AU Box

[lovesuwithknives]

Because I can't leave that Abstract Button alone, here's a bunch of AUs that roll about in my head that I figured I'd plop in here to see if anyone wants to bat them about.

Warnings apply for pretty much everything: smut, body horror, violence, nonconsensual science, cosmic horror, pregnancy, gender-switching, and probably more.


Wizarding AU
or
Harry Potter And The Contrived Fanfiction Plot

Is it Marauders-Era and you not only have to deal with them but this weirdo new Defence Against The Dark Arts instructor? Or, even worse, is this during the books and you have to deal with all of that plus this weirdo new Defence Against The Dark Arts instructor? What on earth was Dumbledore thinking? This man looks like he just crawled out from under the floorboards of Voldemort's own goddamn house. He makes Snape look trustworthy. But boy does he know his stuff. And all kinds of other stuff. So what's Professor Azwel really about?


Cthulhu Mythos AU
or
The Call Of The Thing On The Living Room Floor Of The Witch-House Of The Terrible Old Man With The Silver Key To The Challenge From Beyond The Wall Of AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Terrible things are afoot in New England in the 1920s. Fish-people and cultists and schlubs having horrible dreams are everywhere. Things are colours that don't exist. A squiggly symbol that scares the bejeezus out of you is scrawled on random surfaces. And what's that awful tekeli-li sound that rides the wind of an evening? What are those faceless flying creatures silhouetted against the moon? AND WHY IS AN EIGHT-FOOT-TALL BUG MAN THING CLAIMING HE'S RANDOLPH CARTER? Nobody knows except a strange mystic from Europe who calls himself only 'Azwel' and seems to know an awful lot about and awful lot of things. Things man (or woman or bug) was not meant to know! Do you follow him to the hilltops or into the cypress swamps or wherever else he says the horrible tomes direct him or do you do the smart thing and run screaming into the night, trailing As as you go?


Domestic Fluff
or
How I Married A Mad Alchemist

Ah, wedded bliss. Family life and home sweet home. Is there anything like it? Probably not. You are Mr. Or Mrs. Azwel. His first name is a secret he just might someday tell you. In the meantime, you now live in a big sprawling house with either three or seventeen cats (never any other number), a plethora of alchemical paraphernalia, and a husband whom you have to tempt out of the lab to eat. But he's wealthy. And he loves you more than anything. He just... has a very unconventional way of showing it.


Sex Slave
or
Fuggit, I'm Running Out Of Titles.

a Did you get bought from the sex slave market by this odd, mysterious nobleman who only goes by one name? How will this 'Lord Azwel' even treat you? Only one way to find out, as he's bringing you home to his mansion full of books and alchemy. Oh, my.

b You're looking for that special sex slave. Well, this fellow is certainly eye-catching, all big and manly, windswept and interesting. Watch out, though, the owner says he's a bit mad, too clever by three quarters, and was sold to him as punishment for some crime nobody will disclose.


Experiments? Oh My!
It can be any time, really, the aim is the same. This strange genius who calls himself only 'Azwel' has you locked up in his laboratory. He has a mission, you see, and that mission is to extract a very, very specific kind of energy from you. It can only be collected during orgasm. Oh, but he's terribly clever at getting people to that state....


Vampire AU
a Blaaaaaa! A mysterious alchemist who never goes out in the daytime has moved into that spooky castle. And at the same time there's tell of a mysterious fiend roaming the streets at night, ravishing nubile young maidens and... whatever the young gentleman equivalent may be... and draining their blood! Can anyone draw the obvious conclusion between these nocturnal shenanigans and that weird Count Azwel?

b You vampire, you! You've somehow gone and caught yourself a nosy alchemist who insists on being called only 'Azwel.' His fault for trying to investigate your castle/house/apartment/yurt/whatever, I suppose. Now what will you do with him? My, but he's a robust-looking fellow who'll certainly serve as a ready food supply....


Girl Genius AU
Explosions! Terrible mad science! Toothy monsters with cheesy accents! Giant switches actually labelled 'MUAH HA HA HA HA HA!' Gleeful destruction! Exclamation marks! Just what have you gotten yourself into walking into the midst of Mechanicsburg in a random era ruled by Azwel Heterodyne The Madder Than Usual?

Pet Person AU
a Who doesn't like a big fluffy kitty? A... really big, fluffy kitty. Even though he prefers to wear clothes, one can see just how fluffy Azwel is by his purple hair and beard, soft grey ears with purple tufts, and giant, fluffy purple and grey tail. Oh, but he'd make a lovely companion, if you can get him to stop chewing on you. His love is pointy, after all. His claws are so long they don't retract all the way, making him even pointier. But he's clever and just listen to that rumbling purr!

Oh, and one other thing. There's a very good chance he'll be in heat. And even if he's not, he's still very libidinous. Sorry about that.

b Are you the kind of pet person Azwel's looking for? He's after someone who can assist in his work and not push things off of shelves or knock things over with a wagging tail. A companion to curl up with on cold nights. A sexual partner. Is it you?

Sex Cult AU
There's a heady smoke in the air, a mist swirling grey-white under the full moon. A hypnotic drumbeat plays. Cloaked and hooded figures surround you, bear you along to the stone altar under the tall trees. They start a slow, circling dance and a low, sonorous chant slips into your hearing. At the altar stands another figure, clad in elabourate robes. He reaches up with beringed hands to remove his hood, revealing his face, long purple hair and beard surrounding pale features and a gaze that draws you in. He bids you step toward him. The ritual has begun.


As an added bonus, request Rule 63 of any of the above and hey, presto, Azwel was always a woman!


Got any other ideas? Feel free to throw them at me. ^.^

Comments

[goldenglasses]

Vash is quiet for a moment. Perhaps debating telling the truth for once. "No. Not much." Lying was much easier than opening up. "You know me. I never have much on my mind." He kisses Azwel's lips. Softer, but still deep this time. Although there are ulterior motives behind this kiss and it's to distract Azwel from those sorts of questions.

[lovesuwithknives]

A warm, sort of resigned smile crosses Azwel's face before he is kissed. Mmm, well, if that's how Vash wants to shut him up, he's more than all right with that. In fact, when they separate he gives a gentle, amused sound, one hand resting on Vash's cheek. "I almost think I should keep asking, if this is how you'll distract me," he murmurs softly.

He's becoming very warm and relaxed, now, floating in the afterglow, feeling pleasantly drugged. He settles in with a soft hum, shifting under Vash, perfectly content to stay there under him. Then he stops. Blinks. Picks up a feather.

"Hm," he says quietly, slowly and idly twirling it in his fingers. "I don't recall having a feather pillow," he muses. Then again, this place has made him forget so many things, what's one more? He grins and tickles Vash's chin with it. "I'm not complaining, though. I feel too good to complain. Far too good."

[goldenglasses]

Vash's cheeks flush at being called out on his antics. "I- ah, I wasn't doing that." He says with guilt dripping off of his every word.

At first when Azwel brings up the feather Vash stares dumbly at it. His tired mind taking a bit of time to catch up with what he's seeing. When Azwel mentions not having a feather pillow that's when it clicks. His cheeks were flushed before, but now his whole face goes red. Oh god. That was from him! He doesn't even remember doing that! Vash freezes as that feather tickles his chin right before he breaks out in a silly grin and a bit of laughter. "Ah, yeah. Let's just relax and enjoy the moment."

[lovesuwithknives]

"Even if you were, I wouldn't mind."

Vash's reaction to the feather piques his curiosity, and he seriously ponders asking. But he's too sleepy and he doesn't think he'd get any kind of straight answer. He curls his arms loosely around Vash. "Exactly," he murmurs slowly, softly. "Let's just rest. Stay in this moment with me, yes? Just for a while..."

It won't be long before he falls asleep, at this rate.

1/2

[goldenglasses]

Azwel will be able to feel the way Vash relaxes in his arms when the feather is dropped. Normally he didn't like to be this intimate right after sex. It seemed like a dangerous sort of game that would only hurt later on, but he was so very tired right now. Tired and desperate for some sort of connection. To feel close to someone after coming so close to one of his biggest fears.

Slowly he starts to drift off to sleep. It won't be as quick as Azwel or likely as deep. Too hard to turn off that outlaw mindset, but eventually Vash will fall asleep. Dozing off enough to start to dream.

2/2

[goldenglasses]

Perhaps its the way Vash starts to twitch in his sleep. Shifting more and more as the dream continues. Moving closer to Azwel as he unconsciously seeks out some sort of warmth and comfort from somewhere.

If the squirming doesn't wake Azwel the way Vash suddenly shits bolt upright and reaches out an arm. "Tesla! Don't hurt-- her..." He trails off gasping for breath. Looking around and letting the change in scenery hit him.

[lovesuwithknives]

By contrast, Azwel loves to sleep with his partner in his arms or at least nearby after sex. The dreamy state sex often leaves him in has him wanting closeness as he drifts off. And this time he falls into that deep slumber that so often claims him.

When Vash squirms closer to him Azwel unconsciously tightens his arms around him, melting into that closeness with a soft sigh. It feels good, and that permeates his dreams, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

But when Vash bolts upright and shouts Azwel is snapped awake with a gasp. "What... what is it?" Completely forgetting what happened when he'd woken Vash that one day, he reaches out a hand, placing it on his shoulder. A worried look that scarcely anyone had ever seen crosses his face.

Why am I fretting like this? his mind demands, he's perfectly capable--he's probably better at handling these things than I am! His hand doesn't move, though.

[goldenglasses]

Shivering Vash gently places a hand against the side of his face. "It's... nothing." He mutters sadly. Being more awake this time he doesn't grab at Azwel's arm when it touches him. Right now he probably really could use the comfort so he doesn't flinch away from it either. "Just a bad dream." A horrific nightmare would be an understatement. "I'm sorry I woke you."

[lovesuwithknives]

Before he even realises what he's doing he slips his arm around Vash. Nightmares are harsh on the mind no matter how severe they may or may not be. A powerful wave of emotion washes over him, leaving him almost reeling, giddy and staring into the distance. It becomes paramount to his mind that he do something to comfort Vash. He rubs his hand over Vash's back.

"I'm not very good at this," he says softly, leaning in close. At comfort, I mean." He gives a gentle sigh and lightly kisses Vash's shoulder. "My usual method of comfort is pretty much sex. But... I want to help you. What do you wish me to do?"

[goldenglasses]

For his part Vash doesn't hesitate to lean into Azwel. The feel of a weight next to him helping to make him feel less alone after the nightmare. Closing his eyes and simply enjoying the way that hand rubs at his ragged back. Appreciating the comfort it was trying to bring him as it bumps over his scars. "You're fine at it." Vash's voice is quiet when he speaks and at least with the touch his shaking stops.

"You don't need to do anything. It was just a dream. It's over." Vash moves the lay back down onto the bed. Facing away from Azwel and trying to discreetly wipe the tears away from his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up. You must be tired. I'm okay. Go back to bed." He is not okay.

[lovesuwithknives]

Azwel sees that attempt at discreet face-rubbing. He catches the slight change in the other's voice. Vash isn't okay at all.

He lies down behind him, then, and curls his arm around him, pressing his chest and middle against Vash's back, sharing his warmth. "No, you're not," he says softly. "You're not okay at all. I can tell. But there's nothing wrong with that."

He'd never stifled his own emotions, after all and, frankly, is a little unnerved by people who do. So he stays there, with his arm around Vash. "I won't press any questions, though."

And that is something he never thought he'd say.

[goldenglasses]

Vash doesn't respond. Staying quiet as Azwel moves in close to him. Maybe Azwel will think he's fallen back to sleep.

Then the silence breaks. Vash doesn't speak, but first his shoulders start to shake. Once they start he can't seem to stop himself. Starting soft then growing a bit louder he starts to sob. Crying for the lost sister he never got to meet. His fears of winding up in jars like she did. The frustration of being so helpless to help the situation he'll return home to. That he couldn't do anything to stop what had been done to Azwel.

Crumbling Vash cries. Covering his face and trying to at least quiet himself a little bit.

[lovesuwithknives]

Oh. Oh, dear. He really didn't think this was going to happen. Vash's facade was so strong, after all. A brick wall of smiles and misdirection. Something has happened and he has no idea what--this place has stolen his memory of it, as it's done with so many things. There's very little he can do.

Azwel has never been a comforting sort of being--he used to exploit emotions. He used to listen gleefully to tales of woe, mind swimming in the dichotomy of human existence as thought it were a potent drug. People weeping used to excite him.

And then he ended up here.

He ended up here and learnt what it was like to be on the receiving end of just such manipulation. Learnt a modicum of compassion through his own suffering. He has a long way to go, to be sure, but these displays now rarely hit that part of his brain. Rather, they tighten his throat and leave him chilled. They make him ache to soothe the pain that caused them. He doesn't understand where this has come from, in some ways he doesn't like it, but there it is.

And right now it's got him in its clutches something fierce. He tightens his arm around Vash, as though his warmth and weight will keep the other from flying apart. He presses his lips against Vash's hair. He has no inclination to hush his sobs, though, to fill the air with platitudes. Some things need cried out and this is one of them.

[goldenglasses]

It's exactly what Vash needs in this moment. He wails for a minute or two. Nearly on the verge of outright screaming, but he's able to hold onto enough control to not do that.

Eventually the wails calm down into sobs which gives way to choked whimpering. His face a right mess by the time he's left gasping for breath. His body unable to spend any more energy on crying. "I'm sorry." He mumbles out between sniffles.

[lovesuwithknives]

All through this there's little else Azwel can do but hold him. So he does, absolutely prepared to stay there for as long as he needed to. It's... an odd feeling, doing something like this with no motive swirling about in his head, no long con laying itself out bit by bit. Just someone he cares about who's in pain.

What has become of him? No-one from home would recognise him.

He'll ponder that later. "You've nothing to be sorry for," he whispers into Vash's hair. "Emotions get the better of all of us now and then."

[goldenglasses]

"Yeah." Vash answers meekly. Rubbing at his eyes while he tries to get control over his breathing again. He laughs a little. Trying to go for humerus, but with the way his breath is still stuttering it comes out sounding more bitter than silly. "Here I was." He sniffs. "Staying here. To make you feel secure." This time the laugh does sound like it contains at least a little amusement to it. "S-some help I was, huh?"

[lovesuwithknives]

"Nonsense," Azwel murmurs. "You helped me a great deal. I've gotten better sleep to-day than I have in a while, now." Amusement tinges his own voice for a moment, then drops into a quiet seriousness.

"It was rather more than just an unpleasant dream, though, wasn't it?"

[goldenglasses]

Vash doesn't respond at first. Tilting his head to hide more of his face into the bed as he fights over what he wants. He wants to talk about her, but he doesn't want to be asked questions that are so hard for him to answer.

"It was just a dream." He finally answers. Voice muffled partly by the bed. He turns back to be heard more clearly, but not enough to look Azwel in the face. Afraid he'll lose his nerve or start crying again if he does that. "But it... I dreamed about what happened to her. And it scared me." Still cryptic, but probably still one of the most honest answers anyone has gotten out of the outlaw.

[lovesuwithknives]

"It must have been terrifying," Azwel whispers, smoothing Vash's hair. His own nightmares leave him with acidic fear in his throat, cold sweat on his skin, his heart racing and fire in his nerves. He can only imagine what it'd take to do that to someone like Vash. Again, that burgeoning compassion pushes his mind in a different direction than it usually goes. Has him saying words that he may have said before, but in a completely different manner.

"What did they do to her?"

[goldenglasses]

"They--" He stops. Tears threatening to come back. He doesn't continue until after a few deep breaths and he's sure he won't start crying again. "They studied her until they killed her." His muscles grow tense with his anger and frustration. He hadn't even been alive, but he hates how he hadn't been there for her. "Then they chopped her up and put her in jars. JarS." Now the tears do start again as he puts emphasis on that 's'. "Like her life, who she was, didn't matter at all to them."

[lovesuwithknives]

Azwel goes still for a moment, and had Vash been looking at him he would have seen actual shock flicker across his features. He's done dreadful things in his study of Malfestation, that's true. He can vaguely remember what the astral fissures did to people who were exposed to them. He's killed Malfesteds before any of them started their mindless rampages. And yet... would he dismember someone and file their parts away in jars? Especially someone who wasn't at all dangerous? No. No, he doesn't think he would. That's a bridge too far, even for him.

He can't come up with any kind of words, and his hand stroking Vash's hair seems woefully inadequate. He slips his arm around him again. Say something! his mind hisses at him. You've never lacked for words before! But all he can do is softly press his lips to Vash's hair again.

"I'm so sorry," he eventually whispers, though he knows that doesn't even come close to soothing even a bit of such pain.

[goldenglasses]

"Me too." Eventually comes his soft reply. What else was there to say? There was nothing more that could be said really about what had happened to his sister. That is until Vash finally puts words to his own fears. "I don't want to end up in jars."

[lovesuwithknives]

Ah. Oh, dear. Well.

Azwel blinks. That is... well, that is a legitimate fear, all things considered. It makes a lot of disparate things click into place. Makes them make about as much sense as anything involving Vash could.

There's a pause before he finally takes a breath to speak, his lips still so close that Vash can feel his breath against his hair. "You asked me," he whispers, "if I could promise I would never make you a test subject. And I said I could not make that kind of promise in this place, where one's mind so often isn't one's own. I still don't know if I can make such a promise," especially since he's completely forgotten the control device, "but I will do everything I can to make certain that doesn't happen to you." He smiles faintly and that can be heard in his voice. "One advantage to having the mad scientist on your side, I suppose. I've got the inside knowledge that can thwart all the other mad scientists."

[goldenglasses]

Vash knows that Azwel has forgotten. Has willingly forgotten what has happened. Taken the pill without complaint and Vash doesn't blame him for it. What little Vash knew of had been awful and he was sure it had been a lot worse for Azwel. It's why he isn't sure he should be discussing these things with him now. Fearful it might bring those bad memories back. Vash does not want to forget. He never wants to forget what this place does so he never looses his will to keep fighting against it.

"Oh yeah?" Vash answers and finally rolls over just a little more to peek over his shoulder at Azwel. "Some kind of secret code only mad scientists can know of?" If he was being honest he didn't exactly feel comforted by what Azwel was saying, but he did take comfort in the fact that Azwel was trying to make he feel better.

[lovesuwithknives]

Their drugs are very effective--he has yet to remember his SLUT Centre treatment. This, too, will most likely remain buried for the rest of his days. But if he does remember, well, at least he'll know he isn't losing his mind. In... this capacity anyway.

The idea of a secret code, however, makes him grin and give a quiet, amused sound. He can't help it. His imagination has gone running off with the idea, shouting wheeeeeee! as it goes. "Oh, yes. Passed down for centuries since before recorded history. Closely guarded secrets and all that. Terribly byzantine. I had to pass seven initiation ceremonies before they'd even tell it to me."

Goddamnit, Azwel.