You're feeling down, and Incubus notices your worries and gives rather bombastic comfort. Requested by a tumblr anon!

Cheer Up Buttercup

The rose appears before you even realize it's there. You blink, lifting your head up a little too quickly and feel a bit dizzy. The floral aroma wafts around you, lulling you out of your thoughts, and you look over your shoulder at whomever is dangling the rose by your nose.

"Aha! It seems I've got you in my sights, honey," Incubus says, his cape dramatically flaring out behind him.

You wonder how his cape can possibly move like that without any breeze. You're sitting on a grassy hill overlooking the ocean, the sun hidden behind a plump throng of clouds. Crisp sea salt is infused in every breath you take. The added scent of Incubus' rose provides a nice change to the air.

"So, what brings you out here? Satan's Puyo tournament certainly isn't up here." He sits by you, his legs dangling as well. Brushing his long, luxurious locks out of his face, he tilts his head and waits for your answer.

"Oh, no reason. I'm just looking at the ocean." You vaguely gesture at the shimmering water, the waves crashing into the golden shoreline. Out of the corner of your eye, you spy Draco tanning and Schezo meditating under a violet umbrella decorated in Puyo imagery.

Incubus lets your answer settle between you two. He follows your gaze, noticing Draco and Schezo as well. He fiddles with his rose, twisting it between his fingers like a bored student would do to a pencil during a test.

"Are you sure?" he asks, lowering his voice.

It's a tone you've rarely heard him take. He peers at you, consideration etched on his normally haughty features. You're almost taken aback, letting your mouth fall open, and words form on your tongue, but you hold back.

"I'm fine. Really, I'm just taking a break," you say, hoping it will quell his queries.

Incubus nudges the edge of the cliff with his heel, causing a few pebbles to fall down to the sea grass below. He purses his lips, his brow furrowing, and you realize he would never do that. He protects his face from blemishes and unwanted wrinkles in any situation such as how he panicked when Arle noticed his sweat caused his foundation to run.

"Hey, if something's bothering you, then you can tell me. My ears-" His pointed ears wiggled. "-are all open for you."

You chuckle, the sight of Incubus wiggling his ears almost too strange to believe. He leans back, resting his free hand on the grass behind him and holds his rose to his chest. You aren't sure what to say to him, and you know his intentions aren't strange despite what Arle would insist.

"Thanks for worrying about me, but I'm okay. You can head off to Satan's castle. I'll catch up with you." You hope you sound promising enough.

Incubus' smile fades. He straightens and hunches forward, his shoulders rounding as well. Twisting his body towards you, he cups your shoulder and says, "It's fine if you don't want to tell me, but I know when someone's feeling down." He swiftly leaps to his feet, his fang overlapping his lower lip with a confident grin. "And I can't stand seeing people so unhappy when it takes away from their beauty! Here!"

He tosses his rose at you, and you catch it reflexively, your eyes widening. He smirks, chuckles, and his cape flares backwards. Once again, there is no wind, so you're left bewildered as it bristles.

"I know that people feel sad sometimes, but it's fine to let it out with people you trust." He kneels, throwing his arms out wide. "You don't have to be a sweetheart all the time, but you should never give up, baby!"

With a wink, Incubus pivots around you and claps his hands on your shoulders. You don't tense in his grasp, instead letting a wave of relief wash over you just as the ocean caresses the sand.

"And whatever you're going through, I know it's going to be okay." He pats your cheek from behind. "Darling, whatever's happening, you're going to make it through. Trust me."

His gentle words are carried by a slow breeze. He kneads your shoulders for a moment before taking his spot back next to you, and you can't help the smile that spreads into your cheeks. As you sniff the rose, Incubus wraps his arm around your shoulder and pats your forearm.

"We don't have to get going to Satan's tournament just yet. Want to stay for a while?"

You take in a slow breath through your nose. Sea salt and the rosy aroma kiss your face. Raising your arm, you wrap it around Incubus' shoulder and nod. "Yeah. I think I'd really like that. Thanks, Incubus."

"Not a problem. I'll do it for you again and again for as long as you need." He flashes a peace sign and shows off his fangs when he breaks into a grin.

You laugh, his merriment contagious. You're thankful for Incubus' sincerity, settling into comfort as he chatters on about his plans to start wearing winged eyeliner. Chuckling, you smile, happy to have someone like him in your life.