[PROMPT] Sparkle On - Story and Illustration

“Ah, Dove. Miss Nyugen wishes to see you after you’ve had a shower.”

Gabriel’s voice pulls Killian out of his train of thought, he was still caught up in his post match adrenaline. With a small hum, he turns to face his mentor and lover. Gaze lingering just a bit too long on Gabriel under the fluorescent lights. “Oh, alrighty! What does she need ta see me for?” Killian asked, voice just a little tired from the nights work.

“You’ll see, Dove. Clean yourself up, you did good tonight. Next time though, squat lower when doing a sharpshooter.” Gabriel hums in response, moving to sort through his duffle bags.

With a quiet sigh, Killian pulled himself up and grabbed his change of clothes. A shower would be nice, especially a warm one, even with the post match rush his muscles still ached. Slowly, Killian made sure to peel his gear off, making sure that the tassels on his pants didn’t get twisted with each other, that was always a pain to take care of. Kickpads came next, kicked off and left in whatever corner they had landed. 

After slipping on a pair of sandals, Kilian turned the water on, making sure it was just on the edge of a little too hot. He took his time, letting the warmth wash over him as he lathered shampoo into his hair, humming a quiet little song to himself. 

The uneven spray of the water had Killian’s mind lingering on the match he had tonight, since he was still new, Killian was on the lower end of the card. Even then, the cherubun put his all into the match. 

Sadly it wasn’t a win, in fact Killian got his everything rocked by Torren, the envy bun was looking to push his singles wrestling career from what he was told before the match. Given they were both high flyers, Killian’s body ached from being jumped into over and over again. His arms sting from the amount of times he had to make sure to catch Torren when he dived from the ropes, always sending poor Killian rushing into the barriers. In the end, Killian had attempted a sharpshooter, however his sloppy form left him vulnerable to a roll-up. Without putting his whole core into the submission, Torren had flipped them over and pinned Killian for a three count, costing him the match. 

The more time he spent under the spray, the more flushed his skin became. After about fifteen or so minutes, Killian finally turned the water off and patted himself dry. Not wanting wet hair to soak through his hoodie, Killian had quickly bunched it into a messy bun, as per usual.

Once he was dressed in casual clothes, Killian reunited with Gabriel. He smiled, as he watched the Succubun open his arms, making a small gesture for Killian to join him. Of course, he did so without any further prompting, nosing against the underside of Gabriel’s jaw as his arms wrapped around a broad chest. “M’ tired… what does Miss Nyugen want?” He mumbled quietly.

A large hand ran through his hair, coaxing a sweet sound from his lips. “You’ll see. It’s your first Mochi Moon, she just wants you to see some Succubun culture, Dove.” Gabriel’s voice was deep, almost velvety, Killian wanted him to read a book to him sometime. That would be enjoyable… The hand running through his hair gripped softly, and pulled his head back. “So be a good boy, and don’t complain to her about being tired. Let’s go.”

With a nod, Killian allowed Gabriel to lead him out the backdoor and into an alleyway behind the venue that they were currently occupying. “It’s not the most ideal way to celebrate, but since we have to be on the road soon, it’s better to do it here.” Gabriel spoke as they walked further out.

Once outside, Luna rushed the two men with a beaming smile as she shoved something into Killian’s hand. It seems like their boss had already dressed down too, no longer wearing a sparkly dress and now in a t-shirt and jeans. “Killian!! Welcome to our quick little celebration!!” She sounded so chipper, like she didn’t just spend three hours doing soft commentary for the matches tonight, Killian was surprised that she hasn’t lost her voice yet.

“These here,” Luna waves her sparkle around before touching the tip of hers to Killian’s, Gabriel watches on with a smile, his hand rubbing gentle circles under Killian’s wings. “Are sparklers!! There’s nothing really significant about them, unless you count being able to buy ‘em at like every corner store you go into.” She’s chipper as she sits down on the pavement and lights hers with a lighter pulled out of her pocket. 

“Oh woah!” The little sparkler glows a soft green is it crackles and pops. Killian’s eyes watch with wonder, finding entertainment in the act. Luna smiles at him, grinning from ear to wet ear. He watches as she twirls it around with a laugh.

“Cute, right?!” Luna laughs, tossing him the lighter to light his own up. “People like to light them and fireworks for the start of a new year! There’s other things too, most buns with stay up til the morning drinking their hearts out butyoucan’tdothat…” She adds that last part a little too fast, an awkward laugh huffed through her teeth. “You can have some mochi though! I’m sure Gabe here will be happy to buy you some when you get there~”

Gabriel rolls his eyes, hand having never stopped their gentle ministrations on his back. “Of course I would, I want my Dove to enjoy his first new year in Burrowgatory!” He leans down as he speaks, rubbing his nose against Killian’s, making him blush in the process. Gabe could be sweet when he wanted to and Killian always ate it up.

“Just be sure to leave one out for Allocer!” Luna teases with a wink. Killian watches as Gabriel rolls his eyes and waves her off with his free hand.

“Allocer?” Killian asks, lighting his own sparkler with the lighter given to him. “What’s an Allocer?”

“A demon.” Gabriel is the one to respond, plucking the lighter from Killian’s hand to light up a cigarette to enjoy while they lingered back here. “There’s some old stories about researchers leaving a mochi out and he blessed them with dreams about the surface. It became a tradition to always leave one or two out for him during the festivities.” Smoke flits from his mouth as he speaks, before puffing it all out in one big cloud of smoke. “I was never big on the traditions myself, I just like having the excuse to drink…”

“Hm…” Killian’s gaze stayed on the sparkler in his hands, drawing little circles in the air as he listened to the summarized story told by Gabe. “If we have some mochi then, we should leave it out. For the tradition!” He said with a smile as his gaze flickered to Gabriel. “Even if you don’t really do them,” He laughs out the last part, eyes darting to the concrete under him.

Gabriel and Luna both nodded at that, Luna the one who looked more invested. Moving from her spot that she was sitting at, she stood beside Killian and slug an arm around him. “The only tradition Gabriel ever participates in is getting absolutely wasted, surprised to see you managed to get him interested in anything else.”

“It’s his first year here! Of course I’m going to play along with all the stupid traditions if he wants!” Gabriel was quick on the defensive, making Killian giggle as his partner bickered with their boss. With a huff, Gabriel pulled Killian closer so that he was pressed flush to his chest. He puffed on the cigarette in his free hand, still grumbling to himself. “I wanna make it special, even if I think it’s all mumbo-jumbo nonsense…”

Killian smiled at that, leaning up to press a kiss to Gabriel’s cheek. “I appreciate it, sir.” He hummed softly before tapping loose ash from his now extinguished sparkle to the stone wall behind them and tossing it in a nearby trash barrel.

Gabriel just huffs as Luna giggles with glee at the sight in front of her. With Killian still close, Gabriel nosed into soft black locks before pressing a series of kisses to the crown of his head. “Anything for you, Dove.”

All three spent the better half of an hour chatting in the alley way, Killian listening as Luna and Gabriel exchanged stories of wild celebrations they had been part of years past. Luna made sure to light and play with some more sparklers, sharing them with Killian as she did so, Gabe had no interest in playing along. Instead more focused on Killian’s reactions and doting on him occasionally. As it got later, the three had exchanged their good-byes, knowing that they had to be on the road early in the morning for their next show. As Killian and Gabe walked back to the hotel, the Cherubun had bothered his partner for more stories, giggling as Gabe humored him.