#Beloved light that chases away cursed darkness;;Regulus [Friend]

[arcgeminga]

Regulus is here to give Defteros some hugs and cuddles! (I will give virtual hugs to Arc)

♛┊ Defteros stiffened for a little bit when his little pal hugged him.

... then he threw the kid over his shoulder and started marching back to his cave like some pirate plundering spoils of war.

On normal days, he would yell a lot and throw fits over being touched like this, but Defteros had been craving this. And he was past the point of being against such gestures when it came from one of his first friends. Lots of cuddles were the only thing on the list for today.

[stark-tony]

most recent bookmarks (6/18/21)

mcu

you game? cake time? by iron_spider (3k, T, pepperony) Peter stares at him.“I’d like your help,” Tony says, gesturing towards the ton of cakes. “Your refined palette.”Peter snorts. He can’t lie, excitement is rising in his throat and in his stomach, and he barely ate at lunch today because he was trying to finish up the book report before sixth period. “Does Miss Potts know you picked me?”“You can call her Pepper.”Peter cocks his head. “Does Pepper know you picked me to help you?”

The Dangers of Sleeping on the Upside of the Bed by Honorable_mention (1.1k, G, gen, quarantine) Midtown High School’s Academic Decathlon team had moved online. Once a week, even during the summer, everyone would log on and chat for a few minutes before trying to beat each other on Protobowl while hurling barely school appropriate threats at each other. It was really quite a lot of fun.Through these online meetings Cindy Moon had gotten the opportunity to intimately learn about her teammates in a way she hadn’t been able to when they were in-person. A person’s room and the way they talked to their family told you a lot about them.In which the members of the Academic Decathlon team get the chance to meet Peter's roommates

something bright coming his way by iron_spider (6.5k, T, gen, hurt peter) “Pete,” Tony’s voice says. “I’m heading to your location.”Peter narrows his eyes. Karen’s colors turn from dark red to a softer blue, which he takes as her celebrating Tony’s imminent arrival. How imminent? What?“What?” Peter says again. Like an idiot.“Your numbers aren’t what I like to see and you stopped moving and I was in the area, anyway. You know. Doing Iron Man things. You okay?”Peter blinks. He sees some more lights out ahead of him that he thinks are headlights, and he feels like Karen is trying to even out his vision by changing how things come across on the HUD. She’s failing, but he won’t say that. Can she read his brainwaves? No. Definitely not. Maybe. Either way he doesn’t wanna be mean to her, so he stops thinking.Ugh, his side hurts.

Of All the Nurses’ Offices in All the High Schools... by sahiya (7k, T, gen, outsiders pov, identity reveal, hurt peter) Peter Parker has his own gravitational orbit, and it tends to suck in the people around him. Including burned out school nurses who were just minding their own business.Or: Patrick Carmichael meets Spider-Man (and Tony Stark), adopts a cat, and gets just a little bit better.

a first time for everything by crowkag (7.7k, pepperony, sick peter)  “Why are you whispering?” Pepper was asking, and the other noises were receding away behind the creak of a door and click of a lock.“Because I’m hosting a vigilante super-teen with enhanced hearing this weekend.” He slumped back into the couch cushions. “Or did you forget?”There was a sharp intake of breath.“Peter? Oh god, what did you—”“Nothing,” Tony rushed out, scrambling. “He’s fine. The kid’s fine, honey.”A beat of silence.“Okay, well, he’s not fine, but—”“Tony Stark—”

Is he or Is he not? by Omenthia_Arc (43.2k, G, pepperony, 5 + 1, people think peter is tony’s kid) Five times someone thought that Peter was Tony's biological son and one time everyone thought it.

hp

The Moon Looks Lovely Tonight by Omi_Ohmy (35.7k, M, drarry, post-hogwarts, domestic) When Harry moves into the damp and empty Black house, it doesn’t quite feel like home. And then the first owl moves in. After that, it’s a steep slope leading to bed-sharing, more owls, assorted housemates, strange potions experiments, and terrible cooking. And a bit of waltzing, too.

The Wrong Sort by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle (289.5k, T, drarry, romione, gryffindor draco, canon divergence, torture)  In which Draco Malfoy is sorted into Gryffindor and everything kind of goes to Hell from there… but hey. At least there’s a chance he won’t grow up to be an awful person. Alternatively titled ‘Draco Malfoy and the Worst Goddamn Seven Years of His Life’

The Mirror of Ecidyrue by starbrigid (998.6k, E, drarry, wolfstar, romione, neville/ luna, grindeldore, lockhart/snape, time travel, fix it, abuse) All it takes is one look in a mirror and an ill-advised attempt to shatter it, before an embittered Draco Malfoy fresh out of Azkaban is sent back into his body on the day he gets his Hogwarts letter.Suddenly, Draco has an unwanted second chance, with a Sorting Hat that doesn't know what to do with him, a certain Muggleborn who won't leave his study table alone, and green eyes he just can't get out of his head. And then there's his new wand, whose choice of him could just mark him as every bit as dark a wizard as his name means he should be.

more than getting by by sarewolf (34.4k, M, wolfstar, wolfstar raises harry) “What do you want me to do?” Remus says, tiredly. All he wants is to curl up on his bed. Smoke a pack of cigarettes. Get drunk. He can’t stop looking at Harry.“Remus...” Dumbledore is gentle. Remus hates when he has that tone. Hates that he knows it will hurt. “There is no one else left.”A bitter laugh escapes him. “So you’ll curse the poor thing with a werewolf for a guardian?”

How Like Home by waitingondaisies (63.5k, T, jily, dimension travel) When Sirius falls through the veil, Harry chases after him, determined to find him on the other side. Instead, he finds nothing at all. When he wakes up, he is informed by Unspeakables that he is from an alternate universe.Thanks to his uncanny resemblance to his counterpart, Harry is readily recognized as a duplicate of Harry Potter, a normal fifteen year old boy, and is entrusted to the care of Lily and James Potter. From them, Harry discovers that Voldemort is not, and never was, a threat in this universe.Now, Harry must adapt to life with loving parents in a peaceful world.

Professor Black by Haunted_Frost (29k, T, wolfstar, professor regulus black) Kreacher's unending loyalty has allowed Regulus to survive the Inferi. In order to destroy the horcrux and ensure Voldemort's death, he goes back to Hogwarts, this time as a Potions professor. Years at this position give him new insights, even as the papers rave about how both the Blacks were traitors to their sides.When Sirius gets loose from Azkaban, Regulus knows one thing: he is not going to let his lunatic brother hurt his students.Inspired entirely by this tumblr post.

atla

(let me be) there for you by lesmiserablol (8.5k, T, zukka, post-war, bodyguard sokka, friends to lovers, idiots to lovers) Sokka pulls out a clean piece of parchment and starts to write:Reasons Why Sokka Would Be A Great Bodyguard for Lord ZukoHe smiles in satisfaction at the title. Seeing it in writing only makes him feel more confident in this brilliant, two-minute-old idea of his. Zuko is one of his closest friends, and Sokka is a great fighter, he would be the perfect bodyguard! He has the entirety of his trip in the Fire Nation to prove it to Zuko. This is going to be a piece of cake.(or, Sokka mistakes his crush for just a strong desire to be a guard for Zuko, and Suki is amused)

boy problems by burnt_oranges (22.2k, zukka, mailee, friends to lover, post-war, arranged marriage) “I accidentally signed off on an arranged marriage to Sokka,” Zuko says faintly. He sits up so fast he almost falls out of his chair. “I signed off on an arranged marriage to Sokka, and he agreed."In which Zuko suffers in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: close and constant proximity to the object of his affections, assassination attempts, and irreparable injuries to his dignity.

we really should google these things first by Bundibird (3k, G, gen, modern) Sokka's aloe vera plant is in need of a good pruning, and what's Sokka gonna do, just throw out all the pruned leaves? When instead he can make aloe vera juice? Come on. (Only - maybe he should have googled this beforehand. Because it turns out there's an edible kind of aloe, and a toxic kind. Guess what kind Sokka has. Go on, guess.)(Or: the modern AU based on the time I nearly poisoned myself with a non-edible succulent.)

spn

Checked Out by whelvenwings (27.1k, G, destiel, dreamhunter, library au, librarian castiel, writer dean, openly bi dean, misunderstandings)  Castiel Novak can think of many writers who would not be welcome under the roof of Heaven’s Gate library, where he is the librarian: Ayn Rand ranks highly (no explanation needed), as does Charles Dickens (he hasn’t forgiven Charles for the month he lost to The Pickwick Papers). And, of course, Dean Winchester. Dean Winchester, local author and obvious a-hole, who is entirely too handsome to be true and who is clearly totally lacking in profundity, intelligence, sincerity, and self-awareness. Unfortunately, though, Dean’s been invited to do a book signing at Heaven’s Gate - and Castiel’s about to be confronted by some unexpected feelings when he finally meets Dean for the first time.

Aim and Ignite by wincechesters (10.3k, M, destiel, cas in the bunker)  After the angels fall and Cas loses his grace, and with Sam still recovering from the toll taken on his body by the trials, Dean starts a prank war as a way to lighten the mood in the bunker and alleviate his boredom. It might just have some unexpected consequences. --- A post-S8 canon AU.

bnha

Izuku plays video games with the League of Villains (among other things) by ADyingFlower (54.2k, T, gen, quirkless midoriya, villain deku) Izuku plays video games with the League of Villains, denies being a villain, has his beloved animal crossing file threatened, kicks ass with a shotgun, is proposed to, learns to deal with his depression, and accidentally kidnaps the son of the number two hero. In that order.Or: Five times Izuku played online with his friends, and one time he played with them in personThen Himiko screams.“CAPTAIN!” “Y-yeah?” Tomura asks almost hesitantly. “LOOK!!” All four of them spin around, right as a cannonball comes soaring inches from Izuku’s head from the Galleon less than a three feet away from them. They scream. “OH FUCK NO NO NO NO! NO!” Dabi yells, running to load the cannons. “DUDE WE HAVE SO MUCH SHIT! NO! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!”“Hey guys, guys! Hey, chill!” Izuku shrieks frantically, right as one of the players boards their ship and starts shooting. “CHILL THE FUCK OUT!”

our trust shot full of holes by nolov (louscr) (25.9k, T, gen) When he's twelve, Izuku meets his best friend. Neither of them are especially good at having friends, but they make do.The other shoe drops less than a week into his first year at U.A.

Are You Valued? by cyber_phobia (9.2k, T, dad for one)  "What are you drawing, Izuku?" Hisashi asks with adoration dripping in his voice. "It's Uncle!" Izuku shouts, smacking his dad's arm for daring to ask once more. All the air leaves Hisashi's lungs in one fell swoop.

To Spark A Smile by awefull (1.1k, G, gen, dadzawa) A six-year-old. Aizawa was the guardian of a six-year-old. Aizawa, a pro-hero, who had poor eating habits, and no sleep schedule, was in charge of raising a little girl.He, reasonably, had some concerns.

Long Night in the Valley by Marsalias (53.7k, T, gen, suspected traitor, dad might, dad for one) On paper, the Hero Commission's plan to investigate Midoriya Izuku under the guise of a training course for combating mental quirks is solid, almost foolproof, even. If Midoriya turns out to be innocent, they can pass everything off as part of the training exercise, assuming he even remembered any of it. Otherwise, they could beg forgiveness after the traitor was securely imprisoned in Tartarus.The paper plan failed to take into account the feral ghosts living in Midoriya Izuku's head, or his equally feral living friends.Time to bring on the chaos.

i gave the voices in my head a megaphone by hannahbal (17.3k, todoroki/midoriya/shinsou) ...and they started singing Megan Thee Stallion.(Hitoshi, like any good friend, brainwashes Izuku’s anxiety away for a day so he can know some peace. The problem? Izuku has no fear of god or consequences.Izuku also has no goddamn filter.)

Nothing Could Be More Worthwhile by Krisington (3.5k, G, gen, dad might) Toshinori Yagi wouldn’t say he had let his guard down in retirement, not exactly. It was more accurate to say that he had let his guard down in his true form. He didn’t notice others, and others didn’t notice him. It had become a small pleasure, he realized, one he was reluctant to let go.He should have known better.The man managed to reach All Might’s forehead a split second before All Might grabbed the man’s arm. But a second was just enough.A villain showed All Might a vision of Izuku. Bloodied. Broken. Fading. Was that some future that would come to pass? Toshinori needed to do everything in his power to make sure it wasn't.

everything i wanted by raindrops_0 (9k, T, gen, 5 + 1) Izuku turns to face Hitoshi and flashes a bright smile, eyes folding into crescent moons.Bright like the afternoon sun swallowing Hitoshi whole, bright like All Might’s fucking perfect grin, bright like he’s already a hero.Bright like everything Hitoshi has ever wanted and then more.(Hitoshi can’t help it, but he hates. Of course Izuku can smile as if the whole world is in his hands. He’s never had to fight for every little thing and be hated for it.)Or 5 times Hitoshi misjudged the golden boy of UA, and 1 time he finally understood.

hp/bnha 

Bend Before You Break by orkestrations (16.2k, T, gen) When Izuku set out for his morning run, the last thing he was expecting was to be plucked from his own world by magic and thrown into another universe entirely.Removed from his own conflict and with no way back, he sets himself to figuring out this world and its own incipient war while searching for a way to possibly reverse the spell that brought him here.It's just his luck that the year he arrives is the same year the government decides it's a great idea to bring back the potentially-deadly tournament.

[arcgeminga]

There is a pile of cats that is on top of something. What is it on top of? Suddenly, some of the cats moved away to reveal it was Regulus buried under all the cats. "Oh, hi, Defteros!"

♛┊ Defteros came over to the Leo Temple to bother his friend because he was bored and Aspros was out of the country. Defteros removed his mask as soon as he made it to the familiar grounds of Regulus' temple, but he found it weird that the kid didn't greet him. So, the man did the only logical thing and went looking for the boy.

When he strode into the bed chambers, he was pleasantly surprised by what he saw.

A pile of... cats. Oh god, the insane self-restraint it took to refrain from diving into the pile and rubbing his face all over those soft bellies!!

Defteros nearly thought he was having a lovely dream, then some of the cats moved away to reveal Regulus. Defteros' lips twitched before his expression went entirely nonchalant.

♛┊ Defteros was motionless as a statue, staring at the mountain of cats and kittens surrounding the adorable boy.

[arcgeminga]

Defteros and Regulus were hanging out together, talking and having fun while Sisyphus is secretly following them while hiding in a bush. (Idk lol)

♛┊ Regulus had asked if he could accompany him on a walk. Defteros didn't have an issue with it, at first. They were friends for years now, and Defteros had gotten comfortable with the kid. So much that he had gone as far as to remove his mask around him.

It was a chilly evening when the two took their walk, so Defteros did have to wrap himself in one of his brother's white capes. From behind, he looked exactly like Aspros, if one didn't notice the slight height and build difference between him and his brother.

They were approaching the lonely stairs that outlooked the majority of Sanctuary's arena, Defteros felt a chill down his spine. Without turning in a way that would reveal his skin, he turned his eyes to Regulus.

♛┊ "I don't want to be the asshole, here, Reg," Defteros said with his voice low. "But I think we have to call this lovely walk short. I feel like we're being followed."

By who or what, Defteros didn't want to know. He didn't even want to know how long this whomever had been following them. If he was caught, it could put Aspros in trouble. So the man did the most sensible thing, and he walked faster, beelining to whatever nearby hidden tunnel he could find.

He needed to make an exit, and fast. Loathed he was to put Aspros in an ungrateful predicament, and he knew Regulus understood.

[arcgeminga]

"Defteros, look!" Regulus changed his face to imitate Aspros' face and did an expression of him before changing his expression back to normal. "Did I look like Aspros? Did I do a good imitation of him?"

♛┊ Defteros perked up when the boy called him. When he saw the kid imitate Aspros' sadistic smile (one he has seen a little too many times when his bother thought he wasn't watching), Defteros barely managed to suppress his laughter.

♛┊ "That's a pretty good imitation," Defteros reached out to pinch the boy's cheek. "Not only can you copy fighting techniques, but you can also impersonate others! You truly are a copycat, little brat!"

[arcgeminga]

They were teleported to the Gemini temple and Regulus was already pushing Defteros inside.

“Surprise! Happy Birthday!”

The inside of the temple was decorated with birthday decorations. Apparently, everyone was preparing a secret party for Defteros’ birthday. It was both Regulus’ and Athena’s idea. Soon, everyone was enjoying themselves and Defteros had a pile of presents in the corner.

“Defteros,” Athena said as she approached him. “Happy Birthday. I know this might seem a little new and strange to you but we wanted to let you know no matter what, you are welcomed here. You are not just a replacement for Aspros. Just like every saint here, you are important to me and I wish you the very best.”

|  Continued

♛┊ Defteros was more than surprised at the unexpected teleportation. First of all, he’s never seen an Aries saint, so he had no idea that they could do such a thing as teleportation. As far as he was concerned, only the Gemini Saints had the ability to travel from one place to another with such ease.

Even more, the man froze at the sight of the very familiar temple. His home. His ‘Home’. He thought he would never see the Gemini Temple again, after vowing his life to Kanon Island and his training to become a demon. But he was home again -- and memories of his brother came flooding back. He would have been incapacitated with the onslaught of memories and resurging emotions, but Regulus wasn’t giving him time to dwell on those long-ignored feelings. The boy was on his back, shoving him into the temple -  and Defteros didn’t have the will to resist.

As soon as a foot entered the temple’s sacred grounds, a cacophony of sudden noise assailed his ears, causing him to flinch from fright. One would expect a man of the wilderness to react in kind with aggression, but Defteros stood  dumbfounded as Saints and attendants presented him with gifts, food, and their well-wishes for his birthday.  

Defteros looked like a fool with his mouth slightly ajar, staring cluelessly at the numerous people who showed up to his home to wish him a happy birthday. As the Celebrations went on, Defteros remained muted throughout the entire event. He did help himself to some of the food (it was the scarce season), and he did manage a few ‘thank you’s to stay polite, but he was overall very quiet.

It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate all of this. He really did appreciate the length these people went for such an insignificant day as someone’s date of birth. But something was gnawing away at the man’s mind -- his emotions.

When the recluse did find a small corner of his temple to retreat too, he was approached by Athena. She said her piece, but as she spoke, Defteros began to feel small.

♛┊ “Right,” was the only word he could start with, honestly. He didn’t mean to sound so doubtful, but the mention of Aspros was too much for him. He was unable to hold the Goddess’ gaze, and his blue eyes dropped to the broken stone tiles of the floor. He bit the inner part of his cheek, trying to drown the urge to show any sort of weakness. But, his mind had already went on and thought about Aspros.

It was at that moment he realized how lonely it was.

But he tried not to show it as he forced himself to say something to deflect, but his voice was straining and quiet, “You are... extremely magnanimous, Goddess Athena. It would seem that we all are your precious children.”

...except traitors.

But Defteros distracted himself from saying any more by taking a drink from the cup he held in his hand.

[arcgeminga]

“Defteros,are you okay? You look like you woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning. Also your hair is a little messy, let me comb it!” (Regulus)

♛┊ ‘The Wrong Side of the Bed’ was one way to put it. But Defteros wasn’t about to admit that he fell off the bed.

He usually didn’t care for if someone brushed his hair... well, he did, but he was picky about who got the privilege to do so. Regulus had been a friend for some time now, and Defteros was fine with him brushing his hair usually....

But this time, at the proposal, Defteros whined... yes, WHINED. Like a kicked, disappointed dog.

♛┊ “...My head hurts,” he complained as he leaned away from his friend. Defteros wasn’t one to show such types of weaknesses, but he was so disturbed by his hair getting pulled out in his dream that he couldn’t help himself.

Defteros actually resorted to being a bit childish. And it didn’t help that he gave Regulus a sad pout. He hoped that it conveyed to Regulus that he didn’t want to be touched right now...

This was so out of character for the normally hardass Defteros...

[arcgeminga]

It was the day after April’s Fool and Regulus quietly walk into Defteros’ room when he was sleeping and gently tied his hair in weird hair styles. Happy Belated April Fool! (I suddenly had this idea so yeah haha)

♛┊ Regulus thought that he was being sneaky, but Defteros had actually been awake for a little while now. His back ached from laying in bed all day, but he was trying to go back to sleep when he had an unexpected visitor.

The Shadow allowed the youngin to play around with his hair-- and he may or may not have bit his lower lip to keep himself from laughing when he felt those small hands tie his hair up into what could be called an attempt at a pig-tail.

Just as Regulus was about to sneak out, one of Defteros’ hand shot out to grab the boy and pull him in, his other hand immediately attacking the boy’s sides in relentless tickles. 

♛┊ “Nice try, you little brat,” Defteros laughed dangerously as he continued his onslaught of tickles.

He totally didn’t care about how his long hair was braided and put into pigtails. He’d take care of that later after he punishes this little chucklefuck.

[arcgeminga]

Regulus giggled as he went into Defteros’ room and placed Leo on Defteros’ head and chocolate eggs around him. Leo was wearing bunny ears to represent a bunny.

♛┊ Defteros was no stranger to a child’s antics a this point. He was laying down with his eyes shut, face pressed against the pillow, when his guest entered his bedroom. He didn’t move around when Leo was set on his head (In his hair, really), or when small objects were gently placed around him.

When he felt that the folly was at it’s end, the totally-not-so-drowsy Shadow pulled his head up from the comfort of the pillow and passed an unamused glance toward the kid, Leo giving a faint mewl at the sudden movement.

♛┊ “What in Athena’s name are you doing, child?” Defteros delicately groaned, the roughened growls in his throat softening to a hushed rumble. What ever the occasion was, Defteros had no idea what it was...

But it didn’t stop the adorable image of Leo perched atop Defteros’ head in the mane of unkept blond hair, and Defteros torso surrounded by foil-wrapped chocolate eggs - as if he were a mother hen and his mattress had been a ‘nest’.

[arcgeminga]

SUBMITTION from @starlightofdream​

After seeing Leo sitting in small spaces and containers, Regulus wanted to try the same thing. He tried it and it was actually pretty relaxing! No wonder Leo loved sitting in small spaces. What he didn’t expect was for Defteros to suddenly show up in his temple and see him sitting in a small container. While the container was big enough for Leo to sit in, it was small for a child to sit in but somehow Regulus made it worked. It was like he became super flexible and liquid like to fit in. “Oh, Defteros! Hold on a second, let me get out.” Regulus slowly uncurled himself like a cat would as he slowly got out of the container.

♛┊ Defteros thought he could stop by the Leo Temple. He wanted to know how Leo was doing with the (terribly, in his honest opinion) cooked treats he gave him on this so-called “white day”.  Besides, he and Regulus had become familiar enough to to the point where Defteros didn’t feel awkward barging unannounced into the Leo Temple.  Especially when Aspros was away. 

He didn’t expect to find Regulus fitting himself in a small container--and it freaked Defteros the fuck out.

♛┊ “What the hell?!” Defteros glanced between Regulus and the small container as if he just saw some freak show out of Hell. The confused Shadow of the Gemini didn’t say anything else. He just continued to glance between Regulus and the object with a horrified expression.

[arcgeminga]

Regulus was sound asleep, curled up into a tiny ball very close, beside Defteros. He was using Defteros' cape as a blanket while his hands was unconsciously squeezing Defteros' hand. His snores even sound like quiet purrs. He looked like an adorable kitten asleep beside his friend.

♛┊ Defteros had allowed the boy to curl up next to him. They were just finished with a mission and had to spend a day recovering from their wounds before reporting back to Sanctuary.

Perhaps it was because they shared a history of living in the wilderness did they opted to camp under the stars instead of mingling with civilization. It was Defteros' turn to keep watch, in case any wild animals or savages stumbled upon him. Regulus was sleeping close to his though -- their hands were already entwined from the boy's unconscious seeking of comfort.

♛┊ The man glanced down, blue eyes warm with a certain affection that was hard to put a name to. He ran his calloused thumb along the soft knuckles of the hand within his own; a sense of calm and overwhelming, yet delicate, tenderness washing over him as he fondly stared at the somnolent boy.

A heavy breath left Defteros' lips.

...This was dangerous. He really shouldn't let another person get so close to prying open his metaphorical shell, especially after he so blindly trusted his brother with his weaknesses. After Aspros died, Defteros should have closed himself off from other people completely, but...

...Well, regardless, this was dangerous. He'll allow the boy to cling to him for now, but, after tonight, he will have to work on putting a considerable distance between them.

[arcgeminga]

Regulus was outside with Defteros. It was night time and Regulus was sleepy and trying his best to stay awake. Suddenly, someone nearby sneezed very loudly, startling the young boy as he nearly jumped back and grab onto Defteros. He stayed there for a few seconds, hiding his head under Defteros' arm before realizing what just happen. His face was now red as he pulled away and apologize for what had happen.

♛┊ Defteros and Regulus went out for a stroll. It's been overdue, honestly. Although he lived in Kanon Island now, being stuck in the same suffocating air was terrible for whatever remained of his health. So, when Regulus came by the island with a set of garments that Dégel most likely handed to him, Defteros - even if he acted reluctantly - donned the new set of clothes and went with the boy into town.

They had stopped at the park, taking a bit of a break from the long walk, when some passerby sneezed like a bear. Defteros was sitting, but Regulus was still on his feet, in the middle of chattering about something or another about the stars that his father taught him. Regulus had jerked and clung to him like a... child...

Perhaps he had gotten too used to being alone... The sudden burst of buzzing that assaulted his senses left Defteros feeling odd... Uncomfortable, but welcomed - craved.

Defteros was just about to wrap his arms around the startled child when Regulus pulled away, embarrassed.

♛┊ "What are you apologizing for?" Defteros couldn't help but ask, his rough voice nearly an affectionate growl. He reached out to pat the boy's head.

He nearly wanted to tug the boy into a hug and keep him there for a while. But the man had his Pride, and he didn't give in to that urge. The hunger for affection...

So he decided to distract the situation by teasing the young Leo Saint, "It's okay to admit that people sneezing scares you. It's adorable that your first instinct is to hide, though. A trait you picked up from the wild, perhaps?"

[arcgeminga]

Regulus didn't expect Defteros to be awake this whole time so he was caught off surprise when Defteros grabbed him and started to tickle him. He had no time to defend himself as he fell down and exploded into laughter. "HAHAH, STOP, STOP, I AM SORRY, HAHAHA!" He tried to tickle Defteros back but he was failing because he was too busy laughing to even fight back. (This is so cute haha)

| πρότερος |

♛┊ The child's laughter was too infectious to lighten up his assault now. The man's grin widened as he turned a deaf ear to the boy's shouts and laughter. His fingers continue to dig into the boy's sides and he even discovered a few extra tickle spots on the boy's body.

He may or may not have jumped and let out a too-loud laugh himself when Regulus tried to rebuke his attacks--the kid's stray hand finding a vulnerable spot under Defteros' ribs. Defteros was quick to defend the spot. It would be devastating if Regulus figured out that he was ticklish as well.

"Let this be a lesson, brat!! Haha!"

When he finally felt fatigued, the Shadow let the kid go and flopped back onto his bed, his breathing labored from the activities and laughter. Perhaps for the first time in a very long time, bright blue eyes glittered with excitement. It's been way too long since he had this kind of childish fun.

He stared at Regulus like a panther prepared to spring onto his prey.

♛┊ "Now that you've been thoroughly punished, I'll give you only three seconds to get out of here before I tickle you to death!"

[arcgeminga]

“Defteros, I want to introduce you to Albafica! He is almost as socially awkwardly as you! You two should be friends!” Regulus said with a bright smile while Albafica glared at Regulus for that statement he just said. He didn’t even want to be here!

♛┊ Defteros stared at Regulus -- not even bothering to pass the Pisces Saint a look (at least not directly. He saw the man from the corner of his eye). He knew who the Pisces saint was. And Defteros was more than happy to comply with the other's wish of staying the fuck away from him. The new Gemini could have done anything to show his dislike for such an idea... He didn't want any of this attention. All of these people...

It was the first time he was 'seen' by many eyes over the short period after Aspros' death (it might have been a month, but it was still too soon for Defteros' lonely heart. His brother was his world.)

"...Why would I want to be friends with him?" Defteros asked flatly, but there was no animosity in the words. He was just overwhelmed with the spotlight after he had spent his entire life in the shadows. "What are two socially awkward idiots going to do? Drink liquor and share painful experiences of loneliness?"

...Ah, perhaps he said too much.

Defteros shrugged before he went back to staring at nothing in particular. "Sorry. Forget I said anything. I'm just exhausted."

[arcgeminga]

"Happy Valentine's Day!" Regulus said as he gave Defteros a box of chocolates he made. It was a thank you for the chocolates Defteros gave him.

♛┊ Defteros accepted the box of chocolates, his face becoming warmer as he toyed with the box with nervous fingers. He wasn’t expecting anything in return, honestly... He just bought the boy some dumb chocolate...

“Happy Val’s, Regulus,” Defteros tried to shrug off the boy’s kind act. He was bad at social events anyway. The man opened the box and started to eat the delicious candy while he went back to his task of fixing the strap of his mask.

[arcgeminga]

Regulus ran up to Defteros and gave him a hug. "Kunikida said you need huggies from me."

♛┊ Although he forced a scowl, one arm wrapped around the boy's shoulders in a half-hearted hug.

Defteros would never admit it, but after his brother's death, it became a lot harder to reject these sort of gentle affections. It was comforting, but he would never ask for them. He would feel like a wuss if he asked for simple companionship during his lowest moments. Men weren't supposed to be frail.

"I never said such a thing," Defteros growled not-so-threateningly, his actions betraying his words as he held the hug a bit longer than usual.