#Dion and Frazie play keep away with Raz’s head

[dammarchy211]

After serval days of my boyfriend bugging me about welcome home or puppet/muppet au raz/j I finally drew it

He’s inspired by the fraggles and the fireys bc they have some of my favorite muppet designs<3

[razzle-zazzle]

1654 Words; @tuxedokit's Cry Me a River AU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BESTIE!!!! 🎂🎉🎉🎉

AO3 ver

The water frothed, bubbles all fighting to rise to the surface as fast as possible.

Dion stared, careful not to stand too close, as the bubbles kept rising and eggs at the bottom of the pot failed to do anything interesting.

“Don’t stand so close to the fire, bambino.” His mother cautioned. “And put the lid back on.” She herself was busy with the watercolor set she had gotten for her last birthday, taking the free time to try and paint while the eggs boiled and the children played and her mother-in-law napped and her husband tended to the two year old. That didn’t stop her from keeping an eye on things, though, nor did it stop her from gently reprimanding her twelve-year old son when he got too close to the fire.

Dion put the lid back and stepped away, nodding his head. The image of the bubbles still lingered, small as they were between the eggs resting at the pot’s bottom. It brought to mind imaginings of bodies resting in their watery graves, deep down where nobody could see them. Dion shook his head to try and clear the thoughts, and stepped even further away from the fire and the pot and the boiling water.

His family was cursed to die in water. This was an unassailable fact. Dion had seen it, the watery hand that reached out for his siblings when they got too close—the Hand of Galochio, from the family that had cursed them. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t use water to launder their clothes, clean their bodies, or boil eggs. They just needed to be careful.

Careful most certainly didn’t include opening pots to stare at the boiling water and the eggs contained within, but Dion had been curious. He’d started helping out with the cooking, recently, though for the most part he was relegated to the easy tasks like grabbing ingredients and stirring mixes. And he did like eggs, and really wanted these eggs to be done soon so he could have one and then lord over Raz and Frazie how he got one first, because of course he would, because he was the eldest and the most dutiful child and didn’t wander off where nobody could find him to do god knew what—

But there was little to do, while eggs were boiling and lunch had passed and dinner was still a ways off. Mom was painting, Dad was busy with Mirtala in the caravan, Nona was asleep in the shadow of the tents, Frazie and Raz had wandered off on another one of their “super secret meetups, Dee, you’re not allowed,” and Dion was bored. He did a cartwheel to try and burn some of the nervous energy bubbling in his limbs, then another. And another.

The creak of the caravan door drew Dion’s attention, and he watched as his father emerged, Mirtala tucked into one arm and staring wide-eyed at the world with a toothy grin. Dion’s father pressed a kiss to his mother’s cheek as a way of greeting, eyes darting down to the small canvas before her. “Beautiful as always, Дорогая.” He commented, shifting his hold on Mirtala to accommodate her squirming, his free hand drifting down to rub gently at his wife’s stomach.

Dion turned away from his mother’s flirty response with a grimace. Adults were gross. He hoped he wasn’t half as bad when he was finally grown up—something that seemed so close in his mind.

Giggling and footsteps broke Dion from his thoughts, drawing his attention to Frazie and Raz, emerging back into the camp. There were leaves and twigs in their hair, mud smeared on their knees and hands and arms. There was even some mud on Raz’ face as he grinned up at Frazie, walking along without a care in the world.

Something sharp lodged itself in Dion’s chest. He stood before them, hands on his hips in an approximation of his mother, and pitched his voice loud enough for his parents to hear. “Where were you? You can’t just wander off like that!”

Frazie kicked at the dirt nonchalantly, not phased at all by Dion’s attempts at authority. “Around.” She sniffed, as though she had better things to do than entertain her older brother. At her side, Raz nodded. “Yeah,” He squeaked, “Around.”

“Well, next time you’re around,” Their mother’s voice cut across the camp, “don’t wander so far away.” She took in the state of them, her lips pursing slightly. “Now go clean up, you’re all muddy!”

Dion smirked at Frazie, who only rolled her eyes in response. A frustration he had no name for lodged itself in his throat as his sister turned tail, her skirt flaring as she launched into a cartwheel. Something like envy crept into his brain—but for what? Dion shook his head, trying to clear the feeling. He had other things to worry about—the ringing of Mirtala’s bell as she was set down on the ground was the only warning Dion got before he was tackled from behind by his baby sister. Dion yelped as he fell to the ground, and he shoved his cackling sister away while scooting backwards.

It pressed against Dion’s chest, begging to be let out. He hissed, crossing his arms as though the motion might keep it contained. He swallowed, trying to will the feeling away, to keep himself together. Mirtala lunged forwards, shouting an approximation of his name while reaching out with chubby toddler hands, and Dion’s chest surged and sloshed in response.

Dion shouted, grabbing Mirtala under her arms and lifting her in the air. She laughed, and Dion set her back down, his chest still pounding. That was close. Really close. But he held together, and he could feel the waves receding, ebbing away as his chest loosened.

His mother scooped Mirtala up, eyes alight with amusement. “Let’s not terrorize your big brother, okay topolina?” She turned her attention to Dion, and he did his best to look cool and unaffected. This wasn’t the first time his baby sister had tackled him to the floor—though he really hoped it’d be the last. Still, his mother tsked and leaned in, licking her thumb to rub dirt off of Dion’s cheek.

“Mooooom,” Dion whined, making a face. His mother just chuckled, before turning and setting Mirtala down, softly directing her daughter’s attention to Dion’s father, who was busy appreciating the half-finished painting. Mirtala giggled, before running off with all the speed she could muster. That handled, Dion’s mother turned her attention back to Dion.

“You should go find your siblings, bambino.” She suggested. “We need to get everyone ready for afternoon practice.”

Dion nodded. “Yeah!” He turned to the tents lining their camp, walking off to go do just that, ignoring the soft waves in his chest. His whole family was careful around water, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have any on hand. Water was needed for a lot of things, like clothes and hands and eggs. Still, Dion found his steps slowing as he approached where his siblings were washing off the mud by a low basin, talking in hushed tones. They didn’t notice his approach, so Dion slowed his steps and strained to try and make out what they were saying.

“...lucky it was just mud.” Frazie murmured. “And stop knocking me over when I’m rolling around!”

“It was just a puddle.” Raz huffed. “Balance better next time.”

Frazie poked Raz right in the middle of his forehead. “Don’t tell me what to do, Poots.” She frowned, reached a hand out, and lifted a loose leaf right into Raz’ face. Except she never touched the leaf—

Dion took a step back. He… he’d caught Raz doing this stuff, a few weeks back, but Frazie—

The Aquatos were cursed to die in water. This was a fact. But they had been cursed by fortune tellers, who moved things with their minds just like Frazie did—but they’d promised to stop—

The pressure in Dion’s chest returned anew. It sloshed around like so many storm-swept waves, the push and pull of it slow and steady and threatening to tear Dion apart. Bubbles fought their way out from his center to his skin, and his whole body seemed to shake. He trembled, stumbling backwards a step—

The world exploded into nothingness with the sound of water rushing through his ears. He tumbled, spinning endlessly as he fell, until he finally felt a shuddering vibration as the ground rose to meet him. He shuddered, ripples chasing across the dirt, pushing in every direction in an attempt to be anywhere but here. Fear hammered in a chest that didn’t exist, and he seized up entirely.

No no no not again I tried so hard—

He needed to focus. He needed to relax. But how could he do either, when he could feel the very beginning of a familiar tugging? When that distant feeling he had recognized since he was ten was back and trying to coax him into the shape his family feared the most? But he had to focus, he had to relax and calm if he wanted to pull away from the tugging of a family curse and return to himself—

Dion gasped as he pulled together, the dirt cold under his hands and knees. He stared at it, at dry dirt that only moments before was horribly muddy because of him—

Dion’s nails dug into the dirt as he breathed, frustration pricking the corners of his eyes and tightening his throat. Stupid, stupid! He wasn’t supposed to let it spill out, he had to be better, solid, what if someone saw—

“Dee?”

Dion's head snapped up. Frazie and Raz were staring at him with wide eyes, Frazie's arms wrapped around Raz protectively. Oh no. Oh no. They—they had to have seen—but surely they hadn't—but what if—"Dee," Frazie stepped back, "What did you do?"

[technovillain]

I LOVE the aquatos' family dynamics theyre so juicy and interesting... Raz and Frazie's dynamic is an especially interesting one bc of all the implications like... the fact they used to play little psychic games together before frazie decided that was dangerous/childish... frazie girl you are 16(approx)

EXACTLY. The fact that Raz keeps encouraging her to admit her own psychic abilities and ensures her that it will be okay but she just can't believe him. And that he seemed surprised by that statement she made about the fact that they can't do psychic stuff together anymore because that was something they did when they were 'kids'.... like girl what happened to you!!!

I really like the dynamic between the children and parents of the Aquato family too bc its like. So many people will try to demonize Donatella or Augustus and it's like...have you even played the game and paid attention???? It perfectly captures that dynamic of like. Engrained systemic fear stemming from family trauma. Raz and Frazie both gauged the possible outcome of them telling their parents that they were psychic based on the perceived connections of psychic=bad, therefore these actions make me a deviant and I will be punished and hated for expressing them. And despite Augustus's appearance in the Meat Circus, I know for a fact that Raz does not hate his father or even fear him. The way that he immediately ran to him when his real father appeared in his mind showed that he knew that his father would embrace him no matter the environment. The scary version of Augustus stems from a worst-case scenario.

I feel like everyone has those. "Bad" versions of people that we love that are locked away in our heads. We know they aren't real. We know that realistically, they would never act this way. It is obvious that Augustus is a kind and loving father and only wants his family to be safe. Nona is all that he has, and he has to take her at her word about the family curse. And when Augustus sees this version of himself in his son's mind, he can't help but see the fear that he has accidentally instilled in his son, and by extension all of his children. But you know what he doesn't do? Take it as a personal attack and get mad at Raz. Instead he gives him all the power he can to help him and the Coach overcome this obstacle. Essentially by giving him his power, he is showing Raz that he would help him and love and support him no matter what, and that they are the same. And that's where that shift starts with his feelings about psychic powers.

But even with her dad now being psychic-friendly and even embracing his own powers, Frazie still can't get past that family guilt. Because she hears it from Nona, she hears it from Dion, from Donatella. She never got her own little runaway mission of glory, her own community of psychic peers. And while Raz was gone, he caused so much anxiety and stress for the family. Donatella's stress is obviously just connecting the dots between "things that make my family undergo stress" and "psychic powers" and she isn't wrong, but it isn't for the reasons that she expects. Frazie says at the end of her little conversation with Raz that she would consider joining the intern program, and I feel like that is the plot's way of telling us that she is almost ready to stop connecting those dots too, despite having more of that rhetoric put in her head than Raz over the events of the first game....I would love to see(/write?) more conversations that Raz and Frazie would have postgame....dunno man there's just so much POTENTIAL there with the Aquatos, you're so right!!!!

[brain-bumbler]

hey. hey. you know that one au you did? where dion got a job in the mailroom? think about it again. think about its wonder and greatness. and gimme deets 🤲

oh that is my greatest work ever. i will forever have so much to say about it.

Dion starts out not enjoying the job or looking forward to it, just doing it since his mom won't stop talking about how proud she is of Raz and Frazie, and he needs something to do to fill the hours. Plus a paycheck is nice.

But despite his reservations, the minute Raz walks into the mailroom Dion has his feet up on the table smirking like his swivel chair is a throne. Big brother instinct to show no weakness.

Raz is torn because this is sort of his brother making an effort to ger more involved in psychic stuff. He genuinely wants Dion to do better and learn to cope with the changes in their family.

But also, he's ten. The Psychonauts is HIS thing in his head. He wants Frazie to join him because she was his secret psychic buddy that he probably trauma bonded with and he wants to heal the divide between them. I think it'd be normal for him to not be 100% stoked about it. Like oh great, maybe the mailroom is where evil villains are made and Dion's gonna decide to turn to the dark side.

At first Dion is jumpy and standoffish with people. But luckily he unlocks the pure dopamine of sorting objects for his repressed adhd-autism brain. He completely zones out during his shift and then snaps back an hour after closing time when the packages stop coming. Holy shit stacking boxes of different sizes into cubes like tetris and then sorting them based on color, he's not showing it but his brain is just enjoying it So Damn Much.

He gets so hyperfocused that he forgets to slack off and act superior and grumpy. He clears out the blacklog in 3 days and then designs a new sorting system. It needs revisions but that just means more stacking and sorting fuck yeah!

Gisu was expecting him to skip work to come see her but he's in the ZONE and its hard to break him away from it. But after awhile it is easier to leave because he needs variety in his day, which makes flipping across the Motherlobe and finding new ways to deliver mail great.

He makes up challenges for himself. Can he sneak packages to people from the vents like a spy, something he'd never admit to thinking was cool? Can he do deliveries while playing "the ground is lava" in his head?

Also he keeps writing letters to Gisu that have to be "hand delivered" so they can meet up. Hollis lets it slip since he solved their budget crisis by discovering Nick was stealing money, and Dion is insanely effective at his work. If only she could get him to wear anything business casual.

Dion's biggest bad habit is skipping meals. He doesn't like eating in the Noodle Bowl without someone he knows, it makes him nervous. So if he doesn't bring lunch he ends up skipping it, or even if he dues he just throws it away without telling anyone.

He makes the mailroom the most popular part of the Motherlobe tour by putting on an acrobatics performance that enthralls all the visitors. Maybe he slips out some pamphlets for the Aquato circus, it never hurts to advertise!

Having the alone time and investing in something not related to his family is really good for his personal mental health and boundaries.

[doodle17]

Okay okay I should probably slow down now. But! I gotta talk about "Children's Work" by Dessa bc it's such a song for the Aquato kids oh my goddddd. Dion parentification. Dion Raz siblinghood. Frazie & Tala & Queepie. Yes.

The first verse being Dion talking about all of his little siblings. "Before you came along I was a lone cub / Fell in love with language, tried to tell the grown-ups / About the storm clouds, the weather in my head / Hadn't heard the word for melancholy yet / Then you came in five years behind" is like. Dion and Frazie singing together because they're so close in age. Dion having trouble with words and Frazie's developing psychic powers. And then Raz comes in, five-six years later.

"Then you came... I thought you were the prophet of 1989" is Raz, "You were so tender, we thought something was wrong with you / So patient, we thought that you were deaf" Mirtala, and "You were so solemn, so tiny but so ancient / Mom took you to see doctors, you scared her half to death" is Queepie.

And then "And I made you a library of tiny books with spines two inches high / You didn't say too much / But your smile taught me how to quiet down my mind" is like. Frazie and Raz practicing their powers together. And then the second iteration of the refrain reflecting on how Frazie decided she was done playing mind games with Raz and how it broke them apart. Frazie's learned how to paint her face and earn her keep, and she's done playing such childish games. But part of her misses that closeness she had with Raz, and Raz went off to learn how to better use his powers.

The first and third times we hear the refrain it's like "But I've learned how to paint my face / How to earn my keep / How to clean my kill" the kids all learning acrobatics. Dion's parentification. "Some nights I still can't sleep / The past rolls back, I can see us still" reflecting back on before the family's psychophobia put a rift between him and Frazie and Raz. "You've learned how to hold your own / How to stack your stones / But the history's thick" Raz running away and learning so many skills. But also still struggling with Meat Circus and Maligula because those aren't battles he should have to fight on his own. And "Children aren't as simple / As we'd like to think" all of the Aquato kids got something going on. Queepie's smart for his age and Mirtala's emotionally intelligent.

I just. Dessa has a lot of bangers and this one always hits my heart like a freight train when I think about the Aquato kids.

[ask-agent-rapzutin-vodello]

Frazie & Dion, I asked the interns this question forever ago. But now that you guys are a part of this dysfunctional but loveable group, you will be asked this as well. Have you ever walked in on your parents having a quote tumble in a net?

*Insert Raz Mirtala and Queepie asking their oldest siblings what the heck is a tumble in a net*

[Mirtala] What's a 'tumble in a net'?

[Queepie] Can we do that?

[Frazie] (Trying to keep herself from laughing)

[Dion] Not until you are much, MUCH older.

[Mirtala] (Groans) Raz is right, the older kids do keep the fun stuff away from us.

[Frazie] (snorts, really trying to stifle her giggles, as Dion looks more and more stressed.)

[Queepie] Come on, let's go play acrobat tag.

[Mirtala] Yeah! (blows raspberry at Dion and Frazie)

(Both Queepie and Mirtala run off.)

[Frazie] (Wipes away a tear) Oh man, I don't know how much longer I could have hold my laugh in. (Giggles)

[Dion] Sooo glad you're seeing the funny side in that.

[Frazie] Thank, Mr. Grumpy Sarcasm. But to answer the question: Luckily no.

[Dion] Thanks the Lord for that ...

[Frazie] Mom and Papa were always very clear about us not going in their tent unless it was a dire emergency on certain days. So never walked in on them doing that. Did walk in on them getting ...affectionate with each other.

[Dion] Which is equally as worse sometimes. (Shudders) Seems Raz feels the same way about walking in on Sasha and Milla getting affectionate with each other.

[Frazie] You boys have no sense of romance. Speaking of which, I'm going to see Norma now. By the way, you ready for the big triple date tomorrow?

[Dion] That was tomorrow?

[Frazie] It's Valentine's day tomorrow, ding-dong. (Long pause) Don't tell me you've forgotten, Didi?

[Dion] (Silence) Nnnnno?

[Frazie] You got a present for Gisu, I hope? I got mine months ago, when I was touring with you guys again.

[Dion] (Silence, once again)

[Frazie] Seriously? Boy, you are fu-

[Donatella] Francesca, language!

[Frazie] English.

[Donatella] What was that?!

[Frazie] EEP! Gotta run! (Turns invisible)

[Donatella] Frances- (Groans) Oh, why oh why, did Raz show her that little trick?

[Dion] Can I get a ride to the city? I ...have some emergency shopping to do....

[Donatella] (Shakes her head, yet slightly amused) I swear, you remind me so much of your father when he was your age. (Giggles as Augustus protests jokingly in the background) C'mon, grab your jacket, if we leave now, you might keep your girlfriend in good graces tomorrow.

[Dion] That's what I'm hoping for.

[sewersewersewercouch]

Okay okay I should probably slow down now. But! I gotta talk about "Children's Work" by Dessa bc it's such a song for the Aquato kids oh my goddddd. Dion parentification. Dion Raz siblinghood. Frazie & Tala & Queepie. Yes.

The first verse being Dion talking about all of his little siblings. "Before you came along I was a lone cub / Fell in love with language, tried to tell the grown-ups / About the storm clouds, the weather in my head / Hadn't heard the word for melancholy yet / Then you came in five years behind" is like. Dion and Frazie singing together because they're so close in age. Dion having trouble with words and Frazie's developing psychic powers. And then Raz comes in, five-six years later.

"Then you came... I thought you were the prophet of 1989" is Raz, "You were so tender, we thought something was wrong with you / So patient, we thought that you were deaf" Mirtala, and "You were so solemn, so tiny but so ancient / Mom took you to see doctors, you scared her half to death" is Queepie.

And then "And I made you a library of tiny books with spines two inches high / You didn't say too much / But your smile taught me how to quiet down my mind" is like. Frazie and Raz practicing their powers together. And then the second iteration of the refrain reflecting on how Frazie decided she was done playing mind games with Raz and how it broke them apart. Frazie's learned how to paint her face and earn her keep, and she's done playing such childish games. But part of her misses that closeness she had with Raz, and Raz went off to learn how to better use his powers.

The first and third times we hear the refrain it's like "But I've learned how to paint my face / How to earn my keep / How to clean my kill" the kids all learning acrobatics. Dion's parentification. "Some nights I still can't sleep / The past rolls back, I can see us still" reflecting back on before the family's psychophobia put a rift between him and Frazie and Raz. "You've learned how to hold your own / How to stack your stones / But the history's thick" Raz running away and learning so many skills. But also still struggling with Meat Circus and Maligula because those aren't battles he should have to fight on his own. And "Children aren't as simple / As we'd like to think" all of the Aquato kids got something going on. Queepie's smart for his age and Mirtala's emotionally intelligent.

I just. Dessa has a lot of bangers and this one always hits my heart like a freight train when I think about the Aquato kids.

Listened to this one and oh also freight train! Up there with “sense of home” with most painful aquato songs

[tuxedokit]

Oh, I always kinda found it to be Dion talking about all of her little siblings. "Before you came along I was a lone cub / Fell in love with language, tried to tell the grown-ups / About the storm clouds, the weather in my head / Hadn't heard the word for melancholy yet / Then you came in five years behind" is like. Dion and Frazie singing together because they're so close in age. Dion having trouble with words and Frazie's developing psychic powers. And then Raz comes in, five-six years later.

"Then you came... I thought you were the prophet of 1989" is Raz, "You were so tender, we thought something was wrong with you / So patient, we thought that you were deaf" Mirtala, and "You were so solemn, so tiny but so ancient / Mom took you to see doctors, you scared her half to death" is Queepie.

And then "And I made you a library of tiny books with spines two inches high / You didn't say too much / But your smile taught me how to quiet down my mind" is like. Frazie and Raz practicing their powers together. And then and then the second iteration of the refrain reflecting on how Frazie decided she was done playing mind games with Raz and how it broke them apart. Frazie's learned how to paint her face and earn her keep, and she's done playing such childish games. But part of her misses that closeness she had with Raz, and Raz went off to learn how to better use his powers.

And then the first and third times we hear the refrain it's like "But I've learned how to paint my face / How to earn my keep / How to clean my kill" the kids all learnign acrobatics. Dion's parentification. "Some nights I still can't sleep / The past rolls back, I can see us still" reflecting back on before the family's psychophobia put a rift between her and Frazie and Raz. "You've learned how to hold your own / How to stack your stones / But the history's thick" Raz running away and learning so many skills. But also still struggling with Meat Circus and Maligula because those aren't battles he should have to fight on his own. And "Children aren't as simple / As we'd like to think" all of the aquato kids got something going on. Queepie's smart for his age and Mirtala's emotionally intelligent.

But also OUGHHH YOUR INTERPRETATION IS SO VERY GOOD AND YUMMY I AM 🥺🥺🥺

-💜

YOU YOU YOU PURPLE HEART ANON YOU UNDERSTAND ME ON A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL I CANT BRAIN GOOD I LOVE YOUR INTERPRETATION SO MUCH TOO MINE IS LASER FOCUSED ON DION CAUSE IM SO AUTISTIC THERE BUT LIKE GOOD FUCKING GOD YOURE SO. AUGH. I CANT WORKDS

[2hoothoots]

So what exactly is Dion’s deal did he never apologise to raz after raz ran for camp or the whole joining the psychonauts thing I think it’s a bit silly to still hold a grudge for so long especially from what your ten year old brother did when you were a teen or is it a  series of misunderstandings mix with miscommunications that piled up over time????

(for reference, this post introduces where Dion is in FSAU and his relationship with Raz!)

the answer to that is kind of a big ol' "it's complicated". but a large part of it is just that, yeah, they kind of never really resolved that tension of Dion being angry at Raz for running away? i was gonna write an essay but actually i think a ficlet is a more interesting way to get the same ideas across, so:

"Y'know, you still never apologised."

Dion's hands stilled over the knot on the tent rope. He met Frazie's eyes, and Frazie grimaced. She shook her head.

Don't, her mind urged, nudging against the dull embers of his own. I know you've been needling each other all day, but can we please just once have a get-together without you two blowing up at each other?

Dion either didn't notice her suggestion, or flat-out ignored it. He fastened the knot, and then rose to look over his shoulder at Raz.

"Apologised for what, exactly?"

Raz was stood over by the tub, washing dishes with his back turned to the two of them. His body language was casual as he shrugged, but Frazie didn't miss the shivers of tension that rippled off his aura.

"Oh, you know," he said lightly, "for how you treated me when I came back from Whispering Rock. And come to think of it, how you've treated me every year after that, too. But hey, who's counting?"

Dion strode over. Frazie's mental urgings became a klaxon - don't, don't, for god's sake Dion just let it go this once -

"Funny that you think I should be the one apologizing."

Raz set a dish down hard on the table.

"Funny, huh?" There was unrestrained venom in his voice, now. Frazie turned her focus to him, but her mind had barely brushed against his own before there were iron-clad barriers slamming down. It was like having a door shut on your fingers, and Frazie recoiled, wincing as a headache blossomed across her temples.

"That's right," Dion said. "After everything you did, you still think you deserve an apology?"

Raz dried his hands off, and turned, slowly. Dion had come right up to him, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin in every effort to reduce the height difference between them. Raz leaned back, a careful, obvious display of nonchalance, and Dion moved forward another inch.

"Everything I did, huh?" Raz said. "Hey, Frazie, are you hearing this? Dion says that I-"

"Can you two just stop, already?" Frazie cut in. "I'm so sick of - you have this argument every time! When is one of you going to grow up and-"

Dion thrust his finger at Raz, and Raz flinched back another inch. "Yeah, right, like he wasn't the one who started this whole-"

"Don't raise your voice at me," Frazie hissed.

"I'm not! I'm talking to-"

"I started it, huh?" Raz's grin was almost a snarl, a wary animal showing teeth as he eyed up Dion. "Now how's that figure?"

Dion turned back to him, eyes blazing.

"Don't play dumb," he said. "You know what you did."

"Explain it to me, smart guy."

"You want me to say it? Fine! I'll say it!" Dion flung his arms out - he was really yelling now, the same way Dad always had, and Raz's snarl pulled back to his molars. "You abandoned our family! You betrayed the man who raised you, you turned your back on the circus-"

"The circus?!" Raz crowed. "This is about the circus, now?"

"Don't act like it's not," Dion fumed. "We've lost half our act. Did you even think about how hard it is to keep things running, to put shows together with two less pairs of hands?"

"The circus is doing fine-"

"You knew this was Dad's dream!" For a moment, Dion's voice cracked, something other than anger showing on his face. "You've heard him talk about it, same as I have. About how all he wants is to bring the family name back to its old glory. But that's right, you never cared about any of that."

Raz straightened up, setting into his stance as Dion moved closer into his space.

"Dad wanted me to be happy," he said.

Dion scoffed. "Sure. Because all you ever think about is yourself."

"Yeah, well, you know what?" Raz shot back. "I am happy! I bet that's more than can be said for you, isn't it, Dion?"

"I know there's more important things than-"

"Gotta make sure you're Dad's favourite, isn't that right?" Raz was holding himself back from shouting, but the words were picking up speed like a freight train. "Gotta make him happy! Gotta live his dreams for him, because god forbid you think about yourself for once in your miserable life! Or maybe you're afraid, huh, maybe you're scared that one day he'll be angry at you and-"

"Our father is-"

"Enough!" Frazie yelled. "I am done with having to listen to this from you two! Either take it outside the camp, or can it."

The two of them locked eyes with her for a moment, Dion with his jaw clenched and Raz's shoulders rising and falling. Then, abruptly, Raz slammed the rag he was holding onto the table and spun sharply on his heel to stride away.

"Hey!" Dion snapped, reaching out and seizing his arm. "I'm not done with-"

Frazie felt something suddenly light up blazing in Raz's aura - tension, fear, panic, danger danger danger - and then Raz moved too fast for her eyes to follow, pivoting his torso, and when she blinked Dion was sprawled out on the ground, wheezing as the wind was knocked out of him.

Raz was breathing hard. She took a step forward, and he flinched, his head snapping up to meet her gaze. He blinked. Then suddenly the tension that had been boiling at his brow was gone, dispelled in an instant. He cleared his throat, and straightened up, brushing himself down.

Dion groaned.

"What the fuck was that for," he gasped, struggling to lift himself up onto his elbows. Raz flinched again, and then looked away.

"Don't - don't come at me from behind like that," he said stiffly. He flexed his hands, and then added, "I'm gonna go - check on the caravans."

He turned, brushing past Frazie as she knelt to help Dion up. Once he was out of earshot, she said, "good job, dumbass."

Dion gave her a look that was equal parts pissed-off and pleading.

"I - he - he sta-"

"'He started it'?" Frazie simpered. "Gimme a break. You need to grow up. Both of you," she added, when Dion opened his mouth to retort.

Dion closed his mouth again. But he didn't say anything straight away. He just furrowed his brow, leaning on his elbows and staring off into the forest.

"Hey," Frazie said, when it had become clear that Dion would be content to brood for the rest of the evening. "Listen, you two need to talk about this. And I don't mean another shouting match, I mean, like actually talking."

Dion pouted. "Ugh, don't start. Next thing you're gonna say I need to apologise to you, too."

Frazie usually had a pretty high tolerance for bullshit from her whiny brothers. But after everything else she'd put up with that day, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. She shoved Dion back into the dirt, and leapt to her feet.

"Fine," she said, striding away as he spluttered. "Screw you too, asshole."

[maskyartist]

this is mostly for me. here’s a lil list of my (and my partners) many psychonauts aus. because i think i have too many. along with some brief descriptions for funsies. why am i doing this? idk i wanna see em all in one place.

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Double Trouble AU (co-developed by @rexidot) - Just before Raz is about to leave for camp, Dion arrives at the train tracks. At first his goal was to bring his brother home, until he saw the look on his face and remembered the argument that started all of this. Now the two brothers are off on an accidental adventure into the mind, as Raz tries to become his dream while Dion simply tries to figure out who he is.

Triple Terror AU - Raz runs away in the middle of the night. In just a few hours after his escape, Frazie has dragged Dion to the train tracks in search of their brother. They end up getting involved in much more then just a rescue mission for their brother. Along with a bit of self discovery along the way.

Haunted Aquato Circus AU - It’s unfortunate what happened to the Aquatos isn’t it? The whole family, dead all in one night. Oh no, don’t go near the carnival left in its place. That’s their home. And they are very protective of their home. But when the Psychonauts are called to take care of this ghostly problem, they’ll learn first hand how dirty ghosts can really play when they want to have a bit of fun.

Mux Family Miscreants AU - Lucrecia was quite the powerful woman, even before Maligula took her over. Instead of letting Ford lock the monster away, Lucy took it upon herself to swim to the surface and regain control, taking her precious nephew in the process of her escape from the flooded Grulovia. While the world, while her friends, assume her to be dead, Lucrecia Mux was still very much alive and sticking her nose into many things. Eventually, she passes the title of Family Head to her nephew, sweet little Augustus who’s not so little anymore, and things seem to be on a steady path for the slightly darker family. At least, until little Razputin runs away from home. But it’s okay! Things always work out in the end for the Aquato-Mux family. No matter what they have to do to make it so.

Monster AU - In a world where the undead, gargoyles, and satyrs live along side humans, the Aquato family are a small pack of Werewolves intent on keeping their family safe from not only psychics but humans as well. Monster Hunters, as they’re called. Razputin has been told his whole life they must stay together, the pack is strongest and safest when they are together. But what happens when a lone pup runs away to find out what the world is truly like? What happens when you just want to keep your family safe? What happens when you want to truly see what the world has in store for you? A whole lot of drama, that’s for sure. And even more shedding…

Demon AU (developed by @rexidot I just really wanna talk about it) - Donatella was a powerful Demon from the bitter pits of Hell, a monster parents would tell their kids about to ensure they’d keep with their chores and studies. But she was tired of Hell, so to the surface she went. Summoned for a job she was unable to fulfill, Donatella was stuck wandering the living world for quite some time. Eventually she ran across a Carnie boy, about her age, who happily offered a spot at the Circus he worked at. What followed was a lot of confusion, a lot of things learned about oneself, and a lot of hellfire. Eventually, Augustus and Donatella split off from the large Circus, Nona and Caravan in tow, to make their own life. And eventually, their own family. But having half-Demon children is quite a lot of work, especially when one decides to run away from home in search of the Psychonauts. At least Razputin knows how to hide his horns…

Franken-Raz AU - Psychic energy can do a lot. It can lift things, make you float, spontaneously catch items on fire. If it was concentrated enough, and you are focused enough on one singular task, Psychic energy can do a lot. Even bring a baby back from the dead. Razputin never fully realized why he wasn’t allowed to leave the circus, to leave his very protective family, until he set off on his own for the first time. How do you go back to living life when you’ve been dead from the start…?

Lost and Found AU - When the three Aquato children are kidnapped from home by Dilugionists, they become each other’s only support and family for a long time. Dion takes care of his sister and brother, Frazie makes sure they remember how to smile, and Raz does his best to train his Hydrokinesis to be exactly what the Dilugionists want so his siblings can avoid at least a moment of pain (even if he’s younger then both of them). They’re each other’s family, the only they have, but they know their parents are still out their. Nona’s still out there. They just have to find them again. But once they escape, they’re found by Psychonauts, who are doing their best to find their parents as well. Can they reunite this circus family? Or will the pain these three went through prove too much to handle?

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and for my smaller less developed AUs

Candy Raz - everything’s pretty much the same plotwise but Raz, instead of looking up to Ford, looks up to Otto Mentalis and as such is quite the hyperactive kid who wants to invent everything. including Psychic related things. he loves making blueprints for things he really doesn’t know how to make, but that’s half the fun of it! the other half are the explosions.

Dino Raz - everything’s pretty much the same plotwise but Raz, instead of looking up to Ford, looks up to Compton Boole and his ability to talk to animals, leading Raz to become fascinated with dinosaurs and fossils, wondering what they would say if they could speak to them now.

Sirens Song - Augustus has a special psychic ability that makes it so his words are more appealing and makes people more open to accepting his opinion as fact. This is less an AU and more just something I feel would be fun to play around with.

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that’s all I got for now but who KNOWS what other AUs I’ll come up with :D

edit: oops forgot one it’s there now

[wil-is-done]

Irreparable

Inspired by this angsty piece made by my good friend @/madiineko for another one of my good friends, @/funneylizzie. They both make Very Good Art and deserve a follow.

Enjoy! Also, suffer.

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Summary: Sometimes, scars don't fade. Sometimes, wounds don't heal. Sometimes, one night's mistake can affect you for the rest of your life.

Word Count: 2.382

-

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a repost.

Two minutes.

That was how fast the night took a turn. How fast the trap was sprung. How fast everything went from bad to worse.

Lili should've known they'd bring backup. Should've known they'd try to surround her. Should've been the one to take the hit.

Raz wasn't even supposed be anywhere near her position. Wasn't supposed to do a damn hero's entrance through the ceiling. Wasn't supposed to push her out of the way.

The mission wasn't supposed to end with the baron getting away. With his body limp in her arms. With her screaming out his name.

-

Two hours.

That was how long she waited outside of the emergency ward. How long she cried, hugging her knees to her chest, until it hurt to breathe. How long she clutched Raz's jacket tight around her, praying to anyone or anything that might be listening, for him to make it.

When Sasha emerged from the door, Lili rose to her feet. When he took off his glasses, the world felt darker.

His eyes were distraught, more than she'd ever seen before.

"He'll live," he said, barely a whisper. "Other than that, I- the damage was-"

Lili didn't hear the rest. She'd barged past him and sprinted inside.

She found Raz on a wheelchair, being wheeled out of a room by a nurse, covered in bandages, but still wearing his battered uniform. The nurse took one look of Lili and wisely decided to turn on her heels and walk away.

Raz was awake, his eyes open, but empty. Raz was alive, but his eyes were lifeless.

"Raz?"

No answer. No hums. Not even a glance in her direction.

Lili approached, gently cupping his face in her hands, gently coaxing him to meet her eyes. Nothing.

"Raz...?"

Her mind reached out to his, grasping for his stupid smile, his infectious laughter, his calming embrace. Grasping for the warmth that he would always carry with him. Grasping for the light that would always be there for her.

Nothing. No smile. No laughter. No embrace. No warmth. No light. What she grasped was cold, barren, empty. What she knew, she loved, she needed, was gone.

Lili collapsed against him. Sobs wracked her body. Tears spilled down her cheeks again.

Raz was here, but he's gone.

-

Two days.

That was how long his family were forced to wait until they were finally cleared to visit him. Psychonautical bureaucracy could be complete nonsense sometimes, keeping his own family from seeing him. One of the many things she'd change once she becomes the Grand Head.

They arrived with Milla. Augustus and Donatella looked like they haven't slept since they first heard the news. Dion and Frazie didn't seem to be faring much better. Mirtala and Queepie were still too young to fully understand what had happened, but they understood it was something upsetting, and that was enough for them to wear looks of confusion and distress. They rushed to Raz's bedside, forcing Lili aside, whether they realized it or not. Lili kept her silence, and chose to wait outside.

They spent hours with him. Lili tried not to watch through the window, but occasionally the temptation wore her down. She'd glance once, and saw Augustus trying to make small talk with his son. Another time she'd glance, and saw Queepie waving a plastic action figure in front of his brother, goading him to play.

Milla stayed, waiting outside the room with her, for a while. Neither of them talked, or even really acknowledged each other, but the silence was nice. It was comforting, to simply exist, and to have their existence be enough to reassure one another. Time passed, and Milla took her leave - duty calls, she claimed. More time passed, until Lili was startled out of her thoughts when a gaggle of nurses walked past her and into the room. Must be time for a check-up. The Aquatos were urged to leave for the moment, and they obliged. With heavy steps and heavy hearts, one after another, they left the room, walking past Lili.

Frazie didn't even notice her. Her eyes were too wet and red from crying.

Dion shouldered her aside. It was deliberate. It stung. It was the least that she deserved.

Mirtala looked like she understood the situation better. The frown etched on her visage was darker and deeper than it should for a girl her age.

Queepie recognized her, and waved with a polite smile. Lili tried, really tried, to do the same, but her hands were frozen and the corners of her lips were impossible to lift. He walked away, pouting, never receiving a smile.

Lili lowered her eyes when Augustus and Donatella walked in front of her. When their shoes stopped, she flinched. She knew this was coming, and slowly looked up. She expected anger, even hate. When she meet their eyes, all she saw was grief, and sorrow. Not just for their son, but for her.

Her surprise must've shown on her face, because the ghost of a smile graced Donatella's lips for a fleeting moment. She leaned closer to Augustus' ear.

"I'll keep an eye on the children," she said, planting a quick peck on his cheek, before leaving after her children. Leaving Lili alone with Augustus.

Augustus said nothing. He simply lowered himself to one knee and spread his arms open, wearing a small, gentle smile. Like a magnet, she was drawn in. Her feet moved on their own. When he wrapped his arms around her, tears flowed down her cheeks once more.

"It's not your fault," he said, gently, over and over again. "It's not your fault."

Lili never realized how much she needed to hear that.

-

Two weeks.

That was how long Raz spent under intensive care. He was treated by the best doctors the Psychonauts could spare. His eyes were still as empty as it were during that first night.

Lili arranged for him to be relocated to the best medical facility the organization had available. His family would always be permitted to visit him, no exceptions. Any expenses would be reimbursed straight from the Zanotto family fortune. Anyone saying Raz was receiving special treatment could go fuck themselves.

The room they placed Raz in was cold. Sterile. Clinical. Nothing about it felt like home. She'd have that changed soon enough.

Lili took his hand in hers, and promised him so many things. She promised she'd visit everyday. She promised the baron would pay, even if it wouldn't bring him back. She promised she'd run out of tears to shed, that she wouldn't let herself wallow in despair.

Doctors entered, Sasha acting as their lead. They weren't here for anything serious, he claimed, simply making sure nothing changed during transit.

Lili was afraid of the answer, but there was one thought that had been buzzing in her head ever since that night. "Will he ever get better?"

"Recovery is possible," one of the doctors said. "The chances are very slim, but it is possible."

Beside her, Sasha quietly scoffed.

When the doctors left, Sasha stayed behind. Lili prompted him to elaborate.

"Calling the chances 'very slim' would be a massive understatement," he said. "We'd have a better chance finding a needle in an ocean of hay."

Her breath hitched. It was exactly what she feared. Tears prickled the edges of her vision, but she pushed it down. She'd already made a promise.

Instead, Lili entwined her fingers together with Raz's.

"We can hope, can't we?"

For a long moment, Sasha didn't answer.

"We can. Of course we can."

Sasha took the spot on the other side of Raz's bed. He'd tucked his glasses in his pocket. His eyes were soft, and kind, and hid sleepless nights wracked with guilt and regret.

"If he returns, we'll be there. Smiling. Like he'd want us to."

Lili stared deep into Raz's dull, lifeless eyes, much as it pained her to do it, dreaming of the day they'd be filled with life again. Gently, she squeezed his hand.

"If not," Sasha breathed, his voice strained, "there are worse places to call home."

-

Two months.

That was how long it took to finish the case. They tracked the baron to a remote island in the Arctic Ocean. Lili personally requested to be part of the assault force. Nobody dared to refuse her.

They briefed her. The mission was to bring him in alive, to answer for his crimes. She didn't listen, or care. They knew. Everyone knew. She'll snap the baron's neck the second she saw him.

Lili touched down on the island like a missile. The baron's security swarmed her, like moths to a flame. And they burned. Anyone who got in her way burned. She tore the island apart, chasing after the baron, until he retreated into a vault deep beneath the island. She could almost laugh. The fool backed himself into a corner.

It took longer than she thought ripping the metal vault's door off of its hinges. Close to three full minutes. Eliminating the token resistance the baron brought with him took half of one. The man had no choice but to face her. She expected him to boast. To talk big about his power, how he would best her and live to wreak havoc another day.

No. He dropped to his knees, and he begged. He had the gall to beg. Spouted nonsense about how he could be useful; with his connections, his intel, his wealth.

Lili didn't break his neck. She broke everything.

The strike force arrived not long after. They paused at the threshold, seeing her with what was once the baron.

"He attacked me. I didn't have a choice," she lied.

Nobody believed her. She didn't need to read minds to know that. But nobody said a word. Funny how that worked.

-

Two years.

That was how much time had passed when she made her three hundredth visit to the facility. Nothing drastic changed during that time. A few minor rotations in staff, the most recent one being a new receptionist around visit two hundred and eighty three. He would always be surprised every time she walked through the front door. A candidate to be the next Grand Head shouldn't be wasting her time here, he'd think. One look from her would be enough to make him think about anything else.

Raz's room was much homier than it had been when he first moved in. It was one of the first things she had done. The stark white walls were replaced with warm, earthy wallpapers at visit ten. Queepie loved to draw, so since visit twenty one, she always made sure to have a box of crayons available for when the Aquatos came to visit. At visit twenty three, they started hanging up Queepie's drawing around the room, and they never stopped since. Milla came by, at visit twenty seven, bringing a pair of lava lamps that matched the wallpaper. Sasha was already there before her at visit forty two, placing a framed photo of Raz in his uniform, taken during his first day as a Psychonaut agent, on his bedside table.

Other people pitched in to add something to the room over time; most of them colleagues and friends, including ones from back at camp. Visit sixty eight, Phoebe and Quentin left behind some merch of their new band. Visit one hundred and twenty five, Clem brought a massive banner filled with hundreds of get well soon messages and hung it up from the rafters. Bobby and Chloe must've dropped by at some point, because at visit one hundred and seventy five, she found a model spaceship with Raz's initials on its side. At Dogen's suggestion, ever since visit two hundred and one, she had a stack of True Psychic Tales issues tucked neatly in a cabinet, just in case.

"Hey, Raz," she greeted as she entered the room, like she'd always do. Like always, no response came, and she'd try to ignore the pang of disappointment in her chest.

Lili sighed. This was getting harder and harder to do.

Still, it was good to see him. It's been close to a week since her last visit. She wasn't able to keep her promise of visiting everyday after all. She made it to one hundred and thirty one visits before she had to miss two whole days, simply because of a dumb security breach forced her family to go on lockdown. It tore her apart at the time, but she held the tears back. The last thing she wanted was to break two promises.

Since then, she was more lax with herself. She allowed herself to skip a day or two, if it simply wasn't possible to fit visiting him into her schedule. Those one or two day gaps became three or four or more as time passed, and her schedule grew more and more hectic. Nowadays, she's lucky if she managed to fit in a visit once a week. It didn't upset her much, though. Somehow, it made her visits feel all the more special.

The two developed a ritual, of a sort - something they'd do every time she visited. After lunch, she'd wheel him out to a hill near the edge of the facility's complex. It had a gorgeous view of the mountainside where the facility was located, and a sturdy evergreen stood nearby - she'd planted it as a sapling to commemorate visit fifty - providing shade should they ever need it.

Lili unstrapped Raz from the wheelchair and lowered him onto the grass. She joined him then, savoring the fresh smell and the way the individual blades tickled her skin. She told him everything that had happened since she last visited; about her ongoing campaign to be the next Grand Head, about Sasha's recently greenlit project, about a new class year starting at Whispering Rock, and more.

Like always, Raz said nothing, and did nothing. Like always, her chest tightened, as if she couldn't breath and it hurt. Like always, the hope she clung to so dearly in her heart slipped further and further from her reach.

Lili entwined her fingers with his, and squeezed.

Lili sighed, closed her eyes, and let herself dream.

Lili gasped when Raz squeezed back.

-

Can't have it be all the way sad without at least a smidgen of light at the end of the tunnel. That's just not how I do.

[brain-bumbler]

Parentified Dion Yes-

I have this Mental Image of Post Game Dion going up to one of Agent Nein And is Basically like "I don't trust you but I think that Frazie has Adhd and Raz has Autism and you're the only person qualified to test for that that we have access to."

And Neins just like ...He should *not* be doing this.

Nein, seeing another traumatized boy in need of help who may start to grow on him too much: I don't get paid enough for this Dion: well I'm not getting paid AT ALL so suck it up Parentified Dion is really good (probably canon) it's this level of angst many an oldest child can relate to. A lost childhood, having to grow up too fast, resenting the responsibility he feels for his siblings, but the absolute love and care that drives him to see that they get the help and support they need. I like this compared to my "Paved with Good Intentions" AU where Dion secretly helps Raz run away- well, more like he notices but doesn't snitch. Dion always going that extra step because he has a good heart and wants his little sibs to do well, but grumbling about it all the while.

I had this headcanon that with his extreme anxiety and awareness of how shitty their circumstances are, because his parents share too much (because he's like a mini grown up! He can handle it) since he has no outlet to cope with the feelings, Dion records all the family's injuries/doctor visits/sicknesses as best he can and keeps it all stored away. Some of it is written on fast food receipts and wrapping paper but it's there! Quiets the voice in his head screaming "WHAT IF SOMEONE NEEDS A DOCTOR BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEM SO THEY GET SICK AND DIE BECAUSE NOBODY KNEW THEIR MEDICAL HISTORY!!!"

Also, he's totally not also got ADHD and/or Autistic himself. And also not psychic!!! So no tests for him needed no-oh sir! No he's not scared uncomfortable ha h a ha ha! He's there talking to Agent Nein, whose spider sense is tingling, and he's like oh, well just come into my office and we'll talk about getting that all set up, would you like a biscuit? Some tea?

I want to see this conversation play out. Dion jumpy on the edge of his seat, does not trust this guy at all, but determined to advocate for his siblings because his mom may not think they have anything and dad is not in a position to do this work right now. I think Sasha would be impressed by his determination! Do his best to put Dion at ease, and maybe start a conversation. If he handled it well enough- would Dion agree to come back another time? Who knows....