#Rain World: Messed Up Timelines

[elsa-rain-world-stuff]

RW Messed up Timelines. Chapter 2 cover

Woooooooooooooho! Cover is done

I'm out to draw the actual chapter, cya

[elsa-rain-world-stuff]

HRGGERGSGGSGSGR 😭😭

MY POOR GIRL...........

Hello Arti! Was wondering if there’s going to be any changes how things are running now?

[PART 2/4]

[druidshollow]

EDIT THESE ARE OUTDATED IF YOU NEED REFS FOR THESE GUYS PLEASE DONT USE THESE. no i DONT have finished refs LOL. UM. OkAy root is still technically up to date bUT ANYHOW

finalized little refs for the walkerators!!! rivers and phrases have had a bit of a rough time evidently, lmao

decided to throw root into the au!!! love that guy. think he deserves it. phrases, rivers and root are travelling to hopefully meet a fleck of flame. glass splits from the group to stay at her brother nights' structure

[mossyflowers]

Heeere's most of the slugcats I've come up with for a rainworld spin-off, some of these guys might be recognizable if you've seen some of my other art!!

They're all in order of earliest to latest in the timeline however some of them are MUCH closer together than others, there's also a few others I had ideas for but haven't fleshed out enough to properly doodle, so those will be showing up later- probably

[arolesbianism]

You know I think more ppl should incorporate Saint looking young into their designs, not just cause the echos describe them as young, but also because I think there's smth a bit fucked up in a yummy tasty way abt an echo that's also a pup, or at least looks like one. I just think the feeling of being locked in place forever hits harder if it's also a child that never got to grow up and never will

[elsa-rain-world-stuff]

TSJSJAIAIAOSNGSGSY THIS IS AMAZING I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT EATING UR ART THANK YOUUUUEUSYSHSHSHJSOSOSOWIISJOSI *dies*

"I hope you're satisfied with your choice."

tbh i am slightly obsessed with the parallels between my artificer redemption AU and @elsa-rain-world-stuff 's bad ending AU..

one timeline where arti is given the time and space she needs to eventually seek redemption, vs a timeline where she's imprisoned and punished.

one where she earns new scars in honorable duels against those she wronged, vs one where she has new scars forced on her as a mark of shame...

idk, i just think it's neat

[soullessdianthus]

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞 | 𝐘𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞!𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐎'𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚

Warnings: yandere themes (manipulation, kidnapping, imprisonment), smut (overstimulation, dubcon/noncon, breeding kink if you want to interpret like so)

Word count: 1.6k

A sound of pouring rain tapping over the window kept you awake. You glanced over the glass and saw the same image as for the days before - dense, forest line cutting the grassy, wild meadow off. The temperature inside and out was warm and it almost felt like summer in the countryside of your homeland. But it was all an illusion.

A high-tech screens had been put inside the window frames to imitate your well known surroundings. He put an effort to make this place look like a decent place. Somewhere you would feel comfortable. But this wasn’t even a real home, it was your prison. 

After you interfered a little too much with the canon events in one of the spider-verses, Miguel O’Hara visited your world in person. He demanded an explanations from Peter Parker, a friend from college, about your doings. 

Because you two learned lately about the up-coming death of uncle Ben and tried to avoid it by all means. And you almost succeed. Almost.

Miguel, a tall man with a dark look on his face, threatened Peter about the consequences of avoiding such occurrences. Parker appeared to be frightened of the stranger as Miguel’s eyes seemed to glow brightly red from frustration. 

Those piercing eyes finally found your form, standing still behind your Spiderman and only then you processed what you just heard. 

━ Wh-What? It was OUR idea to save your uncle! ━ You interrupted those two men, gesturing with your hands. But Peter didn’t even bother to look at you, he didn’t have enough courage to do so. He tried to frame you and put all the guilt on you. Which in the end, somehow worked out. 

He agreed to that mysterious spidey-guy from another universe that someone had to bear the consequences of messing up with the timeline. And Parker pointed at you. An ultimate betrayal, ripped your heart apart. 

Soon after you found yourself in that damn prison with a bracelet over your wrist to “stop you from glitching”. Whatever that was supposed to mean. 

Miguel was some kind of boss around the place you found yourself in. At least that's what Lyla told you, a artificial intelligence present in the technology around you. It was him who was responsible for you from now on as he visited you every day. 

At first, each time you saw him, you tried throwing things at him purely out of rage - a book, a small picture frame or a chair, but each time he managed to catch or turn down anything you tossed. He kept trying to explain to you what was happening and why he couldn’t let you go back into your world. Miguel stated that it was dangerous enough when a non-variant person was messing up with the timeline. 

But was this all true? There was no one else you could ask for a second opinion, you had to believe, everything Miguel told you was the truth. Obviously, you questioned everything about him and this place. It felt like you were losing your sanity and a part of yourself. 

The well-built man with brown, combed hair was very patient and understable with your rage and sorrow. Until he was not. 

O’Hara had enough of your tantrums and one time he scared you truly. Eyes turning bloody red, his veins popping out and his teeth turning into long fangs. He charged at you, shoving your whole body to the wall behind. When your eyes were filled with fear and lungs emptied themself due to the force he pushed you, Miguel contained himself and moved away quickly. 

You rarely saw him in this form, but when you finally did - you kept behaving well, not wanting to anger him again. Because you knew nothing about him. What if he was able to hurt you? Or even murder you? 

Since then, you tried to suppress any anger and try to figure out how to return to your world, your life. And the brunette kept coming back, each day just to visit you. In the end he was your only company. 

Miguel brought you new books or art supplies if you asked Lyla or him directly. The man would spend some time with you - cooking, watching movies, anything you liked to do. But it was months ago. 

For the last couple of weeks, you were practically silent and apathetic. Curling inside the armchair near the “window”, napping or sobbing quietly. You’ve been in this prison for too long and it began to crush your spirit. 

He acknowledged the change in you and tried talking about it. He kept assuring that he has to keep you here for the world’s sake and balance. Because if someone messes up with the canon again, the universe will collapse. You reprimanded yourself for leaning into his chest when he offered you a comforting hug. Because how could you ever want solace from your captor? 

That evening was no different. Miguel visited you after work and found you sitting in silence on that damn armchair. When he crouched down, trying to catch your sight, you scooted backwards in the seat. 

━ What’s wrong, cariño?

━ I want to go home. ━ Your voice full with sorrow gained his attention. Where was your spirit he adored so much? The pain in your voice almost made him feel bad. Almost.

Miguel reached towards your exposed calf and started rubbing it with his pointing finger. 

━ This is your home, tú lo sabes. [sp.: you know it] ━ His voice sounded peaceful when he reached both of his arms in your direction. His embrace was welcoming, but you knew better. It was like a sweet flavored poison, spreading slowly under your skin, killing you slowly. ━ Come here.

You pushed firmly against his shoulders as you jumped out of the chair and took a few steps back. 

━ Miguel ━ you said his name loudly, gaining his full attention. You were being hysterical again. ━ I’ve been here FOR MONTHS. I had life before, I had A PURPOSE. You took it from me!

He tried, he really tried holding himself back this time you talked back. But your whining became annoying and Miguel just knew what would make you feel better. 

He stood up to his full height, easily towering over you. Brunette came closer, taking each step slowly, like he was giving you time to calm yourself or at least apologize. But you didn’t even back out. 

Miguel was leaning to look into your glimmering eyes and he saw how much you hated him at that moment. “We need to work on that temper”, he once told you, but you thought nothing of it. 

His little, feisty nymph. That’s what he liked to think of you. 

━ Fine ━ he growled right in your face, before grabbing your arm. ━ I’ll give you a purpose. 

The sound of your heavy panting echoed through the room. You tried straightening your hands again, but unsuccessfully as your muscles gave up a long time ago. Only his strong hands kept your ass higher than your head, by the tightening grip over your already bruised hips. 

Miguel kept thrusting into your tight cunt until you were a sobbing mess. He already pushed you over the edge at least three times, devouring the little noises you made and how your pussy clenched around his swollen shaft. 

Brunette kept one of his palms spread between your shoulder blades, keeping your upper half down, making your spine arch better. 

The sweat covered the back of your bent knees, him sliding in and out of you with ease, because of your wetness. Miguel certainly knew where to touch you to make you break into pieces between his fingers. 

━ See, doesn't that feel good to be by my side, cariño? ━ He leaned over your puffing frame, cheek dipped in the sheets while he kept fucking you stupid. 

━ Mig-Miguel… I can’t… n-no more…. ━ You whispered to him, feeling as each thrust of his hips pushed his cock deeper inside of you. The coiling sensation started to build up again between your trembling legs and in stomach. ━ Please!

━ Just one more, darling. ━ He heard you clearly, but yet he kept sliding in and out of you violently, chasing his own sweet release. 

Miguel took his hand away from your back and sneaked between your puffy lips. He spreaded them, opening you up and making it easier for him to find your clit. And when he finally did so, the brunette started rubbing it in a rhythm that quickly made you reach your another orgasm that night. 

Your body tensed suddenly and then collapsed into his pelvis, sinking his swollen cock deeper. When your cunt fluttered around him uncontrollably and your eyes rolled backwards, he came inside you, clenching his teeth. 

He tilted forward and placed both of his strong hands on each side of you, while coming down from his high. He noticed your grip tightening over bed sheets and smiled, before giving you a tender kiss on the temple. 

━ Mi pequeña ninfa. Do you understand now, that only I can protect you? [sp.: My little nymph]

Miguel loved his girl no matter if she had a bad day or not. He was going to make sure, no one will ever take you from him. You’re his precious troublemaker, aren’t you?

━ You belong with me. ━ He growled into your ear.

[weirdmarioenemies]

Name: Neo Bowser City (aka Koopa City in PAL regions)

Debut: Mario Kart 7

Do you ever think of all the weird locations we only ever see in Mario Kart games? Despite being the biggest of all of Mario's spin-off franchises, when you really get down to it, remarkably few Mario Kart courses are actually based on established Mario locations!

It's not none, there's the occasional Donut Plains and Tick-Tock Clock and Airship Fortress, but most of the courses are these weird one-off locations we never see outside the context of that specific racetrack.

But have you ever taken a moment to step back and like, think of the Lore Implications of some of these places?

Like okay! Bowser just owns this whole dang cyberpunk city and we only ever see it in the context of Kart Racing! How messed up is that?!

One day Mario and Friends were looking for new places to race, and Bowser must have said something like "Gwah-hah-hah! I bet you puny punks could NEVER beat me in a race in my cyberpunk metropolis!" and right then and there it was established that Bowser owns a cyberpunk metropolis. Neo Bowser City is a city that exists in the Super Mario World and aside from returning in other Mario Kart games, it hasn't been acknowledged before or since.

Neo Bowser City first appeared in Mario Kart 7, as the third course in the Star Cup. Despite its flashy visuals, it actually doesn't really have a whole lot going on. It's a difficult track with some tight turns made more difficult by the rain making things more slippery, but besides that it doesn't really have any of the Wacky Obstacles that define so many Mario Kart courses.

Then it returned in Mario Kart 8 looking more gorgeous than ever! The bright colors really pop out, and the whole track is just oozing with detail that really emphasizes the scale of this city!

But like, the emphasized scale really only further raises the question of where this exists in the Mario World. Clearly, the fact that Bowser is plastered all over the billboards and the fact it's named "Neo Bowser City" helps us deduce that this city probably belongs to Bowser. Is this located in Bowser's Kingdom? Just how big is Bowser's Kingdom? And why does he own so many separate castles?

Maybe Neo Bowser City exists in the future? Is this a bad timeline? I mean, Mario Kart is allowed to have time-travel shenanigans. There's a Splatoon battle arena and that exists thousands of years in the future so sure, dust off Mario's Time Machine and head to the bad future where Bowser wins. Should've pressed that New Super Mario Bros. big yellow P-Switch!

I asked my friend Mod Chikako for their input and their theory is that Neo Bowser City isn't the future of Mario's world, but of our world. Clearly Bowser just couldn't take Wreck-It-Ralph losing the Oscar vote!

But in that case I guess it's a cooler cyberpunk future than the one we're living in right now. Corporate monopolies that run mass-surveillance with little government intervention due to their extreme wealth giving them extensive political power? No thank you! Neo Bowser City has bright neon colors, and flying cars! If I'm going to live in a dystopia, I want it to be a fun one. The only advertisements I want to see plastered everywhere are ones advertising Bowser!

Boo! That's the bad guy! Thumbs down!

The course returns again in that pitiful mobile game with another redesign, this time letting us see his Coney Island Disco Palace off in the distance. Does Bowser live in his Neo City? Is this worldbuilding we've been missing out on for decades, finally answered by a kart racer? Is this the capital city of Bowser's Kingdom? Am I once again falling victim to my perpetual hubris of overthinking the Mario franchise?

Really, I can't offer too much in terms of wacky fan theories, because I'm still thinking about this location existing in the first place. I'd love to know the Lore and worldbuilding here, but I guess the nature of Mario's canon is that it doesn't need to be over-analyzed. Bowser simply owns a cyberpunk metropolis, we'll only ever see it in the context of kart racing, and maybe that's okay.

Of course, this post wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention Dinohattan from the 1993 Super Mario Bros. Movie, which we've barely talked about on this blog somehow. You see, when the meteor hit, some of the dinosaurs escaped into a parallel timeline where they then evolved into humans, and then they built Dinohattan instead of Manhattan. Get it? Yeah, that movie is all sorts of bonkers. I wouldn't say it's very good, but I kinda love it. I'd recommend checking it out, if only to see a vastly different take on Mario than you'd be used to.

Anyway I bring this up because it's a completely separate instance of a version of Bowser building a large cyberpunk metropolis, and it actually predates Neo Bowser City! Do you think they could be connected? Are Dinohattan and Neo Bowser City one and the same...?

[its-rat-time-babey]

“The Artificer’s campaign has little impact on the overall story” bitch I cannot stress how much of an impact the Artificer had on the entire world. You just need to pay attention to some things.

By the time of the Artificer, Scavengers are basically in the middle of a massive golden age. They have a Chieftain (with a mark of communication (maybe Five Pebbles gave them the mark and citizen ID drone and tried to use them for something but they rebelled and found Metropolis)) with armour made from Red Centipede Scales, they have a permanent home in metropolis above the rain, they figured out how to harvest electrical scrap and broken down Rarefaction Cells from the ruins of Looks To The Moon and pieces of Five Pebbles to make electric spears and Singularity Bombs, they even have specially trained Elite Scavengers, which did exist before in the time of the Spearmaster but it’s still worth bringing them up.

Overall, Scavengers are at a golden age of invention and life in general.

And then they anger the Artificer, who slaughters countless Scavengers, kills their Chieftain and drives them out of Metropolis, locking the gate behind them.

After that, a new Chieftain is never made, armour like the chieftain once wore is never made again, Scavengers suffer a massive population loss, they can’t enter Metropolis without a Citizen ID Drone and Elite Scavengers slowly disappear as the methods used to teach them and the knowledge of how to scavenge and create electric spears and singularity bombs is lost, with the last Elite Scavengers being seen in the Hunter’s campaign, which happens next in the timeline. In other words, the Artificer literally sent Scavengers into a dark age.

It takes until the time of the SAINT for Scavengers to show real signs of recovery, now appearing in larger numbers than before. And even THEN Scavengers never do anything like they did during the time of the Artificer. The Artificer plunged Scavengers into a dark age for countless years, and they STILL haven’t recovered.

And that’s not all. According to the wiki, Scavengers are afraid of Slugpups, most likely because they remember how the last time they killed one they were hit by the full force of an angry explosive lobbing goddess of destruction that slaughtered countless members of their kind. They are afraid of Slugpups in all campaigns, even the Saint’s. So even by the time of the Saint Scavengers know not to mess with Slugpups, presumably because the last time they did so is a legend among Scavengers by that point in time.

Hell, the Artificer’s existence even explains something about the Hunter. The reason that the Hunter starts with a negative reputation among Scavengers is because they look like the fucking Artificer. Scavengers look at the Hunter and see the goddess of vengeance and destruction that they’ve only ever heard of from stories.

Both of them have red fur and a scar on one eye, and will the time gap between campaigns, there’s a good chance that only a few Scavengers that saw the Artificer in person are even alive by that point in time (without even taking into account how the Artificer murdered so many Scavengers that it’s probably rare that a Scavenger saw them and lived to tell the tale), meaning that the Artificer is probably told about in Scavenger stories and her appearance would therefore differ, leaving the most obvious details like the scar on one eye and red fur.

[elsa-rain-world-stuff]

HEHEHEHBEGUSUSVSGSVWGAGA💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Made a lil something for @elsa-rain-world-stuff

[elsa-rain-world-stuff]

Rivulet is a little asshole

Rivulet's story for Messed Up Timelines AU, part 1

[izelandzero]

XMAS/ NEW YEAR WITH MUTUALS AND ARTISTS!!!

Featuring: Pipo and other scug shenanigans (includes Beyond life,Fern and Warper)

Anthro Hunter and Artificer from @pansear-doodles Anthro AU

Enot and Surv from @cosmikazie (Rainworldrascals)

Surv,enot and Monk from @scrufflesksunnide Echos in Time AU

TAFY iterator OC from @artist-quinn-famdo

@defective--turret's Sona

Glitch!Artificer and the Archivist from @elsa-rain-world-stuff from messed up timelines (glitch!arti's looked hungy bruh)

@flickering-nightfall and their scug oc!!

@mewguca and @druidshollow 's Scug OC!!

[saelrum]

Morning Star is now me fave. Best mom. (Elsa I will eat you ALIVE I hope you know it--)

[izelandzero]

Here's the quality version without animated, Capcut sucks so is the gif maker lower it's quality.

Spoiler warning ⚠️

Previous

[behindthesoul]

Your MK men as parents headcanons are very interesting. Would you write other MK men as parents? Especially I want to read Rain and Havik!

MK Men as Parents pt2

Masterlist || Part One

Characters: Rain, Havik, Quan Chi, Kenshi

Note: Combined a couple of requests into one. Also, sorry this one took forever to come out!

Rain

Probably one of the more normal parents.

He’s a lot more chill compared to himself in other timelines. I can see him being a proud parent to one or two children. Maybe twins?

Teaches his kids to be a better mage than he is. He tries to make his lessons as fun as he possibly can.

Though, he can become frustrated if they aren't taking their teachings seriously. If something were to happen, they need to learn how to defend themselves.

In some MK1 intros you can tell Mileena (understandably) has a lot of distaste for Rain. So much that she wants his mother banished.

I can imagine his children are involved in this banishment which irritates him. His family, especially his innocent children, do not deserve to be punished for his actions.

The main driving force behind Rain’s mission to atone for his actions is his children. He wants to show that if you make a mistake, you should try to make things right. He also wants to be a man his children can be proud of.

Havik

A pretty hands off parent.

I can’t imagine him ever having a complete grasp on this parenting thing.

Just has one kid and refuses to have more.

His kid just kind of does whatever and Havik doesn’t care. Just as long as they don’t make a mess he has to clean up.

Has the “world’s your oyster” mentality.

This behavior is boosted to 100% after his burns. He embraces the chaos, and what’s more chaotic than having a kid?

Havik and his kid are public menaces, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

He’s less of a parent and more of a cool older friend.

Don’t come to him for emotional support or other things like that. Having to actually parent his kid makes him feel tied down.

If his kid wants too much from him he’ll somewhat drift away.

You’ll have to hope their other parent is in the picture.

Quan Chi

Totally the parent who somehow knows their kid’s every move.

He knows when their kid has done something they shouldn’t so there’s never any use in lying to him. He just has this look on his face and his kid knows they’re in trouble.

Excuse my only child self for HCing every character as being a single parent but Quan Chi definitely only has enough energy for one kid.

He feels guilty for bringing a child into the world when he can barely take care of himself. Spending hours and hours in the mines, Quan Chi is exhausted by the time he sees his kid.

All his child knows is a dad who always looks tired and dejected.

That is, until he gets an opportunity to live a better life. A place to sleep, clothes that aren’t tattered, and fresh food - all necessities that his child now gets to experience.

Whenever his child asks how he was able to provide their new life, he just smiles and gives a cryptic answer.

Kenshi

His child was kept hidden. Kenshi thought it best to keep his child away from the whole Earthrealm-Outworld war.

None of his allies knew he was a father til the day they were all thrown in jail with Baraka. Thinking it was his last day on earth, he let the secret spill. Kenshi told everyone all about his child.

He mourned the fact he’d probably never see his child again. Of course, he did; after he helped defeat Titan Shang Tsung.

Kenshi was very nervous to meet his child again. What if they don’t react well to his blindness? Johnny pulls him out of his negative thinking. If your kid is as kind as they say you are, then why would they have a bad reaction?

It eases him a bit, but he’s still a little nervous. He feels like a fool for having those thoughts when his child runs to him, screaming his name. The last few weeks of fighting for Earthrealm was all worth it for them.

His child is a bit confused when they see the mask over his eyes.

“You can’t see me!” They say with a frown.

Sento glows, and Kenshi suddenly sees all the details of his child’s face. He smiles, assuring them.

“Yes I can.”

—

@mortal-kombat-shitposts

[c0la-queen]

Still | Tord x Reader

Had this one in my files for a bit, so I figured I'd post it for you guys!

Warning: Angst? Kind of? Tord has childhood trauma, he was a child soldier in my timeline, get this poor man some therapy

Words: 1k

---

It was too quiet.

Fuck, it was way too quiet.

There was no sound that could drown out the sound of your beating heart, pounding rapidly in your chest as your dreams slipped away from your memories.

Night terrors were the worst.

They always felt so real, so horrifying, so deadly.

You never remembered what they were about. When you inevitably woke up in the morning, the events that plagued your dreams always disappeared in a matter of seconds. Like mist escaping your hands no matter how tightly you grasped.

The only thing left in the end was the fear.

The paranoia.

It was worse when you woke up at night.

In the darkness, there was no banishing your fears. There was no sunlight to chase away the monsters. No sounds of the boys bustling about in the kitchen, starting their days. No sound of Edd cooking breakfast, Tom yelling at Matt to hurry up in the bathroom while Matt blared his upbeat morning music playlist to get him hyped for work, not a care in the world while he did his skincare. It was just… silence.

But you had one saving grace. One hope to calm your frayed nerves.

One person that you knew would be awake.

The hallway didn't ease your paranoia at all. The shadows crawled along the walls, reaching towards you like they were going to swallow you up. Shapes and figures loomed just beyond the light, waiting to lure you in. At least, that's what it felt like.

You shook your head to banish the thoughts of monsters and shadows. There was nothing there, you told yourself. Nothing there.

Your steps hesitated when you reached the door beside yours.

The lights were off.

The lights were never off.

Was he asleep this time? Did he change his mind about the offer he made you? Did he decide to abandon you, leave you to become a victim to the horrors waiting for her in her dreams?

Your breathing wavered as you brought your hand up to the door. Should you knock? Should you wake him up and risk making him grumpy? Or should you abort the mission, head back to your room with your tail between your legs and waste the midnight hours away by doom scrolling on your phone?

Anxiety eventually won out, and you knocked gently on the wood.

For a minute or two, there was nothing. Silence. You hated silence.

But then, there was shuffling. A groan and something hissed in a different language - you recognized it as a swear.

The door opened.

Tord looked like shit.

He was in a t-shirt and boxers despite the autumn chill. His hair was a mess, sticking up in various places. His skin was pale (paler than normal), with dark circles under his eyes. A thin sheen of sweat cloaked his skin. His sharp silver eyes were dulled, clouded over with sleep. A lazy storm churning in the sky in the hours before the rain fell.

This was such a bad idea.

An apology was on the tip of your tongue, starting to turn away from his door, but he stopped you. Put his hand around your wrist and gently tugged you towards him.

Don't be silly. Come inside.

Maybe this wasn't the worst idea.

--

It was one of those nights. The nights when midnight hits and the house is still but Tord remains unable to sleep. Unlike usual, he isn't alone. His too quiet room is filled with her presence. Her even breathing keeps the thoughts from his head. He could feel her arm pressed against the side of his leg. She was there. Somewhere. He was not alone.

Her whispers broke the silence. He'd never complain. She wanted to know if he was awake. He couldn't push the words out from his mouth. So instead, his hand found her calf next to his torso. His heart pumped faster when he felt the shiver through her body.

Silence. She wasn't sure. He moved his fingers, letting her know he heard her. He was awake. He was alive.

She spoke again. The softness in her voice made his chest ache. Since when could voices be so soft? She couldn't sleep either. Something about the stillness was unnerving. For her, it was anxiety. Paranoia, as she'd say- she always did have a knack for invalidating her own feelings. He wasn't so lucky. His hatred for still nights couldn't be medicated away. It was trained into him. Survival instincts that had been coded into him when he was young. Too young.

He closed his eyes tightly. Almost perfectly he could picture that forest. Frost on the trees, frozen ground underneath. A deadly chill in the air that slowly seeped into every fiber of his bones. The beautiful night sky a deception to the danger in each corner. If he focused, slowed his breathing, he could hear the footsteps of the lynx that had been hunting him for the past 5 hours. How many miles had it been following him for? Why was it toying with him instead of sinking its teeth into his flesh?

He went too far into his memories. Felt the claws tearing through his clothes, ripping into the skin of his back. Felt the pain course into his body, too hot and too cold all at the same time. Heard the gunshot echo through the clearing and felt the dead weight drop on top of him. He could hear his father's words as he was brought to the medics; You let your guard down, Sønn. Jeg er skuffet over deg.

A hand moved on top of his, squeezing his fingers gently. The pressure was enough to bring him back from the forest. Bring him in from the cold. To her. To the warmth of home.

His back throbbed, the claw shaped scars along his spine all too fresh in his mind.

She whispered his name. Small. Tired. Vulnerable. Searching for comfort. Searching for him.

He squeezed back. Letting her know that he was right there.

She was not facing the stillness alone.

And neither was he.