nestingdevil | (no subject)

not bad not bad. though i gotta ask what made you decide to switch it up? from the looks of it you missed out on the little change thats been goin on this month

[There's a pause before he sends another image. It's mostly just his smile. His smile and all those teeth, glinting from a mouth that's by no means his.]

[Least, not originally.]

i just thought it'd be nice to give you a little eye candy while we're at work

and your telling me! its not fair! i want some huge bazongas!!! i nearly drowned in that dumb hotspring trying to get some

oh - ? feeling giving today are you ?

HA wouldn't have that been something ? i've seen a couple around who were turned into women. mght have actually preferred it myself to this

YOU WOULD BE SUCH A HOT BABE BOSS!!!

[See? Beetlejuice gets it.]

HA you think so huh ? you might be onto something there showstopper. could be wroth looking into just so i can ditch the pissant's look for a while

oh ya i been meaning to ask

why r u a twink rn

[Greed's in the middle of sliding off the barstool when he sees the text.]

ah ? a what ?

sorry dont know what that is

and not sure why this plce chose him of all people but you could say ive been in this body befre

oh sorry i mean a skinny guy haha

not that you arent hot its just a change lmao i was surprised

but now im curious. ive only been in someone else's body when i was possessing them

have you been holding out on mutual possession sexy time???

yeah pricne wasnt built as good as i am. but dont let this body fool you. the kid could do a lot more than youd think

guess you could call it that though its not something i can usually do. and its only happened here once. hyou remember those shadows from a few months back ?

i do yeah

i ran over one when i was a car

happened then. dont know how but para was able to take on my stone when mine showed up. and since i'm not too interestd in doing it the other way

[Wait.]

ah ? a car ?

who is para

what stone?

yeah it was a weird day lol

[ The night starts off innocently enough with him sending him a few pictures of him and Beetlejuice hanging out—with him looking like he just stepped out of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Look, at least he did away with the fancy suit, these are baby steps.

As the night continues the pictures get a little more chaotic. He sends him a picture of the drink tower they have made out of the over a dozen glasses the two of them have gone through between them.

And Michael? Well, he is grinning from ear to ear, letting loose as promised. Maybe a little too loose though judging by the lipstick on his collar and he has no idea where his sweater went. ]

He sakd I couldnt kedp up with him

kep

keot

K e e p

Is nt pnone broken

[He's in the middle of another long shift, another endless night, when he sees the phone blink underneath the bar. Greed drops off a collection of shots across the counter distractedly. Of course, it's not like he pauses everything whenever that particular number flashes across his screen. But usually when Michael texts, it's something important. A reschedule, some information, a change of plans.]

[The former homunculus pauses, his one hand fastened and half prying apart a cap to a bottle. The first round of pictures aren't anything to write home about. Just Beetlejuice and the Archangel of the hour finally out of his suit and looking a little less stiff than usual.]

[But the more he scrolls, the more the night's activities begin unravel. Greed slowly pushes his sunglasses up and onto his forehead, and a howl of laughter coughs from his jaws. He may be getting a look or two from the bar, but he ignores them all as he flags someone down to take over.]

[Outside is where he goes. Pinning the side door to the alleyway open with his toe, the Sin settles into the crook of the frame. The cigarette in his mouth is fresh enough that the end of it brightly simmers in the dark.]

uh huh. havin a little trouble there blue eyes? yknow if you wanted to start off easy beetle probably wasnt your best choice

[He ashes at the side of his leg, humming.]

sounds like youve kept up plenty. though didnt realize things like you could get drunk. wonder if its your first time. [He cups the cigarette, inhaling the light-stroked smoke like fumes of neon.]

youre gunna feel that tomorrow handsome. or whenever you wake up. let me know if it ends up being a bit more than you can handle 💖

gotta little something on your collar by the way

i van handle thr juice ye of littlr faith

axe killers though…

[ Party Michael does not ramble, get wordy or scoff at the insinuation that BJ was not the best choice for an easy night out—but he did have fun. ]

not drunk tired

[ It is absolutely his first time getting wasted but in a way, maybe he needed it. Besides, as mischievous as his date is, he trusts him. ]

im fine. gonna sing me to slep greed?

[ Hm. He sure does have something on his collar and he is so distracted by it that he doesn’t bring up the cause immediately. ]

[Greed inhales and as the tip of the cigarette churns to a low-belly red, he slowly arches one of his eyebrows.]

[He can handle it, huh?]

nothing faithful abot it. but whatvr you say

started here then. ha ! you shuld really know by now that i dont hold anything back. that includs the drinks blues

[The Sin pitches his cigarette down the alleyway. It hits the pavement in a puff of sparks before drowning itself in an ice-sloshed puddle.]

didnt think you needed sleep eithr. been lyin to me feathrs? and here ive been so honest [He teases (well, as much as he can through text).]

[However, there's a bit of a pause on his end. And maybe, he's gotten caught up in some business. Maybe someone pulled him aside. Either way, it takes about five minutes for his next response.]

yeah yeah im sure you are. and sorry cant do that. not exctly the singing type. ah hold on

[Another, quick second goes by. Eventually though, he manages to send over a picture. The image is just a shot of his hand with three of his claws spread apart in a stiff, double-tailed L-shape.]

how many am i holdin up?

did u do that on purposd! that was rude anc uncalled for

i'll just have to yry them all adn sre

[ Yes, Michael, he purposefully upped the drinks just to bully you and drinking more is the best solution. ]

we sleep, im just veyr buzy. busy. w hen i tire myslf out i sleep or if i sue to much pwr

[ it takes Michael even longer to get back to him because he is squinting at the picture and probably even conferring with his fellow drunken party member. ]

ypu are cheating thag is blurry [ No it isn't. Rather that dwell on this perceived deception, he continues on. ] ok i am BAD at drinks but i am so gooc at karOKE

[ The proof is in the pudding or in this case in a short video. For a guy who says he dislikes singing he is damn good at it, singing a moving rendition of I'll Be Good. But he doesn't seem to be looking at any of the crowd, he is staring at the air above them and belting out his pain, which none of them understand. No one ever does. They just see a pretty face, an angel, letting himself go and they are here for it. Especially a group of succubi who are ninety-nine percent guilty of putting those lipstick smears on his collar. ]

im not trying all the drinks by the way i hav to ge up darly tomorrow

para big guy blonde. used to be an ax. probably seen him around closer to when we close since he usually works in the back

ah right. a philosophers stone. thats how i was made. guess i havent told you about that yet have i ?

hey hey cant blame me this time. wasnt me behind the bar feathers

[Greed turns, sliding his heel from the door to let it shut behind him. The lock clicks into place and once again, the air outside cuts itself short, leaving only the dank humidity of liquor and sweat.]

yeah got a lot to do dont yu? suppose thats a start. finally seeing the point ? [He follows the wall and his heels quietly snap off the floor under the noise of the bar. The Sin snorts out a short laugh from his nose, and the corner of his mouth lifts silently in the dark.]

you know better. i never cheat [And he's about to finish that thought, but then the video loads and as the former homunculus presses play, he finds himself stopping part way down the hall.]

[Whatever may be happening beyond him doesn't matter. People pass him by (shadows of people with their faces blurred in neon and their conversations muddled together like mud). And yet, the Sin remains still. Even as a gaggle nearly topples through the doorframe (their laughter, careless and carefree), he's still.]

["My past has tasted bitter for years now."]

[He feels his shoulder touch the wall as he ties his ankles together, forcing him at a low lean.]

["Grace is just weakness."]

[Is it?]

["I'll be good, I'll be good - "]

[Hasn't he always been? Hasn't he always been good? Been righteous? He doesn't notice his tail is already going. Not with bitterness or with anger, but with that solemn, unknown in-between. Where words aren't worth shit, and anything he could say wouldn't make a damn difference.]

[Choices, right? They always have their consequences.]

[Without thinking about it, Greed elbows open a supply closet.] didnt know you were such a singr blue eyes [One of his hands grabs a switch, and the light tryingly flutters.] yeah bit of a morning person arent you? just keep in mind what i told ya. you might feell it a whole lot more tomorrw

you gunna be all right getting yourself home?

ur place ur drinks, u mad em up

[ Slowly but surely he finds himself feeling more euphoric than completely wasted—that comes later. For now he is taking five, prodding at his empty class idly. ]

dont be hasty i still dont liek it, jus hav e to sometimes. body gives out. dont u?

[ Even though Greed can’t hear it, he does proclaim rather loudly that he bets he has cheated at something before. And of course, since he is still drinking: ]

hmm maybe not thiw century but evetyone has cheated at somrtning before

[ Oh, to hell with this. Instead of trying to continue typing, he calls him. He obviously has some free time if he is talking to him. When he picks up Michael’s voice contains a playful lilt it doesn’t usually have along with a light slur. He is trying to find a quiet spot to talk. ]

You offering to walk me home? I said I didn’t like singing, not that I couldn’t. There isn’t anyone in Heaven who can’t sing, it’s practically a prerequisite.

[ Despite the fact that it isn’t a video call, he waggles his finger at the screen. ] I’m fiiine, isn’t this me letting go of the reins? I thought you’d be happy I left the hotel room. Or maybe you miss me?

[ .. pfft! Yep, this angel is a goner. Of course he laughs, loosening up a few of the buttons on his shirt to help himself cool off. But drunk Michael is also honest Michael, so he just continues digging his own grave. ]

You know, I’ve been practicing my dancing and the next time? You’re going to be so impressed. You don’t need a partner, just a mirror for proper hand placement..

[ He is going to want to die tomorrow. ]

some of them maybe but the othrs came from home. what you dont think i was the only bartender in amestris did you?

[He taps the light a couple of times.]

gunna have to get used to it. and sure mayube once or twice. but i dont usually sleep unless i have to [Greed nips at his lip when the bulb blinks again.] and you wuldnt wanna know about the other times

[The Sin's got a new bulb in hand and the old one in his mouth when he feels the phone buzz against his leg. He slaps it once on his thigh before shoving it between his ear and his shoulder.]

Now that depends. And we wouldn't be walking. [The points of his teeth clink against the lightbulb's aluminum cap.] I don't know, Blues. It suits ya.

[And y'know, he's almost got it. The light's mostly screwed in, and he's merely seconds away from winding it tight. But then Michael has to go and say that and one by one, both bulbs hit the floor. Greed swears, brushing the shards of glass aside in a series of soft, brittle tinks.] Fuck. What? Yeah, I'm glad you're actually getting out there, Feathers. Took you long enough.

[Is he going to ignore that little question? Absolutely! Instead, he rips another light out of a box and shoves it into the ceiling. But hearing Michael laugh: that's better than any music. And as the Sin brushes his tail over the floor, he slides his eyes curiously towards the phone.]

[Well, tonight is just full of surprises, isn't it?]

Oh, I'm sure I will be. Might not need one, but it's a whole lot better with a partner - [Clicking his tongue, the former homunculus idly rummages through the shelves.] - and you've always impressed me, Blue Eyes. Even if your dance moves could have used a little work.

Of course I know that, but you had to be a popular one with all the other things you had going on.

[ He slaps his hand down against something, sending a dull thud into the receiver as he has an inebriated epiphany. ]

Equivalent exchange! From now on, I’ll only sleep if you do. [ Not true, he will sleep after this whole fiasco. ] So sleep or we’ll both be miserable. You aren’t afraid of sleeping alone are you?

[ Of course he isn’t but that isn’t going to stop him from teasing a little. ] And how would you know that? I’m a great listener, so you should tell me one day.

I am perfectly capable of walking home. If you plan on carrying me I’m going to say no. [ He sounds downright insulted, even the sound of his feathers puffing up can be heard. But he’s quiet for a bit after he compliments him. ] .. I haven’t done it in a while, not since—

[ But then he hears the glass shatter and forces himself to sober up for a moment. ] Are you all right? What happened? [ The fact that he’s still talking after has him letting out a little sigh of relief. Maybe he did overdo it a little tonight. ] Next time you could come with us or we could go by ourselves? If you want to. Would that be strange?

[ He leans up against a wall, tilting his head back to rest against it. The smile on his face right now has nothing to do with drinks. ] So, does that mean you plan to give me another chance? How generous of you. Oh, and Greed?

[ Look at him, not being a pissant. Oh, wait, he forgot something. ] I missed you too.

Popular isn't exactly the word I'd use. [Greed picks up a piece of paper, reads it once, then slips it between a tower of boxes.] But we were far enough away from Central that people felt a whole lot more comfortable telling their secrets.

[The slap yanks his attention back to the phone pinned to his ear.] Equivalent - [The Sin grunts, elbowing a can of paint deeper into the shelf.] - that's not what that means. But fine, sure. As long as you make good on the deal.

[Sleeping alone. The laughter that comes out of him is airy, wispy.] Who said I ever sleep alone? But no. I'm not afraid of it. Just never had to before. Not unless I wanted to. Why? [His smile is practically audible through the receiver: the peel of it, tight and needling.] You offering?

[He sighs as he straightens to a stand.] Trust me, I know this one. I'm not doubting you're a great listener, Blue Eyes. But I don't think you want to hear about me - [Trailing off, the former homunculus twirls his wrist.] - forget it. You were saying something. And I'm fine, was just changing a light.

[He can hear the sounds of the bar pressing against the wall, but they're dull. Distant. Like the trickles of a party ten rooms over. The Sin watches the shelves. Try as he may, nothing will give him an answer. Not the paint, not the boxes, not the broken pieces of lights twinkling like glitter on the floor.]

[So, he finds one himself.] Wouldn't say no to that. And what do you mean? What's strange about that? We're usually here alone most nights. [Still, that core of is: it's yelling again. Yelling and twisting as anxious as an egg about to crack.] We could just find somewhere else to go. Need to check out a few places anyway.

[But his foot is tapping, his tail is twitching, and thank no God, the door is shut. Greed laughs into the phone.] Gahaha - ! You know there's nothing generous about me, but for this? Sure. Let's see how well you mo -

[What.]

["I missed you too."]

[What.]

[You know that saying? About turning it off and on again?]

[Eventually, after at least a solid minute, the Sin shakes his head.] Let me know if you and the Showman need a ride once you're done for the night.

Popular with a different crowd then, not unlike here. Except you aren’t being chased down by anyone. Which has to be liberating in its own right.

[ His answer is quick and to the point. ] Not in the context you might be accustomed to, but I remember falling asleep on your couch. It wasn’t terrible, you stayed with me for most of the night — I remember feeling your hand on my leg.

[ He exhales in an overly exaggerated manner, giving the phone a are you serious look. ] You don’t care what I am, I don’t care what you are or what you’ve done. If I didn’t want to know I wouldn’t ask, but just say you don’t want to talk about it. You know I won’t push.

[ He probably wouldn’t have noticed him being distracted even without the liquid courage in his belly right now. He finds himself chewing on his lip, eyes meeting the floor. He never looks down, always being so sure of himself when eyes are upon him. ]

I’m asking you if it’s strange that I want to be alone with you outside of the bar. I can’t figure it out myself but something feels different. .. Fuck, just ignore that, I’m getting lost in my head again. [ And he can feel his anxiety building, it can’t catch up to him if he runs away from it first. ] Sure, we could do that. If you can keep the theft to a minimum, though..

[ Unfortunately, he takes the pause to mean he overstepped his boundaries, so he hesitates for a moment. How can he backpedal out of this foolishness? Oh, he should have just kept his damn mouth shut. ]

Yeah. Yeah, I will. I won’t keep you any longer, you have to get back to work, right?

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Boys niiiight

➥ Text

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