post-hearts

[idolpro]

Who: Sleepyheads
Where: Honmachi Sakura Park
When: Day 326

[ After a long, long, long night, you wake in the dead zone, having slept more deeply than you've ever slept before.

Perhaps more restfully than you've ever slept before, even—do you remember your dreams? Is it all coming back to you, now?

For certain dreamers, the flower markings have disappeared, though if you wake early enough you can catch them glowing bright before burning away painlessly. With that, it feels as though maybe a weight's been lifted off your shoulders—maybe you really needed that sleep.

For certain dreamers, you may find yourself waking up with something new—was that always in your hands? Where did you get that from? Do you remember?

And, for a certain few unlucky dreamers, you may find yourself waking with pain, wounds or scars that remind you that what happened last night was not entirely a dream.

But then, who could ever believe it was a dream anyway?

The sun shines bright; Heaven's chain shines brighter. In the distance, white clouds roll toward the city, threatening rain.

-

Please note: Characters may not fully remember their romps in other characters' hearts immediately. This is so that if you're still backthreading hearts, you can have your character not remember what happened or otherwise not be affected by the changes in the run until later.

Heart Game channels will be up until mid-February, although they may close sooner/later at runner request. If you're finished with your run and don't want any more pings, just remove the role and it'll be gone from your sidebar ✨ ]

Comments

[auguryofinnocence]

[Dad...! Yes hello this is dad! Has he been hanging out nearby to keep an eye on the boy, make sure he's safe and check if he does remember the dad? Yes.

He kneels down beside Nero almost instantly, laying Yamato and souvenirs down to reach for him. Blood all down his front but like it's fine it's cool, that's just dad.]

-- Nero. How do you feel?

[gigadevilbreaker]

[that's just dad]

I...

[The words catch in his throat. Awake-and-no-longer-Heart-Nero stumbles, face red and ashamed. Oh my god. He was such an idiot. He's such a tool.]

I-I'm fine. I remember everything...

[auguryofinnocence]

Good.

[That reaction makes him stop where he was thinking about going for that hug. But...if Nero remembers. Then he did promise.

So even though he struggles with it and looks terribly embarrassed, he does pull Nero into a hug.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

[As soon as Vergil takes him into his arms, Nero's face starts to tremble and-- he sniffles. It's fine if he buries his face against dad, then he can push the moisture back in his face.]

I didn't mean it-- I'm...

[auguryofinnocence]

[Or the moisture can just be on dad's shoulder with many layers so they can pretend it's not there. He sets a hand on top of Nero's head to hold him there.]

What, you didn't mean it when you made me promise to hug you when we wake up? Well that's embarrassing, I suppose I'm too dense for sarcasm.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[the good news is, the dumb dad joke penetrates the rush of shame and guilt and replaces it with, goddammit dad that's so dumb. He half hiccups half chuckles, immediately annoyed that he laughed at that.]

Stupid... Quit talking t'my soul behind my back.

[auguryofinnocence]

[Suffer. Vergil grew so much stronger the moment he found out he's a dad and can make dad jokes. Actually he was always making dad jokes. But now they're that much more effective.]

Seems to me you spoke to mine behind my back first.

[gigadevilbreaker]

Well-- I didn't know you were my dad then, so it doesn't count.

[He squeezes tighter, not wanting to let go]

...I know now.

[auguryofinnocence]

[Hugs from the boy....are good. Maybe he won't let go either.]

Hmm, fair enough. Do try not to forget it.

[gigadevilbreaker]

I'll try.

[He doesn't know how good his promises are, in a place that can steal his memories so easily - so he doesn't promise.]

I'm... glad you didn't give up on me.

[auguryofinnocence]

...Of course I didn't. I am incredibly greedy. I'm not going to let some flowers take anything from me.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[Muffled, both indignant and embarrassed]

Stop being a dipshit and say, 'It's because I love you'.

[auguryofinnocence]

....Well how am I supposed to say it now, it's going to sound like I'm only saying it because you told me to.



...

It is because I love you though.

[gigadevilbreaker]

Well everyone already knows it's true, so it's fine.



...

I love you too.

[auguryofinnocence]

[Cool cool cool, this is fine, doing great, they're not pathetic at all.




Well can't get much more awkward. He...kisses the top of Nero's head. Again. But for real this time.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

[0% pathetic here


especially the way Nero makes a choked little nghuh?? sound and retracts into his neck a little bit when he feels a headsmooch. Goes very still, like

is this real life

i'm invisible if i don't move, right


sniffle

ok the only reasonable strategy is to pretend that didn't happen and we're both normal and dignified]




So....... what was my soul like...

[auguryofinnocence]

[It's fine this isn't weird, just a couple demons...! Guess no one's letting go though.]

It was...I suppose a tower? Each floor had a statue of someone you know and vague instructions on what to do. Painting a wall, comforting Shrike, dealing with some childhood bullies, fighting Sashay as a monster, Urizen...

[gigadevilbreaker]

Oh. So just, a bunch of challenges, one after the other.

[That sounds right, for some reason?]

...Well you're a pro at towers anyhow.

[auguryofinnocence]

[Somehow it just seems like a normal thing!

He laughs.]

I have a certain affinity...

[gigadevilbreaker]

As long as you didn't see anything too embarrassing.

[auguryofinnocence]

...There were your thoughts or feelings at times. Nothing I would call particularly embarrassing.

[Outside of, you know, it being embarrassing to have any of your thoughts and feelings shared with people? He knows.]

[gigadevilbreaker]

[Looks at him like, that sounds awful, what do you MEAN not particularly embarrassing]

[auguryofinnocence]

I know. Comparatively. I saw worse, I am led to believe mine were as well.

[gigadevilbreaker]

So... that means your flowers are gone too?

[auguryofinnocence]

They are, though I don't believe there was any memory loss. Perhaps yours was more advanced.