#a hybrid of a snort and cackle

[rapono-writes-stuff]

IM CACKLING I LOVE THIS SO MUCH

doodle inspired by @rapono-writes-stuff's fic "Peppino's Day Off," which is not indicative of said fic's content. all the same, made based off of a description given to me in the comments. moped too small, fake pep too big! ah! aaaahh!!!!

[minnielvrr]

Ler Hybrid thoughts (Minho, Seungmin, Jeongin)

A/N: Just some HCs? for an AU i was thinking about😋 Tag list: @itzsana-kiddingmenow

Ler puppy hybrid Seung who tries so hard to keep his tail still when he tickles someone but every time he gets a loud laugh out of Han, his fluffy brown tail is wagging and thumping behind him….all over Hannie’s exposed thighs which only has him squealing even more.

Ler puppy hybrid Minnie who subconsciously paws at his lee’s (Chan) belly or nuzzles their neck whenever he’s in a mood.

Ler cat hybrid Minho who transforms just so he can find Changbin or Han and lay on them, only after turning around and around, making biscuits all over their sensitive skin and purring when he hears them stifle helpless giggles and snickers. He especially loves when he can get them to snort so he can turn back into his human form to wreck them once and for all.

Ler cat hybrid Minho who KNOWS how ticklish Channie is and relishes in the older’s squeaky laughter whenever he rubs his face against his vulnerable sides, purring loudly because he knows how good it gets Chan.

Ler fox hybrid Innie is well aware of his privileges as the youngest on the team and often uses it to pin Hyunjin down and flick the tip of his bushy tail right into his belly button, leaving the ferret flailing wildly through hysterical cackles.

Ler fox hybrid Innie who’s favorite lee is Felix, the little ball of sunshine letting Innie nibble at his belly and sides as his tail swishes and curls at his upper ribs and underarms making poor Lix almost cry with how much it tickled. Loud, bubbly giggles would ring through the dorm on mornings when Innie would have a certain dream and use the convenient excuse to reduce his innocent hyung to a blushy, teary eyed mess.

[blu3cl0v3rs]

Summary: Lloyd and Morro get stuck.

Warnings: They're probably out of character because I'm really tired rn.

Prompt: Day 8 - Travel | Realm

Extra: Basically, Lloyd and Morro begrudgingly work together to get the Realm Crystal back. Takes place while Lloyd and Morro are dimension hopping in the Season 5 finale.

Lloyd and Morro got spat out of another portal, and Lloyd swung his leg in a desperate effort to get the Realm Crystal.

Clngg!

The two glanced at each other, the abnormally large gem glistened on the rocky ground, just out of reach. The pair scrambled to grab it before each other, limbs thrashing in an effort to beat the other.

Lloyd's hand reached towards the crystal, and-

Morro dragged him back by his ankle, using it as momentum to propel him forwards.

Only for a fucking bird to snatch it.

"What the- OH COME ON!" Lloyd groaned.

Morro launched into the air in hot pursuit of the bird, Lloyd just a beat behind him using Airjitzu.

The stupid feathered thing darted around, as if playing a game with the green-themed people.

A cliff came up ahead, and the bird folded its wings into a dive. Lloyd landed on the edge as the ghost sped over, using his wind powers to push himself faster.

The blonde peered over the edge warily, watching Morro chase aggressively after the avian thief. Eventually, the two went far enough away that it was difficult even for Lloyd's hybrid eyes to see, so he-

Hesitated.

Was he really about to jump off a cliff in a realm he's never been in before? What if gravity worked differently? He took a deep breath, and then jumped off the cliff.

Lloyd focused, intentionally avoiding the fact that he was falling to his possible death ohmyFirs- and summoned his elemental dragon. He swiftly glided after the ghost and the bird.

Speaking of the two, Morro yelled outdated profanities at the avian creature as the two disappeared into the flora.

"You bescumbering wretch!"

Lloyd faltered, unsure what "bescumbering" meant. He shook his head, that is a question for later. He nudged his dragon to hurry, and it obeyed.

He dove into the first opening he could find into the plume of orangey leaves. There, he spotted Morro standing on a tree(?) branch as he glared above him.

Lloyd desummoned his dragon as he stuck the landing next to the ghost.

Standing next to Morro somewhat made his skin crawl. Maybe it's from the possession, or it's just a ghost thing.

"Whatcha glaring at?" Lloyd asked. It felt weird to be casual with Morro. The blonde really needed to find out where the Realm Crystal went, but why would Morro tell him where-

"That... fopdoodle of a bird is hiding up there," Morro growled.

The younger snorted. Fopdoodle? Really? That's such a weird word.

"Oh ha ha. Laugh it up. You wanna go get the Realm Crystal? Be my guest," Morro looked dead serious.

...oh my FSM.

Lloyd cracked up more, staring to full on wheeze and he clutched his stomach and curled forwards.

Morro's anger seemed to have amped up alongside his confusion. "What are you even laughing at, you fribble?"

Lloyd fucking cackled. "What-" cut off by giggling, "the h-hell is a fribble?"

He resumed his cackling, his balance swayed as he risked falling off the branch multiple times.

The blonde slowly came down from his giggling high as the gears in Morro's brain turned.

"...oh," was all he said once it clicked.

"Oh, what?" Lloyd questioned.

Morro sighed ,"I've been using really old slang this entire time."

Lloyd gaped, "Wait, that's what that was? I thought you were just saying gibberish!"

"...why in all of the 16 realms would I say gibberish?" Morro squinted at the younger.

"I- uh- well sometimes Jay does, so I usually chalk up weird non-scientific words to just be random gibberish."

Morro looked 2 seconds away from punching someone. Probably me, Lloyd realized and slightly shifted away from the ghost.

"So, uh- where did the Realm Crystal go?" Lloyd asked.

Morro glared at the teen before reluctantly pointing upwards. "That imbecilic bird's hiding with it, and whenever you go near it the thing either tries to bite you or poop on you."

"...ohhhkayyy. Is that what- uhh, what was the word- oh yeah, is that what 'bescumbering' means?" Lloyd asked.

Morro gave Lloyd a look. "The latter."

Silence blanketed the two.

"Uhh, sooooo. How are we- ew, that felt weird to say- going to get the Realm Crystal back?"

"Who said we were going to get it back? I will get it back and leave you here so I can-"

"-conquer Ninjago beside my Master, I know. You've given thise speech before, Breezy, no need to repeat yourself for the thousandth time," Lloyd rolled his eyes.

Morro used a gust of wind to shove him off the branch. Lloyd yelped before a soft 'thud' enunciated his landing onto the forest-like floor.

"Rude," Lloyd muttered before jumping at the sight of Morro as he crashed next to him. Said ghost looked done with everything.

"As stubborn as I am, I will admit that I..." Morro's words trailed off into a low enough voljme that Lloyd couldn't hear him.

"Uhh, what?" he asked.

"I-" Morro sighed angrily, "I need your help."

"Huh?"

"I said I need your help, damnit!"

"I know, I heard you the second time," Lloyd had a smug grin painted on his features, until Morro shoved a bunch of leaves into his face via the wind.

"So, what's the plan, oh 'great Green Ninja'," Morro snarked.

"Well, we need to figure out where the crystal is first, so we can get it."

"The bird's sitting on it."

"Well that's- a problem. But at least we know where it is!...

Wait, how do you know that?"

"The wind. And the fact that, before it tried to bite me I saw it underneath the bird."

"Wait, you're a ghost. Why don't you just possess the bird?"

"..." Morro facepalmed. "How the fuck did I not think of that."

"Well then go do it, genius!"

"Shut up, fribble."

"What's a fribble???"

Morro shot up to the bird before Lloyd could get an answer.

A loud squawk, flapping noises, a grunt, and the ghost landing on the ground again suggested-

"It didn't work."

"Yeah, I guessed so after the offended squawk."

"So what next?"

"Uhh, decoy and thief?"

"One gets shat on while the other steals? Sure."

"Alright, then who-"

"You're getting shat on."

"Wha- WHY ME?"

"Because I said so, and poop has water content."

"Does that mean I could kill you with poop?"

"Not before I suffocate you to death."

The two climb up the tree, and Lloyd starts bugging the bird as Morro creeped up in the bird's blind spot.

Hey, this is going to well-

"ACK! IT BIT ME!"

And there it is.

Morro snagged the gem, but before he could portal away-

"Duck!"

The bird fucking shat.

Lloyd darted towards Morro, and activated the Realm Crystal.

Now back to our regularly scheduled "Lloyd Fight's His Abuser/Trauma Giver TM".

-

If you couldn't tell by the end, it's like 1:41 am and I'm tired.

[infinitethree]

Vio!! You forgot to tell me whether or not you want to see the fanart, so I took it as a yes!

I've actually made a second one by now, so I thought I'd throw that in too. Shame you don't like snow, although I personally think it's overrated.

The alien blinks in surprise at the pair of images that pop up in front of him.

Right; Day had mentioned that this was a thing that Observers could do.

“Huh,” he says, head tilting to the side. Before the not-kids can ask what happened, he tells them, “I got…fanart.”

They all perk up, and he huffs and says, “Yes, I’ll let you see it. I think I just need to say that for it to–?”

Before the statement can finish, the other four get the popups as well.

Toma claps his hands in delight. “Grandad fanart!” Instead of correcting him, Vio just heaves a long-suffering sigh. 

So sue him; he has a soft spot for the zombie piglin child.

Aryll snickers, “The cold weather gear is too colorful for him, but otherwise…yeah, pretty much, that’s him alright!” “It’s not my fault I’m not built for snow! Snow wasn’t a fucking issue in the deserts and savannahs where I’m meant to be,” Vio reminds him.

The not-brothers and Toma laugh at that, while Vio rolls his eyes at them. “Yeah, yeah– yuck it up, you menaces.” “Hanging around Day too much, bossman,” Zinn cackles, “who wants to take bets on how long before you start calling us gremlins you love very much?”

The enderman hybrid points at him. “That’s what I said! He’s spending too much time with Day, which is hilarious because he stayed here to avoid him.”

“I don’t have a choice! I have a travel with him and Theo, and they talk a lot!” “Uh-huh,” Toma snorts, “That’s tooootally all it is.”

Aver furrows his brow, and the merriment quiets a little. “...Okay, and? If it’s not malicious, I don’t really fuckin’ care. Lots’ve us have secrets.” As if to prove his point, he gestures over at Vio, who looks wary at being dragged into this.“Monkey’s Paw ‘ere keeps his therapist a secret for…some fuckin’ reason?” 

“Because I feel like it,” Vio answers, sounding slightly affronted, “Let me have my mischief.”

“Yeah, see? S’ fuckin’ weirdchamp, but doesn’t really matter. If whoever’s lying to everyone or whatever isn’t doing it out of malice or to hurt people…then it’s not my fuckin’ business, innit?”

The alien pauses, looking a little concerned. “Someone is lying to everyone?” “Ehh, according to the– what, we’re calling them Observers? One of ‘em said that. But from what I hear, some of ‘em are dicks.”

Zinn narrows his eyes. “You said something about not being able to hear whatever they said, though.” “Mmh. Yeah, fuckin’ redacted to hell n’ back,” Aver sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. He’s not exactly thrilled at being the one who has to decide if it was or wasn’t something important.

“Didn’t Atlas get something with a cut part, a while back?” Aryll’s question makes Aver nod. “Yep. Just a blip, though. This one was pretty much the whole fuckin’ thing. But…”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Pretty much everyone has fuckin’ secrets, yeah? Not my fuckin’ place to drag that shit into the spotlight.”

For all his insistence that it doesn’t really matter, he can’t help but feel uneasy about the situation.

The goat hybrid hums, fingers drumming on the side table next to him. “...Sure, I’ll take your word on that.”

He pauses. “Wait, what do you mean double check? Do you have a reference about who we are?”

[madaboutmunson]

Again - Part 5

Part 1 | Part  4 | Part 6 | Full list of Again series links inc AO3 Link

Steddie fic where Steve and Eddie are in their mid 30's and everyone has sort of drifted apart

Taglist: @adaed5 @grtwdsmwhr @swimmingbirdrunningrock @mightbeasleep

Thank you to @callme-keys for all their help with this 💚💚💚

================================================

Eddie talks him through the painting process, and soon enough, they have their own little silent two-person production line going. Eddie breaks the silence first without tearing his eyes from the little figure he is painting in front of him. "So how did super jock Steve Harrington manage to raise two little nerds? Is their mom one? I mean, it's obvious they're biologically yours. Unmistakably!" His last exclamation makes Steve smile happily at the dwarven hero in his fingers.

"No, their mom isn't a nerd either. Very business minded, though. I get why you'd think that, but Corey would give you a run for your money on a basketball court, and Zee, well, the only sport she hasn't excelled at, that she's tried so far, is Tennis, and that's mainly because she hates it" Steve gushes. He wasn't more proud of their sporting prowess than anything else they were into. It was just an area he was proficient in. He understood sports. He could be useful in helping them with that.

"Shit, you and your wife made the ultimate hybrids?"

"Ex-wife", Steve corrects almost a little too quickly.

Steve sees Eddie's shoulder sink in his peripheral vision, and another apology starts. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean to-" 

"It's not like that. Just sometimes, things don't work out. I'm real lucky it was amicable, we're still good friends, and that's good for the kids, you know? Me too, of course. It's nice to have someone to talk to about parent stuff, isn't it?" Steve prods the subject ever so gently, so maybe Eddie will talk about Morgan, and Steve can apologise.

"Yeah, of course," Eddie replies, cleaning his brush, but says nothing more. Damn it, Eddie! Steve would have to drag it out of Eddie now, especially because Steve had glared daggers at Morgan last time.

"Has…um…has Morgan been running games for a long time?" Steve asks

"Oh yeah." Eddie says like it was common knowledge, "We started him eaaaarly" Eddie laughs, "He's one of my best GMs, to be honest, which you wouldn't think if you talked him when he wasn't in the hot seat."

"Makes sense," Steve says, smiling at the pride on Eddie's face as he looks around the shelf at Morgan, and the guilt comes crashing down on him. "Listen, Eddie. I'm sorry about last time. I didn't know Morgan was with you-"

"And he's a teenage boy talking to your teenage daughter, looking like he just jumped out of a Sum 41 video. Dude, I would be the same if I was in your shoes. We've both been fourteen-year-old boys," he says, shaking his head.

"He's only fourteen??!!" Steve exclaims, his apologetic look swiftly turning into one of absolute shock, "What is he eating for breakfast? What is Sum 41??" 

Eddie snorts out a laugh, making a delicate paint stroke across part of the new model he's picked up. "Yeah, those genes belong to his Mama's side of the family. Loooong line of lumberjacks. Count yourself lucky on the Sum 41 front. I've tried getting him into actual Metal, but he says it's Classic Rock. Cheeky little shit." Eddie adds with a fond smile

Steve looks around the shelf again at Morgan, "Jesus Christ. Are you sure they aren't Goliaths?" Instantly a loud cackle emerges from Eddie, almost tipping his seat too far back and falling backwards. Making Steve erupt with laughter too.

"Hey!! Some of us are trying to immerse ourselves in a game here! Can you two keep it down back there?!" Zee's voice rings out, stopping the chuckling painters immediately. They raise their eyebrows at one another and bite their lips, trying to hold back any more loud laughter and setting for repressed silent giggles that make their shoulders shake.

A few deep breaths later, Eddie is calm enough to talk again, "I tell you what, Harrington. I don't think you've got anything to worry about on the Zee front. She's got it covered." Eddie picks up his model again, "and honestly, I know you'll think I'm biased, but Morgan is a good kid. He might look and sound like a poster child for trouble, but he couldn't be anything further from it." Eddie's tongue presses against his top lip as he concentrates on painting the tiny boots of the elf, then stops and tuts."Ok, so maybe he is a little bit of trouble, but nothing like we did when we were kids. He doesn't smoke, drink, do drugs or get handsy, but being bigger than others, he often gets singled out as the guy to beat, you know? So he's had a few scrapes these last couple of years, and looking the way he does, he gets the sharp end of the stick, whilst the little shit that started it gets off scott fucking free. Assholes."

Steve narrows his eyes at Eddie, who is either avoiding looking at him or is deeply engrossed in the model. He couldn't help but feel that this sounded an awful lot like he was putting in a good word on Morgan's behalf, but on the flip side, Steve had made an incorrect judgement about Morgan, so maybe Eddie just thought he needed to clear his name, and it was clear why that would be something Eddie would want to do for his son.

"Yeah, it's not all rainbows, being the big guy at school. Lots of different expectations. They asked him to try out for any teams yet?"

"Not just yet, but when the summer's over, he'll hit high school, so just a matter of time. I remember them trying to recruit me into the towel-flicking club too. That was very short-lived," Eddie laughs, but the smile lingers on his face.

Steve sees an opportunity not just to extend an olive branch but also to get to know Morgan a bit more. Eddie had done as much for Zee. "Not saying you guys don't have it covered, but if Morgan was interested in getting some practice in, I'd be happy to help where I can, though honestly, Zee is probably more up to date on things than me these days, but I could do with the exercise."

Eddie completely stops what he's doing, "You'd do that?"

Steve gestures his hand between Eddie and Zee, "Didn't you? I will not be outshone by you, Munson" Steve points a finger at him and covers his genuine kindness with a thin veil of competitiveness, making Eddie break into a toothy grin.

"I'll ask him. He doesn't talk to me about sports much, so I don't know the lay of the land in that department. I mean, who would, right? But I'll ask to see what he says" Eddie goes back to painting, "Thanks, Steve."

Wow, he liked how his name sounded just then, all wrapped in fondness and softly spoken like that. He hadn't heard his name like that in a very long time. A buzz pulls Steve out of his enchantment, and he rushes to pick up his phone, but it's just a message from his cell provider. A voice murmurs softly next to his ear, "How many languages do you speak, Harrington?" 

Steve's soul nearly leaves his corporeal form, "Jesus Christ, Eddie! Don't do that, and…Hey! Why were you snooping anyway? That could have been private!!" Steve frowns at him, pulling his phone to his chest to hide it.

"What, I'm supposed to sit here and not be alarmed when you almost give yourself whiplash to check your phone? Is it some sort of top-secret coaching project? Is that why you have it in Chinese?"

"How do you know it's in Chinese?" Steve asks in total confusion.

Eddie raises and looks at Steve from under his eyebrows expectantly, and Steve slowly moves the phone away from his chest so Eddie can see the screen again. "Because that says Options in Chinese" Eddie points his finger at the tiny phone screen, resting his arm on Steve's shoulder as he does so, forcing Steve's functions into primary survival mode. All Steve can do is hold the phone up, breathe and look at Eddie like a being from another planet. What can't he do? Or is this a case of just being impressed by tech basics?

"Do you like it in Chinese, or would you like me to switch it to English for you?" Eddie asks, and Steve only manages a Corey-like grunt of a Huh and moves the phone slightly in a concerned Eddie's direction, "Well, alrighty then. English coming right up…are you…are you ok, Steve?" Oh, there it is again, the special Steve. He manages a nod at Eddie.

"Okaaaay then," Eddie says with still a lot of concern etched on his face, but that's fine because Steve's brain has already put a soft lens filter back on the scene. Eddie taps many buttons and hands the phone back with a smile, "There you go, good as new". As Steve looks through his phone in a language he can understand again, Eddie lifts one of the many painted figures that are lined up in a queue in front of Steve and holds it up to his eyes and the light, "Wow, these are really neat. Have you painted before?" Eddie asks gently placing the figure back in line.

"Do paint by numbers and ceramics count?" Steve says with a laugh like Eddie would find those things stupid.

"Judging from this. I'd say yeah," his words drawn out in some serene fascination. His big brown eyes gorged on every detail the tiny gnome had to offer. Steve wishes he was into something as deeply as Eddie was. He seemed to be so talented at many things, and not just Ok like Steve was. He was in deep with his loves. Music, guitar, these games, and everything they touched. Steve can't help but wonder what that might feel like, to be something that Eddie is entirely fascinated by, to be scoured over with those deeply intense eyes, to enchant him so completely his words slow down like that, or his face explodes into one of his vast smiles of unabashed joy. Steve lets out a tiny sigh, watching him twirl this piece of plastic in his fingers like it was an ancient lost artefact.

Carl, the silent rolling dice kid from two weeks ago, runs right up to their arts and crafts table, “Mr Munson, I know you said to act like you weren’t here because you aren't supposed to be here, but there is a rules dispute on table two, and it's getting out of hand, someone threw a peanut M&M,, and someone on table three is allergic, and-”

“Ok buddy, slow your roll,” Eddie says kindly, putting the figure exactly back in line and then raising his hand in stop motion, “Look at me, take a deep breath, think carefully, is this something you think you can’t handle or is this because it's not what you planned in your mind,” Eddie speaks calmly and looks over at Carl, waiting for his response. Though those words were meant for the kid, Steve can help but heed them too.

“It’s chaotic, Eddie”, Carl says finally after a short pause, and Eddie nods in response before turning to Steve and giving him an awkward smile and a shrug before following Carl through the shelves to the fantasy realm.

Steve takes the opportunity to check in with Mackenzie, obviously, from afar. He shifts over to the side and can see her eyes following some dice tumbling down the table, her hand going to her head, as the player next to her slumps in his chair. She’s saying something, but Steve can’t quite make it out, she shakes a die in her own hand, and it rolls before her. She speaks again with concern on her face, directed to the head of the table. Steve shifts his viewpoint so he can see Morgan, who smiles and then nods, causing the table to erupt with smiles. As he moves back to look at Zee, he expects the usual acting out of her praying to her deity or a mace swing, but instead, he sees some very vicious stabbing motions with both of her hands as she grins wildly down the table at Morgan. Steve moves again to see Morgan’s response. No. No-no. He did not just tuck his hair behind his ear whilst exchanging grins with his daughter. Steve, without thinking, immediately stands up out of his seat, knocking the cup of water over the table, “Shit!” he whisper shouts to himself. Trying to save all the mini-figures from the encroaching pool of water.

“And that is why I always bring these with me”, Eddie chuckles, pulling out a roll of kitchen towels and a little trash bag.

Steve tries to stay quiet, “I’m so sorry, Eddie, I just…er…well, I-I stood up too fast and got a head rush.”

“Is that what we’re going with, Steve, really?” Eddie looks at him with disappointment, “I’ve been standing back there a while, watching you doing your best meerkat impression. I get the worry. I do, but uh…please don't take this the wrong way, Steve…you’re very…sorta” Eddie puts down some of the paper towels to soak up the spillage and then waves his hand vaguely over Steve, “urgent. You know? Are you alright?”

Steve looks at Eddie, runs his hand through the side of his hair and swallows nervously. He wanted to be honest, but he had apologised for judging Morgan only earlier today. Eddie gives him a saccharine sweet smile, “Steve, let me level with you. We are in the same boat here, so let's be honest. They seem to like one another, but nothing has happened. If either of us goes marching on in there and tells them no, You know what happens?”

“They sneak around behind our backs,” Steve says, folding his arms.

“And?” Eddie prompts

“And we have made the other person even more attractive because they aren't allowed,” Steve mutters in defeat.

Eddie claps his hands and points at Steve in celebration, “Bingo! So if we want this to just fizzle out, we gotta not meddle, ok?”

Steve has an idea, “Ok, yeah, well, what about if we back it like all-in, one hundred per cent,. Shall I write my wedding speech now, kinda thing? Would that do the opposite?” Steve says excitedly at Eddie, who looks at him pitifully and shakes his head.

Eddie walks over and hands Steve the trash bag as he collects up the soaked papers and throws them in, “Number one, Steve-o, I, seconds ago, told you we shouldn’t meddle, and your bright idea is to do exactly that” He throws a wad of wet paper into the bag like he’s taking a hoop shot. “Number two, if that backfires on you, and they’re like, oh, it's fine, my Dad’s on board, he won't mind if you stay over, he likes you.” Steve’s eyebrows raise in alarm, “but then there is Number three, and this really is the worst one. Your plan works, and then I have to ferry his sad-sack ass around, listening to the greatest break-up songs of all time whilst he cries his eyes out.”

“And that would be bad because?” Steve asks hopefully.

“Because the first place I would drive him to is your stupid house, so you can deal with it, ok? Because I will suffer a variety of music genres for that kid, Steve, I will not, and I can’t emphasise this enough, will not listen to All by myself on repeat again. It will become your problem immediately.”

“Again?” Steve asks in alarm.

“Yes! Again Steve! Look at him. Just look.” Eddie points his hand over at where Morgan is, and Steve’s eyes follow. The players are chatting, and Morgan looks up at them occasionally and then scribbles something down.

“I don't get it. He’s taking notes or plotting or something.” Steve says with a frown.

Eddie walks over, puts his hand on his shoulder, and turns him back to the table. “Look closer, Steve. Is that the face of someone plotting their next move and making notes? Or is that the face of someone taking in the details of someone’s face whilst they sketch them on their notepad?”

At first, Steve looks and doesn't understand how he is even supposed to tell the difference when he is half behind a screen, but then he does start to see what Eddie is talking about. Morgan’s eyes don't move around the table. Instead, they go back to the same place, and he’ll tilt his head and disappear behind the screen for a while, then pop back up, shake out his hair a little, nods like he’s listening, and then repeats the same thing all over again.

“Is he gonna be ok?” Steve says with actual worry for Morgan’s well-being. He wasn't trying to take on just any girl. This was Mackenzie Robin Harrington.

“He’s just a romantic. He bounces back well enough, but gods, the mourning period is deeply dramatic. The music, the movies, the ice cream, the eyeliner. I have no idea where he gets it from.”

“How many girlfriends has he had?” Steve asks, with the concern moving back to Zee now.

“Girlfiends…one…unrequited crushes… I’ve lost count. Don’t worry. None of the girls concerned have to deal with that side of things. He’s mostly a bumbling mess around them that he probably gets from his Dad.” Eddie says, straightening up and looking at Steve with a smile, making him burst out laughing.

“So, we just stand by and watch this…happen?” Steve says, still a little nervous, but he feels a lot more reassured. It sounded like Eddie had been through this many times already, and it could be good to have him on his side.

Eddie's eyes go to the ceiling and his hand to the back of his neck, “I mean, we could compare notes if you get worried or wanna talk about it sometime?”

"Oh," Steve says with relief immediately, "That would be so helpful, Eddie. Thank you. Can I get your number?" Steve quickly pats himself for his phone, realising he had left it on the table. Which surprised him. He usually had it within reach of his fingertips. So he reaches for his phone and navigates his way to contacts.

"Er…it's kinda already in there," Eddie says almost a little bashfully, but he plays it off with a much bolder wink.

"Ah, when you…ah..yeah", Steve points between the phone, the table and Eddie several times and struggles to grasp onto the English language as the wink hits him like a shotgun spray of numbing agent. He attempts a laugh to play it off, as, of course, how stupid of me, but it emerges as a giggle. Mortified. Jesus Christ. Steve quickly goes back to cleaning, but the interaction only emboldened Eddie. Or at least that's how it appears to Steve. He's much closer during the clean-up, talking a lot about topics that Steve had little to no opinion on, like the state of heavy metal these days or how he's worried that the new Lord of The Rings movies won't hold up to the books, occasionally reaching for the same things as Steve. Of course, it could all be in his imagination, but it definitely feels like there is a shift back to the Eddie he remembers from being a kid. Not that he's hugely different, but a few times today, there is something just beneath what he's letting Steve see. Something darker.

Then it just falls out of his mouth, as Eddie looks particularly tempting as he leans against the table, with his back to it, on his hands, gesturing and talking at Steve, who is facing the table, packing away someone the dry figures into their little foam beds.

"Why do you do that?" Steve asks suddenly as Eddie is mid-sentence.

Eddie's body visibly tenses, "Er…do what, Steve? Talk too much?" He laughs, and Steve can tell his humour defence is ready to be deployed.

"No, not too much", Steve smiles at the tiny paint pots he's organising, "it's er the topics."

"Oh, well, that's easy. I'm seeing what else I don't know about Steve Harrington 3.0 The Dorky Dad Edition" Eddie chuckles, "We haven't spoken really in fifteen years, and I don't know how much had changed…or how much hasn't" Steve looks up at him, and he's already waiting for him to look his way. However, the connection is short-lived as Eddie folds his arms around himself, looks away and says, "I can only talk about what I know, and I don't wanna put my foot in it by asking the wrong question, you know? It's been nice catching up, teenage drama aside" he punctuates with a laugh.

"Yeah, it has been nice," Steve agrees, and Eddie's arms unfold, "I know sometimes I don't talk enough."

"Well, that's just because you seem to live in your thoughts, Steve", Eddie says fondly, "It wouldn't be awful for you to share them with someone sometime." Eddie's eyes dart between Steve and the rings that he's twisting around his fingers, "I don't mind being that someone if you're comfortable? Maybe it would help with all the…um…being on edge stuff too? A problem shared is a problem halved and all that," Eddie sends him a gentle smile. Suddenly a part of Steve wants to defend himself against this friendly onslaught of observations. Tell the nosey little nerd he's talking complete shit. Snap at him with purposefully sharpened thorny words that, no matter what they said, all translated to Danger! Keep Out! Steve observes Eddie again. Most of his clothing and accessories screamed he could be a threat, the metal chains and jewellery of skulls and tusks. Rugged boots, worn jeans, no doubt under the polo shirt is some kind of horrific band name with a hellscape as an album cover. But the rest of him, the real Eddie, couldn't be any further from that. He remembers an insecurity Eddie shared only moments ago and decides to put the defensive words down.

"Yeah, you're right," Steve says with a half smile, "I guess old habits die hard, huh?" 

[alanshee-keeper-of-realms]

Drabble Welcome to the Underground Post Merge

"You don't know me, but you'd know my little sister, Pixal the golden child, Dad's perfect little copy of a copy. Does anyone care about that? Tch, no, especially with her dating one of the Heros of Ninjago and being one herself."

She shrugged, taking a sip of the whiskey tumbler,

"Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself after all you have no clue my own identity, I am P.I.X.A.L Unit 3. I chose the name of Chloe Eloise for myself. But like my Husband Mr E, why would that matter? The only reason you vultures are here is because of her,"

The Nindroid sighed at the crowd that surrounded her table, one of the drunkards crowing

"No any Pixal unit is interesting, especially one that's married to the Mr E and is a prolific help to our community"

She snorted, playing with the glass in her hand,

"Especially since this Merge, fsm it really lead to shit hitting the fan." Polishing off the rest of the alcohol, slamming the glass onto the table,

"No shit babe, of course these shit holes got worse," smirking as her husband made his appearance,"Hey Larrie, a whiskey from the top shelf if you please"

The Nindroid saluted tossing a towel over their shoulder moving to get the requested drink as the crowd parted to let him through. Sliding into the booth beside her setting his helmet down she grabbed his collar pulling him into a kiss, a few wolf whistles making the pair smirk, before he fell beside her putting his arm around her

"So how's my friends been?"

The Mechanic snorted, leaning on the table,

"Got a nice shipment of things, though pretty loud. Had to adjust things to make sure it didn't alert the cops, especially with the Ninja coming back," There were nods as Chloe scoffed

"Oh please, they aren't the main issue, VXL is and shes still MIA," she handed her old glass to Larrie taking the new ones handing a 10 dollar bill which they tucked into their inside pocket, she smirked"I see you've learned,"

"Oh yeah," They spun around holding a tray above their head as one of the clients tried to hug them "Nice try I know that trick!"

That got them cackling as the serpentine hybrid they knew as Claire shrugged

"Worth a shot,"

Chloe and Echo smirked as they clicked their drinks together, taking a drink,

"God I missed this" Her husband hummed

[kpopandmusicpassion]

Noona!" Felix whined blushing.

"Like you four didn't gush to Shotaro and I how amazing Binnie, Channie, Sungie, and Minnie are." She snorted before turning back to the Alphas. "Oh, and if you Alphas hurt them even accidentally I will kick your ass from here to the moon. Maybe that would knock some sense into those stupid Alpha brains of yours." They growled only to hear cackling as TXT was approaching.

"You haven't changed a bit, noona." Taehyun grinned as Soobin and Hyuka attacked Via and Taro with hugs. They just laughed as a larger group of all male pack approached.

"What's going on?" A beautiful male omega with purple hair asked.

"Oh, hi Taeyong hyung! These are my cousins Vivianne call her Via and her little brother Shotaro!" Felix answered. Via smiled at them happily as some of the hybrids were staring at Shotaro who was shyly looking away. The omega, Taeyong, and his four mates were awestruck by how gorgeous the human girl is. She happily called the young clouded leopard her little brother and the calico cat her cousin. They wanted her to be their mate. They habe never felt anything for a human other than fleeting attraction nothing more. Ever. She caught some of the boys staring at Shotaro.

Does my little brother have admirers?" She asked walking up to the boys causing them to stutter and blush. She giggled. "If you're interested in him prove you can be what he needs. I see no reason to give the big sister speech since you know what will happen if you hurt my baby. He's been with my family and I since he was 2 and I was 4. I will always protect him. So if you want him prove to us how good you are show me how you can and will protect my baby. Got it?" The younger ones whimpered. She hugged them tighly. "I'm not trying to scare you. I just want you to know how much I love him and how far I'd go to protect him. I want someone to love him enough to start a war to get him back."

They hugged back lightly scenting her making her giggle some more.

"Looks like you have some admirers too, noona." One said.

What?" She asked before they turned her towards Taeyong and his mates. She blushed. "No way."

"They have been staring at you since Felix introduced you!" Another giggled. She pinched the top of the puppy's ear. He yelped before pouting at her."Noona!" he whined. "Mark! Taeyong! Yuta! Johnny! Jaehyun! One of you ask her out already!"

They looked surprised before a handsome pink haired Alpha approached.

"Via, was it? My mates and I would like to take you on a date. I'm Jaehyun by the way." He said with a genuine smile. Taeyong and the others approached them.

"Haechan wasn't wrong when he said we've been watching you since Felix introduced us. We've never met anyone like you. You don't think we're disgusting or below you. You aren't rude to us. You take pride in calling Felix your cousin and Shotaro your little brother. You even threatened the Dreamies to protect and prove themselves worthy of Shotaro." Taeyong explained.

"Yeah. You are amazing, dude." The long haired Omega said.

She gave him a small smile. "Thanks, dude."

"Oh, yeah. She says dude a lot. She grew up watching Ninja Turtles and Scooby Doo. They influenced her language greatly. She also tends to use words from older generations and some from our time or well her time."

She went up to Felix and smacked him. "Behave. And don't go telling them all my secrets!"

" What kind of secrets do you mean?" Yeonjun asked, mischievously.

"Like your obsession with M Lee, TY Track, RM, Agust D, & J-Hope?" Beomgyu said grinning. She glared at him.

"Wait, TY Track? Do you listen to NeoCity?" The long haired blonde Alpha asked.

"Obviously. NeoCity and Behind the Scene are my favorites not to mention 3racha. Speaking of Yongbok! How dare you not tell me you were not only in a pack with 3racha but mated to SpearB!" She glared at the calico.

"How did you know?" Chan asked.

"We never show our faces!" Han said.

"If you don't want fans to recognize you try disguising your voices whenever you're on a radio show or any sort of interview. Plus even though Changbin doesn't say Felix's name outright I could tell the mate he speaks so fondly of was my cousin. I also learned a lot about Chan, Innie, Lee Know, and Han while chatting on the phone video calls and texting. So yeah I know."

All the hybrids looked at her in awe amazed at her observation skills and attention to detail.

[thechillsquid]

The end writing for the DSMP axolotl au, originally posted to Ao3

Thank you all that enjoyed the series, even if it’s been awhile since I wrote or drew for it <3

(And as always, these writings were heavily inspired by @beaskaa and @ryucreates and their designs for axolotl hybrid Dream.)

———

It dawned on him during a most peculiar moment. Dream currently cackling like a madman as he ran his damned hardest away from a most pissed off Ant, Ranboo yelping nearby as they tried to desperately catch the device thrown his way.

Ant tackled Dream, moving to sit on the taller’s back before, as the man-shaped axolotl could imagine, shot Ranboo a sharp eyed glance. “You’re next if you don’t give me back my comm,” the feline spat, and yeah, he was defintely directed to the anxious ender.

Dream shifted a bit to rest his arms under his head, wispy breaths coming and going. Prime, I’m happy.He smiled, pausing as the realization struck something deep and cruel.

He… he was actually happy. Not just some cheap amusement or thrill, but— but genuinely. 

Dream was happy. 

He blinked a moment, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes before suddenly the world around him came back into focus. The weight on his back moved and he moved to sit up, feeling stunned as he dully watched Ant tackle Ranboo now.

A smile quirked upon his lips again, something warmer in the gesture now.

He cleared his throat a touch and quickly wiped an eye as he moved to join the chaos once more, crowing loudly, “Ranboo! You tall mess, why didn’t you run!?”

He got a very irritated warble, Ant adjusting himself so he was sat on top of the defeated Ender’s chest now.

Dream just laughed. It felt good.

~

Tommy grinned at Tubbo as the other dragged Aimsey along, trailing after the two with Michael (the piglin, not the guy; the guy himself had gone off server afterall to do his own thing as some else had done) holding his hand.

He looked down as Michael gave a little snort, seeing the little piglin reaching for something off the ground. The blond crouched down to get a better look as well, “What’s up, bossman?”

A little hooved hand picked up a small rock, a curious one at that, half of it a much more notable pale coloration while the other was a shimmering onyx. 

Tommy snickered quietly to himself, “Rockboo.”

Michael gazed up at him and gave a giggle, Tommy snorting in his own amusement as his other hand cane to ruffle the kid’s fur. The piglin giggled harder and Tommy beamed. This kid is too cute. He got up, nodding for Michael to follow along, “Let’s go catch up, yeah?”

The kid nodded with the rock clutched to his chest with the hand not holding his own. Tommy couldn’t help but feel warm inside, damn, he had an awesome life didn’t he?

He swung his and Michael’s joined hands gently as they caught up, feeling the warmth of the sun beaming down despite the slight nip in the air.

I feel alive. 

Some ugly little knot that had sat in chest finally came undone.

He was alive.

~

People came and went. Some stayed on the server, others visited, and some’s adventures took them to new places.

It was a bittersweet sort of thing, but it was bound to happen. Things had changed, the server had changed.

It was time to continue on. To make new memories, to feel new sorrows, to hold new joys.

XD closed the book held in its hands, a low hum echoing in the starlight around itself.

It had been a good story. Not perfect, mind you, but an amusing one all the same. 

This wasn’t an end… just a new beginning.

[thursdaygrl]

stevie let out a snort, eyes widening. "uh — yeah. i do." did she have any idea how much she wanted her, like even an inkling? among the may other reasons she'd been avoiding her was how fervent that need had become basically every other night since their encounter. it was so strange, joking with her, hearing things she'd said to her but framed entirely differently now because they made her cackle and grin sheepishly. "the stubborn part might be the only true part, actually." she was in a good mood, though a little nervous. they were standing on the precipice of something more real than stevie had ever had. it was a little unsettling, a little scary, but exciting too. it helped her to not overthink letting lily into her shitbox of a car, one she planned to replace one day when she played in the big leagues. for now, she wasn't all that ashamed. even if she thought it was pitiful, she was the one getting in it willingly. "i got a guy." she rolled her eyes. "alright, miss designer perfume, not all of us can afford those fancy hybrid cars. when i have a tesla or some shit, i'm gonna remember how you talked about sweet ol' bertha here." she laughed, trying to focus on the road as she peeled out of her spot. as they drove, she found herself distractedly glancing at her, reaching out to turn the radio down. "so, um, out of curiosity, what kind of movies do you like?"

outside of spending time with stevie lily didn't really know what she wanted. maybe to kiss some more? yeah, definitely to kiss some more. but somewhere comfortable, where she could easily press her body against the other's and explore her bare skin with her hands. or just watch a movie. "i definitely want to, but only if you do too", she clarified, there was no need to pressure her. if it was going to happen then it would, otherwise she was happy to just spend time with stevie. "good, see i can compromise. i think you once called me a 'stubborn prissy bitch' and now here i am showing you that the stubborn part is entirely untrue", bright smile is flashed at the other woman, her stomach doing somersaults just being this close. had they really kissed? it kind of felt like a fever dream, experienced under the influence of something that made you feel like you were walking on clouds and scooping them into your palms. allowing stevie to guide her to where she assumed her car was lily simply let every single thought in her head go, right down the drain and leaving her with plenty of space to fill with stevie. "how did you get this thing insured? i mean, it's probably spurting toxic fumes into the environment or something. haven't hippies chased you down yet?" the words could come across as mean, yet lily infused her voice with playfulness, squeezing stevie's hand before getting in and tossing her purse down at her feet. really, she didn't give a damn about what kind of car it was.

[budugaapologist]

me: *dangles my foot off my bed*

the demon underneath it:

[beels-burger-babe]

I Can Be Your Type

***I wanted to write some fluff, and all of my current requests, except for maybe one, have angst in them in one form or another. SO I decided to complete the prompt that @poppi144 and I discussed during a "party time" here. So this is happening. Enjoy a break from the angst.*** Summary: Asmodeus is bored one day and, more importantly, he doesn't think he can stand looking at the eyesore of Satan's clothing choices for a second longer. A makeover ensues much to the amusement of the other brothers and annoyance of Satan...that is until MC sees it. Asmodeus smiled mischievously as he peaked into Satan's room. Sitting in his chair, peacefully reading a book and enjoying his day, was Asmodeus's target. He giggled to himself and skipped over to him. "Oh, Satan~" Asmo began in a sing-song voice.

Satan's grip noticeably tightened on the book, but he didn't look away from the pages. "What do you need, Asmo? I'm trying to read." A glance at the cover told him that Satan was reading "Cultural Traditions and Practices of the Humans Realm". Asmo's smile grew. This really was perfect. He draped himself over the back of his brother's chair. "I just thought that perhaps we could help each other out! You see, I am extremely bored and want something to do. Preferably, giving you a makeover." The blond sighed as he flipped the page of his book. "Why in Diavolo's name, would I agree to that?" Asmodeus's grin widened as he swiped Satan's book from his hand and waved it in front of his face. "Because I can turn you into MC's type." Satan paused as a blush dusted across his cheeks. Checkmate.

Satan looked at Asmodeus with intrigue. "They have a type?" The Avatar of Lust laughed as he turned towards the door. "Oh, big brother, you have so much to learn if you actually want to stand a chance against me at winning MC's heart," he smiled over his shoulder. "Come on. Let me work my magic." Satan gave Asmodeus a skeptical look, but sighed and rose to his feet. If there was even the slightest chance of this working, it would be worth it. *** It was not worth it. Satan glared at his reflection in the mirror, "I look ridiculous." Asmodeus giggled as he straightened out the leather, hooded jacket that Satan was wearing. "Nonsense! I put this outfit together myself which means you look amazing!" He beamed at Satan as he took a step back and admired his work. "You look dangerous, mysterious, enticing, cool-" "Foolish," Satan cut off and groaned as he fiddled with the leather cord necklace Asmodeus had put on him. "There's no way this will actually work. You just did this to make me look stupid." Asmo gasped and put a hand on his chest in mock offence. "Like I would ever do something like that to my favourite brother!" Satan just gave him an unimpressed look and began to take off the jacket. Asmodeus quickly rushed over to stop him. "Wait, wait, wait! This wasn't a prank. I seriously think this is MC's type! Trust me on this. At least let them see you in it."

Satan frowned and looked in the mirror. He looked like the stereotypical bad boy in all those animes that Levi watches. He was layered in a white t-shirt with a jacket that appeared to be some kind of leather jacket/hoodie hybrid. The jeans weren't bad. He wore skinny jeans on a regular basis. But these were black and had rips on the knees. His normal dress shoes had been replaced with a pair of black Doc Martins. Asmodeus had even gone so far as to stylistically mess up his hair a little with some gel, and add a very subtle touch of eyeliner around his eyes. Was this really what you were attracted to? Satan huffed and turned to Asmodeus. "Fine. But if they laugh, you will regret this Asmodeus." Asmo let out a cheer as he pushed him out of the door. "Yeah, yeah. Doom and gloom. I get it. You know, you're actually very in character for your look right now." Asmodeus dragged Satan down to the living room where you were supposed to be having a game night with the others. "Oh MC~ I've got a lovely gift for you~" He pushed Satan into the middle of the room and dramatically gestured to him. Only you weren't in the living room. Everyone else was, and they thought this was priceless. Laughter filled the room as the brothers doubled over at the sight of Satan scowling in his bad boy outfit. "Y-You, your look finally matches your sin! Holy fuck!" Mammon howled as he struggled to breathe through his laughter. Belphegor nodded and pointed to Mammon as he cackled. "It's like someone just rained on your black parade! You look like you're about to go kick a bunch of puppies!" Levi snorted and lifted up his phone to take a picture, "This is definitely going on Devilgram." Satan growled and took a threatening step towards Levi. Lucifer chuckled and wiped a tear from under his eye. "Calm down now. We wouldn't you to ruin your eyeliner." The laughter doubled in volume as Satan shouted at Lucifer to shut up. Even Beel was laughing along. "Alright, guys I'm ba-" Everyone went quiet as you entered the room holding a tray of cookies. You froze and stared at Satan with wide eyes and your jaw dropped, a slight blush on your cheeks. "S-Satan you look-" A low snarl came from him as he avoided eye contact with you. "Spare me your pretences and just get to the laughing bit. I've had enough of this." "No!" You squeaked out, causing everyone to stare at you. Your face was quite clearly flushed as you sputtered bashfully. "I-I mean, I wouldn't laugh. You look hot! I-I-I mean good! You look good. Very good indeed," you chuckled nervously and averted your eyes. "Oh Diavolo kill me now," you whispered to yourself.

Asmodeus smiled victoriously while the others gaped at you in shock. Satan merely smirked and walked closer to you. "Oh? Do you enjoy my appearance MC?" More flustered noises came from your mouth as you set down the tray. "I certainly don't not like it. It's j-just a good look for you, th-that's all."

Levi looked between the two of you confused. "Wha- MC! He looks like bullies in every high school anime that we've ever watched!" Satan noted with amusement that you seemed to glance at him with even more interest now. "You mean the ones that tease the protagonist, have a soft side, and nine times out ten builds into an enemies-to-lovers plot with an incredible redemption arc? I'm aware," there was an adorable bashful tone to your voice that made Satan smile wider. He approached you and took your hand into his own. "Then perhaps I should let you get to know my soft side more? Would you care to join me over some tea and light reading library?" he lowered his tone into a seductive husky rumble. "I have a thousand poems that have reminded me of you, which I would love to share." The brothers watched in horror as you became even more of a flustered mess and nodded eagerly. "Eh?! But it's game night MC!" Mammon quickly piped in, throwing in a pair of puppy dog eyes for good measure. You barely glanced in his direction. "Lucifer had just beat me out of the round anyway. You guys enjoy the cookies, I'm going to catch up with Satan." The fourth born led you by the hand as he looked back and smirked at the others. "Enjoy your game night, and thanks for the help Asmo." Silence filled the room after you two left.

"Damn. That worked better than intended," Asmo stated with slight envy on his tongue. Mammon glared at him. "Ya had to give him a make-over and make him look like a hunk, didn't ya?" Lucifer leaned back watching the door. "It's unfortunate. Though perhaps not an entirely negative thing. We can learn something from this," everyone looked at Lucifer curiously. For the next two weeks, the House of Lamentation was full of leather jackets and eyeliner.

*** This was so fun to write. I hope you guys enjoyed it 😊***

[sageinacage]

lee!charlie and ler!quackity, that is all,, since charlie doesnt know much, quackity teaches him what tickling is and charlie is just enjoying it sm

Discovery (creative title ik /s) summary: charlie doesn't know what tickling is, and quackity is more than happy to teach his friend about it. a/n: lee charlie slimecicle my beloved. *holds him gently* warnings: i think like one swear word LOL w/c: 1.6k DSMP, Platonic

~

“Quahackity s- stoHOHOP IHIT!” Purpled wailed, kicking his legs out behind Quackity who was on top of him, his fingers relentlessly scribbling into a sweet spot right beneath Purpled’s ribs. “But I’m having so much fun, Purpled! We’re just getting started.” Quackity sneered, cooing as his ‘victim’s’ laughter grew an octave as his nails skittered against the sides of his stomach.

“Noho we ahaharen’t- NONOHOHO Q- QUACKIHIHITHIHIHIY!” The boy screeched when a long raspberry was placed over his waist, small raspberries then peppering across his belly to reach his other side.

“You’re more ticklish than I remembered! Huh, this is good news- well, for me at least.” Quackity snickered as he watched his friend trash under him and smiled to himself as high-pitched cackles tore through the room.

In the room next door, a fellow named Charlie was deep in thought studying the new machine Sam built in the Casino. It would be a lot easier to think if he didn’t hear bloody murder in the room next door, though. “What is all of that about? Is someone in trouble?” He spoke to himself, peeking out in the hallway to make sure the coast was clear.

The worried boy glanced inside the room he heard all the yelling from, only to see his two friends... wrestling? “Are you okay?” He called out, Purpled about to yell for help before Quackity drilled his fingers into the sides of his belly. “Yeah, all good in here, bud!” The one clad in a dark beanie grinned widely. The slime hybrid nodded; as curious as he was to what they were both doing, he went back to trying out the new machines Sam had worked hard on.

Eventually, the laughter and yelling died down and Las Nevadas went back to calm (well, as calm as it gets). Charlie was still curious and seeking answers to what Quackity was doing to Purpled, as it looked quite fun as he learned quickly that laughter is a positive thing friends do together.

He walked around, peeking in each room he came across until he stepped in front of the door of Quackity’s office. Charlie knocked on the door, smiling as he heard his best friend inside. “Can I come in, Quackity?” He asked sweetly, excited to see his friend. “Of course, come in!” Quackity smiled fondly, permitting him.

The door flung open, the boy running to Quackity to pull him into a hug. “Alright, alright.” Quackity laughed, unfolding Charlie’s arms that were tight around him. “Okay, I’ve been thinking. Very hard, in fact. What were you and Purpled doing earlier?” Charlie asked straight to the point, pushing his glasses up that was a bit tilted from the tight hug.

“I was giving him a piece of my mind for trying to cheat against me in a game of cards.” Quackity chuckled softly, organizing more papers on his desk. “Cheat?! That’s no good!” Charlie put his hands on his hips, tilting his head down to look at his friend. “And that’s exactly why I tickled him.” He smiled up at Charlie.

“Tickled?” He asked, putting a finger to his chin. “You don’t know what tickling is? Ohoho…” Quackity devilishly giggled, then cleared his throat. “I mean- I can show you, but at your own risk.” He offered, the slime hybrid immediately shaking his head excitedly. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you though! Alright, can you lay down over there for me? It’ll make it easier.” Quackity motioned towards the couch in his office.

Charlie obliged, practically skipping towards the soft couch and laying down. “This should be fun.” Quackity thought out loud, before going over to Charlie. In all honesty, Quackity is expecting Charlie to either not be ticklish because hell, can a slime even be ticklish? Or just dip out immediately, because that’s what most people do when tickled.

“Reeeady?” Quackity drew out, wiggling his fingers over Charlie’s sides. The confused boy nodded, moving his hands out of the way. Right as his fingers made contact with Charlie’s sides, he immediately squealed and laughed out. Though, as he squirmed out of instinct, he never tried to squirm away.

“Ah, so you are ticklish!” He exclaimed, his fingers drumming against Charlie’s upper ribs. “Ihit- *hic* feheheels fuhuhunny!” Light-hearted laughter poured out of the hybrid, the sensation new but it honestly felt nice.

“Yeah? I bet it does. How does this feel, though?” The casino owner sniggered evilly as he fluttered his nails down his ribs, then tracing into his waist. “Feheheels nihihice…” Charlie’s sugar-sweet giggles filled up the room. Quackity paused, sitting up with an eyebrow raised.

Charlie stumbled on his words, stuttering nervously. “I- Is thahat a bahad thing?” He panicked, still feeling the sensation of a few fingers continuously wiggling around his side. “No- no. It’s not, definitely not. It’s endearing if you ask me.” Quackity smiled down at his friend, putting his other hand to use and gently squeezing his hip. Happy laughs emitted from Charlie again, untensing his body as he enjoyed himself.

“Charlie- I do have one question, though.”

“Whahahat is ihihit?”

“How many ribs do you have? Y’know, as a good friend I need to make sure that you have all of them.”

“I dohohon’t k- knohohow?” Charlie giggled as Quackity playfully clicked his tongue and shook his head, properly straddling him. “I’m gonna count them then, alright? If you dare push me away then I’ll have to start alllll over, got it?” For emphasis, Quackity dragged his nails down all of his ribs and wiggled them along Charlie’s lower ribs.

Charlie nodded, his laughter growing as excitement overtook him. Quackity internally ‘awwed’ at the sight, but not letting himself get all soft as he massaged his fingers into Charlie’s lowest ribs. “QuahAHACKITY!” The hybrid’s laughter grew as his friend’s hands slowly rose to his ribcage, starting to feel more and more sensitive.

“Charlie!” Quackity playfully retorted, looking up at Charlie’s face then cooing at the sight. Charlie’s cheeks were bright green, and his hair was messy and disheveled, while his glasses were crooked on his face and tipping off his nose. He was adorable, to say the least.

“N’awww, is somebody having fun?” Quackity teased, a smirk growing on his face. “Does somebody love the tickles? This is so much fun!” Charlie swore he felt something flutter in his stomach. Is that what butterflies were that everyone talks about? The name matches, that’s for sure.

Wanting to be honest to his best friend, Charlie nodded as his face grew an even brighter hue. “I’m so glad, I could honestly listen to your laugh forever, y’know.” Quackity chuckled as his fingers finally reached near the top of Charlie’s ribs. His laughter grew hiccupy and squeaky, a sweet spot being hit.

“It’s sohoho… hahahAHAPPY!” Charlie squealed as fingers continued to vibrate into his top ribs. “Happy?” Quackity asked, tilting his head. This boy was going to be the death of him, Quackity decided. “YEHEHAH! HAHAP- *snort* HAHAPPY!” Charlie nodded, smiling with content.

This went on for a bit until Quackity thought that Charlie deserved some sort of ‘Grand Finale’. “I think I know someone that wants to meet you, Charlie.” Quackity tittered, his smile growing. “A nehehew friehend?” He smiled excitedly when Quackity nodded. “Yep! It is I, the tickle monster!” Quackity said in a booming voice, wiggling claw hands at Charlie.

“Wh- where’s Quahackity?!” Charlie’s eyes widened, staring at who is now apparently the ‘tickle monster’. “Whahat did you doho to my friend?!” He panicked, Quackity unable to keep up the act as he burst out laughing. “Don’t worry Charlie, it’s me! I was Quackity the whole time!” He giggled, smiling at the relaxed sigh from Charlie. “You scared me, friend!” He exclaimed.

“I’m so sorry, let me make it up to you.” Quackity smiled, sneaking his hands up Charlie’s t-shirt to dance his fingers along his belly. Charlie couldn’t stay grumpy for long as his adorable giggles started up again, filling the room with the feeling of fondness and happiness.

“Hey Charlie, out of curiosity- do you know what a raspberry is by any chance?” Quackity asked, pausing his fingers. “N- Nohoho? I dohon’t think soho!” He tilted his head like a curious puppy, making the other chuckle to himself. “Alright, prepare yourself then.” Quackity laughed before leaning his head down, earning a confused look from Charlie.

Before Charlie knew it, a raspberry was blown right in the center of his belly, the vibrations from it shooting through every nerve in his body. “QUAHAHAHACKITY!” Charlie convulsed, his back involuntarily arching in surprise. He felt Quackity smile into his stomach before blowing yet another raspberry. Another shriek escaped the hybrid, gently pushing at the tickler’s head.

“Quackity are yo- oh. Alright.” Purpled paused in the doorway, his antennae drooping down a bit in surprise at the sight, and sound in that fact. “Oh, came back for round two, bud?” Quackity raised an eyebrow at the boy in the purple hoodie, his antennae immediately flicking up. “No, I am not doing a stupid round two, you ass. I came for revenge, obviously!” He sassed, crossing his arms.

“Alright Charlie, how about I teach you how to tickle someone, yeah? Seems like fun?” Quackity urged, smiling at the slime hybrid. “I get to make my other friend laugh? Yes! Teach me, Quackity!” He excitedly sat up and approached the alien, who decided to bolt.

“Alright! Step one: the chase. Pretty straightforward. Let’s catch him!”

[the-hellhounds]

Haechan’s Whereabouts (Update)

With a stone cold look on his once happy-go-lucky face, Haechan makes his way to hell. Having opened the gates that only hellhounds were welcomed. Cerberus stands from its position next to the gates, a nod given to Haechan who walks with his body aflame. He is in his hellhound form. "Mutt." He nods to the three-headed dog.

Following the path that he had come to known, his hound having lived down there for an eternity. Fire coming up from the ground, smoke being left behind each step he took. Demons of all kinds turned to look at the hellhound who makes his way growling and clawing at the souls who try to pull him away from his path.

"Fuck off. Go suck Cerberus dick or find someone to steal their soul." He snapped at one of the demons who tried to place their hand on his flaming chest.

The demon immediately cried, his hand getting burnt as they moved aside to cradle it to their chest. "You will cave in, Lee Donghyuck. All of those sins of yours will be your downfall."

He scoffs at the demon, pushing him aside. "Yeah? And you can suck my cock. Now get the fuck out of my way before I actually burn you into ashes this time."

Continuing his journey to where Raiden was in the depths of hell. He comes across one of Hades' precious antiques. A sinister grin takes over his features at the thought of breaking another one of his antiques.

"Don't." A deep booming voice comes from within the eighth circle of hell. In between the Evil Counsellors and Sowers of Discord.

Upon going to open his mouth to say something, a harsh leather-like whip is wound around his neck. His hands flying up to tug at it with fear of who it was.

"You thought that you could come save that incubus only because he brought you pleasure and let you take your frustrations out?" Hades let out a boisterous laugh, the centaurs and minotaurs laughing along like the good pets they were for him. "You just don't learn, do you Hyuck? First the serial killer, then a possessive omega? What is next? The incubus?" He snorts listing off his lovers. "What about the new lion hybrid? Looks so similar to your first mate. Oh and what about the ones who are princess'? You're becoming a collector like me~"

"You son of a bitch!" Haechan growled.

"Son of a bitch? Oh don't flatter me, pup. Don't forget where you got your hound from and who let you live that day. If it wasn't for Cerberus finding you and giving you that bite." Hades advanced towards him, his face set in a deep dark stare to the hound. "You would be here rotting away and screaming for your freedom." He turns to look at one of the horned devils that held the whip to Haechan's throat. "Such a shame that little Minjun won't see his father for a long time." He tsks shaking his head, that evil grin still on his lips. "Neither will your lovers."

"Minjun..." Haechan started to panic, his eyes searching for a way to get out. He knew he was in deep shit now for having gone to look for that incubus. To try and save someone special to him. "You can't do this! We had a deal!"

"The deal has been terminated from the moment you stepped back in here without a body and soul for me." He whisks his hand for the horned demon to start dragging the hellhound to his fate.

"No!"

"I'll tell Lucifer you came to say hello. Too bad that the incubus isn't here anymore. You could have been a hero like Hercules." Hades cackled loudly. Scorching fire spitting out from the ground as if it were lava. The demons, centaurs and minotaur laughing along with him as they watched the hellhound kick and scream while he was dragged away. A heavy stone door closing once Haechan's screams couldn't be heard anymore. His fate now sealed in blazing fire.

ꔰꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꗥꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔹꔰ

[aslitheryprinx]

Ok so here’s a mcyt G/t idea! a character (maybe Wilbur) either on purpose or unconsciously putting their tiny friend in their inventory (game mechanics wooo!) …small drabble mayhaps 👉👈

I love this so much!!!! :D

Thank you for this prompt, it was really fun to write!

_____

Hide 'n Sleep

_____

Wilbur tiptoed around the house, trying and failing to keep the smirk off his face. He'd woken up to hear his family and friends chattering in another room. He tended to sleep longer in the winter, although he didn't hibernate like some other giants did. When he heard Tommy complaining about the cold, he had a devious idea.

He snuck towards the living room, making as little noise as someone his size could. When he peeked around the corner, glancing into the room that was raised to about his chest level, he put a finger to his lips. Luckily only Phil and Niki were turned in his direction, and though their lips quirked in amusement, they remained silent.

He saw Techno's ear twitch and thought his brother might know he was there. But that was fine; his target was a different little brother.

Tommy was in the middle of a story. He hadn't caught the beginning, but it was something about Tubbo and a ridiculous number of flowers. Mid-laugh, Wilbur struck. He darted out his hands, scooping his little brother off his feet, and the laugh changed to a scream.

Tubbo and Ranboo both jumped, just now realizing he was there, but the others laughed.

"Hi, Toms," Wilbur said, amusement lacing his voice.

"Wil, don't you dare," Tommy started, but Wilbur was already opening his inventory. He dropped his little brother inside, giggling at Tommy's protests.

"You dickhead, you put me in a cold one!" Tommy whined. Wilbur felt him crawling over the walls to one of the slots that was stocked with blankets. He turned his focus to the rest of his family and his friends. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Who's next?" he purred. He noticed Niki had already slipped away; she'd probably gone to hide somewhere as he was putting Tommy away. Phil laughed once, then jumped off the platform the living room was on, spreading his wings and soaring away. He'd be a pain in the ass to catch.

Wilbur's gaze slipped to the two teenagers. Tubbo let out a noise that was a half scream half laugh, launching himself onto Ranboo.

"Go, go, go!" He shrieked, clinging onto the taller teen. The ender hybrid was giggling, but managed to teleport them both away. Wilbur snorted and his gaze fell on the last person in the room. Techno looked back at him with an unimpressed expression.

"Technoblade~" Wilbur sang teasingly. "Are you gonna be the second person caught?"

"I've been betrayed," Techno deadpanned, making no move to run. "I'll accept my terrible fate."

"Come on," Wilbur whined. "You're not gonna play along?"

"Don't judge me, I'm cold," Techno said. Wilbur huffed and picked up his other brother.

"You know, running warms you up," Wilbur pointed out. Techno shrugs.

"So do brothers with magical pocket dimensions," Techno said. Wilbur rolled his eyes and dropped Techno into the same slot as Tommy had claimed. He smiled at their light bickering as he started his search for the rest of the tinies.

If Niki didn't want to be found, he wouldn't find her. She would probably be impossible to catch until she was one of the last left, so Wilbur didn't bother trying to look for her. Normally he'd go after Tubbo first, but if he was teaming up with Ranboo, Wilbur would likely have to wait until the ender hybrid tired out and couldn't teleport. That left Phil.

If Phil was flying around, he was just as hard to catch as Ranboo's teleportation. But Wilbur had a feeling he'd hidden this time. While Phil was a decent hider, he would often laugh and give himself away. Wilbur walked slowly around the house, keeping his eyes and ears peeled for any clues.

He heard a small wheeze of laughter, and his head turned to one of the cabinets sized for him. He grinned and opened the door, finding Phil crouched. To his surprise, his dad instantly launched upwards. He'd been waiting!

Wilbur automatically reached out to grab Phil. He didn't expect to actually catch him, but Phil was apparently going easy on him. He relaxed in Wilbur's grip giving a quick "hi, mate," before Wil slipped him into his inventory.

He began circling the house, keeping his eyes out for movement. Of course Ranboo and Tubbo could be hiding, but he doubted they would if they were teleporting around. It was much more fun to do one or the other.

He passed by an open area, only half paying attention, when he heard a small vroop. He snapped to attention, looking for the source of the sound. There were a few purple particles floating on the desk to his left. He must have just walked by them.

He started scanning the area, knowing Ranboo could only go so far. There was another, very faint noise, and he pretended not to hear. His friends always forgot how good his hearing was. He made his way closer, careful not to even look at the place he'd heard the ender hybrid. Then, when he was in arms reach, he lunged.

His hands closed around Ranboo, who yelped. He teleported away instinctually, coming back a moment later since that counted as a Wilbur win.

"What? Where's Tubbo?" Wilbur asked, holding the lone teen in his cupped hands. Ranboo shrugged, but there was mischief in his eyes. Wilbur was about to put him in his inventory, when he heard a small yell, and something hit his head. He froze, shocked, as he felt Tubbo crawling around on his head.

"Run, Boo! This is a rescue mission!" Tubbo cried, and suddenly Ranboo was gone again, leaving little purple particles in Wilbur's hands. The giant reached up and plucked Tubbo out of his hair.

"You little shits!" He said fondly as Tubbo cackled. The goat hybrid flipped him off as he was dropped into an empty inventory slot. Wilbur felt him crawling around, probably looking for Tommy's slot.

He focused on catching Ranboo, who was still in view, but out of reach. He narrowed his eyes; the teen looked way too smug. Wilbur walked forward, and just as he thought, the second he got in arms reach Ranboo teleported just out of reach.

Ranboo led him on a chase through the whole house, never teleporting completely out of sight. Wilbur got very close to catching him before he teleported a couple of times, but it wasn't until Ranboo sat down on the bookshelf he'd teleported to, yawning, that Wilbur caught him.

Wilbur gently scooped him up, and Ranboo flopped over in his hands.

"Did you tire yourself out?" Wilbur asked with a grin. Ranboo nodded sleepily, and the giant snorted. He'd lasted longer than he normally did; that had been a couple dozen teleports. He slipped Ranboo into one of the blanket padded slots, and the ended hybrid instantly fell asleep.

That just left Niki. Right on time, he heard the tiny thunk of something being knocked over. Wilbur would never find Niki if not for her little hints. Like the rest of his friends and family, she went easy on him, always intending to let him catch her in the end.

He walked to the source of the noise, calling his friend's name in a sing-song voice. Niki giggled, but unlike with Phil, Wilbur couldn't pinpoint her location from the sound.

He started opening cabinets and drawers, looking behind items to see if he could spot her. Finally, a small motion drew him to a specific drawer and he opened it. He frowned as he looked inside, still not seeing Niki. Had it been a diversion?

"You don't see me, Wilbur?" His friend teased, and he jumped, suddenly seeing where Niki had been. She'd slipped behind a tape dispenser, and Wilbur had somehow completely missed seeing her.

"I do now," he laughed, holding out a hand. She nimbly hopped on, and he slipped her into his inventory.

Wilbur couldn't help but purr happily at the feeling of all of the people he cared about safely tucked away into his inventory slots. Nothing could hurt them there; he loved protecting his family. Niki, Tubbo and Ranboo weren't technically related to him, but they were as good as family to him.

The cold caught up to Wilbur, and he yawned.

Niki and Phil were in one slot, idly chatting. Tommy and Tubbo had curled up together, and were cuddled against Techno, who was probably pretending he hated it. Ranboo was fast asleep in his own slot, nestled in blankets.

And Wilbur slipped back into bed, eyes drooping. Content from the feeling of the people he loved so close, he drifted back to sleep.

[doodler-jpeg]

Life [Wilbur Soot/Fundy]

BOOOM HI HELLO HOW ARE YOU UH UM SO I WAS INSPIRED WHILE I WAS BORED AND THEN THIS IS HOW THIS ONESHOT CAME TO BE. ITS NOT GOOD, BUT ITS DECENT. You’re gonna be taking Sally’s place so, uh, I’m sorry, Sally, you’re just another salmon. Still love you though  THIS TOOK SO LONG TO MAKE DEAR GOD ITS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR LIKE A MONTH LMAO

ALSO, KEEP IN MIND THIS IS C!WILBUR/SMP!WILBUR

⚠️CUSSING, AFAB READER, PREGNANCY, THIS IS A REALLY LONG ONE SHOT OH MY GOD, PLATONIC FUNDY RELATIONSHIP SO YEAH⚠️

Pronouns: she/her or they/them [you’re referred to as wife, mom,, that stuff, but you can change those if you want]

You hummed as you strained out your clothing beside the river near your home. A smile graced your face, [Eye Colour] eyes glinting happily in the warm sunlight of that fine summer day. Autumn would soon turn the land into a seemingly barren wasteland, though, so you decided to savor every last bit of happiness the hot days brought you. 

Hanging the large amount of clothing upon thin clothing lines, you dumped out your bucket and made sure nothing got in the lake. Walking back inside of your home, you set the buckets in the corner of the cozy cottage and walked back outside. Your brown boots thudded quietly against the cobblestone path that lead into the woods around your home that would eventually be covered in snow.

A sudden childish giggle made you turn to the fields that were a ways away from your house, right in front of the sparsely scattered trees to the right of your little house. You furrowed your brows in confusion as a blur of yellow, white, and red rushed over to you.

“Hello there.” You couldn’t help but stare as the child looked up at you silently. “What are you doing here, little one?” He only blushed, his face flushing a vivid red before he ran off. You shrugged and continued your trek into the forest.

//

You watched as flakes of snow fell delicately onto the muted green coloured grass, bundled tightly in a burrito of quilts that you and your mother has made together. You shuffled slightly from your position on your warm bed, closing your eyes as you waited for sleep to consume you.

It seemed life had other plans, though, as a faint light came toward your home, edging closer and closer until you could make out a figure, their clothing a great contrast to the paw snow. They were shivering visibly, clutching their arms as their lantern shook in their hand.

You frowned as you peeled your blankets off of you, pulling your boots on quickly. Grabbing a lantern cage, you lit the candle inside of it and hurried outside, feeling nervous as the figure hurried over to you.

Soon enough, they were standing in front of you, a miserable look on their face, their eyes red and puffy as their teeth chattered together.

“Come inside,” you didn’t care for introductions or your safety. This person seemed nice. “I’ll start a fire. Uh- there should be a few blankets on the sofa. Would you like anything to drink? Warm milk, tea? I’m not gonna offer coffee because it’s late, so I’m sorry about that.”

“Just water, please,” they croaked out. “I’m sorry for the intrusion. I was headed off in search of territory to claim. Turns out I chose the wrong day. God, it’s cold.” You let out a quiet laugh as you carefully tossed some wood into your fireplace, lighting the material on fire. Almost immediately, the flames grew and you sat up, placing your flint and steel on the fireplace mantle.

“I’ll go get you your water. Go warm up.” You urged before you walked into the kitchen to get the brunet some water.

//

““And then Tommy ran off!” Wilbur howled with laughter as he told the story of how he managed to lose his father in the forest close to his family home. ““Phil was looking for us for hours!” You smiled at the story as you carefully sewed up your friend’s heavy coat, making sure the patches were relatively the same colour as the rest of the jacket.

“You never really tell me about your family, so why are you telling stories now?” You commented, threading the needle in your hand through the fabric and back out of it, pulling the thread tightly. You snipped it with your scissors, placing the needle down to look for any other holes as Wilbur flushed a bright red.

“W-well— one day, I want you to meet my family, so- this sounds so fucking stupid. Never mind, forget about it.” He covered his face in his hands as you bummed, picking up a patch and laying it out on the brown fabric.

“What you’re saying is that you would introduce me to your family because you like me that much, huh?” No answer came from Wilbur, though he did let out a flustered groan as you chortled.

//

You placed a kiss upon your new boyfriend’s cheek, causing the brunet to laugh as he shrunk away from your lips

“Stop it,” you only grinned at the man, kissing various areas of his face in retaliation. Wilbur laughed harder, pushing you away gently as his face scrunched. ““It tickles!”

You grabbed his face in your hands and he looked into your eyes for a moment before you began attacking his face with kisses. When you pulled back for a break, Wilbur copied your actions from earlier and rubbed his thumb across your cheeks with a smile. He leaned his forehead on yours and let out a breathy sigh, closing his eyes as he basked in the moment.

“I love you so fucking much, [Y/N].”

//

““Dont be scared, darling,” Wilbur mused as he gently rubbed his thumb in circles on the back of your hand, lightly squeezing every few rotations. “Techno’s made sure to keep any weapons away and Tommy might be a little less wreckless. I’ll make sure to tell them during dinner.” You nodded uncertainly, playing nervously with the bracelet Wilbur had made you way back when the two of you first started as friends.

Wilbur rapped his knuckles on the door, his other hand never once letting go of yours as the two of you waited. A bit of shouting was heard through the door, slightly muffled, though it was evident that it was coming closer.

The door was flung open by a blond boy, his blue eyes shooting us to meet Wil’s not even a second after he opened the door. A grin was on the boys face as he turned and shouted for Phil [who Wilbur had told you was his father]. Soon enough, a blond man with a bucket hat trodden over, frowning at Tommy.

“Listen, motherfucker, you may be living here, but I’m not gonna fucking let you live if you keep fuckin shoutin.” You froze nervously and glanced over at your boyfriend. He just sent a small, awkward smile onto reassure you before he turned to look down at the two.

“Are you really gonna argue in front of my wife?” Wilbur piped in, feeling himself become giddy as Tommy and Phil shot their heads over to look at you.

“You brought a girl over?!” Tommy yelled in surprise as he stumbled back, eyes wide as he observed your movements skeptically.

“Wil? Can you come over here real quick? I just need to talk to you.” Phil forced a smile as he grabbed the taller man’s ear and yoinked him over to a different room, leaving Tommy and you alone.

“Hi,” you smiled nervously, raising a hand in a half assed wave.

“Do you happen to be American?” The blond asked, leaning his face over to stare at you.

“I mean- I’m a water nymph. I don’t really know if that counts because we usually just have different accents, but we never take into account where anyone’s from.” You laughed, scratching your cheek.

“Well where are you from?” Tommy urged, crossing his arms.

“To be specific, I came from the North Sea right by the Netherlands. I don’t really think that’s important though.” You shrugged.

“So you’re Dutch? Speak it.”

“Im not necessarily Dutch, I was just born in the North Sea, Tommy- I think you’re a Tommy. You seem like a Tommy.” You cleared up, ““The only reason I learned English was to communicate with certain humans.”

“Okay.” The boy sighed, shoulders slumping forward as you let out an amused chortle, “I’ll leave you alone. For now.” Tommy backed up, turning into a room while a big, burly pig person ducked under the doorway, a large sword in hand and an uninterested expression on his face. As he turned to the door, he spotted you and his eyes widened momentarily before going back to their half lidded position.

“Who’re you? Phil didn’t- oh. Oh, today was that day. Oh my god, how could I forget it?” The hybrid smacked his forehead harshly, ““I’m so sorry.”

You laughed, waving your hand dismissively as the pig moved to the side to let you in. You carefully stepped into the warm house and the tall hybrid closed the door behind you.

“Dinner’s nearly done, so you can go sit down in the living room. If you need anything, Phil has ears all over the place. Just look at those crows.” Techno motioned over to the few crows that perched themselves on the window, letting out quiet caws. You waved at the birds and they flapped their wings in response.

“They seem nice.”

//

You sat next to your husband, hand intertwined with his as Phil smiled over at the two of you.

“So, anything new happening with you two?” The blond man inquired, placing his hands on the table. 

““I mean,” Wilbur laughed, turning over to look at you. “Would you like to tell them, dear?” You nodded, a grin on your face as you sat as straight as you could.

“I’m pregnant,” you said, your voice surprisingly calm. Tommy let out a shocked ‘‘what the fuck??’, while Techno choked on his food, slamming a fist onto his chest.

Phil was quiet, eyes wide in shock as he took in the information.

“Pregnant? With Wilbur’s kid?” You nodded, swinging Wilbur’s hand as Tommy cheered.

“Im gonna be a fuckin uncle! Yeah! I’ll be the best damn uncle ever!” He cackled, leaning back as Techno snorted.

““Can I teach them PvP?” You and your husband glanced over at each other before shaking your head.

“Maybe when they’re old enough to know what they’re doing.”

//

““Hello, my precious baby,” you cooed gently, holding the newborn as they let out a quiet sigh. ““My baby. You look just like your father.” A warm but tired smile was on your face as your baby opened their eyes, brown meeting [Eye Colour].

“Love, is the baby okay? Is she doing alright?” Wilbur called nervously through the door, to which you laughed.

“Yes, they’re doing great,” placing a gentle kiss on the baby’s nose, they brought a hand up and lightly tapped their nose.

//

““Fundy! Come here!” You cheered, reaching your arms out to the toddler. They giggled, waddling over to you. Their scab covered knees were littered with bandages and the red overalls they wore were much unlike what Wilburs would have wanted your child to wear, but it was your kid! They deserved the best!

““My precious baby,” you placed a kiss on their cheek, causing the brown haired child to giggle and wipe the kiss from their cheek. You grinned, littering their face in kisses as they squirmed, ““My little champion!”

“Yah! Cham-champion!” They babbled, bringing up a finger to chew on as you set them down and smoothed out your dress. 

““Alright, sweetheart, papa will be here soon, so make sure to tell him what you want to tell him, alright?” Your boy nodded, a goofy grin on his face as he reached over to one of the toys you had brought.

//

You cradled your son’s head as he sobbed, shaking his head in denial as to what had just happened.

“He-he’s gone, mama!” He choked out, wrapping his arms around you tightly. His tears stained your shirt, though the feeling didn’t bother you as you rocked your son back and forth, combing your fingers through his hair.

“Fundy, it’s okay,” you cooed, ““He doesn’t have to live with all the mistakes he made in the past anymore. Who knows, maybe he’ll come back?” 

““But what if he doesn’t? That was his last life and- and it’s gone! My dad’s gone!” Letting out a pained wail, he continued to sob. And you let him.

He had gone through so much.

//

““Who the hell are you and what are you doing around my son?” You sneered, standing in front of your son as the transparent figure stared at you curiously.

“You don’t remember me?” They asked, voice echoing as they tilted your head. “I- [Y/N], it’s me! Your husband! I- I am your husband, right?”

“My husband didn’t push away his son and focus on a failed country more than his own fucking family.” You loaded your crossbow, aiming it at the ghost. ““You didn’t come to his birthday parties, didn’t get him anything, you barely paid attention to him when your country was in the spotlight! You’re no husband to me.”

“Mama-” Fundy gulped nervously, ““Mama, please.”

“You know what, whoever the fuck you are? You’re no damn husband to me and you never will be. Now leave me and my son alone, for fuck’s sake.”

The ghost was silent as you turned, leading the man beside you toward the house at the top of the hill, though a small smile made its way onto his face.

“She’s the one I married?” He murmured, moving his hand to where his heart was, “Was she really the love of my life?”

[platypanthewriter]

The Devil Looks After His Own Ch.4

Chapters One | Two | Three

Little Steve Harrington is so lonely he tries summoning a demon with a ritual advertised on TV–but luckily, it doesn’t work, and a  buff, non-human nanny hired by his mom shows up minutes later.  Years  later, they’re best friends, and Steve still doesn’t know the truth.   For @magniloquent-raven​!

Since Steve’s mom and dad had basically stopped doing anything around the house, Steve helped Billy with things like scrubbing the bathroom, and doing laundry, and vacuuming. They listened to music very loud if Steve’s dad wasn’t working, and if he was, they played charades with each other as they worked. That meant Steve sometimes got the parmesan cheese when he wanted the Ajax cleanser, and Billy got Steve yelling and climbing up the furniture, looking for a huge cockroach rat hybrid, when all he wanted Steve to do was move so he could pick up the rug, but it was pretty funny.

“They are paying you, right,” Steve asked one day, as he and Billy laid on the floor of his room, exhausted from scrubbing the entire kitchen after Billy accidentally boiled a pan of chili over the whole stove and proceeded to drop it on the kitchen floor. Steve’s stomach growled—it’d actually smelled pretty good, for something Billy cooked, and he rolled to bury his face in Billy’s shoulder, groaning.

“...I don’t have a lot of use for money,” Billy said thoughtfully. “They’re giving me some, though, yeah.”

“Let’s order pizza,” Steve moaned, stretching. “I mean, if—can you get the money? Do you know how?”

“I have a bank account,” Billy muttered, but from the red his ears had turned, Steve suspected it hadn’t been that easy, at first.

“...do you have a card?” Steve asked, holding his fingers up in a rectangle, and Billy rolled onto his side to tickle him.

“Yes, you little jerk, I have a debit card, and I can get us pizza,” he told Steve, as he giggled and kicked the air.

“You should use it to do things you want,” Steve told him, relaxing into the hug, once he smacked Billy enough times that the tickling stopped. “Buy—things. Things you want. Or—or go somewhere.”

“Where would I wanna go without you?” Billy asked him, laughing, and Steve’s face heated.

He snaked his arms around more of Billy, and squeezed him, sighing contentedly. “...we could go together,” he mumbled. “To—to the, um, like, the water park. Or somewhere. They have slides.”

“Oooo,” Billy said, but it felt like he was laughing.

“They’re really cool,” Steve huffed, and Billy noogied his head.

“What about, like...Disneyland,” he whispered, and Steve’s heart thudded in his chest. “Or like...Hawaii? Is that a thing kids like? Go snorkeling?”

“Holy shit,” Steve muttered, because it seemed like the situation deserved a swear. “C-can you pay for that?! That’s—that’s a plane ticket, Billy—”

“Two of them,” Billy said, and Steve nodded, his heart pounding with excitement, because vacations would be completely different with Billy—Billy wouldn’t leave Steve in the hotel room all day, or expect him to just sit on a bench for hours at the mall.

“I-if you, um, if you want,” he squeaked, and Billy rolled on top of him, squishing him, and being annoying, and saying things like ‘Oh no, gross, did I roll onto a bug?’ “Get off!” Steve yelled, kicking and laughing.

“Too tired,” Billy groaned. “I’m just gonna lay here on this gross bug.”

“I’m not a bug!” Steve yelled back, cackling helplessly, until Billy finally took mercy, scooped him up, and let Steve order pizza with anything he wanted.

It turned out kinda gross, actually, because Steve had ordered everything he hadn’t tried before, but they picked off the fruit and the weird fish.  The fried eggs and sunflower seeds were actually pretty good.

“I didn’t know you were such a good cook,” Billy told him, and Steve kicked his leg, snorting a laugh, as Billy flipped through channels.

He paused on a news show, the news person holding the microphone out to a being that was mostly fire and horns. “What do you think of this talk of requiring a license from both sides to summon demons?”

“It’s ridiculous,” said the guttural voice in flames, and Billy shivered, his face weirdly blank, like he got at the beginning, when Steve ordered him around. “Expecting my people to agree not to tear anyone’s face off, or steal their soul, when they’ve been summoned and enslaved for millenia? Don’t make me laugh.”

Steve slid his hand into Billy’s as the news person interrupted. “Well, it’s supposed to end that—”

“My own son has been missing for nearly a year,” said the harsh voice, and Billy trembled again, lowering his slice of pizza to the plate. “Are you suggesting I report the summoner to the authorities, instead of punishing them for my son’s captivity myself? How would a slap on the wrist help us more?”

“...fuck,” Billy whispered, rubbing his face, and Steve squeezed his hand.

“It stands to reason that if there was oversight on who could summon demons—” the news person persisted, but the fire demon slammed a flaming appendage against the table, and ey jerked back.

“I will burn them from the bones out until their skin cracks off in lumps of char,” said the demon, “—and then I will reclaim my son,” and then the TV clicked off, and Billy was sweating and shaking, tears welling up in his eyes.

Steve dropped his pizza on his plate, sat it aside, and stood up to hug Billy, petting his hair like he was the neighbor’s cat as Billy laughed and shuddered against him. “Billy,” Steve whispered. “Are you a demon?”

“You think I’m like him?” Billy gasped out, his fists tight in Steve’s shirt. “You see him and you—you’re like—that’s Billy,” he choked off, crying, and Steve petted his hair some more, biting his lips, and trying to figure it out.

Before Billy, he’d never thought of teenagers as being just another kind of kid—they’d always seemed basically like grownups—but he was wondering more and more whether teenagers were just children who could drive. Steve wasn’t sure how he felt about that idea, it sounded kind of...bad.

“Do—did you used to summon demons,” he asked, cautiously. “Is—is that why you—is that why you’re magic—is—is—do you know a demon,” he tried, wondering what could have made Billy cry.

“Doesn’t matter,” Billy mumbled, and Steve raised his eyebrows.

“It matters,” he said, but then he felt Billy start to pull away, and hugged him tighter. “But, um. You—you don’t have to...tell me. Okay?”

“...are you serious,” Billy whispered, and Steve nodded, running his fingers through Billy’s curls. Billy sighed, squeezing him back.

“If, um, if you don’t...want to talk about it,” Steve told him, “—um, you—you don’t have to...tell me.”

“...sorry,” Billy sighed. He sounded exhausted. “I just...it’s, um. It’s sort of...safer. If you don’t know.”

“Okay,” Steve told him, wondering. Billy was right, he thought—even if he did have horns, the Billy that swung him around in the air, played LEGO, and bought him weird pizza was nothing like the fire demon that had threatened the news person, which he thought he should probably tell Billy. “You’re not like that,” he said quickly. “He was scary. He wanted to be scary. He wanted to hurt somebody. He...I know you’re not like that. I didn’t—I didn’t mean you were like that.”

Billy nodded, sighing. “I don’t want to be like that.”

“Who would,” Steve wondered, making a face. “What a jerk.”

“...yeah,” Billy said, laughing softly.

“Do you...know him...somehow?” Steve couldn’t help asking. “Is—is that why you yelled at me about demons? When you first came?”

“Demons are dangerous,” Billy bit out, “—and they will kill you. Don’t you fucking dare try that summoning shit again—”

“I wasn’t going to,” Steve said, shaking his head, and trying not to smile, because Billy’d turned to glower at him, wiping his eyes. “I mean it, I won’t—”

“You better not,” Billy growled, his mouth quirking as he slid his hand along the back of the couch to tickle Steve’s side, and Steve yelped.

“I won’t! I won’t, I promise, I won’t!” he yelled, squawking and giggling, and Billy yanked him in close for a hug.

“You’ll get eaten,” Billy said quietly, frowning like he was still worried, and Steve flicked his earring.

“I won’t do it,” he said again. “I won’t. I promise.”

“...okay,” Billy sighed, resting his face against Steve’s hair.

It started to get hot and uncomfortable in Billy’s arms—he was squeezing really tight, and they were both sweaty from cleaning, and Steve was hungry— but he waited, petting Billy’s hair until he let go on his own.

“I promise not to kidnap anyone and get eaten,” Steve muttered into Billy’s curls, sighing, and Billy started snickering, and blew a raspberry on his neck with a loud farty noise. Steve’s dad stomped out of his office and yelled at them to be quiet, and they snuck the pizza into Steve’s room, and had a picnic on the floor.

A couple weeks later, Steve and Billy were leaving the LEGO store at the mall—Steve with his head stuffed with ideas and his hands on the Jungle Raider vehicle he’d finally picked up for his Ninjago set, Billy with the new bonsai tree set, because he and Steve had decided to add it to his house—when they heard screams. Steve was still looking at the cover of the box when he registered Billy shoving him behind Billy’s back, and a woman ran by yelling “Run, get out of here, there’s a man with a gun!”

Steve froze, clutching his Ninjago set, and Billy scooped him up, and frowned back atinto the LEGO store, and then down the corridor of the mall. More people were running by, and some of them were making phone calls, which was good, Steve thought dazedly. He should have thought of that, calling 911, like in a movie.

“Kiddo,” Billy said softly, “—those sets you gave me. They really mine?”

“There’s a man with a gun,” Steve said shakily. “Billy.”

“Yeah,” Billy said, sitting him back down. “And I don’t know where he is, or what’s going on, but if you—” he bit his lip, thinking.

“Billy, can you help?” Steve hissed, wide-eyed. “Don’t get hurt—”

“Pick a set to really never play with again,” Billy said, glancing back into the mall. “You have to—to throw it away, or break it, so nobody can use it again. Can you do that?”

“I can’t break it from here,” Steve whimpered, starting to panic. “I can’t—this one’s too small and dumb, isn’t it, it was only ten dollars—” he held up the Jungle Raider vehicle, his eyes blurring with tears.

“That would work,” Billy said. “You’ve never even gotten to play with it. You can’t just buy it again, though.”

“O-okay,” Steve said, nodding. He lowered it slowly towards the ground, and then jumped and dropped it as they heard a gunshot. He stomped on it a few times. There was a crunch, he flinched, and Billy yanked him into a quick hug, kissing his cheek, and then went all... pretty.

He grew, it seemed like, even from the tall horned man he’d been when he’d come to work naked that first day, and he had muscles everywhere, and Steve tried not to giggle nervously, because Billy was naked again, and Steve could see everything.

“Go hide behind the counter, or in the back, as far back and low as you can get,” Billy told him, and Steve nodded, grabbing Billy’s hands.

“Don’t get hurt, Billy,” he whispered, trying to let go, but he’d started to cry, and he couldn’t make his fingers let go of Billy’s.

Billy yanked free to squeeze him close, but they heard another scream, and Steve pushed him away and ran into the store, trying to cry quietly. He found the nice counter person hiding behind the counter, and yanked them into the back like Billy had said, then crouched with his arms over his head like in an earthquake because he didn’t know what else to do.

The counter person had a glittery they/them pin that caught the light from the front of the store as they panted, staring over his shoulder, and Steve watched it, remembering how genius he’d thought it was back when they first started working. One of the centaur twins in his class used ey/em like their art teacher did, but the other one used fae/faer, and they were identical palominos—and Steve had been so grateful when one of them started painting faer hooves and he could get it right.

He hoped he got to see them again. He hoped Billy got to see them again, and started to cry harder, thinking about Billy dead somewhere, full of bullets. The counter person yelped as Steve started to crawl away, asking him where he was going, but Steve couldn’t help it, he scrambled out of the store, and hid under a bench in the corridor, listening.

There were a bunch of gunshots, at least five, and Steve shuddered, covering his mouth so he didn’t make a noise, but then everything went quiet. He waited, tears dripping down his cheeks, until Billy stumbled back around the corner of the corridor, leaning heavily against the wall.

There was blood, smoking as it dripped over his jewelry. Steve scrambled out with a yell and ran to him, gathering him into a hug as Billy slid down the wall to curl up with his head in Steve’s lap. “I-I’ll call 911,” Steve sobbed, wiping his tears away to try and see, and Billy shushed him.

“S’fine,” he mumbled. “S’okay, mmm...m’fixin’ it. Need...need you…”

“What,” Steve asked him, petting his flamey hair, and patting his horns nervously.

“Talk to me,” Billy breathed, with a noise like he had snot or tears in his throat, and Steve realized it was probably blood, the blood soaking into his jeans from Billy’s chest.

Steve bit his lips together to keep from making a noise as his lungs jerked with sobs. “Y-you’re gonna be okay,” he whined unconvincingly, then yelped as he realized Billy was smoking a little all over, and he felt a little smoky, too soft under Steve’s fingers on his shoulder, and not nearly heavy enough leaning against him.

“Tell me about the picture, that first night,” Billy whispered. “How’d it go. Dis-distract me.” He reached out and ran his finger through his blood on the floor, drawing some of a circle, and Steve pulled Billy’s hand back.

“Don’t move,” Billy growled, pretty certain that made things worse. He drew what he could remember—the castle, and the horse—trying not to think about the sticky chill of Billy’s blood on his fingers. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and kept drawing, as Billy asked questions like ‘Wasn’t it in a circle?’ and ‘I thought there were symbols or something.’ Steve would have stopped, but it sounded like it was helping, as Billy got heavier.

His voice sounded stronger. “...what are you drawing?” he asked, sounding like he wanted to laugh, and Steve felt a strong temptation to do something annoying, like lick his ear.

“I don’t remember the symbols!” Steve hissed, guiltily, trying not to sob. “Hearts are good,” he sniffled. “I-it’s the Eu-Eurovision logo! And I love you.”

“...yeah,” Billy whispered, staring at the picture, as Steve added some clouds, trying not to think about how much of Billy’s blood there was on the ground to draw with. “...save me with the Eurovision logo, kiddo.”

Steve sniffled hard, wiping his nose again, and used his clean hand to stroke Billy’s hair at the base of his horns.

“Tell me why you drew that,” Billy whispered, and Steve hugged him, trying not to get snot in his pretty hair. “The—the first time. That first night.”

Steve could hear sirens. “W-wanted a friend,” he whispered, his lungs juddering so he kind of gasped it.

“Wanted me?” Billy asked, whispering, and Steve nodded, hugging him tighter, and drew another circle around the one Billy had started, and wrote some stuff in there, ‘I’ and a heart and ‘Billy’, and Billy snorted a laugh, relaxing into him. He felt more solid, less like Steve’s fingers were going to press through him, and Steve dropped a kiss on his shoulder, his tears coming even faster in relief. Billy’s wound was smoking still, but he pushed himself upright—as Steve waved his hands in panic—and took a deep, slow breath, and shrank a little back into grown-up nanny Billy, in a t-shirt and jeans, still clutching at his stomach. The blood on the ground was smoking away. Billy took another slow breath, closing his eyes, and the blood on his shirt smoked away too.

Steve reached over—gently—and tugged Billy’s shirt up to see smooth unbroken skin, and wondered whether it was real. “Is—is it gone? Or are you hiding it?” he asked, around the lump in his throat, and Billy leaned in to kiss his head.

“I’m okay,” he whispered, as the sounds of shouting got closer.

“How did you get hurt,” Steve asked, rubbing his eyes again as they spilled over. “You’re magic, how—how did you get hurt, Billy, you—you promised—”

“I didn’t promise I’d never get hurt,” Billy laughed, and Steve punched his shoulder, and Billy grunted, wincing.

Steve scrambled closer, patting at him more gently. “It’s still there,” he realized, crying harder. “You’re still hurt, Billy, you’re hurt— we have to go to the hospital—”

“No, no, kiddo,” Billy laughed, gritting his teeth. “I’ll be okay. I’m just...hungry.”

“How did you get hurt,” Steve breathed again, his brain stuck on the memory of blood on the floor, and on his fingers. He clenched them, clean now, but he could still feel the stickiness.

“Well, he was human,” Billy said slowly, trying to push himself to his feet, “—and I’m not, so I was trying not to hurt him.”

“He had a gun,” Steve squeaked, stumbling to his feet to try and help Billy heave himself to his feet. “He had a gun, Billy—”

“But he’s human,” Billy said softly, glancing up with the smile he put on when he didn’t want to smile. “Like you. I can’t go around hurting humans.”

“You can if they have a gun,” Steve growled, steadying Billy as he stood, finally, staggering.

“Naaah,” Billy said, hugging his head. “You might stop and think twice about being my friend, seeing me do something like that.”

“I would not,” Steve insisted, huffing. “Not if they’re shooting at you—”

As they walked out, around the EMTs and a man in cuffs, screaming about demons, Billy flinched. Steve turned on his heel to go yell, because Billy was nice, and pretty, and he’d gotten shot, but Billy grabbed him up around the waist and kept walking, telling everyone that stopped him that they hadn’t seen anything, and they were fine.

“I hope they put him in jail forever,” Steve muttered, squirming to get down, because he was starting to get why parents got mad when they were worried. He wanted to shake Billy for not understanding he was important. Steve couldn’t stop snapping at him, either, even when he tried to be nice, stopping for a milkshake on the way home—Billy asked what kind Steve wanted, and tried to suggest vanilla when Steve paused, and then Steve went and said strawberry, just to prove him wrong, and he didn’t even like strawberry. Billy’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he drove, and Steve tried not to cry over his gross strawberry milkshake, and the remembered feeling of Billy’s blood dripping between his fingers and soaking into his jeans.

“Okay, I’m gonna need you to keep quiet about this, okay?” Billy told him, and Steve laughed, wetly, because it wasn’t like he could tell anyone anyway. Steve’s parents would have questions if Steve told them Billy had been naked.

“I won’t tell,” Steve said thickly, and Billy grinned at him, like everything was fine.

It was weird, being really, really mad at Billy. Steve wasn’t used to being so angry at somebody he loved, and it spilled out, everywhere, at his parents, his teacher, at his friends—and particularly at Billy, who glared in confusion as Steve stomped past when he offered a hug, or ignored Billy saving him a seat in the cafeteria, or refused to eat the awful food Billy cooked for dinner.

It was worse that he couldn’t even tell anyone—there was nobody he trusted enough, except Billy. It seemed so obvious, now, that Billy could be hurt— everyone could, Steve told himself, and it had been stupid to think Billy couldn’t be hurt just because he could do magic.

He wanted to scream because Billy would hurt himself to save Steve, or that he almost died, and acted like that was normal, and he yelled into his pillow until he cried.

“Don’t be pissed,” Billy hissed, yanking Steve around the back of the gym during recess, after Steve had picked Tommy first for his soccer team. “You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know,” Steve muttered, his eyes stinging, because being angry all the time made him want to cry all the time, which made him angrier.

“You are fine,” Billy whispered, sighing, like Steve was being a brat.

Steve figured he probably was being a brat, if Billy thought so, and kind of wished he could just say thank you, but it stuck in his throat, and he shoved Billy away.

“I protected you, you’re fine, I’ll always protect you,” Billy groaned, like Steve was stupid, and Steve pushed him again.

“What about you,” he yelled back, too loud, and started to cry again. The shouting of three classes at recess pretty much drowned him out, but it was still embarrassing. “Y-you keep saying I’m fine, what about you?!”

“I’m fine too,” Billy told him, rolling his eyes. “I healed, I’m okay, Stevie.”

“Don’t call me Stevie,” Steve said, and Billy blinked, probably because Steve had always kind of liked having nicknames, just like normal kids.

“...Steve,” Billy corrected, watching his face, and Steve realized he’d given Billy an order, and felt worse.

“Y-you keep saying it’s fine and it’s not fine,” Steve shouted at him, and Billy frowned harder. “It’s not fine if you get hurt,” Steve tried to yell, but his throat closed, and he kind of choked it out.

“It’s okay if I’m helping you,” Billy said, smiling like Steve was being funny, and Steve wanted to hit him.

“No,” he rasped out, and Billy cocked his head. “If,” Steve started, not sure how he was going to finish, “—i-if—if you keep saying—if you keep saying you don’t matter,” he forced out, swallowing hard, “—I—I’ll—”

“You’ll what,” Billy laughed, raising his eyebrows, and Steve set his jaw.

“I’ll believe you,” he threatened, lying, and Billy went still. “I—I’ll believe you. That you don’t matter. L-losing you doesn’t matter. M-my best friend doesn’t matter. If I—” he sniffled hard, wiping his face, “—if I don’t like you anymore, it won’t be so scary—”

“No,” Billy interrupted, wide-eyed, grabbing Steve’s arm. “No, no, no— Steve —”

“It’s fine if s-some—if something...happens to you! R-right?!” Steve insisted, crying too hard to pretend he wasn’t, and pushing Billy, who staggered back. “If you’re just gonna die I—” he cut off as his lungs seized at the idea of Billy dead, Billy in a pool of blood, still on the floor, Billy gone. “I-if you’re gonna die,” he started again, miserably, “I don’t wanna be your friend, I—I can’t—”

“Fucking hell,” Billy muttered, his hands twitching towards Steve, and then flinching back. “I’m sorry, okay, I’m sorry, please—please don’t—”

“Wh-what if you die and it’s my fault,” Steve moaned, hiccuping sobs, and trying to wipe his face, and Billy stepped in close again, grimacing uncertainly, wiping Steve’s face with his sleeves. He smelled like smoke, a little, like he did when something scary was happening, and the laundry detergent from when Steve helped him out at the laundromat, and Billy had chased him around and tickled him on one of the dryers. “What if you’re gone,” Steve wailed.

“No, no, no, c’mon, no, no—” Billy muttered, pulling him into a hug. Steve tried to pull away again, but Billy held on, warm and strong, and Steve finally just bawled into his shoulder, sobbing so loud everybody came to look, two different teachers, and all three of the classes at recess. Steve buried his face in Billy’s shoulder, and Billy hugged his whole head as Steve’s new favorite teacher squeezed both their shoulders, and whispered that she was glad they’d made up, and then ushered everyone away, even Tommy, who looked torn between triumph and worry.

“I’m s-still mad at y-you,” Steve told Billy, gulping for air. “I-I’m so mad at you—I—I’m so mad—” he wheezed out, his breath gone from crying, and Billy squeezed him tighter.

“Sssh, ssh, ssh, I’m sorry, I was wrong, I was wrong,” he whispered, and Steve relaxed, a tiny bit, wondering if Billy got it, finally.

“You c-can’t do that again,” Steve told him, feeling a sick guilt for ordering Billy around, but pushing on, because it had to be okay to not let Billy get shot.

“I don’t think there’s probably gonna be that many shooters at the mall, kiddo,” Billy whispered back, laughing, and Steve stomped on his foot.

“You have to promise,” he hissed, and Billy laughed again, but when Steve shoved away to glare at him, Billy was crying too, his eyes red and wet. “...you promise?” Steve asked, softening a little, and reaching up to wipe Billy’s tears off his round, freckled cheeks. Billy nodded, smirking a little, and Steve frowned. “You can’t just—get hurt. Not for me.”

“Because I’m so important,” Billy said, his smile widening a little as his eyes spilled over again. “And you’d be super sad.”

“Yeah,” Steve told him, narrowing his eyes, because he wasn’t sure Billy was really getting it, yet. “I’d probably cry for— forever.”

Billy made a weird noise in his throat as he laughed, leaning in and kissing Steve on his cheek, and his ear, clumsily, and squeezing him tight again until his fingers hurt against Steve’s arms and sides, but Steve didn’t care, because he was hugging back just as hard. “I—I’ll be more...careful,” Billy mumbled, sniffling. “Since I’m...important. So you don’t have to get so scared.” He took a shaky breath, burying his face in Steve’s shoulder. “...just...because of me.”

“You’re the most important person I know,” Steve told him, his breath going shaky again. “Just—just you, you have to—you have to be okay—”

“I gotta make sure I’m okay so you’re okay,” Billy whispered, nodding a little, and Steve groaned, but it was close enough, he figured, so he sighed a ‘yeah’. “Because I’m important,” Billy said, laughing a little, like he didn’t believe it, and Steve growled into his neck.

“I’m not lying,” Steve growled.

“No, no, yeah, I know,” Billy told him, giggling, and Steve pulled back to stare at him. He was laughing and crying, pink-cheeked. “I-I know. I’m—I’m important.”