#it’s just that i wanna see someone grow up and help them figure themself out and be there

[evermoredeluxe]

just based on the last anon, ​it’s literally a fear of mine that i will be unable to have kids which sounds so ?? but yeah

[bundrops-n-fluffytops]

Welcome Home Agere Fic - Mama’s Boy

Characters: Poppy Partridge, Frank Frankly, Julie Joyful (at first section)

Setting: Poppy’s Barn (living room, kitchen)

Premise: Frank is having a hard time warming up to his caregivers in little space, but Poppy makes him feel right at home.

Authors Note: I wanna avoid anything angsty here, just cute fluff and cuddlin!! I hope my silly lil fics can bring some light on the WH agere community, lol

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about! That is just silly!”

“C’mon Frankie, there’s nothing wrong with being a mama’s boy!”

Frank Frankly and his dearly delightful friend Julie Joyful were having a light banter and bicker as they sat for tea one sunny morning. They had gone back and forth with whatever had come to mind - what new insects Frank had discovered, the latest play from Sally, whatever Wally would have going on - and at some point, regression came to light.

“You’re making such a fuss over something that doesn’t exist!!” Frank protested. Julie was teasing the frowning fellow because, recently, Frank had been harboring a closeness to Poppy Partridge - the town chicken. When times got difficult to handle and they felt themself slip into little space, he would go towards the feathered fellow’s comforting wings and let her take care of him and love him as a small boy. It made him feel comforted and safe, and all their worries would wash away.

And here, he was denying all of that.

“Come onnnnn, Frank!”, Julie teased, “it’s so cute! I guarantee it!” Frank felt his cheeks warm in embarrassment as he leaned back into his seat, gripping the handle to his cup.

“It is not,” he muttered, “it’s nothing more than tomfoolery, buffoonery, silliness I tell you!” Julie pouted, she just couldn’t get to him.

“What’s so wrong with it? Who wouldn’t want someone who’s arms are perfect to fall into and coddle you like a baby, isn’t that what you want? It’s like a dream you can see!” Frank huffed in response, setting down their cup and crossing their arms.

“What I want is to be clear, and dear I am quite clear that this is NOT a real thing!”, he protested, turning his head away from Julie’s sugary-sweet gaze. She sighed, sipping her tea and scooting closer to the grey and gloomy fellow.

“You are quite the stubborn bull, I can see horns growing from you right now!”

Frank rolled his eyes, scoffing.

“But, I won’t push. If you insist that this doesn’t happen, then I won’t fuss you further.”

Frank turned his gaze back, his expression softening slightly. His rosie-cheeked chum simply crossed her legs, leaning in close to his ear and raising a hand close to her mouth. A whisper slipped out.

“Doesn’t mean it isn’t cute.”

“JULIE!”

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—

“A mama’s boy, huh? What’s so wrong with that?” Frank had soon found himself sitting alongside the aforementioned pheasant, Poppy. She had noticed his unusually more sour mood than usual, and had invited him in for a short talk.

“That’s not the biggest issue with this, Poppy… she’s talking about you.” Poppy’s eyes widened after that statement. Her? A mother figure? A complete lie in her eyes.

“Oh goodness, me? A mother?” Poppy further questioned. The frowning fellow nodded, sighing. This made Poppy think for a moment. She was aware of all the times that she had cared for Frank, little or not. On days that he was big, they would talk about the flowers and the bugs that grew around them, or he would help Poppy bake some bread or any new dessert she needed help with. On days that he would go small, she would read him small random facts about any bugs that he wanted to hear about, or just swaddle and hold him for however long he wanted to stay.

In a way, Julie was right. I mean, she sure wasn’t completely right, there were a few things she got wrong. But for the most part, she wasn’t too far off.

“W-Well, if she were right, she wouldn’t be too far off,” the feathered friend noted. Frank shot her a look, his eyebrows furrowed and a small pout on his lips.

“I-I didn’t say she was!”, she frantically corrected, “I was just… hypothetical, be-because if she were, then she wouldn’t exactly be wrong! It’s not a confirmed fact, ho-honest!” Frank simply stared for a bit, before groaning and slumping back into the sofa they sat at.

“It’s just… so embarrassing to me! I don’t want people to think I’m just some innocent and naive infant that needs someone to care for me every second. Is that so hard? To be treated like an adult?” He crossed his arms in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose with one hand. Poppy hummed and nodded, hesitantly resting a wing on his back as an act of understanding.

“W-Well, I mean… you regress, r-right?” Frank nodded slowly.

“Hmm… w-well, you can still be an, um… adult but also feel comforted by someone, can you not?” The grumpy fellow raised his head a tad, looking up at the bird.

“I mean, um… for me, back when I was a chick just molting, I thought that being seen as a child was the worst possible thing, so I began to bottle up what worries I had and completely shut myself down. It worked, but only for a while, and when it ended… well, all I can say is that I sure was a mess, haha! My m-mom saw me at my worst, and was the first to comfort me. She told me that, well… being an adult is very hard, so it’s ok to cry and-and tell others that you feel bad every now and then. It doesn’t make you feel any less older or any more younger, okay?”

Frank sat there for a moment, his gaze turned away and his arms crossed, and his mind filled with thought.

“Well, even if I did want it, why is it so embarrassing? Why does it make me feel uncomfortable even if I know I need it?”, Frank questioned. It was hours only gripe, as he really wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Umm… m-maybe it’s because you were taught before that it-it was something to be a-ashamed of?”, Poppy responded, “because really, it’s nothing to feel bad over! It-It’s okay to get a hug and a kiss every now and then, heh!”

“So… it’s okay?”

“W-Well, of course!”

It was so new to him for comfort to be something to be celebratory about. All their life he was told to “grow up” and “act like an adult”, otherwise life won’t help you. However, he never really considered that this childish behavior was something to embrace rather than hide. He was shy, but rather grateful for Poppy and even Julie for helping them discover this.

Frank untangled his arms and held them in front of him on his lap, fiddling with his hands. His head felt conflicted but fuzzy and warm, and his hands felt tingly and soft to the touch.

What ironic timing to feel small. Even more ironic that Poppy noticed it.

“Frank, dear?”, she asked, “are you feeling small?” Frank shifted a bit in his seat, nodding hesitantly after a second. He didn’t know how to feel.

He suddenly felt Poppy scoop him up into her wings and onto her lap, his face now buried between her body and her fluffy feathered embrace.

“You should never feel bad about needing a break, honey. Whenever you need one, you can always come to me, okay? My doors are always open… though n-not literally because burglars could come in, hehe!”, Poppy reassured. She kept her arms wrapped around the glum fellow, rubbing his back softly and resting her head against him.

Poppy’s presence soothed Frank, he couldn’t help but melt into her, burying his face into the crook of her neck. He smiled, though it didn’t show.

“Th-thank you, mama.”

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—

[james-fun-in-the-sunderland]

all main 4:

16, 35, 39, 44, 54, 62, 64, 69

for party q’s, u can either do just main 4 to answer or like full rebellion or like . main 4 pcs and npcs.. up 2 u!

omg hi zee 👋 obligatory link back to tha ask game post

16. What keeps them going?

Swords: not to be corny but hope and love :) she has hope that everything will work out in the end and is also very driven by the people around her!! helping them out, giving them hope in hopes that theyll give her the hope she needs in return almost... w2 moments

Wiz: WHAT DOES KEEP THIS GUY GOING????? LACK OF DEATH MAINLY I GUESS. and moreso honestly... its because of his inability to really genuinely step away from any self imposed duty that he has. if he has obligation, even if he REALLY doesnt want to do it, he will do his best to see it through to the end. sometimes these obligations are self made tho and thats where some issues crop up bc people are like u dont have to . and hes like I HAVE TO. but i will complain the entire time bc god i wanna just chill instead.

Daggers: the belief that one day she will figure everything out, things will make sense to her, she will get the love that she deserves, and she will be happy... even if she does get this though theres not much holding her back from not believing it and keeping going... shes a bit selfish but thats ok thats fun hehe. I think one day she will get it and be satisfied and then what will keep her going is ... keeping that up. u kno? gotta hold up appearances

Hook: justice. genuinely and truely, they want justice for the world and for themselves and for their brother. previously before the pcs got their brother back to them it would have been u kno, getting their brother back but now theyre like ok revenge time. i want everyone who made me suffer to suffer now thanks . they will not rest until the rebellion is successful and them and their brother can get nice little cottages out in the mountains and live happily :) no fear of anything ...

aaaand im putting the rest under the cut bc otherwise this post WILL be a million miles long

35. Do they consider themselves childish/mature for their age?

Swords: mature! she thinks shes more mature than most people she meets, the only exception would be any mentor figures in her life, like you know, henrietta, her grandmother, etc. but generally if she meets someone shes like i know more and am more mature than u. this especially applies to those in the rebellion

Wiz: he likes to think mature, or even just like on equal footing w people around his age, but he knows hes childish for his age :( really the only person he really genuinely thinks hes more mature than is his brother and even with him hes like 'ok but thats mainly bc i literally am older than him'. wiz has issues ✌

Daggers: mature, she puts on a front that seems more childish and naive but inside shes like all you bitches are so childish i care about REAL iissues. like . how i am soso mentally ill and have issues. and the govt and the world. sooooo im more mature.

Hook: TBH, hook doesnt rly think theyre childish OR mature for their age, they find themself on pretty equal footing no matter who theyre talking to bc theyre like pretty casual and prefer to like have equality between ppl theyre talking to and like dont care at all about filling in roles, like being more of a mentor figure OR being someone who is menteed you know? but theyre mature for their age, especially when they were a child, growing up on the streets with no parents and a little brother will do that to you ✌

39. What does your character believe their party lacks?

Swords: For the rebellion well . its a little obvious, theres no real direction to it still!! most of the other things the rebellion lacks though has recently been fulfilled since the pcs came back and picked out a lil hq location :) theres also a part of her that thinks the rebellion without henrietta will always be lacking something and all of that but shes !! working on it !!

Wiz: also thinks the rebellion lacks a clear direction, and that it lacks people who genuinely care about the cause and arent just doing this to puppet the old rebellions corpse to get it to success. hes WORKING on the direction part. being the leader and all . but its still hard since there is no real unified vision of the rebellion anymore, just anecdotes of the old one. Wiz would rather the rebellion either not exist at all or that people forgot about the old one. too bad its almost a requirement that the old rebellion be brought up and people from it to join for the success of this one <3

Daggers: being that she hasnt ever had experience being in a group like this before, idk if she has much of a thought on what it lacks! maybe people that focus more on details instead of the big picture, which is how it feels rn, everthings kind of vague and depersonalized, which worked back when it was small but now its getting bigger and people might get lost in all of this bustle... u kno?

Hook: basically a conglomerate opinion of all the previous ones. Hook honestly doesnt care too too much about the rebellion as a whole, and mainly just hopes that it never lacks the ability for the to have some independence, that they can do what they need to do and nobody will hold them back.

44. How do they hold onto people?

this is such an interesting q... many ways to interpret this...

Swords: GUILT!!!! swords is pretty openly a manipulator honestly when it comes down to this. its not even conscious honestly. she doesnt want people to ever leave her bc it makes her feel a bit worthless and stuff so she just tries her best to make sure people stick around :) in whatever ways she possibly can ! this all only really happens if she can tell people are like distancing themselves from her tho btw.. otherwise its business as usual!

Wiz: honestly. by being dependable. wiz only really knows how to exist when its deferential to another person. its partially why him being the leader has sucked but this also means that should he be shoved, he will get stuff done. and he knows that people need people who can get stuff done, thus making him kinda indispensable. kinda manipulative but ummmm u guyys dont even know he . is . a little bit lmao . (btw this is also why he was a terrible brother <3) (also regardless of whether wiz likes someone or not, he tends to try and hold onto them... kinda cringe)

Daggers: by trying her best to be loveable. trying to mold herself into someone desireable that people will see as attractive and worthy of their time and attention. this model is mostly based on her sister who managed to hold the entirety of her family but its . not successful at all <3 but that doesnt mean she wont stop trying to be her inauthentic self until her identity is purely based on what she thinks others enjoy. though, if she doesnt like someone, she wont try too hard to hold onto them

Hook: by taking care of them, chilling with them... being a good friend :) you can usually tell if they like you because theyll chill around u like a cat... and also like bring u thngs... again like a cat... theyre not too dissimilar from how wiz does but in a less like... deferential way and more of a parental way almost? it can ofc become deferential tho, and in most times if hook wants someone to like them, they will become very sort of... not subserviant but like... very obviously only doing things that will make them liked by that person and not caring much about themself? more selfless than selfish ! much like daggers, but going even farther, if hook knows someone doesnt like.. want to be held onto then they will let them go...

54. What is something they currently look forward to? What is something they dread?

Swords: shes looking forward to having the PCs back around and also getting this rebellion together!! shes excite to see where everything gets taken and their future victories, of course that also comes with the absolute dread of failure, of death and destruction happening to those she loves... so :)

Wiz: YOU GUYS ALREADY KNOW WHAT HES DREADING!! but for people who arent in this dnd game, wiz is soooososoo anxious abt his recent sudden multiclass into cleric bc he hates divinity and gods and everything and is like if i got possessed by a god its all over . and right when i was actually trying to be a good leader too 😭 I will say tho.. he is looking forward to the rebellion... maybe working out and having more people around... new people to meet and chat with... the pcs to be around and be silly... also he missed daggers <3

Daggers: She is looking forward to having more people around that she is much more familiar with, being able to chill after a long hard two missions in a row, and to be able to like... process everything in a more healthy way and like... u kno, having a support system instead of people she barely knows and who she knows dont like her very much... i think she is dreading a little bit like... actually moving past this all though? like who is she going to be when she actually moves past her grief and her fear of death and feeling like genuinely yes she is not a bad person for having accidentally killed someone... who will she be... shes a bit unsure and a bit nervous of that...

Hook: hook WAS looking forward to seeing their brother finally for the first time in like 10 years but then it happened and it was great!!! so now theyre looking forward to the past... looking forward to the rebellion being put together like it was before and being able to help people, fix things, be useful and not only to their siblings or to their friends! theres more people around, more things to do, more stuff to just get into... its gonna be fun ^-^ but i do think they dread losing people, probably are going to be very on people about like .. fortifying the hq so theres no chance they could lose their brother or anyone they care about ever again !!

62. Who does your character think is the most put together in the party?

Swords: in the rebellion? herself. She thinks shes mature, prepared, experienced, etc etc... the only thing is that if shes ever like... prodded on this or have to actually SHOW that shes most put together she will crumple <3 in the PCs party..... rushi probably! reminds her of her grandmother who was a big mentor figure in her life and so shes like :) she has it all under control :)

Wiz: in the rebellion........ probably nobody. in the pcs party ALSO NOBODY 🥳 he 1- has trust issues and 2- is very cynical and pessmistic, so not only is he like nah i dont think anyone really has it together, but he doesnt TRUST that anyone does. If you stretch . maybe at most he thinks jacques and talfryn both have something, but even then wiz is like theyre YOUNG theyll make dumb mistakes that show they have NOTHING together... but yea

Daggers: in the rebellion, wiz! shes very much like... hes the leader... ofc he has everything toegther... plus u know, hes a paternal figure to her and that makes her VERY biased in who she thinks to go to for anything or even just like... thinking about whos got it together. in the PCs party, probably talfryn. he reminds her of her older brother whos probably one of the most successful people in her family, plus hes got some like very good self assurance that really show her that hes got things under control.

Hook: in the rebellion....... themselves. and in the PCs party, nobody probably? I think that much like wiz, hook is a bit cynical, plus although they dont really show it, they are a bit self assured, they know what they can deal with, what they can do, and dont really trust that other people know that of themselves and that theyll easily overextend themselves u kno?

64. What is one thing they want each party member to know?

Swords: in the rebellion.... 🤔 probably she desperately wants daggers to know that she doesnt hate her, that she doesnt have any ill will towards her and in fact, would like her and hang out w her if she wasnt soooo touchy about things. in the PCs.... probably wants all them to really know that she wants to b closer to them and like appreciates them... i think swords really doesnt think people GET how much she apprecates them... or like enjoys their presence...

Wiz: in the rebellion..... you know what, i think both in the rebellion and in the PCs he wants people to know that he . is so sorry for being a lil shit <3 he doesnt really like ... talk in an earnest way so really any earnest feelings he has he would like people to know about and i think right now hes just like man. this could have been happening way earlier if i just had chilled out. like he doesnt recognize his mistakes in the moment and will often defend them but god forbid he actually apologize after the fact, he wishes he could just BEAM the knowledge of these apologies and everything into peoples minds.

Daggers: I think for both the pcs and the rebellion she probably would want them to know about her... to understand her in some kind of way so theres no real confusion when talking to them, and so maybe theyll be able to fully point her in the right direction when it comes to advice and stuff, bc she feels like ppl dont really truely KNOW her... or know HER u kno?

Hook: honestly . hook wishes that people would just . know how to communicate with them. im sure its probably really frustrating dealing with the PCs bc they have to do a less direct way of talking to them (through typing on their phone) bc like while theyre fast at typing they find it easier to just SIGN. and as far as the rebellion, they want wiz and probably swords too to know that theyre not like . going anywhere... even tho they have their brother back, theyre still there for wiz and swords... still able to be friends with them u kno?

69. Journey or Destination?

Swords: Journey! a very big believer in the whole dont cry because its over smile because it happened person, this isnt to say that she DOESNT cry because its over of course, she gets sad about the idea of the rebellion ending but is excited about it being successful! but ... of course she still does enjoy the thrills of victories and having people to support her through losses... etc... so she likes the journey more ^-^

Wiz: Journey, wiz dreads the destination always. the journey is more fun and everything is somewhat more stable somehow, but the destination is when everything ends, everyone goes home and the show is over.

Daggers: Destination, she values results more than what gets those results. plus most of the time she just finds journeys to be tedious and wants for any suffering to be over with immediately!! shes sick of it!! but also shes addicted to it so <3 even tho she desires the destination she may never get it bc she will always look for the destination u kno?

Hook: Destination, they just want to chill . please . plus journeys are dangerous and people do bad things and they do bad things and its just BAD. can we get to the part where we're all drinking margaritas with little umbrellas on the beach now? pls?

[bartholomeacorsair]

If you are RTD stop , read and consider

Please make me a companion, pretty please

So , basically I'm gonna be this shy introvert lonely teen (ik too much but I'm worse in real) who can't figure out how to accept growing up, in whom the doctor kinda sees reflection of themself. Who convinced the doctor to give them a Tardis tour before thier major high school exam and on tour wandered away and since have been lost and doctor has given up trying to find coz yea sometimes just need a place in the world and exams sucks 😔😖 (doctor would refuse to help cheat , even if they have a time Machine)

Would randomly show up in episodes, hiding behind the doctor or tugging their sleeve whenever there is someone new aboard , sneaking in the library to read instruction Manuals to the Tardis and baking weird recipes and making doctor taste test them. Like garden hermit but for Tardis. After some time lil' Robyn learns how to construct more rooms/ spaces in the Tardis and they make labyrinths to puzzle the doctor just for fun or defend the Tardis in crisis.

Robyn would so already be setting up all companion group chats and updating them on new developments through a live blog which is surprisingly popular on tiktok. My character definitely gonna be mature enough to go up to the doctor, after being comfortable and turned into a yapper towards them , and telly tubby hug them and say you're awesome ily 🫶 now take me to lighthouse of Alexandria I wanna do an illustration and then the eras concert coz TS rules

Definitely gonna have a subplot of colonial India coz yea I'm from there and maybe distant cousin to Yaz ???

Facing the exam would be my finale.

[arcadejohn127-9]

Hello!1st I wanted to say i love your blog its *chefs kiss*,and 2nd could I request (i dont know if this is in someway triggering or not so i apologize) a MC who doesnt believe the brothers can love them 'cause they despise themself and they are so set on (?) with that mindset that the brothers cant convince them otherwise,but MC themself wants to feel loved they...just cant...and they just breakdown saying they arent special and when the brothers meet other humans they will realise that MC is nothing,that they are a horrible being and they will leave them for somebody better,does that make sense I dont wanna go too deep into it(totaaaaally not self projecting)I am so sorry if this is a sensitive topic,feel free to ignore this ask,this has been eating me out for weeks so I just wanted to seek some comfort.Once again your blog is great and dont overwork yourself, take care! :D 🤍

I've definitely been there and even now, I still have these fears. Growing out of these Insecurities and feelings are hard even if you work hard to be as confident as you can. One day it'll happen but until then you just gotta keep reminding yourself that you're worth the world

Also tip, please don't rely on others for self worth - people can be cruel or simply just unpredictable. Not all but until you see every colour of a person you don't know. If you depend on someone else to give you worth and make you feel good then that'll start a very unhealthy cycle for yourself

I hate this phase "love yourself before you love others" because you don't need to, you can find healthy and happy relationships whilst insecure. But I think what it really means is; get self worth before you love another. Make sure you don't do yourself damage by giving you Someone who does the bare minimum or will sometimes make you feel good but is usually a dick.

You can find love but that love can be wrong if you don't pay attention to the red flags. Don't let your insecurities drag you into unhealthy relationships.

Because you are stunning, worth it and loveable. You're Someone people can look up to or admire even if it's for something simple like your humour.

Also thank you, I'll be sure to not overwork myself, make sure you don't pressure yourself too hard about work or your hobbies. Hobbies are all about fun!

Warning: self loathing, depressive themes, angst

You could stand it.

Your eyes traveled along the gifts and trinkets that were in your room. Each one gifted to you by a powerful demon; a demon you live with.

You couldn't stand it.

You could get it; why would someone like that every like you? You weren't special and yet Everyone insisted that you were. You're not the key. Not anything Diavolo wants or expects. Definitely not what the brothers want.

You had to scoff. The brothers only like you because of Lilith, if you were related then they'd never see you as anything but some human. Lilith dragged you here, she made sure you came here and for what? To be always told you're going to be some big thing; someone to destroy hatred and help bring together three realms.

Do they not realize how much pressure that is??!!!! And the how are you even going to do that?! You're magic is unpredictable and useless - it perfectly reflects you.

You whimpered at your own thoughts. The word useless stinging at your heart; it was almost if a knife lodged itself into your chest. Constantly stabbing the word useless into it.

You were useless. They need to find someone who can actually live up to their expectations. Just a good for nothing human....why do they even like you?

You looked back at the gifts, your watery stare turning into a hateful glare.

The question was burning inside your head. You couldn't understand; what did he see in you? You're not special! You're not anything anyone wants you to be and you're just being forced on a pedestal you didn't make!

Why did he always look at you the way he does? Like you actually mean something. Why does he smile so softly when you enter the room?

Why would he be like that when you KNOW that as soon as he meets another human, he'll be running after them without hesitation. Everyone was so much more attractive than you and better than you - you couldn't get why he loved you. Why- no how?! You weren't good enough for him!

No matter how many times he says I love you or compliments you it leaves such a bitter disgusting taste in your mouth. You're so horrible you can't even let people be nice to you - it's all a lie anyway. No one could love you. Never. No one!

You were useless! Disgusting! You weren't even attractive! You weren't loveable! You're a horrible person who looks just as horrible as they are. How can they look at you like that?! How can they stand you?! You're nothing!

You don't get it!

Why?! Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why Why why why-!

A scream ripped itself out of your throat. Tears streaming down your face as you clutched your head. Your body curled into itself, shaking and trembling as you choked on your sobs. You coughed through it as you tried to breath but the tears kept coming. Drowning you as you desperately tried to breath under their weight.

The pain was unbelievable. You felt like your head was on fire. You could barely even make out the figure standing at your door. Whoever they were, they scooped you up from the floor and rubbed circles into your arms. You clutched to them for dear life as you cried.

Somewhere in your brain you could tell who it was and it only made you cry harder. Shame filling your lungs as you tried to escape their caring embrace.

"No-! Stop it! I'm nothing! I'm useless-! Let me go-!! Why- why won't you leave me alone?! I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!! LET ME DIE-!"

were you dying? You felt like it. The ache was painful; your chest growing tighter and tighter. You pounded on their chest, demanding they let you be the useless thing that you are alone.

Lucifer:

He forced back his tears

Just rubbing circles into your skin as he held you

To think you were this Insecure despite being the nicest person who knew

You were Better than him and don't let pride stop you - you were amazing

"not good enough for me? What made you believe that...? You're perfect for me, you complete me."

You denied his claims, sobbing as you listed your insecurities

"Your insecurities don't define you, you're so much more than that - I wouldn't of picked you to be my love if I didn't think you'd be adequate."

He wasn't sure if you were still listening but he pushed past his doubts

Adjusting you in his embrace

"I- I'm not sure if I'm comforting you....I'm not good at being the gentle hand, I want you to see how I see you - you're kind, charming and always keeping me in awe, you mean so much to me, I'll trade anything I could just to see you smile - I love you."

Mammon:

There can only be one self loathing idioit in this relationship

He refuses to let you feel like how he has

His forced confidence - you could easily see through it - anyone could

But you were the only one who then actually helped him feel better when you did see through it

He let a few tears stray, holding you close

"did someone say something to you? I don't forgive 'em for ever making ya this upset, I'm not letting you feel like this."

You shook your head, muttering that he should let you

"why should I? You're my favourite person and you've only made me happy - so let me make you happy! You're the only person who's ever treated me the way ya treat me and I won't let you hate yourself!"

He hugged you even tighter, squeezing you as he hid his face in your shoulder

"you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, okay? You always know how to make me feel better and it's my turn to make you feel better but you gotta listen to me! I lo-love you! The great Mammon loves you so badly that he just wants to kiss you every day! You're amazing and I won't forgive ya if you let yourself keep going on like this, let me support you.... please...I don't want you to go."

Levithan:

He couldn't get it

He's always been jealous of your personality and ability to make others feel good

His envy makes him despise himself - so seeing you be the same, he couldn't take it

He gave you one big squeeze

"d-don't be stupid! You're the best thing that's come into my life - even better than ruri-chan!"

You didn't believe him, he was obessed with that character

"but it's true-! If I could I'd get loads of merchandise of you too because you're my favourite person! You're just like the protagonists I read about."

His face was beat red but he was determined to make you feel better

"You're Henry, you are brave and kind, always trying your best even if that best isn't up to your own or others standards, you Inspire me! I've thought about of making a series about you...so others can feel just as happy as I do when I see you, you make me feel less insecure and like I actually mean something - why can I do to make you feel the same? You mean everything to me! I really like you....I like-like you-! I LOVE YOU AND I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY! Let me make you feel how you make me feel because then you'll see just how amazing you are!"

Satan:

Did someone makes you feel like this or was it just your own thoughts?

If it isn't the latter he'll need to find out who's hurt you

But right now, he hugged you tighter and cradled your head

He couldn't stand to see and hear you so destressed

"did I do something to make you feel like this? I'm so sorry if I did, I don't always realize when I come off rude or hateful- I could never hate you."

You held him tight, telling him to stop

"but I need to fix it if I've hurt you and if it wasn't me then whoever did needs to keep quiet, you don't deserve these feelings."

You huffed, trying to not cry more

He gave your Shoulder a small squeeze

"you're more than enough for me, you're so good to me - sometimes I wonder if I'm good enough for you, you're always so patient with me and don't make me feel like I'm some unthinking beast, you don't think I'm lying when I be genuine and that makes me love you - I do love you - you make me feel good and I want to do the same for you, you're beyond good and I'll always be happy with the person you are and can become because I know you can do so much and always bring positivity even in the darkest times."

Asmodeus:

He's crying too

He hated of being seen as insecure

He only wanted confidence

Seeing you sob and beat on yourself like this only reminded him of his most private moments

He held you even closer, rocking you gently

"No, dear, I love you too much to let you feel like this, you're amazing to me and I think you're better than even myself, you're my number 1."

You shook your head, telling him he's lying

"I'm not, why would I lie? You're the sweetest person I know, you don't see me as some sex object - you make me feel real and happy - so so happy."

He kissed the top of your head, hiding his tear streaked face

"I want you to be happy....you deserve it, you've got only so long to live and I'm so scared that you're going to hate yourself even until you die, I don't want that! You're beautiful amazing and I could never ask for anyone better! Please- just let's work on our confidence together...okay? You're so wonderful, don't let yourself become so hateful."

Beezlebub:

He's absolutely broken

How didn't he realize you felt this bad about yourself??

He didn't even realize he was crying aswell, just holding you close as his mind screamed at him

"did something make you feel like this? It hurts to hear you say these things."

You shook your head before nodding, muttering you just won't talk anymore

"I didn't mean that, I always want you to be open with me and if not me, atleast one of my brother's."

He picked you up, placing you in a more comfortable position and held you close to his chest

"I love you, it took me awhile to realize that but I do, you make me feel full and happy - like I just ate a big buffet of warm cakes and dishes, I'm always warm when I'm with you, I don't believe you're not good enough - you're kind to me and never judge me for eating, you help me with working out but most importantly, you fixed my family and brought my twin back, I don't know how to make you see how much that means to me and I don't want you to feel bad about yourself when you're always the best person in the room - you're really great."

Belphegor:

"just let me die"

Those words hurt him so bad

He was like that, he demanded to be left to Rot with his own self loathing when Lilith died

He pulled you close to his chest as he grabbed your shoulder

"You're not allowed to feel like this, you've done nothing to feel this much hatred towards yourself."

You told him he was wrong, crying harder

"when am I wrong? I- okay, I can be wrong but I'm not wrong about you, you're my favourite person which means I love you and I don't let my favourite people sit and cry."

He cuddled you, nuzzling his cheek against yours

"You saved me and I will never able to make it up to you, I've hurt you and I hate it- I hate that I'm a reason you get scared, don't ever let yourself rot away, when my brother's just leave me to sleep I always feel so much dread - that I'm being left to die in my bed and will never get to see their faces again - I'll never be able to see your face again....I wouldn't be able to take it.....seeing you everyday makes me want to leave my bed and always make sure you smile, let me make you smile again."

[everythingthemoontouches]

hello! new here. i just came across another one of your interpretations for someone’s fs and thought it’d be cool to try was well. if you shave time or don’t mind here are my charts. thanks for reading!

Venus darakarka. Charming. Suave. Good with people. Professionally charming. Interpersonal skills. Venus in sagittarius. Learned. Skillful. Active lifestyle. Challenge me. Let's go do fun things. Talk to people in prominent positions. A major life lesson for you, with atmakarka Mars and darakarka venus is to find that balance between directness and diplomatic approach. When to fight and when to ask nicely.

No fight me. I fight you vibe in your chart. You could be turned on by how well they handle conflict. 💕🥵💥💣💦

Manglik : Mars in angular houses : 1/4/7/10 : there ain't no man who can tell me what to do. But witch saturn in the 7th I'm sure your spouse is gonna have his(?) own way of doing things. This is someone disciplined and with a virgo Jupiter they probably won't hesitate to advise you. Since they're also represented by venus, they probably give you suggestions in a helpful constructive manner and not in a critical way (the way I Sometimes do when I think I know better and everyone else is doing it wrong) in India we suggest Manglik not marry a non Manglik. Their temperament, drive, passion and energy levels are not suitably matched. They could think you're starting a fight when you're just trying to make a point.

Listen I think they wanna please you. Make you happy and as an earth sign they really want you to appreciate what they do and feel proud of them. I'm sobbing. They sound really loving. 💕

All that I do, I do for you. For us. To have a beautiful home, comfort and stability we crave. I want us to have the life I didn't have growing up?

Good bone structure. They could have softer rounded features. Big / soulful eyes. Like you just wanna gaze into them.

Correct me if I'm wrong but saturn in the 7th can go through their years feeling like other people always try to control them.

They may come from a lesser economic background than you.

Saturn in the 7th can have a bunch of crappy relationships before they truly settle down with someone who is right for them. Love and duty go hand in hand. You may feel a Little challenged when it comes to expressing love.

In your younger years / naivete, you may draw emotionally manipulative partners. Older. Someone with more power or, stature.

It's advisable to tie the knot After the age of 28. Grow up, figure out what you want from life before you atrat out to find your ideal partner.

Darakarka(Venus) in the house of public recognition-they help your social standing. In a negative exhibit of this energy they could be so charming that they come across looking good even when they're being a jerk to you. The manipulators placement. Specially with that saturn in the 7th. Abusive.

Don't get charmed just cause they look like someone who wants a family or a marriage. 7th house pushya could mean that you naturally draw in people who wanna mother you.

On a positive note this is a person who values commitment, stands by your side through thick and thin and is patient. They're hardworking, dedicated and I feel like this is someone who would care for you even at the end of a rough tiring day themself. Love isn't just fancy dates, butterflies and fluff. It's the sick days, the fights, the challenges, the arguments all the ugly things. They'll stick by you through the worst. Pushya Nakshatra is based on the nourishing nature of cows milk. Thus partner invests in you emotionally and financially. Giving you what you need. Even if the medicine is bitter sometimes. They could buy you lots of food or help you regulate your diet?

As the venusian, your spouse could coach you in this. I knew a guy in school who was always coaching me on how to be more polite when dealing with administration. I thought it was a waste of time cuz but I see how courtesy makes people feel more warmly and respond better to you.

Libra venus

Jupiter in virgo : not the best. Thoughtful. Meticulous. Caring. Philosophical. Service. Caring. But also overtly critical.

Jupiter in Chitra could really like playing devils advocate when giving advice. Could be great at finance, travel, tradition family secret related advice. Hardly ever applies the same thought or experience to their own self.

People may have thought you or they would go on to do your PhD or some equivalent degree but you don't feel very passionate about it.

So, Ketu with Jupiter usuay shows a delay in marriage for those seeking a husband. Or that it could be a very spiritual connection as opposed to a super physical one. With your 4th house Mars, you could be someone who doesn't back down from a fight, defending what you feel is right. There's a lot of passion. Your ascendant and jupiter are both ruled by Mars. Please don't settle for someone with a lower sex drive than yours you'd probably be super discontent if you did and it would cause greater fights.

Mercury and sun in the 8th suggest that you could want them to talk to you in bed. Keep things playful perhaps. Since Jupiter and Ketu are both in virgo, a mercury ruled sign I feel that they would be quite clear and precise in the way in which they communicate their fantasies, desires/secrets with you. You'd feel comfortable sharing stuff with them. Alternately, they might just instinctively gwt where you're coming from in the bedroom 🥰 this gives me a bit of ' how did you know to DO Thatttt ☺️💦' energy.Could have really skilled fingers🔥

Astrology and tarot masterlist

[some-messed-up-writing-for-you]

Hero is young compared to Supervillain. Supervillain can tell Hero is getting depressed and overwhelmed so they send their druggie/fuck up of a son, Villain, to fuck with Hero. Villain gets Hero to drink, smoke pot, etc and they wind up sleeping together which causes Hero to latch onto Villain. Villain doesn't feel here or there about Hero; They'll take the companionship, but they're dealing with their own shit so this is just a way to distract themself.

Request #15

Warning: nsfw, dub-con, alcohol & drug intake, manipulation.

A bit of a more complex one, but fun nonetheless!

Enjoy! [:

~~~~

Hero heaved out a tired sigh as the thugs they had just stopped a few minutes ago got taken away by the police. They collapsed down into a sitting position, legs hanging off the side of the rooftop they were on. The hero stifled a yawn and rubbed at their sore eyes, dark circles hiding beneath their mask. As they watched the city's artificial lights mix with the moonlight's glow, their mind began to wander to places they did not want to visit but really couldn't stop themself from exploring.

At the same time, on top of a nearby building, two figures cloaked in the darkness observed as Hero got lost in their thoughts.

"Damn, I can't even see their face, and this bitch still looks depressed as fuck." - Villain muttered, their own mind tired but still much more 'collected' than the hero's. Their comment earned them a look from their superior, Supervillain.

"Just go and get the job done." - the older criminal ordered, a dark hint to their voice. The villain silently stood there for a moment before giving them a small shrug and moving towards the rooftop's edge.

"You got it, pops." - they responded in a monotone voice and jumped towards the next building. Villain moved from one rooftop to another, their footsteps silent, undetectable, deadly.

"If only all that skill had gone to someone less pathetic." - the supervillain thought bitterly and then retreated out of sight, disappearing amidst the shadows.

Hero, still unaware of the presence standing right behind them, quietly mumbled to themself, "...Why the hell did I pick this job...?"

"I dunno, 'cause you're a dumbass?" - the villain answered from behind the hero, startling them and nearly making them fall off the edge. They hurriedly got up into a fighting stance, ready to defend themself.

Villain only snorted in amusement, walking to the edge and sitting next to where Hero had been just a moment ago. They patted the ground next to them, inviting the hero to sit, "How's about we talk instead, ay?"

With a small grin, they added, "You look like you could use a break."

"..."

Hero, very much convinced this was some sort of trick, continued to stand there, ready for combat. The villain's grin left their face, and they turned their gaze to the city below. "Alright then, guess I'll just do the talking."

"..."

"So, like I was saying. You're a dumbass."

"..."

"Like, come on, man, you think you can just keep up this little heroic act forever?"

"Yes." - Hero finally answered through gritted teeth.

"Oh! So you can talk after all! You're still lying to yourself, though." - Villain said, a stupid smile on their face that infuriated the other to no end. It upset them because the criminal was right. And Hero hated that fact so much.

Deciding to keep up their lies, the hero responded, "I'm doing perfectly fine, thank you very much."

"Yeah, 'cause sulking all by yourself on a random rooftop in the middle of the night sounds so healthy." - Villain pressed, pissing Hero off even more, their body slowly shaking with anger.

"Ugh! Just what do you want?!" - they exclaimed, glaring at their enemy. They didn't have time for this! They- They didn't want to deal with this... They knew just how miserable they were... they didn't need a reminder...

"I just wanna help ya out." - the villain answered, giving the hero an oddly convincing look. There was pity in their eyes, but also... understanding?

Gah! No, that makes no sense! What could... Villain possibly know...

"You want to... help me...?"

"Yup!"

"...Why?"

Villain silently looked at them for a moment before their eyes went to the city lights once more. "Everybody needs a break from their own mind's bullshit every once in a while, no?" - They quietly asked.

Hero was unsure of how to respond, doubt creeping into their thoughts. Should they trust them? Perhaps... just one time wouldn't hurt? Before they could answer, however, the villain stood and offered them their hand, catching them off guard again. "Come on. You could use a distraction."

"And so could I..." - Villain thought, as they watched the hero internally battle themself, considering their options. After what felt like an eternity of silence, Hero relaxed their stance and, with a small sigh, slowly approached the villain and took their hand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"This is where you live?" - Hero questioned, a bit astonished at the state of the apartment the villain had taken them to. While the place was a decent size, it was an absolute mess. Dirty laundry and trash were scattered everywhere; it smelled about as good as it looked.

"Then again... who am I to judge...?" - the hero thought bitterly, remembering that their own home wasn't looking that much better.

"Lovely little place I got, ay?" - Villain responded, dropping themself onto a big gross couch. What were all those stains from exactly? Hero decided they didn't need to nor want to know and sat next to them.

"Uh... yeah. So, what exactly are we here for?" - the hero asked, looking to the villain. The other merely scooted to the edge of the couch and pushed some trash aside, revealing a cooler. They pulled out two beers from it, handing one to their nemesis.

Before Hero could say anything, Villain, seemingly out of nowhere, pulled out a bottle opener and cracked both their drinks open. The villain immediately took a swig while the hero sat there for a moment, staring at their own bottle silently before thinking, "Oh, fuck it." and chugging nearly half of it.

"Ay! There ya go, Hero!" - Villain grinned, giving them a rough but friendly pat on the shoulder. Hero couldn't help but smirk a little themself. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad?

And then Villain pulled out a bag of some questionable powder.

The hero looked at them skeptically, taking another swig of their drink to cool their nerves. Their hesitance didn't go unnoticed by the other, who gave them an even wider grin. "Have you ever tried it?"

"Well.. no..." - Hero answered, the alcohol slowly getting to their system. God, why were they such a lightweight?

"Then don't knock it." - Villain continued, dumping the powder onto the table in front of the two, arranging it into neat little lines. The hero watched intently as the other leaned down and took one of the lines, inhaling it through their nose.

Hero set their beer aside and did their best to copy them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few hours have passed. Both Hero and Villain were now waisted the fuck out of their minds, barely comprehending any of their actions. The two were leaning against each other, blabbering some nonsense that made them giggle.

The villain's hands suddenly found their way to the other's chest, lightly trailing up and down it. "Say, Hero, wanna make this even more fun?"

"How??" - the hero slurred as Villain got up and dragged them along to another room. The two managed to stumble their way into the criminal's bedroom, Hero landing on the bed with the villain right on top of them.

"Oh..." - they started, their hands wandering across their enemy's body seemingly on their own. "Alright." - they said, and Villain dragged them into a sloppy kiss.

Very quickly, both of them freed themself of their clothing, throwing it aside and letting it get lost in the endless sea of trash that was Villain's apartment. Their skin met and felt perfect against one another. Hands were roaming all over, memorizing each other's bodies, finding all the right spots to touch that drew sounds from them.

As their lips parted for air, they both groaned as their hips ground together, the friction rising pleasure in them. Hero wrapped their limbs around the villain's body, holding onto them as they slid into the hero.

Their mouths met again, moans becoming muffled, the sound of the bed creaking in rhythm with Villain's thrusts filled their ears. As their enemy hit the right spot, Hero's fingernails dug into their shoulders, their back arching into them as the other sped up.

It didn't take long for both their breathing to grow unsteady. Their thrusts and movements turning chaotic and sloppy as they neared their orgasms. The villain's name slipping past Hero's lips as their muscles clenched tight and flexed, Villain reaching their own finish in nearly perfect sync with them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Days went by, then weeks, then months. Criminal activity has been on a clear rise, civilians growing fearful and demanding to know why the hero was letting it happen, demanding that they do something, but their 'hero' was long gone now.

All this time, Hero had been meeting up with Villain more and more. They thought it would just be a one-time thing, but it had evolved into so much more. At first, it was just once a week or two... Then once every couple of days... And now...?

Now the hero was glued to the other's hip; they saw them every day, getting waisted beyond belief, getting lost in careless pleasure. People were dying, but Hero didn't care. Villains were winning, but Hero didn't care. They couldn't bring themself to care anymore...

Villain, meanwhile, was doing a bit better than them. They were glad to have a solid distraction for once. It felt nice to have company, to have someone else they could be miserable and ruined with every day of their existence.

Still, outside of that, though, the villain didn't care much. If Hero got hurt, then they could deal with it on their own, and if they died...?

Well, then they died, and Villain would have to find a replacement.

Just like they always did...

[caramelgeddon]

Kaede and maki react to a homeless so (also a update at the end)

Hey mod himiko here. This here is best girl from demon school. Anyway headcannons time

Kaede akamatsu

She’s walking down a rainy road. As the moon is rising and the sun is setting, while she has headphones in listening to Clair de lune

Although she something… cardboard out of her eye. And she can’t help but see what it is…

She sees something that breaks her heart. A poor looking soul resting on cardboard as a bed, with the only protection from the rain being the buildings roof she was next too.

With no protection to the cold she sees the sleeping soul in a curled up position trying to keep themself warm.

She couldn’t bear to just leave them there… she removed her rain jacket and tapped the sleeping figure. As the sleeping figure eyes adjusted she saw a women standing next to her with a jacket in there hands

Kaede: “take this please… “

S/o: “n-no I couldn-“

Kaede: “take it…”

As the stranger s/o put the jacket on, kaede asks a question she’s not sure if she should ask

Kaede: “Um do you wanna come to my house for the night… I promise I’m not some weird evil person.”

S/o: “a-re you sure?”

Kaede: positive..

As they walked along kaede attempted to make small talk

Kaede: “how did you get like this”

S/o: “m-my parents kicked me out… they hated me… I was such a burden t-“

Kaede: “quiet! That’s not true… your parents sound horrible… ah we’re here…”

She unlocks her door and lets them in.. and offers them her bed saying she’ll sleep on the couch.. no she doesn’t offer she insists.. but she can hear them moving around struggling to sleep so she helps them the only way she knows how

Sounds of her piano playing Clair de lune fills the air once she’s done she pauses to listen. And she can hear s/o’s snores

After hearing what her parents did she makes a offer

Kaede: “um you can stay here if you want… I would hate for you to go back on the cardboard”

S/o: “I-I……” they go quiet, immediately hugging her as they whisper..

“Thank you kaede.” *kaede will let them live there as long as they need to she grows to love there quirks. (If you want this to be platonic ignore the next part)

and one day she asked them out… bringing them onto a hill on a bright sunny day, with a picnic prepared.

When they watched the sun goes down, they shared earbuds and listened to Clair de lune as s/o fell asleep on kaede’s shoulder

Maki roll

One sunny day maki is walking to school when she’s someone on the ground…

She comes closer curious to see a young person like her, they had a few wounds and tattered clothes

She turns over her wallet and grabs two hundreds and taps them

“You need this…”

S/o eyes light up. Knowing how this will make there life a little better, she looks up to thank maki but she’s gone…

Every day of the week maki comes around to talk, they become great friends and maki lets them in there house whenever they need it.. eventually after about 5 months. Maki sends them a letter.

Go to 5 chestnut 8717 house for a surprise

Following the directions they go there and knock on the door to be greeted by maki and a fully furnished house…

I saved up money so you could have this.. it wasn’t a mortgage so you don’t have to worry about paying…

S/o: t-thank you maki roll

Maki: I-I told you to not call me that I-idiot

Ah I love procrastinating sleeping on a school night. Anyways folk I’m sorry I was gone so long with a new trimester and what happened to my pet, I needed some time not writing… not that I don’t love to write. Anyways I’m gonna work on dnaganronpa Christmas soon. I can’t promise to be consistent but I hope to become consistent again soon- mod himiko

[four-rabbit]

First day

Hey! I can’t believe I was actually able to write this, but I’m so glad I did! This is (probably just) a oneshot based on this Parent AU created by @remuscore, because we all know I just had to write about Remus being a parent.

Sorry for any mistakes, hope you enjoy it!

Summary: It’s Roman’s first day of preschool or dealing with enough kids to fill a classroom for that matter and he has never been more excited. His father, Remus, on the other hand, can’t stop himself from worrying that, just as he did as a child, Roman will have difficulty adapting to the new environment. 

Characters: Remus Sanders; Roman Sanders; Patton Sanders

Warning: Swearing, one mention to eating a bug, food and first day of school as a main theme.

Word count: 2259

It was midnight. Remus finally threw himself on the bed and closed his eyes. After one minute, the daylight broke through the windows, hurting just as much as the screamings of a child. 

“Dad! Dad, wake up! Wake uuup!”

“Wh… Roman, it’s…” He squinted at the cellphone, his vision still getting used to all that light and brightness “...It’s time to wake up” He sighed heavily, letting the phone fall from his hands. The last day finished, like, seven hours ago, why did he already have to deal with another day?! 

“Yeah, that’s what I sayied”

“Said” he corrected, closing his eyes again hoping that, somehow, a few more seconds would be enough for him to be ready to be a functional human being. It didn’t work, but he had to at least pretend to not be dead inside anyway “What do you wanna eat?”

“Breakfast soup!” Roman opened his arms and a smile from ear to ear. Very adorable, his father thought. Would be way more adorable if you didn’t scream at seven in the fucking morning. 

“I think the cereal is over, buddy” he sat with effort, his entire body feeling like it had been hit by a train “We ate it all… yesterday. I guess. But we have… hmm… Something. Probably” 

“Dad looks scary”

“I know”

“Really really scary. Like a zombie. Or, or, a witch! Or Dragon. Dragon witch!” Remus smiled tirely. His son’s excitement was almost contagious. Almost. 

“Thanks for the regards” he mumbled, getting on his feet and grabbing Roman, who was busy jumping up and down on the bed and making it even messier than it was before.

There were the remains of an egg bowl and an out of date ketchup in the fridge. And that's it. Remus did his best to keep the curses that came to his mind, well, in his mind. 

“There must be something in the pantry” There was. One packet of cookies. “Eggs, cookies or both?"

“Cookies!” Roman exclaimed. 

“Cool, but I’m gonna make the eggs  cause you’ll need energy for your first day of school. 

“Cookies give energy!” Roman pouted, crossing his arms. Remus ignored him, grabbing the eggs and then turning to the kid, frowning.

“Hey, when was the last time I gave you a shower?” If Roman was a little older he would have replied "you’re asking me that?!” but when you are three, you don’t really understand why it matters how frequent your showers are. 

“‘Lastday’?” he asked more than anything, after stopping to think a little. Remus sighed again”.

“Yesterday, ok, go…” would it be too irresponsible to ask his son to shower by himself? “You know what, the eggs can wait, let’s take a shower and then find your clothing and your backpack and…” Jesus fucking Christ we’ll never be there on time.

“Kay!” There wasn’t anything that would bother Roman. Not now that the possibility to go to school and make friends and be cool was so close. 

The shower was fast and messy. Roman got really close to falling, like, three times and their neighbors probably weren’t happy with all the drama he made when Remus tried to dry his hair. 

“You act like I’m trying to rip off your head, not just dry your damn hair!” 

“I want Patton! Patton not mean! Dad mean!”

“Patton is also not here and it’s over. See? You’re alive” Roman showed Remus his tongue, grabbing his towel in a dramatic outing and going to his room.

Remus always believed in self expression. Even when you are a child. That's why he let his son choose an old glitter t-shirt, beach shorts, a red cape and spongebob shoes to go to school. Which can be either a questionable or great parenting method. I’ll let you decide. 

“You look neat!” His father complimented when Roman sat down at the kitchen table, waiting for his breakfast. 

“Dad is lying!

“I never lie”

“All grown-ups lie” Remus looked down at the eggs in front of him. Yeah, I guess he’s right, thought to himself, I can’t afford to be honest all the time if I want to be good at adulting. Or, as he liked to say, adultery. 

“Ok, but I’m not lying now. You do look good” he gave his son a thumbs up, sitting down and putting the eggs in front of them.

“I want cookies!” Roman complained, refusing to eat. 

“You can take the cookies to school, how ‘bout that?” 

“The whole packet?” the child asked, half-closing his eyes with suspicion. Remus smiled lightly.

“The whole packet”

“Cool!” the oldest checked the time. The family had five minutes before their ride got there. 

“So. I guess I should give you, like, a school talk” 

“Not really.” Roman said after swallowing. 

“Hum. Okay. First, don’t worry about not making friends, I know all of this is new, but I’m sure that you’ll be fine”.

“I’m not worried” Oh excuse me Mister.I’m-a-Fucking-Extrovert. 

“Oh. Good. Yeah. But also, like… don’t be so sure. Like… if not everything goes as planned or if you don’t make that many friends, y’know-”

“I’m gonna make friends, I’m not weird like dad” Roman interrupted. Remus tried to not seem as offended as he was. Turns out being called “weird” is harder when it’s your own son. 

“Cool, cool. But I also feel that we should establish some rules, I guess?

“Estab what? 

“Create some rules and follow them”

“I’m great at following rules!” he exclaimed. It could have come as sarcasm if he wasn’t too young for that. 

“Ok. First: no nicknames. Call people their actual name for the love of god”

“But what if their names are boring?”

“Especially if their names are boring.” Roman seemed almost offended, but nodded reluctantly.

“Two: y’know the bad words I say sometimes? Don’t say any of those. Ever” he could only imagine the headache it would be trying to deal with a teacher after his son told a kid to go fuck themself. 

“Ever?!”

“Ok, not ever, but not until you are ten, let’s say”

“How long is it?

“Not that long. And finally. Don’t get into any fight. Please. 

“I won’t! Unless someone is mean to me, right?

“No. Not even if someone is mean to you. At least not for now” Roman tilted his head.

“But you always say that” He changed his posture and tried to imitate Remus’ voice. “When people are bad, you gotta be bad back”

“I said this, like, once and… It was different. If something goes wrong at school, we may have to pull up with some sh- things I don’t know if I can deal with”

“Like what?” Remus was spared from having to answer that and make his worst fear even more real as a horn echoed from the street. Roman immediately got up, running to the door and screaming: “Patton! Patton is here!” Remus opened a relieved smile for a lot of reasons, letting the closest he had to a father get in.

“Hey Kiddo, it’s so good to see you!” Patton said to both of them, hugging Roman and them the twenty years old man.

“Sup” Remus simply mumbled, too prideful to let the guest see how grateful he was for the possibility of a break. “You guys have fun here, I have to find this little brat’s backpack…"

“Hey! Dad ‘have be’ mean to me the whooole morning! Tell him to be nice!" Roman commanded. 

“Your dad is just a little tired, sweet, I’m sure he means no harm. Oh, I really like your cape! Where did you buy it?

“I made it myself! And dad helped a little, I guess”

“And by a little he means I did most of the work and he put those stars at the bottom” Remus replied, coming back with his son’s backpack.

“Oh, you two did very well! So, is everything alright?” He took a look around, putting his hands on his waist.

“Yeah, I hope” Remus answered, not really sure of it himself.

“Well, I’ll have to trust your word, kiddo, cause we’re kinda late. So, let’s get going! 

Patton probably had some deal with the devil. That’s the only way he would be able to handle a whole trip with Roman - And Remus too, who knew himself to also not be easy to deal - and still keep it cool. 

“Here we are” said as the small building got in their gaze, full of kids and screaming and social interactions and oh god, Remus was so glad he never even considered to be a teacher. Roman didn’t even think twice, already opening his door and starting to run toward the school.

“Fuck! Hey wow, stop right there!” Remus immediately followed, the panic growing in his chest and dispeling the tiredness for a moment. He grabbed his son by the arm, trying to at the same time be careful and resolute “You can’t just go running like that! Some car could have… Oh god”

“I’m fine!”

“I know. I just. Do you want me to be there?” Why is school always so fucking scary? Even when you are an adult, apparently, from how all those gazes felt on his skin “Or maybe if you want, Patton can go with you…”

“Dad can go with me there!” He then grabbed Remus' hand and proceeded to push his father with all his determination, guiding them both through the school even if he had no idea where his class was. But they figured it out after a couple minutes. 

“I guess it’s here, isn’t it?” Remus asked more to himself than anything. His son nodded. 

“Don’t be sad, dad. I promise I will make a ton of friends and be cool and popular” He opened his arms to give emphasis to his words. The oldest smiled. 

“I’m sure you will, buddy. But also, if you need anything, I’ll be there, so… 

“You’ll? But isn’t it just for the kids?

“Yeah, but you still need some adaptation period and I have to stay while this.

“I don’t need ada- adap- this thing! I’m so totally fine!”

“We don’t really have a word in that, buddy. Now, where is your teacher…?” He looked around, but it didn’t take the man a lot of effort, since a smiley woman wearing the school uniform was already coming in their direction.

“Oh, you must be Roman Prince, right? Nice to meet you!” she leaned down to the child’s height, still keeping that smile on her face. 

“Nice to meet you too” He exclaimed back. Remus was relieved he remembered the cumpriment. 

“Why don’t you go meet your new friends? We have hot dogs!

“I love hot dog!” He runned toward the food without second thoughts, leaving Remus and the nice normal lady alone. He tried to smile too, but it probably didn’t look as genuine considering all his nervousness. 

“And I guess you must be... “ She analysed the young adult from his multiply pierced ears to his ripped pants and worn boots. “Roman’s brother?” That would be easier, wouldn't it?

“No, I’m…” He held out his hand to greet her. “His dad. Remus Prince, nice to meet you”

“Oh” She didn’t accept his hand. 

“Yeah”

“Can I talk to his mom?”

“Of course! When I find her I’ll let you know” She flinched. Fuck, wrong time, wrong joke. “Yeah, if Roman needs something I’ll be there” he vaguely pointed to a bench, speed walking in it’s direction. 

You know someone is awkward when they still have problems dealing with school even after they already finished it. He sat there, trying not to see so… what? Irresponsible, scary, wrong, useless. The last one would definitely have been easier if Roman wasn’t such a natural. He made friends before his father could say ‘“fucking extrovert”, participated in all the games, just cried once. Remus was proud, but also kinda jealous. By what his parents told him, his first day basically consisted in him eating a bug and being excluded for the whole year after that. What I great fucking way to start things. 

But if Roman was so much better, I guess it meant he did a better job than his parents. Not like being better than those assholes was that hard tho. 

As the morning went over, Roman got back, his face red and sweaty from all that playing. On the moment Remus saw that ear to ear grin, he knew it was worth it and couldn’t stop himself from smiling too.

“How was it?” asked just so his son could talk, which he loved too, it clearly went well. He was there after all.

“It was so cool! I made friends and we played and teacher is nice and we ‘eated’ pizza and hot dogs and watched a movie!”

“I’m glad! So… We want to come tomorrow too?” Roman violently nodded, jumping up and down.

“Yes, yes!

“Neat. How ‘bout we grab some ice cream on our way? We sure do need some food” I know, I know, ice cream is not really food, but give him a break. Also, Roman managed to seem even happier.

“Ice creaaam!” He yelled. Remus smiled again, feeling that warm feeling in his chest that was familiar at that moment. Love. It was hard, of course, sometimes he felt like he couldn’t make it, like he was just not born for the job and would eventually just screw everything. But he was trying, which was better than he could say for Roman’s “mother” or his own parents, so maybe he could convince himself that trying was enough. 

[thiswasinevitableid]

Okay well then!!!! I am very glad and excited to share my most recent idea I had while rereading Yeti Hunting again!! And the new Incubus one too!! They're almost exactly the same idea, just different flavors I suppose. Also Joe is trans in both the ideas but that's less to do with the ideas themself and more to do with just me projecting on him sgfjgsjfhsjdh

Okay so it's like a reverse au so Stern is some kind of cryptid, but as far as Barclay knows they're just two good human friends (but maybe they wanna be a little more than friends...). And then one day Joseph goes into heat and tells Barclay he's sick to try to keep him away, but Barclay being the sweetest man alive goes to his house with fresh soup to take care of him and Joe seems really panicked about Bar being there and tries to make him leave but he is CLEARLY unwell and Barclay is very stubborn when it comes to helping people he cares about and so he plants himself down on the couch and says he's not leaving until Joe tells him what's wrong and Stern tries to hold onto his human form but it's taking too much focus and energy and whoops Barclay finds out his friend not human and currently in distress and so horny it hurts and if he can help his friend and fuck him at the same time, well then that's just a win all around (bonus points if at the end Barclay is kinda sad because he thinks Joe just needed somone to fuck him, not nessacarry Barclay, but Joe frantically assures him that he is SUPER into him and if it were anyone else he would have kicked them the hell out and probably skipped town bc he couldn't trust anyone else with a secret like this).

Or!! (This is where the incubus part comes in) Joe is an incubus and currently hiding out in his human disguise at the Amnesty lodge and it's going fine for a while, but then he starts talking to and getting to know the really hot chef. And they slowly start growing closer and closer. And maybe in this world, the power an Incubus gets from sex depends just as much on their desires as it does the human's. And this has never been an issue for Stern before, but now he's falling for Barclay and wants him and no one else so he's getting less and less energy from his encounters and Barclay is worried about him because he doesn't seem like himself anymore. Almost as if he's... dulled? When Barclay looks at him the blue of his eyes seem muted and his general aura seems... gray. And it all comes to ahead when Joe finally stops insisting he's fine and after dinner one night he asks if he can speak to Barclay privately, and he comes clean about everything and Barclay, while a little shocked, rolls with it very well and cups Joe's face in his hands and kisses him softly and it like,,, you should have come to me sooner, I'd do anything for you,,, and yeah it's really tender,,,,

Okay that's it I'm sorry it's so long and probably incoherent. I tried to use at least little formatting to make it better but it's a tumblr mobile ask, I'm not sure even the new paragraphs will translate over. The general idea is that they're close friends and Stern is Not Human and Barclay finds out under less than ideal circumstances :3 I know these are far from original or unique but I just wanted to share my ideas with you bc you're the inspiration for a good 70% of my private writings, but if you like them enough and ever feel like doing something with them that'd be cool ;3

Here you go! I went with scenario one. Content Note: some “mating” talk and mild subdrop at the end (which is, of course, taken care of)

The two canvas bags are ready to burst. Barclay peers into them, contemplating the addition of another box of tea, in case Joseph doesn’t like the other two. Mama was cagey when he asked, he doesn’t know what’s ailing the other man, only that he’s sick. 

Joseph manages Amnesty Lodge, where Barclays’ been a cook for the last six months. Barclay was initially wary of him; his cosmopolitan bearing and clean-cut appearance is so out of place in the rustic mountain town of Kepler that the logical explanation is he’s one of those city types who fell on hard times and got stuck here. 

It took less than forty-eight hours for him to prove Barclay wrong. Polite and polished, efficient and stunningly good in a crisis, Joseph handles the day to day chaos of the lodge while Mama, the owner, took care of the big picture stuff. His friendly greetings and consistent compliments about Barclays cooking gradually turned to afternoons spent at a table with his work so they could talk during lulls in business. 

When Joseph leaned against the counter, sleeves rolled up, laughing as he helped Barclay tidy the kitchen, the cook rushed headlong into his crush and never looked back. He regularly dreams of blue eyes and a movie-star face, finds his day doesn’t really start until Joseph pokes his head in to say good morning. 

He’s been without that greeting for two days now. Joseph never misses work, and his sudden absence worried Barclay enough that he checked with Mama to be sure the manager was okay.

“Joe’s fine big fella, just under the weather is all.”

The one time Barclay got sick, Joseph brought him tea and soup himself, checked in on him every hour, and--if Barclay’s fever addled brain is to be trusted--fluffed his pillows. It’s the least Barclay can do to drop off snacks and be sure his friend is okay. 

It’s a short drive to cabin Joseph calls home; he used to live at the Lodge, but as it got more crowded, he moved to his own space so those who needed a cheap, safe place to stay could have one. 

His knock on the door is answered by a brisk, “Who is it?”

“Barclay. I, uh, I brought you a get-well gift.”

Joseph opens the door to the cabin and to an entire new universe of fantasies. His normally slicked-back hair falls, relaxed, across his forehead, his loosely tied blue robe shows a tantalizing V of skin, and the dreamy-sleepy expression makes his face even more kissable. 

“Hi.” Joseph takes a step forward, taking the bags and bringing his face achingly close to Barclays’. Then he freezes, reversing into the house, “I, um, it was very sweet of you to bring all this. But you need to go.” He takes another step back, then doubles over with a groan. 

Barclay hurries across the threshold, setting the bags on the floor and steadying him over to the couch.

“Fuck, do you need me to get you like a heat pack, or a puke bucket?”

“No, no I just need to lay down, and for you to g-” he shudders, curling in on himself and tipping sideways. 

“Joseph, you’re really sick, I’m not gonna just leave you here. I mean, fuck, what if it’s your appendix or something?” He sits down next to the shaking man, rubbing his back comfortingly. 

“It’s not, I promise. Oh lord” he whines, looks at Barclay with frantic eyes, “I hope you can keep a secret.”

“Of course I can. Whatever I can do to help, I want to.” 

“Careful with those promises, big guy.” The nickname comes out in a growl as Joseph stands, undoing his wristwatch. 

“Oh FUCK!” Barclay scrambles back, almost falling over the arm of the couch.

There’s a monster where Joseph just was. Years ago Barclay saw a Maned Wolf in a zoo, and he’d swear that’s what he’s looking at now were it not for several glaring issues. First, it’s standing comfortably on two legs. It’s paws are more like hands, able to hold the watch and adjust the collar of its shirt. And he’s never seen a wolf, maned or otherwise, with spines down its back and a whip-like tail.

The creature runs a clawed hand through the fur at the top of it’s head, the way Joseph does when he’s nervous,  “So. I can’t tell you everything, at least not right now. What I can tell you is that this is the form I was born into, somewhere far away from earth.”

“Okay.” Barclays brain grinds like a broken ice machine as a familiar voice speaks to him from a fanged mouth. 

“I, um, I’m what humans call a Chupacabra. To answer the usual questions: no, I’ve never been to Puerto Rico. No, I don’t eat goats. And no, I’m not going to eat you.”

“Okay.” His heart is still racing, but not from fear, which is the most confusing was this could have gone.

Pointed ears flick, worried, “Are you in shock?”

“Kinda, yeah.” He nods as Joseph sits next to him with a heavy sigh. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to find out this way. I took the next few days off to avoid this exact scenario. I figured I wouldn’t see you, but forgot how thoughtful and caring you are.” Claws gently stroke Barclays hair, “my wonderful Barclay.”

He’s about to bring his hand up, cup those strange fingers to his cheek and whisper “always”, when Joseph pulls away. 

“I, I’m sorry. Again. I always get too handsy when I’m in heat. That’s the second worst side-effect, after the fact that being in my disguise is untenable when I’m in the thick of it. It’s like wearing a wet, wool sweater made of nausea.”

“....Hold on, you had to take time off work because you’re horny?” 

“Almost. Heat doesn’t come that often for me, which means whenever it happens, it’s intense. I have a hard time eating or sleeping, I can’t focus, and I spend most of the week masturbating. Which is not as fun as it sounds; I’m not even at the height of the damn thing and last night I humped a pillow on the kitchen floor while dinner reheated.”

Barclay groans, tries to hide it when the ears swivel his way, “Uh, guess I’m glad I brought you lots of food so you remember to eat. Shoulda, uh, put some lube or something in there as well, huh?” 

Joseph chuckles, “My nose tells me you put molasses cookies in there, so I’ll let it slide.”

“There anything else I can do to help?”

“Well…” he shakes his head, “never mind, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Do what?”

“My heat is more manageable when I have a partner. Fucking someone relieves things more effectively than masturbation does. But I can’t-”

“I can help with that.” The offer is out before his brain catches up with his mouth. 

“Barclay, my kind have a very, um, involved mode of, um, well, I guess you foreplay. As, as much as I’d love for you to be my mate” he winces, “see, that’s what I mean. I say things like that, most of them not even possible given the fact you and I can’t reproduce.” 

“Uh, does it help if I say hearing you call me that is really hot?”

Blue eyes widen, and a tail traces up Barclays leg, “Only if you mean it.”

“I do.”

A narrow, long tongue flicks into the air, “In that case, big guy, how about we have a little planning session over dinner?”

-------------------------------------------------

Barclay parks in the driveway, next to Josephs’ sedan. He heads past the house and down a short slope to a creek, the twilight sky casting the forest in eerie grey-blue. There’s a tire swing leftover from a previous resident, and he idly pushes it back and forth as he waits for the game to start. 

“It’s like hide and seek” Joseph wipes his mouth, cleans cookie crumbs from the table, “We start outside, move inside, and you go as long as you can without me catching you. After all, I want a mate who can hold his own.”

He stuffs his hands in his jacket pocket to warm them. A yip bounces out from the trees behind him. When he turns, he quickly spots glinting eyes and bared fangs hidden in the undergrowth. 

Sprinting towards the cabin, he realizes Joseph laid a trap for him from the start; by asking him to begin at the creek, he’s forcing him to run uphill to safety, slowing him down. He lets his lizard-brain, concerned only with the fact that something dangerous is chasing him, take over and drive his legs as fast as they’ll go. The back door is locked, he double-checked that on the way down, so he doesn’t waste his time trying it, races to the front of the cabin and slams the door shut just as something huge rounds the corner after him. 

The nob jiggles, his pursuer testing the lock and discovering the thrown deadbolt. Barclay uses those few seconds to secure the windows on the first floor, throws his jacket down into the cellar as a failsafe, and bolts up to the bedroom. His hammering heart insists that locking that door is not enough, so he crawls into the closet and shuts himself up among the meticulously organized shirts and slacks. It’s not enough space for him to stand, so he tucks his knees to his chest and waits. 

“What happens if I, like, completely outsmart you.”

A toothy smile, “I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you.”

Each of the downstairs windows rattle in turn. Then the scratching starts, claws on wood coming closer with each breath. Joseph is climbing the wall up to the bedroom window that Barclay knows for a motherfucking fact he did not secure. 

A shuff as the window slides open, the cryptid landing with remarkable stealth on the bedroom floor. Barclay tracks him by the light coming under the closet door, his mouth covered so his breathing won’t give him away. The shadow pauses, sniffs, and then the bedroom door opens and shuts. Barclay’s not moving until he hears the front door do the same. 

Just as his legs start to protest being smushed up against his chest, the door reopens. Snuffling signals Joseph closing in, and an instant later the only light coming in is from the far ends of the door. Slowly, his last line of defense rolls to the right, revealing the creature crouching on the other side.

“Not a bad effort, big guy. You actually confused me for a minute with the scent trail of your coat downstairs.” Joseph reaches for him and Barclay, remembering that he’s not supposed to give up until he’s pinned, leans away. 

“That’s how my mate wants to play?”

“J-just following your instructions, babe.”

An intrigued purr, “I guess you are. All the more reason you’re the perfect partner for me.”

The words Barclays dreamed of hearing for months distract from the claws closing around his ankles. He lets out an undignified yelp when Joseph pulls his legs straight out and drags him out of the closet. Once he’s free of the forest of clothing, the cryptid picks him up and drops him on the bed. He moans and Joseph snickers, joining him on the bedspread. 

“Fuck, Joseph, no one’s ever been able to do that before and it’s so, so fucking hot.” He arches his back and shifts his limbs to help Joseph undress him.

“It’s because you’re the perfect size; big and strong, large enough to give me a decent cuddle when I’m human, but still small enough to be an easily subdued mate.” He gets the humans’ jeans and boxers off, hesitates, and then tosses them on the floor with a pained expression, “I’ll fold those later.”

“Gonna hold you to that. Also, wanna point out that it wasn’t that easy to subdue me.”

Joseph nuzzles his cheek, claws caressing his thighs, “Barclay, I was jogging while you were sprinting.”

“You coulda caught me right awaAAy ohwhatthefuck.” Tingling heat glides down his throat as Joseph licks a stripe along the skin, “fuck, it, it feels like the time I tried hot wax.”

The cryptid sits up slightly to look at him, “Is that a...good thing?”

“Fuck yeah. I really fucking liked it but it was fucking murder with the chest hair.”

Joseph runs his claws through the hair in question, “I like it.”

“I know, I saw you eyeing me that one time I used the springs at the lodge.”

“You can’t prove anything.” Joseph leans back down, curling his tongue around Barclays left nipple. The sensation makes him buck his hips, which Joseph correctly takes as a signal for more. He moves to the other side, takes his time teasing it and licking down the sensitive center of Barclays chest. Noses his stomach, nips his sides, and slides the alien heat of his tongue into the crease of his thighs. 

“Y’know I, ohfuck, I assumed from all that talk yesterday you’d get right to fucking me.”

Joseph kisses the inside of one thigh, “I, um, I thought about it, almost ripped your jeans to shreds and took you on the floor. But I wanted to be sure you were turned on. You’re not just a warm body, Barclay. You’re my mate. That means your pleasure matters as much as mine.” He licks up Barclays’ cock, hardened from rubbing against the soft fur of his belly, and sighs, “and what a mate.”

“Fuck” he squeezes his eyes closed because if we watches that mouth saying everything he wants to hear in between sucking his dick, he’ll cum in ten seconds flat. 

A final lick to the tip and then Joseph hops off the bed, “Did you prep the way I told you?”

“Uhhuh.” 

“Good.” Joseph returns, sets several items he can’t see by his feet, “that’ll make things easier. First things first” he produces a cock cage, sliding it into place, “these are a few things I smuggled over from my original home. This is enchanted, so it can go on an erect cock but still prevent the wearer from cumming until it’s removed.”

“That’s just cruel, babe.” He sits up on his elbows to kiss Josephs snout, earning him a pleased yip. 

“If you cum too fast, I won’t be able to properly breed you.” He winces again, “sorry, I sound like one of Indrids romance novels.”

“Again, gorgeous, I find it really fucking hot.”

The spines on Joseph’s back ripple, “You think I’m gorgeous? Like this?”

“I do. Also kinda scary, but in a hot way.” Now it’s his turn to cringe, “see? I sound like cheap porn written by an eighth grader when I’m horny. The way you sound is fine.”

Joseph lovebites his ear, then retrieves the other two items from the end of the bed. 

“And how does this look, big guy?”

“Like it’s either going to kill me or make me cum like a dozen times.” He furrows his brow at the strap-on. It’s narrower than the average human dick, with a pointed, slightly up-curved tip. What’s worrying him are the spikes. 

The entire shaft is coated in short protrusions. They don’t end in points, thank god, but if they’re at all stiff this is going to be miserable. 

“Here” Joseph waves him over, “touch it.” He guides his fingers along one side and the spines bend fluidly under his touch, and now all he wants to know is how they feel inside him. Joseph also moans, bucking his hips so the toy slides along Barclays palm.

“It’s, ohlord, also enchanted so that the wearer feels it as an extension of their body and can cum with it. Also, please decide in the next thirty seconds whether you want to be on your back or your stomach.” Amber pre-cum drips down Barclay’s fingers. 

“Stomach is better for meWHOAH, ohfuck, okay we’re doing this.” Now flipped on his belly, he raises his ass. The cryptid kneads it appreciatively before holding it open and sliding his cock in with once, graceful thrust. 

He bottoms out with a groan, which is more articulate than Barclay is managing to be as the spines rub and glide inside him, finding every patch of nerves, every angle to drag against in just the right way. Joseph hauls him onto his knees and then he’s off, growls and yips filling the as he fucks him. Barclay only just registers the bed banging into the wall so forcefully the headboard is cracking when claws sink into his hips and Joseph pulls him all the way onto his cock and pulses into him. 

“Holy fuck that was fast.”

“I, I didn’t jack off once today. Didn’t want to waste it, wanted to save it all for my perfect mate.” He’s thrusting again, not as hard but twice as fast, “shit, you feel so good, big guy, please tell me Mama okayed your time off for tomorrow.”

“Wh-why are we talkingAHnnn, about this now?”

Hot breath tickles his ear, “Because now that I know what’s like to cum in you, I don’t plan on cumming anywhere else for the next day and a half.”

“Ohfuckme” Barclay groans happily into the pillows as Joseph empties into him, cries out when his tail whips across his calf.

“Shit, did that hurt?”

“No, no it felt good, fucking-A babe every fucking part of you is amazing.”

The cryptid whines, pleased, and wiggles his hips, giving Barclay an idea. 

“That’s, uh, that’s why I want you for my mate, because you’re so fucking goo-mmph” his face presses harder into the pillows as Joseph pins his shoulders down and fucks into him, snarling “yes” over and over again. When he finishes this time he hunches over, nipping Barclay’ shoulders and neck. 

“You catch on quick, big guy.”

“Thanks, babe. Uh, are we gonna switch it up at any point or am I staying like this until tomorrow night?”

“No, we can fuck however we want. After” a fuzzy hand rubs circles on Barclay’s abdomen, “I’ve cum in you enough times that I can feel it from out here.”

Barclay moans, tightening around him as his hips snap once more, already imagining being full and fucked out. Maybe it’ll take all night. He’ll be limp if it does, but right now nothing sounds better than melting into the bed while Joseph fucks his ass like it belongs to him. 

After forty-five minutes, his cock is aching, his mind holds only thoughts of how good it feels to do as Joseph tells him, and he’s been cum in so many times that wet, obscene sounds accompany the cryptids thrusts. Said sounds pale in comparison to Josephs’ voice, which is spinning increasingly impossible scenarios the longer they’re in bed. 

“I hope they take after you.” Joseph murmurs. 

Barclay just manages to turn his head, “Who?”

A muzzle playfully nudges his cheek, “Our kids.”

His heart seizes and shakes at the words; they both know that’s not what will happen. Joseph warned him he might say things like this, said he could tell him to knock it off if need be. 

“Maybe they’ll, ahnn, they’ll have big, beautiful brown eyes and bigger hearts, just like you.”

He doesn’t want him to stop. Every thrust hits deeper, every point where their skin meets buzzes brighter when he talks like this.

“H-hope at least one looks like you, blue eyes.”

A guttural whine, tingling heat as Joseph laps tenderly at the back of his neck, “We’ll just have to see, usually we’re born in threes so, soOH, oh I’m close, shitshit” 

“That’s it babe, fill me up, c’mon, c’mon I want it so bad, Joseph, baby, please.” 

There’s a howltrill as cum spurts into him, Joseph panting as he smooths his hand around Barclays side.

“There, that’s done it.”

Barclay whimpers as he pulls out, his mind and body pulled tight, certain that if he doesn’t cum soon he’ll propose marriage instead and that’ll be a fucking disaster. 

Joseph carefully rolls him over and unlocks the cage, “Do you want to cum?”

“More than anything. Oh!” he’s unprepared for Joseph to sink down on his cock, “oh fuck, yeah, wanna cum so bad babe please, I’ll be so good, be such a good mate if you just let me cum in y-fuuuck” A trio of sensations levels him as he climaxes; his vision whites out, his hips jerk more violently than they ever have before, and a line of cum drips down his leg. 

Somewhere far away, Joseph says, “I think we’ve earned a break.”

He nods, body limp as the cryptid climbs off him. Then he’s falling, spinning helplessly down in a pit of realizations. 

Joseph didn’t mean any of those things he said. His friend needed a mate and Barclay, lovesick fool he is, was eager for a chance to play pretend that he didn’t think about what would happen when the game ended. Even if Joseph keeps him here through tomorrow, the next time they meet at the Lodge he’ll act like nothing happened. 

Fuck, Barclay didn’t even get to kiss him during all this, and now he’ll never get the chance, never, nevernever-

“Shit, I should have put a towel or a spare blanket down. Now I’ll have to strip the bed before I can--Barclay? Oh, oh baby, what’s wrong?” A hand pets his face and he turns away from it, refusing to open his eyes. Joseph takes his hand instead, “it’s okay, I’m here, whatever you need I’ll-”

“Don’t. Don’t say that. You can’t give me what I need, it isn’t your fault I, I know I’m not really your partner and I, I…” he sniffles, wipes his palm under his eye. 

“Barclay, look at me please.”

Reluctantly, he opens his eyes just in time to see Joseph dip down and kiss him. It’s awkward, their mouths not made to fit together, but he savors it all the same because it’s Joseph, his Joseph, kissing him like he hoped he would. 

“My heat can make me say some ridiculous things. What it can’t do is make me feel affection where none exists. In fact, the reason I wasn’t able to keep my disguise on yesterday is because being near you meant being near the mate I wanted most in the world. I, um, suspected you might share my feelings, but I didn’t want our first interaction as boyfriend to be me asking if you wanted to spend a day or so with me while I was in a sex haze. But then you offered to help, and I wanted it so badly that I barreled ahead without making sure you understood that this was me declaring my feelings. I’m sorry.”

Barclay climbs into his lap, not caring about the mess he makes in the process. The cryptid laughs, hugs him close.

“I, I shoulda said something sooner too. Not that I regret how we spent our first date.” He kisses Josephs chin.

“Me neither, though I don’t think it quite counts.” He rubs their foreheads together, “can your boyfriend take you out to dinner on Friday?”

Barclay grins, looks into loving, blue eyes, “Yeah, he can.”

[goatpaste]

WC design/headcannon/ect masterlist- Part B

another chunk of all the headcanos/AU’s/design notes/warrior names for kits and leaders never given a canon one/ect for all the wario cats!

this one is for all the B named cats!

info under the cut

Badgerfang

badgerfang i think a lot of us have a big ol soft spot for, but ought i really care him and his family i think it needs more than jusT the badgerfang death like for real

one of the biggest reasons i wanna learn to animate is because i wanna make a badgerfang and flintfang amv! it would be sdkg more about flintfang because i think he’s a neat character who has a lot of potential for development 

like mAN you ever stop and think about not only was flintfang sad over badgerfangs death because it was sad, bUT also because badgerfang was his sisters kit AND to the thought of blackstar is flintfangs brother. flintfang had to deal with playing a hand in badgerfangs death then watch his brother loyally follow brokenstar, then tigerstar 🥺

Baypaw

baypaw was the first of his lil chunk of family i design, i didnt have a sorrelstripe design made yet so i ultimately decided to base his design on his grandpa Lionblaze. smaller fluffy lionblaze.

I know we should be coming up to baypaw getting their warrior name soon

i think a name like Baysong or Baygale

Beech Tail

the only thing i have  to say is dgjksh when i designed the ‘beech’ prefix designs it was late and i totally went ‘beech... the beach’ and noT beech the tree sdjkgh. so i designed beech tail like that of a penguin sdjkgh

Beechfur

beechfur , riverclan warrior under mistystar’s leadership

i imagine beechfur is be EXTREMely accident prone, from the first instant of getting sick and healed by leafpool all the way up till the end. He is in and out of the medicine cats den constantly. and through this formed a big ol crush on the pretty medicine cat apprentice Willowshine who has had to full on decline his feelings. he is not the only one who has had this treatment, many a riverclan cats have found themself charmed by willowshine

Beechpaw

Beechpaw, a apprentice of ancient skyclan who were forced to leave the forest territory.  i imagine beechpaw was of the few cats who did everything he could to keep the others in good spirit while they tried to find their home, which often came to the annoyance of all his distraught clanmates. he never stopped doing all he could to put a smile on their face until he died.

he was the last apprentice cloudstar named a warrior and only lived a few moons after becoming one.

warrior names i like for him are like Beechshed or Beechshine

Beenose

slight update to my beenose design because i want her to fit my newer darktail group clown aesthetic 

another design note is her and her siblings all are themed after a diff color of the rainbow, beenose is yellow. their mom snowbird has a pale rainbow pattern and each other her kits is a diff color of the rainbow

Beetlewhisker

Beetlewhisker is another one of my quiet favorites i have, and it is because of the error of him being alive for SO many books after he died.

like !!! bitch had a HUGE major death and went on to live for a long time aND be listed as a cats mentor (which i think that has been changed now)

i love the idea of in a way beetlewhisker WAS with the clans that long after his death. that due to his death was in a way locked in the dark forest, his soul stuck there. but because of the ways of the dark forest cat’s he was chased out, and unable to enter starclan having died in the dark forest, now cursed to live in limbo.

He walks to the grounds of riverclan watching over his clanmates while they rest hoping that no one else is to be preyed upon by the dark forest like he was ever again. 

theres ghost stories of riverclan cats seeing the shape of a cat shining brightly when hit by moonlight. a peaceful spirit of the past who protects them.

and in design 100% his design was made to look like that of a smeleton bones lol

Bellaleaf

the erin team will have to pry bellaleaf and firestar being siblings from my cold dead hands!!

you can’t say they look basically exactly alike and their not related i wont take it sdjkg. i DIE for the idea oh whore jake managing to have so many kids that get into the clans. like the over saturation of jake dna through the clans ruining them absolutely kills me sdjkg

i also imagine ravenpaw having like deja vu of firestar when he looks at bella, cats who knew firestar look at her and can’t help feel she reminds them of someone. 

Berryheart

another one of the designfor snowbirds kits, berryheart is the red themed sibling.

she also got a slight design change to be more clowny to fit her time in darktail’s group

Berrynose

i just love berrynose, i think hes very terrible and i love him a lot

i think the books are cowards and i think berrystar woulda been the fUNniest outcome oR like

imagine the powermove if berrynose lived and squirrelflight fucking made berrynose her deputy likE

also berrynose is a lil gay brat, he has a thick country accent and everyone find him weirdly charming. many hate him but cant help but find him alluring. 

he actually is a very good warrior, he stays on top of his task and brings in the prey. his biggest problem is his ego and his need to get in others faces all the time

i love when he’s paired with lionblaze because their stupid rivarly is so good i really wish it was more plot important and lasted longer i LIVE for best friend rivals lion and berry

buT i also love him with jayfeather for the simple dynamic of the one cat who would probably hate him more than anyone else but oops he’s in love to

or him and breezepelt because they could be lil shitheads togeather

Birchface

the biggest thing i can say about birchface is 100% birchface watched over mapleshade’s kits, doesnt let appledusk or his own family hurt them. He treats them like his own.

in AU’s where birchface lives i defiantly can see him having a HUGE crush on mapleshade and being much like thrushpelt was to bluefur. being as a surrogate dad for her kits and keeping the secret.

in my main AU with mapleshade dieing and getting a redemption its mostly the same except they become a sweet happy family together in starclan.

he’s a big goofy dad type and his father had hoped he would become leader one day, but worried that he was too lax with the code and not as driven to fight as others and began to think he would have to rely on frecklewish instead. then they both died and he ended up turning to his youngest son pinefur

Blade

this is just a one time ghost cat buT  i like the design i made for her.

im all here for dark forest cats having this black oozing mark from where they died, starclan gets being covered in stardust and maybe having from pretty plats or glow or other representative stuff on their death. but ghost cats are loUD with their mark of death. its a nagging weight they carry around based on their inability to move on to their respective afterlives. For blade its giant bright red tire marks that slowly circle around her body.

Blazefire

just a lil boy

i imagine he kinda constantly has crushes on cats from other clans which while some might tell him to hush when he shares his thoughts on the pretty cat from riverclan he gets some loving teasing from dovewing and antfur

Blazefire is also miss nearly all of his tail

Blizzardstar and Blizzardwing

not much here but to say 100% i designed blizzardwing in mind of being that of a grandson or great grandson to blizzardstar

Blossomfall

shrug idk a lot to say about her beyond, i know she’s a asshole character but i remember liking her, i think she’s mean but its kinda fun in a way

i think i also just have this soft spot for millies kits because their millie’s

also i just like my blossomfall design i think she’s v fun

Blossomkit

another shadowclan kit who died under brokenstar’s ruling.

i think as sad as it is, i can imagine blossomkit to be badgerfang’s sister, just another sad thing to think about for fernshade’s litter. the potential idea of all her kit’s dying because of brokenstar

a warrior name for her that would been cute woulda been like Blossomglaze or blossomsprout

Bluebellkit

bluebellkit sure disappeared from the books. she’s one of those kits that like, she already had a mouth full of a name and i wish i coulda seen what they woulda named her as a warrior

but she’s another one of snowbird’s rainbow themed kids, her ofc being the blue one.

i think a cute warrior name for her could been Bluebellwhistle or bluebellfoot

Blouder

i lobe boulder i think he is very under appreciated!! 

i think it be very fun to get a novella or something in this POV,,

he’s just hangin out back there yknow,,,

Bouncefire

(bit of an art change from here as i took a break between these two and switched programs)

idk a lot about actual bouncefire, i think the only books with any real characterization in it was ones i havent read

buT id really like to imagine growing up he saw his mentor patchfoot as a father figure and was ultimately the reason patchfoot and his mom got together. and bouncefire being absolutely ecstatic about it. thinking patchfoot is the coolest guy

bouncefire gets along good with his half siblings

gay cat and wanna be emo but just is kinda angy

Brackenfur

my biggest brackenfur AU is my medicat brackenfur which i have info of here

https://goatpaste.tumblr.com/post/631020627780911104/au-where-insteed-of-fireheart-picking-up

and

https://goatpaste.tumblr.com/post/632972589046890496/mmm-writing-out-like-big-plot-point-changes-in-my

the other thing vaguely mention in these but would probably be more prominent in his og story

but brackenfur is quietly the biggest mess in the family. Being on pare with confidence and energy as cinderpelt when they were young, after her accident somethin changed for him. he loved his sister but is a big distant. but its hardly noticeable between the two as they worked very separate jobs in the clan

then his other sister, brightpaw has her accident and brackenfur begins to question something

but when he his the last to leave in the thunderclan group to their new home he stops and looks back at his mother frostfur who is old and frail look, though she wasnt young the damage of the forest hit her hard. 

this when brackenfur decides starclan has it out for his family, especially the mollies. they were cursed he was sure.

moons later he is expecting his kits with sorreltail, letting his mind rest on the idea, the crazy notion that some greater force wanted the she-cats in his family dead. 

then the day his kits arrive cinderpelt dies to the badgers. he pushes down these feelings down again it was the time. But he couldn’t help but think that, if leafpool was there, if starclan had given them a sign of the badgers, anything. maybe cinderpelt might have lived. but he pushes it back down and tells himself it was a warriors death

and then his daughter, cinderpaw is struck by the tree and the stirring in his mind grows stronger. why has starclan done this to his family

then honeyfern gets bit by the snake. how could starclan be so cruel, their always so young.

then his sweet sorreltail fought strongly for her two young daughters future

and on his own, forced to watch seedpaw drown and lilypaw be haunted by what happened.

the women in brackenfurs family is cursed and he bears the burden of relizing it, of living and watching each of them suffer until the end

to the ones that lived and are happy still, with no burdens in their lives he watches happily making sure NOTHING bad comes their way. he would fight starclan themselves to make sure his family is safe and happy

Breezepelt

in design Breezepelt has a p average length tail. which for him is a huge disappointment. His father crowfeather has a long slender windclan tail, a trait that is held to high standards in his family. a trait passed all the way down from windstar herself who had the longest and most beautifully windy tail. 

Breezepelt has a angry spot about this because he feels lacking and especially disconnected to his father. BUT double this with jayfeather having only half windclan blood has a tail even longer than crowfeathers 

i also would NOT put breezepelt with heathertail, i dont see any reason for it. like first off this bitch gay, id love for him to have a boyfriend and it think it should be berrynose because one, their both terrible i think it be funny and i also think its funny to ship berrynose with lionblaze or jayfeather so im like, whats another brother (to be clear not shipped all together, this is separately) and two, the idea heathertail and poppyfrost lesbian could exist

then the big BIg thing is, i would take breezepelts character and gut what happened in crowfeathers trial out of both him and crowfeather

i talk about it a bit here, but i think ill re talk about it in full when i get to crowfeather https://goatpaste.tumblr.com/post/190544981670/breezepelt

Briarlight

miss briarlight i love you!!

very sweetgirl

i based her design off sakuras and bleed heart doves. idk what possessed me but when i went to design her i knEW she was gonna be pink she needed to be she deserved it

briarlight buff as shit in her forlegs she loves trying to rope leafpool and jayfeather into lil strength contest she always wins (sometimes she will let leafpool win on days she needs it) 

her and jayfeather are wlw/mlm best friends. jayfeather calls her pidge which started as a mean nickname that she simply loved and embraced fully

also in my AU with medicat lionblaze i can very much see briarlight and lionblaze being very sweet friends. like big strong lionblaze who is actually docile and compassionate about his work and briarlight loud and rooting him on

Brick

swear to god until i got back into warrior cats this year i had always thought brick was a lady and her and bone were suppous to be scourges like adoptive bad parents jkdg

anyways im still with that, she/her agender brick who adopts their terrible son scourge and is in a monogamous partnership with bone’s. strictly business defiantly not married, they just have a son together. 

Brindlewing

idk a ton about her, but from her wiki it dsjkgh doesnt look like theirs  alot

but i’d like to imagine she’s a very anxious girl and struggles in crowds especially around cat she doesn't know. she feels more comfortable when one of her sisters is with her or her grandmother nightcloud. Nightcloud has always been a source of self confidence for her and they love each very much.

Brindlewing also inherited crowfeather’s family long tail that skipped breezepelt. Brindlewing holds the tail in her mouth as a means of helping her anxiety.

Bristlefrost

a biG design overhaul for my bristlefrost design, i really didnt like the old design i made her. wanted her to be a lil darker colored and in general have a cuter design

i gave her diff color eyes to mark her double agent status one eye green like her fathers and the other sharing the same blue i use for ashfur’s eye color

i kept her with the one white paw which i give to any descendent of jake, just because canonically she is ivy and ferns kid.

but in my rewrite their not togeather. Fernsong was a kittypet or a loner who had lost their mate and home and was found by ivypool caring for his three kittens alone. this is more fernsong headcanon, but bristlefrost is there

bristle and all the kits love ivypool they look up to her big time and all wished she was their mentor when they became apprentices. 

bristlefrost often confides in her father when feeling guilty or unsure of herself and he is always there for her

Bristlekit

half brother to tallstar

i imagine woolytail’s family seems to have a high mortality rate with their kids with only one maybe two usually making it to adulthood. bristlekit would die before becoming an apprentice and spent time in starclan with finchkit and later rabbitkit waiting for wrenflight and tallstar.

if bristlekit made it to being a warrior id like to think he was named Bristlefeather or Bristlefoot

Brook where small fish swim

teeny update to my brook design to give her small white fish dots matching her brothers spots

her general design is mean to be loosely based on a mountain lion. 

she got strong powerful mountain climbing body

i also wish her romance was better developed and wasnt like based in a lot of white savior romance plots given to native and native coded characters

in general the tribe really shoulda just been written better

Brownpaw

brownpaw, brother to littlecloud killed mosspaw as a kit on accident and was apprenticed for it by brokenstar

i imagine him and his brother wetfoot killing mosspaw effect them both deeply. for wetfoot it shook him to the core and made his doubt his own claws

for brownpaw it set him down the path of destruction. brokenstar rewarding him for what happened with mosspaw was the biggest enabler

brownpaw would go on to be a blood thirsty apprentice who would throw his young life away under brokenstars order of attack.

had he been made a warrior i think brokenstar woulda named him Brownmoss claiming he had earned the name when he took it from mosspaw.

Bug

design for bug because i think the book she was in didnt exist when i originally started drawing every warrior cat

love her!

bumblestripe

bumblestripe’s character makes me sad

im SUCH a millie stan and for one of her kids to be disabled then treated like garbage to the end of her life and written super ablest and then her other two kids are total shit heads? makes me sad

i wish at lEAST millie and graystripe had a second little, maybe just one total sweetheart

and its been forever since i read the books. but i remember bumblestripe being a real nobody characters just very generic personality until romance plot for dovewing came into play. and now he super sucks!

i wish he coulda just been a good character who loved dovewing, is sad and kinda jealous of her feelings for tigerheart but in the end respects her decisions and even admires her courage to follow her heart even if it led her over the borders.

Buster/Rippletail

slight buster redesign to fit more in the circus clown look from when he was in the kin

also design note, he’s got an orange themed design to go along with his rainbow themed siblings

Buzzardkit

windclan kit who showed up once in the sight crying and being comforted by a queen

mm i think some good warrior names for them woulda been like

buzzardface, Buzzardshriek or buzzardwhistle

[acanvasofabillionsuns]

been thinking ‘bout your touch

ao3!

Summary: 3 times Logan initiates contact, and one time his family returns the favor Warnings: character overworking themself, a brief mention of the American Civil War/slavery, Inside Out spoilers (specifically Bing Bong’s storyline) Wordcount: 3501

Logan walked into the commons and promptly forgot what he’d gone in there for, instead walking over to the couch and hugging a softly crying Patton.

“Oh!” Patton said, startled. “Hey, Logan!”

“Hello, Patton.”

Patton hugged Logan back, sinking into the contact for a moment before starting to pull away. Logan held on.

“Everything okay, kiddo?”

“I am fine, thank you. Studies show it takes 20 seconds of physical contact for endorphins to be released, so I am attempting to provide that.”

“Ooookay?”

“You were crying when I entered the room.” Was Patton not aware of that?

“Oh!” Patton said. He pushed on Logan’s shoulders gently, moving far enough back to initiate eye contact. “Logan, I’m watching Inside Out.”

Logan let go of the hug and turned to look at the TV. It was indeed playing Inside Out, the little joy and sadness characters on screen. He turned back to Patton, ready to ask why this mattered, but Patton beat him to it.

“Bing Bong just died. It was sad, but I’m fine.”

Oh.

“I see.” Logan cleared his throat and stood up, hoping he didn’t look as foolish as he felt. “I’m glad you’re alright—”

“Wanna stay and finish the movie with me?” Patton looked up at him hopefully. He’d pulled out his so-called “puppy dog eyes.” This was unfair.

“Wellllll,” Logan hedged, still embarrassed. “I should probably go back to work…”

“Please?” This was definitely unfair.

Logan sighed and sat down beside Patton, trying to squash his smile.

“Yay!” Patton cheered, scooching over to wrap Logan in a hug and settle into his side.

Logan didn’t think he was successful in hiding his grin.

Virgil, Logan had noticed, tended to hole up in his room often. He came out for meals and movie nights, and sometimes would sit in the living room, and even on occasions socialize, but more often than not he was in his room.

As none of them were permitted inside Virgil’s room for very long—anxiety overloading their functions and all that—spending so much time in there could not be conducive to getting very much physical contact, even factoring in Patton’s apparent mission to hug Virgil at least once in every encounter between the two of them. As sides, they did not technically need physical contact, just as they did not technically need food or sleep, but it was better for Thomas and for themselves if they got all three in healthy amounts.

Virgil, Logan was quite sure, was not getting a healthy amount of touch.

He aimed to remedy this.

So the next time Logan found Virgil sitting in the living room, he grabbed a book and joined him. Luckily, Virgil was sprawled out on the couch, instead of in one of the armchairs or in some other spot where seeking physical contact with him might’ve been difficult.

“May I join you?” Logan asked, nodding to the spot on the couch where Virgil’s head lay.

“Oh, uh, sure,” Virgil said awkwardly, sitting upright.

“Thank you.” He settled into his spot and found his place in the book. Starting to read, he informed Virgil, “If you wish to lay back down, I would not be opposed.”

“Uh, alright.” Virgil carefully settled his head in Logan’s lap.

About a chapter later, Logan realized Virgil had relaxed into his position on top of Logan, which gave him the courage to ask, “Would it be alright if I settled a hand in your hair?”

Virgil tilted his head back to look at Logan. “Why?”

“My arm’s growing a bit tired from being held up. If it makes you uncomfortable, though, I can certainly figure something else out.”

“Nah,” Virgil told him, tilting his head forward again. “Go ahead.”

Logan gingerly places his hand on Virgil’s head, letting his fingers tangle slightly in his hair before turning back to his book.

He’d reached the climax and so had gotten caught up in the story for the next several chapters, enough to completely forget his surroundings. So it was a while before he realized that he’d started mindlessly playing with Virgil’s hair. Virgil had completely relaxed in his lap and seemed to be on the verge of falling asleep.

Logan smiled at the sight, and at the success of his plan, and turned back to his book, making sure he didn’t disturb Virgil as he did so.

“Logan!” Roman hollered, stretching out the name as he hurtled down the stairs.

“Yes?”

“I’m bored,” Roman groaned, flopping in the chair beside Logan’s theatrically. “Do you have any quests to complete?” On principle, Logan didn’t particularly care to attempt to entertain any bored sides that came his way for amusement. He was a busy side, after all, and didn’t have time to waste over someone else’s lack of stimulation. 

He still didn’t particularly care about Roman’s boredom this time around, but as his work was completed, he figured it couldn’t hurt to at least talk with Roman.

“Alas,” Roman sighed, bringing a hand up to his forehead and closing his eyes, “I completed all my recent ones yesterday, and I have no inspiration to make more. So I am completely and utterly out of things to do…” He trailed off, a hint of something in his tone that suggested he wanted Logan to ask something of him. 

After a moment Roman cracked an eye open to squint at him, confirming the theory. Logan, lacking any idea what he wanted, raised an eyebrow.

“...Unless, of course, someone were interested in my daring exploits,” Roman continued pointedly, closing his eyes again and somehow posing more.

“It’s ‘was,’ not ‘were.’” Boredom was no excuse for bad grammar.

“So that I might then enthrall them with the tales of my valor.” Roman swatted at Logan with his free hand.

Logan sighed, rolling his eyes. “Oh, Roman, would you please tell me all about your amazing quests.”

“I would be delighted to!” Roman grinned, springing up from his chair. “It all began two days ago, when I was attempting to blend in among the populace—”

“Do you need to be facing me to tell me this?” Logan interrupted. Maybe it was rude, but it wasn’t like he hadn’t been cut off himself many times before, and anyway, better to cut in at the start then wait until some point in the middle.

“I suppose not.” Roman frowned at him. “Why’d you ask?”

“I’d like to braid your hair while I listen, if you don’t mind.” Otherwise he’d just be sitting there, hands idle.

“Oh!” Roman brightened. “Go ahead!”

Logan nodded and moved to sit cross legged on the couch, gesturing to the space in front of him. Roman snatched up a couple pillows and arranged them in a kind of throne in front of Logan, plopping on top of them and wiggling around in an extravagant attempt at getting comfortable.

“Okay,” he declared after a minute. “So. My cover was blown in a matter of minutes when a young boy approached me and insisted he needed my help…”

As he listened, Logan wove little cornrows into Roman’s hair and conjured tiny hair bands to tie them off as he finished them.

“...And the townsfolk were grateful enough to throw a party in my honor! Though unfortunately I got summoned soon after it started, but whatever! Spending time with you guys is better than with imagined people I don’t really know,” Roman finished, doing a little flourish with his hands. He turned to face Logan. “So, what’d you think?”

“I think you need to stay still so I can finish this braid,” Logan told him, clutching onto the strands of hair he’d been in the middle of weaving together. 

Roman huffed, but faced forward again. “So?”

“You did a great job and told it eloquently. I particularly liked the part with the bull, and the imagery with the puzzle.”

“Thank you!” Logan could hear the smile in his voice.

“You’re welcome.” He conjured a final hair band and twisted it around the ends of the braid. “There.”

Roman instantly jumped up, twisting around to grin at Logan as he sang, “Your turn!”

“My turn?”

“I wanna do your hair now,” Roman said, pouting a little.

“You being the one to both talk and braid hair doesn’t give me anything to do, though,” Logan pointed out. “That was kind of the point of me braiding your hair.”

“Then you talk!”

“I haven’t gone on any quests, though.”

“Then tell me about a book you’ve read!” Roman supplied easily. “Any clever twists and turns you didn’t see coming? Plot holes that could’ve been easily fixed? Surely there must be something you want to talk about.”

“Well… “ Logan slowly slid onto Roman’s pillow throne. 

Roman bounced onto the spot where Logan had been. “It’s settled, you’ve gotta tell me now!”

Logan huffed, rolling his eyes. “Very well.”

“Explain that plot, my good nerd!” Roman tilted Logan’s head back slightly to start a braid at the crown of his hair.

“The book begins with the characters…”

Logan knew it was his own fault.

He knew he was overworking himself, barely remembering to eat and sleep to help keep Thomas healthy and hardly coming out of his room. It’d been this way for a few weeks, since he’d picked up this project. And he knew he didn’t have to be working this hard, didn’t technically have to do this project at all, but here he was, carrying on by telling himself he’d just finish this one part— (But there was always another part following it, and then he had to finish that part too, and so on and so on.

He’d… he’d finish it eventually.)

So Logan knew it was his own fault he wanted a hug so badly, but that didn’t stop the yearning.

Logan leaned back in his chair, looking over the work he’d finished and mentally calculating how long it would take to complete the rest. If he kept working at the pace he’d been working at… about two days?

He could do two days. Anyone could do two days; a child could do two days. Two days, and then he’d be done, and he’d let himself go ask for a hug.

Two days and then a hug, he repeated as he leaned forward again, picking up his pencil and resuming his work.

It didn’t end up being two days.

First, he’d nearly fallen asleep at his laptop, and in his startle awake he’d accidentally deleted a big chunk of his work that’d needed to be recalculated and typed out. Then he’d made a mistake in his written work, and so had to comb through everything he’d already done to find it and then replace all the work after it.

So it was a week later that he realized his ‘two days’ had come and gone three times over, and he still hadn’t finished (or gotten a hug). If anything, he might’ve been set back in his work from when he’d promised himself that.

He sighed and looked at the clock. 7:23, and him using military time meant he’d stayed up all night again.

Logan was debating whether or not he should go get some food, maybe try to sleep, when someone gently pulled his chair away from the desk, hands on his shoulders. He startled.

“Logan,” Patton whispered, breath hot against his ear. “You need a break.”

Logan sighed and nodded. “I do.”

“Then let’s get you one.” Patton let go of his shoulders, and Logan barely had time to mourn the loss before Patton was taking his hands and heaving him up from the chair. The leather made a ripping sound as his legs unstuck.

“Definitely need a break,” Patton said decidedly. “Have you had breakfast yet?” Logan shook his head. “Then we’ll start there!”

Logan smiled fondly as Patton tugged him downstairs and into the kitchen. Virgil was on the counter, looking up from his phone as they arrived.

“Hey, Logan,” he smirked, though his eyes looked a little too relieved for his expression to seem genuine. “Long time, no see.”

“I’ve been… absorbed in this project.” The way he said it made it almost sound like an apology, though that was ridiculous. Nothing about that sentence was an apology. (It was, kind of, an apology.)

Virgil nodded and patted the counter space beside him. “Sit with me while Pat makes breakfast?”

“Sounds like a great idea!” Patton declared, squeezing Logan’s hands and clapping him on the back before turning and pulling out pans and ingredients.

Logan pushed himself onto the counter, looking over as Virgil tilted his screen towards him. He was watching what seemed like a conspiracy video, captions on and sound turned off. It appeared to be claiming the Civil War was some personal feud between a couple influential people, instead of about slavery. (It was, of course, a white person talking animatedly on screen.) Logan rolled his eyes at the idea, but watched anyway, occasionally murmuring contradictions to what the video was saying.

After it ended, Virgil pulled up another conspiracy video, looking over at Logan. He nodded, and Virgil pressed play, leaning against Logan’s side as the video started.

Logan very carefully did not stiffen, not wanting to scare Virgil away, and slowly relaxed into the touch. Virgil was warm against his side, and he soaked up that heat gratefully.

They watched about an hour’s worth of conspiracy videos, with Patton puttering around the kitchen as pleasant background noise. Logan could’ve easily watched for another hour, but biscuits, bacon, and eggs didn’t keep very well, and Logan was hungry. It was only with minor reluctance that he took his seat at the table.

“Roman! Breakfast!”

Logan heard more than saw Roman clattering downstairs, chair facing away from the steps. There was the thundering of feet, a thump that sounded more like he’d jumped the last few stairs then fallen, and—a gasp?

“You’ve escaped!” Roman cried, and Logan twisted in his chair to see what he was talking about just in time to be engulfed in a hug.

After a moment, Roman released him, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Sorry, I should’ve—”

“Roman.” Logan hoped the waver in his voice wasn’t too prominent to the others. “Come here and hug me properly.”

Roman lit up, bending down in a sort of squat as Logan twisted to sit sideways in his chair, so that they met in the middle and melted into a hug. (Logan clung perhaps a bit more tightly than he would’ve admitted. He’d missed this.)

After a minute Logan made himself pull back. “My apologies, that couldn’t have been a comfortable position to hold for so long.”

“I don’t care,” Roman assured him. “Don’t worry, I would’ve pulled away sooner if it was bothering me—Zeus, it’s so good to see you; do you even realize how long you’ve been locked up in your room?”

“A month and two days,” Logan said quietly. “Technically, just three days, as that was the last time I’d come out of my room to get food, but—thirty-two days.”

“What were you even doing in there?”

“I’ve been working to try and come up with a better way to manage Thomas’s finances, as well as trying to figure out his taxes. I know it’s unnecessary, especially to the degree I’ve been doing so, but…” But what? He couldn’t stop working? Preposterous; he could’ve, he’d just chosen not to, and then lost track of time and kept going until it had devolved into somehow being locked in his room for a month.

“Well, then!” Roman set a hand on Logan’s shoulder and it ached, almost, with how good it felt. (Logan might’ve become touch starved. He’d acknowledged that a while ago and kept working.) “I’m glad you’ve come to your senses and put a pause on it!”

“Actually,” Patton broke in. “I pulled him away for a break. He probably would’ve kept working if I hadn’t come in.” His tone was breezy, but there was a judgmental edge to it that indicated Patton had stronger opinions than he was voicing.

“I agreed with you that I needed a break,” Logan pointed out defensively. “I was actually thinking of getting some food when you came in.”

Patton hummed in an ‘if you say so’ sort of way.

“And, lemme guess—after breakfast you’ll go back to work?” Roman asked, shifting his weight.

“I—” Logan hadn't actually decided on whether he would or not.

“The answer here is ‘no,’ L,” Virgil said gently. “Don’t bother fighting it.”

Logan sighed. “Then I suppose I’m not going back to work after breakfast.”

“Good,” Roman declared, plopping down in his seat like that emphasized his point.

They ate, and there was a pause afterwards where Roman, Patton, and Virgil were all taking care of things and Logan was alone in the kitchen. He debated going back to his room—he’d said he wouldn’t, but he didn’t really know what else to do and no one was here to stop him—but Patton popped up and pushed him into the commons with a “Help set up!”

“Set up?”

“For the movie,” Virgil said, appearing beside Logan and hooking arms with him, pulling him along. “Roman’s getting blankets, so I need you to help me find The Aristocats before he can rig the vote.”

“Rig the vote? Roman?” Logan deadpanned. “Blatant slander and defamation; he would never.” Virgil snorted, and Logan wasn’t sure if the warmth he felt was from their proximity or… probably just the proximity.

“I know, right,” Virgil joked. “But this way, it’s two against one and so he can’t complain.” He dropped to his knees in front of the movie cases. Their arms were linked loosely enough that Logan could’ve chosen to slip out of his grip and remain standing, but he let himself kneel beside Virgil.

They flipped through the cases (and regrettably had to unlink arms to do so, but they were sitting close enough their thighs were pressed against each other, and Logan found he didn’t miss the contact too much), and pulled out The Aristocats right as Roman thundered down the stairs, laden with blankets and pillows.

“Careful!”

“Not to worry, Pat, I’m fine!” Roman declared, hopping past the last two steps and dumping his bounty on the couch. He squinted at Logan and Virgil. “Are you two conspiring? Going behind my back to rig the vote in your favor?”

“Because you’ve never done that,” Virgil snarked at the same time Logan said, “It’s Disney.”

“Disney?” Roman perked up.

“Aristocats,” Virgil told him. “Everybody wants to be a cat, y’know, and last I checked you’re part of everybody.”

“Oooh! We haven’t watched that in a while!”

“Nope.” Virgil popped the p sound. “And that’s why if you try to make us watch another movie first, I’ll steal all your Disney posters and make a collage out of them.”

Roman Gasped Offendedly™. “I didn’t even say anything! I want to watch Aristocats!”

“Just letting you know,” Virgil said.

Roman stuck his tongue out at him and began setting up a blanket fort. Logan went over to help him while Virgil popped the DVD into the player and left to help Patton manage snacks. They came back with a couple bowls of popcorn, several smaller bowls of candy, and a round of mugs. Everyone crawled in, got comfy, and made sure the snacks were within reach.

“Ready?” Virgil asked, prompting various noises of agreement, and then pressed play.

Roman and Logan had arranged the fort so that the couch was technically available for sitting on, but the blankets were low enough they’d be pushed up by one’s head. Virgil solved this problem by draping himself across the couch, head almost beside Logan’s and arm on top of Logan’s head, where Logan could easily hold up the popcorn bowl for him whenever he needed a new handful. (It was maybe slightly inconvenient, but Logan was maybe slightly touch starved, and this method meant Virgil’s arm stayed perched on Logan’s head.)

A few minutes into the movie, Roman shifted around and kicked his legs up to use Logan’s lap as a footstool. Logan retaliated by taking the Skittles from him and placing them on his other side, near Patton. Roman scrunched his face up at him and squirmed around so that his head was in Logan’s lap, and throughout the movie they continued until Roman was almost entirely settled on top of Logan, where he stayed.

About when Duchess met (Abraham DeLacey Giuseppe Casey) Thomas O’Malley, Patton scooched over a little and laid his head on Logan’s shoulder. It was careful, at first, the kind where one could tell the other wasn’t letting the full weight rest on them. But when Logan didn’t react except to put his head on top of Patton’s, he relaxed into it.

By the time the movie had ended, they were a pile of warmth and Logan was at the center of it.

Logan loved his famILY.

[platonicavengers]

Slowed Down

pairing: avengers x fem!reader; platonic!bucky x reader; platonic!sam x reader; platonic!wanda x reader; platonic!peter x reader

word count: 790 :/ sorry

warnings: general sadness, poorly written angst, a lil swearing, post-infinity war ouchieness

author’s note: somebody pls request something fluffy bc all ive written is angst bruh. ALSO this can be read as a part 2 to within seconds or as a stand-alone, whatever u choose :) also if anyone wants me to rewrite this but make it gender neutral then i def will!! i wanna make sure everyone can read my writing :) i love u all sm

summary: you wake up in the soul world after being snapped from existence, but you soon learn that you aren’t alone.

my masterlist | read it on ao3 | read it on wattpad

The feeling of their body slowly fading away was easily the worst pain Y/N had ever experienced. It felt like each individual molecule was being torn apart, one by one, unrelenting until they were completely gone.

But that wasn’t the worst part of it all.

The worst part of it was waking up inside the void-like Soul World.

••

Y/N awoke with a start, gasping desperately for breath. Their hands shaking wildly, they rapidly patted down her body, making sure what they were experiencing was real, and not just something their imagination created.

When they realized her body was in fact, completely intact, their shaking hands went to their hair, gripping it tightly as they sucked in a deep breath. They exhaled shakily, loosening their hold slightly.

Where the hell am I, they thought to themself, and what the hell happened?

They slowly stood up, stumbling a bit, but catching themself before they could fall. Glancing around, they watched as dozens more people started appearing around them. Their eyes widened, taking a step back. It was then that they remembered what had happened, what brought them to where they were. Tears prickled at the back of their eyes, but they willed themself not to let them fall, at least not until they understood more of the situation.

Inhaling deeply, they took a few steps in a random direction. But before they got far, someone appeared in front of them. Someone familiar. As their eyes locked on the long brown hair before them, they couldn’t stop themself from running towards the figure.

Bucky.

He barely had time to register what was happening before they latched themself onto him, burying their face in his chest. Once Bucky composed himself, he held them just as tightly, many different emotions floating through him all at once. He was glad he wasn’t alone in wherever-the-hell-he-was, but he wished that Y/N hadn’t been taken there as well. And despite being upset that they were there, he was glad that they wasn’t alone, either.

A few moments later, Y/N pulled away, wiping away a tear from their cheek. They sniffed, before clearing their throat, “B-Bucky, where are we?”

He shook his head slightly, a sad smile on his face, “Not sure, but we’ll get outta here eventually, I’m sure of it.”

Just as they nodded, a voice from behind Bucky startled them.

“Any idea what the hell’s going on here?”

Sam.

They stepped away, quickly embracing Sam in a tight hug just as they did Bucky. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around them.

Letting go, they stepped aside, playing with their fingers to help with their nerves as they listened absentmindedly to Bucky and Sam’s conversation.

Y/N was broken from their thoughts as they heard footsteps approaching them, and they turned so fast, they could’ve sworn they got whiplash. But they felt their eyes tear up again as they saw Wanda running towards them. The two met halfway in a tight hug, neither of them being able to hold back their tears. They stayed like that for almost two minutes before slowly pulling away.

“Y-Y/N, Vision-” The redhead started, but she couldn’t finish her sentence. She looked to the ground, unable to stop the new wave of tears.

Y/N felt a pit grow in the bottom of their stomach, but they refused to let themself cry, “I know, Wanda. I know.”

Eventually, the pair walked back over to Bucky and Sam, only to see a shorter figure with them. They sped up their pace as they realized the figure was Peter.

As soon as Peter laid eyes on Y/N, he quickly ran into their arms, sobbing loudly. They was quick to hug him back, one hand combing through his hair, and the other resting on his back.

When his sobs only grew louder instead of calming down, they started whispering soothing words in his ear, trying to reassure him.

Eventually his sobbing turned to hyperventilating, and Y/N quickly brought him down to the ground with them, sitting to the right of him, “Hey, Peter, can you look at me, please? I need you to take deep breaths honey, in and out. Okay, can you do that? Just follow my breathing, okay?”

Y/N managed to calm him down after a few minutes, and the other three joined the pair, sitting down around them. Sam sat on Y/N’s other side, Wanda next to Peter, and Bucky next to Wanda. The five of you sat there, silently, for about ten minutes before Wanda broke the silence.

“So what do we do now?”

You glanced at her, grabbing hold of her hand, squeezing it lightly, “We wait. We wait for everyone else to get us the hell outta here.”

[getreadytosmash]

well NOW i need to hear your Thoughts about skaar and hulk finding out things 👀👀

@mistyflame1

Sjsjsjjs w.well....if u say so sir 👉👈😳

Takes place within the end of my s3 ideas

A lot of gamma mutates have been appearing and fighting by now and this is during the point that Betty Ross and a collection of other people have slowly gone missing over the season as well as a bunch of mysterious gamma related attacks

Leader is hesitantly shifting onto their side but isn't quite with them??? Still off on his own and researching and overall very standoffish still since he knows whose related to it all still

Skaar's probably been suffering some odd dreams at this point and I wanna relate them to prophesies since Sakaar was quite connected to them within the comics

Probably something cheesy like uh "when green was torn away we wept. And while you fell as the sun falls from moon, she has cried and she has wept. Face your destiny, Sakaarson, and reignite what was once one." Or smth that's all I got at the top of my head rn

And yeah, Skaar wants to go and has a brief fight over it with Red who thinks it's stupid to go catering off into space just because he dreams of talking rocks

But Hulk points out the fact that they're needed on Earth right now, to figure out what's going on and how to help people, even though humans are disrupting them more and more

And Skaar can see how tired Hulk looks, how he's trying so hard and how even the mention of space settles something on him and Skaar can't make his family go through any of that again. Can't make them ensure that hopelessness of dying in a metal can in a place where most of the world would think they deserved to stay after simply trying to help. Making them all go would just be selfish.

So. I mean. Its not selfish to drag Leader on a trip to Sakaar. Is it?

And yeah this is where it gets a bit blurry cause I imagine Skaar is somehow stuck there for a few days and a lot of cut scenes between him exploring Sakaar culture and Hulk worrying so much and now trying to get to Sakaar.

Its messy for Hulk. Because a part of him fears space now but Skaar is up there. And space and fear is only something you ensure for so long until you reach something grounding and solid again. It'll be worth it if he can get to Skaar again and to help the younger hulk and keep him safe.

Hiro-Kala...I definitely think yeah he's settled as some sort of bad leader and I don't mean as in "he's a shitty person!!" But he's away from Caiera and alone so that makes a lot of his decisions panicked and bad and he can't rely on anyone for help

And now suddenly he has someone with a similar tattoo that isn't fully complete (because yes I use physical symbolism) and now Skaar is putting what he's learned from Hulk to use while searching for the source of the voice that rings out to him across a galaxy.

And I want this to be a thing where it cuts and shows how Hulk worries and becomes rough in his decisions because he only does that when it comes to family! And I want it to show examples of how Skaar has come further now, become someone who could lead and shows examples of what he's learned in comparisons from flashbacks!!

Like...one flashback of Hulk teaching Skaar an important lesson and it cuts to Hulk completely disregarding while Skaar follows it perfectly? It has a good view of how they are and the way their relationship has developed over the past year and a half.

I haven't got all of it but I definitely picture the big moment when Skaar eventually unlocks what's hidden within Sakaar and Hulk and the rest of the Smashers arrive and its absolutely some of that shit that cuts between Leader and Hiro-Kala yelling at Skaar to stop while Hulk rushes to find them before a giant blue and white light cracks between the ground and makes everything go black at a cliffhanger

Tbh I kinda want Caiera to be a villain at first? But more of uh...that scene in Moana where the goddess is angry because she got locked away by the Red King??? Yeah that. And with Cai's emergence, all of these MEMORIES about her come spilling out, a bit like Lup and TAZ

Hulk remembers. Remembers a mission where he got stuck away from the Avengers for a month and a half and how he met this woman who made the Earth move and at the time, had been the only one who matched him in strength that either wasn't his baby cousin or Ben Grimm being a good friend

Remembers the thrill and taste of revolution. The joy of being seen and accepted by someone for bother sides of himself and how Caiera would call him "Holku" with that same smile and eyes that struck his heart and make his stomach clench funny

And its easy and hard to remember the quick vows they made before the king was defeated and Hulk decided to go back. Before the King turned out to have survived and locked Caiera away after she gave birth to the most powerful twins on Sakaar

And the memory is there. The clarity is there. Skaar was his son and Hiro-Kala is his son. One got forced to fight and tortured and mind washed and forced to fight his own family in order to claw for any sense of self while the other had been left to fend for themself and they had to find their way and they hadn't done a good job and that just makes it sting more because Hiro-Kala had tried their best but it just wasn't the good type of best.

Big fight. Just. Big fight. Lots of pain and screaming and both of his parents going out of control before Hiro-Kala calms Caiera down and Skaar calms Hulk down. And tbh hell fucking year im picturing ur art here now where they hug and cry because it fits perfect.

Hulk and Caiera...soft moment with their children before finishing what they started properly and killing the Red king. Well. If it was proper HatAoS they would seal him into the Earth instead of Caiera but I mean. Kill.

And after that there's still a lot to be done and the others need to go back but Caiera and Hiro-Kala take over at royalty with the rest of the Warbound being part of the palace and tbh this is mostly so we can see the relationship develop more over the next season and stretch it out a little more?

Hulk and Caiera agree to pen pal while she fixes Sakaar and he fixes Earth. Maybe a bit of a shippy moment ;) and Skaar... hm. Probably stays on Sakaar for a little bit and I like how it gives him a taste of his home and ultimately would mean that he decides whether or not he wants to be Heir Skaar or Smasher Skaar

And while this happens I'm totally picturing cheesy stuff on Earth where all of the Smashers have a moment of missing Skaar and overall needing a fifth member and the fact that Hulk has growing issues about the fact that he has two sons now and he's...kinda failed them both horribly.

What a time for his daughter to make her first appearance by attacking them and kidnapping Jen eh.

[holyfuckthisfishcandrive]

Crushing and Breaking

Masterlist (this is chapter 29), Ao3

Word count: 1433

Warnings: implied/mentioned abuse, food mention, gross food combinations mentioned (the sandwich is something my sibling actually ate once. my dad and I were disgusted), fight and blood, mention of biting ear of and cutting ear off, passing out

Remus took two steps at a time up to Patton's apartment.

"I can't wait to see Virge again!" he grinned. "I missed him."

The apartment door stood open and Roman closed it behind them.

"We're here!" he called.

"Hi, kiddos!" Patton called from the kitchen.

Remus kicked off his shoes and strolled into the living room.

Virgil looked up from where he was setting the table.

"Sup," he gave a two finger salute.

"Holy fuck, you dyed your hair?" Remus blurted out. "Fuck, why didn't you tell me! It looks so cool!"

He heard Roman come in and even though he didn't bother too turn around Remus was sure that Roman was a gay mess. He probably wouldn't stop gushing about this for a week.

Virgil glanced away.

"Uh, thanks," he smiled nervously. "I had a break down."

"Oh. Mood."

The smile on Virgils face turned even more frantic.

"Heh, yeah," the look in his eyes screamed 'you have no idea' and Remus wondered what the breakdown had been about.

"I once tried to shave my head during a breakdown," he said instead of asking. "Roman stopped me though."

"Yeah, cause Ma would've killed you," Roman butted in.

Remus chuckled. Even if Roman was probably right.

"Hi, kiddos!" Patton came out of the kitchen, dispersing the weird tension that had settled over the room. He gave Remus and Roman tight hugs. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good," Roman answered.

"School was boring but Remy let me borrow some cigarrets," Remus said.

He noticed Virgil's eyes widen.

"Do you know Remy?" Remus blurted out.

"Dunno, I know a Remy but..." Virgil trailed off.

"Our Remy is our therapist's boyfriend," Remus offered. "He's really cool."

"Dr Picani," Roman said.

"Jesus fucking Christ," Virgil muttered.

"Language," Patton scolded but looked mostly confused at the exchange. "Do you know know that guy?"

A panicked look entered Virgil's eyes.

"I uhm- Yes. They're my uncles," he smiled nervously.

"Wait, really? Does everyone in downtown know eachother or something?" Remus gaped.

"I didn't know Logan had any siblings," Patton muttered but was ignored.

"No, we don't all know eachother," Virgil scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

Patton chuckled at that.

"Well, how about we eat now, before the food gets cold, kiddos?" he suggested.

"Alright, what did you make?" Roman asked.

"I made us some lasanga," Patton moved back to the kitchen and brought out the lasanga wearing ovenmitts. "I hope you kiddos all like lasanga."

"I don't like the one our cook makes," Remus said, sitting down. "He uses bean curd. It's disgusting and not in the good way."

"Okay, first of all, you have a cook? And secong of all is there a good kind of disgusting?" Virgil, frowned in confusion.

"Yes! Like milk in orange juice! Or a sandwich with peanut butter, cheese, chutney, sausage and coleslaw!"

"Don't ask," Roman said in a flat tone. "Just don't."

"Okay," Virgil nodded slowly and took a seat next to Roman.

An awkward silence settled over them.

"How was school today?" Patton asked into the room, not really addressing any of them.

Panic entered Virgil's eyes again and he stuffed his first fork into his mouth. Somehow he managed to not even make a noise but Remus could see tears in his eyes from the heat.

"We got a math test back," Roman said. "I got a D. Better than I expected to be honest. Can you sign it for me maybe? Mother will be pissed if she sees it."

"Of course, kiddo."

Remus didn't listen as Roman continued to talk about the fight between Kelly Brook and Chase Weatherall that had happened during lunch and had ended with blood dripping from Kelly's nose like a faucet and instead drifted off into his thoughts.

---

"Fuck," Janus whispered. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck."

It was foggy and the roofs were icy for the first time in the year. Their boots slipped on a few tiles and they barely managed to catch themselves before pummeling down to the street.

They hoped that the fog hid them, at least slightly.

It couldn't hide Heartrate though.

Janus risked a glance backwards and spotted the glowig heart just a few roofs behing them. A lighter figure was just a few metres behind them.

"The red one is fast," Virgil huffed out.

The Prince, the media had started to call him a little while back, Janus recalled.

"Let's split up," they suggested.

"And loose sight of eachother?" Virgil hissed. "I don't think so."

"Okay, yeah."

They jumped down to a balcony, a pot shattered next to Janus and they winced slightly, before jumping over to the next one, Virgil just behind them.

A sharp pain was starting to grow in their side.

Either they lost them soon or they were going to have to give up.

"Don't they have anything better to do than chase us around town?" Virgil sounded out of breath too.

Apperantly not, Janus wanted to say but they opted to save their breath.

They nearly felly down the fire ladder, slammed into a wall, unable to stop themselves on the slippery ground, and nearly gagged as the air was knocked out of them.

Janus stumbled and gasped, trying to get oxygen into their lungs.

They managed to take a breath and it was immediatly knocked out of them again.

"Sorry," the Prince stumbled back a few steps.

Janus flipped him off desperatly trying to regain control over their lungs.

They felt like they were about to throw up. If their vision could stop blurring and swaying, that would also be nice.

Where was Virgil? Had he gotten away?

Good for him. But it also made them slightly bitter. They kinda wanted to throw up on his shoes for that but they couldn't really do that if he had really gotten away.

Dammit.

"Dude, are you alright?" the Prince asked.

They flipped him off again.

"Don't call me 'Dude'," they finally managed to take a breath again.

"Er... Pal?"

"I'm not your fucking pal, sidekick."

They blincked and the blurryness finally faded too.

Heartrate landed on the ground just next to the Prince. The Duke was nowhere inside and neither was Virgil so maybe they were starting a book club together while they were gettin captured in this fucking alleyway.

Janus frowned at their own thought.

They probably had hit their head.

"Are you okay, kid?" Heartrate asked.

Janus opened their mouth to sass him but stopped. They couldn't be mean to their uncle like they could with the sidekick brat.

"No," they said before they could stop themselves.

A strangled yell by the exit of the alleyway distracted them.

Janus turned to see the Duke boy carrying Virgil like a sack of flour. A yelling, struggling and kicking sack of flour, but still.

"Bitch, stop trying to bite me!" the Duke hissed.

"Let me go or I'll bite your ear off!" Virgil yelled, the Ts completely swallowed by his accent.

The Duke dropped him like he was playing football and just made a homerun. That was probably not what it was called but Janus couldn't bring themselves to care. They weren't a fucking jock. They were a queer theatre kid. And maybe hit their head too hard. It wasn't their job to know about sport shit.

"Bitch, I wanna cut that off myself like Van Gogh!"

Virgil scrambled onto all fours and hissed at the Duke like a feral racoon, before managing to get to his feet and bringing a good two metres between himself and the Duke.

"Look, I don't want to hurt you," Heartrate spoke up. "I want to help you. There has to be a reason you're doing this. You're too young to end up in a life like this."

"But be gay, do crime," Janus heard themself say.

They should probably shut up until they could think clearly again.

The Duke snorted.

Janus couldn't see Patton's eyes behind the mask but they could imagine how confused he looked.

Great.

This was going well.

"Are you drunk?" Virgil asked.

"No, not really."

"Oh. Okay, then," Virgil nodded slowly. Somehow he sounded a lot less concerned than Janus thought was appropriate.

The world was blurring around them again.

"I think I'm gonna pass out though."

They heard someone answer but it sounded too far away somehow and they could barely even tell who had said it.

Darkness began to cloud their vision.

"Fuck," they tried to say but they had no idea if it actually made it out of their mouth. If it did they couldn't hear it anymore.

Next

Taglist:

@patton-cake , @isabelle-stars , @joylessnightsky

[artnerd1123]

Among Us: CR3WM8TS

Updates Required (part 3)

——————————————

With the ship launched and crew settled, it’s time to get to work. Which, for Bunbun, means updating. How smoothly that goes depends on the crewmates in charge… Bunbun’s hoping she’s in good company.

Featuring appearances by Nanner and Silk!

Among Us archive/askblog Fic chapters post

——————————————

Ok so originally I wanted to keep all this together, but decided it’d be better to chop it into pieces. That way I can keep my momentum, keep posting for y’all, and still intro y’all to the crew as things get moving!

finally got this last part done!!! it’s all finished now! now we can get on to more fun stuff >:3

                                                  ===+===+===

Mission Log 5

Ship Model: SKELD D34-H120 Designation: SUPPLY TRANSPORT, EXPLORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF SECTOR G PLANETS Crewmate Count: 9 Crewmate Colors: DARK GREEN, WHITE, PURPLE, DARK BLUE, YELLOW, RED, LIME, BLACK, PINK

Location: SECTOR F Ship Status: IN TRANSIT Course: PLANET 326-OCE-894 - SECTOR G Systems:

Navigation: COURSE INLAID / STABLE / UPDATES NEEDED

Engines: UPPER - ONLINE, TANK 0.94 / LOWER - ONLINE, TANK 0.92 / OUTPUT ALIGNED

Reactor: ONLINE / FUNCTIONING OPTIMAL

O2: STABLE

Electrical: CALIBRATOR OFFLINE

Communications: ONLINE / UPDATES NEEDED

Shields: ONLINE / FUNCTIONING OPTIMAL

Weapons: TEMPORARILY OFFLINE  / FUNCTIONING N/A

Security: CAMERAS ONLINE / ALL FUNCTIONAL

Administration: MAP OFFLINE - UPDATES NEEDED / CONNECTION SECURE / SHIP FILES UP TO DATE / ALL CREW ACCOUNTED FOR

Medbay: EQUIPMENT ONLINE / FUNCTIONAL / CREW FILES UP TO DATE

Supplies: [ONE] CRATES SHORT  

Storage Chutes: CLEAR

Vents: CLEAR

Notes: Admin map offline, as updates are needed. PINK identified systems in need of updates. PINK has commenced updates under DARK BLUE supervision. Updates still in progress. RED discharged from medbay after receiving treatment for minor injuries. RED in process of submitting incident report. BLACK opened one supply crate to restock food materials. PURPLE sent four previous mission logs to HQ for archiving. PURPLE also submitted them to [SKELD D34-H120] Mission Log Archive. Other crew performing normal activities.

                                                 ===+===+===

With each room visited, the list of tasks was shifting from white to green. All but three of them were lit up with the color of a job well done. Bunbun looked over the list with a growing sense of satisfaction. Just three more now, she thought, I can handle that in no time. Not to mention the updates had given her a perfect opportunity to meet most of her crewmates. Hopefully whoever she had left to encounter would be in a good mood. Or at least a better one than a certain blue-suited crewmate. Speaking of which, River had once again chosen their destination. He’d hooked a sharp right as they left Medbay, leaving Bunbun- as per last time- to scramble after him. His pace picked right back up after he was out of Medbay’s sight. He only spared Bunbun a single glance over his shoulder. “C’mon, keep up,” he grumbled, “there’s not much left to do, and I’m hungry. I wanna have time for my lunch break before I have to be back at cams.” With a sinking feeling, Bunbun realized he might have just been on his “best behavior” for the doctor. That wasn’t uncommon among crewmates. After all, you do want the local medic to treat you well. Well... That, and patients who behave get discharged sooner. River’s attitude change didn’t bode well for their time outside of medbay. Luckily, Administration wasn’t too far from there. They just had to pass through the cafeteria. Maybe there’d be a vending machine or something. A good stop for a snack. As long as it gets River off my back, I don’t care what it is, Bunbun thought ruefully. 

The cafeteria was about as standard as it gets. The tile floor was dull from years worth of crewmates’ passage. The slightly dented wire panel on the wall closest to them was closed. The download station and food processor on the far wall seemed to be in working order. From what Bunbun could see of the chute, it was nice and clear. Five circular tables were placed around the room, two at each end and one in the middle. The emergency button looked rather haphazardly installed in the center table. It was as if someone had carved a hole in its surface and shoved in the proper equipment- nothing like the clean circles and precise welding of newer ships. It was just another sign of the SKELD’s age. Bunbun was at least comforted by the layer of dust atop it. Unbothered dust on the button- above everything- was a testament to the ship’s safety. Or, at the very least, a high level of trust in its crew. River didn’t give anything a single glance. He walked like a man on a mission, and Bunbun tailed after him diligently. To his credit, he wasn’t headed towards the food processor. He was making a beeline for the door towards storage. Or, rather, toward Admin. She figured that’s where they were headed. It was next on her list.  Before they reached the door, though, River stopped in his tracks. He went still so fast Bunbun nearly crashed into him.  “Wh- hey- what was that about?” She squawked.  “Can it,” River hissed, taking a step back. “We’ll move in just a minute. Gotta wait for traffic.”  “Traffic…?” Bunbun’s brows furrowed. What traffic…? She tried to track River’s gaze. It wasn’t hard, seeing as it was riveted on the doorway. 

She spotted a crewmate in black standing there. The fact that they were wearing their helmet outside of docking time was a little odd, but it wasn’t entirely unheard of. Though the rubbery banana peel stuck to the top of it was sort of funny looking. From the way it didn’t slide off their head after any movement, she’d guess it was an accessory. Black’s head was bent over their tablet, which they held in their right hand. Their left rested on the handle of a gravity platform cart. A large crate was nestled in its center. From the label, Bunbun could tell it was food. All in all, they seemed like a standard human crewmate on supply duty. At least, at first glance. The more Bunbun looked them over, the more their shape seemed more vaguely human than clean cut. Their limbs were a little too bendy, and their suit didn’t seem form fit to any specific body shape. It was like a vague approximation of a humanoid form. The biggest tell, though, were their hands. Bunbun blinked a couple times to make sure she was seeing them right. Their gloves only had four fingers instead of five. Suddenly, keeping the helmet on made more sense. For all she knew, the alien under there might breathe a different kind of air. Or no air at all. She’d had plenty of aquatic- and a handful of lava dwelling- classmates at the academy. Though… that style of suit was more fitted to the gaseous types of aliens. Ah, well. The mystery would have to wait for later.

Black seemed to mumble to themself for a minute before cramming their tablet under their arm. They’d just turned to pull the cart into the caf when the room’s other occupants caught their eye. Or, at least, the occupant in front did. They seemed to perk up immediately, one hand flying to their visor. “Oh! Howdy!!!” they called happily. “I didn’t see ya there!!! Ya need through?” “That would be ideal,” River replied tersely. “Gimme jes oooone sec-”Black bubbled. With that, they yanked the cart all the way into the room. It floated in easily, and came to rest next to the doorway under their guidance. “There she is! All clear for ya, Riv!” River started right back towards the door the second they were out of the way. Not even gonna say thanks? Bunbun thought, puzzled. Well. If he wasn’t gonna do it, she would. “Er- thank you, we appreciate it,” Bunbun called as she followed him. Black gave a quiet gasp. “Oh!!! I didn’ realize we had company!” They giggled, looking to River. The man stopped in place again, expression souring. “Who’s yer new pal?” “Does it matter?” River huffed, crossing his arms. “We’ve got places to be.” “It does if they’re new to the ship!!!” They chirped. Trotting right over, they stuck out their hand to Bunbun. “Hi there!!! I’m Nanner! What’s yer name, hun?” She blinked at their forwardness, but returned their handshake timidly. Their nickname made her smile a bit. Maybe their hat wasn’t entirely out of place. “I’m, uh, Bunbun,” she replied shyly. “It’s nice to meet you, Nanner.” “Bunbun!!! Oh, now that’s a cute nickname!” Nanner hummed. “Yer the new transfer, right?” “I- er- thank you,” she stammered, face flushing a bit. “And, um, yeah. I dunno how long I’m on board for, but hopefully I can help out.” “Oh, I already know ya will. Ya look like a real peach!” Nanner smiled. Or, she thought they did. It was hard to tell. The visor was so dark she couldn’t make anything out. In any case, the words just made her blush more. Kind ones always did that. “I’ll do my best to make sure yer stay is nice ‘n homely!” “W-well, you’re already doing a good job,” Bunbun smiled softly. “Good, ok, you two are acquainted. Can we go?” River broke in, scowling. “Ah ah ah, Riv,” Nanner scolded, wagging a finger at him. “Y’all can’t go till I know what the lil lady’s favorite food is! Y’all of all people gotta know that by now.” River threw his hands up in defeat. Bunbun’s look of confusion resurfaced. “Favorite food?” She echoed, puzzled. “Well, yeah! I’m the ship’s cook,” Nanner replied nonchalantly. “I gotta know what y’all like so I can have it on hand. Ya never know when you’ll need some good ol’ comfort food.” “Oh… oh! That’s true,” Bunbun nodded. Ship’s cook. Yeah, the food crate should’ve been a giveaway. “I’m, um, afraid mine’s a little on the tame side…” “Not a problem! Tame is good for some,” Nanner soothed. “Ok, er, thanks. It’s just a peanut butter jelly sandwich.” “Any particular variety? There’s a lotta those across the galaxy!” “The kind with Paramour’s grape jelly? I’m not picky about my peanut butter.” “Hmm… Paramour grape jelly and a wild card on the peanut butter…” Nanner nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll have one for yer lunch break, hun.” Bunbun lit up, smiling excitedly. “Oh!!! Thank you so much!!!” She beamed, “I really appreciate it-” “Ok, order up and all that,” River huffed, interrupting again. “Are we done?” “Sheesh, fine,” Nanner snorted. “Seems like someone needs a nap,” they mumbled, giving Bunbun a playful nudge. She tried her best not to laugh, hiding a smile with her hand. “I heard that,” River growled. “Good. Maybe you can take one later!” Nanner beamed, unphased. Rolling his eyes, River resumed his quick march. He was clearly done entertaining the both of them. Bunbun waved as she trotted after him. “Thanks again, Nanner! See you around!” “No problem, Bunny!” 

As they reached the hall, Bunbun decided to risk a question. “So… uh… Riv?” She asked warily. “Don’t call me that,” River groaned. “Nanner loves to give everyone nicknames. And talk. A lot.” “And I’m guessing you’re… not much for conversation?” She ventured. “Hit the nail on the head.” He fixed her with a withering look. “So can you take a hint?” “I-I got it, I got it,” Bunbun replied meekly. Oh yeah. That’s a grump. 

Admin was barely a stone’s throw from the cafeteria. First turn on the left from the door, and it was another well loved room. The carpet was tamped down tightly, the dull maroon only showing through a recent clean. The map was dark- offline for updates- and the card reader looked about as beat up as she’d expected. Three ancient computers sat along the wall. They were old models with screens made of green glass instead of holographic projections. The red chairs before them were an old old leather material, and had been patched up several times. One of the chairs was occupied. The crewmate didn’t seem to notice the two others hovering in the doorway. “... Knock knock,” River said begrudgingly. “You’ve got visitors.” At the sound of his voice, the crewmate glanced up from the screen, giving Bunbun a pretty good look. Xyr suit was purple, and about as worn as Captain Groud’s. Xyr round face was framed with dark, loose coils and dreads, cut off just below xyr chin. A smattering of starry white flecks was sprinkled over xyr hair. Xyr earthy skin had distinctive space travel stripes, albeit a little paler than one would expect. Dark, shining eyeshadow hooded charcoal eyes. Small golden rod earrings and a battered bandage completed xyr look, giving xem the mug of a well weathered space traveller. Xyr look of tired resignment warmed into a smile as xe took notice of Bunbun. 

“Ah, there you are. I was wondering when you’d make your way here,” Xe chuckled, leaning back in xyr chair. “Eheheh… yeah… sorry about the wait,” Bunbun replied softly. Xe held up Xyr hands in a placating gesture. “No no, I get it. This bucket ‘a bolts has a lotta systems in dire need of updates,” Xe replied, “and some of em are better to hit first than others.” Standing up from xyr chair, xe set a hand on xyr hip. “You two gonna come in?” “O-oh! Right- yeah-” Bunbun stammered, striding quickly through the doorway. River let her go first, sulking after her like a grumpy shadow. The other crewmate joined them by the map. “Well, now that we’re all together-” xe held out a hand for Bun- “I might as well introduce myself. People ‘round the ship call me Silk. I’m the resident nav and comms expert.” Bunbun took xyr hand and gave it a gentle shake. “I’m, um, Bunbun,” she replied, shifting in place. “I’m the new transfer- uh- I do, um, tech, electric, and janitorial tasks. I-it’s nice to meet you, Silk.” “Likewise,” xe nodded. “I’m guessing we might not see too much of each other, but you’re always welcome to pop by my areas to say hello.” Xyr eyes trailed away from Bunbun’s face toward someone behind her. From the expectant raised brow, she got the distinct feeling that xe wasn’t exactly thrilled to see them. She saw River kicking at the carpet when she glanced back. “Not even gonna greet me?” Silk asked, brow still raised. “... Hey silk,” River mumbled. His hunched shoulders and skittering glance made him look like a kid in trouble. “... can we get this over with?” “C’mon, being out of isolation can’t be that bad,” Silk joked. At Bunbun’s confused expression, xe waved a hand. I’ll tell you later, xyr face said. She just nodded hesitantly. “Listen, I just wanna go back to cams, is that so much to ask?” River huffed. “With that tone, maybe,” Silk pointed out. He crossed his arms, grumbling quietly, and settled himself along the wall. Xe gave him one last long look before turning back to Bunbun. “So, I reckon my map’s in need of a couple updates?” “Er- yeah, just a couple,” Bunbun said. Glancing it over, she was pleased to see an absence of dust on its glassy green surface. The thing was old, yes, but it looked well cared for. “Do you have any ideas as to what needs fixed? I don’t, um, I don’t handle admin updates too often.” “Of course. I’ll just let ya know what the other rooms need while I’m at it,” Silk replied, flicking a couple switches. The map slowly blinked to life, white lines snaking across a pale grid. The pale outlines flickered and flashed like a star fried sensor. The poor thing was barely even visible. Bunbun winced in sympathy. “Oooh… yeah, someone needs to update the firewall,” she mumbled. “That’s what I thought,” Silk sighed, giving the console a pat. “It’s been doin that for at least a week. The systems down at Comm and Nav are on the fritz too. It’s hard to get records transferred, retain messages, and get the course to stay stable without a babysitter.” “You’ve certainly got your hands full here!” Bunbun remarked. “Yeah, but there’s not too much to worry about,” xe waved a hand. “I’m the best they’ve got here, after all.” “I bet!” She smiled shyly. Looking to the map, she tilted her head. There didn’t seem to be any pattern to its glitching. At least, nothing noticeable from a quick observation. Holding up her tablet, she got herself settled before it. The good and bad thing about old systems were the incredibly obvious tablet ports. For all she knew, someone could’ve uploaded a bug ages ago. Ah well. At least I know how to use a virtual flyswatter. “Well, I-I’ve been told I’m pretty good with tech… maybe I’m not the best out there, but I’ll do what I can to get this all sorted.” “That’s much appreciated,” Silk sighed, giving her a pat on the back. “You take all the time you need.” “Thanks,” Bunbun hummed. Straightening up, her eyes were already skimming the torrent of code. “Ok… one fixed map, cooooming up…” 

                                                ===+===+===

The glitchy virus got itself caught in Bun’s web soon enough. She could isolate and neutralize code as easy as she breathed. Of course, dancing around the admin files was pretty fun. She had to have Silk help guide her hand when digging it out from xyr carefully organized system. But it worked out easily enough. River didn’t pay the two any mind. He only moved when they did, following like the world’s grumpiest duckling. That seemed to suit Silk just fine. It worked well for Bunbun, too. They were free to swap stories like old friends. It was almost a little surprising. Walking in the halls was full of homely conversation. Fixing comm accompanied tales of their academy days. Swinging around to Nav let Silk introduce Bunbun to a couple friendly looking robots. She was impressed to learn Silk made them xemself. When xe sent the robots to distract River, xe took the opportunity to inform her why the man was so touchy. Stuck in a dead end job, he didn’t tend to get out of security much. Not of his free will, anyway. No matter how much mandatory bonding and karaoke nights Groud required. The mental image of River singing karaoke made Bunbun laugh enough that Silk had to rechart the course- the pink crewmate’s flapping hands accidentally slapped a couple buttons. River was not nearly as amused.

                                               ===+===+===

When all was said and done, Bunbun set off with yet another jaunty wave and happy call. River was all but sprinting to their last stop. She didn’t bother to stick with him this time. The only task left was at a place she knew quite well. 

Electrical. 

In the absence of River’s quick thumping of footsteps, the SKELD halls were eerily quiet. The quiet hum of the shields made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She eyed the nearby vent nervously as she wandered through the room. The vents are clear, she reassured herself. A glance at her tablet confirmed it. They’re clear. Passing by comm, the quiet radio static urged her to pick up her pace. Silk might have insisted it was quite safe, but she just… didn’t trust it. It was too quiet. Too far from the cams. Too isolated. The quiet creaking of full supply crates didn’t comfort her in storage, either. She just tried to keep her breathing even as she finished her trip to Electrical. River stood outside the door, eyeing the entrance dubiously. Bunbun slowed to a stop beside him. “Is… something wrong?” she asked nervously. “Huh-? Uh, no, nothing’s wrong,” River said hastily. “It’s just a bit dark in there, that’s all.” “... uh huh…” Bunbun hummed slowly. A peek through the doorway did confirm that the lights were dim. No dimmer than other ships, though. Just… dim enough to be slightly unnerving. Why in the world they were darkest in electrical of all places, Bunbun had no clue. It was a mystery she’d been meaning to take up with the SKELD designers for quite awhile. The upkick of dust and battered panels made it pretty clear the ship hadn’t had a proper electrician in awhile. Not that it mattered now. She had to go in there. Taking a slow breath, she strode towards the back of the room. She was nearly to the line of dusty old computers when she realized River wasn’t following. He was still standing by the door. Just watching. Her grip on her tablet shook gently. How many ways can I spell “suspicious...?”   “Are you… coming...?” She asked meekly. “... nah,” River mumbled, shifting in place. “I’m good.” “Aren’t you supposed to be keeping an eye on me?” she twittered. “What if I end up needing help?” “I’m not an electrician. I’m a security guard. I can watch from here,” he replied flatly. “You’re not a fresh cadet. Figure it out.” “R-right, right,” Bunbun replied. … right… it’s just a trip to electrical. Nothing I haven’t done before. She took a deep breath, adjusting her bandanna. The feel of fabric under her fingers was comforting. I can do this. Squaring her shoulders, she marched right to the back of the room. The light from the hall didn’t reach the quietly humming machinery. The flickering bulbs above didn’t give her much confidence. But she only had one task. Swinging open the door to the calibrator, she was more than a little shocked. For starters, two of the rotating knobs seemed frozen in place. The top knob was the only one rotating lazily. A brief flash of yellow on the sensor strips was her only signal that anything was working at all. What in the milky way’s arms is going on here? She thought, baffled. Her brows furrowed as she shuffled through her old tech knowledge. In every modern ship she’d seen, all three of the knobs would spin in sync. Calibrating was as easy as just waiting for the sensor strips to flash and slapping a button. With old ships, tasks were often a little needlessly complicated. So… following this line of thinking…  Hesitantly, Bunbun raised a hand to the top knob. She watched it spin lazily, the yellow sensor light flashing and dimming as it aligned. One rotation… two… three… on the fourth, she finally tapped the button. A dull click left it frozen in an aligned position. With an unoiled squeak, the knob below it started spinning. The same pattern of flashing and dimming resumed, just a little faster. Bunbun let out a relieved sigh. Ok, yeah. She got it now. She just had to align them one by one. That, she could do.

                                              ===+===+===

After a few tries and some error, Bunbun smiled at the “plink!” of a task finished from her tablet. All three sensor strips glowed a triumphant yellow as she shut the panel. “We’re all done here!” she called, heading back towards the doorway. “I think you’re-” A sudden shuffling and the slap of boots on metal floor cut off the rest of her announcement. By the time she got to the door, she only managed to snatch a blur of blue slipping into storage. “... good to go…” she mumbled to herself. She stared at the empty hall silently for a minute. He really doesn’t wait on anything, does he? She thought bleakly. But hey. At least he’d moved away from the door instead of through it. She might’ve had more problems on her hands than walking alone to lunch. 

Tucking her tablet under her arm, she started off towards the caf. The old halls were both familiar and strange. All SKELD ships looked the same, and yet… each was different. At least, in some respects. She wondered if she’d spend the same brief time on this one as she had on every other SKELD. Her mind wandered quietly as she passed through storage. Though, the closer she got to the caf, the more she heard voices. The friendly sort of voices. Hesitating in the doorway let her see who they belonged to. Spread among the tables were all her crewmates. Lemon and Junior were chatting happily with Nanner at the table closest on the left. Laser and Rose were holding hands at the closest right table as they munched on their food. Silk and Groud were watching contentedly from the middle table, with River occupying a table on his own in the back. They were certainly a lively looking bunch. But the atmosphere in the room was warm. Warm and friendly. Bunbun felt a smile rise to her cheeks as she stepped into the room. Several of her crewmates greeted her, Nanner and Lemon excitedly waving her over to their table. One or two days in, and her fellows were already treating her like family. Her grin widened as she plopped down, happy to dig in to a fresh PBJ and a slew of conversation. 

Yeah. She could get used to this SKELD. She really hoped she’d stay for awhile.