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 Posted: Wed May 17, 2023 8:17 pm
The request came not long after Faustite had returned to work. Now recovered, but for the new lengths of black that chased up his arms and legs, the burning boy had begun his simultaneously stultifying and pressing training for his new role, and had managed roughly two weeks of it in Axinite's office (for Faustite had done nothing with his new assigned space yet; begging Taenite for a custom matched set of furniture was one thing, but money did not buy the time to finish the set when Faustite wanted it finished immediately). Thus, once his tablet chimed at him, Faustite took it as his first and most promising opportunity to step away from the necessary desk jockeying and stretch his legs.
It wasn't a call, though he initially thought it was for the way his tablet sounded off about it. After pacing down the hall and muddling through the interface with all the grace of a llama on methamphetamine, he found that the missive in question was from Fafnir — and there were next to no details on the nature of it. That was itself bizarre, so Faustite supposed it was a matter sensitive enough in nature that they needed to speak privately. His first thought went to their conversation about finding a mole; perhaps Fafnir found that little ******** there soon, he wanted to type, but instead spent another five minutes failing to do precisely that, as his fingernails had grown too long and troublesome to justify typing anymore. A wave of his hand called up Headache, who made itself decent as Heliodor once it saw the message sender's name.
"Write him back," Faustite instructed as he folded his hands behind his back. "Tell him I'll be there soon."
Soon meant walking, because if he spent another minute idle, he was going to set the entire Dark Kingdom on fire. Then there would be no more paperwork, no more digital files, and no more bureaucracy to hold him back from being in the field. And, as a bonus to Celadonite, the citadel wouldn't be so cold anymore.
Within a minute, Faustite was on the level containing Captains' and Supers' offices, winding his way through the halls until he reached the familiar location. He briefly considered knocking as a courtesy, since people tended to like those things, but decided better of it for the polite urgency of the message. He twisted the knob and let himself in, then immediately shut the door in Headache!Heliodor's face.
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 12:56 pm
He’d wanted to do this in Faustite’s office. It seemed… profane, to ask a newly made General King to his office. It left Fafnir on fire with nerves. He also hadn’t expected Faustite to respond so quickly or be available so soon, and that had him shuffling about, trying to put things together and straighten up the little of his tiny office that wasn’t relentlessly clean already. His little wisp followed him like a puppy, bouncing and flitting about behind him.
He nearly started as the door suddenly opened, setting down his papers and flipping the folder shut around them. Fafnir remained standing as Faustite entered, but he smiled and it contained some of his relief to see the man returned to health. He’d worried. More than he had expected and not entirely for the reasons he’d thought.
“General King.” He said, though his tone took the formality out of it. It was more of a statement, an acknowledgement, and a pleasure. Fafnir stepped out from behind his desk and offered his chair to Faustite, uncaring about the leather and any potential fire hazard. “Thank you for coming. I wanted to discuss something with you. Not about the task you gave me, but something more personal.”
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2023 5:26 pm
His face fell to <******** me twice levels when he heard Fafnir address him by his title. It was easier to take that reminder from this boy than it would be to hear it from a stranger; it was important that he start becoming used to being addressed by his station rather than his name, even if he thought it put his power over his personhood. That was simply convention, whether he liked it or not.
But it was Fafnir, thus it was hard for him to stay rustled when the boy flaunted that smile. He managed something close to a smile back before he realized what was happening with his face and tried to keep it at bay.
Faustite rested a hand on his hip, searching for belt loops that were no longer there. Then he tried to curl his knuckles against his hip, which seemed to work better, but the cloth of his vest-turned-something-else kept brushing against them, and he gave up on the motion entirely. After so many years in the same uniform, the new one would be an adjustment in itself. He could, however, go back to pacing.
And pace he did when Fafnir gave an enigmatic reason for the visit. There was something hopeful in it, that maybe Fafnir wasn't going to play as unapproachable anymore, but he tried to rein in his expectations. "What is it?"
If it wasn't about the mole, then… Were they going to Trey's place?
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2023 5:09 pm
Faustite did not deign to sit, which made things harder, but was not entirely unexpected. There was always too much restless energy in him to be comfortable relaxing and in some ways, this was a good sign of his recovery. He hadn't had the energy for pacing, before.
But he wanted to know why he was here. Fafnir's normal leaning towards formality had never sat entirely well between them, and for once, he let some of that drop as he moved behind his desk again and leaned forward, bracing his palms on the surface among his papers.
"I want to be promoted."
The statement was... bald. Bold. Uniquely vulnerable. Perhaps for anyone else, it would have been as easy as asking for a favor. For Fafnir... He felt exposed. All his veils and misdirections removed. But... this was Faustite. If there was anyone he could reveal something so closely, jealously guarded for so long to... well, he would be the one, wouldn't he?
"You know my work record." Fafnir said, blue eyes clear and intensely focused. He picked up the folder and pushed it across the desk, flipping it open to reveal a stack of reports and briefings. "You know I am capable, competent, and I follow through. I have connections that benefit the Negaverse. I have been a loyal soldier for years. I should have been promoted years ago, and I suspect Netherite may have had a hand in the delay."
He'd practice what he'd planned to say... a clear, concise pitch of all his strengths and accomplishments carefully designed to showcase why he felt he truly deserved his promotion. All that, thrown out the window in favor of a direct, blunt approach that suited the man across the desk far more than it did him.
"You know that with more power I could take on larger, more lucrative missions. And you also know that I can handle the added responsibility. Now you have the power to grant it to me. So I'm requesting it." He said, putting some of his intensity into his voice. "And more than that... I'm requesting you. I want you to be the one to do it."
Better this man, than any of the others. Even though Fafnir knew first hand his battle with starseed addiction, the sliver of uncertainty that came with it versus the other General Sovereigns with far more reliable pasts... He still trusted Faustite more with that intimate act.
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Posted: Mon May 29, 2023 4:48 am
Fafnir cut to the chase, which Faustite often appreciated for less time spent in such a stuffy, idle location. He stared at the boy blankly, however, when he confessed that he wanted to be promoted. That answer was better delivered to someone like Axinite who could do something about it —
Oh, right. That was something Faustite had to do now. That was what this was about.
Sure enough, as he waited for it, Fafnir was quite direct with his wants. He had his reasons, he had his intentions for what he could do as an Eternal, and he had his eyes on someone to do the deed for him. There was a part of him that wondered if there was some sort of queue for promotions, and by saying yes, Faustite would be helping Fafnir jump the queue, but the rest of him decidedly did not give a ********. He didn't know those other officers. He didn't owe them anything. But Fafnir? He'd always thought Fafnir would make a fine Eternal.
The problem was always getting him there. Before, it was having to leave the fate of his promotion in the hands of others — especially when it sounded like Netherite was interfering somehow. It would take time to sort all of that, and it was time Fafnir wasn't willing to wait.
But now, paperwork didn't stand in the way. The only obstacle to overcome was his inexperience.
"So you want more responsibility," Faustite began, speaking with his hands, "More power, and the added possibility of becoming a youma if I ******** this up." Or being eaten, he supposed, but he had managed to avoid eating starseeds over the past months well enough that it seemed a less reasonable concern. If nothing else, it was flattering that his boy — as much as Fafnir could be called his boy — wanted him to be the one to grant the promotion. That must have required an absolute mountain of trust, or enough whisky to wipe out a distillery.
But the room didn't smell like alcohol and Fafnir wasn't offering to share, so it must've been trust. Faustite couldn't stifle a small smile.
"Okay. Sit down. Let you come up with a safe word if it starts to feel wrong." He motioned for Fafnir to take a seat as he started around the desk.
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2023 7:53 pm
Fafnir smirked a little at Faustite's response, the corner of his lips tipping up one one side. There was an astounding amount of relief to have him agree to this. As much as Fafnir had solid, tangible proof that he was ready for this promotion, there was still that small, small part of him that had worried. He'd been a super for years now... longer than many in that position. That much time made one question their worthiness, when they were passed over so many times.
But Albite had made it to eternal. He had to remind himself of that. If they'd promote Waru, then they ******** better consider him worthy, or there was something very, very wrong.
"Even with those stellar possibilities... I've had hands in my chest exactly three times in my life, and only one of those was consensual." He said as he straightened, and then settled back into the worn leather of his chair. His hands settled on the arm rests and he had to keep himself from gripping them, forcing his long fingers to remain still on their surface. "This is the first time I'm choosing who to allow... and there is no one else I would choose."
Axinite, again? As much as he respected the man, the exchange had been clinical. A necessity towards more power, with no choice involved. The queen, perhaps? But she did not lower herself to doing promotions these days, save for seemingly rare circumstances. She was only a possibility for the sheer power she commanded... and even then. Faustite... he knew. Had shared things nearly as intimate.
"If I become a youma, please find me someone with more than half a brain to bond with."
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2023 10:17 am
Faustite flashed a sardonic smile. There was much vulnerability in admitting that, and Faustite imagined hurt and anger, too. The Negaverse's power could not be understated; they were able to choose death for those who weren't ready to die, conscription for those who weren't ready to fight, and conversion for those who weren't ready to become a stranger. Sometimes that meant hurting their own — people like Trey, who didn't receive the whole story. His brother suffered similarly when Faustite made the choice to have him added to the ranks rather than killed for secrecy. Elex was victim to similar powers.
Now they each wielded that selfsame power to their own ends and choices. Sometimes that meant borrowing more power from someone who could tame it — even if that hand was inexperienced at that. Fafnir recognized the value in that choice.
"If that happens," and he settled against the edge of the desk for a moment, allowing his hands to carry the weight of his words for him, "I'll have Headache disposed of. Bond with you myself." There might have been a little more justice, albeit a grim kind, if Heliodor could have bonded with a youma. But, given that he couldn't, and given that Trey probably wanted to keep his life the way it is, Faustite would simply have to avoid ******** this up.
Words said, he didn't see reason to draw out the deed until it became too stressful to bear. Fafnir was tall; Faustite didn't have far to stoop to reach into the boy's chest. He looked past Fafnir, not out of sparing him the awkwardness of eye contact, but because there was nothing he needed to see while he concentrated. The connection he had with Metallia had grown stronger since his promotion, Faustite found that he could now tap into greater channels of power, that he could play the conduit to funnel it into Fafnir's starseed. Great, depthless black power became a torrent that sieged the starseed, and Faustite fought to balance it within the limits of what that starseed could sustain.
It was a strange and delicate task, but Faustite was glad to be the one to bear it.
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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2023 11:45 am
There was something weirdly thrilling, and endearing, about the idea that Faustite would sacrifice his own youma for him. Go through the trauma of that loss to have him. Maybe it was said out of some sense of duty, that he really meant it as a way to make up for his own mistake, but there was a part of Fafnir that heard a desire to keep him. As many people as expressed desire for him, there were so few that he trusted to desire him, and not the surface picture of himself he displayed for others.
That didn't stop him from feeling his heart race and his fingertips go cold as Faustite reached for him. The general-king might not have been looking at him as his darkened fingers touched Fafnir's chest, but he watched his face as they slipped past the physical barrier into that other dimension space where the starseed hid. It hurt, a flash fire of pain running down his limbs and chasing away the physical sensations of his sudden panic. He had to fight that panic down to remain stock stil, but he managed it, if stiffly, lines of pain draw on his fine features.
The flood of chaos that came as fingers closed around his soul felt like a wash of hot mud, both comforting and cloying and repulsing, but with something wickedly attractive... it felt like it flowed through his whole body, all the way to the tips of his hair. Something in him opened, took in what he was being given, and Fafnir changed.
The changes were subtle, more inward than outward, but impactful. He felt them settle and he roused himself, finally focusing again on Faustite.
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 5:32 am
Only when it was done did Faustite spare himself the moment to look at the boy. The aura spoiled the grim surprise of checking whether or not Fafnir was a youma, and Faustite was delighted to see the result. "Look at you," he all but purred as he took in the new outfit.
Damn, Fafnir was too pretty for this world. And Faustite was too gay to keep his thoughts to himself. He was certain Headache would tease him for it later, and later he would have time to be embarrassed.
But for now? He only had time — and thoughts — for Fafnir.
"Finally got what you deserved after all this time. Only took me becoming a ******** —" He cut himself off, snorting. "Still can't say it."
Happily, however, that wasn't the focus of their meeting. "Congratulations are due. You earned those weird-looking wings seven times over. You've all the power and freedom you need, now. Excited to see what you'll do with it." It was meant, but mainly he was letting his mouth run while he stared at Fafnir's admittedly gorgeous (and quite plunging) neckline.
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 7:53 pm
Faustite's words brought an answering smile from Fafnir, slow and wide and wicked. This was what he had worked for this whole time. He had it now, could feel it coursing through him. Shifting in his chair felt like stretching new muscles. There was that reminder, that it had taken far longer than it should have, but it only dampened the smug satisfaction a little bit.
All his work, finally paying off. All the extra missions, all the hours he'd run himself ragged, all the a**-kissing to make sure his superiors knew of his good work. Now, it was all done with and he was finally free to do as he wanted. Answerable to no one but the General Sovereigns... of which Faustite was now one. He found he didn't mind so much that they hadn't become equals with this promotion, as they would have otherwise. Continuing to serve Faustite was no great hardship. Better perhaps, now. They had the power they needed to do whatever they wanted... and the skills to make use of that power.
Fafnir reached for Faustite's jaw, remembering only belatedly how hot the half-youma's body ran.
"Thank you." He said, hearing the faint rattle of new chains as his arm lifted. "I shall be sure not to disappoint."
If only Helio had been less of a jealous partner... he resented it, a little, in this moment. They could have celebrated... it had been long enough by now that Fafnir found he missed it. The intimacy along with the pleasure. Celebrated both of their promotions, and a fruitful future.
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 4:19 pm
Faustite's eyes lit with delight for the boy's unbidden reach and the assurance that he wouldn't disappoint. "That mean we're going to celebrate?" He asked, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.
If Fafnir wanted to touch, Faustite wanted it to be possible. He pushed off his desk enough to summon the cincher to hand, then wrapped it about himself with markedly less dexterity than before. He'd gone out of the habit of wearing it, owing to so many of his boys now having a means to counter his everburning flame, but Fafnir lacked such an item. It was as yet on Faustite to tame his own flames if the boy wanted to play.
And if he didn't, Faustite could be sad about it on his own time. Fafnir and his brother weren't very similar between the sheets, either, and Heliodor was avoiding him, so he couldn't turn to that boy for some fun, either. Maybe he could wrest Waru from his busy life for some well-needed condolences, then.
"Know a good first project if you've the time for it," he explained as he reached for a gloved hand. "Involves you, me, and your pool."
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 8:15 pm
Faustite echoed his thoughts and Fafnir's smile softened, regret seeping into his mood. He was even quick to pull out his cincher, dulling the heat that had stung the tips of his fingers. So eager, so hopeful...
The weight of cleaving to his brother's wishes felt more burdensome at that moment than it had since they'd talked in his apartment. With out that little hitch, or if he hadn't been as good of a man as he was, he could have done as he pleased. As they both pleased, clearly. Instead, he was denying himself something he truly enjoyed... and for what? It wasn't like their relationship was a monogamous one, far from it. So why did he have to be the only one excluded?
"My pool is always open to you." He temporized as he rose, still smiling. The new weight at his back was strange. "And plenty of wine and little snack things."
Maybe they could soothe their disappointment with copious amounts of that wine...
"And it is something worth celebrating."
He would have to tell Faustite he had spoke to Helio about them, but there was no reason they couldn't celebrate in a plutonic way. He did deserve that, Helio or not. Leaving the folder on the desk, it hardly mattered now, he curled his hand about Faustite's and used his new found power to pull the both of them from the gloom of the Dark Kingdom to the brightly-lit sun room of a familiar pool house. His guise dropped immediately back into a set of comfortable linen pants and loose blouse as he reached to open the door, the pool glittering beyond it.
"After you." He said with a bow of his head and a sweep of an arm.
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 5:46 am
Fafnir was so terribly excellent at indulging him, and Faustite could only be delighted to see the boy rise and accept his hand. In a breath, they were out of his office, and Fafnir looked no worse for it; teleportation would no longer be a burden to him. That was a change brought about by his own hand, which was a delightful concept to consider.
Following the example set for him, Faustite donned the false look of Eion. Fires retreated from him, leaving a nondescript-looking young adult who was much too cold for his own good. Were it not for the Negaverse's backing, he would never have run in the same social circles as Trey and Aelius, let alone have gotten to know either of them so thoroughly. Elex Yorke would never have gone swimming in Joellen's backyard — he would never have had the guts to try.
Eion nodded to the boy, feeling deserving of his role as guest, here to be hosted by one Trey Cameron. It was a delightfully summery day, too, save for the regrettable fact that the sun still hung low in the sky.
But that wouldn't bother them for long. In a half hour, the pair would be alone with dawning night and their celebrations for each other.
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