Falling for what?"
"Don't play dumb, Roman. A fake mustache and a pale blue color contact are not going to convince me that you're Remus."
"So you know the boring theater twin!" Remus laughed, "I'm sorry for you, girl!" The bartender's visible eye went wide and she shook her head.
"I'm not going to kill him, I'm not going to kill him," she sighed as her cheeks turned pink.
"That's my job! And here I thought Roman didn't have hot friends!"
"Are you gonna order or waste my time?" she huffed.
"Can I get a Death in the Afternoon and Alligator Sperm? And if you have to spit in one, aim for the gator! Pattycake doesn't deserve my hate," Remus said brightly before he noticed her eye. It was the same brown-green hazel as his.
"Anything else or do you need to stay sober for your next shoot?"
"That's all for now. How did you know I'm shooting a new movie?"
"Jan. She always gushes about her soulmate being a movie star and working with you all the time. I haven't told anyone if you're trying to keep an industry secret or something," she shrugged, not exactly telling the whole truth, but Remus couldn't be sure.
"It's not really a secret, just not well known. I'm sure it's all over my fan pages! I can't hide from them, not that I want to—they're why I have what I do."
"It's not because you have talent or anything," she scoffed and rolled her eyes. Remus snickered and bobbed his head back and forth.
"Talent? Half the time I don't even speak in my fun movies! It's my hot bod and creepy mannerisms that sell those! I mean it was the fans that petitioned for me to play the creature in Frankenstein. I wasn't considered since I'm not a tall brooding goth prince, but it's my best performance, and I have the fans to thank for that."
"You were better in Cuttle as a tentacle monster. Even if the fanart got weird. I needed to bleach my eyes."
"Is that why you cover your soul eye?"
"I keep one eye covered because it's light sensitive, because of genetics," she said flatly and got to work on the drinks, avoiding eye contact.
"Do you put eyeshadow and liner on both sides?" Remus asked. She moved her bangs to reveal that she had an eye patch on her glasses.
"There's no point. Anything else or are you going to give your friend her drink?"
"Oh Pat! Right! We're both here for Janice, or should I say, Dante Infernal! You got me there! Can I get your name before I go? Hot bartender isn't a good name."
"Violetta, but you can call me Vi," she said shyly and slid him both drinks. Remus beamed and took them.
"Thanks! I like that name! Maybe I'll see you around!" he said and trotted off to find Pat.
Of course, when he found her, she was with Janice in a more secluded booth, giggling and flirting with the drag king. It was so easy for Dante Infernal to charm anyone with his wry smirk and gentlemanly wiles. It was cute but Remus was not interested in third wheeling just yet. He was too sober to deal with any romance.
"Should I get you a second straw to share?" he teased and set her drink on the table. Pat giggled and beamed at him.
"Thank you so much Ree!"
"Hello Remus, I'm surprised you haven't snapped anyone up yet," Janice teased. Remus shrugged and took a swig of his curdling drink.
"I just got here, give me some time!" he laughed, "And maybe I want to be a good friend first!" Janice chuckled as he downed the rest of his drink.
"So you're going to give me a few dollars and sulk at the bar this time?" she hummed knowingly as Pat sipped her drink.
"Maybe," he pouted, "As long as the hot bartender doesn't get tired of me!"
"Violetta? Oh, darling, if she figures out you're you, you might get tired of her . She's a huge fan of your horror movies, and your butt."
"Really? I mean my ass is perfect but she didn't seem interested in it! She's got the big tiddy goth girlfriend vibe so it checks out that she'd like those movies!"
"She certainly does, even before her top surgery she was gifted," Janice said bitterly.
"Your tiny titties are cute!" Pat cooed and hugged her. Jan nuzzled her hair and kissed her cheek. Remus blinked and stared at them both. He was still too sober for this.
"I'm gonna go back and get another drink."
"Remus, don't drink too much, okay?" Pat pouted. Remus flicked his wrist at her and pulled a few bills from his pocket.
"Don't have too much rockin sex, okay?" he retorted and handed the money to Jan. She knew that meant he wouldn't be close by when she performed. She also knew that Pat was flustered, so she waved Remus off to do whatever he was planning.
Remus waved impishly and went back to the bar, this time hopping on a stool and setting his empty glass down. Vi glanced at him and sighed.
"Finished already?"
"Yeah, can I get another one?" he asked and wiggled his eyebrows as she took the glass.
"Not for a while. I'm not letting you get drunk, pretty boy. Your romcom fans will eat you alive."
"I'd rather my horror fans did. Literally!" he jeered, "You know you want to!"
"Do I?" she asked and set the glass on a tray to go through the wash.
"Well you've got Jennifer's body, so why not enjoy a snack?"
"What?" she snorted and turned around.
"Is your name Megan because damn you're foxy!" Remus purred with a goofy grin.
"Shouldn't you save that for your soulmate?" she said with a snicker. Remus wanted to hear her laugh more.
"I don't think I have one, I'm aro and I don't see anything when I do the eye thing," he said with a shrug, "I don't mind. If I had one, they'd have to deal with the paparazzi, my schedule, and me!"
"Being aro doesn't mean you don't have a soulmate, I can tell you that much. Blind people exist. And maybe don't treat yourself like a problem. It doesn't help anyone," Vi replied and leaned on the bar across from him.
"I'm a lot to handle, but I'm a lot of sexy fun too," Remus giggled, "So you're aro spec, huh? And you have a soulmate?"
"Yeah, but the universe hates me so I don't look anymore. They're only interested in men. But you're not here to listen to my problems."
"I don't mind, I'm curious—what idiot wouldn't want a babe like you?" he said and held his chin in his hands.
"Some idiot I knew of in school who's in the film industry now. Roman thinks you might know them, I'm pretty sure you do."
"Can I see your other eye? It could help me figure out who they could be. And I kinda just want to see both eyes."
"I'm gonna regret this," Vi sighed and moved her bangs. She lowered her glasses and bit her lip, trying not to squeeze her eyes shut in the dim light.
Remus gasped when he saw that familiar pale blue iris staring at him. He slapped his hand over his right eye and saw a blurry version of himself gawking and covering his eye. His hand fell to his side and he shook with so much excitement he had no idea how to release it.
"Remus?" Vi asked hesitantly and readjusted her glasses. She was regretting that choice.
She yelped when he grabbed her face and kissed her like he would die without her lips.
"Holy shit!" Vi gasped and lurched back. Her lips were tingling and she was staring at Remus in shock.
"I know I should've asked first," he said softly, "I wasn't thinking."
"But you—"
"Love is love, no matter how romantic or platonic or alterous. And I could see myself falling headfirst in a vat of battery acid for you, no romance required."
"You don't have to do that," she said with a shy laugh. Remus beamed, proud that he could bring that sound out of her.
"So we went to school together, and you were too shy to say anything to me, huh?"
"You were—are so confident and bold, and you had friends, it was intimidating, and I was really just a nobody with self esteem issues and I avoided you as much as I could. The easiest way to do that was spending time with Roman."
"Hmm, well it would be really funny if you were the hot emo who always had headphones and a spiderweb backpack! I had such a mesh it was embarrassing!"
"Oh god," Vi groaned and went bright red, "I still have that backpack."
"Okay now I definitely need your number and I need to take you on a date!" Remus laughed, "I can be covert if you like!"
"Please? I don't need the paparazzi tearing into me because I'm an edgy trans woman."
"The only one tearing into you is gonna be me!" Remus jeered. Vi shook her head and readjusted herself.
"Go watch the show, my shift is over in five so I'll find you, before Jan can rub it in," Vi said, "And don't think you're gonna be the one tearing into anyone."
"I'm looking forward to proving Pat right! And getting to know you!" Remus grinned and waved impishly before trotting off to join his co-star.
Unfortunately for Remus, he missed Janice's performance, but he was able to take his seat by the lovers without drawing attention to himself.
"There you are, Remus," Jan hummed and ran her fingers through Pat's hair, "finally tired of your biggest fan?"
"Nope! I just wanted to check in on you and tell you that I owe Pattycake a puppy!"
"You found your soulmate!" Pat gasped and sat up. Remus nodded excitedly with a bright grin. Pat squeaked and hugged him, far too excited to contain herself.
"Did you meet them or did you finally see something?" Pat squealed, "Do you know what they look like? Are they handsome?"
"Darling, let him breathe," Janus hummed, "One question at a time."
"I finally got to see and I met my soulmate," Remus giggled and shimmied excitedly. Pat was so happy, hanging off his every word. Jan was more interested in the figure looming towards them.
"And she is the most beautiful woman with the most sultry voice and she could burn me alive with her stare!" Remus gushed, and swooned, leaning into the seat, "And I want her to step on me."
"That's no way to describe someone to your witnesses," Vi said and sat next to Remus. Remus leaned against her and beamed.
"Well, this is an unexpected twist," Jan hummed with a smirk. Vi flipped her off and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Sounds like you expected it," Remus giggled and wrapped his arm around Vi. She leaned against him and placed her hand on his thigh.
"I did, but I didn't expect you to be so, adoring," Jan hummed. Remus shrugged.
"It's not romantic adoration, it's all about power, beauty, the macabre, personal connection, and lust!"
"Lust?" Pat squeaked and inched closer to Jan.
"I'm a horny little bastard!" Remus giggled, "And it takes a lot to tame me!"
"I doubt it," Vi jeered.
"You would be the first to say that!" Remus jeered.
"Wait until your brother hears!" Pat gasped, looking for any reason to change the topic.
"He's known since high school. He'll be insufferable," Vi sighed, "More insufferable than Remus' rabid fans who hate his soulmate because he's not theirs and he won't ever see them like that."
"They what?" Remus gasped.
"They're usually kids. They get over it. Online I actually like to claim that yes, your soulmate is a raging bitch who would whip you and make you beg for the tiniest scrap of love," Vi said with a tiny smirk.
"You shouldn't be so mean to yourself, and you shouldn't lie just to belittle yourself either," Pat pouted. Vi shrugged and glanced at Remus. He was fighting back a fit of giggles.
"I'm not lying," she said softly. Remus' jaw dropped before a gleeful giggle escaped him.
"You really are my soulmate! Please tell me you have more than just whips and begging in mind!" he squealed and kissed her cheek, pulling her closer.
"I'll tell you more about it when we go on a real date."
"There's a nice diner that Jan and I go to, it's quaint and it doesn't have a pretty face, and it's open 24/7," Pat suggested.
"Are you free tonight?" Remus asked.
"No. I'm supposed to be going to a diner with my soulmate," Vi teased. Remus laughed brightly. Yeah, he was more than happy with his soulmate.
These Dreams
Chapter 7: Not Dreaming (Ao3) (must be signed in)
For @dukexietyweek 2023 Day 7 - Soulmate
Word Count: 1583
Rating: T
Characters: Remus, Virgil
Warnings: ftm Remus, genderfluid Virgil, mtf Virgil, sexual themes, horror mention, soulmate dreams
After a long year of earning a PhD and several strange dreams, Remus decides that he’s earned a treat and goes to meet his favorite horror author, little does he know that the hot stranger on the subway researching soulmates is a lot more connected to her and him that they’re willing to let on.
---
It had been one hell of a year! Remus was finishing his last semester and getting his PhD, despite his sleeping troubles and crazy dreams. He was gonna therapy the shit out of people! And to celebrate he was going to a book launch and signing. And yes, it was tame and boring, but it would be worth it to meet the woman behind his favorite horror stories. He’d been dying to meet her for years!
Remus truly hated the winter and bundling up, especially when it got too warm on the train. There was nowhere to put his trenchcoat if it got crowded! Still, he was happy to people-watch as the subway rolled down the track, stopping to let people on and off. There were so many different kinds of people on public transport, from odd old ladies to bros to musicians to edgy kids. And sometimes there were people who just stood out.
He was sitting away from the doors, holding his messenger bag in his lap, excited to get his favorite novel signed. Breath of Filth was probably Violetta Hoffmann’s masterpiece. He was bouncing his leg with anticipation as the train pulled to a stop. Just three more stations and he would be right outside the bookstore.
And that’s when his heart stopped. He was used to edgelords coming and going, but the man that stepped on the train with a backpack was eerily familiar. Remus swore he knew him, from that pallid complexion to the purple in his hair. And then that person decided to sit next to him without saying anything.
“Hey, where’s a snack like you headed?” Remus hummed once the train started moving again.
“Uh, why would I tell you?” he asked. His voice was so deep and rumbling. Remus swore he might swoon like a fool, or his brother…same diff, really.
“I dunno! Because I’m not like those guys in the Matrix and because you like me more than you like anyone else on the train!” Remus giggled and shimmied. The guy rolled his eyes, but he smiled slightly.
“Pharmacy. Bookstore.”
“Really? Me too! Ooh! Are you going to the signing? Vi Hoff is signing copies of her new book! She doesn't make public appearances, so this is extra special! Are you into horror stories?” Remus gushed and held his bag to his chest.
“Yeah. Are you bringing another book?”
“Mhm! It’s my favorite, probably her best work yet! But I’ll let you know if Once Upon a Nightmare measures up once I read it! I’m excited too. Apparently it’s about soulmates who lost their souls and they’re tormenting this young couple living in their house. I hope there’s lots of blood and zombies and horrible body disfiguration! She writes them so beautifully!” Remus rambled. He was gushing so much that he didn’t notice the stranger was blushing.
“I heard she isn’t signing anything other than that book. Hate to break it to you.”
“That’s okay! Meeting her is more than enough,” Remus beamed, “Even if she’s a raging bitch, I’m too stoked to let that get me down!”
“Why’s that?” he questioned as the train came to a stop and the announcer droned the name of the station.
“I just finished my PhD, and there’s no way I’m not getting that document now!”
“PhD?”
“Yeah! It took forever! But when you’re set on poking brains, it’s worth it!”
“Psychology?” the man asked, half expecting Remus to be a mortician or forensic specialist.
“Yeah! What do you do?”
“I research and write. It's nothing special."
"Are you researching something like medieval torture or fucked up mythology?"
"What?"
"I dunno, you shrugged it off so you're trying to hide it, which means either it's juicy or you're not confident. I'd rather think it's juicy than a hottie, like you, isn't confident!" Remus said brightly.
"I'm researching soulmate myths and trends in fiction."
"Like the eye color thing and the red string? That's so cool! What's your favorite one?" Remus gushed.
"Uh, soulmate dreams," he winced and rubbed his neck.
The train came to a stop before Remus could ask for more details. He and the stranger got up and got off. He was determined to keep up the conversation.
"What are soulmate dreams?" Remus asked as they climbed the steps. They made their way across the street to the bookstore in silence. This guy was hesitant, probably not used to talking about his interests.
"Uh, it's an old myth," he finally responded as people rushed past them, "Basically if you're near your soulmate, you'll share dreams."
Remus paused once they were above ground and looked at the stranger. He was avoiding eye contact and blushing furiously. There was something so familiar about him.
"That's pretty cool! Maybe you can tell me more about it after the signing, since you have to go to the pharmacy first and stuff. We could grab coffee, uh—I never got your name. I'm Remus!"
"I'll find you inside," he said shyly, "And you can call me Virgil, or Virge."
That name hit Remus like a piano in an old cartoon. He knew that name. He knew that face. His mind was fucked up but there was more to this guy. He needed to know more!
"Okay! I can't wait!" Remus beamed. Virgil tilted his chin and hurried off to the pharmacy next door. Normally Remus would take that as a sign that someone was too nervous to say no, but this time he was hopeful.
He headed inside and skipped past the line of people waiting for the illustrious horror author. He had his eye on another book by his old professor that he just couldn't find anywhere.
But luck was on his side! He found the book and paid for it just as Violetta Hoffmann showed up and sat down. He was quick to get in line, even if he was near the end.
From his vantage point, Remus could admire her without losing his mind. Vi was really pretty, with long dark hair and strong arms on display—arms with tattoo sleeves! He was there as a fan, but he was having a straight moment. And it only got worse as he got closer to the front of the line.
"It was so nice to meet you! I can't wait to read this story! Thank you so much!" the teen girl in front of him gushed and hugged her signed copy to her chest.
"Of course. And don't stop writing your story, it sounds cool," Vi said and the girl ran off.
Remus stepped forward, realizing that he wasn't last in line. Vi looked up at him with a smirk and motioned him closer. Remus got a better look at her ink and his heart thundered in his rib cage. He knew that tattoo pattern—he had a drawing of it!
"I thought you might've decided to leave," Vi hummed and signed the next copy of her book on the table.
"Me? But I never—" Remus started but froze when he saw her face again. He knew that face from his dreams!
"Subway," she said quietly. A grin split his face.
"It was nice meeting you, but I have to sign a few more books, and I have plans after this I don't want to miss," she said and handed him the book.
"Thanks! Me too! I'm meeting him here after this!" Remus giggled and skipped off to find a seat in the cafe to read. He didn't miss the soft blush on her face as he left.
Remus was excited and comfy with his jacket on his chair, a coffee in front of him, and completely engrossed in Once Upon a Nightmare. It was such a good story with just the slightest hints of the terror in store! He was just finishing up chapter one when someone cleared their throat.
"Is this seat taken?" Virgil asked when Remus looked up. He was holding a coffee, back in his jeans and hoodie, without any hair extensions or make up, except for the eye shadow. Remus marked his page and grinned.
"Only if you take it!"
"Thanks," Virgil muttered and sat down.
"So, soulmate dreams," Remus mused and marked his page. Virgil winced and rubbed his neck.
"Yeah."
"Is there any chance you're having them? I'm starting to think I might be. I keep seeing this total babe with these gorgeous blue eyes and this deep rumbling voice."
"You know what, I have. A little gremlin of a man keeps showing up," Virgil chuckled, and flipped his bangs.
"He sounds sexy!" Remus laughed, "Unless you're looking for something platonic."
"Romantic?"
"Not necessarily, but I don't mind a little intimacy and a lot of bumping uglies and smoochies!"
Virgil snickered and shook his head. Remus was cute. He scooted closer and gently grabbed Remus' chin, getting the impish little man to look at him.
"I know this is a little sudden, but can I kiss you? I keep waking up before I can."
Remus shook his head and grabbed Virgil's face.
"Not if I kiss you first!" he jeered and pulled Virgil down to meet his lips. It was instant, the euphoria and connection came easily. Remus was melting inside.
Virgil moaned softly and pulled Remus closer. Remus never wanted the kiss to end. It was almost magical. He didn't know how much he believed in soulmates, but he did know that he wanted to make Virgil a huge part of his life.
These Dreams
Chapter 6: Crushcrushcrush (Ao3) (must be signed in)
For @dukexietyweek 2023 Day 6 - Music
Word Count: 1058
Rating: T
Characters: Remus, Virgil, Remy
Warnings: ftm Remus, genderfluid Virgil, mtf Virgil, alcohol, sexual themes, dreams
Vi is fed up with Remy dragging her to bars every weekend just to see the live acts, mainly because a certain hottie keeps trying to get close, and he is willing to make a fool of himself for her
---
It wasn't exactly her favorite way to spend a Friday night. Vi was not a fan of dive bars that offered live music, mainly because the acts were usually mediocre. But her best friend needed a designated driver, and Remy was a pain in the ass to drive around so no one else would.
She was leaning against the bar, as inconspicuous as possible for a 6 foot tall, broad trans femme. She didn't want to be mistaken for a drag queen or a very feminine man, so she tried to stay out of the way and drink her soda in peace.
But she couldn't really hide when he spotted her. A wily little imp with a mustache just had to see her. She had seen him around a few times and talked with him before Remy got so drunk they had to leave. He was fun and sweet and far too hot to handle.
"Hey there, gorgeous, funny seeing you here!" the imp purred and leaned on the bar to meet her gaze.
"Sometimes my bitch needs to go to the dog park even if I don't," Vi said flatly and took a sip of her drink, "But you already knew that."
"Yeah! You know, if you want a new dog, I don't mind wearing a collar and leash for you!" he purred and threw in a coy wink. He just knew how to make Vi blush like a schoolgirl without a second thought.
"Get a flea bath first."
"Only if you're the one soaping me up!" he giggled and shimmied. He knew he was being cute and alluring—he had to know.
Vi took another sip of coke and tried to calm her racing heart. She was as red as a tomato and she needed a life line before she fainted from nerves.
"Boo Boo!"
Her saving grace, Remy, sauntered up to the bar and got between the pair, flopping back and signaling the bartender.
The imp was only a little miffed but Remy sure as hell didn't give him a chance to voice it.
"Babe, can you buh-lieve it!" Remy groaned, "The band is late! The hottie I wanted to smash is totes leaving if they don't play soon!"
"You're not smashing anyone," Vi huffed, "You're drunk."
"Vi!!" Remy whined, "He's so hot!"
"Don't care," Vi rolled her eyes and spotted the bartender coming over.
"Can I get you anything?" they asked and eyed Remy.
"Another coke please, and water for him," Vi sighed as Remy fumbled to turn around.
"Babe! Lemme get a screwdriver!" Remy huffed. That's when Vi realized that her imp was gone. She would have to thank Remy when he was sober. She couldn't handle any more embarrassing situations.
And then loud rapid drums rang out from the stage. Vi looked over and nearly had a heart attack as soon as the guitars came in. That feral imp was on stage, holding the microphone.
"I got a lot to say to you, yeah I got a lot to say," he sang and looked directly at her from across the room.
"I noticed your eyes are always glued to me, keeping them here and it makes no sense at all!"
Even at a distance she could feel the intensity of his stare. His voice vibrated through her bones. Vi wrapped her hoodie around her chest and glanced at her drunk bestie.
Remy was smirking at her. He was not nearly as clueless as he seemed. He just had to open his mouth.
"Boo, you have a—"
"Crush, crush, crush! Crush, crush—two three four!"
Vi felt her face heat up again.
"Nothing compares to, a quiet evening alone. Just the one, two I was just counting on!"
That imp was absolutely delighted to see her squirming.
"That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again! Let's be more than this!"
That impish little man was absolutely killing it on the stage. He was flexible, bopping around like he was singing karaoke in his room alone.
"You're coming with me!" Remy jeered and grabbed her arm. Vi was too flustered to fight him, and let him drag her through the small crowd and assorted tables to the stage.
The little imp spotted them and grinned as he continued to perform. Vi swore he had some trick up his sleeve.
"—That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again, let's be more than this now!" he sang and leapt from the stage.
"Rock and Roll, baby," he practically purred and sauntered up to Vi, "Don't you know that we're all alone now? I need something to sing about."
He casually ran his fingers through her hair and giggled at the way her knees trembled.
"Rock and Roll, hey, don't you know baby," he hummed as if they were the only two people in the world, "We're all alone now? I need something to sing about!"
Vi instinctively cupped his cheek and smiled shyly when he leaned into the touch.
"Rock and Roll, hey. Don't you know baby, we're all alone now?" he kept performing and stepped back.
"Give me something to sing about!"
He leapt back on stage, pissing off the guitarist in the process. He didn't seem to care. He was too giddy because of a simple touch.
Vi couldn't look away as he performed the final chorus. He was so wily and cute, and she just wanted to drag him away to smother him with kisses.
"—I guess I'm dreaming again," he sang and put the microphone on its stand, "Let's be more than, more than this! Oh-ho oh-oh oh-oh! Ooh—"
Vi dragged him from the stage by his shirt and closed in on his lip. Her eyes fluttered shut as—
A harsh guitar riff woke Vi from her impromptu nap. She groaned and sat up, peeling her face away from her keyboard. She turned off the alarm on her phone and sighed. At least she didn't have anything on screen that could be ruined by a face to the keys.
These dreams were driving her crazy! She tried therapy, different meds, but nothing kept that mustachioed gremlin from her dreams! She needed an excuse to research, so she switched from her werewolf novel to something else. She had an answer and absolutely no idea how to find a solution. But she could try one thing.