#I cannot explain to you the strange surge of joy I got just seeing mercy's dialogue in the preview. you could feel the... herness of it all

[vaguely-concerned]

the previews of nona the ninth have started a full on brainworm rave within my cranium by just like... laser focusing in on my mercymorn & augustine feels. and since I have several of their main scenes bookmarked on my audio book app (I am normal), I started going over some of them again and like... wow they’re fucking me up from their very first scene together.   

what really stood out to me this time is that augustine goes up to hold the eulogy for cytherea specifically to lessen john’s pain; in response to god’s grief augustine takes on the task/responsibility of easing it as he doesn’t for either mercy’s or his own. while mercy talks he mostly just listens, respectfully, even (for the first and last time don’t worry lol). I think he probably did care about cytherea in herself too, as much as his motheaten hollowed-out heart allows for at this point (he seems to be quite upset by someone messing around with her body, even aside from thinking it’s mercy doing it), but when you read how the scene goes down augustine only takes an active part in response to john’s distress. he rests his hand on john’s shoulder in comfort and he gets up ‘like it hurts’ to say the words for cytherea. this pattern they apparently set up from the very beginning where mercy confronts john with the harsh truths he doesn’t want to acknowledge -- “There they go, John“, “She said, ‘We had the choice to stop’” -- and augustine smoothes things over in the wake of it, removes discomforts; still does the board meetings he hates for him, as it were.

like. holy shit. imagine having eldest daughter trauma (gender neutral) with god himself for ten thousand years. “Come, swear your loyalty, my son—my brother—beloved—Lyctor—saint.” no boundaries buddy you can only be something in relation to me!!! ‘he could have gone anywhere, but he stuck with me’. what a mess! what an absolute mess, especially knowing it’s been like that right from the beginning. he gave john (and john’s dreams -- his empire) everything: his life, his time, his loyalty, his brother, and john took it. john took it all, including mercy at the end, like she was just another... thing no one would miss. what a brilliant dark mirror of what gideon thinks she wants harrow to do to her but which a) harrow has the soul and sense not to do or want and b) would doom them both if it actually happened. the subtexual/implicit mirrors of the process of lyctorhood just aaaaallll over this empire john has built around him, even & especially with those closest to him. NO normal vibes on this haunted fucking space station I’m going to create an interpersonal dynamic that is so incredibly toxic and insidious it takes you thousands of years to figure out something’s very very off and by then it’s waaaaay too late, we’ve all got rivers of blood on our hands by now and no clean water left anywhere 

(also “Ten thousand years, and I never heard her say an unkind word, except when it was very funny. She loved us unguardedly, all of us, which showed both her patience and her enormous capacity.”

the ‘my bones will rest easy next to your bones’ speech deservedly gets a lot of recognition but I’m always struck by the dry mundane loveliness of that description, the resigned rotted fondness. and he immediately undercuts it by kind of dunking on loveday too which is soooo... *tirls hair around my finger* ahaha nooo stop you’re such a shitty human being you’ll make me completely obsessed with you ;) )

augustine will be like... *turns up to not be the worst person in the room only because john and mercy are also in said room and they’ve got a pretty level playing field going now after all these years, has a moment where after a whole book of a sort of glib mean-spirited ennui he suddenly says something so hauntingly beautiful and profound you get dizzy, goes back to being the worst person in the room again like nothing ever happened* and then you just have to live with ‘Bury me next to you in that unmarked grave, Joy’ forevermore. 

augustine and mercy praying only for their own cessation at the end and not even getting that. their best friend and dad and spouse and boss and king and god... is god. and they couldn’t even get that unmarked grave together. I just. hello darkness my old friend etc.

tl;dr: someone on the internet had to be an augustine stan by sheer law of averages and I am devastated again and again to find that it is me. I am that person.

[friendship-ended-with-pokespe]

Kirby and the Great Adventure of Planet Robobot! Chapter 6

Having crashed through the glass window and thrown outside, Mecha knight was lying down on the cold ground. Just then: “Lord Meta Knight!!!” Someone rushes over to him as they shout. They are his loyal men, Captain Vul and the Meta Knights.

They crowd around Meta Knight and speak all at once. “Lord Meta Knight! Sir!” “Please pull yourself together!” “It’s alright. He’s only knocked out.” Captain Vul carried Mecha Knight up and groaned. “His whole body is remodeled......even a mind controller is implanted on him......that blasted Haltmann company, how insolent could they be to him!!” “His whole body remodeled? Mind controller? What do you mean by that?” “Does that mean that our lord has become a different person!?” The Meta Knights clamors in a worried manner. Captain Vul shook his head. “No, he’s only equipped with various parts and armors. Mind controller is a frightening device that controls one’s mind, but......it’s fine, he’ll return to normal if we remove them all.” “Then let’s hurry up and take them off!” “Not here. At any rate, we should carry him to a safe location.” Captain Vul and the Meta Knights withdrew while guarding Meta Knight.

“M-Mr. Haltmann! Sir!” Susie looks at the man sitting in the chair and draws back. The man shifted his focus to Kirby and said in a mocking manner. “Hello. I must thank you for looking after my secretary.” Carrying the man, the chair floated in midair and glided over to Kirby. The man looked down at his secretary with a cold look. “Susie, dismissed. You’re done here.” “Wha......sir......erm......!” Susie tried to make an excuse, but the man told her sharply. “You may step down now.” “............Yes, sir.” Susie nodded and backed down. The man turned back to Kirby. “Ah...ahem. As the president of the Haltmann Works Company, I am President Haltmann...the chief executive who is at the top.” “I’m Kirby.” Kirby gave his name, where Haltmann gave a laugh as though looking down on him. “Your name matters not, native pink thing......take a look at this.” Haltmann clapped his hands. As if taking it as a cue, the president’s office made a noise and split in two. Kirby jumped down. What rose from below was something curious that was never seen before. It is a large white cylinder. It has ornaments resembling wings and intricate patterns stand out against its surface. A yellow stone was embedded in the upper part of the cylinder, where it seemed just like an eye. “Absolutely incredible. Indeed. It’s truly marvelous!” Murmured Haltmann in an enraptured voice and slid his chair. “We have unveiled the most advanced civilization in the known galaxy. And with it, we have reactivated this...the Mother Computer...Star Dream.”

Kirby looked at the white cylinder. The Mother Computer......Star Dream......just saying that doesn’t give a clue of what it is. Like Mecha Knight and Clone Dedede, is this also a living thing that became a pawn of the Haltmann Works Company......? Kirby scurried right before the Star Dream. “Hello......” He looked up at the yellow stone resembling an eye and greeted it, but there was no response. His eyes wide open, Haltmann slammed the armrest of his chair and burst into a laugher. “Wahahaha! Hello, eh? Good one! Hello! What a blunder!” “......?” “Pink native thing, does this great Mother Computer look like a living creature to you? What a blunder......it is a great blunder!” But it’s not that funny, thought Kirby, as he stared at Haltmann. Haltmann stopped laughing and looked at Kirby with pitying eyes. “The Mother Computer is no living creature. It is far greater, brilliant, all-powerful, and indestructive......” Haltmann went on and on with strong words, but saw how Kirby wasn’t even the slightest impressed and suddenly became cross. “It suppose there is no use explaining it to you...ah...allow me to elaborate.” Haltmann raised his eyes in an irritated manner. “In compliance with the perfect business plan drafted by Star Dream...” Something came down from the ceiling with a noise. It is an armor shining in gold-color. It was far bigger and stronger-looking than the regular Invader Armors and the executive-use armor Business Suit. “T-That’s......!” Director Kane cowers in fear and shouts. “It’s Executive Suit, the armor exclusive to the CEO! Our company’s strongest armor has been unveiled at last!” “Effective today, you are...” Scowling at Kirby, Haltmann rose up with his chair and sat on Executive Suit’s pilot seat. “Terminated!” Haltmann laughed out loud and began attacking at once. He jumps up high and tries to crush Kirby. Kirby ran away by teleporting and tried to produce an orb of light through psychokinesis. “Haaaaaa!!!” ESP ability cannot be used unless he concentrates his consciousness. But Executive Suit’s movements were swift and gave Kirby no time to concentrate. “Wahahaha!!! It’s no use, I say! Such a primitive attack would never work on my strongest armor!” He launches missiles as he laughs. It’s power is incomparable to the attacks from Invader Armor and Business Suit. “Wah,” Kirby dropped his offensive stance in a hurry and guarded in desperation. Several missiles were repelled and were rebounded to Executive Suit. “PK Insight, once again! It’s the pink native’s counterattack!” But Kirby also cannot come out unscathed. Struck by the series of missiles, the barrier broke at last. Kirby slammed against the wall, directly hit by the missiles. “Kirby!” Shrieks Waddle Dee. His Copy Ability was removed from the impact just now. NESP the Psychic tumbled out. “Hmm? Where would this be? What have I been doing......?” To NESP looking around, the missiles fired by Executive Suit were about to strike at him. “Aahh!? Watch out! I better disperse!” NESP was seized with fear and vanished by teleporting. Director Kane shouts. “Ahh, NESP disappeared! The pink native can’t use his power anymore! He’s in a huge pinch! What should he do!?” Haltmann laughs in triumph. “Be annihilated, pink native thing! This is the end for you!” Executive Suit began spinning in high speed. It charges at Kirby who is staggering. Kirby can’t use a Copy Ability now. Unable to teleport, he avoided barely by rolling. “Wahaha! It’s no use, you! Just stay still and be terminated!” Executive Suit changed its direction. Director Kane raised his voice. “The pink native has neither stamina nor a weapon! Is this the end for him!???” -At that moment: Waddle Dee shouts. “Kirby! This!” “......Huh?” “Use this!” What Waddle Dee threw was: King Dedede’s hammer. Kirby caught the large hammer. As soon as he clasped the handle, power surged through the worn-out Kirby’s whole body. As if the heart of King Dedede buried in the debris was conveyed to him. King Dedede isn’t the only one. Meta Knight whose whole body was remodeled......and the mechanized inhabitants of Popstar. Everyone’s heart and intense rage flows within Kirby through the king’s hammer. The hammer was engulfed by a bright red flame. “You are finished!!” To Executive Suit with increased number of rotation, Kirby readied the hammer clad in flame and faced him. He raises the large hammer with ease and glares at Haltmann. Executive Suit whirls and charges at him. Kirby didn’t flee. He slammed the hammer against Executive Suit’s body. The mighty killer move, Hammer Flip!

Two incredible powers collided with flying sparks. Executive Suit and Kirby both stopped moving for a moment. The next moment: Executive Suit was the one that was blown away.

Where Meta Knight opened his eyes was on a bed in a clean room surrounded by pure white walls. Seeing Meta Knight opening his eyes slowly, Javelin Knight was the first to shout out in joy. “Ah! Lord Meta Knight! He’s opened his eyes!” “Keep quiet.” Cautioned Captain Vul and looked into his mask. “How do you feel, my liege?” “......Captain Vul......where am I?” “Relax, sir. You’re in our hideout.” Captain Vul was overcome with joy and answered in tears. “My lord was captured by the lot from the Haltmann company, where your whole body has been remodeled. But we removed all the armors and parts. Now there’s nothing to worry, sir!” “I......see. I was a burden to you all. I’m glad that you all are alright.” “Wahaha! Such a trifling attack means nothing to the Battleship Halberd.” Captain Vul laughed intrepidly and threw out his chest. “We pretended that it went ka-boom and carried it to this hideout in secret. We repaired all the broken parts under my command!” “All he did was slack off. We were the ones that repaired the Halberd.” Tattled the Meta Knights, where Captain Vul got in a flap. “SHHHHHHHHHH! You’re talking too much!” “It’s the truth~.” Hearing the voice of his subordinates who haven’t been lively in a long while, Meta Knight sighed in relief and rose up with energy. “Ah, my lord. It would be better for you to rest for now......” “I don’t need no rest. Captain, can the Halberd sally out?” “Certainly, but......sir, you wouldn't mean from here right away......?” “Aye, we’ll sally forth. We must aid Kirby. What’s more......” Meta Knight’s voice became stern “I have an obligation to return the favor. I’ll have them regret making light of me.” “......Yes, sir!” Captain Vul and the Meta Knights straightened themselves and headed to their respective stations.

“He did it!” Waddle Dee hopped up and down. Director Kane jumped up as well in an enraptured manner. “H-H-Holy guacamoleee! It’s the pink native’s win! The Executive Suit has loooost!” Together with his chair, Haltmann was thrown out and fell limply. “Ugh...” A groan is heard. Kirby approached him, where Haltmann raised himself on the chair. His face is bright red from his anger. Haltmann scowled at Kirby with his light blue eyes and slammed the armrest of his chair several times. “Blasted vulgar native! Savages! Savages! Savages! Savages! You are all wild savages!” His chair rose up. It reached all the way to the ceiling and Haltmann said as though cursing him. “No more mercy!” His chair glided in the air and stopped above that strange white cylinder. “Using Star Dream, the greatest machine in this universe...” Jumping down from his chair, Haltmann positioned himself in a narrow space on the upper part of the white cylinder He pressed the buttons on the panel, and an odd device resembling a hat made of metal appeared. “I’ll have you natives be...eradicated!!” Screams Haltmann, and was about to put on the device that appeared. Then-at that moment: Jumping out from the side, a figure snatched the device from Haltmann and landed on the floor. “Whooaa!?” Yells Haltmann. Standing with the device held is-believe it or not, the Executive Assistant Susie!

“You! Susie! What did you......!?” Haltmann’s state changed. His voice quavered, and his head began jolting left and right. “I...I can’t...cont...rol...” Haltmann hung his head and lost his consciousness. Something dropped from the pocket in his suit. With clunk, it fell to the floor and rolled to Waddle Dee’s feet. No one in the area paid attention to the small object that dropped. Only Waddle Dee noticed, and he picked it up with a look of amazement. “It's a gold and pretty......watch......” It is a pocket watch. You can tell that it was cherished very dearly from the careful polishing. He wanted to give it back, but Haltmann was knocked unconscious. Waddle Dee grasped the watch tightly and took cover alongside the wall. “Yippee!” Meanwhile, holding the device in her hand, Susie looked up at Haltmann and grinned with satisfaction. “I didn’t think my opportunity would come this quickly! I’ll be taking Star Dream, Mr. President. I’ll palm it off to some other company.” “H......Holy moly......!” Director Kane collapsed down from the shock. “Are you telling me that Ms. Secretary has betrayed us!? She stole the program controller for Star Dream from the president!” “Heh, how did I look just now?” Susie made a post and looked at Kirby. “Like a cool corporate spy, don’t you think? ......You probably have no idea what I’m saying......whatever. The program controller is all I need......” Susie held the controller with both her hands and raised it high. “Well, Star Dream! Your entire database will soon be mine!” Susie put on the controller. A yellow stone embedded in the center of the controller began shining. As if in response, the same stone embedded in Star Dream glowed as well. Star Dream began operating. Its yellow stone shone strongly, where it rumbled and beams like lightning were fired. “Huh? W-What? What did it set off......” An arrow of light struck Susie in confusion. “KYAAAAA!!!” Screamed Susie and collapsed. Kirby ran up to her in surprise. “Susie? Are you alright!?” “Ma’am!? Yells Director Kane as well, but cannot move in fear of Star Dream’s power. A monotone voice resounds throughout the room. “Ah......m......y name is......” Kirby raised his face. Whose voice is that? Where is it coming from......? “The Mother......Computer......“Star Dream”......” Kirby shifted his focus to Star Dream. Haltmann was the one talking. But it felt off. His eyes are without light like when he lost consciousness just now. And yet his voice comes out. “No......am I Haltmann......? It matters little at this point......I suppose......?” Haltmann raised his one hand and clumsily and cleared his throat. “Ah......a......hem......through...this body...I have studied...all forms of life...” “M-My word......” Moans Director Kane. “The Mother Computer has taken over his consciousness......Star Dream is talking through the president’s throat!” Star Dream continued. “For the prosperity of the company...which is the “wish”...imperfect, fragile...life-forms...are deemed unnecessary...” “............?” Kirby could understand neither what was happening nor what Star Dream was talking about. He could understand just one thing. He could feel exceedingly strong, cold, and inhumane intent from the words of Star Dream. “Therefore, from this moment on...let us declare the end of history...perish...for the eternal prosperity of the company...” Finishing his word, Haltmann hung his head a second time. The ceiling began to open simultaneously with a loud noise. The floor began vibrating, where Star rose from its platform with a thunderous roar. Continuing to ascend just like that, it flies out through a hole that opened on the ceiling. It heads toward the sky twinkling with stars. Star Dream disappeared, and silence came over the office. “......How did it end up like this......” Susie was the one to mutter. “......This is nothing to laugh about.” Susie rose up and turned her head to Director Kane. “Director Kane, among the Invader Armors in Access Star, get the newest and the strongest one ready.” “Aye......aye......uhh?” “Hurry up!” “Y-Yes, ma’am!” Director Kane jumped up and darted out of the president’s office. An Invader Armor was brought in before long. Director Kane explained. “This one’s the latest model that was just developed. Compared to the older Invader Armors, it’s way, way more powerful, and has added destructive power, although......” Director Kane added, as if feeling it as a waste. “Since it’s the latest model, this is the only one for now. It’d be troublesome if it isn’t treated carefully......I would prefer it not to be sent into combat if possible......” “Quit prattling! This isn’t the time for that.” Said Susie, and stepped up to Invader Armor. “......All I wanted was to......steal Star Dream, teach that old man a lesson, and have him open his eyes. And for all that......” Susie cast her eyes down with a regretful look. “I can’t stand here and be destroyed by that crazy machine!” Susie raised her face and turned around. There was no grief on her face anymore. “There, get in, pink native. With this armor, hurry up and......” Susie tapped Invader Armor lightly. “Destroy that machine ASAP!!” “Gotcha!” Nodded Kirby and jumped on Invader Armor. Invader Armor instantly reacted to Kirby and turned pink. Director Kane yells. “Ohhh, Invader Armor has transformed into Robobot Armor! He’ll be able to change into a more powerful mode by using Ability Scan!” Kirby looked at Director Kane. Turning pale suddenly, Director Kane shook his hands and stepped back. “N-No, please don’t scan me......I understand that you would want to scan me, with how my abilities are very high and my looks are very beautiful......but, but, not me......!” “Kirby, you would need a power to fly in the sky to go after it.” Said Waddle Dee. “It’d be nice if you could scan Jet, or......” It was at that moment. A large figure traversed outside the window. Kirby and Waddle Dee yells at the same time. “It’s Halberd!” Susie ran up to the window. “The Battleship Halberd? You wouldn't say......didn’t it crash......?” A figure was in the deck of the Halberd. Kirby strained his eyes and shouted in joy. “That’s Meta Knight! He returned back to normal!” Meta Knight looked at Kirby. His eyes met Kirby’s, and Meta Knight nodded firmly. “Alrighty......!” Robobot Armor began running, where it smashed the glass window and jumped outside. “Kirby!? What are you trying to......?” Yells Waddle Dee. Robobot Armor activated its scanning system as it flew in the air. The beam emitted from the part of its stomach heads toward the Halberd. At that moment, the enormous Halberd disappeared. “DO-DO-DO-DON’T TELL ME!? HE’S TRYING TO SCAN THAT BATTLESHIP!!??” Director Kane became excited and leapt up several times. “What a fearsome bold strategy! Is that really possibleeee!?” As they watched, Robobot Armor began transforming before their eyes. Its arms and legs are folded up and its body expands rapidly to an enormous size. It turned into a pink battleship in an instant. It is equipped with beautiful wings similar to Halberd.

Waddle Dee gasped. Even the overly talkative Director Kane is trembling, unable to say anything. Susie stood by the window and stared at the battleship in an enthralled manner. Having transformed into the final weapon, Halberd Mode, Robobot Armor drifts through space with ease. By now, Kirby was unable to be seen, having fully combined with the battleship. However, a warm strong will could be felt, even when it should have turned into a cold battleship. Kirby’s strong feelings of wanting to return Popstar back to normal and save everyone seemed to be flowing out from the battleship. “Please...Kirby of the Stars.” Susie clasped both her hands together firmly. Her voice was devoid of her unusual impertinence and was earnest in a hopeful manner. “You have to...you have to stop it...!” As though her voice reached it, the battleship lowered its bow slightly and began turning slowly. Its target is the Mother Computer Star Dream. The pink enormous battleship sped up rapidly in pursuit of the enemy.

The president’s office of Access Ark fell quiet suddenly. Susie falls limp and is plops down by the window. Even the boisterous Director Kane said no more and was sitting in the corner of the room away from Susie. Waddle Dee was walking about on pins and needles, but- Heard Director Kane muttering in a low voice and drew closer to him. “Good heavens......how did this become like this......” The Director is whispering in a voice hard to make out. Waddle Dee sat next to him. Director Kane doesn’t really seem reliable, but it felt more at ease than being near Susie. Noticing Waddle Dee, Director Kane said after coughing once. “I wonder what happened to the president......will he be able to save him......” “......Beats me......” “You see, the president is......a very splendid person......he’s my aspiration......being very skilled, rich, and zealous of his work.” “......” Waddle Dee looked the other way. He may look splendid to Director Kane, but he’s a detestable enemy as far as Waddle Dee is concerned. He can’t possibly imagine a guy that would destroy Castle Dedede and turn Dream Land into a mess as splendid. Director Kane sighed deeply. “......He wasn't like that long ago......” “......” “He was fervent in his work, but wasn’t coercive like now......he was very kind.” “......” “It’s because that happened......the president changed......ahh......if only that......didn’t happen......” His meaningful remark drew Waddle Dee’s interest. Director Kane moved closer to Waddle Dee’s face. “Wanna hear? You probably do......your face tells me that you can’t help but want to hear!” “......Uhh, not really.” “It can’t be helped if you want to hear that badly......I’ll share it with you......” Director Kane lowered his voice and whispered. “Long ago, President Haltmann had a precious family......” “......A family?” “Yup. But his dear, dear daughter was dragged into an accident one day......when we were testing the Mother Computer’s boot up......” “Huh......? An accident......”” “Right. His young daughter was unfortunately blown to a different dimension and went missing. Based on the Mother Computer’s calculations, the chance of his daughter’s survival was 0.01 percent......” “So......” “It was very near to zero......simply put, hopeless. But the president couldn’t give up......he wanted to save his daughter, putting his hope on the mere 0.01 percent......” Waddle Dee was shocked. Such a thing happened to that president whose cruelty knows no limits...... “It was from then on......his work was all that the president concerned himself with......he became engrossed with the Mother Computer......and would trust every decision the Mother Computer made......” “......Why?” “Beats me......I have no clue......” Director Kane shook his head. “If it’s the Mother Computer, it might be able to grant his 0.01 percent wish......he might be able to meet his daughter once again......wouldn’t he have thought like that......the Mother Computer is almighty after all......” “......” “But it was too almighty......the president kept succeeding in his work, rose to the top......where he would listen only to what the Mother Computer says, and probably......forgot both his original goal and his daughter completely......” “......” “In the end, his consciousness is taken over by the Mother Computer......something like that......is nothing to scoff at......Ms. Secretary is right. This is no laughing matter......” Waddle Dee thought of the gold pocket watch that he picked up earlier. Could that......perhaps be in memory of his daughter? Was that why he polished it cleanly and cherished it dearly......? “I really should give it back to him.” Waddle Dee said to himself. “Hmm? You said something?” “It’s nothing.” Waddle Dee bounced to his feet and left Director Kane. He understands neither the president’s past nor about this daughter. Right now, there is just one thing he could do. It was to pray that Kirby comes back safely.

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[franklyshipping]

Fighting The Darkness ~ A Markiplier Ego Fanfic

THIS COMES FROM A WONDERFUL ANONYMOUS PROMPT WHEREIN DARK IS TO HELP SILVER SHEPHERD WITH SOME TRAINING! Let's see how this goes....LET'S DO IT!

TAGGING: @darkipli-ler and @silvlee-shepherd

'....okay explain why I have to do this again?'

Dark smiled as Silver Shepherd looked to him with a mix of confusion and curiosity as he held the black blindfold loosely in one of his hands. In his other hand Silver held a wooden sparring pole, and Dark had his own which he absently started to twirl as he rattled off his reply to the sweet hero.

'Learning to fight in darkness, without sight, is absolutely essential for a hero of your calibre. Darkness in an unknown or disadvantageous environment could be easily instigated by a villain and you need to make sure that you can adapt yourself to that.'

Silver followed along with interest, and nodded with an excited smile as the rationality of it all became clear to him. I mean, of COURSE it wasn't strange at all that Dark wanted to blindfold him in a sparring session, and it CERTAINLY wasn't a suspicious request given Dark's record of somehow tickling Silver to smithereens during their sparring sessions.....ahem.

'Huh....okey dokey! Let's do this!'

Dark chuckled warmly at Silver's excitable demeanour, smiling as Silver slipped the blindfold on over his eyes before gripping his sparring pole, attempting to prepare himself. Silver was very eager to train like this, any opportunity to fight and practise and train himself up to be resilient against any villainous surprise; also, Silver felt so lucky that he had a friend like Dark who could teach him these things!

'Wonderful.....let's begin.'

Dark replied, before proceeding to circle the sweet superhero. Dark frankly just wanted to pounce on the twitching, smiling man and tickle him to pieces, but Dark knew he had to build it up, lull Silver into a state of non-suspicion.

'You must remember....you have five senses. Just because one is inhibited, doesn't mean you cannot use the other four. People subconsciously prioritise sight over all else, you cannot allow yourself to do this.'

Dark spoke concisely in an authoritative manner, and he smiled when Silver perked up excitedly; his eagerness to listen and learn was ceaselessly adorable. Dark continued circling, and continued speaking.

'Taste may not apply so much, but the others do. Hearing for one....is imperative....'

Silver gasped and twitched when he suddenly felt Dark's low voice right next to his ear; Dark had leant in swiftly to speak before retreating back and resuming his circling of the hero. Silver could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end as he got more excited, and he smiled bashfully when he heard Dark chuckle at his twitchiness.

'As is your sense of smell....you can identify people that way, as well as gases, toxins, and other dangerous substances....'

Dark continued, and his words spurred Silver to inhale deeply and see what he could get from his surroundings. It was mostly just the air, but there was another scent there....and Silver developed a cheeky smile as he queried.

'Hey uhm....did uh, did Wilford just come in? I can REALLY smell his candy cologne....'

Dark froze for a moment, cheeks going pink....because yes, Darkiplier did in fact smell like his boyfriend's cologne, for reasons that I'm sure you can imagine. Dark narrowed his eyes at the hero....oh if only Silver knew how much worse he'd made it for himself. Dark poked Silver in the side softly, making the hero squeak as he spoke in a more growly tone of voice.

'And last of all....physical sensation, needed for navigation, and identifying whether or not you are inhibited....or weak in any way....'

Silver gulped, giggling residually from the poke....ah, it was SO worth it! Silver may not have been able to see but he KNEW he'd coaxed out a blush from Dark, and that made his day. Silver straightened up, deciding to interject, for he was wondering what the actual training procedure would be....he had no inkling....that Dark had other plans.

'Ohokahay, so what do we do now?'

Dark smirked, pausing in front of Silver. It was time.

'Now.....focus. Listen. Smell. Feel. Listen to the sound of your breathing and mine, smell the air around you, and feel how the air around you moves....feel how it gives you goose-bumps and makes your hair stand on end....let yourself get in tune, and take as much time as you need.'

Silver of course followed Dark's instructions. The hero tightened his grip on his pole, straightened up, and took measured breaths so that he could hone his focus; Silver was under the impression of course, that this was time given to him to focus, and that he wouldn't need to defend himself or anything. So Dark knew it was time. Dark's hungry eyes flicked over Silver's form as he circled and circled, Silver's tickle spots were coming to the forefront of his memory as he eventually stopped behind Silver. Dark silently set his pole down upon the floor....and with the eagerness of a vengeful monster, he surged forth.

'WOAHWOAH-HEHEHEY AHAHA WH-WHAHAT AHARE YOHOU DOHOING?!'

Dark smirked....oh it had all worked perfectly. He had trapped Silver in a hug from behind with ease and dug his wiggling fingers into the hero's fleshy sides. Silver hadn't stood a chance. The hero had shrieked and tried to clamp his arms to his sides, but alas, it did nothing; plus, he'd fumbled and dropped his pole on the ground. Silver had nothing to fight back with, and thus into frantic giggles he descended.

'Well, we've had a number of rather serious training sessions lately, so I figured it was time for a little fun. Also....you don't really think I'm going to let you get away with that comment about my boyfriend do you?'

Dark smirked as he replied to Silver's mirthful question, not halting his wiggling fingers for a second as he watched Silver's wonderful blush of embarrassment crop up on his cheeks. Plus, Silver was squealing amidst his wild giggles and cursing himself for letting Dark get him like this.

'NAHAHAHA IHI'M SAHARRY I-I-IHI WAHAS JUHUST BEHEING SIHILLY!'

Silver tried to reason desperately, craning his head towards Dark as he wriggled about in his hold. Of course, Dark had only just begun his onslaught of the hero, he wasn't going to stop so soon. Dark snickered fondly into Silver's ear, his teeth gleaming with feral joy as his wiggling fingers now crept to Silver's hyper-ticklish belly.

'Ah that may be....but in hindsight I don't think it was one of your wisest courses of action, do you?'

Silver just absolutely shrieked with laughter, arching his back adorably amidst the absolutely torturous tickling at his tender tummy. It was such turmoil for the poor hero, he couldn't even muster up the strength to take the blindfold off because his body's stronger instinct was to keep his hands pushing at Dark's! So the hero remained sightless, and it meant Silver's mind was swirling with question after question of where and when and how Dark was going to tickle him next. It was pure evil.

'IHITWASBADITWAHASBAD IHIHIHI'M SOHOHO SAHAHAHARRYYYY!!'

Agreeing with Dark and apologising seemed like a very good combination regarding securing mercy from Dark, but Dark was rather enjoying himself. He smiled and awed in Silver's ear unsympathetically, before cooing in a babyish tone as his fingers dug eagerly into Silver's belly pudge.

'Awwww, but it's too late for sorry! Now wittle Silver has to face the consequences of being a cheeky wittle boy!'

Silver squealed amidst his cackling laughter as crimson spread across his face, why did Dark have to tease like THAT?! Silver was so desperate in fact, that his knees buckled and brought them both tumbling to the floor. Thankfully they landed on a soft mat, and Dark had expected such a reaction which meant he managed to maintain his hold on Silver and let his nails scratch at the hero's waistline.

'DOHOHON'T TAHALK LIHIKE AHA BAHAHABY THAHAT'S MEHEHEAN!!'

Silver cried out, throwing his head back and writhing as he weakly whacked Dark's arms and hands, he just couldn't handle being talked to like a baby, it made him feel like a warm puddle of goo on the inside! It wasn't fair! Of course that was exactly why Dark teased that way, just so he could weaken the tender hero more. Dark kept up the waist tickling as he cooed once more into Silver's ear.

'Oh come now Silver, how is it mean when it merely alludes to the truth? You ARE a ticklish little baby after all.'

Dark chuckled as Silver shook his head, wailing and grinning and desperately arching his back....whilst also letting out the cutest hiccups that you ever have heard.

'YOHOHOU'RE AHA-HIC-HA MEHEANIHIE! IHIHI'M G-HIC-GOHONNA GEHET YOHOU BACK!!'

Dark raised an amused eyebrow at that, then snarled and had mercy....only to then grip Silver by his sides and roll him over properly onto his belly. Silver gasped and squeaked amidst the manhandling, blushing profusely since he didn't actually mind being manhandled-ahem, but Silver took the time to catch his breath. He figured he'd need it, and the hero got goose-bumps as he properly realised what had just come out of his mouth. Oh dear.

'First cheeky comments, and now threats? You're really asking for it today aren't you?'

Dark growled as he straddled the hero's lower back, and chuckled as he looked and saw Silver hide his face in his hands rather adorably. Dark's chuckles however became much more smug when Silver deigned not to reply to his question...which was an answer in itself; Silver wanted to receive all this just as much as Dark wanted to give it. Dark allowed his fingertips to splay over the backs of Silver's thighs as he purred.

'You should really be more careful....if you're this cheeky with a real villain, goodness knows how merciless they'd be with you...'

Silver let out another soft, tittery hiccup, before his giggles were rekindled from the teasy gentleness that Dark provided. Thankfully though, Silver finally found the energy to push the blindfold up and off of his eyes....his adorable, watery, mirthful eyes.

'D-Dahahark p-plehease plehehease I-I-I d-dohon't knohow where my ch-cheheekiness cahame from!'

.....yeah, nice try Silver. Dark barked out a laugh, amazed that Silver would even try a fib like that, and then went about scribbling the backs of Silver's thighs with happy malevolence; it had only been 60 seconds or so, but Dark had already started to miss Silver's wilder laughter!

'Of course you don't Silver, of course you don't.'

Dark crooned sarcastically, and smirked with delight as Silver let out a shrill scream of ticklishness. Silver's laughter was high-pitched and utterly wonderful, and along with how he pounded the floor mat with his fists....it was fair to say that Silver was very much enjoying himself.

'NAHAHAHAT THEHEHEHEEEERE DAHAHAHARK!!!'

Translation: Yes it tickles there so much, but I do still like it. Dark of course kept going as he mused playfully in reply.

'Not here? Oh but these ticklish thighs of yours are perfectly within my reach, it would be a shame and a travesty if I didn't give them my attention...'

Silver was just a mess of ticklish noises of all kinds, shrieks, wails, squeals, you name it, if it was loud then he was doing it. It was such a bad tickle spot for the poor hero, and with tears trailing down his burning cheeks, he was really getting desperate.

'IHIHIHI'LL DOHOHOHO AHANYTHIHIHIIIING!!!'

Silver called out, and Dark raised an eyebrow, humming lightly in thought. He peeked behind him and fondly smiled, adoring how the hero just flailed and embodied hysteria so cutely. Dark softly pinched the backs of Silver's thighs as he replied.

'Anything? Anything at all?'

Dark purred, and with Silver nodding almost instantly, it made Dark chuckle and make his request.

'Give me your sweetest apology. You were cheeky to me, and you even had the gall to try and threaten me, I feel that I deserve your best remorse.'

Silver Shepherd wasted no dang time I tell you that, I'm not even sure Dark had completely finished speaking before the superhero's sweet, pleading voice rang out.

'IHIHIHI'M SOHOHO SAHAHARRY PLEHEHEASE FOHORGIHIVE ME DAHAHARK PLEHEHEHEEEASE!!!'

Dark smiled, his heart was nearly warmed with how sweet Silver sounded! Of course, since Silver had delivered on Dark's request, Dark had mercy on him properly. He slid off of Silver's legs, and purred teasingly as the hero hurried to cradle said legs.

'You are forgiven, this time.'

Silver was a mess of flustered gasps and giggles as he frantically worked to rub away all the ghost tingles and tickles that were running through his poor body. Soon though, he moved his hair from his face and looked up at Dark, speaking in a very sweet, meek voice.

'.....th-thahank you.'

Dark smirked as Silver kept blushing; Dark knew it wasn't the mercy that Silver was thanking him for.

'Anytime.'

Silver squeaked happily to himself....after all the intense, serious training sessions they'd had....Silver had honestly really needed something like this. Also, now that he was mostly recovered, Silver perked up VERY cutely and gave Dark an excited, hopeful smile.

'C-Can wehe go get pizza? M'suhuper hungry now.'

Dark smirked, honestly with how dishevelled Silver looked he wasn't surprised that the hero was craving sustenance. Dark got to his feet before happily hauling Silver up too, and replied with a grin as they started ambling to the exit of the training room.

'Absolutely, but only if we can get side orders of nuggets. If I don't have food for Wilford to steal from me when we return then I shall never hear the end of it.'

Silver snorted and giggled at that, it was VERY much a thing that Wilford was the one who would steal pieces of Dark's food whenever the opportunity was there. As they walked though, that cheekiness reared back up in Silver for a moment, and made him mumble playfully; the cologne was still in the air.

'...y-yohou still smell like him.'

Dark pursed his lips and Silver giggled again when he actually saw Dark's blush this time. The hero froze though when Dark turned and suddenly leant in close to him, and for a second Silver thought he was going to be tickle attacked again. However....Dark merely took in a deep breath, and then smirked as he and Silver locked eyes.

'Mmm....you have a wonderful scent combination too....old books and cherry blossoms....and is that a hint of iron?'

Silver's eyes widened as he let out an embarrassed squeak, but ended up smiling bashfully because he figured that he did deserve that. Then, they went and got pizza.....and nuggets and garlic bread and a lot of other food because Dark and Silver had to make sure that their pizzas REMAINED their pizzas.

HOPE YA LIKE THIS LEMME KNOW IF YA DO WOOOOOO LUV YOOOUS XX