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tenshiharmonia · 2 years

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Bayonetta Recap - Part 5

II - Locations

Nidavellir, Mountain of the Waning Moon

- An ancient volcano, located somewhere on the shores of Iceland

- As mentioned earlier, this is the place where Mulciber chose to establish himself when he moved to the human realm. Comparatively to a demon’s lifespan, this is a relatively recent move, but as far as humans are concerned, he’s been around long enough for there to be centuries-old legends warning about the malevolent spirit that inhabits the mountain and how the place must be avoided at all costs (although it’s unlikely humans ever actually catched sight of Mulciber himself ; they may have spotted one of his demonic robot guards, though)...

- The forge itself is obviously located in the volcano’s fiery depths. The exterior of the mountain, on the other hand, is actually quite snowy. There is a secret entrance to the volcano’s burning bowels about half way up the mountain, but the path that leads to it is heavily guarded. So be careful if you don’t want to meet an untimely end at the hands of the infernal blacksmith’s deadly machines (of course, they are not so deadly when your name is Cereza, but still)...

- I don’t know if it would also be the case in-universe (I mean, no character ever comments on the mythological roots of Vigrid and Noatun...), but to keep with the trend of places in Bayonetta being named after things from the Norse cosmology, it bears the name of the mythical home of the Dwarves*. I mean, this one is a no-brainer : Mulciber is a master blacksmith, the Dwarves’ entire culture is based on metalworking. Really, I don’t think it warrants more explanation. Besides, the name’s etymology pertains to both the Moon and darkness, making it an even more fitting name for the dwelling place of a demon blacksmith who works for a member of the Umbra Clan.

* A name that is probably a lot more ingrained in the general consciousness ever since it appeared in one of Marvel’s movies. I must admit, I don’t really care about Marvel’s cinematographic universe, so I didn’t even know it featured in the franchise until I googled the name for inspiration. Funnily enough though, the way it’s depicted in the studio’s films would be a pretty good illustration of what I had in mind regarding one of Caritas’ potential forms...

Glitnir, the Radiant City

- Alternative nicknames : "the City of Twilight" ; "the City of Contrast" ; "the City of Chiaroscuro" (this one sounds way better in my native French : "la Cité du Clair-obscur") ; "the City of Silence" ; "the City of Miracles"

- The city that Máni and Apollonia founded after fleeing Vigrid, five hundred years ago

- Regarding its location, I would say that it probably sits somewhere on the northern coast of France. The city as I envision it actually draws some inspiration from the famous Mont-Saint-Michel, so I would say somewhere between northern Brittany and Normandy. Besides, I’ve always headcanoned Vigrid as being somewhere on the Mediterranean coast of Occitania*, so it would be quite fitting for the two siblings’ journey to lead them to the opposite side of the Hexagon, as we French like to call our country... Alternatively, one could imagine that they pushed even further and crossed the English Channel to settle somewhere on the British Isles. It’s not exactly what I had in mind, but that stays a possibility...

* As evidenced by the close-up on the map in one of the first game’s cutscenes. Also, the town’s architecture seems to draw heavily on Barcelona and the work of Gaudi, which could indicate that it’s actually located in Catalonia, the Spanish territory just south of the Occitan region...

- To keep with the aforementioned trend, I named it after the heavenly hall where Forseti, the Nordic god of justice and reconciliation, is said to sit. I had quite some trouble finding the right name, but in the end, I think that this one fits quite nicely on multiple levels. First of all, it apparently means "the one that shines", in reference to the hall’s pillars of gold and roof of silver. Quite an appropriate etymology for a town that was founded by expatriate worshippers of the Sun and the Moon. Secondly, as the dwelling place of the god of justice and mediation, it is sais to be a symbol of the predominance of discussion and diplomacy over violence when it comes to conflict resolution. Which, once again, resonates quite beautifully with the idea of a city founded on the good understanding between angels, demons and humans, by a Witch and a Sage who refused to fight a war that would have pitted them against each other and left their hometown when their advocacy of a peaceful defusing of the situation fell on deaf ears. Really, the more I think about it, the more it fits. For extra irony, Forseti is actually the son of Balder. So giving the name of his abode to a city that was ultimately founded because of the machinations of a guy who bears the name of his father, that’s quite an amusing quirk of fate. XD

- Visually, I kind of picture it as a more pristine and welcoming version of Yharnam, the city where Bloodborne takes place. I’d also like to mention the City of Tears, from Hollow Knight (once again), as well as Canterlot, from My Little Pony : Friendship is Magic (the spectrum of my inspirations is certainly quite large, as you can tell). Basically, I imagine it as a solemn and mysterious kind of place, with a heavily gothic-inspired architecture and a stately sense of verticality : lots of stairs and elevated, balcony-like plazas ; arches and bridges hanging high between the city’s towering buildings ; plenty of colorful stained-glass windows ; a rich and well-cared for flora ; all manners of sculptures and gargoyles adorning the city’s walls and streets ; lots of fountains, ponds and cascading streams ; finely crafted street furniture, like wrought-iron benches, old-fashioned street lamps or elegant bandstands and garden pavilions... I don’t know if my words actually do justice to the picture I have in mind, but I think it captures rather well the atmosphere I’m going for. As I said : solemn, mysterious, majestic, and with a serene sense of holiness...

- Basically, I want it to look like the dialogues of Blasphemous sound... if that makes any sense.

- The various areas of the city include (but are not limited to) : the docks ; a lighthouse ; the hotel where Bayonetta is going to stay while she tries to uncover the city’s secrets ; a lush public garden and the sumptuous greenhouse that stands inside ; an orchard, where the city’s residents grow all manners of delicious fruits, and the pastures, where their flocks and cattle graze (both are located on the outskirts of the town, which are obviously much more rural than the city center) ; the opera house (where Apollonia regularly performs) ; the grand cathedral, ultimate seat of the Glitnirian faith ; the castle, where Máni and Apollonia reside (I still have to find it a suitably cool name)...

- Since it’s been founded by a Witch and a Sage, the city as a whole obviously put a heavy emphasis on spirituality and liturgical devotion, so overall, you can also expect to come across a lot of religious edifices : temples, chapels, convents, monasteries, cloister gardens, and so on and so forth. The city’s many belfries and steeples tower over its streets, filling the town’s quiet air with the echoing sound of their heavenly bells...

- The people of Glitnir are not of the fanatically pious kind, however. They mainly perceive religion as a tool of communion and enlightenment, a guide on the road of self-improvement and self-discovery. It goes without saying at this point, but the balance between Light and Darkness is a key aspect of their dogma. In regards to Light, their doctrine naturally seeks compassion and righteousness. It’s about being the best version of yourself possible, both for yourself and for the greater good. The path of Darkness, meanwhile, is one of positive self-gratification. It’s about enjoying life and yourself without fear, shame nor guilt... Light tempered by Darkness ; Darkness tempered by Light. Corruption and purification ; temptation and penitence... This duality is the founding principle of the Glitnirian faith : living your life without becoming the slave of your dark pulsions or letting yourself be blinded by the light. Which brings us to...

- Pandæmonium, the pleasure district : installed in the vast cave system that extends beneath Glitnir, this neon-lit neighbourhood is certainly both the shadiest and the most colorful side of the town. Don’t get the wrong idea, though : this is not the sordid den of iniquity and perdition that one might expect. Quite the contrary. It’s actually an integral part of the city. I described it as a "pleasure district", and that's precisely that : an underground garden of earthly delights, a place where the residents of Glitnir can indulge their fleshliest appetites and fantasies in a safe, clean and controlled environment. There are several entryways to those festive catacombs, but the main and most convenient ones are assuredly the "Hell-evators" (sorry, I couldn't help myself ; it just was the perfect place to squeeze that pun in XD ), old-fashioned lift-like devices that elegantly shuttle back and forth between Glitnir’s surface and the city’s bustling underground. Catch a ride on one of these bad boys, and it’ll take you straight to Seven Sins Street. In those sulphurous depths, you’ll find everything you need to quench all your worldly desires : brothels and strip clubs, casinos, auction houses, all manners of bars, taverns and restaurants, plenty of nightclubs, tattoo parlors, piercing shops, opium dens, crack houses and narghile bars, rings and arenas for all kinds of bloody competitions, cigar shops, luxurious hot springs... this subterranean sanctuary is dedicated to pleasure and sensuality in all their forms. And if you get tired of this never-ending night of vice and uninhibited abandon, you can always find yourself a stairway to Heaven (or quite simply, ride another Hell-evator :3 ) and return to the surface to partake in quieter and more spiritual activities. On the other hand, if the staff of the underground district’s various establishments consider that the way you indulge yourself is unhealthy or problematic, they’ll kindly - most of the time - escort you to the nearest exit. As mentioned earlier, Pandæmonium’s philosophy is one of responsible hedonism. It’s all about the beauty in filthiness. Don’t worry, though : if they note that you have an actual problem, like an addiction issue for example, be it to booze, sex or even gambling, they’ll be more than happy to help you overcome it. From detox treatments to support groups, they’ve got all the tools and therapies needed to help you tame your instincts and self-destructive pulsions. Given that your heart is in the right place, of course. By the way, the staff of Pandæmonium does not include solely demons ; there are plenty of humans and angels working down there too. Visually, the district’s streets would share the same gothic-inspired architecture and sense of verticality as the surface parts of the city, but trade the "sacred solemnity" of the town above for a "neon-lit sleaziness" kind of esthetic. I think it would make for a fun contrast. The various buildings would blend with the cave system in a semi-troglodytical (not sure if this is the right word) kind of way, and the different rock formations of the caverns, such as stalactites, stalagmites and rock pillars, would be carefully integrated into the neighbourhood’s own decor. The cave system would also house multiple underground rivers, cascades and ponds. Moreover, I like to imagine that some corners of the caverns would also be adorned with various crystal and gemstone deposits, making for an even more shimmering and exotic spectacle as they reflect the neon lights’ sinful glow... Anyway, I think this is all I had to say on this subterranean retreat, but really, I love the concept of such a two-sided city. (For the record, and as mentioned earlier, "Pandæmonium" comes from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, where it is the name of the capital of Hell. From an etymological point of view, it means "all the demons", as in "the place where all the demons gather". I thought it was quite an appropriate name for a subterranean district where self-indulgence and vice in all its forms reign supreme...)

- I also like to imagine it as some sort of "multidimensional" city. I must admit, I don’t really know how to properly convey what I have in mind, but basically, the idea is that the town houses a whole bunch of magical gates that give access to various enclaves of the other realms of the Trinity. Not unlike Vigrid, but in a much more integrated kind of way. For example, the public garden would house a portal connecting to some wooded part of Paradiso, furnished to serve as an extension of the "human" park*. In fact, those otherworldly enclaves have been drawn so close to the human realm, that it’s become practically impossible to reach the rest of Paradiso and Inferno through them, like asteroids forcibly torn from their original orbits by the gravitational pull of a nearby planet (I’m not sure if the allegory makes sense astronomically speaking, but you catch my drift XD ). The advantage is that it gives the residents of Glitnir access to all the supernatural resources of the other realm without putting the city at risk.

* I like to imagine it as some kind of Avatar-like bioluminescent garden, a beautiful and serene place where the residents of Glitnir - be they angels, humans or demons - are free to enjoy the supreme peacefulness of the realm of Light and roam among its enchanting vegetation.

- All in all, I’d like this imaginary game to put a bigger emphasis on exploration, with lots and lots of nooks and crannies, as well as tons of hidden areas and collectibles. I don’t really know how it would work in regard to the usual "verses and chapters" structure, but I really want this world to feel much more open and rich than the first two games. Don’t get the wrong idea, though ; I’m not talking about a "Breath of the Wild" level of open world. As pointed out earlier, what I have in mind is more akin to Bloodborne and the city of Yharnam. Or maybe Haven City, from Jak II : Renegade. I mean, I’m well aware that I’m probably the only person who plays Bayonetta for the exploration, but once again, this is not an actual game, so I can imagine whatever I want. :p

- Speaking of, I would also like there to be a sidequests system. It would be a nice way to make Bayonetta interact more with the other characters and explore parts of the city that she normally has little reason to visit. Since Máni, Apollonia and their friends will also end up as allies of hers, there could even be post-game sidequests centered around them, allowing Cereza and them to interact on friendlier terms. (Note that the other playable characters would also have their own sidequests...)

Baphomet’s domain : the Pillar of Laplace

- An ancient and impossibly tall building, standing imperturbably on the frozen and windy shore of Cocytus, the lake of lamentations, in the dark and icy depths of Inferno

- While the snow and ice that coat its outer walls can give it quite a decrepit appearance, a closer examination will reveal that the tower’s structure is actually perfectly intact, as if the elements themselves were unwilling to defile the old goat’s abode

- As I mentioned earlier, the tower houses an enormous library, where Baphomet and his otherworldly servants gather all the knowledge of the universe. Filled with all manner of books, grimoires and parchments, its endless shelves are said to contain the answers to all the questions and mysteries of the world.

- Be aware, though, that the old goat’s wisdom comes at a price. Baphomet may be more sensible than the average Infernal, but he is still a demon, and they tend to be rather capricious creatures (especially when they’ve got a caprine head :p ). Rub him the wrong way, and you’ll get to see the full extent of his cruelty and perversion. So if you seek the secret truths that the old goat has to offer, be careful where you tread. The journey to his sanctum is already a perilous one*, but there is no telling what he’ll demand from you in return for his wisdom. Don’t forget, though, that truth and knowledge are dangerous things. They can set you free, just as easily as they can corrupt you...

* Of course, the easiest way to contact him, as with all demons, is to summon him directly to the human world, sparing yourself a hazardous trip through the many dangers of Hell. This is ultimately how most of the humans who encountered him - intentionally or not - did it, Máni included. But he will certainly be more impressed if you actually try to sneak in his archives. :p

- On the other hand, I also think that Baphomet would be the kind of demon who appears all too willing to share his dark knowledge with whoever comes asking for it... only to sadistically watch as the naive soul gets thrown in the sordid pits of despair and madness by the eldritch secrets he shared with them. Either way, if your name is not Máni, you better think twice before trying to contact the old goat : you might be biting off more than you can chew...

- As you might have guessed, I named the tower after Pierre Simon de Laplace, the French scholar, best known for the thought experiment that is usually referred to as "Laplace's demon". Basically, Laplace was a supporter of determinism and saw the universe as a mere sequence of causes and effects, meaning that the future would have been entirely determined by preceding events, that is to say, a combination of prior states of the universe and the laws of nature. Therefore, an intelligence (the so-called "demon") who would know the exact location and momentum of every particle in the universe at a given time could theoretically be able to deduce all its past configurations and predict all its future states. As far as determinism is concerned, free will is just an illusion : every action that was previously taken, that is currently being taken or that will take place was fated to happen from the very instant the universe was born. No wonder that refuting Laplace’s theory proved to be a major motivation for the many generations of scholars and scientists that came after its formulation... Anyway, I’m not entirely convinced by the name, but this is a reference that I really wanted to make in regard to Baphomet. I mean, the idea of an all-knowing demon contemplating the universe resonates pretty well with the old goat and the way he amasses knowledge. Besides, I feel like the out-of-place-ness of such a name (or should I say, its "out-of-Laplace-ness" ? XD ) gives it kind of an uncanny quality that seems to go pretty well with such an eerie location. That being said, don’t ask me why the personal sanctum of such an ancient and remote being was named after a guy who, from the perspective of said being, was basically born yesterday. The likeliest answer, as seems to be the case for everything in the Bayonetta universe that is named after an already existing figure or location, is probably that, diegetically speaking, there is no actual correlation between the two...

- Other names I considered : the Pillar of Kvasir, the Pillar of Mimir/Mim, the Pillar of Babel, the Whispering Pillar (this one could admittedly make for a nice nickname, with the tower being actually referred to as "Laplace, the Whispering Pillar")... Or maybe the "Wuthering Pillar", to add a touch of literature flair. XD

- I don’t know what the melody would sound like, but I like to think that the building’s main theme song would contain samples of Baphomet singing in the distance. A dark and haunting song, getting louder and louder as the player climbs the tower and approaches its summit... Also, I think that "Laplace's dementia" would make for quite a cool and delightfully punny song title. :3

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

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Tonight...

^Papa acting natural while he waits for the results of the ritual.

See you tonight! <3

#chiaroscuro fic #chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #papa emeritus iii

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ghuletteintraining · 4 years

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Tonight...you find yourself in a chapel of ritual...

#chiaroscuro: umbra #chiaroscuro fic #our fanfic #thursdays are best days

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bluejohnhook56 · 26 days

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#beautiful #visuals #light and shadow #liminal spaces #liminal aesthetic #shadow play #chiaroscuro #design #architectural #omnia lux et umbra

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

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Tonight...

Papa’s looking to get everything...

...and everyone...that he wants.

See you later. <3

#chiaroscuro fic #chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #papa emeritus iii

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

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Tonight...

Dewdrop is about to make life hard for Copia.

Again.

See you tonight! <3

#chiaroscuro fic #chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #dewdrop ghoul

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

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Tonight...

................................what was I saying?

Oh, right, see you at 7!

#chiaroscuro fic #chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #papa emeritus iv

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

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Chiaroscuro: Umbra, Chapter 40

Warnings: some teasing, some slight heavy petting between guys, you know, the usual

Tags: @hannibalssweaters @reclusive-cat-lady @limerami @saekkos @yournewsatanistpisshunter @angelfallenspirit @kshandra @rocket-dancer @bakedbybeelzebub @blood-ghuleh @jitterbugs927 @inferuscorvus @ptite-shit @scriptor @localmusicrocks @dragonsfire8780 @thedaddytamer @maidenismyreligion

If you’d like to be tagged let us know!

Enjoy the last chapter of Umbra everyone!!!

The next morning dawns bright and busy, everyone rushing to get last minute things done before the dignitaries arrive, and you’re panicking at the church.

You’re alone, pacing up and down your office, arms wrapped around yourself, mumbling a little, and that’s how Damiano finds you when he opens the office door. He watches for a few seconds, then steps in your path, forcing you to stop. It’s a testament to your panic that you barely register his presence. “What in Satan’s name are you doing?” he asks.

“I think I’m dying,” you croak, and he raises an eyebrow at you expectantly. “H.E.A.T. is coming today and I’m a huge fan.”

“Ah. Just remember to leave them some time to do actual diplomacy with your husband,” the former Papa says with a sniff.

You stare at him for three beats, face reddening, before glaring at him so hard he almost takes a step back. “You think I don’t know that, you big arrogant ass? Some help you are!”

“She’s got you dead to rights,” an unfamiliar voice chimes out from the door, and you look up to see a tall, slim, imposing-looking woman with glasses and her hair in a loose bun standing in the doorway, an expression of utter amusement on her face.

You blink at her as Damiano straightens himself. “I did not ask for your opinion on the matter, Ilaria.”

“And yet, I give it anyway,” she says absently as she steps in and extends her hand to you. “My name is actually Ann. A pleasure.”

You stare at her, shaking her hand almost absently. At least your panic has abated in all the confusion. “A pleasure. I’m sorry, who are you?”

Ann laughs. “Now don’t tell me that the big arrogant ass hasn’t said anything about me at all.” You blink. “I’m Papa’s assistant.”

“Oh! That’s right, he did mention you before.”

She snorts. “Once, I’m sure.” She throws the man a dirty look, before turning back to you. “I’ve been instructed to help you in any way I can.”

You’re reminded of what’s about to happen, and your stomach drops again. “Can you make me stop panicking so I don’t make a fool of myself in front of a bunch of foreign dignitaries who also just happen to be hot rock stars?”

She tilts her head a bit. “Possibly.”

You blink at her. “What do you mean, possibly?”

She smiles. “Exactly what I said. You are married to two rock stars, and you have discovered they are just people, yes?”

You frown. “I’m not sure I’d say they’re ‘just people’, considering one’s a half demon and the other is an immortal shapeshifter…but yes.”

Ann—Ilaria?—rolls her eyes. “Yes, well. They are still filled with normal, human traits, even if they are not human. Why would these other musicians not be the same?”

You open your mouth, then close it again. “I…I never thought about it like that.”

“Why am I not surprised,” Damiano mutters, and Ann elbows him.

“Shush.” She turns to you. “I know they come off like gods, but they aren’t. Most of them aren’t, anyway.”

“Wait, what do you—”

She abruptly turns to Damiano and scowls. “You are being an asshole, as always. Go, go and get ready, I’m sure you want to be in chasuble and shit.”

He draws himself up to his fullest height, and his frown is impressive. “Must I remind you, again, that it is you who work for me, and not the other way around?”

She scoffs. “Yes, sure, you sign the check, and you would be lost without me.” She stares him down, until he finally turns and stomps out of the room. “Stubborn fool.”

“And you said I had him dead to rights,” you say, impressed. “You’ve got him nailed to the bull’s-eye.”

Ann scoffs. “Well, I’ve been with him long enough to know him.”

“When did he hire you?” you ask, motioning for her to sit in front of your desk.

She laughs, clutching her sides. “He didn’t so much hire me as kidnap me.” She tells you of how she met him at a venue she worked security at, how he revealed his powers to her and therefore had to take her away.

“That’s…wow.” At her questioning look, you continue, “Sounds kinda similar to how I arrived at the church.” You pause. “So…are…are you two…together? Like…together together?”

She laughs again…this time you think you detect a hint of bitterness. “Not according to him. But you’ll notice I am here, and the rest of his…baubles…are not. So…make what you want of that.”

You clear your throat. “He…doesn’t seem like the type of man to easily love, either giving it or receiving.”

“That is the understatement of the century,” she says flatly.

As you consider your response, there’s a knock on your door and a brother of sin pokes his head in. “Imperator, I’m to tell you that our guests are about to arrive.” You thank him, calmly, and once he leaves, you let your head sink onto your desk.

Ann smiles and rubs your shoulder softly. “Just try to remember what I said, Sister. They are just people.”

“Yeah…I’ll try, but no promises.”

“I will stay with you if you think it’ll help.” She strides to the windows and opens them, letting in a brisk breeze. “I’m very good at staying in the background.”

You can’t help a small chuckle. “After being with Damiano for so long, I don’t doubt it.” You stand, making sure your appearance is more than presentable. “All right. Let’s do this.” And you head for the door.

You are halfway down the hall, Ann a calming presence at your side, when Papa strides up to you. “Excellent, my love, come, they’re here.” He nods to Ann, tucks your arm around his, and you are fully escorted to the main entry.

The first thing you see is Jonas and Johannes, speaking with the guests, and Tim, Henrik, and John standing to the side at the ready. But that look is brief, as your eyes are immediately swept to the men who have come from Sweden.

All five of them are fidgety to some degree, as if they’d all chugged energy drinks and were trying terribly hard not to bounce off the walls. Crash, the drummer, is nodding at something Johannes has just said, but his hands are beating a frenetic rhythm against his legs. Jimmy, Dave, and Jona are all rocking or swaying to music only they can hear. But it’s Erik who is most on the edge, bouncing up and down lightly, looking like he’s about to take off any second.

You take a deep breath, and you do your best to school your features into friendly calm. Papa smiles as you approach, and Jonas turns. “Ah, here they are. My friends, it’s my honor to introduce Papa Emeritus III, head of the Avatar Country Church of Satan, and his and Johannes’s wife, our Sister Imperator.” Papa makes a graceful bow, and you give a very satisfactory curtsy.

In an instant the newcomers drop to one knee, slam their fists against their chests in a salute, and bow their heads before jumping back up to offer greetings. Erik jerks his head to get his hair off his face and takes your hand. “My lady,” he says with a wink, and your breath catches.

You blush ever so faintly, but you smile as the handsome man kisses your knuckles. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’m a big fan.”

“Ah, I knew there was something I liked about you!” he says cheerfully, and you laugh as he greets Papa.

It’s like saying hello to a pack of exuberant puppies, you think as Jona and Crash fight good-naturedly over who will take your hand first. But all of them, to a man, refer to you as “my lady” and you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Finally, they’re all greeted, and Papa beams around to them, their energy and positive attitude infectious. “Well! We shall show you around! If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask.”

“Do you all really worship Satan?” Crash asks, eyes a little wide.

“Like, actual Satan?” Erik adds. At Papa’s raised eyebrow, Erik quickly continues, “We’ve got a bet with some of the other gr… guys we know, they insist it’s all an act, that you’re just running a gimmick for the band.”

You grin. “Oh, no, it’s not a gimmick at all. That’s just what we want the fans to think. I’m sure that our majesty has already requested you keep everything you see here a secret?”

“Yes, of course,” Jona assures.

You can tell they’ve all been waiting to hear that everything has just been a joke, but as Papa leads the tour, and answers questions, they gradually, one by one, look as though they’re beginning to believe what they’re seeing.

They also begin to look nervous at the new knowledge, but you put your hand on Crash’s arm. “Please, don’t worry. Everything you’ve been led to believe about Satan isn’t true. They don’t want people to hurt and kill each other. They punish those people in Hell.”

“But what about all you worshipers?” Dave asks, confused.

“Oh, we go to Hell,” you say, nodding. “But we don’t get punished there. We live and work there, and Satan rewards us for our faith.”

“So…what are you saying?” Dave asks. “If Satan’s the good guy, are you trying to say God’s the bad guy?”

“Not exactly,” Papa replies. “Just…not as invested as you may have been led to believe.”

“And angels are assholes,” you grumble, and they exchange a confused look.

“Well, there’s quite the story to that,” Papa says, “which we will tell over dinner tonight. Ah, here is the great hall.” The tour continues, the band asking all sorts of curious questions, and you find that Ann was right—they have their own quirks that make interacting with them much easier.

The tour winds up and Jonas invites everyone back to the castle for a casual reception before the evening’s entertainment.

Ann pulls you aside. “Do you still need me to help?”

You take a quick glance around, smiling at the men milling around, laughing and talking with each other. “No, I think I’ll be all right. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’d go along if you really need me to, but I’m being reminded of some paperwork he needs done but won’t do himself.” She rolls her eyes.

“Good luck with that. He didn’t show up, I see,” you say, also rolling your eyes.

“He is at the castle, getting ready to perform and probably terrorizing Dante’s ghouls,” she says with a sigh. “I will see you later then.” She strolls off, and you follow everyone out. Erik grins and offers you his arm politely, which makes you smile, and you glance at Papa and Johannes (who both nod to you) before taking it.

“Thank you,” you say as he leads you to the doors.

“Of course, my lady,” he says with a wink and a grin. “You must have a proper escort, after all.”

You laugh. “Are you all from another time? With all the gallantry, I half expect to hear ‘thou’ and ‘thee’ while you suggest a joust.”

He snickers. “Not from another time, no. Just…raised differently, I suppose.”

“I don’t think anyone would say no to a joust though!” Tim calls from farther up front, and laughter and agreements ring out. The group head for the doors and out to the cars, all piling in to head back to the castle.

With so many people and everyone talking and moving at once, you don’t realize right away that your husbands and Jonas aren’t in the car with you—just Erik, Dave, and Crash, as well as Beta. You look at the clown and whisper, “Where are they?”

“They’re in another car, everything’s fine,” Beta says, even though he’s feeling on edge. Diplomatic status be damned—these newcomers are strangers, and he’s keeping a close eye on them.

In one of the other cars, meanwhile, Jonas glances at Papa and Johannes out of the corner of his eye. “Any particular reason you hustled us in here with you, my king?” Papa asks.

Jonas clears his throat. “Yes, actually. Our love suggested something last night that…I need to speak with you two about.”

“Uh-oh,” Johannes says, humor in his voice.

“I am sure it’s not bad,” Papa admonishes his husband, and Jonas swallows.

“Not…bad, no…”

Papa watches Jonas closely. “Are you sure? You look as though it might be…questionable.”

The king shakes his head then looks out the car window, suddenly unable to look either of the other men in the eye. “She...ahh. She asked me to join your…union. Be your fourth.”

“Get married?” Johannes blurts out, slightly surprised.

“No, no… that would be complicated, given who I am.” He takes a deep breath, screws up his courage, and looks at Papa and Johannes. “But whatever you call it, she wants me to… be with all of you.”

They blink at him, then each other, before Papa chuckles. “Well, Johannes, I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it would be too great a stretch from what we have now.”

Johannes is trying not to smirk but failing miserably. “Not too much of a stretch at all, really. Not sure I see what the problem is.”

Jonas just stares at the two of them. “Just like that? It’s fine with you?”

“You and I have been fucking for so many decades, even before the angel,” Johannes snorts. “And I can see you’re falling for Dante. Yeah, it’s fine with me.” Papa is nodding along, eyes closed peacefully.

“Is this conversation boring you, Dante?” the king asks, feeling equal parts unnerved, terrified, annoyed and…dare he admit it to himself…excited.

“Mmmm, oh no, not even remotely.” Papa smiles. “I’m just imagining our first time as an official foursome. The orgasms will be tremendous.”

Jonas blushes faintly as Johannes laughs out, “When are they not?”

“But…you could love me, Dante?” Jonas asks softly.

Papa grins. “I love almost everyone. So yes, I do.”

The king frowns slightly. “So you love me the same way you love almost anyone else. That doesn’t seem…” He pauses. “Enough.”

Papa’s eyes open, and he sits up and forward, gaze intent on Jonas. “I do not want a life that does not have you in it.” He leans over, reaches for the king’s hand and tugs him close. “I can love you, and I do.”

Johannes watches as his sovereign smiles softly and cups Papa’s cheek, then reaches over and takes Johannes’s hand. “Good. This is good. Thank you.”

Johannes slides off the seat, on his knees before his king and his husband, and begins to scent the king’s hand, moving slowly up his wrist and arm. “This is definitely good,” he murmurs.

Jonas swallows hard. “Johannes. We are not going to have sex in our car before a state lunch.”

Papa chuckles. “Yes, probably best to save it for later.” Papa smirks, half-lidding his eyes. “But you will be in for it, my king.”

“Oh will I?” Jonas says on a growl. “How do you know it won’t be you that’s in for it?”

Johannes chuckles from his spot on the floor, still scenting his king. “I think we’re all in for it. And just wait til we have our goddess where she belongs…right in the middle….” He lets out a low moan of need.

Papa hums in pleasure at the thought as the cars pull up to the castle. Jonas, still a little red-faced, clears his throat as the driver opens the door, and they step out. They look immediately to you, very red-faced as you step out of the car with most of H.E.A.T. Beta looks like he’s trying very hard not to burst out laughing.

“Looks like our wife had a very interesting car ride,” Johannes says, his wild grin spreading across his face. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

You clear your throat and straighten your dress before walking calmly over to your loves. “Shall we?” you say, as dignified as you’re able, then turn to head inside without waiting for an answer. Erik is giggling as he follows, the others who were in the car doing the same.

Papa and Jonas laugh, and Johannes’s grin is impossibly larger. “Now I really want to know!” He lopes after Erik as Crash offers a bow to Papa and Jonas.

“She always go brick red like that? Because it’s damned amazing!”

Papa chuckles. “It depends on the conversation, but it’s quite common.”

“Never gets old though,” Henrik murmurs as he steps up beside his king.

“It really doesn’t,” Jonas replies, then heads into the castle after the others.

When they reach the entry hall of the castle, the H.E.A.T. members are trying not to look like they’re staring—at you, at the castle, at the guards—but they’re not succeeding. Johannes is bent over you, whispering in your ear, and your blush is deepening by the second.

You swallow thickly as Papa approaches, catching the last few of Johannes’s words. “…tell me later. I wanna know what got you so red, sweetness.”

“Hm, I must agree with our husband, my goddess,” Papa purrs, and you groan and hide your face in your hands.

“It’s not fair,” you say on a soft groan. “I want to look all calm and cool but I’m red as a damn beet. I look ridiculous.”

“On the contrary, my love,” Papa murmurs. “You look warm and delicious.”

You huff at him, perilously close to stomping your foot. “Not what I wanted to go for!” You close your eyes and bring the moisture in the air closer around your fingers, then lower the temperature until there is a thin film of ice over your fingertips. You sigh in relief as you press them to your cheeks.

“Better, my love?” Papa asks as he lightly strokes your arm.

You nod. “What is it with you foreign men anyway.” You mumble something else and Johannes grins.

“Wait…I didn’t quite catch that…what did the skinny one do?”

“Never mind,” you hiss. “You just want me to blush again.”

Johannes laughs. “I always want you to blush.” You scowl at him, but you can’t keep the happiness out of your eyes.

“My friends, let us enter the great hall. I do hope you like the renovations from after the battle.” And the king pushes open the doors, striding through.

Papa and Johannes lead you into the hall, and you tense a bit as you watch the guests walk around, commenting on everything but focusing on the stained-glass ceiling the most. You’ve gotten used to seeing a massive artwork of yourself on the ceiling, but watching the others stare at it, then at you, is a little embarrassing.

You can feel your ears turn red as Erik approaches, and he looks unusually solemn. “What you must have gone through…you’re a very brave woman, my lady.”

You swallow thickly, but you smile. “I only did what had to be done. And I’d do it again for my boys.”

He takes your hand in both of his, bows, and touches his lips to your knuckles, holding them there for just a bit longer than politeness requires. When he lifts his head to look at you, he says, “Where does one sign up to become one of your boys?” You flail a bit, unable to think of a witty answer in the face of his sweet expression, and then his eyes sparkle. “Of course, the offer we made in the car still stands….”

Beta starts snickering as you go fully red again, and Johannes literally bounces on his toes. “What did you say to her?!” he all but whines, and Erik grins and smoothly glides over to the wolf, whispering in his ear. Johannes’s eyes widen in abject delight, but before anyone can say anything else, there’s a sudden thunderous blast from a guitar and drums. You all jump a little, save for Papa and Jonas, then look over to the stage that was set up to one side, the great hall more than big enough to accommodate it. There are the ghouls, and at the head of them is Damiano, in full papal regalia.

You immediately recognize “Secular Haze”. “I thought the music was after we eat?” you say, but before anyone can answer, Erik grabs your hand, says, “If I may?” and then whirls you into his arms and begins to spin you in a waltz-like dance.

You flush, but smile up to him as he gracefully spins you around. You’ve been practicing with Jonas and Papa, and your dancing is getting better. Erik moves like water, fluid and sinuous but not always predictable.

You and Erik move across the floor as Damiano’s smooth vocals flow over the room. “May I make a confession, my lady?” Erik asks.

You nod, then swallow hard. “Yes, of-of course.”

“I didn’t really want to do this whole state visit thing. None of us did.” His grip on you tightens, and the hard lines of his sinewy body press into you. “But I am glad we are here.”

You blink up at him in surprise, even as your cheeks warm again. “May I ask why you accepted the role of Sweden’s diplomat to Avatar Country then?”

He blinks back at you, having expected you to flail a little bit again. “Well, when the government of the country you live in asks you to do something like this, you don’t say no. And we are fans of both bands. Just…the political shit, we don’t have the patience for.”

“I can understand that,” you say, trying to ignore your body’s response to his. “It can be…annoying, I’m sure, when you’d rather just be touring and having fun.”

“Mmm, true…although I’m fairly sure there’s plenty of fun to be had here.” His smile is full of mischievous promise.

You turn your head and exhale hard. “You are…a lot, Erik,” you whisper, and he laughs.

“You don’t even know the half of it!” he exclaims as he spins you gracefully into Dave’s arms as the song ends.

“He’s right, ya know,” Dave says in an unhurried tone. “He’s the worst flirt I’ve ever met…well, Jona comes close, I guess.” He’s not nearly as fluid as Erik, but you and he find a rhythm as “Jigolo” begins. Dave grins faintly. “But he has reason to be so flirty. You are lovely, my lady.”

You flush, but you smile. “Thank you. You’re all…well. Extremely handsome.”

Dave ducks his head a little. “You flatter us.”

Your laugh is soft. “Gods I don’t have the first clue about flattery. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it.”

He grins. “That’s good to know.”

The two of you spin. Johannes and Papa watch you dance, the wolf inhaling deep. “Fuck, her scent’s filling the whole room.”

“She’s hard to miss,” Erik says, and both Papa and Johannes turn to him.

“You can…scent her?” Papa asks.

“Ah….no. We’re, ah, drawn to her aura.”

Jimmy is quick to grab Erik. “Dude. Are we telling them?”

Johannes squints; he can feel his inner alarms going off. “Tell us what?”

Erik snorts. “Why wouldn’t we? They’re all shapeshifters and demons, and we knew that as soon as we saw them.” Johannes’s hackles are definitely up, and they feel Papa’s energy become laser focused. “Hey, no, we’re all still good!” Erik is quick to raise his hands in a placating manner.

With a tense nod, Johannes grabs Jonas’s attention. The king moves like lightning. “Is there a problem?”

“Not yet,” Johannes says softly.

“Perhaps you should tell us what we don’t know,” Papa says smoothly.

Crash frowns faintly. “Shouldn’t this wait until dinner? They are performing for us right now.”

Jonas looks to Johannes, about to start pacing from nerves, and Papa, looking calm but ever so slightly on edge. “What do you two think?”

“You really need to ask me that?” Johannes shoots back.

Papa runs his hand down Johannes’s back, trying to soothe him. “Would they be here, under a diplomatic visit, to cause problems? That would seem…ill-advised.”

“But to strike when we least expect it…” Johannes says through clenched teeth.

“If they were going to, now that we are all in alarm, I’d think they’d be striking.” Jonas looks to Tim, who nods.

Johannes sighs heavily, not looking at Jonas. “If that’s what you think, I won’t start anything.”

“We are still right here,” Jona mutters.

The king shoots a look at Johannes, then turns to Erik. “My apologies. We will speak at dinner of these matters. Please, enjoy the music.”

Jona, still muttering, slaps Erik upside the head, then moves off to help himself to a drink from the trays that servants have brought in.

You, meanwhile, have sensed the energy shifts, and when “Jigolo” finishes and “Genesis” begins, you shift in Dave’s arms. “What’s going on?”

Dave sighs and shakes his head. “Just Erik sticking his foot in his mouth again. He’s the world champion of that.”

You frown, looking over and seeing the singer looking sheepish. “Well…no one attacked anyone. So that’s a win, right?”

Dave stares at you, a long, considering look. “Do physical attacks often happen around here?”

“You’d be amazed,” you mutter. “Maybe we should go see what’s happening—”

Crash appears at your shoulder. “But then I’d miss my chance to dance with you, my lady.”

You blush faintly, but grin. “Well, how could I say no?” You curtsy to him, and he bows in return, before taking your hands in his and…oh dear. It turns out that Crash, a little like his name, cannot dance at all.

Not only can he not dance, but he sure doesn’t care as he whips you about. “Oh my,” you squeal as he brings you back to him and you both nearly topple over.

He laughs, having the time of his life, and you can’t help but join in his infectious mirth. On the stage, Damiano’s eye is twitching as he sings at seeing how undignified you’re being treated. Earth is giggling at his drum kit.

One by one, Crash’s bandmates join, and soon you’re laughing as the five younger men dance you around from one to the other, keeping you whirling and twirling

“You’re incredible!” Erik laughs, twirling you toward a grinning Jimmy, who twirls you right into a dip.

“And you’re all…wild!” you laugh as the music ends and servants begin bringing in food. “Mercy, guys, I gotta sit!”

Damiano sweeps down from the stage as the ghouls all set down their instruments, and then there’s more introductions. Damiano preens under the praise for his singing. “Thank you, thank you. I am glad to perform for our allies.” The ghouls join the group. In the midst of the discussion, Damiano slides in next to you. “Are you all right?”

You shoot him a look full of confusion. “A little out of breath but fine. Why?”

He peers down at you, as if making sure you’re not lying. “I didn’t like the way they tossed you around like a sack of sugar.”

You blink in surprise, and then a pleased grin steals over your face. “Why, Damiano, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were worried about me.”

The retired Papa barks a laugh. “I worry for you since you are a high-ranking member of our church. Nothing more.”

“Bullshit,” you chirp happily, and all but skip off to your seat at the table.

“You are radiant, my flower,” Jonas murmurs as he holds your chair out for you and helps you sit. “It would seem that these state visits might just agree with you.”

You grin and kiss his cheek. “Well, it helps that they’re silly boys.”

He laughs. “They are at that.” He smiles to the servant who holds his chair out for him and sits. “My friends, please, be seated. Papa, the prayer?”

Papa nods and rises. “Our gracious Dark Lord, may we receive your dark blessings on this day, and enjoy the company of new friends and partners. On this glorious day, we pray. Nema.”

“Nema,” the table murmurs, and then Johannes immediately looks to Erik. “So, spill it. What are you all?”

Jonas nearly facepalms, and Papa shakes his head. “For fuck’s sake, dude, you could give them a chance to eat for five seconds,” John scolds.

“Yeah, I could.” Johannes’s gaze never wavers from Erik.

“It’s ok, I guess I deserve it,” Erik says, casting quick glances at his bandmates. Jona shrugs, the others nod.

“Deserve what?” You look around the table. “Wait…what did I miss?”

“Your new friend over here let slip that they’re not fully human either,” Johannes says, still not looking away. “And I’d really like to know what they are so I’m not so on edge.” You blink in surprise, looking to Erik and the rest of H.E.A.T., who are all fidgeting nervously.

“It’s all right,” you say, trying to keep your tone soothing. “You can tell us. No one will hurt you.” You stare at your wolf. “Right, my husband?”

“Entirely up to them.” Johannes’s eyes glitter.

“We’re not a danger, honest,” Erik says quickly. “We would never—”

“We’re grim,” Crash interrupts.

“Yeah you’re gonna be if you don’t start talking,” Johannes growls.

“No, we’re telling you, that’s what we are. Grim,” Erik says. “The grim. I am a grim. Each of us is a grim.”

Johannes blinks, looking confused as all hell, and he looks to his king, who shrugs.

“I’ve heard of them before, but I’ve not really made extensive notes on them. Dante, Damiano, do either of you have any ideas?”

“I mean, you could just ask us,” Erik grumps, stabbing a piece of steak rather viciously.

“He’s got a point,” you say, glaring at Jonas and Johannes. You reach across the table and touch his hand. “I’m sorry…they don’t mean to sound like jerks. They’re just…overprotective.”

Jonas bows his head. “You’re right, my flower.” He nods to Erik and the others. “Forgive me, of course you would be able to explain.”

Erik just shrugs, and Jimmy speaks up. “We’re water sprites, I guess you could say. Related to elves, but we like to live near rivers and waterfalls.”

Papa nods. “Yes, I’ve read about you before. Wickedly talented with almost any instruments you want to play, but if you’re away from water for too long you have…well, issues.”

Crash snorts as Dave smiles. “A diplomatic way of putting it, yes.”

You blink. “What kind of issues?”

“We get antsy and start having a hard time controlling our glamour. We don’t get violent,” he’s quick to assure, “but we can be a handful.”

“So…like overgrown puppies,” you say with a giggle.

Erik looks up at you and smiles. “Sort of. But without the licking. Unless, of course, you like that sort of thing.” He winks and you blush.

In spite of himself Johannes snickers. “She’s very into that sort of thing, actually.” And you kick him under the table as Erik hums thoughtfully.

“Good to know,” the singer all but purrs, and the rest of his band grins.

The tension in the air is starting to dissipate. “So…grim aren’t violent?” Beta asks.

“No, not at all,” Erik answers. “We’re more likely to be attacked than to be the attackers. That’s why we’re aura-sensitive—so we know what we’re dealing with and can stay safe.”

“Not a whole lot of grim anymore,” Crash says as he eats. “We gotta be careful.”

The thought makes you sad. “Really? How come?”

“Well…not to quote a cliche, but people are afraid of what they don’t understand,” Jimmy says softly. “Our kind have been hunted a bit.”

“We’ve also lost a lot of our natural territories thanks to mortals’ expanding and changing where rivers flow,” Jona adds.

“That’s awful,” you say softly. “I’m sorry.”

Jona nods. “Thank you. We’ll be ok. Part of our diplomatic outreach is to find possible solutions to our challenges.”

“Well, you’re welcome to avail yourselves of our water sources while you’re here,” Jonas says. “Rivers, lakes, waterfalls… we have several.”

Erik beams, and the others look excited. “Thank you! We’ll have to do some exploring!”

“Now,” Crash turns to Papa and the king. “Would you please explain about how that,” and he points up to the stained glass, “came to be?”

You groan and stare down at your plate. “Do we have to?”

Jonas chuckles. “I’d never overlook a chance to share what you did for my kingdom, my flower.”

“Trust me, I know.” You look up, your gaze moving from grim to grim. “They exaggerate my role in this when they tell the story, just remember that.”

All of the Avatar men snort explosively. “She is lying. Now, a handful of decades ago…” Jonas launches into the story, and his men, his brothers, pick up where his memory goes dark. As the story is told, all of the dignitaries’ mouths drop open in shock.

As the wolves reach your role in the tale, you bury your face in Johannes’s neck, and he is quick to shift you over onto his lap.

“Fuck me,” Erik says. “I’d tell that story too. My lady, why are you hiding? You should be proud of what you did.”

“But I didn’t do much!” you protest to Johannes’s neck, and Erik clicks his tongue.

“Now, I might be biased a little bit, because you’re a fan and you’re also smoking hot—” you blaze red, “—but that sounds like a hell of a lot more than not doing much. You risked your life for these men.”

“Truly, she did.” Papa is leaning back in his chair, his expression adoring as he watches you and Johannes. “She kept her wits about her, even when she was scared, and she saved a country.”

“Please stop,” you whisper, “it’s too much.”

“Nah,” Johannes says softly. “It’s not nearly enough.” You just blush more and curl in a little more on yourself. Papa reaches over and gently rubs your back, wishing that you were more comfortable with the praise.

Johannes just presses his lips into your hair. “So,” Jimmy says, trying to take the focus off you, “angels aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, are they?”

“No, they are not,” Jonas replies. “Which is just one of the reasons we’re reestablishing diplomatic ties. We don’t know for sure where or when they may strike next, but we believe they will.”

The boys look around at each other, and they nod as one. “We’re willing to help you. Whatever it takes,” Erik says firmly.

Jonas smiles. “You have our thanks, but we couldn’t ask you to do that. Our needs as far as diplomats are concerned would be—” But before he gets to finish, the doors at the end of the hall suddenly slam open. Instantly everyone is on their feet, powers and weapons at the ready to face whatever threat has come.

#chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #the band avatar #papa emeritus iii #johannes eckerström #nameless ghouls #jonas kungen jarlsby #henrik sandelin #tim ohrstrom #john alfredsson #papa emeritus ii #the character beta #the character ann/ilaria #wonder if anyone will catch the easter egg with her haha #h.e.a.t.

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

Text

Chiaroscuro: Umbra, Chapter 38

Warnings: Shower sex, teasing, rough sex, little bit of angst

If you’d like to be tagged, let us know!

Enjoy! <3

As you slowly rise up from the fog of sleep, you hear whispering…you can’t quite make out the words but you feel a warning there… You open your eyes, expecting to see two or more of your loves whispering to each other, but the rooms are empty. And when you see the time, you yelp and bolt out of bed.

Beta hurries in. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m late! Why didn’t anyone wake me up?”

Beta takes a deep breath; your cry had frightened him. “Papa said not to. You’re off today.”

You blink at him, before you groan and flop back down onto the bed. “You know, I’m not even upset. Between last night and the day before, I’m too tired to argue.”

Beta chuckles, getting onto the bed and pulling you into his arms. “Yeah, he figured that’s what you’d say. Just relax today. What would you like for breakfast?”

You melt into his arms. “I don’t care. I’m not even hungry.”

His hands roam, soothingly stroking you everywhere they can reach. “Mmm, wrong answer. You need to eat. You’ve been skipping way too many meals.”

You huff softly. “Okay, I want french toast with vanilla ice cream and berries on top.”

Beta looks at you, eyes narrowing, before grinning widely. “I know you’re just being a brat, but do you really think I’d try to talk you out of that? Sounds fuckin’ delicious!” And he picks up the phone next to the bed to call down to the kitchens.

You shake your head, wishing that he wouldn’t have called your bluff so quickly. You’re not really in the mood for such a decadent breakfast, but Beta will watch super close to be sure you eat. You sigh as he hangs up the phone. “That’s going to be way too much food,” you mumble.

“Well, maybe I’ll steal some,” he says with a grin, and the way he nuzzles your cheek means you can’t stay too mad at him.

“You are ridiculous, you know that?” you say fondly, and he just nods happily.

His nuzzles turn into kisses and licks, which quickly become nibbles and bites, and soon he has you giggling as you try to fend him off.

He’s playfully growling and biting at your belly when there’s a knock on the door, and he rolls off the bed to go and answer it. He grins to the slightly disturbed kitchen aide as he wheels the cart in and shuts the door, and he calls out happily as he pushes it over. “Breakfast time!”

Before you can even launch a protest, he’s got everything set up and is feeding you, and even though you aren’t hungry, you eat, slowly. “So what should we do today?” you ask in between bites.

“Don’t gotta do anything,” he says gruffly.

“I can’t lie in bed all day, Beta,” you respond.

“Well, you’re supposed to be relaxing,” he says, offering you another piece of food. You take it, frowning at him even as you chew. “Don’t give me that look. How about we go to the beach?”

In spite of yourself, your eyes light up. “That sounds like a great idea!”

“Eat first, though,” he insists, and you huff but do as he says. In no time, the two of you are ready to go, and Beta is sure to report in and let Papa and Jonas know your plans.

Papa smiles as he holds the phone to his ear. “That sounds like a lot of fun. Do let Water know you’re going—he’ll be sad if you leave him out.” Beta rolls his eyes, but tells you as he hangs up, and you giggle and send along a mental message. In two seconds the ghoul is there with you, bouncing from foot to foot. “Let’s go let’s go!”

“All right, all right!” You laugh at the ghoul as the three of you head out to enjoy the day. In no time, thanks to Water’s impatience, you’re at your destination.

You can’t help but sigh happily at the sight of the ocean before you, and Beta lays your towel down on the sand for you as Water pulls you to the shoreline. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” he whispers to you, holding your hand.

“It is,” you say, closing your eyes and taking in a deep breath of salty air and ocean waves. You look at him closely. “This must feel like…coming home for you,” you murmur.

He’s beaming, and his eyes are glowing a faint blue. “Well, sort of. Each elemental ghoul has its own subset. For water ghouls there’s freshwater and saltwater kinds, which are further broken down. I’m a freshwater, river ghoul. But put any water ghoul in front of a huge body of water and they’ll be happy.”

You blink. “Huh. I had no idea there was a whole scientific classification system for ghouls. Do you have Latin names, too? Ghoulicus aquaticus?” You try to stifle your giggle as he looks at you.

“I think someone needs a dunking.”

You squeak and take off, running along the shore, and Water laughs and chases you. He lets you keep ahead of him for a few minutes before putting on a burst of speed and grabbing you up. You’re breathless with laughter as he walks you into the water, standing on top of the waves, then tosses you in.

Soon, Beta joins and the three of you are playing and dunking each other in the water like a group of children on a holiday. Later, with both Water and Beta napping on the sand, you decide to take a stroll along the shoreline.

You sigh happily, enjoying the sea breeze on your skin. You hear voices off in the distance, and you see a group of people about half a mile down the beach. You squint, watching as they play in the water and set up a volleyball net, and one person cooks on a grill. The person cooking, their back to you…their form looks familiar…

“Is everything all right, sweetness?”

You yelp and leap about a foot in the air at Johannes’s voice behind you.

“Unholy fuck!” you gasp, then lean over, trying to slow your heart rate. “Gods, you scared me! Where did you come from?”

“From behind.” He smirks and gathers you into his arms. “I didn’t think I’d scare you like that … what had your attention?”

“I thought…” You look back at the group that had caught your eye. The person at the grill is gone. “I thought… I don’t know what I thought.”

He blinks at you, also looking over, eyes narrowing slightly. “…well, anyway, it’s almost dinner time. Jonas wanted me to tell you that it’s going to be a meeting-type dinner so he can explain the time frame for tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…?”

Johannes’s lips quirk in his little half smile. “Give a girl a day off and she forgets everything…” You push him and he lets out a grunt. “Our first diplomatic guest arrives? H.E.A.T.?”

You blink, then flush darkly and Johannes can feel your heart rate go up. “Oh. Right. Yeah, of course, I knew that,” you stammer.

He presses his forehead against yours, still grinning and now trying not to laugh. “You gonna make it?”

You blush faintly and stick your tongue out at him. “Of course I will. I have to represent our church and our king after all.”

“Mm-hmm. Will that be before or after some epic fangirling?” he teases.

“Oh you!” You shove him again, but when he looks down at you, one eyebrow raised and a knowing smirk on his face, you blush. “Probably both. But the fangirling will be in private!” you swear, and he laughs.

“Is that right? Well, we’ll see, won’t we?” You stick your tongue out at him playfully and stomp off to wake Beta and Water.

Johannes kicks some sand over his brother. “What kind of bodyguard sleeps on the fucking job?”

“Fuck! Fuck!” Beta jumps up, practically spluttering. “Fuck I didn’t mean to! Shit! Is she all right? Fuck!”

You reach for his hands, trying to calm him. “Beta, it’s ok, I’m fine. I swear, I’m fine, Johannes is just messing with you.” You glare at your wolf.

Johannes snorts. “No I fuckin’ wasn’t. What if—HEY!”

He cuts off with a cry as you wrap air energy around him and he’s suddenly whisked off over the ocean. You stomp up to the edge of the water, glaring at him. “I am not the same helpless woman you met all those months ago!” you snap at him. “If I’m alone for a moment or two, I won’t instantly die!”

“No, he’s right, he’s right,” Beta says wildly, “protecting you is my job and—”

You whirl on him. “You want to dangle over the ocean with your brother?”

Water is up now, his hands out. “My love, calm down, no one thinks you’re helpless. We just…” He pauses. “We just love you and want to make sure you’re all right. We’d all be so lost without you, love.”

You turn to the ghoul, tears on your cheeks. “But that doesn’t mean being dicks to each other if I’m alone for two minutes is fine! Because it’s not!” You pull Johannes back over the shore and drop him into the sand, stomping back toward the castle.

The wolf stands, his face red, and brushes the sand from his uniform. “The fuck?” Water and Beta look at each other, then look back at Johannes. The wolf frowns at them when they don’t answer. “Guys,” and there’s a warning in his tone. “What the fuck? Has she been like that all day?”

“No, she’s been fine.” Water looks around. “Was she all right when you got here?”

“Yeah, it just was weird that you weren’t with her.” Johannes shakes his head. “Fuck.”

Beta scuttles after you, leaving Water and Johannes to make their way after, slower and frowning. “I didn’t mean to leave her on her own,” Water says softly. “But…maybe she’s just upset. She has trained a lot in the last year, and we treat her as if she’s done none of it…”

“Yeah, I guess we are annoying,” Johannes mumbles. “Just…fuck. Anything happens to her…” He sighs. “Fuck.”

Water nods. “Agreed. We gotta let her feel like we trust her abilities though.” The ghoul gives Johannes a side glance. “She sure whipped your ass up into the air in a hot second.”

He nods, his eyes a little wide. “I wasn’t expecting that. I think she’s stronger than I am now…ain’t that a thought.”

Water chuckles and nudges the other man. “It was only a matter of time before that happened, my friend. And you know her, give her ten minutes and she’ll apologize.”

“I’m the one who should apologize,” Johannes says, throwing his arm around Water’s shoulders. “As usual.”

“You have the best intentions, Johannes,” Water says. “You mean well.”

The wolf huffs. “I’m learning that sometimes meaning well still means you can be an asshole.”

Water laughs softly. “You can teach an old dog new tricks!” Johannes shoves the ghoul playfully. “Come on, you old asshole,” Water chuckles, “let’s catch up and get on with the apologies.” They pick up their pace, shoving and picking on each other.

By the time they get there, you’re pacing in the blue rooms, and before Johannes can say anything you’re throwing your arms around him. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have used my powers like that, it was impulsive and reckless and…and…” You burst into tears against his chest.

He cups the back of your head with one hand, his other hand splayed against your back. “Oh sweetness, I get it. It’s frustrating that we—I—keep acting like you can’t take care of yourself. I’m sorry too.”

You shake your head, looking up at him with tears falling down your cheeks. “T-That’s no excuse to attack you like that though! I’m so sorry!” Johannes just hugs you tighter, nuzzling against your hair and whispering assurances that he forgives you.

He looks up, sees Beta standing there, looking equal parts angry and ashamed, and he says, “You too, brother. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You’re her bodyguard, but you get to take breaks. I’m sorry.”

Beta opens his mouth, shuts it, then sighs heavily and says, “I do take breaks. At the end of the day when everyone’s asleep. It’s my duty to protect her—whether or not she can protect herself.” Earth steps up next to his clown and takes the taller man’s hand, and Beta relaxes ever so slightly.

“I know, and you didn’t deserve what I said.” Johannes sighs. “Sorry.”

Beta shrugs. “S’ok.”

Johannes picks you up. “Come on, sweetness, let’s get all the sand off you and calm down and get ready for dinner. Come on, it’s all good.”

You hug him so tight that it almost hurts, and he smiles faintly as he takes you into the bathroom. He starts up the shower, peeling your bathing suit off, his hands gentle. You’re still sniffling, feeling so terrible about how you treated him.

He strips, then pulls you into the shower with him, whispering soothing nothing words as the hot water pelts you both, soaking you both, sluicing the sand off you.

You step forward into his arms, wrapping your own around his middle and pressing as close to him as you can. He hugs you tight, stroking his fingers through your mussed hair, feeling your breath puff onto his chest.

The silence stretches out between you until finally Johannes strokes your hair. “You all right, sweetness?” You nod against him. “Are you sure? Not sick or upset, or…or tired of being with us?”

You pull back, staring at him in shock. “No, of course not! Why…”

He gently shushes you. “I just… I’m a little worried. We all are. You’ve been pushing yourself way too hard, and we can see it.”

You sigh, looking down and resting your forehead against his chest. “There’s a lot happening. I want to do my best for everyone…and we still have the angels to deal with and…and I keep seeing someone I think I know but I can’t put my finger on it.” You look up at him, smiling tiredly. “To be honest, I am feeling a bit…frayed.”

He gazes down at you, his expression soft but still taking in your every detail. “Then we’ll put you back together.” His kiss is achingly gentle. “You need more rest. We shouldn’t be jumping your bones every minute.”

You laugh softly. “That is the best part of my days. You all make me feel so good…” You swallow hard as you caress his jaw. “Don’t take that away from me.”

“Oh sweetness…how could I when you say it like that?” He kisses you again, deeper but still gentle, wrapping his arms around you tightly, as if he would never let go. You moan into his mouth, fingers tangling into his wet hair.

He picks you up, and you wrap your legs around his hips as he turns and puts you against the shower wall. He breaks the kiss, mouthing your jawline, before whispering, “You sure? You want me to take you now?”

“Gods yes,” is all you say as his cock slides along your folds.

He groans and slowly, slowly sinks into you. You shudder hard and whisper into his ear, “I always want you to take me.”

He shudders, pressing his nose to your hairline. “Good. Because I always want to take you.”

Your cry is more a low, guttural moan as he fills you, his cock scraping your inner walls, his pelvis pressing against yours, pinning you to the wall. “Oh gods take me,” you moan again as he circles his hips slowly, grinding into you.

“I will … I am… nice and slow,” he pants, trying to keep himself from speeding up.

“Y-You feel so good,” you moan softly, clutching him tightly.

“Nice…and…slow…” he repeats in a growl. “Gonna make love to you...heh, for once.”

You grin. “You are usually—mmm—much more rough.”

He holds himself deep inside you, his heated gaze so focused on you that you’re sure you feel the burn. “Best way to mend these frayed edges is to go slow…”

You shudder, squeezing your inner walls around him and making him hiss in pleasure. “Slow can be…very good,” you gasp out. He groans your name, pressing his lips to his marriage mark on your shoulder, and rolls his hips against yours.

It’s your turn to hiss now as Johannes hits every spot in you just right. Slowly he pulls out only to slide right back in, just as slowly. “How does that feel, wife?”

“S-So fucking good, husband,” you groan, leaning forward to kiss and suck at his chest, and when he sees you leaving marks he snarls, tensing.

“You’re making it kinda hard to stay gentle, sweetness.”

You lick the mark you just made, and from there lick up to his neck. “Maybe…maybe I don’t want you to stay gentle, my love.” He looks at you, his gaze getting impossibly hotter. And your answering smile is as sweet as can be.

He snarls and grabs your hands, slamming them above your head. “Oh, you always love playing with fire.” He bites down hard on your shoulder, and his hips pummel into yours, making you scream his name. Neither of you notice the door opening, and Water and Beta poking their heads in to make sure you are okay.

They watch as he pounds into you, hard, relentless, taking your breath away…and then suddenly he’s moving impossibly slow once more. You catch your breath and let out a low keen. Johannes’s smile is wicked as he watches you writhe against the shower wall.

“T-That’s…not…fair,” you gasp, writhing against him and trying to get him to move fast again.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he says innocently. “I’m making love to my wife.” He slides in again, so slow, letting you feel every inch and relishing in your sounds. You buck against him, but he resists your attempt to speed up, and he chuckles at your frustrated cry. “Oh my love, I know what you want … but you get what you get, and you don’t.” Thrust. “Get.” Thrust. “Upset.”

You whimper and plead and curse him to move faster, and he just laughs and laughs, keeping his slow pace. The moment you go quiet, determined to just enjoy what he is giving you, he grins ferally and speeds back up, fucking into you so hard that your teeth clack together.

“Jo-…Jo-Johannes!”

“Yes, sweetness?” You can’t find enough breath to say anything more. His laugh sends desire curling through you. “I thought you wanted it fast and hard, sweetness.”

“I-I…d-did!” you cry, and he laughs and then slows down again, and you let out a cry again, this time of frustration.

“Whatever is the matter?” he asks sweetly, almost saccharine.

“Y-You’re a f-fucking d-dick,” you gasp out, but there’s no real malice in your voice.

“Oh I know,” he croons in your ear. “I’m your fucking dick. And you love me.”

“I do,” you say on a long moan as he pushes home all the way

He laughs, and the sound so close makes the hair stand up on your neck in the best way. You dig your nails into his shoulders, and he growls at the small pinpricks of pain, enjoying them a lot.

“That’s it, sweetness,” he grinds out. “Give me your pain.” Another slow thrust. “I’ll give you pleasure.” One more. “Come, wife. Come.”

You shudder, slipping a hand between you and your husband and rubbing hard at your clit, and you scream his name as you explode. He roars and picks up the pace again, slamming into you hard and fast and ramping up your orgasm even further.

Your scream turns into breathless cries and grunts as your orgasm stretches out under the rhythmic onslaught of his thrusts. And then suddenly he loses that rhythm and he’s bucking into you wildly, his own orgasm taking over as he begins to spill inside you.

His voice bellowing your name echoes in the bathroom, and you writhe and shudder and gasp his name as you slowly come down, feeling his cum drip down your legs even though he stays buried deep inside you. His arms wrap tightly around you as his knees give out, sliding you both to the floor of the shower, his face buried in your hair.

Neither of you speak for several long moments, but finally, Johannes murmurs in your ear, “Feeling any less frayed, sweetness?”

You let out a breathless “hah” and squeeze him tightly. “Forget frayed. I’m…in a million tiny pieces.”

He grins faintly and nuzzles the side of your head. “I hope that’s in a good way, precious wife of mine.”

You smile and nod, kissing his cheek and hair and ear and whatever you can reach. “I love you so much…”

“Love you more.” He nuzzles you a bit longer then says, “We should get up,” but the two of you are so tangled up, and still a little woozy, that you both sit on the shower floor laughing.

Water and Beta move in. “You two are a mess,” Water says, chuckling.

“Don’t judge, dude,” Johannes grumbles, “give us a hand.”

They both laugh and strip, coming in and helping to disentangle you both from each other. Beta helps to wash the cum from between your thighs as Water helps Johannes stand on wobbly legs. “That took a lot out of me,” he mutters, trying not to laugh some more.

“Yeah, no shit,” Beta grumbles, and you and Johannes both blush.

Water is trying not to laugh as he steadies the wolf. “Do you…ahh…need me to help you wash too?” Johannes snarls weakly and gives Water’s shoulder a punch, and the ghoul just laughs, near tears.

You laugh too—it’s not often you get to see Johannes blush, and you reach out with noodle-weak arms and gently brush your hand along the redness. “Cute,” you say happily, and he just blushes more and growls again, this time at you.

You blow him a kiss, and he smiles. Soon everyone’s laughing, and comments zing back and forth, and you’re grateful for Beta’s strong arms holding you up.

You’re all finally clean, and Beta picks you up into his arms, a towel wrapped around you, and Water helps Johannes walk into the bedroom. Jonas and Papa are in there by now, and they watch your little parade with raised eyebrows. “Enjoy your shower, you two?” Jonas says with a grin.

“I’ll say they did,” Water chuckles as he lets Johannes drop onto the bed.

Johannes lifts his arms, flipping Water off. “Fuck all y’all,” he growls as Beta sets you down next to him. Your husband rolls you on top of him so that your chest is in his face and he mutters, “They can’t see me when I’m buried in here,” and you burst out laughing, your shoulders shaking in mirth.

Jonas is there, chuckling as he flicks the top of Johannes’s head. “You can’t stay in there forever, my friend.”

“Like fuck I can’t,” Johannes answers, his voice muffled by your flesh. “It’s pretty damn nice in here too.” His hands start to roam along your skin and you feel his tongue starting to explore the swells of your breasts, and you squeal.

“We literally just got done fucking—”

“Making love,” he interrupts, and you roll your eyes.

“Half and half!”

“I’ll never be satisfied with you, you know this,” he retorts and sucks a mark into your cleavage.

A moan escapes your lips and you writhe against him…a fact that his cock takes notice of immediately. “Another round?” he murmurs.

“How about you wait til after dinner, fucker?” Beta whacks his brother upside his head as best he can, shaking his head.

Johannes growls at Beta and hugs you tighter to him. “If I wanna fuck my wife now, I can fuck my wife now!”

Papa chortles as he comes over, running a gloved hand over your bare back. “My loves, as much as I would very much like to watch that, we do have important things to discuss over dinner. We can ravish her later.”

You arch and shiver, your body responding to Papa’s touch, and Johannes groans. “If I gotta wait, then you better not do whatever you just did cuz fuck she feels like a fucking dream.” He inhales as Papa pulls you up. “Smells like one too.”

You flush and more groans rise up.

“Dinner. Business. Ravishment,” Jonas commands with a grin. “In that order.”

#chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #the band avatar #papa emeritus iii #johannes eckerström #nameless ghouls #jonas kungen jarlsby #tim ohrstrom #henrik sandelin #john alfredsson #the character beta

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

Text

Tonight...

...is the final chapter of Chiaroscuro: Umbra!

We can’t believe it’s here already. We want to thank all our readers who’ve stuck with us for these 2 (!!! incredible years.) You guys are incredible!

Now, Chiaroscuro: Aurora isn’t finished yet. We’ve finally (actually) caught up to ourselves. And so there will be a hiatus while we finish writing it, break it up into chapters, and get the first chapter edited. We’re not sure how long it will be, but we’re still writing and talking about the story everyday. It’s gonna be something special, you guys!

In the meanwhile, we’d love for all our readers to come and chat with us! Ask questions, yell about your favorite parts, whatever you’d like! We really wanna hear from all of you! <3

So, with that said...See you tonight!

#chiaroscuro fic #chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #the band avatar #papa emeritus iii

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

Text

Tonight...

Copia comes to collect his wayward ghoul.

Will it go smoothly?

Find out tonight!

#chiaroscuro fic #chiaroscuro: umbra #the band ghost #cardinal copia #dewdrop ghoul

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

Text

Tonight...

For the first time, it’s going to be purely...

...Special.

See you later! <3

#chiaroscuro: umbra #chiaroscuro fic #the band ghost #special ghoul

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girlwiththepapatattoo · 4 years

Text

Chiaroscuro: Umbra, Chapter 39

Warnings: foursome which turns into a fivesome, anal sex, oral sex, anal fingering, relationship talk

If anyone would like to be tagged, let us know!

Enjoy!

Johannes is all but pouting as he stands, pulling on some pants and sitting down at the dinner table with a huff. Papa is trying not to outright giggle as he sits down next to him, with you on his other side so the wolf doesn’t get any ideas.

Jonas brings you your short red robe and helps you slip it on before taking his seat and looking around at the table full of his most trusted friends…no, family. His smile is almost indulgent as he says, “All right. Let’s talk H.E.A.T.” You immediately blush and keep your eyes on your plate. Everyone is tempted to say something, but they try their best to keep it strictly business. “First we will bring them to the church. My love, you and Papa will give them a tour and answer any questions they might have.” You can’t help but sigh in relief—you won’t be alone!

Jonas winks at you then continues. “After that, we will bring them back to the castle and show them around. Damiano has already agreed to sing while the ghouls play, so before dinner we will have some entertainment. The day after tomorrow will be the state dinner.”

Murmurs of agreement roll around the table, and you, still slightly red-faced, clear your throat. “Uh, not that I think it’ll uh…happen at all, but what if um…any of them flirt with me?” You glance between Papa and Johannes.

Before either of them can speak, Fire slaps the table with both hands. “First of all, why WOULDN’T every last one of them flirt with you? They had better, or I’m gonna think they don’t know beauty and grace when they see it.” He grins and winks at you as several of the ghouls and wolves agree with him.

You turn crimson from your ears to below your robe collar, and there’s whistles as Water high-fives his brother. “I think that’s a new record!” Tim shouts, and you throw your balled-up napkin at him.

Papa, laughter in his voice, puts his hand on your thigh. “My love. If anything happens between you and any of the bands coming, no one here will be upset.” He looks to Johannes. “Am I correct?”

“Do I get to watch?” Johannes licks his lips. “Join in?” His eyes light up. “Hold you down and watch and join in?” The ghouls and wolves cheer anew as your blush deepens.

“You’re impossible,” you whisper.

“But you didn’t say no…” His grin is wild.

You swallow thickly. “As…a-as long as they’re okay…w-with you being there. They might not be.”

“Well, we’ll just have to talk about that,” Papa purrs, and Johannes looks ready to pounce on you right now. The best type of fear slices down your spine and settles between your legs as Johannes starts growling.

Jonas pins Johannes with a stare that clearly says “control yourself, wolf” as he continues reviewing the itinerary for the first state visit. You try to focus on eating, but you find it difficult to do so, between the ache in your core and Johannes’s heated stare returning to you over and over.

The only reason Johannes hasn’t leapt on you already is because of his king. He’s stopped eating though, and has mostly stopped listening. He’s just waiting for the go-ahead to be able to ravish you where you sit.

You feel twitchy, your leg is jumping, and your hands are trembling. Prey, you think. You feel like prey. As the realization sinks into your belly, your core clenches. Papa’s grip on your thigh tightens, even though his attention is still on Jonas.

I want to run, you think, I want to run from him. Slowly, one by one, the other wolves realize that your scent is very much…different right now. The tang of fear is sharp, and Jonas’s eyes gleam.

“Is there something wrong, flower?”

“N-no. No. Everything is fine.” You bite your lower lip as you look at Jonas, and you can feel the rumble of his growl rather than hear it. It makes you shiver in delicious fear, and even the ghouls are picking up on it now, chuckling darkly.

“I think there’s gonna be some chasing,” Beta says gleefully.

You close your eyes and take a shuddery breath, willing yourself to calm even though you know it’s pointless. When you open your eyes again, you see Henrik and John both staring at you, hunger in their eyes.

You flush, swallowing hard and looking to Johannes. “W-What happened to resting? T-This isn’t going to be restful.”

Johannes’s gaze flickers to the ornate clock that hangs near the king’s bed, then back to you. “It’s early. Plenty of time to have our way with you before we tuck you in.” Your swallow is nearly audible as his wild smile spreads across his beautiful face.

You shudder, licking dry lips. “A-Are…a-are we done talking about H.E.A.T. then?” you ask nervously.

“I don’t think anyone could concentrate on that if they tried.” Papa chuckles.

Then Johannes is standing, slowly, towering over you. “Either get on that bed, or start running, sweetness.”

You don’t move right away because, quite honestly, you’re not sure which action you’d rather take. When Johannes’s lip curls in a little half-snarl and you hear the other wolves echo him, you finally push your chair back super slow, never taking your eyes off him. “I don’t… it’s not fair. If I run, you’ll catch me before I can try to get away.”

“Well,” Papa says, smirking. He snaps his fingers, and suddenly each ghoul is holding each wolf down in their seats. “I suppose I can help with that. You get a ten-second head start. You’d better make it count, my love.” His smirk deepens. “Ten…”

You take just enough time to register Air smirking as he pins Johannes’s arms behind his back, and then you’re off, heading for the balcony. You hear Papa say “nine” and then a collective gasp rises up as you swing one leg over the railing, look back quickly as you gather up as much air energy as you can, then hold your breath and jump, letting the air energy cushion you when you reach the ground and tumble over.

Papa runs to the railing and looks over, watching you stand and look up at him. “YOU RECKLESS WOMAN!!!” he roars, and you can’t help but smile as you dart off.

“You did tell her to make it count,” Aether says, chuckling even though he too is a bit unnerved by your brash action, barely responding to John struggling against his hold.

Papa huffs as he walks back in, continuing his countdown. The wolves are seconds from shifting, feeling their vision sharpening and feathers pushing against their skin.

You, meanwhile, are running fast, heading for the treeline after deciding against the garden. It isn’t dark yet, making you feel all right about moving along the tree-covered pathways.

You reach it just as you hear a cacophony of avian screeches from behind you. You curse and skid to a stop, flattening yourself against the forest floor, using all the elemental energy you can to hide yourself, especially air to scatter your scent all over the place.

You try to quiet your breathing, listening hard for wings flapping, movement through the leaves…anything. Slowly, you get up, on your hands and knees at first, creeping along, but soon you’re up on your feet, staying low but moving. It’s a training exercise, you think to yourself, just another training exercise…in a damn flimsy robe and nothing else.

You send your consciousness out, searching for each man’s energy signature. John’s up above, the great snowy owl searching hard through the canopy to the ground below, the only one still in bird form. Johannes is in his jaguar form, weaving silently between the trees. The rest are wolves, quickly realizing that your scent has been thrown everywhere, a fact that just serves to taunt them. *They must have changed when they got to the forest,* you think, swallowing hard.

You start moving a little more quickly, trying to stay quiet, but not succeeding very well. You’re not an animal after all, you think, but you pull a little earth energy up and try to camouflage yourself with it.

You hear a howl behind you, and you can’t help but jump a little. Another howl in answer rises, then another. You wonder what they are saying. You come upon a waterfall, and your energy net tells you that there’s a cave behind it. You bite your lip, wondering if that is too obvious a hiding spot.

You make your way along the edge of the waterfall, slowly…the last thing you need right now is to fall into the pool below…and when you reach the entrance to the cave and step in, you’re immediately hit by ancient power, ancient energy. Old magicks have taken place here, and a chill runs down your spine, not from fear…but from deeper within…from a recognition and a reckoning that you don’t really understand. You can’t stay here, you realize quickly, and you head back out toward the waterfall.

But as you go to leave, you feel Jonas’s and Tim’s energy right outside. You freeze, and step back into the cave, closing your eyes and sending an apology with your energy into the ground.

You turn, taking another step into the cave, and gently send your energy in to observe, ready to pull out at the slightest moment. At first nothing happens, and you find simply…You frown, sitting down cross-legged on the cave floor. It’s not nothing…but it’s also not something.

Gradually you send a tendril of energy out, like a probe, just to see what might happen…and even though the ancient power is still there, your energy tendril just floats there, unmet. It is as if whatever is there is simply watching you.

You swallow hard, sweating a little, and you let your voice filter down through your energy. *H-Hello?*

At first, there’s nothing. But then, as if an echo coming back to you from a giant chasm, a voice filters back, as loud and ancient as the earth itself: *WELL NOW. YOU ARE AWFULLY TIMID FOR POSSESSING SUCH STRENGTH. IT IS REFRESHING.*

Your mental voice shakes as you reply, *Th-thank you? I think?* You feel a vibration that you guess is meant to be a laugh. A shiver runs down your spine. *I am--*

*I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE.*

You blink, but then wonder why you’re surprised. *Would it be rude of me to ask you what you are?*

*NOT AT ALL. I AM ALL AROUND YOU. I AM THIS LAND. I HAVE BEEN HERE LONG BEFORE YOU, AND YOUR KING, AND I WILL BE HERE LONG AFTER.*

Your brow furrows. *So… so you’re… you’re…*

*I. AM. AVATAR COUNTRY.*

You just sit there for the longest time. *So I’m…I’m talking to the country? Wow…*

*INDEED.* The voice sounds amused. *WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? WHY ARE THE KING AND HIS MEN CHASING YOU?* You blush, and the feeling comes through anyway. You get the impression the entity is torn between more amusement and ever so slight disgust. *I SEE.* You blink, and then you and most of your pursuers are back in Jonas’s rooms.

Fire lets out a shout as a huge jaguar and three enormous wolves pop into the suite. “Unholy fuck, what the hell!” You’re gasping, a little in shock, as your loves shift back to human form. Even Jonas looks startled.

“…how did we get back here? Where’s John?” Jonas snaps, striding to the balcony. You attempt to explain, but you’re quivering too hard to talk. You wonder if it’s a side effect of the entity’s power being used on you.

The massive snowy owl suddenly appears in the middle of the room, near the ceiling, letting out a horrendous shriek before settling on the floor and shifting into a shaken John. “What the absolute fuck just happened?”

Earth is suddenly giggling. “You…well. The country didn’t want you guys fucking so close to one of its sources.”

Everyone stares at the little ghoul. “…the…country?” Tim asks, sounding strangled.

Earth’s giggle fades with his sudden uncertainty. “Yes. Well…yes. It’s…well. Ha. It’s alive. Did you…well. I would have thought you knew.”

Jonas sits down where he’s standing. “The…the entire country?”

Earth comes over, kneeling down next to the king and rubbing his shoulder gently. “There are earth spirits all over the planet, Kungen,” the little ghoul says softly. “They…well. They vary in strength. But they’re all strong. Your country’s spirit is ancient, and one of the most powerful I’ve ever met.”

Jonas closes his eyes briefly, then stares at Earth. “You…met it?”

The ghoul blushes. “Well…technically no. We…ha. We didn’t shake hands. But I…I connect with my element wherever I go. Most ghouls do.” His gaze flicks quickly to his brothers then back to Jonas. “So…yes. I sensed it right away. It…it keeps to itself. It doesn’t like to be bothered.”

You scratch the back of your head. “Yeah, uh…I kind of got that.”

The five wolves look around at each other, their eyes wide. “Is…is the land…okay with us here?” Johannes asks carefully.

Earth giggles again. “If it weren’t, you all would be very aware.”

Jonas swallows hard. “I’m not sure that makes me feel any better.”

Earth gives Jonas a reassuring pat on the back. “It should. Ha. Avatar Country is…well. The whole country and you and everyone who lives here … well. You’re all deeply connected to the spirit. It just…it’s ancient. It doesn’t think like you or me. It just … it is.”

Jonas blinks at the smiling ghoul, and he relaxes a hair. “Well…I trust your judgment, Earth.” Earth’s eyes widen, a blush of happiness rises to his cheeks, and Beta makes a noise suspiciously like a squeak and tackle-hugs his ghoul.

“I trust you, little dude,” Johannes rasps, “but I don’t get it. Who bothered this spirit?”

You let out a nervous little cough and raise your hand. “I guess…I guess I did. I’m sorry.” They all look at you in surprise. “Well, I found a cave and thought I could hide there but I guess it was one of those source things and we chatted and then it asked me why you all were chasing me and it sensed what was going to happen and…”

“My love, you are babbling, just a little,” Papa says softly.

You look up at him, your eyes wide. “Yeah…yeah, I am. I feel… weird.” You’re swaying on your feet as you look around to the others. “I think I need to sit down…” you whisper as your knees buckle.

Air and Aether catch you, one on either side of you. Papa and Johannes are there instantly, and Earth wiggles out from under Beta to come over. “Let me see,” he says, examining your energy. Aether checks over your body with his own energy, looking for any wounds.

“She’s not injured,” Aether says, as he gestures to Air. “Take her to the bed?” Air nods, not trusting himself to speak at the moment.

“She’s exhausted and she needs to rest,” Papa says quietly as he watches Earth closely, waiting to hear what the small ghoul has to say.

Earth’s eyes open, and he cocks his head a little. “Her energy feels okay. None of it was drained that I can tell, or…well. Replaced.” He looks up at Papa. “I think maybe just coming into…well. Contact with something even bigger than her own exhausted her.”

“I’m right…here…” you say, so faintly your loves can barely hear you. “You don’t…have to talk…like I’m not…”

“For Satan’s sake stop being so damned stubborn,” Air growls.

Papa sighs as he steps over, sliding onto the bed and stroking a lock of hair out of your face. “Go to sleep, my goddess. We will be here when you wake.”

“Don’t wanna sleep,” you all but slur, your eyes not opening.

Air is about to explode but Papa shakes his head and pats the ghoul soothingly before pulling you into his arms. “All right then, my wife, stay awake as long as you wish.”

“Ok, good,” you mumble as you burrow into his embrace. Within seconds you’re asleep.

“A little reverse psychology goes a long way,” Aether says with a weary grin.

Air snorts and all but flings himself into a chair. “She’s going to kill herself like this,” he growls. “She needs to learn that rest is as important as work.”

“Ah, yes, because the Avatar boys chasing her through the forest with the intent of fucking her into the mattress and/or ground is so very restful,” Fire interjects.

“You know what I mean!” Air snaps at his fellow ghoul.

“Yes, well, she hasn’t learned to let go of that capitalistic work ethic yet,” Papa murmurs, so as not to wake you.

“She’s still not working as hard as she used to, and so she thinks she’s lazy,” Tim snorts.

“Should force her to take tomorrow off,” Air grumbles, nearly pouting as he watches you.

“She’ll never agree to it,” Jonas says as he strips. “Not after being off today, and with a state visit beginning.” Air opens his mouth to protest and the king interrupts, “You can try, my friend, but you won’t succeed.”

“I’ll tie her to the bed,” he snaps, and Fire laughs.

“She’s stronger than us now, you think that would keep her down?” Air glares at the smaller ghoul, who just waves coquettishly back.

Papa tears his gaze away from Jonas’s body as it’s slowly revealed and looks at Air. “I know you’re worried and frustrated, Air, but we can’t bully her into doing what we want.”

Air glares now at his Papa and blinks out of the room. Water snorts. “Can’t lose an argument if you’re not there to see it finished.” There’s a soft “ha!” from Johannes and Beta as Papa sighs heavily.

“I love how he calls her stubborn,” Johannes chuckles. “Meanwhile, he’s the biggest mule I know.”

“I will talk to him when he’s calmer,” Papa says as his gaze wanders from you to Johannes, gifting his wolf with an indulgent smile.

Johannes’s heart stutters a little at the beauty of that smile, and he clears his throat as he turns a little red. “…I think it’s time for bed.”

“Indeed,” Jonas says wearily. “Tomorrow will be a busy day.”

As the others mumble their agreement and begin to prepare for the night, Johannes kisses you softly, grinning at your mumbly, incomprehensible sleep talk before turning to Papa. “You shouldn’t smile at me like that,” he says, his eyes alight with mischief.

“Oh? And why is that?” Papa asks, amusement in his voice.

“Because then I can’t concentrate on anything else,” the wolf says with a playful huff, scooting over and nipping at Papa’s lips softly.

Papa’s laugh is soft and sultry as he nips back at Johannes’s lips. “Oh I don’t know, I rather like having you focus on me.” They are soon kissing, setting aside playful nips for plunging deep into each other’s mouths.

“Fuck,” Jonas groans, unable to look away, suddenly reminded that his earlier desire for you was never sated.

“Oh, that’s not fair,” John groans, and then leaves with the other Avatar boys, who decide to take care of said desire in the privacy of their respective rooms. Water giggles and blinks out, going to visit Casey, while Earth and Beta are content to snuggle and watch.

Aether grins as he watches Jonas move toward the bed, seemingly hypnotized by the scene unfolding before him. As he sits on the mattress his hands trail down both Papa’s and Johannes’s backs, making them shiver. “You joining?” Johannes mutters in between kisses.

Jonas’s throat works as he tries to force his answer past dry lips. “Yes… if you’ll have me.”

Fire stands next to Aether, also watching, but he’s restless, wanting, his sub side thinking he should wait to be commanded, the rest of him wanting to play…

“Go ahead, brother, I’m content to play audience,” Aether says.

Fire smiles his thanks to Aether and scrambles onto the bed, sitting obediently and staring at Jonas. The king smirks at the ghoul. “Wait your turn,” he commands before Johannes pulls his king into a bruising kiss. Carefully, Aether extracts you from Papa’s arms, laying you on Jonas’s bed, where you won’t be disturbed.

Papa moans as he quickly strips, releasing his straining erection and taking it into his hand. Both Johannes and Jonas growl as his scent hits, and they reach for him.

They look at each other, eyes narrowing in challenge, wanting to be the one to touch him first. But Papa rolls his eyes and reaches out, tangling his hands in both their hair and pulling them both in to his cock at the same time.

“No need to fight, you beautiful wolves,” he says, his voice smooth as silk. “There is more than enough here for both of you.” His hips buck and he hisses as their hands caress him. “Satan deliver me,” he whispers.

Jonas chuckles darkly. “No offense to Lord Satan, but They’re not the one delivering you right now.”

“That’s blasphemy,” Aether chortles, his tone making it obvious that it really isn’t..

“Then call me a blasphemer,” Jonas rasps just before he leans down and takes Papa’s cock into his mouth. Papa shouts, hips bucking again, and Jonas swallows before Johannes is pulling him off.

“My turn, you blasphemer,” he says, and he too swallows Papa whole.

The pope shudders, hands still in both men’s hair, and moans his husband’s name. Johannes hums around Papa’s cock, tongue laving the hot flesh.

Jonas watches Johannes’s head bob as he commands, “Ghoul, swallow my cock.”

“Yes sir.”

As Fire moves in, Jonas pushes at Johannes. “My turn,” he breathes, then lets out a little grunt as Fire’s hot mouth wraps around his cock.

Johannes snickers as he pulls off. “You gonna be able to work his cock, Jonas?”

Jonas scoffs even as his fingers curl into Fire’s hair. “Of course I will. Do you doubt your king?”

Johannes just smirks as Jonas leans in and suckles Papa’s tip, drawing a gurgly sound from the pope’s throat. The king shudders a little as Fire’s tongue swirls along his shaft, but he doesn’t lose his rhythm. Soon, Jonas and Johannes are taking turns with Papa, and Fire is moaning around Jonas’s cock.

Beta snickers a little. “They’re good at teamwork.” Earth giggles sweetly as he watches the men work each other.

“Fuck, you are all so talented,” Papa moans, hips bucking up into their mouths. Fire is groaning, his own hips rolling and humping into the bed.

“Just wait until we’re all fucking,” Johannes says before he presses a wet finger against Papa’s hole. “That’ll be a whole talent show.”

Beta and Earth giggle as Papa shouts, bucking into Jonas’s mouth, who growls and holds Papa’s hips down. “Be still, pope.”

Instantly, Papa’s laser eyes narrow on the king. “You wish to be my dom, wolf? You’ll find that more difficult than you think.”

Jonas’s eyes flash with delight and lust. “Does that mean you want to resist?” He swirls his tongue around Papa’s tip even as he bucks his own hips into Fire’s face. “Because I love a good struggle.”

Before Papa can answer, Johannes pushes his finger a little way into Papa’s ass. “Do we have to have a pissing contest right now? Much as I would love to watch the two of you fight it out, I really just…” he bites Papa’s hip… “I wanna fuck.”

Papa rolls his eyes even as his cock twitches at the intrusion. “My husband, I allow you to top me. No one else gets that honor without a struggle.”

Jonas chuckles and is suddenly pushing Papa down onto the bed. “What did I just say, Dante?”

Papa smirks. “If you do not remember, I’m certainly not going to tell you.”

Jonas laughs outright. “Now I know you’ve been with Johannes far too long. You’re starting to sound like him.”

Papa laughs. “I have been a snarky, contrary bastard long before my darling’s influence.” Suddenly, Jonas finds himself on the bed, flat on his back, an indignant Fire pouting that his fun has been taken away.

“Don’t fret, ghoul,” Jonas says, only a little breathless. “You’ll be back where you belong soon enough.” He snaps his teeth at Papa, who snaps back before Jonas gathers himself and flips Papa over onto his back.

Johannes pouts faintly as he sits back, and Fire sits next to him and also pouts. Both of them go unnoticed as Papa laughs and uses his demonic strength to flip Jonas onto his stomach. “You will not win this!”

Johannes shakes his head, then leans over to Fire. “All right, dude, let’s distract these two or we’re never gonna get to the fucking,” Johannes mutters and Fire nods, nudging the wolf.

“How do you figure we distract them?” Fire murmurs back, crossing his arms as he watches the two leaders fight for dominance.

“By starting to very loudly take care of ourselves of course,” Johannes says with a grin.

Fire laughs brightly. “Of course, what was I thinking?” He claps Johannes on the back, then watches Papa and Jonas for another few seconds before lightly stroking his own cock. “Need help?” he says to the wolf.

Johannes blinks in surprise. “You want to help me?”

Fire grins. “Wouldn’t say no. It’s not like I’m not attracted to most people.”

The wolf blinks again, then a wicked smile blooms across his face. “Let’s help each other, shall we?” He licks his hand while staring at Fire, who laughs again.

“Handjobs, is it?” And they reach for each other’s erection almost simultaneously.

They both groan, louder than they normally might, as warm hands wrap around their cocks. Papa and Jonas pause, looking over at the wolf and the ghoul, who both have their eyes closed.

“…what are you doing?” Jonas asks incredulously.

“Taking care…of business,” Johannes says in between a groan that’s only a little bit exaggerated. “Can’t wait…for you two…” Fire nods once before letting his head drop back and hissing.

Papa and Jonas both scowl at the same time, and then tackle their respective wolf and ghoul, who both yelp in surprise. Papa kisses Johannes hard as Jonas fists his hand into Fire’s hair.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to ‘take care of business,’ ghoul,” Jonas growls before nipping at Fire’s lips, biting just hard enough to hurt, but not draw blood.

Fire laughs into Jonas’s lips, relishing the pain. “Well, maybe if you hadn’t started a wrestling match with Papa, I wouldn’t be a brat right now.”

Papa smirks into Johannes’s mouth, before pulling away to coo, “I’m so sorry that I was neglecting my husband.”

“Make it up to me?” Johannes murmurs.

“And just how can I do that, my love?” Papa asks in between kisses.

The wolf grinds against his pope. “Slam into me…” he moans. “Fuck me… hard…”

Papa groans. “Get the lube.” Johannes scrambles over to the drawer, grabbing it and getting back in record time. Over on the other bed, Aether gently strokes your hair, watching the goings-on and knowing that you’d hate to miss this. But you’re resting, and that’s good.

Papa hisses as Johannes squirts a generous amount of lube on his cock and slicks his hands up and down the shaft. “On your back,” Papa commands. “I want to watch you when I take you tonight, husband.”

Johannes shudders and lies down, spreading his legs, but in a typical show of his personality, he bats his eyelashes at the pope. “I feel like our wife!”

The pope hums as he runs his hands up Johannes’s legs. “Ah, but you still feel…like my wolf…long and lean…” When Papa’s hands reach Johannes’s hips, he yanks suddenly, bringing the wolf flush to him. He leans down, close to his face. “Delicious…” He captures Johannes’s mouth in a long kiss as his erection seeks its goal.

Johannes hisses as Papa’s erection presses against his asshole, and the smaller man smirks before pressing forward. It isn’t quite the slam that Johannes wants—he doesn’t want to hurt him seriously after all. But his slide forward is…unstoppable, and that brings its own unique pleasure.

They growl into each other’s mouths, and Johannes’s growl turns into a shout as Papa fills him up. “Do that…again,” the wolf mutters.

“With pleasure,” Papa chuckles, and Jonas joins him even as his free hand roams Fire’s body.

“Our wolf is never satisfied,” the king says as he tightens his grip on Fire’s hair. “Much like this ghoul.”

Fire laughs softly. “How could I ever be satisfied? Between you and our goddess and other people who catch my eye. There’s way too many people to fuck to ever be satisfied.”

Jonas laughs in spite of himself. “Good point, ghoul.” And then he shoves his cock into Fire’s mouth.

Aether chuckles…the fire ghoul indeed would never get enough…and he snugs you tighter against him as he watches Papa fuck his wolf, and Fire moan as he pleasures the king.

Jonas growls loudly at the way Fire feels in his mouth, the way the ghoul’s tongue slides perfectly over his shaft. “Some days,” the king grunts, “I don’t know how I ever let you stop this. You’re as good as our love at sucking my cock.” Fire increases his movements, his reddening cheeks hollowing as he sucks hard, the king’s praise emboldening him. “Christ don’t stop, ghoul, make me come in your mouth.”

Fire smirks, loving how even though he is the submissive, he has the king in the palm of his hand. Or rather, his sinfully talented mouth. He sucks and licks and flutters his tongue and gently cups the king’s balls, and Jonas bellows and fills the ghoul’s throat.

You startle in Aether’s arms, and he soothes you, wanting you to stay asleep. Meanwhile, Papa has a tight grip on Johannes’s chin with one hand, his other hand seeking the wolf’s cock as his thrusts increase.

Johannes has his mouth open in pleasure, starting to sweat as Papa’s cock rails against his prostate. “You look so good under me, husband,” Papa croons, his eyes half-lidded, a sinful smirk on his lips. “If it were possible, I would never have you leave this spot.”

“I’d stay…right here…” the wolf pants. “Add our goddess…fuck…never move….” He reaches around, grabs Papa’s ass and squeezes. “Harder…please…”

“Mmm, since you asked so nicely,” Papa purrs, and snaps his hips harder. Johannes claps a hand over his mouth to stifle a howl of pleasure as lightning crackles up his spine.

“How I love to make you holler, my husband,” Papa growls. “Almost as much as I love to make you come.” Johannes, unable to speak, reaches for his own cock, but Papa stops him with his own hand.

The pope laughs darkly as Johannes’s eyes roll back in his head as Papa squeezes him hard. “You don’t get to touch this right now,” he hisses, giving a particularly vicious thrust.

“Fuck…” Johannes’s voice is growing fainter as Papa teases his cock and thrusts home over and over again. Finally he can bear it no more. “Fucking christ, man, make me come!” he shouts in a raspy breathy tone.

Papa laughs, then wraps his free hand lightly around Johannes’s throat. “You’ll come when I want you too, husband dear, and not a moment before.” The snarled words make Johannes shudder as the good kind of fear slithers down his spine.

Even Jonas shudders a bit, imagining how the dark excitement that being edged by Papa must feel. He seeks Fire’s cock and takes the length into his hand, stroking hard, suddenly needing to make the ghoul come.

Fire all but chokes as the king starts jerking him off in earnest, and his orgasm takes mere seconds to build. He covers a shout with his hand as his seed erupts over Jonas’s hand, and the king snarls praises as he works the ghoul through it.

Johannes has been reduced to whimpers and whines, so desperate his need to come. He digs his heels into the mattress and shoves his hips against Papa’s…a silent, insistent request.

Papa smirks. “Is there something you need, little pup?”

“F-Fucking make me come!” he snarls, and Papa’s hand tightens slightly around his throat.

“Is that any way to speak to me to get what you want?”

Johannes slams his head back on the mattress. “Nnnnnnoooooooo….” he snarls through gritted teeth as Papa continues his assault on Johannes’s ass.

“Mmm-hmmm…” Papa hums, his own control starting to waver slightly. “So what do we say, wolf?”

“P-Please make me come,” he growls, fingers gripping the sheets so hard they’re about to tear.

“Hm, almost there. Please make me come…?” Papa purrs, delight entering his eyes.

“Please make me come, sir!” Johannes roars, making you jump awake on the other bed.

You let out a small scream as you bolt upright, gasping, and Aether quickly sits up and gathers you in his arms. “It’s all right, my darling girl,” he soothes, “I’m here, you are all right.”

You shudder, swallowing thickly, looking quickly to see what the source of the roar is. When you see it’s just Papa fucking the daylights out of Johannes, you slump in relief. “A-Aether, p-please take me outside, I-I need s-some air.”

“Of course,” the ghoul says, and in no time he scoops you up and carries you out to the balcony, not closing the balcony doors all the way, but enough that the moans and shouts of your husbands are muffled. He sets you on your feet but keeps his arms wrapped tightly around you. “What’s wrong, darling girl?” he asks, his face wreathed in concern.

You turn in his arms, letting the sea breeze caress your face, and you lean back against him. “S-Sorry. I was having nightmares, and the yell just…” You trail off, but Aether understands and just hugs you even tighter, pressing soothing kisses along your shoulder.

“Do you want to tell me? Sometimes talking about them…bringing them to the light of your conscious mind…it takes away their sting,” he murmurs.

You close your eyes. “I don’t remember details…. they disappear and I’m left with just…fear. Like…something has happened but I don’t know what…”

“I see.” He sounds solemn. “Close your eyes for me.” You do so immediately, trusting the ghoul with your life. “Feel the air, blowing over your skin. Feel every single spot that I’m touching you. The floor of the balcony beneath your feet. The thumping of your heart. You are awake, where bad dreams cannot touch you. You are alive, and death does not yet have a stake over you. And you are strong, enough so that no one may hurt you. Imagine the fear filtering out of you and blowing away, scattered on the breeze.”

His words wrap around you, as though he weaves a spell with them, and maybe he does. The fear loosens its hold on you slowly and then, with a slight tug, lets go, fading to nothing…or, at least, fading away enough that it doesn’t grip you.

He feels you relax in his arms, and he smiles as you let out a shuddering breath. “Thank you, Aether,” you whisper softly, as if afraid to shatter the moment.

You feel his soft smile against your skin as his lips slowly move from your shoulder up the column of your neck. “Of course, darling girl. Anything for you.” Time stretches out for the two of you, caught in that spellbound cocoon, until a particularly loud shout from inside draws your attention. “That sounds…hot…” you murmur.

Aether chuckles darkly. “It’s been very hot. It’s nice to see Johannes beg.”

You blush, but grin. “Well, let’s go catch the last of the show then!” Aether offers you his arm and leads you in as if you are a grand lady at the opera instead of a naked woman about to watch her husbands fuck.

You gasp when you first see the scene before you, then slow down and stop, staring, really taking in every detail: Johannes on his back, legs spread wide, muttering a string of curses and pleas… Papa inside his husband, pounding into him, one hand around his throat, the other jerkily stroking at his cock… Jonas and Fire, watching, lazily stroking each other’s half-hard cocks….

“Are you ok?” Aether says, smirking. You nod, mouth dry, drawn to the bed.

Aether takes your hand to stop you as you step toward them. “You are supposed to be resting, dear one. Besides, let them enjoy each other.”

You pout at the ghoul. “But I’m not tired anymore! Especially after seeing that!”

“My darling girl—”

“Come here, my flower,” Jonas rumbles, reaching for you. “You can see everything better from here.”

“My king—”

“I know, Aether, we’ll be…considerate.”

Aether can’t help but roll his eyes. “I’ve seen your consideration.”

Jonas can’t help but smirk even as Fire cuddles up to you. “I actually mean it this time, my friend. If anything happens, it will be gentle orgasms.”

Your core clenches as you watch Johannes writhe underneath Papa, and Aether, Fire, and Jonas all inhale. “Why do I find that so very hard to believe,” Aether mutters. “Unholy fuck but she smells so damn good…”

You shudder hard as Fire moans and starts kissing and nipping at your neck, and Jonas gets behind you, leaning you back on his chest. “Fire. Make her come…gently.”

“Yes sir, thank you sir!” Fire says happily, shifting between your legs.

Fire pushes your legs apart carefully, as if you are delicate china, his hands sliding up your thighs. Jonas’s hands are cupping your breasts, thumbs lightly brushing your nipples as he leans down to lick the shell of your ear. You whimper, looking first at the ghoul between your legs, licking his lips, then at the king.

Jonas nudges you with his head. “Don’t worry about Fire and me,” he murmurs. “Watch your husbands.”

You bite your lip as you turn to watch Papa and Johannes. Both men are covered in a sheen of sweat. Johannes’s hair is splayed out over the sheets behind him, and Papa’s bangs are messy and in his eyes. You watch where they’re connected, Papa’s cock slamming into Johannes’s hole over and over. Fire moans as he sees your wetness trickle out of you.

“Go ahead, ghoul,” Jonas mutters. “Don’t let that sweet juice go to waste.”

Fire whispers, “Yes sir, thank you, sir,” his words fading as his tongue begins to lick, and you let out a squeal that is drowned out by another howl from Johannes.

Your hips buck into Fire’s face as you watch Johannes writhe and curse, wanting to come so badly. His cock is flushed, and there’s a trail of precum connecting his tip and his belly from where it impacts his own skin from Papa’s thrusting.

“Please….fuck….please…” Johannes’s words are broken, breathy, full of need. He is hanging by a thread that Papa controls. His glassy-eyed gaze doesn’t leave Papa, but when he catches your scent, he growls and whines more. “Please, please….gotta come…please….”

Papa laughs breathlessly. “You beg so prettily…Well, I think perhaps you’ve earned it.” He grasps Johannes’s cock firmly and starts stroking, hard, and Johannes roars his name and comes almost instantly, thoroughly coating Papa’s hand and his own crotch.

You let out a soft moan as Johannes comes, and the trickle of wetness from your cunt becomes a flood that Fire hungrily devours. Jonas watches Fire eat at you, then lets one hand slide from your breast down your stomach to your clit. Your cry matches Johannes’s.

Fire moans and shoves his tongue inside you, tongue fucking you expertly as Jonas rubs your clit just the way you like, and it takes you almost no time at all to come, gasping their names as you arch against Fire’s face. Papa growls and comes as well, filling Johannes’s ass with scalding seed.

The room is filled with the sensual sounds of orgasm…moans and soft cries, whispers of “that’s it, come on his face” and shouted curses, harsh breathing, wet flesh rubbing wet flesh… it surrounds you, drawing your orgasm out just as much as Jonas’s fingers are.

Fire is happily drinking down the essence that is sliding into his mouth, whimpering at the feel of your walls gently squeezing his slick tongue. Papa comes down slowly, gasping for breath and slumping on top of his husband, who hugs him weakly.

You melt into Jonas’s embrace, your head falling back on his shoulder, and he leans in to kiss you, swallowing the cries of your second orgasm. You feel his hard length against your back, your hand buried in Fire’s hair. You hear your husbands’ soft declarations of love, and you wish you could live in this moment.

Fire pulls away from you as he feels your orgasm ebb, panting, his mouth dripping you. You softly stroke his hair and he nuzzles into your touch, shuddering slightly as Jonas murmurs, “Good boy.” He shifts you out of the way slightly, strokes his cock five times, and comes with a shout over your thigh and Fire’s face.

“T-Thank you sir,” the ghoul slurs.

There’s an echoing grunt, and you turn your head to see Aether propped up on the bed, cum spurting over his hand as he jerks on his cock. “Couldn’t….couldn’t just watch this time,” he gasps.

You grin, blowing him a kiss as your free hand trails through the cum on your leg. You’re pretty sure that Papa and Johannes have fallen asleep still connected, and Beta and Earth start helping to get them situated.

Fire slowly rises, and Jonas helps you sit up. The ghoul moves to lift you up, but Jonas stops him. “That’s all right, Fire,” he says, rubbing his thigh, “I want to take care of our goddess myself tonight.” He picks you up and strides to the closest bathroom, his regal bearing never faltering.

You smile, nuzzling his shoulder softly. “Have fun, Jonas?” you ask, and he smiles to you as he sets you on the counter.

“I did, yes. Fire is…very much fun to play with.” He runs the hot water, kissing your forehead as he waits for it to warm up.

You run your hands across his shoulders and down his arms, sighing at the feel of his skin. “Did you play with Johannes and Papa too?”

He blushes faintly. “Ah. Yes. A little.”

You grin. “I like that you guys get up to some fun without me. It’s good for you not to fixate on me sometimes.”

Jonas chuckles, cheeks still red as he nuzzles at your neck. “We do like fixating on you.”

“Trust me, I’ve noticed.” His chuckle turns into a full laugh. “And I like being fixated on, as you may have guessed. But…” You pull back a little so you can look into his eyes. “But I love that everyone enjoys each other, whether I’m there or not. And I really want…” you pause.

“You really want what?” he prompts.

You blush. “Maybe I shouldn’t say.”

He lifts your chin. “You should.”

A beat. Then, “I really want you to embrace whatever is happening between you and Papa.”

His eyes widen, and he immediately blushes. “I…I don’t even know what’s happening, to be quite honest,” he admits.

You smile and stroke his cheek. “We have time to figure it out. But I think that he would be good for you, outside of the bedroom. I think that he would help you get your confidence back.”

He stares at you, not even bothering to deny what you’ve said. “I don’t want to disrupt what the three of you have.”

You tilt your head a bit. “I don’t think you would. I think…” You pause again, letting your hands stroke him everywhere. “I think you would add to what we have. Make it even more.”

He keeps staring. “…would I marry the three of you too?”

You can’t help but giggle a little. “Only if you want to.”

“You realize that would make you queen, right? And Papa and Johannes would be…well, I’m not really sure what they would be,” he says, more to himself.

You frown a little. “Queen? I’m not even a princess. Or noble. Or—”

He quiets you with a kiss. “You are to me. To all of us. Whether you believe it or not, a queen’s heart lives within you.” You blush darkly as he continues. “Besides, you’d be marrying a king. That would make you a queen by default.”

You groan. “I can barely handle the church, let alone a country!”

“What was that you were saying about confidence?” He raises his eyebrow and you give him a nudge. He laughs, grabs a washcloth, and begins to gently clean you up.

You lean against the wall as he cleans you, and he’s quiet as he contemplates your words. You contemplate being queen, and shudder with nerves at just the thought.

He leans in and scents you. “As you said, there’s time to figure it out. But it is a lot to think about. I am king. I can’t simply…act. Regardless of what we may want.”

You close your eyes. “But you can’t just deny what you want. What we want. You are king, yes, but you’re a man also…you have needs and wants…”

He chuckles, lowly. “My needs and wants are satisfied quite often, thank you.”

You gently slap his shoulder. “Not what I meant.”

“I know, my flower. What Johannes did, back at the church? Just suddenly marrying you? I cannot do that. I have many things to think about, with prospective unions.”

He finishes washing you, pats you dry, cleans up the sink. When he turns back to you, you reach for him, wrapping your arms and legs around him as he lifts you and settles his hands under your ass. “Then don’t marry us. But…but be with us. Be our fourth.” You kiss him.

You feel him stiffen in surprise, but he kisses you back. There’s warmth in it…not heat, no, but fond, affectionate, loving warmth that makes you melt. He pulls away slowly, rests his forehead against yours. “That…is a talk we need to have with Papa and Johannes.”

“Ok, let’s go.” You wiggle in his grip, and he laughs.

“My flower, they are asleep. As you should be. And if you keep doing that, we’ll be fucking instead of sleeping.”

You can’t help but giggle and give one more wriggle against him, before settling down. “Yeah, you’re right. We should uh…rest up for tomorrow.” You blush darkly, swallowing hard. “I’m still not ready.”

Jonas’s hands squeeze your ass gently. “I know you don’t feel ready, but I think you are. My faith in you is strong.” He nuzzles your nose. “Let’s go to bed. We need to sleep.”

You nod, resting your cheek on the king’s shoulder. You’re still scared, but you’re too tired to argue. The rest of your loves are either asleep, or in the process of going to sleep, and Jonas lays you down in between Papa and Johannes, and takes his usual place between your legs, his face pillowed on your belly.

You let your hands rest on Jonas’s head, slowly stroking his dreads as Johannes and Papa both wrap themselves around you and the king in their sleep. “Jonas?”

“Yes, my flower.”

“I was serious. About being our fourth.”

“I know.” He kisses the soft skin of your belly. “Rest now.”

You stay awake for another few moments, listening to the soft breathing and snorts of your men, your loves, surrounding you. You let out a content sigh, and you fall asleep.

Jonas hears your breathing even out, feels your body relax, and he carefully gets up, pulling a robe on and walking out to the balcony. He looks out over the ocean, the moon, still mostly full, rising over the waves. “Their fourth, huh?” he murmurs to himself.

“Do you not like the idea?” Aether rises from his seat in the shadows, and if Jonas weren’t a king, he’d have jumped.

“How do you even know about it?” Jonas asks.

“I may have overheard a bit of your conversation when I accidentally opened the bathroom door, not realizing you were in there.” The ghoul shrugs.

“I see.” Jonas frowns. “It’s not that I don’t like it. I think I like it too much.”

Aether smiles. “I think that you are overthinking this. Look at your relationships with the other two,” he explains as he steps up beside Jonas at the rail. “You and Johannes have been best friends and lovers for a long time. And you are falling in love with Papa, are you not?” The ghoul chuckles. “I think this is the natural course.”

Jonas keeps his gaze on the moon. “I don’t… I can’t help but think I’m inserting myself where I shouldn’t be.”

“You’ve been invited in. Which is the exact opposite of inserting yourself.” Aether sighs. “I cannot tell you what to do, of course. But if you say no, I suspect you’ll regret it forever. And given your life span, that’s a mighty long time to be kicking yourself in the ass.”

Jonas sighs. “I…I know. I told our flower, I will speak with Papa and Johannes about it tomorrow. Perhaps just the three of us, so that she is not there to sway their attitude.” He barks a laugh. “You know they would do anything for her. I would rather have their own opinion.”

Aether chuckles. “I’m fairly certain you already have it, but you do what you need to, my king.” He makes a little bow. “Unless you would like some more of my endless wisdom, I’m going to join the pile on the bed.”

Jonas can’t help but laugh softly. “Perhaps I shall make use of your endless wisdom another night. Go on and sleep. And…” The ghoul pauses, looking over his shoulder at the king. “…thank you.”

Aether smiles. “Anytime.” He walks inside, humming softly.

Jonas stays on the balcony for a long time, staring at the moon, before he finally returns to the bed, smiling softly at the inviting puddle of naked flesh before him. He drops his robe and slides in, relishing the soft welcoming sighs of the others as he melts into their sleepy embraces.

He could get used to this, he thinks to himself as your fingers go back into his hair. He lets out a happy sigh, and as sleep enfolds him, he’s smiling.

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