temperedinpride | AUs and psls

[Five's world is saved, the Final Days averted, the problem of world travel solved. DMCs are safe demon hunting. Umbrella academies are probably trying to get their lives together.

Wherever the other old men are at this point, Lahabrea has packed all his essentials in his handy "dissolve it into aether to summon at will later" ffxiv inventory, and is stepping out of the portal Vergil's cut in dimensions for them into whatever part of hell Vergil's chosen. Right now he's using the familiar body he inhabited in imeeji, though with access to his aether and more rest he's noticeably more energetic.

It is Time for a Honeymoon.]

[He's cute? It's good to see him so refreshed, and Vergil didn't even see the worst of it!

The area they arrive in is nice, for Hell. If he's going to make Lahabrea hang around Hell for so long, then he should at least get the best accommodations possible for it. It's a vast, ruined stone and marble building with columns and archways, like an estate from ancient Greece or Rome crash landed in the middle of Hell. Most furnishings and decor are wrecked whether more clearly by demons or simply crumbling with age, but there are a few things here and there that are brand new, things he's brought in preparation. Chairs, a bed, shelves full of books to both their tastes, various things to make it more comfortable, not just appealing to demons.

He offers a hand.]

Would you care for a tour?

[Oh hey the architecture is even familiar and homey. He approves. He takes the offered hand, leaning in to give Vergil's cheek a kiss.]

Please do. It looks like you've started to settle things already?

[That was the plan! He smiles for the kiss, and leads Lahabrea around. But more specifically toward the courtyard in the centre. Overgrown with vines that even break through the cobblestone and pillars alike in places. There's a pond, a garden, and benches, though all the nature is demonic. Strange colours, bloody... But they're not attacking, at least!]

Mm, I couldn't give you an uninhabitable palace, now could I? Of course, I am sure I have missed some things, you can decorate any way you like.

[That's cute. He looks around with interest. Charmed by the demonic plants and garden.]

I'm sure I'll add my own touches. But it is sweet of you to prepare so much for me.

[He pulls on Vergil's hand as he likes around, examining demonic foliage and nice places to rest or read or cuddle.]

What else does your palace hold for us?

[He just follows along then!]

A honeymoon suite, of course. A study for you. Plenty of rooms without purpose you can surely find a use for. And it is guarded, naturally.

[He's quite delighted.]

Save the suite for last. Show me around and then to the wards? And I'll pick a room for a laboratory.

[Sorry random demon plants and possible future demons for you upcoming magical dissection.]

Already planning experiments?

[Cute. He'll take Lahabrea room to room then, some empty but for the debris, lots of statues in various states of repair. Balconies on the upper level with more vines growing around the railings. The study is full of mismatched bookcases brought in (stolen) from all over, in various languages human and not, some books and scrolls old enough they might disintegrate with a look, some of the demonic ones more grotesque. Made of flesh or full of fangs or spines that are literal spines... Y'know, demon stuff. There's a heavy wooden desk and plush armchairs, a chez lounge and tables set with vases full of flowers. Empty shelves to make use of too.]

Can't I?

[This is extremely charming, he's just going to be leaning on Vergil or tugging him along if something catches his eye.

They almost don't make it out of the room with the most books? But he will exercise restraint and let Vergil show him the rest before he gets immersed. Though despite the crumbling state of decay it's still quite the building? He has to ask.]

Are you quite content with staying here though?

Of course I am, should I not be? It is to my taste, after all.

Well, as long as it does not feel confining.

[He'll probably fix up some patches? Give a few rooms a little less demonic vibes or at least make them more gothic than ruined, but it's their vacation home he won't do too much.]

Shall I add to the protections?

I hardly intend to spend every moment inside.

[He takes Lahabrea's hand to kiss it.]

This is somewhere to rest and relax. I would only welcome more security then too. Yours must be more refined.

[Dmc security is just layers of puzzles?]

[Please the puzzles are cute but let him put PRISON DIMENSION security on their getaway. Except to keep things out instead of in. It may involve actual giant chains? Who knows maybe that's just for aesthetic. Grasping hands and face walls and giant chains, truly the romantic getaway protection aesthetic.

Either way he blushes at the kiss.]

It is sure to be different from what the denizens of this plain are used to at least.

Though I am also unused to the way aether flows here. I will try not to overdo it until I get a better grasp of it.

[Those are Hell aesthetic so yeah obviously, it'll fit right in!]

Mm, it is wonderful to see you with such vigor, don't do anything to ruin it. You can add to it as you adjust. For now, I'm certain it will be too complex for them. And I have others standing guard besides. There is no rush.

Fussing over my already? At least let me admire your work for now.

Of course, why wouldn't I fuss, and are you not admiring already? Shall I show you the way in, or continue inside?

That is true. I am certainly admiring.

But do show me everything.

[Well in that case, guess he'll teleport them to some flesh cave where their honeymoon resort is visible in the distance. There's a ghostly, magic wall blocking the way, though, and various glowing statues and portals along the path. Plus a lot of lesser demon goons. Just a gauntlet of puzzles and teleportation traps, and also fights.]

If you wish to admire my work, then.

[Oh he's going to float and lean on Vergil as he examines the defenses with normal and aetheric sight. He might be blushing a little. But also very smug.]

How much care and preparation you've given our honeymoon. How am I to react but to compliment your efforts?

If I am to cart you through unsavoury parts of Hell for my own enjoyment, you should at least have somewhere safe and comfortable to return to. Where there is no need to keep watch.

[That inspection is being cut short though, because next he sends them to the front entrance, which is very much a throne room. Overly large and inexplicably more medieval in style. Dark, bloody, a long walk leading up to the throne of petrified roots that's much too big for him and seems to grow right out of cracks in the floor.]

Shouldn't that be said of both of us? Somewhere to relax is important.

[He laughs, grinning, looking up at the massive throne.]

Ah, I finally get to see your throne room in reality.

Oh, should I have given you the proper one? It is really only a final layer to intimidate any intruders.

Oh, is it meant to intimidate? I think it is rather inviting though.

[He's teasing probably? But then again he's a weirdo.]

You're somewhat biased I think, dear.

Whatever gives you that impression?

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