#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads.

[langdhon]

Upon returning to the suite of their choice, he will find Michael stand by one of the panorama windows. Looking over the city. He's waited for @eyeless-smiles, albeit uncertain about when he'd come— they're as free as their urges are whimsical, no scheduled get-togethers. Hearing the door click, Michael instantly feels his muscles tense. It requires some measure of self control to not shatter the glass in his possession with bare hands. In a perfect scenario, Michael would now come up with a more characteristic version of Welcome Home, Honey— instead he just feels the anger Morpheus' insistence planted surge through him all over again. He does not turn to look at the Nightmare, not yet, when he finally speaks. Quiet but clear, his voice lacks emotion: ❝ I've met your creator. ❞

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #SANDMAN AU. #aaaaand here we go with the ANGST #eyeless-smiles

[langdhon]

@eyeless-smiles time to say goodbye, blame Morpheus

Since he woke up, his mood is at rock bottom. Michael quietly left the bed and was quick to lock himself into the adjoining bathroom. Morning routine, but extended edition. The possible outcomes of that inevitable confrontation between himself and the Corinthian fire across his mind sans pause. Giving him a headache. At some point, though, he has to come out— wrapped into a bathrobe, hair moist and face pale, he approaches the Nightmare. Hopefully he doesn't notice he's shaking. Ever the eloquent talker, Michael can't seem to get even a syllable out and remains at a distance for a moment of hesitation. Just looks at the creation and inwardly fights that sadness molding a lump in his throat.

Slow steps finally carry him closer to Corinthian, ere he reaches up to cradle his face in both palms. He knows he will lose him. The only thing he doesn't want to miss. Pulling his lips into a taut line, Michael ultimately fails to hold back the tears now glazing his eyes; blinking his lids shut leans in to plant a kiss to the Nightmare's mouth. One that lingers. Maybe the last.

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #SANDMAN AU. #it's angst hours! #eyeless-smiles

[langdhon]

@butscrewmefirst, Countess Elizabeth March continuation of this thread, using beta editor

With the grace and stealth of a snake she inches closer, her flawless smile a lure surely neither any man nor woman can easily resist. Seems like they have something in common. Michael takes another sip of his beverage, surprise tugging his brows upward at the revelation delivered. Nobody else can hear, all pairs and groups across the bar busy with their own chatter. Well, except for Liz Taylor, who doesn't appear very impressed — she already knows her creator through and through, after all. Weighing Elizabeth's confession in his mind, he lets contemplation wipe initial surprise off his mien to crease his brows in thought. One hand now idly swaying the glass in its grip ere setting it down. ❛ A virus. A virus that makes you... drink blood? ❜ A pause. ❛ Odd. And, admittedly, fascinating. ❜

Michael memorized the guy she chose as asked, now pins his attention to him. Staring, sans blinking.

And an arhythmic wagging of his free fingertips graces the man with his own little... highlight. The glass in his hand contains old scotch. The amber shimmering liquid seems to harden while he doesn't pay it any glance. Flickering lights pose a side effect of Michael's conjuration, something he's long stopped to even notice. The substance in that glass splits into many fragments and turn into a mass of little spiders that skitter up the confines. All over his hand, into the sleeve of his jacket. The women jump away, screeching, while Michael's target reflexively throws the glass over the balcony's railing. Cussing loud enough to draw all attention his way, he performs an involuntary dance.

❛ There was a witch in the Cortez once ❜, Michael answers with a genuinely amused smile across his face. Only a brief side glance to Elizabeth momentarily cuts his focus away from his victim. ❛ You could say I'm one of her kind. ❜ Quickly bored by the poor guy, who meanwhile tossed his jacket away and hurries downstairs in a comical manner, Michael picks his own drink up again. Giving the Countess a pointed look. ❛ She died here. And I'm the only one who was able to free her ❜, bringing the glass to his lips, he simpers against the brim. ❛ What killed you? Or should I ask... who? ❜

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 1. #ofc ! <3 #sorry about the length kdfjg #also I hope you don't mind me moving this for beta #because I only use beta anymore and trimming posts in it is much easier #butscrewmefirst #spiders tw

[langdhon]

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚊𝚗 ⸻ continued from here

It’s hardly unusual for strange figures to grace him with their presence at random. So Michael won’t even bother to ask how this one got into his hotel room and doesn’t really want to know either. Fatigue has his lids slightly swollen, his mood teetering on the verge to irritable. Crossing his arms below his chest after tying the belt of his morning robe into a knot, Michael can’t quit frowning. Not when fed doubt like that.

❛ I just know ❜, he scoffs in response ere slow steps carry him toward the intruder with the sharp object in hand. Canting his head to one side, Michael finally musters a more or less amused simper upon halting at arm’s length afore the Nightmare.  ❛ You offer your help. While holding a knife? Funny guy, I give you that. ❜

Call it intuition, but he can tell the Corinthian is none of the demons he’s well acquainted with — well, now it looks like Michael wants to stay awake all the more.  ❛ I’m sure you aren’t here just to entertain me. So? ❜  // @eyeless-smiles​

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #SANDMAN AU. #I sense chaos :) #eyeless-smiles

[langdhon]

@eyeless-smiles continued from here

╭┈┈⛧ Half hidden behind the door frame, Michael beams with the glee of a boy. It worked! Minutus Temporalis; a spell he's discovered recently and had to try. Watching Corinthian struggle on the table, now barely taller than the coffee mug sitting there, he stifles a laugh. If with mediocre success. And finally approaches the table to soon tower over the shrunken Nightmare, one palm brought to his chest. ❛ Oh no, aren't you adorable? ❜

Michael sinks onto the chair, leans forward to plant his elbows and forearms onto the table. Now one hand settled atop the other, pins his chin to the upper one's back. Curiosity keeps his eyes fixed on Corinthian, who is visibly anything but amused — speaking of which, Michael's own amusement wanes. ❛ I'm sorry if it hurt. That wasn't my intention. ❜ Until his mouth splits into another wide grin and releases a snicker. ❛ I just... couldn't resist. ❜

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #SANDMAN AU. #tiny corinthian tiny corinthian tiny corint--- !!! #me at Michael: is this how you treat your lover? #also me: ok you let said lover stab you for the lols too so fair #dlfkjg #eyeless-smiles

[langdhon]

Continuation of this thread via beta — @eyeless-smiles, Corinthian

As if the faint brush of lips against his ear was not enough to send a rush of heat down his spine, the blade's edge gliding along his chest has him tense with anticipation. Michael loosens his grip on Corinthian's armed hand. Just to reach down and behind himself, slide his unnaturally warm fingers between the Nightmare's legs to teasingly stroke him with just their tips. ❛ I promise I shall do my worst. ❜ Drawled response framed by the mischievous smile which refuses to dissolve; refuses until the first cut twists his mien into a pained scowl. He now leans fully into the other, reflexively gives the sensitive flesh in his caressing hand a squeeze.

And the breath he didn't realize he was, again, holding, leaves his slightly gaping mouth in a stretched albeit quiet moan. It stings, burns. Some of the conditioner the water keeps rinsing out seeps into that fine gash — dilutes the blood, increases the sensation. The hand he used to lead the Nightmare's own with, it finally withdraws to shoot up and clutch at a fistful of short, golden hair. To keep his head close, his face, and finally whisper against his mouth: ❛ Don't play coy. ❜ His roguish smile resurfaces, tongue darting out to lap against the Nightmare's bottom lip. ❛ Give me a reason to make you whimper. ❜

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #SANDMAN AU. #nsft #bloodplay tw #eyeless-smiles

[langdhon]

@eyeless-smiles from here .

The confrontation still sits in his guts with a pent up anger as they return to the hotel. He so neatly mapped out a starter in his head for how to proceed in detangling all that mess of information, but— barely falls the door shut, Michael finds himself pushed against a wall. A surprised grunt muffled by the hungry kiss seizing his mouth, blood smeared across his cheek by those wounded palms cradling them. His eyes snap wide open for a split second. However, it doesn't take him long to give in and grab the Nightmare by his hips to keep him locked there. Pressed against him. The praise flitting into the inch that, after a playful bite to Corinthian's bottom lip, gapes between their mouths... Well, it suffices to lure a low chuckle from Michael's throat.

❝ What can I say ❞, purrs he, another small peck to the Nightmare's lips bridging the pause, alongside panted breaths. ❝ I defend what's mine. ❞ That said, he withdraws his hands and a blink later gives Corinthian a push to the chest. Firm, sudden. With enough force to send him straight through the room, ere his back would collide with the opposite wall. Now, does that hurt more than prior to his detachment from the Dreaming? It takes Michael less than a whole second to dissolve from his spot and appear in front of the Nightmare to pin him. To then crack a smug smile, almost a snarl, and lean in. Finally whispers into his ear: ❝ And you are, in every sense of the word, mine. ❞

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #SANDMAN AU. #angy making out session you say? #suggestive tw #eyeless-smiles

[langdhon]

@malka-lisitsa from here

╭┈┈⛧ Just when she pokes her head through the door, Michael clears his throat. Seemingly focused on the book in his lap while he's sitting leaned back against an armrest on the sofa, feet on the seat and knees bent. He looks up, blinking, brows upturned in a fake clueless mien. ❛ Something wrong? ❜

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 4. #this ain't even crack bc it's something he'd absolutely do #malka-lisitsa

[langdhon]

@multi-royalty from here .

The entire room affected by their little strength measuring play, against a wall it ends. Or at least momentarily. Neither does Michael pay the chaos around them any thought, nor has he been minding Rebekah's request for a while. But of course she'd bring it up again. For the lack of explicit answer from his end. ❝ Don't act like you're some fragile thing ❞, drawls Michael into the little space between their faces. An impish smile curving his mouth, he loosens his grip a tad as soon as Rebekah drops her question; the reminder.

Still, he doesn't back off, his amusement slowly waning where brows twitch upward. ❝ I'm on no one's side but my own. And I haven't decided yet if I want to waste my precious time on your family drama. ❞

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 4. #always playing. this dude #multi-royalty

[langdhon]

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚊𝚗 ⸻ continued from here

Well, that makes sense. Why would any Dream require sleep in the first place?  But Michael wants to understand that creation, all the background, so deems no question silly. Corinthian’s suggestion, however, tears him out of that stream filled with more questions and succeeds to conjure a lopsided grin.

❛ No, thanks. I’m rather fond of my own chaos ❜, he huffs, brows creased with skepticism. Michael reaches for the Nightmare’s caressing hand to take it into both of his own, examines it ere trailing the tip of his index finger across the fine lines in its palm.

❛ Okay, but how must I imagine it? I mean, you entering any slumbering person’s head.❜  Gleaning Corinthian’s mien with visible interest, he cants his head to one side.  ❛ Do you march in and just twist what’s already there, or...what? Give me an example.❜  // @eyeless-smiles​

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #SANDMAN AU. #I hope you don't mind me continuing this! #I thought it's a nice thing to balance out the nastiness with some Real Questions :') #eyeless-smiles

[langdhon]

𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚃𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚛 ⸻ look who found his 1 braincell

What’s the worst part of being fifty percent human?  Emotions. Emotions and the strong reactions they conjure, the impulses. Mind-clouding and tearing open old wounds to spill their poisoned blood over present differences and blow them out of proportion. Michael neither met nor otherwise contacted Alice in weeks. Diving head first into the preparations necessary to fulfill his prophecy was what gradually cleared his sight on the awful outcome back in Malcolm’s club. Why is it that, by all his intelligence and power, a spark of anger shuts down his ability to think beyond his impulses?

Alice was thrown out with him because she sided with him, against her friend. She was mad at him choosing violence and he mistook her just reaction for betrayal. But in no second did she betray him. Strange, how the absence of one person who doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things takes a toll on you; no matter how much you try to move on. There was no way he could ignore this persistent sting in his chest any longer.

This will be hard. Admitting his wrongs was never a strong suit of his. He usually gets away with everything. Critics can be sent straight to hell.

But he told her not to come back to him and she stayed away. Now it’s Michael — oh, the irony — who enters Alice’s store with an inexplicable but no less strong urge to make amends. She’s the only person he can trust, after all. At least he tells himself that.  ❛ Alice, I need to talk to you.❜  Beating around the bush isn’t his thing, although Michael does his best not to sound demanding. He won’t sacrifice his dignity and cower at her feet like a beaten dog, either.  ❛ Do you have a moment? ❜  // @ravenskeeper​

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 2. #Michael inwardly sobbing: why do I care so much? #ravenskeeper

[langdhon]

𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚃𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚛 ⸻ starter

Michael spots the perfect opportunity, Alice sitting on the sofa. Doesn’t matter if she’s preoccupied or not, he slumps into the cushions beside her and shifts to lay his head down into her lap. Swings his own legs onto the opposite armrest, his hands coming to lie atop his stomach. For a long moment, Michael just glances up at her face before cutting the silence:  ❛ Be honest. Do you think I’m heartless? ❜  // @ravenskeeper​

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 2. #Malcolm called him out now he needs comfort :) #ravenskeeper

[langdhon]

@hiveruled, Kai Anderson

╭┈┈⛧ One week went by since Michael arrived here. The interviews are long finished and yet, he left the residents waiting for results. Tactic. Will uncertainty fuel rivalry? Will they jump at each other's throats with supplies running thin and death already knocking on the door? Evidence of some escalations lies scattered all over the outpost's corridors and rooms in the shape of corpses. Those who still breathe, well, they may hope. Once Kai is in his chamber, has been for a while, the door suddenly swings open. Seemingly by a ghost's hand. It collides with the wall, sliding back a bit ere Michael steps into sight. Blank his mien, the monotonous sound of his voice matches it. ❛ Are you ready to say goodbye? ❜

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 1. #are you going to hell or into a new life? more at 6 #hiveruled

[langdhon]

@munsontm, Eddie Munson continuation of this chaos

╭┈┈⛧ In fact, Michael had no idea what his lighthearted teasing would ultimately do to the other. Only when catching the red tinging his cheeks and nervousness clawing its way into Eddie's whole body language, Michael realizes now that he struck some nerve. Which one? He can't tell, not while keeping his attention pinned to the metalhead's puppy eyes. Michael's own mien blanks in spite of the urge to laugh at what must be a joke. ❛ Really? ❜ Audible sarcasm, coupled with a faux surprised upturn of his brows, precedes an arm sliding around Eddie's shoulders.

❛ Then prove it. ❜ A pat of that hand to the shoulder it comes to rest upon. ❛ Show me what a bad guy you are. ❜, bleed velvety yet challenging tones into the small distance left, Michael's deadpan expression finally alight with expectant glee again. ❛ Because right now, you are about as naughty as a monk. ❜ The temptation to give him the nickname 'little Jesus' truly tugs at his tongue — Something he pushes to the back of his mind for now. Who knows? Maybe Eddie will actually surprise him.

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 2. #dfkljdgkfhg #you said 'I dare u' :))) #munsontm

[langdhon]

@butscrewmefirst, Countess Elizabeth March

╭┈┈⛧ Room 33. It lacks lamps, barely any light filters through the black curtains afore which Bartholomew's bed stands. When Elizabeth arrives, she'll find the door gaping wide open and at the room's center Michael. He stands facing the door. In front of him lies the body of some hotel guest whose chest is torn open, right through the shirt. Their own blood swells in a puddle beneath them, whereas their heart sits in Michael's hand and streaks of blood paint his wrist; each finger coated in crimson. A startled look washes over his mien upon being caught, though it gradually twists into one of nearly boyish amusement. His free hand lifts in a defensive manner. By his side, shoulder level. ❛ I can explain. ❜

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 1. #uh-oh! #he probably was bothered by a door being locked #so he had to. well. how do we say here 'bypass the block' #butscrewmefirst #gore tw

[langdhon]

Continued from this thread, via beta — @ravenskeeper, Alice Turner

His moans are music to her ears.   She hums along with them,  feels the way his fingers grip her hair and how his hips rock up to meet her lips as she follows a fast paced rhythm all her own.   Alice wants to see the look on his face,  see his lips form that perfect oh.   She feels how close he is,  how he throbs against her tongue and rather than look up at his face,  Alice closes her eyes,  grip tight on his hip as he arches in the chair and hits the back of her throat. 

She doesn’t cough or sputter,  but holds him there for some few moments,  waiting for each spasm to die down.   Throat constricts as heat travels down and only when she pulls back does she find herself panting for air,  thumb smoothing along her lower lip to catch anything she may not have been able to contain.

Gaze flicks up as he releases his grip on her hair and slides hands down to cup her face,  all the while,  there’s a smile forming and a fondness in her eyes.  ❝ That sounds all well and good... ❞   Slowly,  she stands,  leaning back against the desk as a hand searches for her compact.   ❝ ...But I’ve an event to attend and I’m going to be late. ❞

Fingers work to fix the smudging of her lipstick,  legs squeezing together in an attempt to forget her own pooling desire.   Cheeks flushed,  at least now she won’t need blush.   ❝ Look what you’ve done.   My lipstick is a mess, ❞   she teases.

Warm surges of the afterglow keep rolling through him until every muscle relaxes. Until he feels like he could doze off here and now, cradled in contentment of a kind nothing else provides. Still, lazily stroking Alice's cheeks with his fingertips, Michael won't let the prevailing excitement die. She stands up and he covers his exposed parts again. Wait. Did he just hear a 'but'? Oh, no. No no no — she has to be kidding! Cue a low huff in response, coupled with disbelief ghosting over his mien ere he turns to her with his office chair. Does he care that Alice ensures to squeeze her legs shut? Not really, because the pink tinging her cheeks speaks a whole different language.

Michael knows her well enough by now to recognize when she slips back into the habit of avoidance for the sake of denying herself pleasure. And when that's not the case. His warm palms find to the outer sides of her knees, before sans reluctance he drags them upward under the skirt. How convenient that it comes with a slit. The fabric crumples as his ministrations push it up, whereas his eyes don't avert from Alice's face. ❛ Why would you attend in time if you won't be able to focus on the event anyway? ❜ That purred counterquestion bleeds past a roguish quirk to the corners of his mouth, precedes an implied shake of his head.

❛ All you will think of is what you've missed. ❜ Suddenly, he grabs the amassed fabric to push it unto her hips, pin it there and lean forward to brush his lips over the thin layer covering her private parts. Feather light. ❛ Speaking of mess ❜, he whispers, ere trapping a fine fold of her panty between his teeth. He tugs a little, then lets it snap back. ❛ You are dripping wet. ❜ His mouth finds the same spot once more, where her swollen mound yearns for friction. And plants a kiss to the fabric still covering her. ❛ I can't allow you to go like this. Wanting. Unsatisfied. ❜

#⛧ 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙊𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 // threads. #ARC 2. #nsft #alice stop tormenting yourself challenge 2k23 #ravenskeeper