TEST DRIVE MEME #4

[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, 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 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. They may be pushy, 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, self-serve if you want to get away from your demonic hosts for a bit. Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit.

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

STAND YOUR GROUND

Prompt I

It seems like not long after everyone has either returned from the maze or arrived fresh to hell that the storms started yet again. A bit more sporadically and not the constant downpour of the previous month, but it's still blood and fire raining from the skies, along with claps of thunder and lightning strikes that seem far too close for comfort. Fortunately, there's not as much flooding this time. Unfortunately, a particularly loud clap of thunder and lightning that strikes close to the hotel seems to leave it and surrounding establishments in the dark. Quickly, the hotel becomes a cold place, urging all guests to to move to the lobby for some warmth.

A roaring fire will be going and there will be hot drinks and snacks kindly provided by the staff while they try to work on correcting the problem.

Eventually, some rather panicked goblin-like demons come rushing up from the basement. They're half-singed and dirty looking from their adventure, so it doesn't seem to bode well for the power returning any time soon. Guests who listen closely will hear the demons apologizing profusely for 'letting them escape' and much more worrisome than that, about how it looks like there might have been some tampering going on down there. The staff is quick to tell the demons to hush and go, not to worry the guests or let word get back to Lucifer.

Once that whole scene is squared away, the staff will be urging guests to volunteer and pushing them into a drafty, creepy basement with nothing but candles and flashlights to lead the way.

It's okay, they reassure, it's not that bad down there! The lights provided all seem to flicker dangerously though, almost completely going out at times, as you descend creaky stairs to a lower level. Apparently the demons are tired of risking their hide to get the power back on, but they're quite happy to risk all the guests'.

The basement is slightly flooded in some areas, bloody rain making its way through cracks in the foundation. It reeks of dampness and mold. There are things that skitter in the corner of your eye as you venture in further. Rats, bugs, and a few smaller beasts.

No one will be given more to go on than they're looking for a breaker box to reset, and hopefully, that'll get everything back up and running again. Unfortunately, there are so many twists and turns that it gets confusing after a while... How come the basement looks much bigger than it has any right to be anyway?

The basement is also jam packed with boxes just begging to be gone through. Most of them just seem to house an odd amount of clothing and what may be personal items left from previous guests, others hold decidedly more satanic and occult items. But if there's anything you're looking for in particular, from jewelry to a coat to a rad new walkman, you'll probably find it down here.

Keep going and you'll come across a room with a heavy steel door. If anyone should venture inside, they'll see a dungeon inside. There are demons chained to the walls in various ways, strung from the ceiling, or caged up that seem to be wasting away and forgotten. If they notice you, they'll try to plead with you to let them out, bribing you with information on Lucifer that no one else knows, but it's probably for the best you don't. There seem to be a few free spaces waiting for new additions after all... and besides, they've got to be locked down there for a reason, right?

Let them go against all better judgement and they'll most likely just rattle something off while they take off running as quick as they can.

Listen closely enough and you might hear tortured screams as they're presumably killed upon reaching the main floor of the lobby. It was probably inevitably, so don't blame yourself.

Anyway, moving on you keep going past the dungeon, and you'll finally find the room with the furnace and breakers to reset. It shouldn't take long to flip them back, but they'll continue to trip on and off for a while and may require multiple groups to make a return trek down to reset them until the demons finally correct the issues with the wiring that is causing these outages.

Speaking of issues with the wiring and what may have caused them... Hang around the bar or lobby enough, or around any area of the community, and you may hear muttering of something called The Veiled Order from beyond the gates. Some of the demons seem excited, others seem nervous. If asked, the demons may brush guests off. If drunk enough or given proper incentive, they may tell a story about a group of rebellious demons that Lucifer tried to cast out. They were damned to live in the burnt forests outside the gates, but sometimes, they still cause trouble.

Apparently, they thought they could be better rulers than Lucifer and were quite discontent with how he maintains Hell.

Some may say they're worried the Order is causing mischief by messing with the hotel, having had ample opportunity to sneak back within the gates. Others will laugh heartily and insist that it's a dumb tale to scare young demons, nothing more. Certainly nothing to worry about.

Another thing guests may overhear or bribe out of demons around the bar or club is talk about the call of infernal nightmares. If pressed for more info, the demons won't give much beyond the fact that it's a miserable thing, entirely miserable.

Prompt II

Apparently what the goblin-like demons accidentally set free are strange demons that possess fungi, dust, and dirt. They don't seem to quite be from this world, but they're called Coal Tars apparently. They're harmless creatures for the most part, but they do have a love of following around people with dark or sinister natures.

The staff will be offering a reward of a gourmet dinner of the guest's choice if anyone around the hotel will help to capture these little pests and bring them to the front desk. Afterwards, they'll be returned to the basement and locked away again.

Otherwise, people are free to ignore them or laugh at the people who can't seem to shake the little creatures following them around.

Careful though, breathing them in can make your lungs rot. Nasty way to go probably.

REACH UP HIGH

Prompt I
Warnings: cutting, blood, torture.

Whether you've been here for months or you're freshly arrived, your demonic overlord expects some participation. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. You can bargain your way out of it for a while. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the gym that's been fondly dubbed the torture room. It has all manner of equipment in there, along with an iron maiden even.

But don't worry about any of that right now. It probably won't be used.

You can try the door, but even with super human strength or every lock picking skill in the book, you won't be able to open it.

It soon becomes apparent what you're supposed to do soon enough when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of sins will appear on a table that's been placed in the center of the room with two handy knives. You can choose to guard these or not care at all that they're on display.

"Know that honesty is a good place to start on your road to redemption. Sure, it can be terrifying at first, but that's why you've been given a partner in this journey. Pick up your knives and carve at least one sin into each other's flesh. Help in the journey to be candid with everyone you should meet here!"

The voice echoes all around you again, just like in the nightmare, and once again there's the pull to give in. This voice really does seem like it has your best interests at heart.

"If you need a bit of encouragement, we'll be giving it shortly."

It isn't a lie or idle threat either. The longer you wait to do what's been requested of you, the more shallow cuts that will appear on both of your bodies. Are you really prepared to endure this pain when giving in would be so much easier?

And more than that, are you willing to let another suffer along with you?

Eventually, the cuts will stop if you suffer them long enough, but you'll have failed this challenge and sustained more damage than if you'd just gone along with it. Satan will also be very disappointed in you.

Prompt II

"A generous nature is an important part of being a righteous person. Greed is a sin my Father frowns on quite a bit. What I ask you to do today is to go out and find a gift for that special someone or friend of yours and give them something to smile over."

With the items available in the basement and the shop in the hotel carrying a few new items, Lucifer would like to spread the good will of gift giving. It doesn't matter if you're not well acquainted with each other yet. You don't need to be! Anyone can spread cheer by giving a gift.

And if you don't, expect to be in excruciating pain for a few hours, and struggling for a breath. If you can't share a gift, then you don't deserve to share all that oxygen, do you?


FOLLOW ME DOWN

Prompt I
Warnings: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con.

With all the sinners, new and old, the bar will be lit up with activity and absolutely bustling with guests and demons alike. Food and drinks will be readily available and provided by hotel staff (although they might not always know what humans eat. What do you mean, you don't like fried kitten?), music will be blaring, and overall, there will be an energy to the atmosphere that's absolutely contagious. Even if you aren't typically inclined to linger at these sorts of events, there will be a certain pull to stay and have a bit of fun.

You may not get much of a chance to have that in hell after all. So one drink won't hurt, right? Nor will one more after that.

There will also be every sort of party drug available that might tickle your fancy. There's no harm in experimenting, is there? You're already in hell and the staff is handing it out and so helpfully showing you how to use it, or recommending a type that would suit what you want.

You've presumably done your atonement for the day, yes? So cut back a bit, let loose. Hell might be pain and torment, but it's also a nonstop party in the bar.

There's even a brand new stage and a karaoke machine for those feeling brave!

Ask the staff demons very nicely and you may even get less scrupulous drugs as well. Things that will convince your fellow damned souls to tell only the truth for a fun prank, or perhaps even potions that will make someone so enamored with you, they won't take their eyes, or hands, off you. How dare they give you the cold shoulder earlier, right? You've got them now.

There are also tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with. Since currency as most are familiar with it doesn't quite exist down here, most of the demons seem to be accepting bits of your soul, if you're in a gambling mood. You may also get pulled into a fun game of strip poker against one of your fellow guests for a few succubi that are having a night out.

Relax and enjoy your night. Coming here and facing your sins is the hard part, so surely you deserve to have a little fun, right?

Prompt II
Warnings: sex, aphrodisiacs, potential dubcon/noncon, potential kinks.

The club within Penance has always offered many options for debauchery, but now it seems they're stepping things up a bit. There are themed rooms for sex machines (the same that were present at the carnival) that can be controlled by a demon or a partner. If asked, they'll gladly set you up on stage to put on a performance for the entire club.

They won't side eye you for any other kink you ask for either, however depraved it is.

But the succubi are handing out potions again, that can be taken willingly or not. The purpose of them is to strip away all of your inhibitions... or in certain cases, your mind as well as your will. It will leave those who take the potion as a perfect little pet or slave for someone.

It doesn't matter if you're generally strong-willed or not interested in submitting. You'll find yourself wanting to please someone until it's the most important thing on your mind. Maybe until it's the only thing on your mind. It doesn't even matter if you generally hate or adore the person you've attached yourself to, you'll find yourself sinking down on your knees anyway.

This is the perfect time to play out all those daddy kinks, domination and submission scenes, or perhaps a bit of pet play. It doesn't matter what theme of the game you choose, you're suddenly all for it no matter what.

Because you just want to make someone happy, even if what makes them happy is hurting you as much as pampering.

MISC.
Thanks for joining us for our fourth test drive meme, sinners! Reserves are now open for the upcoming app round on August 1st

If you want to speak with Lucifer, you're free to text or pray to him right here

If you let a demon loose in the dungeon, reply here to see what tidbit of info they revealed!

If you have a comment, suggestion, etc. please go here!

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Comments

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve's eyes lit up and his hands tightened a little on James' hips. Going back to the man's room? That would be . . . And a gift? A gift? Really?!]


You got me something? You didn't have to do that James. I still have the journal you gave me, and I love it. You didn't have to get me something else.


[He hadn't written in the book yet of course. He might never do so as a matter of fact. He was worried that he'd ruin it, but he didn't want to admit that to James. Steve just smiled at James for a long moment before his curiosity got the better of him.]


. . . what is it you got me?

[invicto]

It's nothing much. [ He shrugged nonchalantly, adding before Steve started thinking too much of it. ] It was just something I found down at the basement. Thought it might suit you.

[ Most of what he'd found, though, he'd keep. Some of it he didn't even have any use for, but he never knew when he might find it necessary. But a few things he could part with, and... well, he just wanted to give Steve something. He didn't need a reason for it. ]

That would be telling. Come with me, and you'll get to find out for yourself.

[ With a wink, he tried to extricate himself from Steve's grip. Instead he reached for his hand, making sure to take the box with the wolf carving back with him as he led the way out of the bar and back to the hotel. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

Something you found? In those boxes?


[He'd rather assumed most people had looked in those boxes, though he hadn't. Rooting through other people's possessions just hadn't appealed to him, but he was curious as hell about what James had found. He'd also never been to the man's room, so that was an added bonus. He grinned more broadly at the man's wink and let James slip away, following eagerly until he caught up and could walk at the man's side. Steve couldn't help catching James' hand, interlacing their fingers briefly before he pushed James' hand into his back pocket. Flush against his ass. He knew the man wouldn't allow them to hold hands in public, but that was almost as good as he did the same to James, stroking the man's ass before his hand found a home inside fabric.]


I can't wait to see your place James. You've never invited me there before. You certainly don't skimp on making a man feel special, do you?

[invicto]

Yeah. I found a lot of stuff in there, some of it's pretty interesting.

[ James really had no qualms about rummaging through other people's things, particularly when they were supposedly no longer around. Those things would've just stayed down there rotting away anyway, if James found a new use for them he really didn't see what was the issue.

He looked up at Steve when he slipped his hand into his pocket, mimicking the movement himself. He said nothing to it, though. Actually he wouldn't have protested much at all if Steve just held his hand either, but he also didn't mind staying like this. ]

I haven't? [ He thought back to all the times they were together, then let out a hum, shaking his head. ] No, there was that one time you got injured due to my memory. You pouted and said you wanted to go to my room instead. You were very whiny.

[compelledtoprotect]

I can only imagine. But what could you possibly find there that would relate to me?


[He was dying of curiosity. What had been in those boxes that called to James so much? And what on earth would James think he might want from them? It drove him crazy as they walked and he had to keep reminding himself not to rush. It was so rare anyone got him anything! And it was James again giving him things. Who would have thought?

Steve paused for a moment, searching his memory, and realized the man was right. He felt his face go hot at James' rather unflattering description of what he'd been like. Honestly, he barely remembered most of it. The drugs he'd been given made everything quite hazy, but he did remember being a bit . . . whiny.]


Oh right. I um . . . sorry about that. I wasn't really . . .


[He met James' eyes with a faint, sheepish smile, tugging him a tiny bit closer with the hand in his pocket.]


Forgive me? I was a little whiny I guess. But you kept trying to run away and leave me alone. What else was I supposed to do?

[invicto]

Stop being so nosy. I'm sure you can rein in your curiosity for a few minutes.

[ A jab as much as it was a challenge. Steve could be pretty impatient sometimes, but he should know better than anyone that the more he tried to get it out of James, the likelier the man was to not tell him anything.

He let out a faint snort at the apology, shrugging. ]

Forget about it. And if I'd really wanted to leave, then I would have. Nothing you could've done to stop me. [ Short of locking him up against his will, but that would've definitely ruined their relationship in the long run. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve liked pestering James, even though he knew the stubborn asshole would be less and less likely to tell him anything. It was fun. It was . . . friendly. There was more than just the lust there now, there was something a great deal deeper that he hoped they could keep building on. He grinned at James and flexed his fingers in the pocket, giving the man a nice stroke on one cheek.]


But I like asking you questions. And I might get annoying enough you give in. As for stopping you though, it seemed pretty effective when I laid on you. You couldn't shove me off. Or was it you just didn't want to? I was in a lot of pain . . .

[invicto]

[ James let out a surprised little hum when Steve squeezed his ass, actually letting out a faint chuckle at the touch. He was in a pretty good mood, though, and he was so happy about his gift that he couldn't even muster the energy to act like he didn't give a shit. ]

I didn't want to. If I wanted to, then I'd have just left.

[ Steve did let go of him at one point, after all. He could've just gotten to his feet and walked out the door, but he hadn't.

He led them to the lift and urged Steve inside. While in no particular rush, he still wanted to be alone with Steve right now. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

I know. Because you like the way I suck your dick.


[Steve had dipped his head and whispered in James' ear, just to tease. He was being very bad, but he was fairly sure James would enjoy it.

He chuckled and did as James indicated, following the man without any argument. Steve knew that day that James liked him, that he'd gotten under the man's skin despite a desire to stay separate. He'd also loved the touch of James's hands when so much pain was assailing him. Even though the man had been a bit of a mess over the incident, he'd dealt with Steve's whining and helplessness kindly. It might have been the moment he realized he was really falling in love.]

[invicto]

[ James huffed out a chuckle, swatting a hand at Steve's face. Brat. ]

Yes, absolutely. That was the only reason why I stayed.

[ At the time, anyway, James liked to tell himself that Steve was only that for him, a good time. Even after he saved him from the torture show, though that was when James really felt like there was something more to what they had.

The lift quickly took them to the top floor, and James led the way to his suite. He didn't lead them immediately into the room, instead walking up to the kitchenette to go through some cupboards. ]

Want something to drink?

[compelledtoprotect]

[He laughed softly again and reveled in the closeness while he had it. James wasn't someone who was used to emotional attachments, though he did wonder about what he and Jim shared. That relationship seemed oddly easy for James and Steve couldn't help being at least a little jealous over the apparent lack of struggle. Then again, it really wasn't his business. He'd ask one day, just because he did want to understand James completely, but only when they were more comfortable with their own emotions. Steve wasn't going to make the man a bone of contention for any reason.

When James asked him about a drink, detouring towards the kitchen instead of the bedroom, he snorted and took a reluctant path to the couch, settling down on it with a sigh. He was definitely being punished for his pestering, but Steve didn't really mind. James probably had his reasons and they likely went deeper than the obvious.]


Well, I'd prefer my present, but if you have scotch I'll join you. You're not trying to get me drunk to take advantage, are you? So I'll forget you said anything about gifts?


[He gave the man a come-hither look along with the teasing. After having all but confessed to being in love with James, Steve wasn't any less controlled by the lust that always seemed to flair between them. If anything, it seemed even more powerful, but he wasn't going to spoil whatever James had planned. At least not on purpose.]

[invicto]

[ James let out a chuckle, fetching a bottle of scotch and a couple of glasses before making his way over to the couch. ]

Calm down. Your present's not going anywhere, so just be a little patient. Where's the rush, hm?

[ He handed Steve one of the glasses, pouring a good amount of scotch into the glass. He helped himself too, then set the bottle down on the coffee table before he carefully straddled Steve's lap and sat there comfortably, lifting his glass for a wordless toast. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve took the glass and grinned widely as James settled on his lap. He set his drink aside in favor of pulling the man closer, both hands on James' ass as he sighed with pleasure. He loved having James on his lap. He loved having the man anywhere nearby, but on his lap as a favorite. Steve squeezed James' ass just a little, massaging the firm muscles lightly.]


Well, I don't get presents often. In fact, I can't remember the last one save the journal you gave me. And I can never predict what you might do James. You're fascinating as hell. Why shouldn't I be curious?


[He leaned in and pressed a light kiss to the man's throat, mumbling against skin. Steve didn't care if he never got a gift, he just enjoyed the teasing. And James. He'd happily just sit next to the man and sip scotch if that was what James really wanted, but the chance to worship the man was one he never turned down.]


You could always give me something else to focus on though. I'm flexible.

[invicto]

[ He let out a soft gasp when Steve grabbed his ass, letting out a soft chuckle. He wasn't the least bit surprised, though, the man really seemed to have a fixation with his ass. Not that James could honestly complain, could he. ]

Well, I can always go to my room now and fetch it...

[ The gift really wasn't that special. He hoped Steve wouldn't be too disappointed with it. He tried not to think much about it, though, instead sipping on his drink and humming softly at Steve's suggestion.

He rested an elbow on Steve's shoulder, leaning in to kiss his cheek. ] You know we don't have to have sex whenever we're together, right? We could just talk.

[ That was the kind of thing couples did, he was fairly sure. And after all there was so much about Steve he didn't know yet. He felt like he had the freedom to ask, now. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

But that means you moving. I'd rather you stayed put at this point. You're so warm, and you feel perfect.


[Steve turned his face up to the kiss with a soft purr, eyes sliding closed with pleasure. He blinked at James when the man spoke though, his hands sliding upward to rest on James' lower back, a much less suggestive position. He grinned, eyes sparkling. Steve liked sex with James, who wouldn't, but he'd been hesitant to try for more, for something deeper. Even after talking about moving in a new direction, he'd fallen back on old patterns, giving James an easy out just in case. He wasn't going to pressure the man, not in any way.

But to talk . . . To get to know one another better, to ask those questions he'd always avoided . . .]


Do you want that James? To talk? To . . . to ask questions? You can you know. You can ask me anything! You always could actually, I just didn't think you wanted to . . . before. I didn't wanna push things since it was supposed to be casual.


[He shifted his grip, lifting a hand to touch James' face tenderly. Steve had come dangerously close with the dream injury to pushing things to the breaking point between them, he knew that, but he'd known from fairly early on that James was special. He'd always wanted more. Maybe that was wrong, considering the man's past and potential future, but James appreciated a side of Steve he'd always had to hide before, and that meant something. The man didn't make demands of him either, there were no expectations save the fact they'd both enjoy themselves. It was . . . incredibly freeing. And deeply appealing.]

[invicto]

[ James smiled a little. Even if Steve was talking about his weight on his lap, it still felt nice to hear the word 'perfect' being used on him. Not something anyone would associate with him in any capacity. ]

I didn't want to ask before.

[ Because it was casual, and because keeping his distance felt easier, safer. James still wasn't entirely sure about this, about whether getting this involved was really such a good idea, but he knew things couldn't go back to how they were before. In a way they had gone down a path that they couldn't go back on, now.

Might as well keep Steve close now, rather than at arm's length. ]

Alright... one thing I've been curious about. When and where are you from?

[compelledtoprotect]

I know. It's why I never asked, aside from that one aberration after the dream. I knew you wouldn't welcome the invasion.


[It was a soft admission, not meant to accuse, just to explain his own lack of prying. Steve stroked James' face, fingers moving lovingly over those handsome features. He smiled and couldn't stop the way his eyes reflected what he felt. Not hiding anymore was . . . wonderful.

The question startled a laugh out of him and Steve felt his cheeks heat, though he didn't look away.]


That's your first question, huh? There's two answers to that. Three actually. I was born in New York, Brooklyn, in 1918. I ended up in the arctic ice in '45 and didn't wake up again until 2011 which . . . Let's just say it was a shock. Before I got here though, I was on an island in outer space. So technically you're sleeping with a very very old man.

[invicto]

[ Well, Steve wasn't wrong about that. But now he wouldn't mind Steve asking as much. Maybe he'd have a tough time talking about some things, but that was just because he was so used to keeping everything to himself, it was difficult to know how to be or act any other way. ]

Huh. [ An eyebrow rose. ] And you just survived frozen in ice for nearly seventy years?

[ That got the gears in his head turning. Because his next question was already related to this, in a way. He had noticed how unusually strong Steve was, after all, how he managed to heal faster than an average human, and to withstand much more damage too. He also had superior senses, and... well, he was huge. It was impossible not to think about why that might be. ]

Are you an Augment? [ He paused, realizing that the word might be unfamiliar to Steve. ] A genetically engineered human. We have those, in my reality. Is that what you are?

[compelledtoprotect]

Um well . . . I ah . . . A-Augment?


[Steve frowned thoughtfully, letting his hand move lower, fingers stroking James' throat. He wasn't trying to seduce the man, at the moment, he just liked touching. A lot. And it made him feel connected to James. So many years had been empty of any sort of real companionship . . .]


Sort of? Back home, I'm the only one. There were supposed to be more but . . . but it didn't work out that way. I'm the only one who went through the procedure. But yeah. That's sorta what it boils down to. The serum they gave me made me perfect. The absolute best a human can possibly be. So my senses are better, my metabolism is kinda off the charts, and I eat a hell of a lot to make sure I don't eat myself.


[He didn't go into the reasons for what happened to him, or what he'd been like before, but he would if James asked. It wasn't that he was ashamed of anything, it was just . . . complicated. And maybe a little embarrassing at certain points.]

[invicto]

[ James swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing against Steve's fingers, eyes closing at the tender caress. He hummed at the question, opening his eyes again when Steve answered, taking in Steve's explanation. ]

I see.

[ A serum, then. A drug. Not quite the same, though with the way Steve described it, it seemed to produce just about the same effect. ]

And this was something you went through before getting stuck in the ice? [ He paused, reviewing the world's history in his head. ] So you fought in the Second World War.

[compelledtoprotect]

[He nodded, eyes following his fingers as they moved up and down James' throat, worshiping that vulnerable part of the man. Steve still remembered their first encounter vividly, and what James had asked for during it. He smiled a little at the memory, thumb stroking over the man's Adam's apple fondly.]


Yeah. That's the one. Did you read about it in the text books James? Do they still teach something so old where you come from? When is that anyway? I have a feeling you're worlds farther along that I ever got.


[It shouldn't matter, talking about his past. He'd done it before with no problem, but suddenly Steve felt . . . a little squirmy. He didn't want James to think less of him for his decisions and actions, and his life was full of glaring mistakes. It suddenly mattered in a way it hadn't before. Peggy never asked about his life really, and that worked for them. When they'd been together on the island, it was like they picked up right where they left off, taking it from the dance and moving forward into a real relationship. With Lucas . . . well. He'd known from the get-go there wouldn't be a whole lot of questions, not in the same way.

He grabbed at the chance to turn the tables and start finding out more from James, though he wouldn't hesitate to answer more questions from the man if he asked. It was just a nice break . . .]

[invicto]

Of course they teach about it. I had to read and study a whole lot when I was at the Academy, you know.

[ He had a feeling that the end of the war may have been different in both their universes, however. He didn't bring it up. He liked the nice, comfortable mood they were indulging in, and he didn't want to ruin it with something that Steve would undoubtedly see as unpleasant. ]

I was born in 2233. And it was 2262 when I ended up here.

[ Only three months shy of turning thirty, even, but he didn't bring that up. He had no intention of celebrating anyway, if he could get away with it. ]

Did you still live in Brooklyn, in the 21st century?

[compelledtoprotect]

I'd say you were top of your class, but I rather doubt you actually enjoyed studying. I'll bet you were the smartest man on campus though. And I'll bet you were cute as hell and twice as charming back then.


[Imagining James younger wasn't hard. That cheeky smile and those lovely, icy eyes would have attracted a brick wall. He probably just crooked his finger towards anyone he wanted and had them at a glance. He blinked in surprise at the dates though, mouth forming an "o" of surprise.]


You're older than me! I mean, if I hadn't been frozen, and I'd been taken from '45, not 2014 or so . . . wow. I never would have guessed. You look good for almost thirty James. Really really good.


[His fingers continued to trace up and down James' throat, though they did dip below the man's collar now and then, tracing along a collarbone, and up along James' jaw. Just for variety. He grinned up at the man oddly pleased he'd fallen for someone who was actually a nice, mature man for once. He hadn't expected that. He didn't even remember to comment on the fact James was from so far in the future it didn't even compare to what had happened to him. He was more than two centuries ahead of home.

Steve gave a slight nod and his smile turned a little wistful. Questions about home would probably always do that to him.]


After a fashion. Mostly I lived in S.H.I.E.L.D. digs, but they were sometimes out that way. Never like it had been before the war though. I never really got to go home, even after the ice, not that there was really any home to go back to . . .


[His eyes darkened and his fingers slowed even more, resting against James' pulse for a long moment before the shadows passed. He'd woken up generations later, everyone and everything he'd ever known gone. And he'd never been able to find that sense of home again. With his friends he'd recently started to come close before the island. And then once he was there, any time with Peggy had just been a balm on his soul, though with Lucas it had been a torment. And now with James . . .

Steve didn't have to lie with James. It was probably the most honest relationships, bar time with Peggy, he'd ever had. It was . . . He'd do anything to keep it. Anything.]


But now I have you James. And I can never be thankful enough.

[invicto]

I was top of my class. I didn't need to study for that.

[ But he did study. Quite a lot, actually. He did it with a purpose in mind, of course, but he always loved learning new things, even if the Empire encouraged any knowledge to be used to further the Empire's goal. Learning with no purpose in mind would've just been pointless, so James kept that bit to himself. ]

Am I? [ He chuckled, reaching up to cup Steve's face, a thumb stroking his cheek. ] Thought you'd be my age, at the very least.

[ He also wasn't sure that 7 years in some kind of suspended animation didn't count, but he wouldn't argue on that point. His eyes blinked slowly as Steve brushed his fingertips over his pulse, tilting his head to the side to allow him to touch as much of his throat as he liked.

Against his better judgment, his smile softened at Steve's last words. He didn't care much at all that it made him look weak right now, it was fine so long as it was just Steve with him there. ]

Tell me. [ He caught the collar of Steve's jacket and tugged just a bit. ] What you wanted to tell me before, tell me now.

[compelledtoprotect]

Yeah? Really? I caught myself a genius, huh?


[There was gentle teasing in his voice, but only admiration in his eyes. Steve hadn't considered himself terribly smart before the serum, and even afterwards he still considered most people a hell of a lot smarter, despite how much better his brain worked. It was a different type of intelligence he had for the most part. Instinct and an ability to make connections faster because his brain fired at the optimum. But he didn't have much schooling, formally speaking. Technically he'd gone to art school, but he'd never felt educated. It hadn't mattered back in the day since most people had experience like him, but since waking up?

Sometimes he really felt the lack.

Steve gave a slight nod, his hand still lovingly touching James. He just couldn't stop.]


You are. You're the older man, probably by just a few months though. Really sexy by the way. I've always liked a mature man. All that experience and talent . . .


[God James was lovely. Those eyes, usually so cold and calculating, looked down at him with something soft, something he hadn't seen in more than a brief flash before, and Steve caught his breath. Then the man spoke and he felt a flash of fear. If he said it, he could never take it back. What if James ran? What if he scared the man off? He closed his eyes, swallowing hard, fingers trembling just a bit where they rested on James' neck. He could survive losing James, but he wouldn't be whole, and he'd probably never be able to find the courage to reach out again. There was only so much a person could withstand before they just gave up.

He opened his eyes and looked up at James, the answer to the man's question already in his eyes.]


I . . . James I . . . I . . .