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mitsuguri · 4 years

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SUGAR AT NIGHT

monstertober day 3: demon gender neutral reader x male monster sfw a/n: since i ran out of time for day 4, this became much longer than it needed to be to compensate for it. enjoy <3

There wasn’t a soul within Crozar who didn’t know the name of Aysus Gir’ozok Udos Bruphine. His presence could be told just by the furtive glances citizens shared with one another just before his procession marched down the cobblestone streets. They shrunk in the shadow of six foot tall horses whose pelts were made of midnight shadows that rose in wisp from their muscled shoulders. Plumes of faded black smoke who whistle from their flared nostrils, necks flexing as their obsidian hooves created tremors with each step they took. He always sat hidden within the interior of the ornate black and shadow purple carriage the equines pulled. Though no one could see him, the waves of power that emanated from his form coasted over the bodies of those who watched his entourage pass. Few demons were able to hold the power that rested so calmly in Aysus’s body, and it was why many feared him. It wasn’t used frequently, but when he did, no one was left alive to tell what he held at his disposal.

Many would assume that he was a war mongering hellbent on power. Rumors flowed through the taverns that he killed gods old and new for sport so that he could swallow their blood which fueled the strength that rested in his bones. Others claimed he was a cannibal who ate his own kind, starting from the strongest, which explained why even other demons cowered in his presence. No one knew the answer, and such an unknown left the Crozarians to come up with their own assumptions about the enigmatic man. What was left unsaid, and understood with some contempt by certain individuals, was that Crozar was still standing because of him. Whatever secrets they believed he kept hidden, it was his trading business and negotiations with other cities that helped Crozar continue to be a place of prosperity.

No matter his accomplishments, there was still suspicion about the man’s private affairs. Residents were fixated on believing there was something about him that wasn’t being shown. In a way, they were right. You knew better after all.

The suspicious, somewhat fearful, gazes of the citizens on the carriage never failed to amuse you. It feels backward to assume the worst about someone who has never done anything but try to give the best towards others. You didn’t know Aysus personally, but you had been commissioned by him in privacy more than once. Though you never got to see him when you visited the sprawling estate he lived in, you learned enough about him through the things he asked of you. Your work was far from anything related to killing gods or plotting assassinations against rivals. Actually, you were a florist. Though you were quite adept at handling all sorts of plantlife, you had an eye for building aquariums. It wasn’t the main front of your business honestly, but the process of creating miniature self-reliant ecosystems that could be gazed upon at any time of day held a certain satisfaction. And you gave it as much care as you gave your plants, for you treated the fish and other aquatic creatures with the respect they deserved.

Aysus originally sought you out to establish a garden on his estate. You had assumed it would be one of those sprawling, luxurious courtyards he wanted you to plan with the help of his groundsperson. Your assumptions were dashed when you were informed he wanted no such thing. In fact, he wanted to grow his own vegetables and fruits to supply the needs of the various animals he kept. You discovered through the groundskeeper that part of his land was used as an animal sanctuary for stray creatures he’d find on his travels. Most of them were stray dogs, though he had a separate area for cats and another for livestock that had been tossed aside. He seemed to especially take care of creatures with special needs, as you often encountered animals that were missing limbs or one of their senses. Even his horses weren’t as foul-tempered as they seemed, for they greeted you on more than one occasion to request scratches and pets in a surprisingly polite manner.

You always felt whenever he arrived on his estate due to the power he held, but it never felt as suffocating as you heard it described by gossipy tavern attendees. It was soft and serene, putting you at ease as you worked though your eyes never laid on him. You assumed his lack of presence was due to his business with other matters. He was in constant meetings with the council of Cozar to discuss ways in which to help the people. Multiple advancements within the city’s jurisdiction had its roots founded in his words, but he was never publicly accredited for their formation. It lingered on your mind often as you walked the estate. For someone who seemed so frightening, he was the exact opposite of the public’s perception. Why would he not want to let the world know of his accomplishments?

The questions came to mind as you found yourself on his estate once more. Here, there was a fresh crispness to the breeze that soothingly filled your lungs. Riding through the giant emerald green hedge that led up the rolling green hills felk akin to stepping through the door towards paradise. As your eyes looked out your open window, you smiled at the sight of his horses galloping alongside the road in their pasture. Their whiskies were loud and excited as they grew to recognize the carriage you arrived in. Eventually they parted at the road diverted from the pasture’s side where it took you to the front of his home. It never failed to amaze you in its simplicity. Fashioned in a farmhouse-esque style befitting to the use of the land, it looked both elegant and simple without throwing the obvious wealth necessary to build such a structure in your face. Your eyes trail the vines you installed to artfully wrap around the columns framing the entrance. The climbing hydrangeas had just bloomed, their soft white petals stark against the deep forest green leaves. As you follow them down towards their thicker bases, you finally notice the tall shape standing between the columns.

Aysus rarely showed himself to the public eye. The power that radiated from his was enough to announce his arrival, and often people steered clear of him. He didn’t attend parties or events, and he met with the city council in privacy whenever it was needed. You never really saw him yourself, though some maids in his household gushed that he was handsome. And now he was standing before you.

As expected, he was tall. Very, very tall. His broad shoulders were draped in a silken cloak that was shadowy black in color and reached his bare, clawed feet. Most of him was covered in tailored clothing, his midnight blue tunic loose around his torso whilst his obsidian pants clung slightly to his barrel thighs. With the sun setting behind you, the orange glow added additional warmth to his amber skin. Though it was currently tied in a tight ponytail, you marveled at the tight inky coils spring from his head. Through his hair rose jet black impala-shaped horns which were decorated with silver bands at their base. His hands were clasped before his stomach from which you could spy a couple of silver rings around his clawed fingers.

No sooner had the carriage stopped he was descending the steps towards you. You could feel the waves coming off him, but it brought none of the pressing weight that the civilians seemed to describe his aura as. It was still as comforting as it was before, and you found yourself smiling politely as he opened the doors to your carriage.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Sir.” There’s a visible wince on his features, but you’re too focused on his glowing cider eyes to notice. He offers his hand, and you see that his nails are filed down to blunt rectangles. His skin is arm to the touch.

“Call me Aysus-” his voice held tenor and softness “- There’s no need for such formalities.” Yet he spoke like a true born noble, if not with some gentleness.

“Will do! I must say though, I am flattered you’ve called for my craft. No one has ever called me for such a grand project.”

“You have a good eye. And you’re… ethical.” You glance at him from the corner of your eyes as he leads you up the stairs to his home. There was a slint quirk to his lips that further softened his features, as if the ideas that you had sent towards him were swirling gently throughout his mind. You didn’t need to look around the interior of the home to know what it looked like. You were familiarized with everything. It was your hand that had organized the potted plants that adorned the tables and hung like shrouds on the simple chandeliers. What you didn’t know well was the man you walked beside.

“I appreciate it, though I cannot provide anything too grand because of it.” Honestly, you wondered why he didn’t get a professional to craft his pond. You could only gather local fish, not the exquisite koi or other foreign breeds those who made their livelihoods off of such business. His use of “ethical” made you wonder.

“I do not need it. Only something peaceful to look at.”

Aysus had always struck curiosity within you. Anyone would wonder how someone could hold such strength and possess a gentle, thoughtful interiority. Like others, you too wondered where the source of his power came from. Unlike them, you didn’t believe it came from anything malicious as some were set to think.

The garden he had first called your services for took place of the courtyards usually found in the back of most noble homes. It was covered in varying shades of green as various plants began sprouting with the comings of spring. With night coming to slowly drape over the land, it was hard to spy the condition of the buds. Towards the edges, there was a faint blue glow rippling in waves through the clear surface of water. Glowing moss emitted the soft light, which was surrounded by stones of different shapes and sizes around one side of the pond. The other was carefully decorated by aquatic flowers and plants, some which swayed gently just under the water’s surface. Currently, there were no fish since you were still waiting for the time to catch the appropriate fish. But even empty it was a pleasure to look at in the night. When morning came, the blue glow would fade away in the sunlight.

“I appreciate that you haven’t told the rest of the country about my estate.”

You turn, finding him staring at you with a softened gaze. His eyes glow in the growing darkness, but they crinkle at the corners as his lips pull into a gentle smile. He seems so much smaller than he is, as if you could pull him down into a hug so easily with little to no trouble on his part. Before you could speak, he continued.

“It’s only that I wish to keep this for myself. I am well aware of what others think of me, but the truth would be far too complicated for anyone to understand. Even my own kind.”

“What is the truth?” You spoke before you could think. His sudden openness both caught you off guard and drew you in. You always wanted to know more, but you never felt it was right to ask. But he was offering now, trusting you off the sheer fact that you respected him enough to not spill his private secrets to the world.

His smile widened, and he grabbed your hand once more. It’s warmer now, and your fingers intertwined with his instinctively. He looks at your hands for a second before his gaze picks up to meet your own.

“It’s love,” he says at last. Love? You blink in surprise, causing him to chuckle. “Not romantic love, no. Just… love in general. I’ve always appreciated nature for its aesthetic purposes, but when I started to love it everything changed. The ability for a creature like me to feel so strongly about something and genuinely care for things enough to adore them gave me something new. And with it, I decided to use it to change Crozar for the better.”

He trails off, eyes falling down to your hands. You wait patiently for him to continue.

“It wouldn’t be understood. No one believes demons can truly experience love, as you know. And it’s easier to be feared to keep those who would truly wish the city harm at bay. It’s not like I need or want the fame. And you… you’ve been understanding of that fact.”

At last, he looks at you in wait of a reply. There’s something apprehensive about his gaze, as if he’s afraid of what your reaction might be. Yet there’s no need for the fear on his part, for you couldn’t be more enthralled by the words he spoke.

“That's… that’s absolutely beautiful,” you breathed. It was almost magical. Ironic, in a world of dragons and sea monsters, but it was almost unheard of that love in a platonic sense could give one so much power. Aysus couldn’t be more pleased with your response, for he grips your hands tightly though he’s still careful not to hurt you.

“Thank you. That alone means the world to me.” His head lowers in a dip, and you faintly smell the scent of spring flowers rising from his hair. When he rises, his expression is so gentle you feel like melting at his feet.

“If you’d be willing, I’d love to continue working with you. There’s been some damage to the local bee populations due to lack of appropriate flowers, but I’m not too knowledgeable about what plants would be best for them.”

By the gods, he was trying to rip your heart from your chest. You didn’t even need to think, your head was nodding immediately. “Yes, of course! I’d love to help you.”

Suddenly you were enveloped in his arms, the feel of his muscles softly securing themselves around your smaller form sending you over the moon. His breath tickled your skin from where his nose grazed your shoulder. “Thank you,” he mumbled. He must be a clever tease or oblivious for there was no hiding the thundering of your heart.

“It’s my pleasure.” Aysus was now your favorite client.

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mitsuguri · 4 years

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Communication Skills

monstertober day 2: slime gender neutral reader x nonbinary monster sfw

“Boni?”

You let your voice fill the apartment as you push the door open. The door slips out of your grasp due to the many plastic bangs in your hands and bangs against the wall loudly. Wincing momentarily, you struggle to release your hands from the mass plastic prison as the sound of feet slapping wetly across the floor approach you. Once your hands are free, you turn to quickly close the open door before any of your nosy neighbors try to peek inside. When you turn, a man-shaped collection of pale green slime is fiddling through the plastic bags you abandoned on the floor. Letting out a loud huff, you cross your arms over your chest as you stare at your companion in disbelief. “I don’t even get a hug or a hi first? Straight to the bags?”

Boni lifts their head. They have no eyes technically, but the glowing orbs in their place are focused on you. The bag in their hands drops from their grasp as their fingers move through the air in a short gesture. “Hi.” Your eyes narrow at them. Communication wasn’t so difficult since they could still hear and see you. Whatever you said was understood for the most part. The only problem was getting them to reply back. Though they knew ASL, they never talked much. Whatever replies you could pry from them were short and to the point.

For the first few weeks, you had enjoyed such simpleness. You felt like it was what you needed to escape from being lied to, as you had experienced such with your past relationships. Yet as time wore on, you felt… odd. At night you wondered if they really cared about you. Whether they genuinely liked you or if you were just free shelter and meal to them. The fact that you allowed them to move in so quickly had its part in planting these seeds of doubt. A part of you wondered if you had been too desperate. If you were moving too quickly because you needed someone to hold at night. You always told yourself you wouldn’t be in a loveless relationship yet here you were, watching your partner shift through the bags of groceries you had spent your money on without having greeted you first.

“Crying?” Boni’s fingers move, their head tilting to the side quizzically. Your hands fly to your face, and you feel the dampness. Fuck. Shaking your head, you don’t bother answering. That was stupid. Rushing forward, you brush past them as they rise to their feet. You don’t bother looking at them, but you hear their feet slapping against the floor behind you as they follow.

“Just leave it Boni, it’s nothing.” Your vocal cords tighten conveniently as you try to speak, making you sound more choked up than you would have liked. Quickly, you dive into the bathroom and shut the door behind you. There’s a wet knock. So now they care?

“Go put the groceries away,” you speak towards the door. The more you talk, the more your throat tightens. Water spills from your eyes the more you try to blink back the blurriness as your shoulders tremble. You don’t really notice the green blob slipping in from underneath the bathroom door until you see Boni’s form slowly rising behind you. You forgot that they don’t really have a body. Their shape changes to that of a woman’s, and their hands reach out for you. Though you would like to push them away - technically you can’t because your hands would just go right through them - you let them pull you into a hug. After a while, they push against your shoulders to signal they want you to face them. Your gaze lies on their chest, watching the light filter through their semi-translucent bodice until their slimy fingers come underneath your chin to bring your eyes upward. Once they’re sure you’re paying attention, they begin signing.

“Tell me what’s wrong, so I can fix it. I can go get the tools for whatever it is today.” You fight the urge to sigh. They don’t even realize their own actions.

“You can’t use tools, Boni. It’s you that’s the problem.”

“Me? Why?”

Gritting your teeth, you cross your arms over your chest. “You don’t talk! You just sit there and only talk when you need something, or when something needs to be communicated. I feel like I’m living with a stranger Boni. When the last time you even thought about how I’m feeling? It’s like you’re just here for a warm bed and some food.”

At times like this, you really wish they could animate their facial features. Staring into the abyss of pale green was no different than looking into a brick wall. It’s hard to guess what they’re thinking when you rely solely on the words they sign for the slightest clue as to what goes on in that head of theirs. They don’t move for a while, until finally their hands start to move once more.

“It’s easier to show you.”

Show you? Your brows knit together, Boni’s words settling in your mind. How did they show you they cared? It wasn’t as if they were constantly doing big, grandiose gestures to make you swoon. You never came home to roses or candlelit dinners. You’re about to snap, but he continues.

“I know I can’t show my emotions on my face, and I thought my words would be meaningless since you said you were afraid of being lied to, so I thought showing you would be better. You always said your ex spoke a lot but didn’t do anything. I went to the bags first because I was gonna put them away.”

Heat rises in your cheeks. The realization of your mistake punches you right in the chest. Now that it was said, you realize Boni had been doing all of those things. The dishes would be washed, the floor swept, and the room tidy from the night after your trist. How could you not realize all of that? It was you who hated all the pretty words, yet it was you who had made a fuss over not being told anything you wanted to hear. Feeling ashamed, you let your head lower before them.

“I’m sor-” You’re cut off by the sudden pull of your shoulders. Rather than collide, your cheeks are suppressed by the softness of their chest as Boni pulls you into a hug. They can’t really squeeze you too hard, but you feel it all the same. And they continue holding your, squeezing and rocking your bodies gently side-to-side that coaxes the tears out from you. When you’re finished, they push you back gently so you can focus on their hands.

“We can work on our communication.”

With your hands wiping at your cheeks, you give a nod. You can do that.

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