TEST DRIVE MEME #16

[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

Infernal Nightmares

There's a chill in the air this fine Hell morning, which may be a relief to some of the guests who aren't as fond of the usual heat. A look outside will reveal the infernal skies have darkened severely and there's a light drizzle of rain and hellfire. Not to worry though, dear sinners! There isn't enough to cause any actual damage to anyone who ventures out. Not yet.

But curiously enough, the demons seem to be leading the hell beasts from the stables to Club Penance. Before anyone gets any concerning or disturbing notions, there seems to be a makeshift construct put together outside to house these animals.

If one didn't know any better, they'd think the demons are positively buzzing with anxiety outside.

The reason why is soon apparent when Lucifer's face appears on every device and TV screen throughout the Penance community. "Good morning, my honored guests! I have some unfortunate news to bring you today. I hate to announce this when new arrivals are filtering in, and I know that many of you have curiosity to sate with recent ongoings. I have a few things I'd rather enjoy reaching out about myself. As things stand now, I haven't the time to beat around the bush or indulge anyone. It's out of my control."

He looks strained around the edges, sat at his desk in a show of forced casualty. He leans forward towards the camera. "Those of you who were here this time last year should surely remember the Mares, and for those who were not... They're ferocious little creatures that make their trek through Hell every year. They were a bit delayed for reasons unknown to me, but they will be here in a few days' time. The staff will fill you in on the details while I go and put in a request that Father allow us to skip this month's punishment. We should be focusing our attentions on making it through this dreadful time without any such worries, and do so together. That is why I ask all of you now to be please be willing to work with each other, sinner and demon alike."

He makes a motion with his hand. "We are in this together either way, after all. And while we may all lack privacy for a bit, what I do is for the absolute best, I do assure you. I wish to leave you with a warning. In the coming days, you may notice your dreams becoming worse, more horrific... this is only a taste of what is to come. Be strong. Be brave. I do have faith in all of you to overcome this as we have in the past."

After Lucifer's image disappears, the staff will be gathering guests and demons alike all over Penance to the lobby in groups. Once there, there will be refreshments provided for those to fight off the growing cold that way. Hot chocolate, coffee, liquor... all things to enjoy in front of a roaring fire. It's an obvious attempt to make things seem calm before the actual storm approaches.

But before anyone gets comfortable, the tired, perpetually bored demon stationed at the front desk climbs his way up on to it to clear his throat, gathering attention towards him.

He then proceeds to explain the Mares. Nasty, furry little demons that feed off dreams and bad energy, and create it in abundance. It will start with nightmares, he says, and continue on until they become part of the waking world. These beasts make their trek through the Heavens to Earth to the Underworld itself every year to receive their feast. It's said it keeps their master at bay the rest of the year.

It's just terribly unfortunate that by the time they reach Hell, their strength has grown enough to cause stronger nightmares.

He will stress that while the Mares themselves cannot drain anyone enough to kill them, they create dangers between people in other ways. Paranoia, fear, anger, overindulging in vices and violence. All of these are a danger to each and every one of them.

For once, the staff isn't even being dismissive or cruel; they genuinely seem to be trying to stress just how important it is to make sure everyone is on guard against this threat. Even Lucifer will have to suffer them, they'll inform people. They all will.

While guests will be left alone for the most part as the demons board up windows and take down doors to each of the rooms in the hotel, they will eventually seek more aid to make better time.

Namely, the staff may ask for help rounding up the animals and for volunteers to help take care of them over the coming days. Feeding, bathing, or playing with them to keep them from getting restless or violent are all encouraged during this time. There is a special area set up in Club Penance to house these animals away from the aphrodisiacs and sex demons. Anyone who volunteers to stay overnight with the animals will be informed they won't allow them to indulge in any alcohol or drugs during the duration of it and they may feel the effects of the Mares more strongly the closer they get. But it is for the good of these animals to not be alone, they'll assure anyone asking.

Those who aren't fond of animals will be asked to keep an eye on any prisoners in the basement dungeons, or to help cook meals, or to prep for the worsening nightmares. Preparing seems to involve boarding up windows and any unused ways into the hotel to keep the little pests out. If one didn't know any better, it would seem like the demons are purposefully trying to keep everyone involved in busywork.

What can be expected of the Mares as they venture ever closer to the Penance community?

Nightmares can be expected to grow steadily more traumatizing as the week drags on. The skies will darken to black as flocks of Mares pass over, there will be constant thudding noises outside as the little beasts try to break inside the guarded hotel. There is the ever present sound of giggling, menacing laughter that never seems to fade and only grows stronger the closer they get.

What may start off as abstract horrors that have you waking up screaming at night will grow steadily more detailed and realistic. They will take shape and form of what guests most fear, whether that's themselves, or someone or thing that has left its mark on them. Worse yet, it doesn't just stick to when guests are asleep.

There are whispers guests will hear during the day and night when they are refusing sleep, tugs at their consciousness that remind them of their darkest thoughts and secrets, and leaves everyone with a sense of unease.

It will grow eventually into waking nightmares, visions flashing before guests' eyes during any every day task. Ultimately, the nightmares will even start taking shape, coming into the real world.

That's right. Whatever stalks a guest in their dreams will come to life in even more twisted form than they thought possible. Fears to reality. There feels like there's truly no escape.

For those who feel guilt instead of fear, they'll be forced to see the object of it wandering around the hotel, telling everyone what they've done, just how horrible they are, and have to hear it repeated in their ear constantly.

If the guest fears themselves most of all, they'll find themselves acting out what they're afraid of doing most. Do they worry about harming others? Do they fear losing control or falling into some vice they've worked hard to get away from? They'll wake to the horror of the outcome or act it out before they even realize it, or be absolutely powerless to stop it.

Guests and demons alike will start to feel their sanity slipping as the Mares continue to feed on them. Some will become aggressive, others will just be desperately trying to find ways to stay awake or curling up in absolute misery.

Unfortunately, there are no known methods of keeping the Mares at bay, even if there are a bunch of old wives tales the mortals would talk about on earth. Drinking coffee grounds before bed and other such nonsense that would never work. It may be worth a shot for the desperate, however. Fighting the phantoms that come to life may be an option as well, or jarring the person out of their sleep-deprived fears to make it fade.

Lucifer and the staff will promise to be working on a solution that will happen soon, however.


Reach Up High

WARNINGS: cutting, blood, torture

Whether you've been here for months or you're freshly arrived, your demonic overlord unfortunately expects some participation despite the current state of things. 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 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.

"Unfortunately, Father has demanded punishment be delivered despite our circumstances. I have chosen a rather easy one, focused on honesty and acceptance of your sins. Please pick up a knife and choose a sin from each of your lists to carve upon your skin. Aid each other in your journey, carve the words to help your fellow penitent be candid with everyone around them!"

The voice rings out within the sinners' heads as it always does, although Lucifer seems agitated at the moment, hesitant in some way that he usually isn't.

"I do apologize for this. If it was up to me, you would have been free of additional torment this month. However, there will be additional incentive for anyone who should try to resist the task I've appointed them."

It isn't a lie nor an 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.

With the addition of the nightmares, this situation has the potential to go out of hand quickly, as the Mares feed on paranoia and fear. Hopefully both sinners may stay focused enough to weather this punishment and get out of the room before those knives look better for defense against one another than as tools of redemption...


Follow Me Down

WARNINGS: sex, drugs, alcohol, aphrodisiacs, potential kinks, violence, potential non-con or dub-con.

While the Mares may not be able to drain people to death, there are plenty of dangers that follow as the realms between sleep and consciousness begin to blur and fears start to eat at sinners and demons alike. It becomes more and more apparent that the hotel will not provide the safety Penance needs.

The solution they promised? It involves herding everyone, human and demon and everything in between to Club Penance. This means a trek through the flood of Mares outside that have made the skies appear completely black while they're so thick in flight, and plenty of terrors along the way, of course...

Hallucinations and nightmare figures make the short walk even longer, fraught with dangers.

Sinners may opt to stay behind with a few stubborn demons, but may mercy be with all of you who choose this path.

Once inside Club Penance, there is the promise of safety! Doors and windows will be boarded up in quick order to keep the pests out, any strays sneaking in will be fought back outside by demons and sinners for the safety of all. The skeletal soldiers who have taken guard of the gates will station themselves valiantly outside to guard those within the club.

They fear no dreams, the demons assure.

After, the succubi and incubi will be gathered around in welcome to their new guests. Lilith will be sat on one of the expansive, plush couches that have been set up in the club, speaking quietly to Lucifer for a time. At least, until he sees everyone has arrived safely.

"My children and penitents!" He greets with a flourish. "Welcome to Club Penance, where Lilith has offered us safety until the Mares have passed. Until further notice, we will be make use of the private rooms for sleep and the club itself has been made as comfortable as possible. We are glad you could make it! Salvation has come upon us in the form of Frenzy once again!"

True to his word, plush furniture has been sat around the club, both portions of it, and a few screens to watch TV. Food of all varieties is being served (with the promise that they contain no aphrodisiacs).

By being in sheer proximity to the incubi and succubi, one may notice a certain draw in the air, but again, there will be no pheromones deliberately delivered to force the usual pull of sex and sin.

After the brief greeting between Lucifer and guests, the succubi and incubi will begin passing out Frenzy, the only drug that's been effective against the Mares so far. Frenzy is a Hell-exclusive drug that can be snorted, injected, taken in pill form, or smoked given user preference. While no one will be forced to take it, it will be highly encouraged.

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. Without the need for rest or the heavy weight of fatigue, along wit the feel good effects of the drug, sinners will find their nightmares fade rather quickly.

They'll be full of energy and their mood will be amazing with no hint of nightmares or dreams anywhere. They will feel like the best version of themselves, confident and able to do everything they want.

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.

Additionally, the demons will expect some form of payment. They feed off sexual energy and may encourage sex of all kinds to happen, including threesomes/moresomes, shows, or private adventures. They will try to keep this stealthy under Lucifer's watchful (and disapproving) eye. If sinners absolutely refuse to partake in sexual adventures, they will be put to work cleaning the club or serving guests food and drink over the course of the following days.

With all good things come bad. It seems a side-effect of the drug is an actual frenzy potential. A frenzy for sex or violence or anything a sinner 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.

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 after the drug has worn off, but it can be fought off with enough strength of will. Nearly every drug comes with a risk of dependence, doesn't it?

Or that's how it is, generally. It seems the rush of needing to make a large quantity of the drug has resulted in some bad batches. Unfortunately this means that Frenzy may not give the high expected. Some potential alternative effects include:

Increased paranoia - rather than feeling their absolute best self, sinners may feel their paranoia increase immediately. Everyone is against them, someone is following them, someone is trying to kill them. Maybe they'll want to bust out of the club itself! The staff will discourage this venture as much as possible.
Need for truth - sinners may feel the need to confess truths, particularly of a nasty variety, or at least in a nasty way. They will not be able to quell this urge easily.
Increased arousal - unfortunately, it feels like you may have just been hit with a super dose of Viagra or some other sex drug that will leave sinners in a prolonged state of sexual arousal. No matter how many times they reach their release, they will find themselves endlessly greedy and turned on. Unfortunately, there's no doctors readily available for any erections lasting over four hours...
Jealous/Possession - what's yours is yours, and what's theirs is probably yours as well. This can be jealousy related to people, things, etc. It can be a nasty urge, but do try to calm yourself.

Dud - there's also the potential that the drug given will be nothing but a placebo and not help in any way at all. The succubi do apologize for the mix up, sometimes that happens.

Eventually, the nightmares will begin to let up on their own, even without any drugs, as the Mares go on their merry little way. The skies will lighten (though there will be a steadier fall of rain) and everyone will be allowed to return to their normal living situations at the hotel, the suburbs, or anywhere else they may feel most at home. Hopefully, they'll feel the weight off their shoulders and feel relief- until whatever waits around the corner next...


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 September 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.

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.


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Comments

[failed_antichrist]

Teddy can say whatever he wants, but Setsuna still hears the pain in his voice and his eyes have to close for a second. He swallows, hard, and has to pull back, just for a second.

I is an easy letter, especially when he makes it one line, lower case. No dot.

"It's not. But we'll get out of here as soon as we can," Setsuna insists. "Then it will be." N, easy. He keeps going, because he's so close to finishing.

[hybrid_prince]

"Yeah," Teddy agrees, his voice soft. Still with pain, though. But he reaches up, his hand touching Setsuna's briefly. "Trust me, I've been through worse. It's okay. I got shot in the head once."

Good thing he'd moved his brain.

[failed_antichrist]

His free hand raises to cover over Teddy's hand.

"I don't know if that helps. I see anyone shoot you," Setsuna says, voice going hard as his eyes look up to Teddy, "I'll kill them."

That said, he manages a few lines to make a g.

He breathes in, then out, feeling bile rise in his stomach as it registers. As the blood drips down, red shining against his skin, it sinks into his mind. He cut Teddy. He cut the person that had truly treated him best his entire life, other than maybe Peter.

He swallows, hard.

"It's over, at least." Setsuna reaches to hand over the blade, while he goes a little pale. The blood stands out, and the blade weighs his hand down. He wants to get Teddy a towel, but first, he might need to pause.

Setsuna leans over to retch, stomach emptying what little it has.

[hybrid_prince]

"Don't. I'll be fine," Teddy promises. Because this is what he can do. He can carry that weight from people.

But then the cuts are finishing, and he's still bleeding, and Setsuna... He's sick. Teddy reaches out, his hand stroking gently over Setsuna's back. Slow and careful and gentle. He is here to be the man's strength.

"It's going to be okay, lave. I'm here. I'll heal."

[failed_antichrist]

"Thing is," he says, throat raspy, "I'm not sure you are fine. After dying. After everything with Billy. And it's okay if you're not."

He wipes at his mouth, before he reaches for the towel he saw out of the corner of his eyes. Gently, he dabbles at Teddy's chest, before handing it to him to take over.

Before he goes any further, Setsuna cups his hand and manages to use his powers to make water appear in it. He uses it to clean out his mouth and spits it out, not caring about the room in the slightest.

"Sure. Can't use my powers for anything else in here. But at least I can do that." He lets his bitterness die down before he addresses Teddy.

"I know. I'll be fine, too," Setsuna tries to assure him, determined. "And I'm sorry."

[hybrid_prince]

No, nothing was fine. Nothing was going to be fine. All he could do was... Was keep going.

Once Setsuna returns to him, once the man has cleaned his mouth, he leans in to kiss Setsuna lightly.

"Don't apologize. You're not the one doing this to me. They are."

[failed_antichrist]

That does get a smile out of him. "You're really brave. Not sure I could kiss me after that."

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry for being weak." He is sorry for having to cut to Teddy, though. It's going to stick with him for a while.

But with his stomach settled, and, at the least, the part of having to make Teddy bleed out of the way, Setsuna feels a bit more sturdy and removes his own shirt.

[hybrid_prince]

"Super brave," Teddy agrees.

Setsuna pulls away and Teddy... bites his lip for a moment. Yes, he's got to do this. But he won't do the knife. He'll take longer if he does, he'll make it worse, it will hurt more. No, he's got a better tool.

While Setsuna's taking off his shirt Teddy is going full Hulkling, right down to the claws on his hands. The shift doesn't heal the oozing wound on his chest, which is starting to stop bleeding and start scabbing, but he'll accept it.

"I'll make this quick, love."

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna's eyes widen, and he stares for a bit.

"Okay," he absently says, unable to stop staring. It still impresses him, still surprises him, but it's a little scary, too, when he thinks Teddy's going to be cutting into him, in any fashion.

He reminds himself, Teddy's just so damn sweet, maybe he feels like he has more control like this? Setsuna sits down against a wall and points to his arm.

"It's better there. I've, er, got more flesh there." Sort of. And it was a better choice than his scarred up back. "Cheating," he sadly suggests.

It's not the shortest sin on his list, but it's the one he feels the most guilt over.

[hybrid_prince]

This would be quicker, easier, safer. Does Teddy hate to do it himself? Yes. But will he? Absolutely.

He kisses the other man's forehead as his hand strokes over a part of Setsuna's chest. Just let him soothe his lover through this.

"You sure you don't want Deicide? Pretty metal of a sin there."

cw: mention of nail torture

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna's eyes flicker closed at the feel of Teddy's lips, and he manages a smile. If Teddy felt more comfortable like this, then Setsuna would just trust him.

Being touched helps soothe him over.

"Metal?" he asks with a confused laugh, the way the term is used escaping him. "But yeah. I'm sure. I always have to describe that one in the room that rips your nails off."

[hybrid_prince]

"As in badass and cool?"

No, Teddy doesn't feel more comfortable about this. He just has to figure this out and try and make it faster. He's going to cry later, with Setsuna's blood on Teddy's hands. Literally.

"Okay. Cheating. Please don't describe a room with nail ripping."

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna laughs to that, grateful.

"I guess. Sure didn't feel like it at the time." Still doesn't feel like it, but he'll take it.

Setsuna shakes his head. "I'm not gonna. You haven't been in that one?" He's really hoping Teddy never gets pulled in there. Then again, he never wanted Teddy in this torture room, either. The lack of control was painful.

[hybrid_prince]

"I haven't been through anything quite like this before," Teddy admits. And it almost hurts, to think others have been through this and he hadn't.

He sets a nail against Setsuna's skin, firmly. Already it's drawing blood from how sharp he has his finger. One quick stroke and yep, there is a curve for a C. Three quick motions and there's an H.

It's going to sting, and he feels so bad about that.

[failed_antichrist]

"Sorry...that this is your first experience with it." At least Setsuna hadn't been forced to cut someone he cared for the first time in.

Setsuna squirms uncomfortably, but tries to keep silent, and as still as he can be. His arm, at least, he keep still as familiar burn slicing through his skin builds.

To occupy his mind, he asks, "So, you really think I'm badass?" Because that wasn't something he got told too often.

[hybrid_prince]

"This place keeps having horrid first experiences," Teddy shrugs.

He lets his finger casually flick through the E, again with curves to make it one quick motion. He wants this done, he wants them free so he can take care of his lover.

"I think you are. I mean, you're powerful, and you're willing to do what it takes to protect your world and those you love."

[failed_antichrist]

"Yeah," Setsuna says without thought. "It's good at that. But I've had some good first times, too." He doesn't specify, but his cheeks go a little red.

He crosses his ankles and twists them together to deal.

"Heh. I want to do more. Setsuna looks at Teddy, intently. "I want to save everyone here, too."

[hybrid_prince]

"Do you mean us, that night?"

Because in spite of himself, as much as he hated how rough and rude he was to the other... Well, he enjoyed himself. He enjoyed them.

"When you have a plan, tell me. I'm going to help. I need people to stop shutting me out for my own sake."

Because he KNOWS Billy's working on something. He's heard as much. But he wants to help.

A. And T. Easy.

"After this, we're going to get ice cream."

[failed_antichrist]

"Well, yeah," Setsuna tells him, then smiles a little. "And us and Billy." There are few others he doesn't mention.

The worse part about Setsuna is he doesn't really plan, he has a tendency to take off. Hopefully, they will both get a better chance when the time comes.

Setsuna has no idea Billy's up to anything. At least, he's not heard anything, and maybe he doesn't know Billy that well, either.

He winces on the T, but keeps it quick, trying so hard not to make things worse on either of them.

"Ice cream?" he asks, curiously. "I don't eat it much. But I'll share with you."

[hybrid_prince]

Oh man. That night. Teddy pauses for a moment, blushing hard. Holy fuck. That night had been... So intense.

"That was several sorts of firsts that night. It was amazing. You're both amazing. I didn't know my heart could love two people, but I think I do, Sets. You're both so good to me. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Which means he's starting to get where Billy is coming from with the whole 'but i love other people too.' Maybe he can accept that. It's the 'don't be with me, Teddy' that he has the problem with.

"Almost done. I promise. Then we'll get a cone of strawberry ice cream and you can have some licks from mine."

His nail sets to skin again and there's the I N.

[failed_antichrist]

"It was...." Setsuna smiles. "It was the first time I did anything without being forced by this place, too." It had been his choice, completely. "I'm glad it was with you and Billy."

His eyes widen, and he's quiet for a second, before he admits, "Same for me. I didn't think I could love more than one person. I never have." Sort of. He doesn't want to get in the other complications right then.

Instead, he smiles brightly, and to ignore the pain he feels, he says, "I love you, too, Teddy. We can get whatever ice cream you want."

[hybrid_prince]

Teddy was glad it was with them too. He loved it. Loved sharing that moment. Loved that it was fully their choices.

Oh. Oh Setsuna said it. I love you too. It makes his heart skip a beat. And he leans forward to kiss the guy even as he scratches in the final letter. G.

"Think we're free yet?"

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna leans his forehead against Teddy's.

"Yes. I think we should be able to get out now." He aims to give Teddy another kiss.

[hybrid_prince]

There you have it. Teddy scoops Setsuna up into his arms. Come on, time to get him out.

"Come on, we're done with this. And Sets... I don't judge you. Just like you don't hate me for my sins."

[failed_antichrist]

He snuggles down into Teddy's warm embrace, and lets himself be carried out. He's used to that by now.

"Why would I hate you?" Setsuna asks softly, raising a hand to touch one of Teddy's cheeks, just to touch him.

"You're a good person. You've done bad things. But you're still good."