#it long

[mslanna]

Oncoming Storm

Chapter 18 of Be My Guest now up on AO3

Old Friends House of Hope Sanctuary

The calm of war settles over the House of Hope. Tav takes up regular fighting exercises again since they don't want to be helpless if another attack happens. They take to bringing a knife everywhere. It is a small thing but with a great boost for their confidence.

They also double down on their studies of infernal. Tav is invisible to most devils and they may drop useful information. Their lewd vocabulary is still growing faster than the rest since Haarlep insists on teaching.

Tav seeks refuge in the library. Raphael is antsy. Alliances with two hells and preparing to conquer another, one that is ruled by Asmodeus own daughter. Things can go dicey every moment.

When he visits Tav in his human form, they raise their brows in surprise. “Now that is a face I haven’t seen in quite a while.”

“You prefer another other one?”

“No.” Tav runs a hand over his cheek, the slight stubble scratching their palm. “I like them all. I just haven’t seen it for some time. What’s the occasion?”

“A visitor will arrive momentarily who will react better to this.” He smiles as he catches their hand and presses a kiss into Tav’s palm.

“So soft,” Tav murmurs and snuggle up against him. As human, Raphael is shorter and they could easily just-

Raphael places his finger over their mouth. “Later. We don’t want to let our visitor waiting.”

Tav stays glued to him, and slowly sucks the tip of his finger into their mouth. It is almost new to caress a fingertip that doesn’t sport sharp, pointed nails.

“Impossible.” Raphael ends Tav’s interlude with a kiss. When he pulls back, the devil is smiling, though.

Tav yields and threads an arm through his as they walk the short way from the library to the foyer. The portal is already dimming down again, leaving a lone human standing in the room. When he turns to face the new arrivals, Tav rips free of their devil and jumps at new arrival.

“Gale!”

“Tav?” The wizard replies, closing his rams around Tav who hugs him with the determination of a constrictor.

“I’m so happy to see you.” Tav relents but stays stuck to his side, both arms around the wizard’s waist. “Raphael didn’t tell me it was you. Naughty.” They send their devil a mock reproachful glance.

“I imagined you like surprises.” Raphael saunters over. “I seem to be quite correct.”

“You said you are looking to secure an important asset,” Gale says carefully. “I am here to – consider. Depending on what it is we are talking about.”

“Of course.” Raphael turns on the charm. “All business, like your good friend here used to be. Very professional.”

“You plan to deal with Raphael?” Tav can’t believe it. “What in the hells are you thinking?”

“Hypocrite much?” Gale asks back. “And Raphael has offered a solution to my magical consumption problem.”

“He did?” Tav eyes the devil warily. “And in return you secure his stuff?”

“That is how I understood it. But,” he looks at Tav solemnly, “you remember Hope? I am not agreeing to anything unless I know what that asset is and what I am supposed to do to secure it.

“You are holding on to it already,” Raphael smirks.

The humans jerk apart.

“Me?” Tav asks.

“Them?” Gale wants to know at the same time.

“How very quaint of you.” Raphael laughs. “Yes, I am talking about Tav. I want to make sure they cannot be harmed in this place. The fiends are – heedless and I do not want an incident. Especially not one that may look like an accident.”

“Tav?” Gale asks. “Why not just leave? Come with me.”

“Um.” Tav takes a moment to stare at their toes.

“I see you need some time.” Raphael puts a hand on a shoulder of each human. “Take your time, eat, drink, the Feast Hall and the library are yours.” With a smile at Tav he adds: “You know where to find me.”

“Are you alright?” Gale asks as soon as Raphael is out of earshot.

Tav nods and takes his arm. “I can explain. Mostly. But not here. You hungry? Food has improved in the mouldless department. And I can get my hands on some excellent tea.”

Gale follows reluctantly and offers no input on the choice of nibbles. Tav falls back on their times together and hopes for the best. When they open the door to the library, Gale whistles.

“This is new.” He takes in the three levels of books. “Last time we were here, I am certain it was a balcony.”

“Yep.” Tav puts down the tray on a table and pulls up another chair. “I was totally getting on Raphael’s nerves. It keeps me busy.”

“I assume there is a reason you do not return to Baldur’s Gate?” Gale settles in a chair, looking none too comfortable.

“I-“ Tav hesitates. “I was stupid. And now I cannot leave. I mean I could if I want to end up dead and then my soul goes, well, it goes to a place I don’t want it in. And it is not the House of Hope. I’m here for my own safety.”

“How long?”

“Not sure, but it isn’t forever. I am looking forward to being able to leave again. I don’t know when, but it will happen.”

“And Raphael..?”

“Is good to me, no deal necessary. Which, I admit, surprising, but I won’t question it.”

“Playing the long game for your soul?” Gale doesn’t sound convinced.

“Maybe.” Tav shrugs. “Not sure my soul is worth that much though.”

“You know what?” Gale reaches for a biscuit. “If he’s not after your soul, I don’t think I wanna know. Truly. Oh my. You realise there are bite marks all over your throat, yes?”

Tav blushes violently. Subconsciously, they know. After all they are very present when the biting happens and may have returned the favour, though they are less prone to drawing blood. Unlike the very sharp teeth of a certain devil. It just never comes up.

Burying their head in their hands Tav groans. They are a walking advertisement of their own doom. Of course the other devils don’t consider them worth a second glance – plaything of their master. Out of bounds even if obviously delicious enough to bite pieces off.

“I take that as a no.” Gale sighs. “At least I can be sure it is you. Nobody else is that oblivious.”

“That is the consensus in this house, yes,” Tav agrees. “But enough of me, tell me everything. About you. About the others. Everything I missed!”

“Do we have time for that? Devils aren’t known for their patience.”

“If Raphael was in a hurry, he wouldn’t have let me alone with you,” Tav laughs. “He knows me.”

Gale doesn’t grace that with a reply. Instead he launches into a detailed report of his doings before branching out to the others. Tav sits happy to listen and sip on their tea.

In the middle of Wyll and Karlach’s most recent endeavours in Avernus, Gale stops with his mouth open and eyes glued to the door.

When Tav follows his glance, they find Haarlep sauntering towards them, their predatory lust in full swing.

“What have we here?” Haarlep asks, devouring the wizard with their eyes. “Oh, I wondered where you were, dear,” they add curtly at Tav.

“Having a visitor, as you can see. My friend Gale, who is not a treat, Haarps. Gale, you may remember Haarlep from our last visit.”

“Darkly,” the wizard says but still offer his hand. “It doesn’t feel like a memory I am supposed to have.”

“Oh, let me help you with that,” the incubus purrs, taking Gale’s hand with both of their own.

“Haarps!” Tav cuts in sharply. “If Gale doesn’t want to remember me fucking nasty with an incubus that is his good right. Unlike others in this room, he does have decency.”

“What a shame he’s all alone with that.”

Tav huffs. "Still not over the fact that I don't want to sleep with you?"

"Maybe." Haarlep grins mischievously. "Something I am certain you can help me get over." They lean towards Gale and Tav can feel the magic roll off the incubus.

"Not for you, Haarps," they repeat.

"You absolute spoilsport." The incubus sighs theatrical. But they relent on the wizard. "Alright. I'll just be going then, playing lanceboard against myself."

"Lanceboard?" Gale perks up.

"Gale, don't."

"Oh, but please, Gale do." Haarlep leans back in. "Tav can use any help they can get. They lose every single time."

"You didn't tell me you play lanceboard now." He sounds offended. "You know I would love a game. We can talk as we play."

"I cannot play, Gale," Tav tries. "I was roped into losing against Haarlep because-" they shut up. How to explain that lanceboard was easier to interrupt for a quick fuck than a song and dance number. "Alright. I'll get the board. I can see that this is the price I will have to pay for my information."

They follow Haarlep and give a complete lecture on how Gale is not a snack and isn't to be seduced.

"I would be easier to mollify if you'd send somebody my way," the incubus pouts. "You said you might and then you didn't in a while."

"Alright, alright. I'll do my best to send you somebody. Something juicy, okay? Complacent cunt with a hubris. How's that sound?"

"Exactly like the type that would arrive here in service of Mephistopheles." Haarlep licks their lips. "Be a dove and try not to forget about it again."

"I swear." Tav rises to their toes to give the incubus a peck on the cheek. "And maybe, if you can one day credibly swear you won't eat him up, I may allow you a game of lanceboard with him. But I warn you, Gale can play."

"Finally a challenge." The incubus sweeps up the game and drops it into Tav's arms. "At least in one respect."

Tav carries the board to the library where Gale eagerly helps setting it up. It takes two games for him to finish his updates.

"You're not half bad," he tells Tav. "If you are losing so quickly, Haarlep has to be very good."

"They are certainly full of it." Tav pours some more tea. "Coming back to the reason you're here. What did Raphael ask?"

The wizard hesitates, a smart reaction. "Not much. Just that he needs magical protection for one of his assets and that I needed to come here to secure it. Are you in danger?"

"A little." Tav blushes. "As I said, my soul will go unsavoury place if I die so we try to avoid that. While others try to hasten it to curry favours with the unsavoury in question."

"People come here to kill you?" Gale takes their hand. "I will do what I can to keep you safe, my friend."

"Thank you. I – it's lonely here sometimes and I wish Raphael allowed visitors more often. But I understand. " Tav forces a smile. "Most visitors want to kill either me or him. Often both."

"He should hire a bodyguard." Gale brightens. "I know one, excellent track record, superbly fit for Avernus. Maybe you heard of her? A tiefling with the name of Karlach?"

Tav laughs but it turns wistful quickly. "You know, that is an excellent idea, really. She protects me and in return Raphael gives her an actual heart. Everybody is happy and I am not that lonely."

"You may have your hands full convincing her those bite marks are worth anything though. She's not one to endorse of anything fiendish."

Tav's hand sneaks back to their throat. Turtle necks - they will have to look into that. A good thing Gale can't see how deep the teeth marks wander. "It will keep me in shape," they reply. "Let's go find Raphael. I hope whatever you do will take very, very long so you can stay for a bit."

"That makes one of us." Gale rises as well and follows Tav out of the library. "I am hoping to get out of here at the soonest. It's not a place for humans."

Tav can't object to that. They lead him down the broad stairs and though there is two of them now, they still have to get out of the way of the devils milling around. The door to Raphael’s study is open and they don't have to wait long before the devil notices them lingering and sweeps his current clients out.

"All caught up, I assume." He stands and walks around the huge desk. His fingers trail over the polished surface in a way that wakes many memories. Tav swallows. It's a great desk.

"Yes," Gale replies oblivious of, or acutely ignoring, the tension between Raphael and Tav. "Tav told me a little about how life is here and where danger might come from. But I think you can shed deeper light on the latter part."

"Of course." Raphael leans against the desk. "I need Tav to be untouchable, yet free to move around the house as they wish. No weapon or spell must touch them. No harm can come to them under my roof."

Gale blinks at the ferocity of the words. He looks at Tav who is thinking, eyes shifting between the polished wood of the desk and the devil leaning against it. "Armour is out of the question, I assume."

"I need them protected out of armour," Raphael explains. "When Tav is armoured up, they are fighting and capable to look after themself. I need them safe when the armour comes off."

"Like Sanctuary," Tav brightens. "I can just cast that on myself, can I not?"

"Not when you are sleeping," Gale throws in. "Or unconscious. But the approach is solid.”

He continues to devolve into magic speak with Raphael and Tav is content just watching the two argue back and forth. As one point, Gale draws a crude map of the House of Hope one fresh paper pinned over the map of the hells. With Raphael’s guidance he marks several places and connects some with lines.

Tav is completely lost on the details, but they get that the points are foci for some kind of spell that is supposed to cover the whole house. Their heart beats fast. Tav knows how much energy and money such a thing would cost. The thought that Raphael thinks them worth the expenses-

"That will do," the devil decides and lets a hand descend on Gale's shoulder. "Do it."

"I will need-"

"Give me a list," Raphael interrupts and parchment a quill appear hanging before Gale.

The wizards takes them with a glance at Tav and starts to write. "It's not much but some things are tricky to come by. And I will say you are lucky you have me. No normal wizard can do what you want."

Raphael takes the list, and after looking it over, hands it back to Gale. "Everything you need is in the throne room. Begin at your own discretion. Be quick and if you need helping hands, any devil in this house is at your disposal."

He half guides, half pushes the surprised wizard out of the room. Tav follows in time to hear their friend welp when he finds everything he requested neatly stacked on a trolley.

"Prepare everything in the library. It should be enough for a few extra dummies." Raphael snaps his fingers and the trolley vanishes in a small cloud of dust. "Let me know when you are ready for the last step."

Tav watches their devil retreat and shrugs at Gale. "I hope I can help somehow? You know my level of magic."

"I do but you can." He follows them through the throne room back up the stairs. "A lot is assembling the material components which will go up around the house. I show you how to put them together and the I'll bespell them.”

"How long will it take?" Tav bounces. Finally something to do. Finally a friend to do something with. Old times rise at the back of their mind and they set to work smiling. Soon they are chatting easily with Gale, the severity of the situation blown clean from their mind.

After a snack they move through the house positioning the small items and making them invisible. They take the same care for the dummies and Haarlep offers their help for the right to look without any respect at all.

After stoutly refusing to let them handle a dummy, Tav yields and lets the incubus put up an active spell engine. They are preening horribly while doing so but Gale is oblivious to the display of offered features.

"Anything special I should bring to the grand finale?" Tav asks when they make their way back to Raphael's study.

"Just yourself. After all, you are the main ingredient for the last step."

"I am slightly worried somebody is going to try and stuff an apply in my mouth," Tav, chuckles.

"We can get you an apple if you think it will help." Gale bumps them gently in the side.

They arrive in the throne room where the door to Raphael's study is already open for them.

"He does keep tabs on you," Gale observes. "Doesn't that worry you?"

Tav looks at the devils milling about. "I would be more worried if he didn't."

Gale follows their gaze. "Point taken." He closes the heavy door behind them.

Since Tav cant sit on their devil's lap, they chose the table instead and dangle with their feet. "So, what now?"

"Now Mr Dekarios will cast magic over you and the House," Raphael replies, his eyes fixed on the wizards. "A spell that protects Tav."

"Most certainly." Gale switches into explanation mode. "It will work like a perpetual Sanctuary. As long as you are out of armour, it will take effect."

"Why not in armour?" Tav wonders.

"When you are armoured, I assume you are abut to partake in violent interactions." Gale grins. "I know you. Do not try to deny it. But the most energy of this magic is consumed when it changes states. A fight will force many changes, one each time you attack. It is easier to trust your prowess and keep the magic for when you armour down again."

Tav tilts their head. "I like it. That's really smart and I don't think it could be done."

"It can't."He swells with pride. "But I can."

"Anyway, instead of all this," Tav gestures vaguely, "we could just have gotten me a bodyguard, you know? I'm sure Karlach is open to it and she has experience."

"Noted," Raphael only says to their surprise. "But a spell doesn't have to sleep."

A valid point and somewhat worrying.

"Ready whenever you are," Gale cuts in.

"We are." Raphael holds out his hand to help Tav from the desk. They take it and lean on him because it feels good. They let him position them before the wizard who straightens in preparation. He starts enunciating and though Tav listens attentively, they can't even make out words. Every now and then, Gale puts a hand onto their body, pressing his palm between their collarbones or neck.

The spell takes hold slowly. It spreads from the base of Tav's neck to the shoulder blades and meets again at the small of their back where it stabs through to their navel and back up to the hollow of their throat. It cuts like wires of gold and starlight as it settles into their skin and flesh.

Tav shakes experimentally when Gale takes a step back to examine his work. But the effect merged into them already, invisible, intangible, nothing more than a layer of silver spiderweb.

"There." Gale decides. "Done."

Tav turns tentatively. They don't feel much different. Everything looks like before, too; even the spots they felt the magic take hold. Tav pulls their collar wide to stare down a their shirt. When an infernal fist surges at them, they blink in disbelief and forget to evade.

Raphael's punch bounces off harmlessly. The devil follows up with a fire ray which doesn't reach Tav either. "Excellent," he pronounces. Then he turns his attention to Gale. "Now, to the matter of your compensation. If you could wait outside for a moment, Tav?"

Tav blinks and glances from their devil to the wizard who nods.

"If I need you I'll call," he says with a smile and Tav doesn't have the heart to tell him every room down here is soundproof. Instead they shrug and leave.

It feels strange to wait outside. Devils walk by checking if the door is open. They rarely spare more than a glance for Tav. Still they feel better knowing that even if they wanted to, they could not hurt them. Not any longer. Of course, the same isn't true for Haarlep. Tav chews on their lip. With luck, Raphael wouldn't try to lure anybody again by letting Haarlep pose as them.

"Did he cure you?" they ask as soon as gale steps out of the room.

"Mostly," the wizard replies. "There is one more thing I have to do that only I can do. But it is doable and well within my abilities."

"And that is okay? In accordance with the deal you made.?"

"Yes, do not worry. I got what I asked for. And I hope that so did he." Gale looks his friend over with a sigh. "I didn't think I'd be so thorough working for that devil. But protecting you, he sure has my full abilities. We worry, Tav. And not much I saw here alleviates my fears any."

"It would be worse for me if I left. And here I am," Tav gesticulates helplessly.

"Appreciated?" Gale suggests. "Are you happy here?" Gale asks, cupping their face with one hand.

Tav thanks before answering. "I'm – it’s not. I'm not unhappy here. But I want more. I want something to do. A purpose. Moving about and seeing my friends again. But it’s not bad here. And Raphael is good to me."

"Maybe." Gale touches a bloody crust on Tav's throat wistfully. "But he won't take well to you leaving him."

"I'm not leaving him," Tav huffs indignant. "Like you didn't leave me when you returned to Waterdeep. And Lae'zel didn't leave me to lead her people in resistance. We are still we. We are still one."

"He's a devil," Gale says softly. "Such nuance may be lost on him."

They embrace and Tav can't help shedding a tear. "I wish I was coming with you."

"So do I." Gale takes a deep breath as the portal hums into life. "Write. Make the devil deliver. We miss you Tav."

Tav keeps the smile forced over their face until their friend vanished. Then they let it fall apart, dribbling to the floor in wet pieces. The House of Hope is suddenly huge and full of strangers. They curl up in themself and rock with their back against a far soul pillar.

[bluepallilworld]

I found a good song that'd suit an oc of mine very good and now my brain is in daydream land about a potentiel animatic and it won't shut up

[crumb]

“be yourself! stay weird! let your freak flag fly!” is what they say but as soon as people find out I’m growing one of my fingernails long just to see how long i can get it all of a sudden it’s like pump the breaks

[essektheylyss]

heir to the devil's fortune — chapter 16

Chapters: 16/25 Word Count: 186,305 Rating: M Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Summary: The Kryn Dynasty and the Cerberus Assembly both suspect there is information in the ruins of Aeor that could cause civil war among the dens. The Dynasty would like to make it disappear. The Assembly wants nothing more than to get their hands on it.

Vurmus Outpost researchers are slowly disappearing, and Essek Thelyss is not believed as dead as he would like.

He’s already sacrificed everything else—all that’s left to save his own skin is to shed it.

(Essek uses the Transmogrification spell to disappear, and finds a tentative home in hiding as the long lost son of the Ruby of the Sea.)

—

Chapter Summary: The wizards learn to navigate their changed dynamic.

[cookinguptales]

and speaking of time loops... 

[whiteshipnightjar]

Zoozve, my beloved

[parttimepunner]

Pour one out for a real one.

[lakanakana]

war never changes

[clairenatural]

there's a cherry blossom tree in DC that keeps blooming every year even though it shouldn't and the park service keeps thinking it's dead and then it keeps blooming! well they're removing a lot of trees to rehabilitate the area and they've said it's finally time for stumpy to go and they're going to mulch it and use the mulch to enrich all the other trees so it can help everything else keep going. and they're also going to plant spliced little pieces of it all over so that stumpy can live forever and this is genuinely sending me into a spiral

[kochei0]

I turn to Ares.

Thanks to Tyler Miles Lockett who allowed me to draw inspiration from his ARES piece for page 2! Look at his etsy page it's SICK

⚔️ If you want to read some queer retelling of arturian legends have a look at my webtoon

[cassassinated]

I miss the days when, no matter how slow your internet was, if you paused any video and let it buffer long enough, you could watch it uninterrupted

[mslanna]

Father of Liars

Be My Guest chapter 21 up on AO3

In which Mephistopheles comes to bargain and things go about as well as one can expect. Y’all can thank@red-dead-sakharine for this being one chapter and not cliff-hangered with Tav captured. My poll came ut 50/50 but he said he doesn’t like cliffhangers as a reader. 😅 Read his amazing stories while you’re over there.

Preparations to receive Maladomnia and Mephistopheles begin immediately. Tav doesn't get to see much of them. And as soon as Maladomnia is even close, they are banned to the suite with nibbles and drinks. They are allowed into the library, but only through the hidden passage.

At first Tav presses their ear to the sound proof door but it is actually sound proof. A good thing, considering the sounds regularly happening in this room. But not so nice when they try to find out what is happening in the throne room. Tav considers overindulging in the prepared treats, but they have no stomach for it.

Fortunately, wine always goes down and the buzz filling up their head numbs their mind. It also makes them very sleepy. Which is okay. Being woken up by disgruntled devil noises as they are picked up and carried to bed isn't the worst thing. There are kinks and cramps in Tav's back and shoulders from slumping over the table, but those are easily worked out.

With the test run on Maladomnia successful, prep begins to receive Mephistopheles. The prospect send electric lines through the House of Hope Tav can't escape. The devils are tense, anticipation drifting from their forms like superheated plasma. Eternal debtors have problems keeping the house in order. Haarlep suggested Tav try writing letters themself to keep occupied. Or maybe write a book. They should be done with that by the time the incubus has time on their hands again.

It feels like betrayal. Seeing the devils strut around like loaded weapons makes Haarlep's point for them nicely though. Tav won't kill anybody if they snap under the strain. And they do get plenty of stress relief. Not that any of it helps the day Raphael's father is expected.

Tav stands on the bed applying horn balm for the event. They know it takes them way too long, but Tav doesn't want to let go. They don't want to be left behind locked doors however much that is for their own safety. Raphael's wings enclose them as they work, humming to themself, though the melody got lost in the tension a while ago.

Mephistopheles. In the House of Hope. To Bargain. Tears prick at their eyes. But they understand. For his whole life, Raphael fought against that man, devil, entity. He didn't receive a single lick of recognition or appreciation for free. Unruly. Naughty. His father doesn't consider him more than a whiny brat. If that.

How can Raphael forgo the one chance he has to look his father in the face and show how wrong he is? Not that the result will be anything he wants. Devils, real devils cannot love. Tav knows they got lucky with their cambion. His father won't like him any better, he won't suddenly look at his son and think, yes, best thing to ever happen to me in my life. Well, not everybody got as lucky as Tav.

A melody weaves back into their hum and they rest their hands on Raphael's shoulders, nuzzling their face into his hair. “I will stay out of sight," they promise again.

Raphael turns, taking their hands in his and holding them tight. His eyes hone in on Tav's with piercing intensity. "You will stay safe."

"For you." Tav breathes a kiss over his lips.

For a moment it seems he will return the kiss. Then Raphael shakes his head. One kiss won't be the end of it. And he is needed elsewhere. He runs his fingers over Tav's face a final time instead. He hates to leave them behind, but this is too dangerous. His father will take advantage of Tav given a chance. Raphael cannot risk it.

In the background, preparations to rip Cania out of his father's hands are in motion. They will take a little longer yet until Cania is ready to the plucking. And then – then. Raphael straightens and composes his body language as he steps into the throne room.

Tav watches him leave, the familiar ache in their heart when his tail suddenly stops moving. There isn't even hope he won't have to do that any more when he rules all hells. But that is a sadness for another day. First, it is time to kill time. Tav takes a long hot bath, indulging on the prepared foods while reading. Then they retire to the library. Maybe writing letter will do them good. And they can at least tell everybody that things are progressing and they should be back soon. Soonish. Some day in the not too far future.

Tav stares at the parchment. At least there’s a greeting on it. This shouldn't be so hard. They're Tav's friends. They will delight in hearing from them. Just as Tav would love to get letters from any of them. It doesn't matter what's written, every word says "I care, you are missed, I think of you" and Tav means the same when they put pen to paper. And yet. And yet.

Tav sighs into a cup of tea long gone cold. Why not be honest then? I miss you. I long to see you again. But the quill doesn't move, doesn't dare commit those thoughts to paper.

Tav is saved unexpectedly, when their helldusk armour snaps into existence around them. They drop the quill and frown though habit made them get up immediately. The war hammer is familiar in their grip and they're halfway to the door before their brain catches up with them.

Can they leave the library? Mephistopheles is in in the house. All devils are gathered in the throne room- that thought does it. With everybody in one place, Tav has to do something. Otherwise the intruder could do anything. Tav opens the door quietly and peers down the hall. It is ghostly empty. The murmur of voices drifts up the stairs from the throne room.

Well, with Mephistopheles already down there, Tav has free reign to deal with intruder however they see fit. Still they sneak towards the foyer, avoiding the stairs to the throne room by a wide margin. The floor of the foyer already pulls away into a black hole outlined in fire when Tav arrives. They take up their usual position and wait.

It doesn't take long for a lone wanderer to drop out of the portal. Tav inhales sharply at the familiar figure. "Wyll?"

The warlock orients himself in their direction. "Tav! Thank the gods you're already armoured up! We need to help Karlach!"

Tav takes a stumbling step toward the portal. Then they freeze, a cold shiver hurtling down their spine. They cannot leave. If they leave-

"Please. We must hurry," Wyll begs and holds out his hand. When Tav still doesn’t move, he switches tracks quickly. "But I see you need more information. That's – I factored some time in for you to armour up. We can use that. Just," he looks around in hesitation, "take me to a place we can’t be overheard."

Something is off. But that he doesn't force them out immediately, calms Tav a little. And this is their home. If Wyll is willing to be taken to another location. "Come." They lead him to the library where he sticks close to the door.

"You know that Karlach kept away from the upheaval around the new governing structures of the hells. Understandably, I'd say. But it has now backfired and she is caught in the crossfire."

He paces and Tav frowns. "Where is she?"

"In Avernus, if that worries you. I'd never ask you to go deeper into the hells than you already, are. Not with your affliction."

Tav frowns harder. They cannot talk about their deal. Wyll, as a warlock, knows that. How can he know about their deal with Mephistopheles? Is he just guessing?

"Mephistopheles is here. He can't interfere. Please," he continues when Tav doesn't move.

How does he know? Tav bites their lip. How can he? Why did he appear in the foyer, when last time he easily found the window to the library? They were here just now. Tav can't put their finger on it and takes a step towards the door. The air hums, brittle, and shatters.

"A shame." Wyll's tone and diction changes into something utterly foreign. He points at Tav and mutters under his breath. "You could have made this so much easier on you."

A gasp escapes their mouth and when Tav tries to follow up with words – nothing. They stare at Wyll whose form wafts in the heating air. Then they take a step to the door and Wyll moves in to intercept.

"You said you could deliver them willingly." A voice from behind – warm and rich like chocolate with a cruel end note of chilli you didn't expect.

Tav turns, jaw and throat still working frantically without creating a single sound, as a group of three devils steps in through the arched windows. They are about twice Tav's size and two of them are armoured in helldusk armour more splendid than their own.

And then there's Mephistopheles. Why the fuck isn't he down in the throne room? If he is not down there, who is? What is going on? Tav trips over their thoughts, unable to sort their feet. And why would Wyll – Wyll – ever work with him? What could Mephistopheles promise the warlock? Their soul? In exchange for what?

"You said they trust you," the arch devil purrs. The sound runs down Tav's spine like ice water. "That they will follow you trustingly into my hand."

Wyll swallows. "The need of their friend would have convinced them. You revealed yourself too soon. If-"

"Tav was already bolting." Mephistopheles graces them with a wicked wink. "Maybe you should have chosen the shape of the other friend instead. What a sad waste of the gift I granted you."

"I will make it up to you, I swear." The figure changes, now a bulky warrior between Tav and the door.

"I will deal with you later when we have time to – discuss your failure or our contract. First," his eyes alight on Tav, we hunt."

The piercing gaze accompanied by those words finally, shocks Tav into motion. Disregarding their weapon, they make for the door. They will have to go through the shapeshifter but that is alright by them. Tav pulls the backup knife and keeps their eyes on the shifter.

When he realises they won't sop, he changes back into Wyll, hoping for a moment of hesitation. Tav has none. They shove their spiked pauldron into his body, slashing for his stomach at the same moment. The figure flickers through several forms and Tav doesn't stick around to see on what it settles.

They rip the door open and shut out the deep laughter that follows them like a soft promise of pain. It's not far, they can make it to Raphael.

Two guards at standing at the top of the stairs to the throne room. This is new. Probably decorum for the visit. Both smile with a show of greedy teeth when they see the human.

"Es geht los," the right one chuckles. He steps into the way, crossing his halberd with that of his companion. "Viel Glück, kleine Maus."

Both laugh as Tav eyes the closed passage. Behind them steps approach without haste. Mephistopheles has long legs and doesn’t need to hurry. Their options are extremely limited. Tav wants to howl in frustration, but no sound leaves their lips.

Tav turns on their heel and run off in the other direction, the image of Mephistopheles laughing face at the back of their mind. They can't fight him alone. Maybe they can't fight him at all. But they are not alone, they have help.

It's only a short sprint to the boudoir. Tav skits around the corner and through the magical curtain. There they stumble when an invisible hand grabs their throat. It rips at their insides, clawing up their throat in blood-hot barbs.

Despite their best efforts, Tav crumbles, bracing on their hands as they heave and retch. Their insides twist, stomach pressing upwards but nothing comes out. Tav crawls on all fours, determined to put distance, any distance between them and Mephistopheles.

The curtain may not keep him out. What if he has his own invitation to the boudoir? The thought makes Tav sick, but you never know wish devils. A final pain shoots through them, a feeling as if their throat cleaves open, windpipe torn and shattered. Tav tastes blood but it drips to the tiles from their mouth accompanied by tears and a soft sob.

Their voice! Tav doesn’t stop to think about it. With their voice back, they can warn Haarlep properly. Tav resumes running, swallowing blood that comes from a deep bite in their cheek and wipe the tears of pain away. Only a few more steps.

The boudoir is quite and empty with all evils assembled in the throne room. And Haarlep lounges on the huge bed without a care in the world. Their head tilts slightly when the dishevelled human barrels towards them with bloody armour and face.

"A lost little mouse is running through the house," Haarlep chuckles as they sit up. "What brings you here, my sweet. I thought you and Raphael had an understanding?"

"Mephistopheles." The word is breezy, more air than sound and rakes through Tav's throat like hot coals. But it is audible and that is all that matters.

"Yes, he is here to bargain with his unruly son. How do you think that will turn our?" The incubus raises a brow.

"He's not in the throne room bargaining!" Tav gasps. "He's here, in the library, tried to get to me with a shapeshifter. I ran. But-"

"Slow down." Haarlep rises and slips off the bed. "How can he be here when he is also down in the throne room?"

"I don't know," Tav wails. "But he is after me. And the shapeshifter cast a spell on me so I couldn't speak."

"How very clever of you to come here," the incubus hums. "The magical shield won't let magic pass that isn't from the House of Hope. "Did Mephistopheles follow you?"

"I don't know if he can get through the shield to the boudoir."

"He doesn’t have to," comes a familiar voice from the balcony. The rich timbre goes right into Tav’s bones.

The curtain moves and a red wing emerges, followed by Mephistopheles and his two warriors. "I think you may have forgotten about the path over the balconies." He smiles in triumph. "Haarlep?"

Tav looks to the incubus at their side. Black and red eyes bore into theirs.

"Do you trust me?" Haarlep asks.

Tav nods. "Always," they murmur and hope Mephistopheles doesn't hear it.

Haarlep smiles and puts an arm around their shoulder as he produces a scroll and tosses it to the arch devil. "A stupid decision, really."

Tav recognises the spell for Dominate Person a moment before its power paralyses them.

"Too easy," Mephistopheles says as he steps into the room. Hard eyes scrutinise his inhibited prize. "Let's see how my unruly son bargains in the face of this."

He nods to the incubus and Haarlep drags Tav along, out of the boudoir behind the arch devil while more warriors join until they form an unbroken escort around the small group.

The devils part before them as they walk down the stairs slowly. Mephistopheles is milking his entrance for all it is worth. For a moment Tav can see Raphael on the other side of the room, looking small on the huge throne because of the distance. Before him a devil and his honour guard stand and though their words don't carry this far, the commotion speaks loudly.

Raphael stand up abruptly and the sea of devils part to let Mephistopheles through. Tav walks with Haarlep's hand on their shoulder to steer them. Their mind is running, but nothing they want to do, they can. Their body obeys Mephistopheles now; no amount of hating that or him will change that.

Tav is paraded through the assembly, the unbelieving and angry gaze of Raphael heavy on them. They wish nothing more than to assure him it will be alright. But what right do they have? And what proof? Haarlep's hand on their shoulder is efficient as a leash. It doesn't help they can hear the incubus quietly chuckle to themself.

"There he is, my unruly son." Mephistopheles' voice booms through the room. "Styling himself the ruler of hells and yet unable to protect what is his in his own house."

The chocolatey laughter drenches the room and Tav knows many of the devils are swayed already. A master has returned with the trump card of his adversary on his sleeve. Their gaze flicks to Haarlep, but they are absorbed in their task and their own head. Mephistopheles ignores his human prisoner completely – and justifiedly. Tav is bound firmly under his spell.

"You need to train your pets better. This one ran straight to their butcher for help."

Haarlep pushes Tav forwards until they stand before Raphael who glares daggers across the space between him and his father.

"Oh, don't worry about them," his father goads. "They are perfectly fine as long as you behave. And Haarlep, well, you know how they are."

Raphael does – Haarlep is always on the winning side. If they side with Mephistopheles now – he pushes the thought away. The last thing he will do is take this insult - this public humiliation - and swallow it. His eyes graze over Tav, obviously under a spell, unable to move. But their eyes, their eyes plead. Scared but determined.

"So you come to negotiate and break every law of hospitality instead." Raphael's voice is calm and betrays nothing. He cannot lose his face now. He will talk until the solution to this problem reveals itself to him. And while devils are violent and evil, they also value decorum and proper etiquette. "I will not forget it."

"I will make sure there are more things you won't forget about today," Mephistopheles replies. "You ignoble defeat in front of your peers for one. Bested in your own house. Again. But I am yet willing to bargain. Let's see how much this," his hand languidly indicates Tav, "is worth to you."

"Not as much as you will ask for them." Raphael's voice is cold but if Tav can hear the tremor in it, so can everybody else. Maybe he can pass it of as anger. Tav can only look at Raphael, rage rising from his body that shifts as if about to ascend into his fiend from out of sheer rage.

"That remains to be seen." The arch devil laughs to himself, a sound like velvet and lightning. "I let this one go, and you agree to leave Cania and me out of your conquest." Mephistopheles smiles thinly. "Though, you are said to think very highly of this mortal. So abandon your conquest. Return the hells to their natural order."

Silence falls in the throne room. The only noise is an occasional rustle of wings.

"You are delusional if you believe I will give up my life's gaol, within reach, for a mere mortal," Raphael scoffs convincingly.

"We will see the truth of that soon enough." Mephistopheles eyes Tav and runs a claw along their jaw, leaving a thin red line. "Or do you have a counteroffer?"

"You let Tav go unharmed now, and I let you live," Raphael growls.

"Oh, you never knew when to back down," his father laughs. "But I can repeat my only offer, if you have trouble hearing."

Raphael sets his jaw, lips but a thin gash across his face.

"Oh, he is not very accommodating. How about we show the whole place everything he treasure so much?" Haarlep leers. They lean over Tav’s shoulder murmuring ‘be ready to run’ into their ear before running their tongue seductively over the side of Tav’s face.

With a snap of his fingers, Mephistopheles removes Tav's armour. They stand naked in the middle of the room and shame starts its hot rush up to their face. At the same time, the familiar protection of Sanctuary settles around them. If only they could look back at Haarlep, but the incubus has their cheeks pressed together, hands wandering down Tav’s sides and leaving pinpricks of red.

Raphael doesn't react. Though Tav can see the tiny flick of his eyes, disbelief and distrust, aimed at Haarlep.

"What do you say, my insolent offspring?" The words echo.

Raphael doesn't reply. His eyes narrow and seek out his most trusted lieutenants. Then he throws himself at his father, changing into an ascended fiend on the way. Long black claws rip into the arch devil's expensive clothes and smug expression.

At once the warriors flanking their master attack Raphael, but only one gets to him as the others are cornered by the cambion's minions.

Mephistopheles takes a step back, concentration broken, and casts a devastating spell at Tav. It bounces away harmlessly. He casts again but this spell, too, fizzles out harmlessly. Tav turns, their eyes deep with rage. But they cannot retaliate without breaking their own security. So instead they approach him slowly. Area effects can harm them and Tav will make sure the arch devil feels the pain as well if he casts any.

"None of that now." Haarlep takes Tav's arm and gently drags them out of the melee zone. One of Mephistopheles' warriors lies dead already, and Raphael approaches his father seething white. The black bones encasing his fire glow red in places.

Tav lets the incubus move them unable to drag their eyes of Raphael. The throne room is carnage, devils that took sides prematurely getting decimated by those loyal to Raphael, and the tall figure is its centre piece.

Mephistopheles spares them one last glance before he vanishes. Raphael drops to the ground where his father was a moment ago, claws ripping over the tiled floor. The skulled head turns to his father’s last warrior who, pinned and wounded smirks and cuts his own throat with a slash of his armoured tail.

Raphael roars and every body makes room for the tail and hands that tear into the dead bodies. The four devils are ripped to shreds and the cambion shows no sighs of slowing down, moving on to the traitors in his own ranks.

Tav frees themself from Haarlep's grip and approaches their devil carefully. "Raphael." The word is as soft as the touch of Tav's hand on the devil's arm.

His head snaps around, jaws open, eyes burning, mandibles shaking slightly from rage. But he doesn't lash out and when Tav raises a hand to his blood-covered face, Raphael lowers it enough for them to reach. Cool fingers move gently over the flithy bone and mandibles. "Ich bin hier. It's alright."

The fiend calms down enough to growl.

"I know." Tav breathes a kiss over the central skull.

Raphael rises to his full height, wings spanning the width of the throne room. He scrutinises each fiend for a moment, barking out orders: tighten security, remove the back door to the boudoir, send spies to Cania, clean up the mess, check on the loyalties of all under his command.

He lets his gaze linger a little longer on Haarlep. The incubus smirks with overt glee at the carnage. "We will talk later," Raphael growls and sends the incubus away with a curt gesture. Haarlep winks at Tav before they leave.

Tav is swept up by their devil and carried away. They cling to the bony figure, face pressed into the burning chest. They only have to hold it together for a few more moments.

Then the door closes behind them and Tav lets go. They shake in Raphael's hold, hyperventilating as the situation crashes over them. There is no adrenaline left to keep them going. But they don't have to.

Raphael puts the down on the edge of the bed but Tav clings to him. "Don't leave me." It's a weak plea and so very selfish considering the situation. But Raphael complies. Long claws close around their shaking body and Tav sobs into his embrace.

Once, they would have tried to calm down, to bottle it up enough for later release, alone, safe from prying eyes. But not any longer. They are safe with their devil. And Raphael takes the time necessary until Tav drained the swamp of their flurrying emotions.

Finally, they lean back and smile. “Thank you." Tav stands on the mattress and steadies themself on the fiend until the can bury their face against his neck. "Thank you," they repeat and press a soft kiss to his throat.

"You will tell me how this happened." The devil's voice rolls like an avalanche. But he holds Tav tight, closes his wing around them.

"Yes." For a moment longer, Tav snuggles up against the hellish figure. Then they put the side of their head against his bony side and recount the whole misadventure. Sometimes they shudder at the memory. But they are safe.

"Did they touch you?" Tav asks when they finish, remembering the fight. "Are you hurt?"

"I am fine." Raphael's tone betrays his lie.

"Let me see." Tav pushes back a little but the ascended form is impenetrable to their gaze. It looks fine. "Raphael," Tav's voice is tender as they turn the devil's head to face them. "Let me see."

Raphael switches into his devil from not looking away and Tav scans his body again. Mostly it is covered in shallow cuts, likely from fingernails. But one deep gash runs over his ribs and the skin of his right wing is torn between two spokes.

"I will take care of it." Tav places their devil on the bed. Instinctively, they grab for their shirt to rip off strips to staunch the bleeding momentarily. But Tav's hands find nothing. Tav cups Raphael's face with on hand and kisses him softly. "I'll be right back."

They yield to his hand that pulls them down again for a longer kiss, tasting the remains of adrenaline and fire. Tav leaves with a smile to rummage through their shelves until they find old shirts that are soft from much washing and a bottle of healing water, stashed with many, almost identical bottles.

Tav returns to Raphael's side and pours some of the water over their shirt and presses it against the wound. The devil sighs, as the restorative water knits his flesh back together. After a moment, Tav pulls the fabric away, soaks it again and repeats the process until the wound is healed. They leave a trail of kisses where no scar shows.

When Raphael runs his hand through their hair, Tav leans into the touch. They allow the caress for a while before they kiss the devil's palm and move to his torn wing. It doesn't take long to heal either. Tav throws the bloody shirt into a corner and kneels beside Raphael, one hand on his stomach.

"Do you need rest now?" they ask. The healing process of devils is not familiar.

"Not as much as you.” He slowly pulls Tav down at his side. The human complies, snuggling up against the hot skin and wrapping an arm across his chest. Their breath is cool on his skin as Raphael wraps the healed wing around their small form. "You will rest."

[bookwyrminspiration]

god I would be UNSTOPPABLE if I was capable of consistently initiating tasks. just you wait. you'll be waiting a while but just you wait

[vvolken]

please stop following me because of this post. i am not a funny relatable meme blog.

also this post was about me forgetting significant life events due to CPTSD, but it is meant to be inclusive of anyone with a disorder or disability that causes them to forget things regardless of what they do to try to remember.

i know sometimes you can use lists or whatever to help yourself remember, but this does not work for all people in all situations. my original tags and the post itself imply this.

i do not check every note because i turn off notifications after 40 or 50 notes. i do not have the energy or desire to argue with all the people that bring up counter-topics. it's not my job to correct your poor reading comprehension.

i will turn off reblogs if people continue to follow me or make stupid arguments in the reblogs or comments. i don't like turning off reblogs because it's disappointing to see a post you like and not be able to reblog it, but i will if things continue the way they are.

original post:

"i would kill for you" "i would die for you" okay but would you forgive me if i forgot something important for the 51204th time in a row even though i tried my best to remember

[phantomrose96]

i'm sure people have sent you the answer 293 times already too but just in case, the water texture is a default photo filter on the tumblr photo editor!

WE HAVE A PHOTO EDITOR?

[apollos-boyfriend]

i was cuddling with my boyfriend last night when his shoulder started tensing up (like he was readjusting or gently pushing me off) and when i asked him if he was okay or needed me to move or something he went “no you’re fine, i was just imagining myself pulling a large rope. i didn’t even realize my shoulder was doing that lmao” then refused to elaborate and i have never been as attracted to him as i was in that moment.