Absolutely LOVED your tt!aerion and valarr fic but unfortunately I do have something silly to say which is that I couldn’t stop picturing both of them with boners while ls yells at them. I feel like this is a common occurrence for aerion even though it was a first for valarr.
aerion — veteran at this. not his first rodeo, not his fiftieth. his body figured out a long time ago that when you yell at him his dick gets hard (very) and there’s just nothing to be done about that information. he’s not trying, not performing. it’s a wiring problem. it lives somewhere underneath the fact that you’re the only person who’s ever looked him in the eye and told him no and it makes him want to bite because no one orders him around except you do, and his nervous system filed that under mine the second it happened.
so he’s leaning against the kitchen counter while you’re shouting at him about the truck, or the fight at the bar, or the fact that he came home at 4am smelling like someone else’s cigarettes, and he’s just—
“baby.”
“don’t baby me—”
“no, keep going. i’m listening.”
“are you hard right now?”
“mhm.”
“in the middle of—”
“told you i was listening, didn’t i?”
and the thing is he’s not even being deliberately provocative. he’s just being honest. which is somehow worse. because then you have to contend with the fact that he’s looking at you with that pale flat stare like you’re the only meal he’s had in a week and your righteous fury is literally feeding him. (“you want me to do something about it or you want to keep going? ’cause either way works for me.”)
valarr — first time. absolutely first time. because Valarr is a man whose entire erotic life has been transactional, managed, conducted with women who understood the terms up front, and nobody has ever raised their voice at him in a romantic context because his money makes that sort of thing inefficient. so you’re standing in front of him with your hair falling out of its pins, snapping at him about something he actually did wrong for once, and his body betrays him with a clinical, horrified immediacy that he has genuinely never experienced before.
and Valarr doesn’t do loss of control. Valarr does measured. Valarr does pragmatic. so you can WATCH him try to talk himself out of it in real time—
“love, i think we should—”
“no, you don’t get to call me that right now.”
”…right.” [a pause. a slow, controlled exhale through the nose. a very deliberate recrossing of his legs.] “i apologise. please continue.”
“are you—”
“i’d rather not answer that.”
“valarr.”
“it’s not relevant to what you’re saying and i’d like to keep it that way.”
Aerion would tell you immediately, make it your problem, make it the whole room’s problem, whereas Valarr is going to sit there with his ankle crossed over his knee trying to run basic financial calculations in his head to make it go away. (spoiler: it doesn’t go away. he later thinks about it for months. files it under “new information about myself.”)
the REAL comedy, though, is imagining them in the same room both dealing with it simultaneously. Aerion noticing. god, Aerion noticing. that smug, slow, absolutely cruel little tilt of his head—
“oh, you too?”
“fuck off.”
“didn’t know you had it in you, cousin. congratulations. welcome to the family.”
Time Travelers AU- Tears Falling Down At The Party
Nightmare will eventually catch a break, trust, it will happen one day
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A few days had passed since Nightmare took the group to the gallery on Dust's demand, since they saw the paintings of his brother and him as kids, since they saw that little skeleton with white bones and soft purple eyelights, since they learned for what he thought was a curse, but thanks to Dust and his researches he now knew it was but an illness he unfortunately was born with. He had been sick, all of his life, his soul produced too much magic and he didn't let it out, resulting in this goop that covered his body, that, it turned out, wasn't the mark of the devil but excess magic that found a way out of his body to relieve the pressure in his soul. The reveal of knowing he had never been cursed had filled him with both relief and anger : relief because he now knew he wasn't a demon and didn't risk hurting his friends if he wasn't careful, and anger because he realized he had never deserved the treatment he received all his life, he didn't deserve to be called a demon, didn't deserve the persecution from his mother and teachers, didn't deserve the disgusted and fearful looks of the other nobles, he didn't deserve any of it, and on top of that, he could have been saved from the suffering if only his mother had sent him to go see a doctor instead of turning to a priest and having him say what she wanted him to say : that her son was cursed and deserved to be ostracized. He hated her. He hated her with a passion that made his overcharged magic boil even more in his bones. And it hurt.
Dust said he had to let his magic out, use it more often, so he could regulate it and not risk his soul exploding due to too much mana contained in it, even more since magic, his in particular, was connected to feelings, but for now he couldn't. Even if they now knew it wasn't a curse, his tentacles, that usually took a good amount of magic to form, were still an offputting sight that he didn't want to subject his friends to, so he would wait to be alone to let them out, which wasn't often as he was always with them, even at night as Killer slept in his room, and Nightmare didn't want to chase the Roman. It would be fine, he thought, he had waited for years anyways, a few days more surely wouldn't hurt, and in any case, he didn't have time, he had a new problem to take care of : the twins were supposed to hold a reception in two days...
They had completely forgotten about it, Dream got reminded of the event when reading the mails and seeing the positive responses to the invitations. They didn't hold receptions very often, and if they could they wouldn't hold any at all, but it was part of their duty as nobles to have receptions in honor of the king, so once in a while they had to hold one, and unfortunately this one had to land during the time travel situation...
For the last two days, Dream and Nightmare had been running left and right, trying to get everything in order and ready for the reception, make sure they would have enough food, that the musicians would have a place to settle their equipments, that the living rooms were ready to usher multiple people, that the ball room was clean and decorated properly, that the front garden had space for the horses and the carriages, with food and water, … It was exhausting, even if Dream tried to handle most of the preparations so Nightmare could stay with his friends, but the goopy noble felt bad letting his twin do everything, so he ended up juggling between preparations and spending time with the others, who seemed more worried for his health with each passing day. But it was fine, he was fine, he would rest after the ball.
Right now, Nightmare was in a lounge with his friends, trying to teach them the basis of receptions. Horror had already planned to stay in a room on the second floor, the reception being on the first, as to avoid getting overwhelmed and having a headache because of the noise and the crowd, but he was still here for the lesson. Cross planned to stay near the door, to watch people, make sure there were no problems, … just be his knight self, and Dust and Killer, though not big fans of crowds either, still wanted to stay near Nightmare, meaning they needed to know some etiquette in case a noble talked to them, even if it was not very likely as they usually talked between them and not much to new faces that hadn't been introduced to the king's court yet.
He had already taught them some dance steps and how to stand straight, keep their hands occupied with a glass as to not have them hanging, never intrude on people talking, not talk too loud, not laugh too loud, or even laugh at all, a small chuckle behind the hand was more proper, always smile, always compliment the outfit by default to avoid any awkward conversation, wait for people to come to them as they were new, and finally to not mention anything about his magic. It would be revealed in time. All he had left to teach them, and that he was stressing over right now, was fan language, because he didn't want them to have troubles because they couldn't read the signals a noble woman sent them with her fan if they came to talk to one.
Nightmare put his glass down on the table, and grabbed the fan that had been waiting for its turn to shine. He kept it closed at first.
- Bien, il y a plusieurs significations suivant la position de l'éventail, there were many meanings depending on how the fan was placed, he started to explain, premièrement : le oui.
He placed the tip of the fan against his right cheek : that meant « yes ».
- Et le non.
He placed the tip on his left cheek this time : meaning « no ». Dust took notes in his notebook, already well filled with all the previous informations, and Killer looked bored as he listened, sitting on a couch with his head on his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. Nightmare couldn't blame him, all this teaching was something he had learnt when he was young, it was part of his education, but learning everything in one night ? He could understand that it was long and annoying, and was both sorry to bother his friends with that and thankful that they were still making the effort to listen to him. He lowered the fan, and touched the tip with his finger.
- Je veux vous parler, I want to talk to you.
Next, he finally opened the fan, and slowly waved it in front of his face.
- Je suis mariée, I am married, implying fidelity to the husband, very useful to avoid an awkward situation, he then waved it faster, je suis fiancée, I am engaged, also useful.
These five were, in his opinion, the most important, but just in case he decided to show a few more. He brutally closed the fan.
- Je suis énervée, I am mad.
He then kept it cosed, and held it under his eye, pointing up.
- Vous me plaisez, I like you.
And lastly, the tip of the fan was placed on his left ear, if he had had one.
- Laissez-moi, leave me alone.
This concluded the little course, of course there were more but for now he felt these signs were the most important to know, and if they had doubts they could always turn to him. He put the fan back on the table.
- Ce devrait être bon... it should be good, he sighed.
Killer looked up at him.
- Finivimus ? He asked if they were done.
Nightmare nodded, they should be done, for now at least, until something else came to his mind, but right now he seemed to have covered all the most important details. The Roman sighed, relieved to have reached the end of the lesson, finally, and let himself fall backward on the couch. Dust put his notebook away, he didn't sigh but Nightmare could tell he was also happy to be done. He felt so bad for having annoyed them with all that, but he wanted to make sure things would go well at the ball, if one of his friends got targetted by someone, he would never forgive himself...
He didn't have time to dive into his worries, though, because Dream had just opened the door to warn them that the first guests would arrive in less than an hour, giving the group just enough time to change clothes and come downstairs, Horror having went to his room as planned to read in peace. Nightmare told the three others to wait in the big reception room and make themselves discreet while he went to welcome the guests with his twin.
He took a deep breath in before crossing the doorstep and put on his usual neutral face with the slightest fake smile, enough to not seem unapproachable but not enough to actually seem happy, the perfect polite face, in conclusion. He let Dream do the smiling and fake compliments, while he nodded and agreed with his brother on anything he said. He had crafted this face long ago, like that he was sure no one would have anything to say about him, he was there, he was polite, his brother was the one directing things, he was erased to the point of people almost forgetting he was there, he didn't have a personality... he was safe, and that was the most important.
When most of the guests had arrived and it was acceptable for the twins to leave the door, they went back inside, where the musicians had started playing a soft music. Dream went to talk with the people, and Nightmare went straight to the back of the room to join his friends, grabbing a glass from a table on the way, to keep his hands occupied. Cross was, as planned, next to the back door, looking at everyone, stiff and focused, and Dust and Killer stayed together, Dust having taken his notebook out again, occupying his hands. Killer didn't have anything in his hands, so Nightmare gave him his glass and went to grab another one for himself before joining them again.
The Roman stared at his glass, and looked up at Nightmare when he came back, tilting his head. A frown started to form on his face until the noble put a finger under his chin to make him stand straight again, making him blink a few times before he remembered the lesson on the standing correctly. Still, he glanced at Dust, who for now was busy writing down what he was seeing.
People were chatting, some were dancing, some were grabbing snacks from the tables, some where looking at Nightmare, … why were they looking at him ? He felt a shiver run up his spine, was there something wrong with him ? His outfit was fine, his posture, that he straightened again, was fine, he hadn't said anything inappropriate since he hadn't talked to anyone yet, so could it be they were talking about the supposed curse or why he wasn't married yet ? He took a sip from his glass to keep his hand from shaking. He had to join a conversation, he couldn't stay in the corner all the time, but he couldn't leave his friends alone either...
- Suivez-moi et ne parlez pas, he eventually invited them to follow him without talking.
Having new people around was already a move that Nightmare wasn't a fan of, so people who didn't speak French and weren't nobles ? He wanted to avoid getting too much attention on them. Nightmare guided them to a small group, greeted the nobles with a nod, and waited for them to greet him back before taking a step closer and listen to the conversation, keeping an eye on the other two skeletons as well as the other people in the room. The nobles they were with were talking about the king's court, about the other receptions they had been at, the theater plays they had seen, the people they had met on some travel to another country, … Nightmare didn't speak, but he was there and listening, it was enough, for now.
Until the dreaded question arrived.
- Et pour votre mariage ? A noble man asked about his wedding.
His fingers clenched on his glass, but his face didn't show anything.
- Mon frère me choisira bientôt une épouse, he answered that his brother would soon chose him a bride.
It was better if people thought that Dream was the one responsible for him, if they thought he couldn't make his own decisions. Could he, really ? He took a sip from his glass, and missed how Dust frowned and glanced at Killer, the two taking a few steps back to talk in private. What were they doing ? Why did they back off ? He told them not to talk, Killer speaking Latin could pass, but Dust speaking his version of English ? Nightmare needed to get back to them, but he was already part of the conversation, he couldn't turn away. His soul beat faster, and he forced himself to keep his mask on. He couldn't risk causing a scene.
The nobles kept talking about the marriage, about the importance of chosing a bride soon, and Nightmare simply nodded, agreeing in silence, until the subject switched to Dream and how he was such a good brother taking care of him despite his nature, and how sad it was that he wasn't married either because he had to watch over Nightmare and didn't have time to think of himself. The wedding and Dream seemed to be the only subjects the nobles ever talked to him about, not that Nightmare wished to have more conversations anyway, nodding along was enough in his opinion, even if constantly hearing how he was a weight dragging his brother down did make his soul pinch. They weren't wrong, but he didn't want to hear it everytime he was with someone.
Another subject that kept coming back on the table was Nim, his mother.
- Je dois admettre... the same man degan, que feu votre mère a fait du bon travail avec vous.
He had to admit that his regretted mother did a good job with him, the man said, and with that he put his hand on Nightmare's arm. Why was he touching him ? Why did he have to touch him ? He didn't want to be touched. Let him go. Let him go. Let him go let him go let him go let him go let- the man removed his hand, and Nightmare nodded once again, agreeing as he was used to.
Another conversation began around his mother, but it didn't have time to go very far as Cross had just joined them, appearing next to Nightmare with an apologetic smile directed towards the other nobles. Was there a problem ? Nightmare quickly scanned the room, Dream was talking with a group, he seemed fine, and Killer and Dust were still behind him, though they looked worried. He was about to ask the knight what happened for him to leave his spot but Cross had already put his arm around him, guiding him out of the circle and towards the door, Killer and Dust following. What was happening ? He saw Killer run off once they were out of the room and back in the hallway, but Cross kept his arm around his back and Dust stayed next to him on his other side as they took the direction of the back door, the one leading to the private gardens.
They weren't supposed to go out, he wasn't supposed to go out, but his legs refused to stop, and he let his friends guide him outside to the fountain they had stopped by to let Dust doodle it a few days prior. They stopped, and Nightmare looked at the water for a moment... then his soul started racing again. He wasn't supposed to leave in the middle of a reception, it wasn't proper, it wasn't acceptable, what were they going to say ? What if they saw him in the garden too ? Out of Dream's sight and with strangers ? He couldn't stay here, he had to return to the ball room, apologize for having left so suddenly, invent an excuse and hope it would be accepted... he looked back at the mansion, and as he was about to turn around he felt a hand on his shoulder, and Horror gently lead him to the fountain so he could sit on its edge, next to where Cross was already sitting. When did Horror arrive ? Killer was back too, did he went to warn the viking ? Why ?
They were talking, to each other, or to him, he wasn't sure. He couldn't quite hear them, like if a swarm of bees was flying in his head, making understanding what they were saying almost impossible. He looked down, he was still holding his glass, it was almost empty so he slowly lifted it and took a sip to finish it. Staying with an empty glass in his hands was ridiculous, so he reached out to put it on a table. Where was the table ? The glass was taken from his hand by Dust who put it away on the small garden table a little farther. His hands were free now, unoccupied, and they started shaking again. He looked down for something to grab instead, but Cross had already taken one hand in his. The noble looked at them for a moment, before looking up again at the knight, and everyone.
He blinked a few times, looked at the house, then at his friends again, and felt a lump in his throat. The words were starting to make sense again, they were asking if he was alright, reassuring him that they were outside, that it was fine. Killer was kneeling on the ground in front of him, a hand on the noble's knee, he was the one doing most of the talking, having a language in common, but the other three were here too : Dust and Cross were sitting on each side of him, the latter holding his hand, and Horror was standing close too, worried and unsure of how to help, but still here. A cold wave washed over him, and his vision almost instantly blurred with tears that he didn't bother to fight back as he started to breath faster. He was out, he was safe, he was with his friends, and his mask broke. They didn't say anything, didn't comment, didn't try to stop it, they just stayed there and held him as he wheeped, let him release his emotions, all that he had been holding in for so long, all of his fear and frustration, all of the hatred he had for receptions, for the way they looked at him, talked about him, what they expected of him. He was tired of the expectations, but now he was outside with his friends, and they didn't expect anything from him aside being here and being himself. They meant so much to him, he didn't think he deserved them, but he would fight anyone trying to take them away...
It took him quite a few minutes to calm down, he hadn't let go of Cross's hand and used his free one to wipe his cheek, sniffling and apologizing for his display of emotions, even if he knew no one would hold it against him, it was just a relfex to apologize, always. He glanced at the house again, they needed to go back, as much as he didn't want to he coldn't just leave Dream alone to handle everything, and he was surely worried about his dissapearance too, but he, unlike Nightmare, couldn't leave in the middle of the reception, he was the host after all. He sighed.
- Nous devons rentrer.. he began to say they needed to go, before being interrupted by a chorus of no's in each language, making him flinch.
He didn't try to argue, the refusal had been very clear and left no room for negotation.
- Have you seen yourelf ? Dust pointed, you're not going back there, he insisted.
The others nodded, all agreeing that Nightmare should stay here with them and not inside with people who so obviously made him feel uncomfortable, and quite frankly, Nightmare preferred that too, but he couldn't help but think of his duty before his well being. He sighed again, he didn't have much of a choice anyway, but this time he didn't mind.
He stayed with them for the rest of the day, they didn't talk much, but just sitting outside with his friends was enough for the noble, just listening to the noises around, walking a bit to stretch their legs, splashing Killer with the water of the fountain after having been splashed too, waiting for the people to leave...
Dream eventually joined them after everyone left, he came running once he spot them in the gardens and tripped on a branch in his hurry, falling down and sliding on a few meters on his stomach, but it didn't seem to affect him as got back up just as fast to go hug his twin, holding him tightly and apologizing for not having came to him in time. Nightmare hugged him back, reassuring that he wasn't alone, that the others had been here. Dream thanked them all, a lot, for having cared for his twin, and ended up sitting with them, tired too by the reception.
They stayed outside until night came and they were too tired to stay up. Nightmare was happy, he had people who cared about him, who truly liked him, and even if his chest still hurt, he went to bed with a sincere smile, hoping to get a good night of rest...
This was supposed to be a quick sketch...and i was supposed to post it yesterday....
ANYWAY
Drem boy is really invested✨️ but who wouldn't be if their bro disappeared one day and came back with a bunch of strangers who speak some really interesting languages, only to reveal he is a time traveler now, and also started to developsome really gay feelings ;]
Nootmare is just tired lol, let my boy sleep
Time travelers au belongs to @mikimakiboo ♡♡♡
Extra's
He has such a stupid face omggggg (/>♡<)/
Also shoutout to my discord mutuals @wantonnoodlesoup @oatslemonade , who assured me he isnt crosseyed. I've just stared too long and maybe going insane, and also suggested i take a break♡
au where ani gets thrown back in time and has to change the track of fate by out-mom'ing the golden star and trying to therapist the shit out of marika
Follow up to this post on how my version of SMG4 would react to TT!SMG4 and TT!Meggy! Even though it's a bit overdue. About time I show some appreciation for this AU!
Triple Threat AU by @dreamteamredstinger
GB!4 on TT!Meggy: Wants to see her happy again! He cares for her, but not about what makes her strong...
He wondered if she still had that fighting spirit. He loved that fighting spirit. He had always seen her as this strong, confident best friend. It seemed so strange and sad, that she had been reduced to this struggling little thing. He would fight all of her battles if he could. Then it wouldn’t matter if she was strong or not. Maybe she could be strong AND not have the pain.
He also feels happy for her relationship with Tari! Sweetness like this wasn’t something he could come across very often. It's so sweet that he could almost feel his teeth rotting, if they could even rot anymore.
GB!4 on TT!4: Doesn’t hate him, but doesn’t really like him either. Gives him a pass for being a good friend. Would still constantly bully him if they ever met.
This scarred version of himself reminded him of… himself, from deep down. It made him uncomfortable. He didn’t always like that version of himself, when the voices went quiet and left him alone in his own head… A tired, scarred look didn’t suit the face they (somewhat) shared.
He's a bit angry that some TT!SMG4's actions have brought hardships upon his friends, and he even pushed away Mario. But him, thinking that he's a villain?! That’s silly! Sure, this guy may be pathetic and ugly, but at least he had proven himself to be a true friend in the end. He’s far from a villain!
If only this other SMG4 hadn't committed to being meme guardian. How disappointing. The whole lot of trauma stemming from being a guardian could have easily been avoided if he wasn't one!
Oh and he's aware that he's being unfair and racist towards meme-guardians ehehehe
I also wanted to try out a new brush! I think I'm gonna keep using this one!
sooo i gave up a little bit on anatomy however i think it turned out okay! this is a scene from the new chapter from @amethystfairy1 's newest addition to traveling thieves!! i am so normal about this au
(please don't look too closely it's almost 1am and i used chrome canvas to draw /lh)
