penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #38

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TEST DRIVE MEME #38

Arrival

"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.

It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.

It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.

And so you do.

Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, And it seems to linger for a long time. There is nothing at all. It must be lonely. But it won’t be forever.

Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.

Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.

The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"

Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please take your care package and continue on until you reach the stairs."

On their way out, sinners receive their 'package', a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written with their blood. That explains the palm wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. They will also receive a slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android and a pamphlet made by other sinners during their stay here with useful tips.

After that, sinners will be ushered on to a set of stairs where a guard waits. "Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line."

They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a lobby of a hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.

The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.

Stand Your Ground

Curiously, every television within Hell seems to be covered with a sheet and wrapped in chains. If one listens closely at night, they'll hear murmuring coming from them. If any curious newcomer should try to remove the coverings, they will find them magically enchanted in some way that makes this impossible, however. If asked, the staff will explain that they're undergoing a cleansing to remove a curse placed upon them by evildoers. If pressed further, they'll hear talks of The Veiled Order.

But not to worry! There's plenty to do. Helluvacup needs to be rebuilt so the coffee demon and his prized hell rat on a harness and leash quit wandering the halls... the staff is rather tired of being bitten! Additionally, it feels like reality is shifting more often to showing what the pristine hotel may actually look like. It hasn't been that long since the buildings were flooded by lava and utterly destroyed. The beautiful interiors were too good to be true, and the veneer is cracking more severely now. At times, the illusion drops to the burnt out husk of a building, to rotting wood and torn, old furniture. Sometimes it's jarring enough to leave one dizzy before it simply flashes back to normal. Unfortunately, whenever these glitches occur, it is entirely possible to find one's self in an entirely different room than they meant. Wanted to grab a midnight snack? Have fun in that blood room. Wanted to take an innocent pee, minding your own business? You may accidentally walk into someone's room.

In which case, it is probably very advisable to not relieve yourself and find a more suitable area. What could possibly go wrong?

At least there does seem to be a break in the heat? Hell is an almost comfortable temperature, but there are already talks of the dreaded Fall coming soon. In Hell, Fall tends to feel more like the dead of winter, bt hopefully, there will be a skip to the usual snow and frigid temperatures.

.

Reach Up High

Prompt I:

WARNINGS: drills, torture, blood, lobotomy

Part of redemption is suffering, Darlings. That’s why sinners are drawn here. They will hurt, but they will also learn to become better people. One way or another.

The demons who bring sinners here have tied them quite firmly into a contraption that forces them to recline back with their heads trapped in a vice. If they look up, they’ll be able to see the whirring flash of metal from an active drill poised just overhead. They can squirm if they’d like, but it might be unsettling for the person bound behind them. Before they can vocalize any questions, they’ll hear the sound of Lucifer’s warm, soothing voice.

"My dear guests, I’ve done a lot of thinking about what I can do to bring you closer together. Father often says that humans should love their fellow man. Maybe you just need some help building trust. I assure you that you’re both perfectly safe. If you stay still and chat, the drills will cause a little scratch, but nothing you can’t live through. Talk about your sins. Talk about your day. It’ll just take a few minutes before you can leave. Be nice, and whatever you do, don’t move a muscle."

It’s at this point that sinners might notice that although they are rendered immobile from the waist up, their legs are free. They can push back their chairs and avoid the drills which are suddenly moving forward. But since they’re bound to someone else, pushing back will send their partner forward into their drill and surely condemn them to a messy death. If neither sinner moves, they can both survive. The drills will move close enough to tear the skin at their foreheads and perhaps scratch the skull underneath, creating a mild concussion at worst. But if the sinners were unable to make peace and stop themselves from moving, the drill is quite capable of pushing past bone and into the soft flesh of the frontal lobe. You can technically live with the kind of brain damage caused by an injury there, but do you really want to do that to your new close friend?

You have three minutes to figure it out.

Prompt II

For those fortunate enough to escape the unplanned lobotomy, well, there's an easy task for you! As previously mentioned, Helluvacup and the hotel's own pool both need to be tidied up, or rebuilt in some cases. Any sinners who volunteer will be treated to free drinks and snacks, and receive appreciation from demonic staff. Plus, chipping in and helping your fellow sinners (and demons) is something God often encourages! It will be good for one sin removal overall. There will be building supplies, cleaning supplies, and anything else sinners need to push forward!

The staff also won't be put out if sinners would rather do a little bit of cleaning instead...

Besides, it's a rare opportunity to help import supplies to Hell. There are large crates of unnamed items, new furniture items, torture items, clothes, and more. There's also several boxes of nothing but pumpkin spice that veteran sinners, who know what every fall entails, may cringe at the sight of.

Follow Me Down

Prompt I

WARNINGS: fire, disobedience

Speaking of pumpkin spice and torture devices... Well, sinners may find the prime opportunity for a bit of a bonfire if they're so inclined. It seems some demons are not looking forward to the months of pumpkin spice flavored foods or, well, working, really. These are young, reckless demons, but they've decided to help some of these new shipments get 'lost' by starting a large bonfire in a secluded place in Penance proper. They'll be asking sinners to help out. They'll supply the booze as they watch everything burn later!

If questioned about it, the demons will insist that it's just another part of the importing project. Everyone's trying to tell you to grab the crates and haul them somewhere, right? Into the fire is somewhere. Of course it's fine! You get points for being good little boys and girls every time you shut up and do what you're told. Why would anyone lie about that?

Perhaps it will come as a surprise, then, that anyone who participates will receive one sin added to their contract in the form of arson.

Prompt II

WARNINGS: sex, aphrodisiacs, non-con, etc.

Club Penance has new shots for all to try! Eager incubi and succubi stand around with trays of them, eager to pass them off under the strobe lights and pounding music. The air is sweeter than even usual, the demons amping up the aphrodisiacs to ensure everybody has a good time, and there's plenty encouragement to get lost in the atmosphere. These shots all have a unique influence, although that part may have been left out... Oops.

Apple: Causes one to fall lust with the first person they see. They will absolutely be overwhelmed with the desire to have them and do whatever they must to receive their affections.
Cinnamon: Causes one to fall into love with the first person they see. Their heart will skip beats, they'll feel the urge to recite poetry, anything! Your love must be known.
Pumpkin: Causes one to fall out of balance. Just the perfect meet-cute, isn't it? Hopefully you won't fall into anyone in a bad mood.
Sour Apple: Causes one to fall into a rage. Ah, oops. Maybe they didn't think that one out. This one causes aggression and the need to make certain others know you're the top dog around here.

Wildcard/Misc.

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He inhales sharply and tries to carefully move out of the way, but still ends up sort of flattened against the bar. He doesn't fight it, but he certainly glances back at Steve with a half-confused, half-pleading look. "How?" he asks weakly, careful not to sound argumentative but like he genuinely needs an explanation. "Just look at me."

He could literally wear a sign that says Please walk over me and he wouldn't look any less pathetic, probably.

The demonic bartender doesn't seem too concerned with the threat; she just shrugs and turns away to mix up the drink, looking mighty unimpressed. A minute later she puts down a tall glass of emerald-green drink with some limes and kiwi in it, and of course a little pink umbrella at the top, because she can.

Steve stared down at the kid, studying him as the drink was made. He didn't speak immediately, absently pulling the glass close to Yoon and plucking one of the kiwi slices off to eat. He chewed quietly and swallowed before he finally said something.

"I told you we could work on that. You'll never be me, but we can make you a lot better than what you are now. Drink your drink. Even if you're just running away, we can make you an expert at that. Not everyone can fight fair. We can teach you weapons."

Bum just watches, uncertain. Was this also a test? Was he supposed to react to Steve helping himself to his drink? But he really doesn't mind. Besides, the other man had helped him get it, anyway. Is he overthinking this?

A bit hesitantly, he pulls the drink closer and takes a sip. It's probably mild for Hell, but Bum can still feel the burn. His tolerance is about average, but with how rarely if at all he had booze, he can feel his cheeks heating up after just a couple gulps.

Running away... that does sound like him. More so than weapons do, anyway. But he's scared to argue either way, so he just continues drinking for now, and nodding along here and there. Sure. Sure, he'll... learn. Somehow. Gosh, this was terrible.

"Don't make yourself sick Yoon. How is it? Still too strong?" There was something like care in his tone, less gruff and angry. He patted Yoon's shoulder absently as he took the glass away, pulling down a long swallow. Steve grimaced and set the glass back down.

"Ugh. I really do hate those fruity drinks. We'll get you a taste for better alcohol eventually."

"It's... okay," he reassures. The fruity flavor is nice, he thinks. Hides most of the alcohol taste. He'd much rather have that than anything more 'proper'. But, of course, he's not going to argue with Steve. He likely wouldn't normally, and he's definitely not planning to while he seems to be giving him a hard time.

He watches the other man set the glass back down, and doesn't take it again. He has some questions, for example, why Steve is suddenly so set to apparently make a man out of him, and what exactly does that have to do with having a taste in alcohol. Naturally, he's too afraid to ask them, but it seems whatever amount of drink did make it in him is enough to loosen his tongue just a little.

"Do we have to?" he asks, definitely making an effort not to sound confrontational, but it definitely comes out more blasé than he intends. Hard to fake excitement for something that he's got plenty of bad memories about.

His eyes narrowed for a moment and then he sighed, "Ok then. What would you rather do? I suppose it doesn't matter if you like the fruity stuff. I like sweets myself, just not in my drinks." As long as the boy wasn't outright defying him, the rage was easy to control. Besides, it seemed like maybe Yoon was finally finding a spine. In a small way at least.

He breathes a sigh of relief when it seems that his response was accepted and not resulting in more rage, a breath that he hadn't even realized he was holding since he spoke. He glances at Steve again, nervously, then down at the floor.

What is he supposed to say? What is the right approach to keep him placated? It doesn't seem like the man will accept him just saying he can choose instead. So... he needs to guess what Steve wants, then. Is that it? Does he even know him well enough to make such a guess? What if he gets it wrong?

His breaths are getting shallow again. Don't panic. He tries to ground himself by squeezing the edge of his seat until his fingers start hurting. Unfortunately, being terrified in this kind of situation, uncomfortably familiar, brings him to one conclusion in particular, which is leaning forward and trying to kiss the other man.

The longer he waited for an answer the more irritated Steve got. And it probably showed on his face as well. And then Yoon was leaning in, clearly trying for a kiss. He bent down, allowing the boy access. It was an interesting alternative to talking, and he didn't mind getting kissed or kissing. Yoon probably needed practice to really wow him, but any kiss was worth the time.

He reached out to steady the boy, since even bending Yoon was on his toes, hands resting lightly on tiny hips. God, even after months in the hotel he was still a twig! Didn't the guy ever eat? He needed to get Yoon into training for his own health!

It shows well enough for Bum to read, at least, so he's practically trembling by the time he's tiptoeing. Steve is so damn huge, he knows it, and yet moments like these still catch him by surprise. He wonders briefly what it might feel like if they have sex, he's probably way too big for him -- but maybe it doesn't have to go that far. Whatever has hold of Steve seemed to be wearing off little by little, he thinks, but then if this is all a ruse, there's no way to really tell...

He is indeed not that great at kissing, but he's not clueless either, clearly having some experience with it. And he's definitely earnest in his attempt. There's a little pause, a frozen moment when Steve's hands grip him to hold him steady, but then he's wrapping his arms around the other man's neck, and pulling at his lower lip gently with his teeth, though even through all this there's a hint of worry to his expression.

Was this okay?..

He's got no way to know what's really going through Steve's mind, but he's indeed almost the same as he'd been when he arrived in that regard. Sometimes, he'd forget to eat, sometimes he was too upset to, sometimes Hell just put him through something at an unfortunate time... He'd probably be relieved if he did know, though, because Steve had suggested training to him before, when he wasn't... scary yet. So maybe this is the old Steve speaking, which is ought to be a good sign. Right?

When Steve broke the kiss for Yoon to breathe, he didn't pull away. He mumbled against the kid's mouth, "Jump up Yoon. Wrap your legs around me. You can kiss me better that way." He could easily support Yoon's slight weight and Steve really hated stooping.

"Unless you wanted to go back to drinking?" He knew which choice Yoon was likely to make.

He's not particularly fond of either option, but after a moment of hesitation he figures that drinking would be worse. He doesn't know how much more he'd be able to keep down, and then, if he got drunk, they'd probably just end up doing the same thing anyway...

He almost wants to ask whether the other man is serious, too, just because throwing himself onto him like that sounds... way bolder than most things he's ever done. But he'd just been explicitly told what to do, and he doesn't want to risk annoying him further.

"O-okay," he mumbles, gaze averted. It's... probably the right choice? He thinks it is. At least there's a little bit of familiarity there, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to do it, it was just... not quite his preferred circumstances.

He puts both of his arms on Steve's shoulders for a little bit more leverage, then part-jumps, part-hoists himself up. He almost comes up short, but manages to lock his legs around the other man's middle, hoping he will help him out with whatever's left, and turns a bit more red as he fully registers the way they're touching now.

Waiting for Yoon was irritating, but Steve tried not to let it show. The more he threatened, the worse the kid got. It didn't help to make him even less capable of giving him answers. He smiled when Yoon consented, looking almost like his old self, and he easily caught the boy when he jumped. Steve shifted Yoon a little, one hand under the kid's ass while the other reached up to cup Yoon's jaw.

"Good boy. That wasn't so hard, was it? Now kiss me."

All of it -- the hands on him, the good boy, the order -- it's just overwhelming. Just for a moment, he freezes up again, but this time he forces himself through it, closing his eyes and exhaling shakily as a shiver goes down his spine, making him feel both excited and disgusted with himself. It's okay. Steve is someone he loves and trusts, it's nothing like back then, he's allowed to like this...

He swallows, glancing at Steve through his eyelashes just enough for their eyes to meet, then he's closing them again, and closing the rest of the distance between their lips. This time it's slow, soft, but he deepens it almost immediately, tilting his head slightly to better accommodate it and slipping his arms behind Steve's neck.

It does feel good. He could get lost in this. Not think of the uncomfortable parts, just focus on the way they're pressed together, how every little shifting movement makes them rub against each other. He blushes harder, but presses on stubbornly, almost a hint of desperation in the way he's going for the other man's mouth. He feels a little lightheaded, even, though he's quite sure he didn't drink enough for it to be the sole cause of this, but there's a certain floating sensation all the same, as if he's feeling this through someone else's skin.

He could deal with hesitation. Yoon had issues, lots of them, and part of Steve remembered that, although not quite enough of him to stop being so demanding and unreasonable. And then finally the boy was kissing him. Steve made a happy sound and kissed back, teaching by doing as he took control of the kiss and slid his tongue past Yoon's lips.

His hand trailed down the boy's spine as he kissed Yoon, growling softly as he pressed the kid closer. Yoon didn't have to be skilled to be pleasing, it was more that the boy did what he was told. Steve didn't mind leading.

He trembles a little at the touch but doesn't seem to freak out this time, instead just wrapping all of his limbs around Steve more tightly. He tilts his head a little and parts his lips further, allowing the other man in. He tries to meet that tongue with his own -- still a bit clumsy, and about the opposite of assertive, but he doesn't want Steve to think he's not participating.

Which... he's not even sure what the truth is. He tries to focus all of his attention on the kiss, take note of what the other man is doing and how. He could maybe learn from this. But at the same time, he can't help but feel detached. He wonders if this memory too is going to delete itself from his head as soon as there's some distance between them.

Steve lifted his head a little so Yoon could breathe and trailed his lips along the boy's jaw, nipping it gently. Now that the rage was under control-ish, he didn't need to be violent. he could take a little time. Of course, they were rather out in the middle of the room . . .

"Oughta find a shadow or two if you wanna kiss me some more. Gonna try to run if I move us?" Not that Yoon could actually get out of Steve's hold, but he was willing to play nice for the moment.

It hadn't even occurred to Bum that they were still very much in public until Steve brings attention to it, and he immediately feels himself freezing up again. Oh, sure, if anybody tried to bother them, he's quite sure Steve would drive them away, but there's still that background anxiety of having eyes on him, especially in a situation like this.

The question catches him by surprise. He kind of wants to run, in all honesty. He's also aware that's not going to work and just make things worse -- something he definitely doesn't want right now that it seems they've finally made up, more or less. So while there's still a very subtle hint of annoyance in his expression for a moment as he glances away, his answer is genuine.

"...No."

And as if to emphasize it, he wraps his arms and legs a bit tighter around Steve so he can hold on securely while they move. Please move. What he wouldn't give for some privacy right now.

"Good boy. Just hang on a sec." It didn't take long to find a good shadowy corner, the place was full of them. And if anyone wanted to watch them still, they wouldn't see Yoon. Steve had his back to the room nd Yoon was against the wall, no one would see the kid past his bulk.

He smiled at Yoon, the expression almost normal, "Now, I think you owe me more kisses."

It's... not ideal, but much better than before, at least. He can focus on the fact that he's hidden from view. Safe. He can focus on Steve's smile, and not the way his bruised body is aching in several places. When he does that, this almost feels... sweet.

There's a stirring arousal too, from the way they're all pressed up against each other, extra warm from the alcohol, and how wet the kisses feel, like they're really connecting into one being, but he tries not to think too much about that.

"Yeah..." he mumbles softly, putting a hand on the back of Steve's head to pull him in a little closer so their mouths can meet again. He keeps his eyes open now, stubbornly trying to hold eye contact even though he's not sure what exactly he's trying to prove, as he pulls at the other man's bottom lip gently with his teeth, laps at it with his tongue and then tries to deepen the kiss again, shivering lightly in his hold.

It's fine.

Steve made a happy sound when Yoon curled a hand around his nape and tried to bring him closer. He bent happily and let the kid do whatever he wanted with the kiss, pleased as hell that Yoon was actually trying. The kid wasn't bad and he kept getting better. Nice to know he was teaching!

He easily held Yoon against him, fully supporting the boy with just one hand under his ass, his other hand moving to thread through Yoon's hair with a possessive grip at the back. Yoon was his after all, and he didn't want anyone forgetting that.

Oh.

He likes that.

He likes that, a little too much, actually, more than he's comfortable with. But Steve is so strong, holding him up with just one arm, and now pulling at his hair. He can't help but wonder what it would feel like to have that large body really press him against the wall and claim him. His mouth feels a little dry despite the kisses.

No. Don't think like that.

His fingertips dig a little into the other man's skin, eager to forget every way he'd just hurt him, and he makes a soft noise into the kiss, his hips rolling just once before he catches himself, but in an unmistakeable attempt to grind against him.

...so much for that.

Steve broke the kiss and ran a gentle hand through Yoon's hair, smirking at the boy as he cupped Yoon's cheek, "That's good Yoon. Good boy. Nice to know it's not just one-sided. But I don't think you're really up for more tonight."

The kid had been a good student, and he'd done as he was told. That meant Steve was willing to give him a reward. As much as he wanted to keep what they'd started going, he could smell the fear and indecision pouring out of Yoon's body. The kid was terrified and humiliated by turns and Steve could smell that too. He didn't want a lover that stank of negative emotions and he didn't think Yoon could control it at the moment. So he'd give the boy a reprieve.

"Come on. I'll take you home. We'll try this again another day, hmm?" That was what the kid wanted, right? To escape? Yoon had been a good boy and deserved the reward.

The praise sends a shiver down his spine, and for a moment he's lost somewhere between anticipation and anxiety before the rest sinks in. Is... is Steve back to normal now? He raises his head and searches Steve's face for a moment, both disappointed and relieved and apparently still having some trouble grasping reality of what has been happening.

He almost wants to ask if he did something wrong, but surely Steve wouldn't be telling him he did a good job if that was the case?..

He's still clinging to the bigger man, heart still pounding wildly, but some of the tension seems to be leaving his shoulders and the overwhelming nervousness appears to be decreasing.

"...okay," he whispers, cheeks still flushed.

Steve leaned in again and stole another long, demanding kiss. His hand ran up and down Yoon's spine in a firm caress that pressed the boy closer to his chest. The boney line felt good under his fingers, though he was reminded that Yoon needed more meat on his frame. When he lifted his head again, Steve gave Yoon another smile.

"Hold me tight Yoon. I'll run you most of the way." Why? Because he felt like showing off.

He's trying really hard to try and return into a (mostly) platonic mindset, but Steve is making it really difficult at the moment. Especially with a kiss like that, which he answers all too eagerly until he's out of breath again. Especially with the way his fingertips dance over Bum's back, sending shivers down his spine and right into his groin. Especially when Steve keeps smiling like that, conveniently making him forget the bruises he's just left him with.

He gasps a little when they part again, but he's still holding onto the other man, because of course he is. The proposition even gets a little laugh out of him, somewhat stiff but mostly genuine. Of course he has to show off with his stupid big muscles and--

He clears his throat and nods, doing as instructed.

TEST DRIVE MEME #38

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think this is soon done!

yes!

fin