[His eyes stay sharply trained on the motion of Temenos's mouth, of his tongue, of the subtle flex of his jaw as he swallows.]
As far as Asmo, I meant... um...
I just don't focus on it like he does. I don't understand it as well as he does, or what to do with it, other than it makes me kind of hungry. He gets annoying with it. But...
[His fingers start to mess idly against the loose waistband of his pants in the absence of his shirt.]
I think we can all still feel each other's sins. Even if we don't understand them like our own.
[Temenos reaches for more snacks as Beelzebub explains, though he ends up watching those idle motions as he opens a little package of cookies. It has the audacity to pop open violently and he nearly loses the cookies to the ground.
Anyway,]
That makes sense. This is simply from my observation, of course, but your own sin is still very much in the forefront when you experience other sins. I can see why relieving yourself wouldn't do much to sate your hunger.
You'll have to forgive me if I'm coming on a bit strong in turn. [The laugh that follows is directed more at himself.] I must confess that I find it...somewhat easy to succumb to desire when I'm with you.
[He'll stop taunting Beel with just holding the cookies and actually feed one to him now.]
I wonder if that's because of me. Temptation is something we're supposed to be good at. [Allegedly. Not like he's been trying much, though. It always took so much effort to tempt.
Or maybe he just doesn't realize the kind of effect he has on the cleric he loves so dearly. Nah. Can't be that.
He'll repeat what he did before, taking only half from what's offered from the first bite.]
Heh, I'm well aware. However, I'm not sure I would describe it as temptation in this case. If it was, your brother would never let you hear the end of it for stealing his role.
[He gladly takes the other half and opens his mouth to take a bite...only to freeze with his mouth agape for a moment.
He closes it. The cookie can wait. Instead, he quietly asks:]
...Truly? Does my presence truly alleviate it?
[He'd spent so much time thinking about possible ways to help Beelzebub- to alleviate the pain of his hunger in some capacity. To have arrived at this for s possible solution is a bit overwhelming.]
[A beat, and his eyes rest on Temenos, soft and a little tired, gathering how he wants to explain it.
...]
I look at how you smile, and I'm happy. I hear you talk and laugh, and it makes my chest feel full. You're kind to me. You compliment me. I can watch you be smart and make jokes.
I really like that feeling.
And when I feel like that... sometimes it's easier to not think about being hungry. It still hurts sometimes, but... I can think about being happy. I can think about what kind of things I want to see and do with you.
[Hearing Beelzebub say all of those kind and loving things about him and how much of an impact he seemingly has made fills him with so much happiness. It's the sort of happiness that he never thought he'd get to experience again- not until he started growing close to Beel.
He rubs at his eyes with his free hand.]
Oh, dear. What could have gotten in my eyes, I wonder?
[Jokes aside...]
I hope you know just how much you deserve that happiness. I am honored to have played a part in giving it to you.
Whenever you find your hunger difficult to bear...I'll never be far to aid you.
[He relaxes into that touch, letting his weight settle against Beelzebub's hands.]
I love you too.
[He hates every single reminder of the dawn, though.]
You will come back to it. I won't allow for any other outcome.
[He knows he can't actually promise that, nor would he resort to an extreme measure to make it happen. Beel would likely never forgive him otherwise. But if there was anything he could finally believe in, it's this.]
[He strokes the side of Temenos's face, a brief moment to settle in the quiet. It's not a quiet he likes. But at least he isn't alone in it.
With a gentle press of his fingers, he tries to coax Temenos to lean forward. The kiss that he meets him with from past the bars is a lot less desperate than before, a lot less driven by hunger - something simple and loving, like their first kiss removed of its delicacy and hesitancy.]
[It takes little effort to move him, and even less for him to return that loving kiss. His hands reach through the bars to rest on Beelzebub's shoulders. He may be prevented from embracing Beelzebub fully, but at least he's still afforded this much.]
My sweet Beel.
[He whispers as they part, happy and full in spite of what awaits.]
[One hand drops to fish up where that cookie half has been discarded. Is it on his lap? Still in his fingers? Doesn't matter. Beel's finding it and holding it up for Temenos.]
[Greatly affected?? He isn't sure where to start with that, but... Temenos looks happy.. Temenos sounds happy, even though this is a bittersweet night they share. Maybe knowing that was more important than the details. Beel never was much good at those.
He chuckles at the sensation, letting the snack slip from his grip and relishing in the muted sound of Temenos chewing. Maybe the ghost of Lobelia is here, who knows.]
Your mouth is so soft. Even when you're eating things.
Oh? The Avatar of Wrath, is it? [After some thoughtful chewing and recalling what he remembers about Satan...yeah, he can take that as a good comparison.] Is he a lover of mysteries as well?
Yeah. It's one of his favorite things. Besides cats, that is.
[He's helping himself to another cookie.]
He can get really mean - [munch munch] - mn, and he's got his bad temper, b-- [munch munch munch] -- but he's really smart. He loves to read and use what he learns. And he knows a lot of famous people in the devildom because he likes to learn.
He also wouldn't be against blowing something up in his face if he could solve a mystery for it. But he'd probably also tear down a whole building after getting startled like that. Maybe.
[That gets a good laugh out of him. They really do have a lot in common...]
He sounds like the brother I'd need to get to know if I wanted to establish myself. [munch munch] After all, I highly doubt my services as a cleric would be needed there.
Lord Diavolo's mission is to keep peace between the three worlds. The Devildom, the Celestial Realm, and the human world. So... he might like to talk to a human like you.
Just don't cause trouble for him or his people with what you can do. Lucifer would kill you.
That's good. Just make sure to take care. A lot of demons will try to take the soul of someone they thing might be an easy target. [CHIPS don't mind if he does, thanks. Is he taking half the bag in two handfuls? Maybe.] You know magic already, though. That will help.
Don't worry about being let in. Asmo sneaks witches and wizards in all the time. And you'll have me on your side. If Diavolo or Lucifer has a problem... they can take it up with me.
Diavolo still has Belphie right now for treason. I know he's usually fair for a ruler. But...
...I'm just worried that you'll end up like Belphie, if I... don't get involved somehow. [He slowly licks the salt off his fingers.] I know it's not true. You're strong. I trust you. But...
I don't know what I'd do if Diavolo took you, too.
[He brings a hand up to his chin to consider that.]
You're not wrong to be concerned. If the situation is already tense, my arrival and subsequent connection to you could very well make things even more volatile. Quite the conundrum, indeed...
[Maybe he can start with something that he found peculiar the last time Beelzebub mentioned this.]
What did Belphegor do to be accused of treason, exactly? Do you know?
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[His eyes stay sharply trained on the motion of Temenos's mouth, of his tongue, of the subtle flex of his jaw as he swallows.]
As far as Asmo, I meant... um...
I just don't focus on it like he does. I don't understand it as well as he does, or what to do with it, other than it makes me kind of hungry. He gets annoying with it. But...
[His fingers start to mess idly against the loose waistband of his pants in the absence of his shirt.]
I think we can all still feel each other's sins. Even if we don't understand them like our own.
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Anyway,]
That makes sense. This is simply from my observation, of course, but your own sin is still very much in the forefront when you experience other sins. I can see why relieving yourself wouldn't do much to sate your hunger.
You'll have to forgive me if I'm coming on a bit strong in turn. [The laugh that follows is directed more at himself.] I must confess that I find it...somewhat easy to succumb to desire when I'm with you.
[He'll stop taunting Beel with just holding the cookies and actually feed one to him now.]
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Or maybe he just doesn't realize the kind of effect he has on the cleric he loves so dearly. Nah. Can't be that.
He'll repeat what he did before, taking only half from what's offered from the first bite.]
...
Being hungry isn't so bad, though.
Not when I'm around you.
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[He gladly takes the other half and opens his mouth to take a bite...only to freeze with his mouth agape for a moment.
He closes it. The cookie can wait. Instead, he quietly asks:]
...Truly? Does my presence truly alleviate it?
[He'd spent so much time thinking about possible ways to help Beelzebub- to alleviate the pain of his hunger in some capacity. To have arrived at this for s possible solution is a bit overwhelming.]
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...
[A beat, and his eyes rest on Temenos, soft and a little tired, gathering how he wants to explain it.
...]
I look at how you smile, and I'm happy. I hear you talk and laugh, and it makes my chest feel full. You're kind to me. You compliment me. I can watch you be smart and make jokes.
I really like that feeling.
And when I feel like that... sometimes it's easier to not think about being hungry. It still hurts sometimes, but... I can think about being happy. I can think about what kind of things I want to see and do with you.
So... I don't think it's as bad, that way.
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[Hearing Beelzebub say all of those kind and loving things about him and how much of an impact he seemingly has made fills him with so much happiness. It's the sort of happiness that he never thought he'd get to experience again- not until he started growing close to Beel.
He rubs at his eyes with his free hand.]
Oh, dear. What could have gotten in my eyes, I wonder?
[Jokes aside...]
I hope you know just how much you deserve that happiness. I am honored to have played a part in giving it to you.
Whenever you find your hunger difficult to bear...I'll never be far to aid you.
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So he stays quiet, reaching through the bars only when Temenos's hands have lowered from his eyes, cupping him at the jaw.]
I love you, Temenos.
Even if it's just for tonight... I'm glad I can feel it like this now. I want to remember. I want to come back to it.
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I love you too.
[He hates every single reminder of the dawn, though.]
You will come back to it. I won't allow for any other outcome.
[He knows he can't actually promise that, nor would he resort to an extreme measure to make it happen. Beel would likely never forgive him otherwise. But if there was anything he could finally believe in, it's this.]
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With a gentle press of his fingers, he tries to coax Temenos to lean forward. The kiss that he meets him with from past the bars is a lot less desperate than before, a lot less driven by hunger - something simple and loving, like their first kiss removed of its delicacy and hesitancy.]
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My sweet Beel.
[He whispers as they part, happy and full in spite of what awaits.]
Thank you.
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[One hand drops to fish up where that cookie half has been discarded. Is it on his lap? Still in his fingers? Doesn't matter. Beel's finding it and holding it up for Temenos.]
Just enjoy things with me.
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You've greatly affected me. I'd say that deserves some gratitude. [There's a playful lilt to it, though.] But I'll relent.
[He tips his head to take the cookie half from Beel's hand with his mouth, pressing a kiss to his fingertips in the process.]
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He chuckles at the sensation, letting the snack slip from his grip and relishing in the muted sound of Temenos chewing. Maybe the ghost of Lobelia is here, who knows.]
Your mouth is so soft. Even when you're eating things.
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Now that's a compliment I've never heard before. I've often been told I have a gentle demeanor about me...until I open my mouth, haha.
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[He clocks his head to the side as he leans forward to grab the whole cookie for himself. Sorry babe he's hungry. ]
'R g'rrs 'r c'rd-- [Oh whoops... swallowing.] Sorry. I guess I could see it. You remind me a lot of Satan, sometimes.
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Oh? The Avatar of Wrath, is it? [After some thoughtful chewing and recalling what he remembers about Satan...yeah, he can take that as a good comparison.] Is he a lover of mysteries as well?
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[He's helping himself to another cookie.]
He can get really mean - [munch munch] - mn, and he's got his bad temper, b-- [munch munch munch] -- but he's really smart. He loves to read and use what he learns. And he knows a lot of famous people in the devildom because he likes to learn.
He also wouldn't be against blowing something up in his face if he could solve a mystery for it. But he'd probably also tear down a whole building after getting startled like that. Maybe.
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He sounds like the brother I'd need to get to know if I wanted to establish myself. [munch munch] After all, I highly doubt my services as a cleric would be needed there.
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[he is using his brain cell hold on]
Lord Diavolo's mission is to keep peace between the three worlds. The Devildom, the Celestial Realm, and the human world. So... he might like to talk to a human like you.
Just don't cause trouble for him or his people with what you can do. Lucifer would kill you.
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[Being killed by Lucifer, that is.
With a nod,]
I might like to push the envelope from time to time, but I'd be far more careful in the Devildom. I understand my place well enough.
[The fuck around and find out threshold is a lot narrower.
He shrugs as he pops open a bag of chips and holds it out for Beel to grab from.]
This is just frivolous daydreaming, anyway. Who's to say I'd even be allowed in?
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Don't worry about being let in. Asmo sneaks witches and wizards in all the time. And you'll have me on your side. If Diavolo or Lucifer has a problem... they can take it up with me.
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Hah. I don't intend to bait such things, but I'd certainly like to see them try.
[Also, like. Another demon has first dibs if he actually wanted it.]
Well, I'd hardly want you to get in trouble either... Regardless, I won't hide my presence. I'll make a case for myself if need be.
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Diavolo still has Belphie right now for treason. I know he's usually fair for a ruler. But...
...I'm just worried that you'll end up like Belphie, if I... don't get involved somehow. [He slowly licks the salt off his fingers.] I know it's not true. You're strong. I trust you. But...
I don't know what I'd do if Diavolo took you, too.
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You're not wrong to be concerned. If the situation is already tense, my arrival and subsequent connection to you could very well make things even more volatile. Quite the conundrum, indeed...
[Maybe he can start with something that he found peculiar the last time Beelzebub mentioned this.]
What did Belphegor do to be accused of treason, exactly? Do you know?
spoilers for OM chapter 13 like whoa
[What was it that Diavolo had mentioned? It feels like an eternity ago now, but...
...]
I don't know. Belphie wouldn't talk about it.
But... from what they said when they took him away, Diavolo thought he was a threat to the human world. A really big one.
He kept saying that Belphie going "missing" wasn't just Lucifer trapping him or punishing him. It was Lucifer sheltering him. [From Diavolo.
There's too much missing, though, for Beel to know how to feel about it in depth. And worry wouldn't help Belphie or provide answers.]
whispers: I see.
yeah................... yeah
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returns to this five hundred years later to rewrite half the tag