#Augusnippets day 8

[whumper-whimsy]

@augusnippets day 8

Bonus prompt- Whumpee wearing Caretaker's clothes

Demihuman Whumpee (canine), past capture, institutionalized/legal slavery of demihumans, lady whump mentioned, physical abuse mentioned, mostly just fluff though :D

°

Caretaker sat alone in their living room, sipping on some stew they had made earlier. They heard Whumpee's scufflings in the next room, but left them to their own devices.

Whumpee was... odd, to say the least. They were just beginning to learn which of their old owner's "rules" that they were allowed to break. The demihuman tested boundaries carefully, like they were nervous for a punishment if they sat on any furniture.

Once they learned they were allowed to sit where they liked, however, they took up a habit of napping on the coffee table. Caretaker would never reprimand them for this, though. The more freedom Whumpee felt, the happier they seemed.

The poor thing's old owner was a cruel excuse for a woman. She never let Whumpee wear clothes past a pair of boxers, she made them act like an animal for her, and even went as far as to whip them if they weren't to her precise standard. Whumpee was a kind of dog-human hybrid, yes, but nobody deserved to be treated that way. Caretaker wouldn't even treat a dog like that!

Caretaker stamped out any thoughts of her— they hated to dwell on things, especially Whumper.

Caretaker noticed that Whumpee had gone silent. They quickly got to their feet and started towards the bedroom. "Whumpee?" they called.

When Caretaker opened the door, Whumpee was scrambling to hide, choosing to duck behind the bed.

"Whumpee? Love, you can come out. It's okay," Caretaker said calmly, stepping into the room. "Can you tell me why you're hiding? Are you doing something you think you aren't supposed to?"

Whumpee let out an ashamed whine and was still for a moment. Suddenly, they leaped up onto the bed where Caretaker could see them.

The demihuman was looking away in shame, and their ears drooped pathetically. They were dressed in a big white sweater that was entirely too big and a pair of shorts that they were struggling to hold up. Whumpee ducked their head. "I– I didn't know you were coming in... I'm sorry, I'll take them off–"

They were cut off as Caretaker tackled them in a hug, squeezing them closer. "Whumpee," they exclaimed, "you're wearing clothes! I'm so proud of you, love!" Caretaker ruffled Whumpee's hair encouragingly.

Whumpee, taken aback, hugged Caretaker. "I'm... allowed to?"

"Yes, yes! Of course, love. Though... we should probably get you some clothes that fit you a little better."

Whumpee nodded, sinking their head into Caretaker's chest. "Thank you... these are so comfy..."

[ronanziriano]

Augusnippets Day 8 - Reunion

For the entire time Whumpee had been in Whumper’s hands, he had hoped for this moment, the moment when he saw his team again for the first time in so long, and they would celebrate his return and ensure nothing bad would ever happen to him again. It was a silly thought, really, sugary and surreal. He’d never much cared for being doted on by anyone; it embarrassed him, made him feel childish.

After everything, though, he was sure that this one time, he could actually relish the affection that he’d been starved of for so long.

Which is why he had surprised even himself with the way he responded when - after the medics had finally cleared him for visitors and his team arrived, having traveled non-stop to get there from the moment they’d been informed that he’d been found - they finally reunited.

For a single sublime moment when they saw each other, it was as perfect as it could be. His team’s expressions ranged from exuberant joy to relief, and he himself could hardly believe they were here in front of him. A second of anticipatory silence then gave way to welcomes and cheers and everyone trying get to him at once.

And suddenly it was too much. His teammates were loud, shouting over each other for their greetings to be heard, and Whumpee could make sense of any of it. There were hands reaching for him, arms trying to embrace him. Someone gave him a hearty thump on the shoulder that would have bowled him over if another teammate hadn’t caught him and swept him into a bear hug.

It was dizzying, cacophonous, and they were closing in on him, making it hard for him to breathe or think. They weren’t hurting him - even in their excitement they had too much sense for that - but any familiarity his body had ever had with friendly touch had been buried. Now, every hand grabbing at him was cold and hard - threats - weapons. Shouts of joy clamored in his head like alarm bells.

For several seconds Whumpee was paralyzed, too overwhelmed to react. Once his body shouted at him to move, though, demanded that he cut this off, he readily obeyed. “Get off me!” he yelled, shoving the teammate who’d been hugging him and sending him to the floor, then abruptly backing away, hands still up as if they were a shield.

Immediately his team quieted and stilled. Whumpee’s heart pounded as they stared at him. He could read fear in their expressions - fear and pity. It was like a chasm opened up in the floor between him and his team, and Whumpee was hit with a pang of realization that in all the time that had transpired apart, something in the team dynamic had fundamentally changed.

@augusnippets

[evilwriter37]

I Wish For This

Augusnippets Day 8

Reunion/Friends

Rated: general

Warnings: none

———

Hiccup would have run to Toothless if he could have, but he was still chained hand and foot. Still, a smile lit his face and his chest felt warm and bright for the first time in months.

“Toothless!” he called as his dragon rushed into his cell.

He felt like he couldn’t smile wide enough to show how he felt.

Rescued. He was being rescued, and by none other than his best friend, the one his heart ached for with each beat and pound.

Toothless ran to him, cooing and gurgling, and making some other noise that Hiccup had never heard from him before. It was easy enough to decipher though:

“I found you! You’re safe now! You’re safe!”

Hiccup sobbed and tried to move his arms in his shackles as Toothless butted his head against his. They let their foreheads linger together, breathing hard in the ecstasy of their reunion.

Soon, his other friends would come to get him free from his chains, but for now, all Hiccup needed was this. Toothless.

[jamiesfootball]

Augusnippets Day 8

Prompt: friends

cw: fire, ambiguous ending

Summary:

“–The electrical fire, which broke out in the early morning hours–” They’re not friends.

They’re not friends with Jamie, not anymore.

Sure, when the prick first slunk off back to Manchester, Isaac and him had kept mum on that fact. Pretty easy, since in the odd silence of his unexpected absence, no one had wanted to bring him up at all – especially when the gaffer didn’t say anything beyond the fact that he’d left. But then Jamie never responded to any of their texts and he started slagging on them to reporters and isaac through a chair through a TV and –

Work colleagues, that’s what they’d been. Friends, in the sense that when you lived a hectic life, it was easier to hang out with people who worked the same schedule as you. They were acquaintance-friends. Bonded by necessity-friends, the kind that had started to tear when Jamie wouldn’t stow the attitude with Lasso and had split like a wet napkin once he was out of their lives completely.

Mostly out of their lives. Them not being friends was what made it acceptable for the team to have a separate, non-Ted-approved group chat for hate-watching Lust Conquers All.

Maybe once upon a time they had been friends, but they weren’t anymore.

That’s what Colin tried to remind his loudly thumping heart as he stood crushed against O’Brien’s side, the whole team crowded ‘round to listen to the video playing on Zoreau’s phone.

“–The fire, which broke out in the early morning hours, was quick to spread through the beachfront property which has now been confirmed as the current filming location for the popular reality TV show Lust Conquers All. First responders on the scene stated–”

“There’s more video of it online,” Cockburn reported, scrolling through his phone. “It leaked this morning on TikTok – a bunch of people ran onto the beach screaming in their underwear. People have been saying all morning that it’s the same house, but the production company wouldn’t make a statement.”

Muscle memory had Colin grabbing Isaac’s shoulder before he could storm forward. “You knew?! Why the fuck didn’t you say anything?”

“It wasn’t confirmed,” Cockburn defended himself weakly. He’d been quiet when he rolled into training, but he was quiet most of the time. Colin had never heard him sound rattled.

They weren’t friends, Colin repeated to himself as Cockburn buried his face in his hands, digging the heels of his palms into eye sockets and scrubbing furiously. Having a mutual obsession with watching trickshots on YouTube did not make two people friends. 

“You guys,” said Sam softly, and if there were anyone in the room now that wouldn’t call Jamie Tartt a friend, it was him. “They are saying that members of the cast were taken to hospital in critical condition.”

Usually Sam stood taller than most of the team. Sitting on the floor with his knees curled up and his phone cradled helplessly between his hands, he looked small.

He’d been the first to turn away from the video. Colin could understand that. He was a sensitive lad. It was probably the flames that did it – nasty, violent things that towered over the fragile beach house, licking through a high-pitched whistling– no, a screaming–

They weren’t friends.

Colin conjured up the memory of watching City celebrate over Richmond’s ashes; shame and grief so thick he could choke on it as Richmond sank to relegation.

They weren’t friends. 

The footage looped, replaying the moment when the south wall collapsed, bringing the roof down with it as bystanders shouted frantically for help.

“–no explanation has yet been given to explain the authorities’ poor response time–”

“Any word on who it was?” asked Goodman, like Sam wouldn’t have led with that.

Goodman had seemed to like Jamie when he was here. They’d gone out drinking together. He’d been there the night Roy headbutted Colin in the face. He hadn’t hung out with Colin or Isaac since.

“They can’t say who until that person’s family has been contacted,” Beard said matter-of-factly before Colin could chase that thought any further. It was the first thing any of the coaches had said since they rushed into the gym, spurred by the commotion.

He had his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His hat, pulled down low, cast unhappy shadows on his usually unreadable features. Compared to Beard, Nate was an open book,  shell-shocked and appalled and a bit grey like he’d be fainting any second now. Ted–

Ted was leaving.

They weren’t friends.

The gym doors swung open and closed again as Ted disappeared.

They weren’t friends.

The team stayed huddled together as the broadcast lapsed into repetition, starting again from the top of the story now that new information had slowed to a crawl. Thierry, who hadn’t said a word since he’d called the team over with a hoarse gasp, still had one hand pressed over his mouth. Dani hung listlessly off his shoulder, his usually cheerful demeanour replaced with a stormcloud and a heavy brow that’make Roy Kent jealous.

They weren’t friends.

Someone should call Keeley, but Colin didn’t have her number. Not her direct line, the one that wasn’t tied to Nelson Road. He’d had it back when she was the half of Jamie-and-Keeley that could be relied upon to always have her phone on her and wouldn’t forget to text back. Because Jamie did that sometimes. In the middle of a conversation, he’d set his phone down, and then he’d get distracted, and five million years later Isaac and Colin would show up at his house with whatever food they’d ordered for him because Jamie had never texted back what he wanted, and it’d be annoying if he didn’t always look surprised and a bit sheepish. Forgot his phone on the bathroom sink. Set it down in the yard to do keepie-uppies and lost track of time. 

“What’d you order – oh, that’s fucking mint, that is. Next one’s on me,” he’d add with a quick grin. Friendlier, when he was away from football and everything to do with it.

He’d helped Isaac drag Colin to hospital, that time with the concussion. Sent the girls home with Goodman and sat with him at the A&E for ages after Roy Kent left him seeing stars. Isaac had muttered something about it later – how Jamie probably didn’t want to go home with Keeley after being scolded by Roy in front of her – but he’d also helped Isaac get Colin’s car home when Colin had moaned at them about not wanting to get a parking ticket.

They’re not friends.

If they were friends, Isaac wouldn’t be furious right now, his grip painful around Colin’s arm as Jamie’s phone once again goes to voicemail.

They’re not friends, because if they were friends, they’d know who to contact to make sure this was all some misunderstanding, because surely Jamie would’ve called someone. They’d know who that someone was – if he had a mum who needed checking up on or a dad who on his way to the airport.

They’re not friends, because the last message Colin had sent from a karaoke bar in Everton had gone completely unanswered and was still sitting at the bottom of his message history:

“Don’t be like that, boyo. Call us.”

They’re not friends, because Colin had never even typed any of the follow up messages he’d wanted to send after being struck dumb by the news that Jamie had completely abandoned City at the beginning of the season:

“What the fuck are you doing? Are you crazy? Like, have you actually lost your mind?”

“Are you on drugs? You can tell me, this is a secure line.”

“Seriously tho man, you in crisis? Blink twice for help.”

(“Are you okay?”)

They’re not friends.

The sombre news reporter confirmed delicately that they’d have the list of names of the victims soon.

They’re not friends, Colin repeated, because it was true. They were, but now they’re not. Maybe they could’ve been, if he stuck around. If something had changed after the ghost room fire, maybe he’d be hunched over Theirry’s phone like the rest of them.

“–incomplete list, with members of cast and crew still being assessed for injuries–”

They’re not friends.

So how come it fucking hurt?

“–sources have confirmed that two contestants, Danthony Rodgers and Jamie Tartt, are amongst those reported to be in critical condition. No further information has been released at this time.”

[oliversrarebooks]

Augusnippets Day 8: Found Family

Masterlist

tw: sleeper agent, discussion of sensory deprivation torture

"Could you move any slower?"

"I'm trying to keep up. Being locked away for eight years didn't really help my physical endurance," grumbled Cassandra.

Bri was impatiently pacing around her. "I get that, but seriously, if you were walking any slower, you'd be going backwards."

"There's not really anything I can --" Cassandra jumped out of her skin as her phone rang, then again when she saw who it was.

She shouldn't pick up. She really shouldn't. But he might slip and offer her a clue about his pursuit. She swiped to answer.

"Hello, sunshine."

Cassandra glared at the phone, as though her handler -- former handler -- could see her. "That's not going to work on me over the phone. You know that."

"I do know that. But I bet it's got you on edge anyway," said that infuriatingly smug voice.

Her hand hovered over the disconnect button, wondering why she even picked it up in the first place.

"Listen, Cassie. We both know how this is going to end," he said. "You know you're not going to escape, not for very long. I'm already close to closing in on you. And every day you're away, I'm going to add another day of sensory dep to your punishment."

She only wavered for a second. She'd already been gone for five days. The longest she had ever been in sensory dep was a week, and she'd been a complete wreck for a long time afterwards.

But if she did manage to escape, she'd never have to do that again, and that would make this all worth it. It had to. She punched the disconnect button and fought the urge to fling the whole phone into the path of an oncoming car.

"Did he say sensory dep?" said Bri.

"Oh, you heard that?" said Cassandra. She really hadn't wanted to explain this to Bri, knowing that her unlikely bodyguard would find her pathetic for being so spooked by such a small thing. "It was part of my training, locking me in sensory deprivation for days on end to develop my psychic powers. But I hated it so much they started using it as punishment for me too." She shrugged, hoping her fear wasn't obvious. "It's not a big deal."

But Bri actually looked disturbed. "They locked you in sensory deprivation for days? How the hell did that not drive you out of your mind?"

"I mean… it was part of training, so I had ways to deal with it…"

"That's fucked up," she said, and seemed to mean it.

Before Cassandra could respond, Bri's phone rang. She looked at it, frowning.

"It's your handler."

Cassandra's eyes went wide. How did they know Bri? "Don't pick it up!"

But Bri had already answered. "Hello?"

"Hello, Bri," said her handler's smooth voice. "'Hello, sunshine' is Cassandra's trigger phrase. If you say it to her in person, she'll be under our control again, and come walking straight back to us."

Every muscle in Cassandra's body tensed as she prepared to run. She had nowhere to go, and Bri would easily catch up to her, but she had to try.

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Bri.

"Because I want dear Cassie back home unharmed, as soon as possible, and I'm sure you want that fugitive off your hands," he said. "I'm prepared to wire you fifty grand to your bank account and let you walk free. We really don't care about you at all, but if we catch you with Cassie, we can't promise mercy."

Bri was thinking, and Cassandra's mind flashed through every time she'd been a burden on Bri since she'd escaped. It was over, then. Bri would catch her easily and say her phrase and she'd be helpless. She'd be foolish not to take the deal.

Five days in sensory dep. She could do that.

"You seriously think I'm going to do that?" said Bri. "You think I dragged your little pet through hell and back just to turn her over to you? Fuck that and fuck you."

"Bri, be serious about --" Her handler's voice was cut off as Bri disconnected.

"Can you believe the fucking audacity?" said Bri. "You didn't tell me your handler was an idiot -- hey, what are doing with your face? Don't make that face at me."

"I'm sorry," said Cassandra, laughing and crying at the same time and sounding like a complete disaster. "I didn't think you'd defend me, after everything…"

"I said what I said," said Bri, crossing her arms and trying to look stern. "After everything we've been through, I'm not just going to fucking give up now."

Cassandra wiped at her face. "Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me."

"Whatever," said Bri, with an exaggerated eye roll. "We'd better get moving. If you don't start walking faster, I'm going to have to fucking carry you like a sack of potatoes."

Masterlist

@augusnippets

[whumplump]

Day 8 of @augusnippets

Prompts used: reunion / found family / friends

CW: team setting, recovery, hurt/comfort, aftermath

The Team Leader opened a path among their teammates. Already a few days after the fight that rescued the Vice-Leader from the hands of the enemy, the night fell peacefully, without the fear of a desired result, and Whumpee's promising recovery was a cause for celebration for all the officers. The Team Leader was greeted with bows and grateful smiles as they passed. Leading the group was always a difficult task, but it was worth it to see those faces, faces of people who could now sleep peacefully, unconcerned with any torture that would come the next day.

They passed through a narrow, dimly lit corridor of the bunker, towards the infirmary. They stopped in front of the door for a moment and read the inscription on the sign above, which said the name of the ward. They simulated their best smile. They actually wanted to burst through that door screaming and jumping with joy, but they controlled themselves, to maintain their calm and focused image. They entered.

The infirmary was a wing rich in beds, medicines and equipment, but poor in colors. Everything was either white or had pastel colors that only reminded of anesthetics and sedatives. In one of the furthest beds was Whumpee, the Vice-Leader. They were comfortably seated, with Caretaker on the left side of the bed, holding their hand, and Medic, on the right side, treating a wound on their other arm.

When the Team Leader approached and greeted them with their practiced smile and a nod, everyone reciprocated with good humor.

Whumpee and Team Leader stared at each other. Unlike when the Leader found the captive in the basement of Whumper's house, beaten, bleeding and terrified, now Whumpee's face showed calm eyes and a grateful smile. Not just the smile, but words, coming out with their rasp voice:

"Thank you.”

Team Leader got emotional and looked away for a moment. They wouldn't cry, they wouldn't cry…

"No need to thank me. I would do anything for my team."

"What Vice is this, who is kidnapped like that? You were trying to disappear so you wouldn't work, right?" Caretaker joked.

Whumpee laughed at their friend's humor and copied their attitude.

“What about you? Who asked Medic for a fake sick note last week?"

Caretaker and Medic looked at each other in slight panic.

"I didn't do anything..." the doctor hurried to explain.

The laughter continued for a few more seconds, until Medic cut the joke off with a serious tone.

"With the extent of your injuries, you will need several weeks of rest. The infirmary will be your room for the first few days. I will arrange psychological support for you as well." They said, addressing Whumpee.

The newly rescued one fell silent, briefly overcome by memories of the torture they had experienced in recent days. Noticing their friend's tension, Caretaker held their hand tighter, breaking them out of their trance.

Whumpee gave a tired but relieved smile.

"You know, you're more than just co-workers or friends to me. You're my family. I love you guys."

The group looked at the Team Leader when they heard them sniffle.

"Oh no, don't tell me you're crying!" Medic scoffed.

Team Leader quickly wiped their hand over their face, brushing away the tears.

"I'm not... There's something in my eye..."

The others laughed at the lie. Team Leader gave in and let the emotion wash over them. They all gathered together and formed a semicircle around Whumpee, enveloping them in a heartfelt group hug. They spent a few seconds in silence, enjoying each other's company. They were now together. No one would separate them anymore. Neither from each other, nor from the rest of the team. They were like a giant family, all siblings.

Caretaker took the opportunity to break the silence with another joke.

"Ah, Whumpee, and no busying yourself with chores while you're recovering!"

Medic hummed and nodded in agreement.

"Leave everything to Team Leader, they've been really lazy lately", they concluded.

"Hey!" Team Leader protested.

They all laughed.

[whumpy-writings]

Reunion

Pennae Volatus Masterlist

Augusnippets 2024 Day 8: reunion/found family/friends

CW: winged whumpee, slavery, dehumanization, memory loss

They stumbled as they were pushed into a cage and the door slammed shut behind them.

"Zem?"

They turned toward the voice. It was another avian in the cage next to theirs, older, with gray and black mottled feathers. Something tickled the back of their brain.

"Zem, yes, Zay and Mez's child. I remember you," the avian said.

They furrowed their brow. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are."

The avian's face fell. "Of course. They must have taken your memories. The technology's relativity new, and expensive, so they haven't wasted it on me. My name is Exal. I'm from your village on Zo'helt, though even if you hadn't been taken you probably wouldn't remember me. You were barely out of diapers when the slavers came."

Their head ached. "I-I've always been a slave."

Exal shook their head. "No, you haven't. Your name is Zem, and you were free once."

Zem. They turned the word over in their mind. It felt...right.

"I don't remember anything before the cage," Zem whispered. "I know there was stuff before, but I can't get to it. And," their breath hitched, "I'm so, so scared."

Exal reached through the bars to grab Zem's hand.

"This is my fifth time being sold. It never gets easier, but I promise things will be okay. Avians are a curiosity to these people. They buy us for decoration and amusement, and then sell us when we aren't new and shiny anymore. It's scary, but at least we aren't bought for hard labor."

Zem's chest felt tight. They squeezed Exal's hand. "I'm glad you're here. Can you tell me about home?"

Zem closed their eyes as Exal's soft voice told them about a place that only really existed for one of them.

@whumpsday

[stationary-cycle-in-motion]

@augusnippets day 8: reunion

tw: implied physical abuse, referenced amputation

Padmé is woken by a hand clamping down around her mouth. She jerks, heart stuttering, and for one terrible moment she thinks she’s in her own bed, and that the man she shares it with has finally snapped.

Then, Rex’s face comes into focus, illuminated by a brighter glow than the fire they’d scrounged together. Sunlight, she realizes. It’s then that she processes Obi-Wan’s head in her lap, and she forces herself to relax so as to not disturb his slumber.

Rex has one hand over her mouth and another up to his lips. He points to the cave entrance; faintly, there’s the crunch of snow underfoot. Dropping his hand, he draws a blaster, waits.

The pounding of her still-rapid heart sounds like a crescendo, like anticipation.

A familiar head pokes through the cave’s mouth. “You in here, Captain?”

Rex’s shoulders sag in relief. “Fives.”

Before he can climb to his feet, he’s tackled to the ground by two heavily armored bodies. Joyous laughter fills the cave, infectious, and Padmé doesn’t even realize she’s smiling until her cheeks begin to burn.

“I knew he survived!” Fives whoops as Rex attempts to fight his way out of the headlock he’s currently trapped in. “You owe me ten credits, Jesse.”

Rex sputters. “You bet that I died?”

“Well, not from the blizzard,” Jesse says, sly, and his gaze very pointedly pivots toward Padmé and Obi-Wan huddled in the corner. “From being in close quarters with–”

The rest of his sentence is cut off by a strangled yelp as the captain shoves his face into the snow, Rex’s face a mixture of panic and affectionate exasperation.

“Oh my!” a quiet voice exclaims.

Padmé blinks, startled. She hadn’t realized Obi-Wan was awake, but he is, and, like her, he’s watching Rex with a fond gleam in his eye, grinning from ear to ear.

“Who knew Rex could be so mischievous?” he whispers.

It’s not a criticism, Padmé’s sure; it’s just a bit surprising to see Rex drop his composure, act more like a playful brother than a levelheaded captain.

She wishes she had the opportunity to see this side of him more often. The years of wrinkles smoothing out on his face certainly suits him much better.

Slowly, Padmé and Obi-Wan make their way to their feet, Padmé supporting the brunt of Obi-Wan’s weight. As fun as this reunion is, she desperately would like to get out of this cave now.

“General!”

“Oh no,” Obi-Wan mumbles, half burying his face in Padmé’s shoulder.

Commander Cody strides into the cave, looking sternly relieved. “You’re alive.” His eyes scan his general’s form, assessing. “Thank the Force you’re still in one–”

Gaze stopping somewhere around Obi-Wan’s hands, the color drains from his face.

“Force help me,” Obi-Wan whispers.

“What the kriff happened to your fingers!”

And then Cody is fussing after his general like a mother hen, calling in medics and evac and shooing Rex’s brothers out of the cramped space.

It might be the result of the adrenaline crash, that and the overwhelming relief of safety, but Padmé feels a bit giddy watching it all. There’s so much love packed into this tiny little cave, she thinks, and it makes her heart swell.

A shadow falls, the sunlight barred by an imposing figure in the cave mouth. One look at the fury burning in Anakin’s gaze brings reality crashing back down.

[when-jaguars-are-sick]

Augusnippets Day 8: Found Family - Colin

This fic is set a little later in the timeline, once Rowyn's a bit more confident of his place in the group, and his and Colin's relationship.

------

By the time Charlie’s pressing “play” on the night’s movie, Rowyn’s sure that something’s wrong with Colin.

He can tell, in the subtle ways that Colin shows his distress, subtle enough that no one else has noticed. Rowyn, however, is so attuned to Colin’s body language that he immediately noticed something was wrong. To him, it’s clear, seen in the way that Colin is ever-so-slightly less exuberant tonight in his storytelling, in the way that his face settles into a frown the moment he thinks no one is watching, in the way that his hands momentarily clench into fists.

Upon noticing these things, Rowyn remembers the last time he knew someone that deeply. It’s a bittersweet thing, he thinks, as he reflects on the two people that he used to know better than himself. He might not even recognize them, if he saw them today. And that thought almost breaks his heart, but he forces himself to remember why he had to leave, and he turns his attention back to the person he’s currently worried about.

After half an hour of watching the movie, Rowyn is officially concerned. Glancing around him, he realizes he’s not the only one who’s noticed Colin’s restless shifting; Max looks at Rowyn, raising their eyebrows and nodding at Colin, their question clear. Rowyn shrugs in response, looking back at his boyfriend.

He wraps an arm around Colin’s shoulders and pulls him closer in a snuggle, so he can discreetly whisper in his ear, What’s wrong?

He gets a vague shrug in reply, and he frowns, his focus turning back to the movie, even as he resolves to keep an eye on Colin.

Throughout all of this, Charlie remains fixated on the storyline of the movie, as enthusiastic of a viewer as normal. Jamie however, is oblivious to the situation entirely, enjoying Keegan’s presence next to him, and watching the movie while his mind wanders slightly.

As the movie progresses, Colin slumps more fully against Rowyn, who glances at him every few seconds, his lack of commentary the most telling sign that something’s wrong.

When Colin suddenly squirms against him, Rowyn’s head snaps over to look at him, Max now carefully watching them as well.

Rowyn watches as Colin’s face drains of any colour, leaving it a sickly white in the light from the movie. He sees Colin’s Adam's apple bobbing, as he swallows rapidly, his mind running a mile a minute connecting all the clues.

He and Max both understand what’s happening at the same time, but just a second too late. At that moment, Colin lets up the softest, airiest burp, really it’s just a puff of air. This precedes a large burst of vomit that splatters onto his lap and the ground in front of him. He gags again, but nothing more comes up.

When he closes his eyes for a moment, hands clenching again, Rowyn gently touches his arm, causing him to jump and turn towards Rowyn, eyes wide with vulnerability, puke still on his chin.

Rowyn goes to stand up to grab some supplies, and Max stops him, muttering “I’ve got it, you stay with him.”

Rowyn takes a moment to observe the state of the room. Max had vacated their spot, and left the room, but everyone else was still there. Charlie, from her movie-watching spot on the floor, had frozen, trembling with the barest hint of a shiver, her eyes wide and staring. Crouched in front of her was Jamie, with one hand on her shoulder, and the other running soothingly through her hair while also keeping her eyes averted from Colin. Keegan is sitting stiffly on the couch, alternating between watching Jamie and Colin, obviously not sure how he can help, until Jamie gets his attention. Someone paused the movie, but Rowyn doesn't know who or when.

“Ro… gonna happ’n ‘gain,” Colin mumbles, and Rowyn reaches up to push his orange hair back from his face, bracing Colin against him.

Just as Colin leans forward with another heave, Max hurries back into the room with an armful of items that they let clatter to the floor as they plop a bowl on Colin’s lap into which splatters the remains of Colin’s dinner, now partially digested.

Max groans, turning away as their own stomach twists at the sight, instead gathering up the supplies they had collected from where they had fallen to the floor.

After a minute of throwing up, this second wave lasting longer than the first, Colin appears empty, heaving dryly over the bowl.

Rowyn rubs his back in big circles, encouraging him to take deep breaths until the heaves taper off and Colin is left drained and slumping back into the cushions.

Glancing around the room once more, Rowyn sees Charlie and Jamie in a very similar position, if a bit more frantic. Keegan, however, is now crouched down with Jamie in front of Charlie, well versed in what debilitating panic feels like, trying to calm Charlie down.

The floor and Colin himself are both still covered in vomit, so Rowyn starts to nudge his boyfriend before the adrenaline wears off, pulling him upright, and ushering him towards the bathroom.

After settling Colin in bed, Rowyn leaves him with a kiss before going back into the hallway where he hears voices. He peaks into Charlie’s room, to see Jamie and Charlie curled up on her bed, in a tight embrace. Jamie catches his eye, and winks at him, which is enough to reassure Rowyn that Jamie has the situation under control. 

So he makes his way to the living room to start cleaning the mess, only to find Keegan and Max working on it already.

Upon returning to their room, he finds Colin, surprisingly, still awake. Rowyn rolls his eyes when Colin makes grabby hands towards his boyfriend, pouting dramatically until Rowyn climbs in bed with him.

After a couple moments of comfortable silence, Colin asks “Whatcha thinkin about?”

“Just how lucky I am to have met all of you. And how thankful I am that you brought me into this group. I’m just kind of realizing tonight how it really feels like you guys are my family, if that makes sense? I mean, I gave up on my family a long time ago, but I think this is what it’s supposed to feel like.”

Colin smiles at the sentiment, looking half-asleep, and snuggles closer.

[befuddled-calico-whump]

Augusnippets, Day 8: Reunion

cw: aftermath of torture

previous // next

for the @augusnippets challenge // word count: 461

=~=~=

Kaius was curled on his side when someone entered the room. The smugglers had cut off his jumper after the interrogation left it soaking wet, but he was still shivering, trying hard not to swallow and spike new pain in his throat. Really, he was trying not to move at all, but when he heard footfall behind him, he couldn't keep himself from flinching, hissing out a wince as his knee and shoulder throbbed.

“Fuck.”

Harbor? Kaius grit his teeth, trying to find a way to turn around in a way that didn't hurt, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

“Don't move. I got it.”

He let himself fall limp, wondering if this was just a dream. He couldn't be so far gone so quickly, could he? No, but it was bizarre to believe that Harbor, of all people, had come to his rescue. He would've sworn the other man would sooner leave him to rot, but here he was, proving the grievances between them were at the least too petty to leave him to die.

Harbor's fingers went to his wrists, working at the knotted rope.

Was he here alone?

“Jer…” Talking hurt, words raking their way up his throat to escape into the air. Kaius grit his teeth. “Jericho? Joy?”

“They went after Ruebin,” Harbor said. “I was s’posed to stay back at the base, but…” He swallowed. “Dunno. I knew something went wrong for your mission. Knew I was the only one who could find you.”

Kaius refused to be touched by the knowledge. The six of them were on the same team. It was foolish to assume even Harbor would abandon him; he was an asset. Anyone else would do the same. He'd do the same for Harbor. It didn't mean anything, and it didn't change anything between them.

His arms soon fell free at his sides, and Harbor moved to work on his ankles.

“Think you can walk? I can see it hurts.”

Anyone could probably see it hurt, but Kaius assumed Harbor was referring to some implant effect. He gave a small shake of his head, deciding honesty was more crucial than pride in the moment.

“Okay. Dunno when they'll be back. We gotta go fast. Try not to scream about it.”

He propped himself into a kneel, scooping Kaius into his arms and banking for the door. The way the motion jostled his injured joints didn't feel wonderful, but Harbor was surprisingly gentle, cradling him like he were something made of glass.

Even merely thinking of speaking again made his throat burn, but Kaius forced the words out anyway. Harbor’d earned that much.

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Kaius almost cracked a tired grin at that. There was the Harbor he knew.

[maybeitsalivescribbles]

Day 8: Reunion/Friends

While she was frantically moving the files to her USB drive, Reporter kept giving worried looks to the door.

It was locked. Everyone was at the Socialite’s reception downstairs, no one had any reason to give alarm, but still, if she was caught...the computer was not helping things. Like every computer, it was a freaking liar. “Only less than sixty seconds left”, it was announcing since at least five minutes. She tapped on the desk nervously, struggling against her impulse to just rip off the drive and run away like hell was on her tail. Not that the office was especially threatening, with its light walls and the pictures drawn by children exposed everywhere. But- well. If that were the inside that counted, then what was on the computer was enough to wanting to flee to another country. She jumped at every furniture creaking – and maybe it was her own nerves, but they were creaking a little too much. She had looked for cameras, and she was sure she had deactivated all of them, but she felt observed. While the computer was still working – now it announced two minutes left, the traitor – the door opened. Reporter opened her mouth, a smile plastered on her face, ready to find an explanation, any explanation – but the hallway was empty. She sighed in relief, her heart pounding.

Then something pressed against her mouth, preventing her to scream. Her legs buckled. For a few seconds, she felt she was going to faint, but then she squinted and threw her elbow behind her. There was a groan of pain and a voice sounded in her ear:

“What are you doing, dumbass?”

Her eyes widened:

“Hero?” she whispered.

He relapsed her grip on her, and she turned to face him. Now she could see him, his annoyed expression, and his stomach that he was massaging.

“What are you-” she began.

“Let’s get out before getting caught.”

She let him grab her hand while they went off - as long as she didn’t let go, she’d be just as invisible as him. They stayed silent during their runaway, but when he led her to the rooftop, she risked a:

“Are you really sure we should go up?”

“It’s the safest way. ”

And true enough, although there was no guard there, the roof next to the building was close enough to jump. Reporter landed on both her feet. She glared at the roof, at the city, and at her clenched fist that was still holding the flash drive.

“I repeat,” said Hero. “What the hell were you doing?”

“You got nerve! You were snooping too.”

“I wasn’t, actually. I volunteered to play the wardens, to make sure there’s no problem during the party.”

She gave him a disgusted look:

“So you could lick the boots of this guy? What, does the Hero Agency needs a couple of millions for pocket change?”

“So I can look around and notice anything suspicious, dummy. Ever learned of working undercover?”

He stuck out her tongue at her, like he did ten years ago when he was upset with her, and she made a face in answer. It had been a while. Somewhere buried in their phone, the two of them had the same photo of two teens wearing the same silly hat and drawn mustache. Years of birthdays, parties and diploma celebrations flashed through both their minds. Neither of them smiled. Reporter frowned, snorting:

“Oh, and it’s the Hero agency who asked you that?”

“No,” he acknowledged. “What about you ? Did you enter legally or did you break in?”

“Oh no, the richest man in the city just let me waltz in his private office all the time - take a wild guess.”

He sighed. She crossed her arms, staring at him.

“Are you going to arrest me, then?”

He shook her head, rolling his eyes:

“You know that proof that are found illegally wouldn’t help in a tribunal.”

“I know my job,” she replied dryly. “Whose notes did you copy when you were “sick” at the university?”

For the first time, Hero smiled. That was a tired, small smile, but a smile nevertheless.

“That was a simpler life,” he said.

Reporter gripped her elbows, as if a cold wind suddenly blew:

“But not better”, she said. “Your mother was sick, I had to take care of my sister- We were already overwhelmed by- by everything.”

“Ah, but we got a lot drunker together.”

She couldn’t help but chuckle. He lightly punched her shoulder and she did the same.

“What are you doing to do with it?”

“Well, read it first. Information is power. And then, use it to catch him red-handed.”

“All by yourself?”

“Do I have a choice? Everyone loves that guy. Including your bosses. Why are you suspicious of him?”

“Made my own research. You’re right. Several employees died this last month. Someone here is up to something;”

There was a silence before adding quietly:

“Villain is terrified of him.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“I should interview them.”

Hero’s laugh died on his lips when he realized she said that stone-faced.

“What? No! Why would you take that risk instead of-”

“Instead of?”

He waved at himself vehemently:

“Teaming up with me, obviously! Look, I know it’s been years, but you - we were friends! We were best friends! Are you going to resent me forever because I became a Hero?”

“I know why you did it. You needed the money for your mother, and you wanted to control your invisibility power.”

“But you stopped talking to me like I made a bargain with the devil.”

“I don’t trust the Agency.”

“Me neither. I don’t ask you to. But I want a second chance.”

Reporter looked at him, at the big guy in the cheap costume, and saw a teen with a goofy smile. Come to think of it….yeah, come to think of it, she missed him too. She bit her lip and held out her hand. He hugged her in relief.

“I’m still going to interview Villain,” she said after a moment. “Alone or with you, that’s your choice.”

“Oh, dammit ! Fine.”

*

Back to the Hero x Villain Masterlist

Whump/Horror Masterlist

[udaberriwrites]

A double drabble for @augusnippets' day 8!

Path of Comfort - Friends/Found Family

Fandom: Scum Villain's Self-Saving System

Characters: Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan

Timeline: Cang Qiong - disciple days

Rating: G

Jiu-ge is avoiding him.

Oh, they see each other every day. Arguably they spend more time together now than when Qiu-fucking-Jianluo, may he burn in canon fodder hell, separated them to ‘toughen them up’. But there’s a distance that wasn’t there before.

“What’s your problem?”

Jiu-ge sneers, which is real mature.

“This humble one,” yeah, so he definitely wants a fight, “has no issue with how Shen-shixiong spends his time. Surely there’s much worthier companions on Cang Qiong than this lowly disciple.”

Shen Yuan gapes. “You’re jealous? Of Shang-shidi?”

Jiu-ge purses his lips and looks intently at his guqin.

This is…

…

This is adorable! Hello? His ex-scum-villain brother is in a snit because Shen Yuan made his first friend? Is this pre-school??

Unable to contain himself, he tackles him in a hug. “This didi will always choose his gege.”

“Idiot. We’re brothers, you didn’t choose,” Shen Jiu snarls.

Ah, if only you knew.

The System beeps warningly in his ear. Shen Yuan brushes it off. Transmigration and shitty novels aside, Jiu-ge is his brother through and through now.

Slowly, Jiu-ge relaxes. He even rests his wrists loosely on Shen Yuan’s shoulders. Progress!

I won’t let you die, gege. Promise.

_

Full prompt list here

AO3 collection here

[blinded-and-bloody]

Day 8 of @augusnippets

Prompt: Reunion

WC: 285

He heard them before they came around the bend.

“What if he’s not here?”

“Then he’s not here, Link, and we will move on.”

Before Darryl could more the two of them stepped around the corner and for the first time in about a half a decade did he see his son and grandson. Grant looked, now in his late thirties, like a more exhausted version of his own father.

Darryl could see the circles under his eyes, the heavy furrow lines, and the hunched way he walked. He looked like he needed a warm meal and a nap. Grant’s son, Lincoln, was hot on his father’s heels, irritated and wound up. He was already so tall.

Whatever Lincoln was worried about though, it didn’t really matter.

“Grandpa?”

“Hey, sport.”

And suddenly he was hugging a much more gangly grandson than he remembered having. When had Lincoln gotten taller than him?

“Hey, easy there, Link,” Grant called.

Over Lincoln’s shoulder, Darryl could see Grant lingering back a few steps. Anxious, and exhausted. As if he hadn’t walked through literal hell and back to be here. Or maybe, those parts of the journey had been easier than finally arriving at the destination.

Darryl let go of his grandson, and held out his arms for Grant to give him a hug.

“Come here, kid.”

Grant gripped too hard with his nails, just like his mother did. Just hard enough to dig into the meat of Darryl’s back, and he squeezed so hard that it became difficult to breathe.

It was just as Darryl remembered, perfect in every way.

“I missed you, Dad.” Grant’s voice was raw and wet from the unshed tears.

“Yeah, I missed you too.”

[jedi-lothwolf]

Augusnippets Day 8: Found Family

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Summary: Echo thinks and learns about his new family.

    Most of the time you find your family. But sometimes they find you. In Echo's case, they saved him. There was something about the Bad Batch that made him feel safe and wanted. Something he used to have with the 501st before she blew up. So he went with them.

Being a part of their family was new. Echo remembered being called 'a bad batch'. He remembered that he hated it. Now it was a name he picked for himself.

The clone remembered being new to Clone Force 99. It took a while to get used to how they did things. The 501st was crazy and half the time the batch matched that energy. However sometimes they exceed it. Echo wasn't sure how he felt about it, but he knew he would get used to it just like he did before.

Getting used to the batch's personalities and individual quirks took some time.

It was strange that Hunter knew what was coming before it did or knew the weather an hour or so before it happened. The sergeant was sensitive to overly loud noises because be could hear better than the other clones could. If there were too many vibrations and sounds at the same time, he would get nervous or confused. He would also complain about stubbed toes or other injuries more because he felt them deeper than the others.

However Wrecked seemed to complain about small injuries just as much as Hunter did, even though he couldn't justify it with heightened senses. He was a kind man with a lot of energy. It took a while before Echo got used to being picked up while he was being hugged by him. Part of him was still surprised. His blind spot was another thing he had to get used to. Even if he could be childish, Wrecked was the most emotionally intelligent member of the batch.

Lula was Wrecker's stuffed tooka doll. She tended to get shoved into people's faces or chest. Crosshair seemed to receive this treatment the most.

The sniper was standoffish and grumpy. Still, Crosshair had his moments. Sometimes he could manage to be compassionate when Echo really needed it. The man seemed to instigate with the regs as much as or more than Wrecker did. He was also the reason Echo found wooden toothpicks everywhere. When the man would flick them to the ground, he would have to stop himself from making Crosshair pick them up. He knew wood was not the worst thing to be on the ground, but it was still littering.

Tech was the man who carried him out of his prison. He had found out how to free him from Skako Minor. The two had become good friends. The man was dense and straight to the point. His voice wasn't quite monotone but it was close. Most of the time he was looking at a data pad, trying to learn anything he could about their next mission or whatever topic he had found interesting. He wouldn't stop until he knew just about everything he could on the topic and then he would tell someone all about it.

Echo had learned about many strange topics while being talked at with Tech. The clone had told him anything from the mental and physical effects of cannibalism to what kind of bees lived on certain planets. Tech also couldn't stand some textures and made one of his brothers deal with them. He had a habit of offending people which Echo quickly realized wasn't on purpose.

While spending time with them, they all learned about each other. Wrecked told him about explosions and fire. Hunter explained some ways vibrations helped with missions. Crosshair would take him to the range and Tech would share interesting facts about any topic he could think of. Echo found himself making sure he had time for each activity in his day. He would tell them stories about being an Arc Trooper or about his days as a cadet.

It was a late night when Echo realized the people around him weren't just his squad, but his family. He had grown to love them the way he had loved people like Droidbait, Cutup, Hevy, and Fives and he was okay with that. After all, they found him. It was only a matter of time before they became family.

[angstyaches]

Augusnippets Day 8

Prompt: Found family.

OCs: Ryan, Nancy, Elliott, Felix, and Shayne.

Word Count: 438

CW: repressed memories, insecurity, protectiveness, anxiety.

___

Ryan Aldridge didn’t retain many vivid memories of her brother, a phenomenon not born of the passage of time or of poor mental retention, but of persistent, dedicated effort. But that final day – the pity that had replaced the hurt in his eyes – lingered like the outline of a stain that never quite released its grip. 

Have you ever truly cared for anyone else in your life? 

Her presence in the kitchen doorway went undetected for a total of twelve seconds. For twelve seconds, she observed Nancy deftly explaining the premise of a card game from the head of the dining table. Her hair fell in soft, heavy volumes around her shoulders. She rarely let it hang loose like that, save for the bedroom. In the chair to Nancy’s left, Felix was rubbing at his chin while he absorbed the rules. Next to him was Elliott, swirling some whisky in the bottom of a glass.  

He was the first to register Ryan’s presence. He cocked an eyebrow. 

Felix was next, and he broke into a smile. A smile. A friendly gesture not borne of any biological disposition towards servitude. Ryan dutifully responded to this courtesy with an inclination of her head. He turned his attention back towards Nancy, his smile dropping as he realised he was missing her explanation of the game.  

Elliott, however, remained with his arm draped over the back of his chair, angled towards Ryan. “Are you joining us?” he asked, raising his glass to his lips with a smirk. “Mama?” 

That was when Nancy took a double-glance, her fuchsia eyes softening in acknowledgment of her wife. Shayne turned his head to look, too’ until now, he’d been sitting to Nancy’s right, his back entirely turned to Ryan. His pallor was notable and betrayed a continued state of unwellness, but he didn’t quite shrink at the sight of Ryan as he would have just mere weeks ago. Progress.  

If only you could see me now, Si. If only you could see what I am building. 

“We haven’t started yet,” Nancy said softly. She lifted the deck of cards and waved it, her fingers gripping it from all sides like a claw. “I can still deal you in.” 

There was a certain sweetness in the way that every resident of the townhouse was looking at her, waiting for her answer. A sweetness that Ryan knew could rot her like a tooth if she were to indulge in it too much, or too frequently. 

“I... have work which needs doing,” Ryan said. And it was no lie, no manufactured excuse. There was always work which needed doing.  

___

@augusnippets

[whumperwithwings]

Augusnippets Day 8: Renion/Found Family/Friends

Content: Minor Whumpee (Not being actively whumped), implied panic attacks

"Hey, Corrine. Mom and dad said you weren't doing great, so I brought you a snickers." Eleanor said softly as she tip-toed into the room. "Sucks that you couldn't make it to ballet practice. You weren't missing much, though. It was sooooo boring. Apparently, Dominique..."

Eleanor continued to ramble about what Dominique had apparently done at ballet practice, while Corrine started munching on her snickers bar. It was true that she wasn't feeling great before, but now that Eleanor was in the room, she started feeling a whole lot better.