TEST DRIVE MEME #18

[penancemods]

Arrival

You remember a dream.

Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.

It was full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. There's a voice that feels like it's coming from all around you at once. Contrasting with the nightmare unfolding around you, it's smooth as silk. It makes you want to listen with every bit of attention you can muster in the moment.

"Judgement has come upon you, but not to worry. It can still be undone."

The voice promises you redemption for your sins. It promises you a better life and everything you could ever want, if only you just stop struggling so much.

And so you do.

Everyone wakes up in the same room initially. The room is done up in red with a cushy bed, a window, an old TV in the corner on a desk, and a few Hieronymus Bosch paintings lining the wall. There's a bathroom to clean up in and any belongings will be sat around the room to be gathered later. There's a duffel bag provided for your convenience.

After feeling a sensation of falling or dropping onto the bed, characters wake up feeling like they've just slept for a week. Their body will feel heavy and stiff, and they'll have a massive headache at first.

They'll quickly notice the list of their sins written with their blood on a bedside table on an old piece of parchment. This will mean the list is tied to them and can't be changed or tampered with. They'll also receive their device to connect with others and the network. It won't be anything terribly fancy. As a matter of fact, it looks like a very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters are ready to leave the room, they'll head down long, winding halls. They're dimly lit and have an ominous feeling. They may encounter fellow sinners or demonic staff that will direct the newcomer down to the lobby to get their actual room key to settle in. The staff may be pushy, or they may border on courteous. It really just depends on the mood of the staff at the time and how they're treated in return. Eventually, everyone comes to stairs that lead downward.

Once down to the lobby, you'll notice the front desk manned by a demon who looks bored out of its mind. To the side of him is the door to the kitchen, where guests may help themselves. To the right is a small duty free shop that seems to have a surprisingly normal, expected stock of items. Look around a bit further, there will be a tiny bar tucked in through a corner door. It seems pretty well-stocked and best of all, there's a demonic bartender who seems to know how to mix any drink you can imagine (and a few you can't). Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit. There's also a new addition of a karaoke machine.

Please note that all the songs on the jukebox are appropriately hell-themed. Hopefully Sympathy for the Devil is universally loved.


Stand Your Ground

Rise and shine, dear guests! The weather outside is as frightful as it's ever been, oddly cold. Colder than it was even at this time last year, but it seems to match the mood of the staff. Another sinner uprising, another looming threat of outsiders wanting to wreck Hell, and the staff is understandably exhausted and down in the dumps. Still, they seem to be at least trying to spread the Halloween cheer with more decorations! Gaudy decorations are in every square inch of the hotel, along with some unique looking jack-o-lanterns that seem to watch you wherever you go!

There are even some absolutely cute little turnip ones from the old timer demons who insist it's the only way for it to be done!

Lucifer and Lilith are both curiously missing in action at this time. If asked, the staff will helpfully explain that there were poltergeists and then one of the sinners lost it and tried to take over Hell, again. They'll also complain at length about how absolutely ridiculous it is that anyone thinks they're capable of ruling this place over Lucifer himself. Feel free to try to escape the incoming rant! But either way, the big guy in Hell is apparently putting up more barriers to prevent things like this from happening in the future!

And to handle an outside threat called The Veiled Order apparently, but don't you worry about them! They're simply not important at the moment and absolutely not not planning a bit attack soon. Nope.

New arrivals (and old!) should enjoy the rather expansive breakfast the demons have made in the dining hall. There will be plenty of breakfast foods ranging from bacon to pancakes to donuts and anything in between to encourage indulgence. There's no need to hold back now, right? You're already dead! So eat up all that unhealthy food and maybe add something a little bit stronger to your coffee than just plain cream! No one is judging around here, especially when there's a few bottles of top shelf alcohol available next to the coffee station.

And if one thing isn't frowned upon in Hell, it's gluttony. No one will judge if you want a taste of human flesh or cute kitten out of curiosity or anything.

Staff will encourage guests to take it easy. Things have been rough lately, and they're only bound to get rougher!


Reach Up High

Prompt I: Jesus Wept

WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture, extreme gore.

Somewhere from within the hotel is an ominous rumble behind a closed door. This time, it isn't from any wayward mages or ill-timed bombing attempts, but the unlocking of a previously forbidden room. There are eerie screams from within, followed by menacing laughter as the door swings open of its own accord. The room within is painted in nothing but darkness and a thick fog.

For those who would dare approach, they will be able to make out the outlines of chains hanging in wait from the ceiling, but most other details are obscured. There may be a brief flash of figures in the shadows, the stench of blood. This feels like a bad idea, but sinners are drawn forward anyway. There's something of a promise inside this room... something new and exciting, greater than anyone is capable of imagining!

You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, don't you?

Before common sense can win out, guests will find themselves pulled into the room and hear the gut-wrenching slam of the heavy door behind them. Once inside, guests will be able to make out the torn apart bodies on the ground, halved or nothing but splatters of guts and bone. Despite all logic, some will still be writhing and moaning still. Whether in pleasure or pain, it's difficult to tell

Look closer still and sinners may notice one has managed to scrawl with their bloody handprint:

There are no limits.

It may feel as if reading those words puts things into motion. Suddenly, one of the poor sinners will find the chains lashing out, hooks sinking in deep as they find their purchase on their bodies and pull. They will find themselves pulled into an almost gruesome mockery of a crucifixion pose. Arms drawn up, legs held in place. Clothes may be torn or shredded as their unmarked bodies are marred with the hooks. Flesh and muscle stretch under the strain. Fortunately, it doesn't go further.

Not yet.

"My dear guests, we haven't explored the depths to which pain can show our true selves in a while, have we? And with all the energy flowing around our little community, I had more than enough time to prepare this surprise for all of you. This is a room that had been locked off for a while now, and my children trapped within have found themselves rather bored lately," Lucifer's voice rings out within both ears of the sinners, eerily reassuring despite the hellscape in front of them.

"I want to show you the lengths Hell used to go to, the pain and pleasure mix of true torment. It's in suffering that we find our true selves. I do firmly believe that. We find out who we're meant to be, what we're meant to be, giving and receiving pain. Help one another and you will be set free!"

The fog dissipates enough to reveal a table nearby full of all sorts of horrifying instruments. Paddles, whips, some of them barbed in nauseating ways. There's wax to melt, knives. Needles to pierce flesh with. There are instruments that deliver enough electric current into the recipient to hurt and leave them writhing, gags for when their cries become too much.

"Next to your instruments, you will find a list of sins and wrongdoings your lovely captive has done in their lives, both here and back home. Read it and punish accordingly. Remember, there is freedom in humiliation as well as pain. Force them to see who they truly are inside. There's also redemption to be found in the punishment. You are delivering God's divine justice! You are God's hand! He will be so pleased..."

In the shadows, there are those same figures standing in wait, ready to manipulate the hooks.

"You will have no more than four attempts to carry out your punishment. Failure or refusal to do so will result in another hook driving into our poor bound soul here. After your four attempts, I am sorry to say they will be torn apart by my friends in the shadows with you, and you will have murder added to the list of sins tainting you. It would be such a needless shame to fail at this, wouldn't it? And who knows, perhaps you'll find you adore this path..."

There's a short laugh from Lucifer, as if he just made a brilliant joke. "Succeed in your punishment and you will both be released with one more sin removed from your list. Don't worry about any injuries... there are bandages and other aids available just outside. Now, my darlings, go have fun."

[As this is a Hellraiser based prompt, feel free to assume anything with a sadomasochistic bent to it can be found within the room. Attacking the demons controlling the chains will not stop them. They seem to be invulnerable to attacks and are only there to observe and add additional hooks when they deem fit. When a punishment is deemed worthy enough to release the hooked partner is left up to player discretion, but a character is only allowed to fail a punishment four times before they have to witness a horribly gory scene.]


Prompt II: Let's Play a Game

WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. These are words from my Father's own book, preaching the ever so present importance of putting one's own worth below that of his fellow man. So very poetic, yes? And heroic. Only the truly good would be so selfless. Fortunately, I'm not asking you to kill yourselves here. Not exactly, at least." Lucifer's voice rings out within the sinner's heads, warm and coaxing as it ever is.

"No, I am only asking that you practice the art of self-sacrifice with your fellow penitents. We're going to play a little bit of a game. You're all familiar with escape rooms, yes? Well, it's like that... don't worry, you'll figure it out soon enough."

Spare a Pint Awakening in a room with a single box in the center of it, sinners find themselves wearing a tight collar with a clock ticking down. They have fifteen minutes to place their hands inside the box. They'll soon learn that it's full of sharp objects ready to cut. Upon further inspection, they'll find two glass bottles attached below.

They must spare a few pints of blood each, it turns out.

Once time is up, if they haven't suceeded, spikes will pop out from the collar and embed in their necks. This will result in both participants nearly bleeding out before demons tend to them. Any scarring will be permanent.

Free the Angel Suspended in the air, one sinner will find themselves outfitted with the most devilish device. Brackets have been connected to their ribcage, dug in deep as their bare skin stands out to expose the horrors. There are only fifteen minutes before the trap trips and rips open their chest. To save them, the other sinner must remove a key from a bowl of acid before the timer reaches zero and unlock a mechanism on the device. If they fail to do so, not only will the poor soul bound experience excruciating pain, kept alive through some unnatural means, but the other will suddenly feel as if their insides are twisting in on themselves.

Sinners will be patched up afterwards, but the bound will have a scar that remains on their chest as a reminder to both parties.

Lucifer will explain the rules of each game to the guests very thoroughly and offer whatever reassurances he can. As promised, all sinners will be healed properly after completing their tasks, whether they succeed or not. Even those who find their insides unfortunately on the outside.

If guests turn on one another, they will additionally be punished with a sin from their list branded upon their skin somewhere and fail any sort of redemption offered this round.


Follow Me Down

Prompt I: Monster Mash

WARNINGS: sex, drugs, alcohol, dub-con.

Hell is having a party and absolutely nothing can stop it. It seems like it may possibly be a days long event too, if the way things are going is anything to judge. There are tacky Halloween decorations spilling from the hotel out into the streets, trailing towards the club and other locations. Demons are partying everywhere, there's lively music. It's like a rather twisted Hell take on a block party. Beer and other refreshments flow freely, there's food and candy, and fires lit around the area for warmth (or s'mores, or whatever demons may want to cook over a fire!).

In the hotel lobby, there have been racks upon racks of costumes set up for people to choose from. These include all the usual things ranging from fictional characters, sexy versions of everything, lingerie, masquerade masks, and outfits for entirely anonymous adventures. If character won't don a costume willingly or are unfamiliar with Halloween, the demons have zero qualms forcing it in whatever ways work. Multiple costume changes throughout the partying, however, is allowed.

For party activities, there are live demonic bands playing at various points in Penance (and they welcome those who want to join in!), various party games such as bobbing for apples (although 'apple' here is used loosely. At times, they may be substituted with feet or human hearts or whatever is around), pin the wings on the angel, rounds of 7 Minutes in Heaven and spin the bottle, as well as pumpkin carving contests. There's also a stage set up if guests desire to show off their costumes (or take them off).

As usual, there's plenty of food and drink, including all the questionable ones like human flesh or blood. There may be a roasted Squonk or two available. There's also every drug available that someone could want, including Frenzy that's free of charge.

There's a round of trick or treating going on throughout Penance as well. Go to the club or bar, or any other establishment and you'll find demons ready to hand out their treats or tricks. It may be drugged candy, regular candy, small trinkets, or other useful objects. Tricks may be decidedly less fun, ranging from a swat with a cane, a cut with a knife (non-life threatening this time around!), or just cruel comments that seem to hit too far close to home while the demons around enjoy a hearty chuckle. Don't worry, it's all for fun!

In the bar, there's the jukebox playing some spooky new music, as well as karaoke. Bar games such as darts, pool, poker, etc. are also all available. It may include succubi trying to start a rousing round of strip poker, but that's just the risk you run in Hell!


Prompt II: Dig Your Fingers Into Flesh

WARNINGS: sex, bdsm, pet play, human furniture, dubcon, noncon, drug use.

Club Penance seems to continuing the new gimmick! Themed nights. This night's theme is: Leather and Lace, Bring on the Mace. Guests who enter the adult oriented side of the club will notice the incubi and succubi who serve in it are clad in skimpy lace numbers or seductive leather. They may be seen sporting clamps or other toys, leather masks, etc. They will eagerly encourage all who enter to join in the fun and games.

On their trays, they offer drinks and drugs of all sorts. Shows are being put on on the stage as usual, the offer of sex demos with guest participation are still on the table.

As usual, these demons play under respectable rules, safe words and all. They will also gladly exit the stage and let guests entirely run the show. They're on their best behavior tonight, even if the natural aphrodisiacs they give off seem to be amped up

Guests who refused to dress up may also find their clothes randomly changing into something more appropriate or being forcibly changed by a demon who may be a bit too into the theme! Ah, well, no need to worry too much. There will be costumes and lingerie to slip on to go home in. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a walk of shame back to the hotel in nothing but a thong, they'll assure. It's just another night in Hell.

For those who are really adventurous, there are also special concoctions that the club offers. These include:

Frenzy ○ The drug will be given to anyone anyone who asks for it. It can be snorted, injected, taken in pill form, or smoked given user preference.

Despite the questionable name, guests who partake really will feel the best they've possibly ever felt. They won't need sleep or to rest, but they won't necessarily feel the strain on their bodies either. They'll be full of energy and their mood will be amazing with no hint of nightmares or dreams anywhere.

The demons won't let anyone come down either, not once they've started and not until they're told a guest doesn't want any more.

Even then, they may still try to convince them otherwise. It's a party for as long as you can go, or until you completely burn out, it seems.

But with all good things come bad. It seems a side-effect of the drug is an actual frenzy as well. A frenzy for sex or violence or anything a character might want that they deny themselves on the regular. They'll feel this growing hunger, this ravenous need to have and to claim everything they think is theirs.

Some may even fade away into an almost animalistic sort of state.

The more the guest takes, the more they'll experience this sensation. Fighting it won't help either. Though they did sort of bring that one on themselves, didn't they?

Other symptoms of coming down won't be too different to those of other drugs. Fatigue, depression. Guests will begin to feel the effects of staying up for so long without rest or stopping to take care of themselves. They may also feel a certain longing for more, but it can be fought off with enough strength of will.

The drug isn't free either. The succubi expect to be paid in energy or through actual work in the club.

Bond ○ A potion that will bond guests together the minute one speaks to the other. The encouragement is that this should be done consensually, but the demons won't necessarily be checking. Once bonded, guests will feel what the one who took the potion feels. This includes pain and pleasure both with effects lasting a full night. Give someone the most intense pleasure of their lives or torture them until they beg for mercy!

For a really intense experience, both participants can consume the potion with mutual effects.

A special section of the club has been set back up to follow the theme! Within the area, there are pillory stocks and other restraints set up with demons and random club goers alike restrained and naked. Some of these will be stand-alone, some of these will be attached to beds, etc. A list of sins will be written on a blackboard sat near the sinner and a plethora of toys will be available. The selection will range from knives, candles, ice, impact toys, clamps, gags, etc. There will also be plugs, beads, dildos, and anything else one could want if they desire to add a little pleasure to the pain.

On the blackboards will contain a list of sins for characters and will typically be over the top and sex-based in nature, ranging from claims of promiscuity to selfishness in bed to specific taboo sex acts they enjoy. It can also include a few non-sexual ones, depending on the mood of the demon who wrote it. It may include other misdeeds done while in Penance. Expect it all to be humiliating or uncomfortable in some way or another.

For those who aren't into that, there's also a lovely display of human (or demon!) furniture to enjoy. Some of it may be familiar faces who are forced to maintain this position for however long others deem fit. Come sit on a face or two, or see if you can make someone fail at being a human statue. There may be a little pet play go on, a little denial play.

We won't talk about what it takes to be let into the rest room tonight...

For the dance oriented portion of the club, the theme is a little more lax. Instead of outright fetish wear, patrons may be offered revealing clubwear instead. Things that will look mesmerizing in the lights of the club ranging from neon colors to clothes that seem to flash on the dance floor. The music will be thrumming in the air, pumping down to your very bones as you dance the night away, and all patrons will feel good. It will feel as if they could actually dance all night if they so wanted, even without the aid of any drugs.

It will be an all night rave with all the party drugs and drinks one could want! Live music plays all night. The band also loves to receive requests, so knock yourself out! They seem to strangely know any song they're asked to play.

Knock yourself out, give up any care in the world and have fun. You're already in Hell, so don't you deserve to feel good for a while?


Wildcard/Misc.

Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions.



And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the November 1st app round! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.

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Comments

[compelledtoprotect]

No you uh!


[It wasn't a hard push, and Steve didn't fight it, but because he moved so easily he actually stumbled and hit the wall hard enough to make him grunt. Not that he minded. James could have done anything he wanted and Steve would have wept with joy. The fact that he liked being pushed around was just icing on the cake.

His breath came fast and shallow, eyes hot as they looked into James'. Steve was trembling just a little, and with that grip on his face the man could surely feel it. Steve's hands moved to rest on James' hips, digging his fingers in.]


Just you. It was only ever the one you. But almost no one comes back with memories. I was so scared you wouldn't know me. I . . . I couldn't . . . If you hadn't . . .


[Steve closed his eyes and swallowed hard, pushing out the words.]


I was too scared. I didn't think I could deal if you didn't know me, so I was trying to see if you were you. At least watching I could keep pretending . . .


[It was truth. Losing James hadn't broken him, but it hadn't done him any favors either. He'd survived though the feelings didn't go away, they'd just sort of . . . gone quiet. Most of him had. He'd barely been with anyone, sticking to the people he was just primarily friends with for the most part. It had been a comfort, but Steve had never looked for a replacement. You couldn't replace someone like James, and he hadn't wanted to try.]

[invicto]

[ His hold eased into something less rough, something more gentle than anything else. James didn't really want to hurt Steve, at least not right now. But it was just easier to be rough than gentle. At least to him, it was. ]

You could've just asked.

[ His hand slid down over Steve's throat, next his collarbone, resting on his chest. ]

I didn't miss you. [ Before Steve went down a depressive spiral, he quickly added. ] I didn't know months had gone by. I went to sleep and woke up, and— thought it was just the next day.

[ Except it wasn't. ]

I remember seeing you only a couple days ago.

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve was good with rough. Steve was good with anything that came from James. Everything he'd tried to ignore rushed back at the simple words and he almost broke down. And that hand! His breathing was ragged and only his hold on the man's hips and the wall behind him kept him upright. He didn't even have time to react the James' confession, mind so full he could barely process.

He blinked some sense back into his gaze, chest still heaving against James' hand as he tried to get a grip on himself. Who knew it would be so easy to completely undo him with barely a touch and a handful of words? Then again, James had always had that affect on him . . .]


What? I mean . . . wait. A few days? You were only home days? Just days?


[There was nothing to change the pain of the loss, but Steve wasn't dwelling on the past, especially not when the present was so much better. But just a few days? Really? Steve smiled, the expression full of relief. One of his hands lifted to touch the scar on James' face, tracing it lovingly as he spoke. Scars were badges of honor in his opinion, and sexy as hell too. Steve loved scars.]


Thank god. Oh thank god. Then no one hurt you, right? You didn't suffer for being stuck here? You hadn't lost status or anything? You were safe?


[Yeah. He'd had nightmares about the horrors James was probably facing, and that he'd be alone doing it. Whether Steve would ever tell James about that little choice Lucifer had given him was a big question mark though. He had no idea if something like that would be a good thing, or a bad one. Best to just keep it to himself.]

[invicto]

What? No, what I'm saying is I didn't go home. I didn't go anywhere.

[ Not that he remembered, at least. But they both knew this place, how it was filled with all kinds of torture islands and secret, distant lands designed for their suffering. Maybe that was where James had been, he couldn't say.

It was admittedly a little strange how everything of his disappeared in the meantime, how he didn't have his room anymore, or his bike, his clothes. He was again assigned to one of the shared rooms, which was what happened to all the new arrivals. ]

I'm never safe. Not here, not back home. [ It was fine, though; it was all he'd ever known, what he was used to. He didn't know what he'd do with himself if he ever was anywhere truly safe. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

You . . . but where were you? What did he do to you? James . . .


[Steve kept touching the man's face, his other hand tight on James' hip. It was a way to make things real for him. It wasn't a dream if he could touch. Just like with Bucky, it was so hard to believe he wasn't just hallucinating or something. The hotel had certainly tried to do similar things in the past.

He frowned, trying to make sense of what the man said. Not that it helped anything to make faces.]


We thought you'd gone home. Everything said you had. Even Lucifer . . . We still have your things, most of them anyway. Jim and me. We . . . we . . .


[Steve closed his eyes, swallowing hard. Dividing up the man's property had been so far from pleasant . . . Still, he had James in his arms again, and that was what mattered. He met James' eyes again, his own full of love and a very fierce protectiveness. Steve knew the man was deadly, but that didn't mean he wouldn't fight for the people he loved.

Despite the fact he knew it was a lie in some sense, Steve spoke, unable to keep it inside.]


You're safe with me. In my arms, you're always safe.

[invicto]

[ James curled his own hand around Steve's wrist, but it was more to keep his hand there than to tug it away. For what it's worth, this whole thing was messing with his own mind, too. James had once before been taken away to Lucifer's private island, and came back with no memories of it. But this time it was different. His room was gone, some of his things were gone, and it had been months. But yes, it was entirely possible this was some complex plot, orchestrated either by Lucifer, Lylith, or someone else entirely.

He was trying not to think much about it, or else he was bound to start delving into the realm of paranoia. Something he was used to, but would rather steer clear of for now. ]

Well, at least you still have most of my things. Thought they'd all be gone by now.

[ Small comforts. He raised an eyebrow, and finally managed a small smile, as one arm curled around Steve's waist, and his other hand moved up to cup his face. ]

That's sweet of you. [ A lie, but sweet nonetheless. No doubt more than he deserved, but he'd take it anyway. Coaxing Steve to lean in, he pressed their lips together in a kiss. If it had been so long, then surely Steve missed that too. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

We do. I do. I . . . I'm still in the same place. Never quite got around to moving. Sets did though. And all the other people who used to be there. Different roomies these days . . .


[Steve was babbling a little. There were many reasons he hadn't moved, though some he'd never consciously allowed himself to acknowledge. One of them being that he'd wanted to be there in case the impossible happened and James came back to him. Stupid maybe, but it had been in the back of his mind all the same, keeping him in place.

He made a soft sound at James' words and bent his head as the man started to lean in, eyes closing. The muffled sound that came from him at the contact would have been embarrassing with almost anyone else, but it was James. Steve didn't even notice he was weeping, the tears slowly trailing down his cheeks.]

[Steve had been so lonely for so long, it was such a heaven/hell experience. And the guilt could easily crush him if he ever gave it any attention.]

[invicto]

[ It was both surprising and not to hear that Steve hadn't moved at all. Then again, most of the nicer housing around here required a more intimate involvement with the big guy, and Steve never struck him as the type. Still, one of those big houses out there in suburbia, where Steve could house the number of strays he'd managed to collect over time? He wouldn't have been surprised by that.

Still, it was nice to find that at least some things were the same. Well, most everything around here was the same, but that people stayed the same. Particularly the few people he was close to.

He felt those tears run down Steve's cheeks, and he leaned in closer, pressed harder into the kiss, biting on his lower lip before he pushed his tongue into the other man's mouth. His body arched to press up against Steve's, arms curling around his neck, holding on as he was sure that Steve would easily grab hold of him and not let him go. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve clutched the man close when James deepened the kiss. It was heaven. All those lonely nights, the way he tried to move on, in some ways succeeded, but now he didn't have to be alone. There were no secrets between him and James. He didn't have to live up to ideals. In a way, it was a lot like being with Bucky. But different.

There were sides of him he couldn't let Bucky see, but James embraced them. Encouraged them even. For better or worse, James gave Steve something no one else did, and it had been missing since the man left. He held James tightly, careful not to squeeze too hard. The scent, the sounds, the way the muscles moved under skin. All of it screamed James to him, and Steve let himself revel in it. Even if the man shoved him away a second later, he'd have had at least one last taste.]

[invicto]

[ It was clear by the way Steve held onto him just how long it had been for him. He didn't feel bad necessarily, especially when it wasn't by his own choice that he'd been gone, but some part of him wanted to ease some of that hurt. He cared about Steve, in his own twisted way. The only twisted way he knew how to care about people anyway.

He bit into the kiss with a soft hum and a shudder, feeling himself being pulled closer as though Steve might not let him go. His hands slid down until he was gripping at the leather straps on Steve's harness. ]

This looks ridiculous on you.

[ Well, that might a harsh word. Maybe a little tacky, sure. Either way, surely Steve hadn't forgotten his particular brand of teasing and borderline humiliation. ]

I want to get it off of you.

[compelledtoprotect]

[He whimpered softly against James' mouth when he felt teeth, and the words made him shiver. He leaned into the faint tug on the leather, eyes hazy and hungry. James could have stripped his naked and he'd have taken it willingly. He'd be on his knees and begging for more. There was more than just basics that he'd missed with the man gone.]


Tried to leave it off. Rest wasn't awful but the wings suck. You should take it off . . .


[Even if he'd liked the wings, Steve would have removed them. As it was, he couldn't make his hands let go of the man to do much of anything. If he couldn't touch James, the man might just disappear again . . .]

[invicto]

[ Part of him kind of wanted to rip this all off of Steve right then and there, let anyone around see him completely bare and submitting to him. On the other hand, he had at least enough awareness to realize just how long Steve had gone without seeing him. A part of him didn't want that reunion to be such a public thing. ]

Come with me.

[ There were several rooms available here, so taking Steve's hand, he dragged him off to that quieter area of the club, one of the succubi all too happy to show them to the various rooms available so they could take their pick. James rather liked one with a round bed in the middle and a few mirrors strategically placed, one above the bed and others near the walls angled towards the bed as well. Very little furniture aside from the bed, and of course a closet with a myriad of toys and supplies on offer, and a thick curtain keeping them separated from the rest of the club.

He turned back to face Steve immediately, kissing him again, while his hands started working at the buckles in those harnesses. Hopefully they'd come off soon, or else James was getting his dagger out. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

Always.


[Steve followed James blindly, not even caring where they went. For the moment, at least, he could give up all control and just do as he was told. Whatever James wanted was what he longed to give. The fact that he was already hard and trembling with the force of it was just a sidebar. James could strap him down and vivisect him and he'd still beg for more. Sometimes a fucked up relationship was just what someone needed.

He made a soft sound against James' mouth when the man kissed him again, leaning in as those hands brushed skin and tugged at leather. Shit but that was hot!]


James. James . . .


[Steve nipped and sucked at the man's lips between kisses, shifting to give better access to those buckles, and to get more touches on his mostly-bare chest. His hands cupped James' face, just in case. At least the harnesses were fairly cheap and came undone easily. In fact, James probably could have ripped them apart himself, and didn't that thought give Steve another shiver!]

[invicto]

[ Steve always was an easy one, always did as James told him to. Definitely wasn't a healthy relationship, but fuck if James even knew how to have one of those, and besides, Steve seemed to get off on this kind of dynamic. Who was he to deny the man that, when he got off on it just as much?

He pulled and tugged and yanked at the straps until they slid off Steve's shoulders. Didn't help that Steve was huge and everything clung to him so tightly, but James was strong and persistent. Next he reached for whatever ridiculous excuse for a top he was wearing, which was practically just sleeves and nothing else. Those he just ripped off with ease, then yanked them off of him.

His hands dropped to Steve's trousers after, claiming another kiss as he fumbled with the button and zipper. There was a wicked little grin before he was dropping to his knees in front of Steve, immediately mouthing over the bulge in his underwear as soon as he managed to tug the leather trousers down just enough to expose him. ]

Mm, you missed that? My mouth on you? Wanna fuck my throat like you used to, babe?

[ Even on his knees, James still somehow had control, but that was part of the thrill. Knowing he could get Steve to do anything he wanted, even as he got the man to overpower him and fuck him senseless. ]

describing acid burns and kinda icky

[compelledtoprotect]

[The leather harness meant nothing to him, but the sleeves had actually been on purpose. He'd forgotten to mention he'd been busy lately, and it showed in certain places. It wasn't likely that James had noticed the damage to his hands, since his palms were mostly healed. The skin was just very smooth and discolored, hard to notice in the shadows. And his left hand had less damage to start with, so it would have been easy to miss since he'd been using that hand primarily.

His right arm and hand though . . . well. Shove your appendage elbow deep in acid and fish around for a key and you get a problem. It was a hell of a lot better than it had been, but the scars would take a long, long time to really disappear. His hand wasn't horrible since it had been healing faster, his body giving priority to the most important part of his arm, but the rest of it was ugly. Bubbled and still raw-looking, although it didn't weep fluid anymore. His arm was taking a while and the sleeve had hidden it quite nicely.]

[Until James ripped it all off. There wasn't even time to warn the man, and Steve was quick to keep that nasty right arm in the shadows. He must have done well enough as a distraction because James didn't mention it, which was good. They could ignore it indefinitely in his opinion. The discomfort of the burns was minimal in the grand scheme of things, and it was mostly just ugly. No need to focus on stuff like that.

Steve's head fell back against a handy wall and he groaned loudly when James' hands moved to his pants. His hips moved beyond his ability to stop them, swaying towards that longed-for touch. He shuddered and his nails scratched furrows in the wall as he fought the need to reach for James, to throw the man down and just take what he wanted, what he needed. But that was the best part of being with the guy. James was in charge, and Steve lived to give up that iron control of himself. He gave a jerky nod at the questions, knowing it would be harder than hell not to just explode at the first touch of bare skin.]


Yes. Yes! Wanted you so much . . . I want you James . . .


[Anything. Forever. The man would always have that power over him, even if it killed him. Steve didn't give a damn. To die in the arms of a lover seemed like a decent way to go, a lot nicer than any of his other close brushes with death. He might even have had a dream or two after James left of how nice it would be to see that beloved face before the blackness ate the world for good. Then again, he might have been wallowing in unhappiness when that stuff happened . . .

He stroked James' unmarked cheek with his left hand, threading his fingers into the short hair.]


So beautiful . . .

[invicto]

[ James's focus was definitely elsewhere, so he didn't look nor did he notice when Steve hid that arm at first. His attention was now on Steve's trousers, getting them open quickly, already tipping his head in to press his hot breath over the bulge. Light and teasing, hopefully not enough to get Steve off just yet.

He closed his eyes and hummed when he felt those fingers brush through his hair, momentarily distracted. But something felt... off. Not that Steve using his left hand was weird, necessarily, but James almost was counting on the full grip of two hands at this point.

He opened his eyes slowly and looked up, bright gaze studying Steve intently. The tension in his shoulders now, the way he kept himself twisted just so that his right arm was practically hidden behind him. The source of the tension wasn't the arousal either, he could tell.

Pulling back, he sat on his heels, now looking at Steve properly. ]

What's wrong with your arm?

[ He wasn't taking any bullshit, for the record. Just in case Steve was planning on coming up with some crap excuse or try and tell him he was completely fine. ]

Show me.

[compelledtoprotect]

[He should have known. James was never distracted for long. Steve stiffened for a moment then sighed and slumped a little. His lust wasn't affected in the least, but it sure was less than ideal for telling secrets! He brought his arm forward, stroking his fingers along James' scar. The shadows played over the ugly scars that went slightly above his elbow. It looked raw, and there were places where you could tell muscle had been eaten away under the shiny skin. He spoke softly, just loud enough for James to hear him.]


Just ugly. It's healing, I swear. Should have seen it a couple days ago . . .


[He flexed his left hand too, letting James see the lesser damage on it. Mostly it was cosmetic on the left, and healing slower now that the open wounds had been closed. Steve stroked James' face and hair as he let the man see the injuries, completely forgetting about the fact he had other fresh scars elsewhere. It happened.]


One of the rooms. Had to stick my arm in acid for a key, then unlock a nasty cage trying to rip someone apart. Don't wrap your arm if you end up in there. Made it way worse . . .

[invicto]

[ They both knew how this place worked, so it was no surprise to either of them how scars and wounds just kept happening. But James wasn't shocked so much as weirdly concerned, even though he knew Steve would heal in time.

Mostly he wondered how much it might upset the injuries if they went at it too hard. And they did always tend to go at it too hard, didn't they? He had a feeling Steve might not be able to hold himself back much either, not if it really had been months since he'd last seen him. ]

Come on. Let's sit on the bed.

[ He got to his feet and urged Steve to follow, his trousers open but at least not yet tucked down his thighs. Should make it easier for him to walk. ]

I want to take a look at that.

[ And then... figure out if they were still gonna fuck or if he was going to be stubborn and paranoid and get Steve out of here to give his arm a proper look. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve watched those eyes stare at his arm and squirmed inside. It was ugly, very ugly, but it wasn't going to hurt him more than it already did. Scars healed slowest, and his body was currently working on the internal structures that had been damaged. It would take a long time before that arm looked normal again.

He groaned when James started to stand, but Steve didn't do anything to stop the man, and he took a moment to hitch up his loose pants before following James. Sitting was a tiny bit awkward since it sort of hurt to put that much pressure on his lap, but Steve did as he'd been told and even held his arm out for the man, looking up with a crooked smile.]


It really is just ugly. Body's doing the internal stuff first. It'll be months at least before it starts looking decent. I promise, it doesn't even hurt.


[Well, mostly it didn't. Steve's definition of pain was more than a little skewed. There were times when it started twitching madly as the inside stuff hit a nerve bundle or something, but mostly it didn't register to him. It was tight and hot and the skin felt thin over the muscles, but Steve didn't worry about it. It was slowly healing. Good enough.]

[invicto]

[ James didn't give a shit about it being ugly. He'd seen worse, a lot worse, even on himself. What he did care was that this didn't seem healed at all, and from the injury alone, he knew how it had happened, and why. ]

I don't get it. This is from the acid bowl, isn't it? Why didn't they heal it for you? They always do.

[ Frankly, it was most of the reason why James didn't even think twice about those 'punishments' anymore. The pain in the moment he could handle, so knowing that the injuries left behind would be healed afterwards was all the insurance he needed to simply go through with it without thinking too much about the momentary suffering. ]

makes stuff up

[compelledtoprotect]

You know that room?


[There was a note of pleading in his voice, for James to say no. The idea of James having to suffer that . . . Oh god! His fingers twitched, wanting to reach out for James' arms. He wanted to touch and kiss those precious limbs, to take any lingering pain out of them. But he held back. James wanted to talk, and he'd give the man everything he wanted and more.]


Oh. Well "patched up" is pretty broad apparently. I think Lucifer decided I wasn't being evil enough, big surprise. So the arm got the very worst closed up, but the rest . . . My healing is a lot slower with scars, and it's been slower in general with these injuries. Pretty sure I'm just being punished period. But honest, it's not that bad. Barely hurts at all and only if I do something stupid.


[Of course his arm chose that moment to spasm. Steve grabbed it with his other hand and a scowl, holding it still as his hand twitched for a few seconds. He hissed softly as it subsided, not daring to look at James. That would have been more than enough to convince the man he was crippled. Dammit!]

[invicto]

Yes. I've been there before.

[ He didn't sound too fazed by it. It was just how this place worked, and with how long he'd been in this place, he'd been through all manner of torture, from clowns to acid bowls. Pain, injury, none of it was any worse than the torture he'd been put through even back in his own universe, on a number of occasions. ]

Certainly always patched me up just fine, [ He observed. And true to form, his body may bear a number of scars, but none that came from one of those rooms with traps and tricks for the sinners to take.

But he didn't like this. Why heal him, and not Steve? Why leave him like this, not even halfway through the process? His frown deepened, set into something sour and displeased, though it wasn't aimed at Steve. ]

Come on. Let's go to your room and patch that up.

[ No way they were going to fuck now with Steve's arm in that state. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

[His expression said it all, how he felt about knowing James had suffered. It didn't matter which side the man had been on, he'd suffered. And Steve hadn't been there to save him. That would always hurt, not being there when James needed him period. It was a relief to hear James say he'd been patched up though. Thank god for that. Steve had a feeling Lucifer was trying to teach him a lesson for being such a goodie two shoes. And threatening him. Couldn't forget that.

Wouldn't surprise him people who threaten the devil get a lot less of the nice healing. He was just surprised it had taken so long to kick in. Steve never expected no reprisals for all his loud anti-Lucifer talk and actions.]

[He opened his mouth to object and then shut it and stood up. His arm was as good as it could get without a miracle. His body could only do so much so fast, and he could do everything he usually did just fine. Mostly anyway. He was more than functional enough to give a blowjob at least! Which would have been his first go-to if James hadn't been so eager himself.

Steve reached for the man's hand with his left, offering a faint smile.]


Fine. New roommates by the way. Probably not there though. And Sets moved out. So likely it'll be just us.

[invicto]

[ It was sweet of Steve to think that, but the truth was James hadn't really needed him, then. He'd gotten himself out of it like he'd gotten himself out of everything else. Although he would admit it was a genuine relief when Steve had gotten him out of that Carnival show after his few months here, but even then.

James was used to it. Torture, suffering. He wasn't afraid of physical pain, sometimes he even took pleasure from it. Not under such circumstances of course, but some acid burns that got swiftly healed? Didn't even lose sleep over that.

That said, he was willing to ponder the possibility of blowjobs later, but not here. He'd rather be somewhere quieter and safer first, check on Steve's arm before he did anything else. For his own peace of mind.

He took Steve's hand, fingers squeezing around it, then nodded. ] Good. No one to bother us, then.

[ With that he led Steve straight out of the club, and across the hotel towards the rooms. There he found whatever he needed to bandage Steve's arm in something more comfortable, at the very least it'd keep the injury protected and not have fabric rubbing right against it, making it worse. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

No. No one'll bother us.


[Which was . . . sort of sad. He probably should have moved out a long time ago, but Steve just didn't like change much. And Setsuna had still been there. Having his little brother close was a comfort, and it allowed him to watch the kid. Now he didn't even have that excuse.

As he sat on the bed, watching James bandage his arm, he fought tears even though he wasn't sure why. His left hand moved through the man's hair, stroking the short strands slowly. Lovingly. He'd been so scared he'd never see James again, despite the promise Lucifer had given him, a choice he wasn't sure he could ever even make. But James had come back on his own. It was . . . a miracle.]


I love you James. Never really stopped.