vanaglorie - Tumblr blog

[vanaglorie]

The inflections in Hibari's voice, subtle as they are, are like music to Byakuran's ears. For a man who looked so in control of his composure, he sure was easy to poke fun at! Byakuran likes to drop by on a whim just to see how the others are doing sometimes, but it seemed that he may have a new hobby now!

"Oops-" He feels the force of Hibari's swing, slicing through the air with a whistle dangerously close to his legs had he not hopped back just in the nick of time. If he got too distracted by his own thoughts, it would be bad news for him.

"Really, do you hear yourself sometimes? You talk like that to everyone?"

UKIGUMOS - »❝浮雲❞«

"Hmm~."

Kyouya's hum is laced with both irritation, amusement and curiosity. Grating fools like this one aroused him with the need to violently eliminate. So without wasting any time, he changed his course of movement and immediately swiped his weapon upwards in yet another attempt to deal damage.

"Having you to myself is quite the opportunity."

Those runts had taken his prey before, but not this time. His smile widens.

"I'll bite you to death thoroughly."

[vanaglorie]

@ukigumos → cont

"I said 'my bad'!" Should it be well-known knowledge that Byakuran should not be trusted with sharp objects, no matter the supervision? Yes. Is it? Perhaps not.

He spies the flash of metal as Hibari pulls out his tonfas and immediately charges for him, but Byakuran is quick enough to jump high out of his reach just as a swipe was about to do some real damage to him.

"Oh, you think I'm perfect?" Byakuran gasps. "I think you're pretty great too~"

[vanaglorie]

"What made you take an interest in parallel worlds to begin with anyway?" (From Gokudera from my inbox call)

“Hm, it’s not so much that I took a interest in it as it was thrust upon me one day with a migraine to end all migraines that opened up my mind to the horrors and beauty of every parallel universe to ever exist!” Byakuran recalls the moment that changed his life ever so fondly. It just proved that he’d been right about everything: reality was a farce and he was never meant to live a human life.

“Why? Does Gokudera-kun want to learn about them? No provlem. I’m sure I could find a way to help you see~” Rather than having any sort of malicious intent, he almost seems eager to have someone as brilliant as Gokudera in on this. It could be fun, having someone else to talk to about it. “Ah, jumping into parallel worlds on your own might break your brain though, so I don’t recommend it.”

[vanaglorie]

[ CONSTANT ] : after weeks/months of endless flirting back and forth, sender finally dares the receiver to go beyond flirting and break the tensions between them properly. ( or reverse, whichever :P for dino- )

They’re strolling through the gardens when Byakuran comes to a sudden stop.

“Is that a challenge, Dino?” Byakuran’s voice is light as ever, but there’s a chill undertone to it, letting Dino know that the next words that come out of his mouth had better be carefully chosen. It’s certainly not a secret, and truly it hasn’t been for a long time now, that Byakuran feels a certain way about the Cavallone boss. Life is too short to pussyfoot around things like that. He would know! He’s died before.

Jokingly or not, Dino daring him to cross that line is all Byakuran needs for him to close the distance between them with such voracity that Dino would find the rough trunk of a tree pressing into his back, Byakuran closing him in from all other sides. Violet eyes seem to pierce straight through Dino’s facetious demeanour, searching him for any signs of hesitation, regret, disgust.

“You should know something,” he murmurs, and when Dino opens his mouth to ask, Byakuran silences him with a kiss. It’s firm and insistent. His lips move against Dino’s with an urgency that’s almost harsh, nearly ravenous, as if Byakuran needed a part of him to breathe himself. It all eventually gives way to something slower, fuller, gentler as he relaxes into Dino.

When they finally part, he swipes his tongue across Dino’s lower lip, and with a smile as soft and sweet as Dino can ever remember seeing, Byakuran laughs. “You’re really in for it now.”

[vanaglorie]

( ` decided to add a present!byakuran verse because sometimes i feel like Byakuran needs to be Hip with the Kids™ and also so i have an excuse for him to be even more of a menace and bully everyone. not sure what to do with it yet but… it’s there! )

[vanaglorie]

random headcanon: byakuran loves desserts so much but he can’t bake for shit. or cook. absolutely useless in the kitchen. he’s tried! and he had to scrape tomato paste off the stove for two weeks. he doesn’t understand why he has to follow a recipe, because why can’t he just throw whatever he likes into the pot? he cannot be trusted with the microwave (he has a sticky note that says “NO SPOONS” on the door).

[vanaglorie]

"i need you to stay here with me." (from Shoichi from my inbox call from this meme here)

In a rare show of emotion, Byakuran raises a brow upon hearing such a request. He could not recall what exactly they had been talking about prior to this moment, most likely just idle chatter about what had transpired earlier in the day, along with miscellaneous reports of the goings-on in the base. Shoichi could be oh-so-formal sometimes that it bored him to no end. However, now that all the other officers had been dismissed and it was just the two of them in the large conference room, it couldn’t hurt for pretences to drop, even if just for the moment.

“What brought this on, Sho-chan?”

He wonders if Shoichi ever misses it: the halcyon days from their college memories, the times they would simply… do nothing together.

Byakuran doesn’t. He let go of those sentimental connections a long time ago. But he wouldn’t be a good friend if he didn’t act like he cared at least a little.

“Of course I’ll stay with you. Whatever you need, just ask.”

[vanaglorie]

“Bentos, you say? Only if it’s not too much trouble. College life only gets busier, y’know~” He’s gotten quite used to takeout and convenience store meals. Contrary to his discerning tongue when it comes to desserts, Byakuran doesn’t care much for any other kinds of foods, so long as it keeps him going. He can’t say he’s ever had anyone go through all the effort of making an entire lunchbox for him, so he’s actually quite surprised that Haru would so readily offer. For the briefest of moments, he even wonders if, perhaps, he is getting a little too carried away right now.

They were already making so many plans together; hanging out together after class and doing things both of them enjoyed, as if no time had passed at all, as if nothing had changed.

Byakuran realised that if he indulged in this anymore – more than he should – it could become quite troublesome later on.

He quickly shakes away those thoughts lest they sour this moment with Haru.

“I’m terrible at cooking, and I eat absolutely anything, so if Haru-chan wants to treat me as her personal waste disposal and guinea pig, I’m a volunteer,” he adds on, mostly in jest, but Haru would quickly learn that none of these were understatements in the slightest. “Where are you heading to next, by the way? I can walk you there.”

Byakuran only then catches a glimpse of the campus map in her hands, and remembers that while it was a very fortunate coincidence that they reconnected in such a manner, Haru had surely been busy with something else before this.

“Yeah? Guess you also moved, huh?” She’s thinking that her perhaps moved to the clear other end of Japan or something to be considered a long trip to return to the family home. “Commuting from closer to campus is going to be a game changer, for sure. The less public transit I have to use the better.” It was always a matter of the crowded subways and trains and the smell that was a huge factor behind her wanting to commute from somewhere closer. Well, not to forget the occasional creeps that you may come across.

“Hahi? Oh! That would be lovely, thank you for the offer. I’ll take you up on it if I don’t have any other option.” She wasn’t going to abuse the fact they were friends to have him drive her around everywhere. No one liked to feel used or to have their importance be summarized with how ‘useful’ they were. She’s been there before, and it wasn’t a fun time.

She giggles, quite happy with his enthusiasm for the impromptu dubbed ‘Ha-kkun day’. “Haru has always been a creative person, glad that you still appreciate her creativity.” She puffs out her chest with pride. “I didn’t have anyone who wanted to join Haru for this before, so she’s really happy you want to celebrate appreciation day with Haru~” It wasn’t like she didn’t understand, what, with girls caring for their figure? Telling anyone it’s a day where Haru eats all the cake she wants for a day was a quick way for many people to turn her down citing their strict diet they were putting themselves on. She still enjoyed her appreciation days, but sweets taste better with company!

Gasp! “We might! That’s exciting~ Amazing-desu! We’ll have a buddy for class, and maybe we can go straight to Ha-kkun day after classes let out.” What’s better than possibly treating yourself to cakes right after sitting in class for hours on end? Their majors were such that they usually had a lot of classes to attend and then expect to spend hours on end working on their homework. Haru had built a habit of making herself lunches every day, and it was likely going to continue into college. “Does Akkun have plans for lunches? Haru could make an extra bento for you on the days that our schedules align.” It wouldn’t be too much trouble for her, since all she’d have to do is make a larger portion size of what she was making for herself.

If Byakuran was going to provide the sweets, then it felt fair for Haru to bring something herself. He can take care of their sweet tooth and Haru can make sure that they eat a nice bento to somehow balance out their diet—or at least make it feel so. “Haru’s pretty good at cooking, if that’s a concern.”

[vanaglorie]

Nothing escapes Byakuran, of course. Especially not when all he has to do is tilt his head a bit this way and nuzzle Shoichi a little more over here until he can hear the absolute jackhammer that’s going off in this poor man’s chest. He has to swallow a laugh lest he give himself away and Shoichi starts getting flustered and defensive and ruin this very comfortable moment.

“If you don’t want me to buy you stuff…” He almost sounds disappointed at that very prospect, because he loves buying stuff for Shoichi. Even when he has to return half of it most of the time because Shoichi is insistent that he doesn’t need so many things. It’s just his way of showing his appreciation for having someone like Shoichi in his life! Nothing wrong with that, right? “I’m sure there are other things I can do… like bringing Sho-chan to all the places he wants to go to~”

It’s a passing thought that he voices out on a whim, but Byakuran does start thinking about all the places he could take Shoichi to and the things they could do, especially the ones that he keeps talking about wanting to go to but hasn’t either because he doesn’t want to go on his own or because it’s only fun in “theory” and not in “execution”.

“It is nice, isn’t it? I wish we could stay like this forever.” Byakuran sighs with a soft smile. Some things still remain unspoken between them, but he feels how Shoichi’s arms hold on that little bit tighter to him, and the way his own heart flips a little in response tells Byakuran all he needs to know, just for the moment.

Brows furrowed together into a frown at the very delighted laughter of his friend, as Shoichi feels like he’s suffering—his heart beats so quickly it’s as if it could jump out of his chest at any given moment. And he notices the movements, can practically feel the gaze on him but decides not to peek; who’s to say just what kind of expression is awaiting him?

“Huh?” Shoichi halts at that, the words repeating in his mind for a moment longer before he blinks; glancing down at the mass of messy white greeting him. “Am I…!?” Well, he doesn’t have anyone else to truly compare it with, as he barely shared such physical contact with anyone outside of his family and one could hardly compare it to fleeting embraces as a form of greeting. 

Feeling defeated by the warmth slowly settling in and his heart skipping a beat at the smile and closeness, Shoichi simply snuggles closer to the other with his nose against white tresses. Byakuran has always smelled nice, always such a familiar fragrance he enjoys so much. “How do you intend on making it up to me, Byakuran-san? Please don’t buy me even more stuff, okay?” Despite his complaints, Shoichi’s voice has no bite as he simply tries to enjoy the moment. He is trying his damndest to ignore his own heartbeat raging against his chest which he hopes goes unnoticed—

A satisfied sigh escapes him as he shuts his eyes again, the lethargy threatening him amidst the comfort and warmth. “This is nice…” A soft murmur as his arms tighten around him just a little bit; as if Shoichi doesn’t want to be apart from him anymore.

[vanaglorie]

( ` bc i am a human with bad sense of responsibility i have created a genshin mumu for funsies

[vanaglorie]

i stayed. ( or reverse, for dino c: )

the receiver has told the sender that they haven't slept for several days due to intense nightmares, and asks them to stay the night so that they might be able to sleep (reverse)

Dino would awaken to the first slivers of daylight beginning to creep in through the heavy curtains, accompanied by the faint melodies of bird call. The morning is quiet, tranquil and so far undisturbed.

Byakuran doesn’t pry, even if he is horribly curious. The typically cool and collected Cavallone boss, sleep deprived because of recurring nightmares? It was rare enough that the man opened up around him, let alone show such signs of vulnerability.

“You stayed.”

Dino’s voice is rough, fresh from a deep sleep, and it doesn’t hide his surprise when he sees the other sitting a ways away in an armchair, book in his lap to while away the hours until he, presumably, woke up.

Byakuran glances up from his reading. It's hard to discern just what kind of expression he has on his face against the soft morning light, but his words he speaks next carry the telltale lilt of a smile. "Oh? You don't have to sound so shocked."

He closes the book and steps over to Dino’s bedside, where he picks up the glass of cool water to offer to him. "You asked me to, so I did,” he says, as if indulging Dino’s request had just been a matter-of-fact.

Byakuran’s hand strays as soon as Dino takes the proffered drink, up to the blond’s forehead, where his fingers brush away the strands of hair out of those still-sleepy eyes. “Should I ask them to make you some breakfast?”

[vanaglorie]

[ GELATO ]: the sender and receiver head out to the best ice-cream parlour in town for a cold and sweet date. ((Ooc: this screamed Haru and Akkun on a sweets adventure. Probably appreciation day lol ))

ideas for a date // overdue valentine’s prompt!

"I heard this is the best ice-cream place in town now, so we'll just have to verify it for ourselves, won't we?" While Byakuran seemed nonchalant about this affair on the exterior, Haru of all people would know that deep down, he was nothing short of excited to try a new store.

He had to bring Haru along with him too, of course. What would be the point otherwise? Sweet treats tasted that much better when shared with a good friend.

The online reviews were all raving about it, so both of them had high hopes. But Byakuran would reserve judgement for later, because too often was it the case that people were easily impressed by gimmicks and novelty desserts.

He was glad to see that their menu offered a wide variety of both classic and avant-garde flavours. Byakuran glanced over at his side and had to suppress a small laugh at the way Haru's eyes widened and sparkled. "I think I'll get the ispahan, with waffles to start. Which one does Haru-chan think looks best? Oh, and don't be afraid to try out as many flavours as you want. It's on me. It's Haru appreciation day after all~"

He can already see all the looks they're going to get as they get basically one of everything. One of the benefits that Byakuran brings is his bottomless stomach when it comes to sweets, which also means that Haru gets to try everything without having to worry about wasting anything. Win-win!

[vanaglorie]

He quickly closes the distance between them with a few long strides. There’s a certain bounce in his step that’s not usually there, so it must be something really special.

Byakuran pulls out from his bag an ornate little box. The top is clear, displaying the little treats Byakuran had brought with him. Inside were rows of individually carved wagashi, each with their own unique design.

Some were perfectly round with simple, small leaf toppers, some had more intricate carvings to make them look like delicate flower petals, and some were moulded into the shapes of a rabbit or a fish. They were really quite beautiful. Even Byakuran would feel a tiny bit bad for eating something so pretty. Just a tiny bit.

“It’s White Day, you know? I know it’s not exactly traditional but I thought I would bring some sweets for you anyway.” Byakuran’s smile is bright and ardent. He hasn’t had much chance to actually bring food for Koku, but he thought she might appreciate these ones. “Aren’t they cute? I saw them and thought you might like them.”

He carefully puts the box of sweets away until they can get settled down, but it’s clear that he seems quite excited for her to try them. “It’s my birthday too. Oh, tea would make a perfect pairing with these!”

As much as Byakuran would love to stay around the temple grounds more, his life and - ugh - responsibilities back in "the real world" calls sometimes, and it's been admittedly a lot longer than he would have liked between now and his last visit. Considering the special occasion, though, Byakuran thought he should carve out the time in his schedule anyway to drop by for a little visit. "Koku-chan~" It doesn't take much to find her, and when he does, he holds up the little bag he'd brought along with him. "Did you know that it's very special occasion today? I thought you'd like to celebrate a little bit with me?" He flashes her a sweet smile as he calls out to her. He would usually enjoy a good slice of cake, but given Koku's predeliction when it comes to food, he'd opted for more traditional sweets. Not too sweet, very light, and if anything, they were at least a treat to look at. 🌒 @vanaglorie

And Kokushibō is patient for she knows: sooner or later, Byakuran will return. She hopes he will not be worse for wear whenever he does, but like a moth to a flame, she's come to expect him returning to the temple's grounds at some point.

Even without knowing until the moment he arrives, he is never unwelcome.

Followers had been hovering nearby, vying for her attention and hoping for her blessings and grace, encouraged by her tendency to humor them not unlike one may humor a child's imagination, but they are also easily shooed away upon the arrival of her guest: request to prepare a room even before Kokushibō knows whether he would even spend the night.

Once they've gone away, attention turns to him properly: ornaments and earrings jingle softly as her head tilts in curiosity, a finger raising to her chin in thought. "An occasion--?" It seemed as if Byakuran had something up his sleeve, beyond the treats she can smell in the bag.

"You seem rather excited; tell me of this occasion. Shall I have tea brought out?"

[vanaglorie]

( ` just submitted the first of three papers that are due in the next 3 weeks LMAO but once those are done i’ll finally have more time for byakuran ε-(´∀｀; )

[vanaglorie]

King had a starstruck look on their face the whole day as they went about the building. The way they looked, it was almost like today was their birthday instead of his. But it was, in fact, his birthday, and they had a gift. How they had managed it without him knowing was a mystery, but they offered a cake up to him. Soft white frosting with deep royal purple sugar sprinkles. The cake was a delicious vanilla cake, and the frosting was a marshmallow frosting. Hopefully, he appreciated the efforts King made for his birthday.

“What’s this? A cake?” The grin spreads across his face almost instantly with childlike abandon. It’s no secret that Byakuran lives on sugar, and to be presented with an entire cake… It most certainly was his birthday, then!

Byakuran immediately dips a finger into the frosting and scoops up a glob of it. “Don’t mind if I do!” Without another word, he sticks the fluffy cream into his mouth and licks his finger clean. An appreciative hum leaves his lips and he nods approvingly.

“Very good. If only you could make me cakes everyday~”

[vanaglorie]

It's hard to tell what Byakuran is thinking as King continues to speak, as they draw closer and dare to bare themselves before him in such a way. Whether he's actually listening or only pretending to, whether he's actually sympathetic to the other's plight or if he's just bored, no one can really say just by looking at him. The smile on his face, the way his eyes curve into thin crescents, is inscrutable as always.

He's had his fair share of people trying to kill him, too. The difference though, is that he doesn't have any scars to keep count of the number of attempts. While it's rather admirable, impressive even, that King was able to survive have their head chopped off, Byakuran couldn't imagine letting something like that ever happening to him, unfamiliar parallel world or no. Because he would quash any attempts at it, obviously. But he supposes that’s quite the tall task for an at-the-time child. Not to mention that Byakuran himself does not currently have the ability to resurrect himself should he become incapacitated in another timeline.

What exactly makes King so different? he wonders. He resists the urge to seize the answers for himself, dig his fingers in deep into the source of it, rip it apart until he finds what he wants.

"Disappoint?"

Byakuran seems to feign surprise and naivety upon hearing the question. Perish the thought! “Why ever would you think that?”

Far from it. In fact, he finds King most amusing. The way in which she seems to make herself so vulnerable to him is fascinating. He could kill her right now if he wanted to; but he won’t, because it’s clear they have some use yet.

In one swift motion, Byakuran stands up from his chair and appears mere inches away from King. He’s bent forward slightly, enough to bring his gaze closer to the scarred tissue around King’s neck, in part wanting to examine it more closely, in part wanting to see if King would squirm.

“No, no. You’ve made things very interesting around here, as a matter of fact.” He straightens, his lavender eyes now peering at King with such sharpness they could almost pierce through their skin and see right through them.

“And what did you expect me to be like, pray tell?”

King looked up to him, watching as he looked at the exposed scar. This was one of the few lasting visible scars they had from their numerous deaths. Visibly they relaxed as his gaze focused on the scar. They let him look at the scar, moving the choker down and away to show the full extent of the scar off to him. It was a gruesome death, as expected, but it was so quick and the first it ever happened, King was only sensitive about the sight because it was the only lasting scar they had from dying. Every other death never left behind a mark. They let him talk, watching him through half lidded eyes, blue staring at him in a lazy fashion, not as though he wasn't impressive, but rather as though his eyes focused on their neck instead of their face made them a little less on edge.

To keep that feeling, King dropped their arms, and shifted their body language to be more open, not too open, but open enough that it would appear to him like they were letting themself be examined. After opening up their body language, they stepped forward, walking closer to where he sat, stopping a short distance away from him, probably a half a meter if one was to measure. They tilted their head up, angling so that he could see the scar closer, trusting he would vocalize if he didn't want to see it any longer. King viewed scars very differently from Byakuran, having a scar didn't make them any less godly, if anything surviving without death able to claim them made them all the more god-like.

"It was the first time my abilities activated. I remember reaching for something in a bush, and then suddenly I was on my knees in a strange place, and then the next I was in agonizing pain on my rear with my mother fussing over me. It all happened in a total of six seconds. Incredible, isn't it? The cruelty that others can show the unfamiliar. Personally, I think that's something that should be studied. ... Pretty sure they thought I was some sort of demonic creature or some kind of threat. It was the first time I traveled, but not the last time I was killed on arrival."

They appeared to have their guard down, within arms reach. Close enough that if he had a lack of boundaries, he could easily touch the scar. Though, King remained where they stood, and didn't move, so as to not intrude on his personal space. They decided, while he was watching, they would push the topic onward.

"You're different than I expected, Byakuran. Am I what you expected? Or do I disappoint your imagination?"

Their voice held no inflection, no clue on if they were desperate for his approval or if they would rather he find them annoying. It was a blank, toneless voice, eyes staring off to the side as their neck was exposed to his eyes.

[vanaglorie]

"Rescue? Surely not." Limited though his experience might be with life forms of the younger variety, most children seemed to like his cheery demeanour and his never-ending supply of sweet treats. Either way, it's an experience that Byakuran does look forward to, just a little bit, which is more than he can say for most other things in his life at the moment. "If only you could have seen me when I was a kid. Hm, I guess you technically have, but I caused quite a few incidents in kindergarten!"

The mention of breakfast does make his stomach growl ever so quietly, a pang of hunger to match the pang in his heart upon hearing those simple words. Breakfast? Prepared for him? He could hardly remember the last time someone had done such a thing for him. Everything can seem so very far away in Byakuran's mind sometimes.

In the same way that Koku knows him well enough that most nothing slips past her watchful eye, Byakuran notices how her usually calm expression is marred by the faintest of frowns. He hardly thinks the contents of his nightmares is suitable conversation for a morning meal, but seeing Koku seemingly worry about him in this way makes him feel bad for holding things back sometimes. On one hand, it's because he doesn't want anyone to see him vulnerable, weak. On the other hand, he's simply... used to it, and it's not that big a deal, really.

Exhaustion of the soul, huh?

"I guess I could tell you about it, as long as it doesn't bring down the mood of your lovely breakfast," he says, and his voice lilts in the selfsame breezy tone it always has, but it's a little bit softer, slightly unsure, much like a child craving for a mother's embrace, but not sure how to ask for it.

After a moment, Byakuran also swings his legs over the threshold of the bed and gets onto his feet to follow her.

Night-black strands tinged with red shift as Kokushibō tilts her head, falling over shoulders but followed only by mild bemusement. Curiosity over what he found so amusing, and yet she still gives Byakuran a moment to gather himself and properly wake.

She'll find out soon enough, she's sure.

"Of course; a few decades pale in comparison--I must confirm you're quite correct. It comes quite naturally, I must admit," her motherly manner, she means. Mother of the temple, maternal-figure to so many followers within, its a role she's quite accustomed to feeling even as how genuine such behavior is varies so widely.

But perhaps she does have a small soft spot for him.

"I must warn they can be quite a handful, you may need to reach to Dōma and I for rescue." The twins take after their father in their out-going exuberance, though it amounts to no more than excitable children eager to learn the world and those within it.

It's such a casual moment, one could almost forget she had spent the past hours guarding him from terrors. Almost. Lilac eyes still watch closely, for so little could ever hope to get past her: a soft frown of thought as she debates something with herself, before speaking.

"...there is exhaustion of the body, and exhaustion of the soul; a need for rest and a need for peace. If the weight becomes too great, you need only speak."

That said, she finally rises to her feet, a hand absently gathering long hair to free it from the chair she sat upon instead of letting it trail behind her.

"--I'll have a breakfast prepared for you, once you are ready."

And with that, she begins quiet steps towards the doors.