#jörmungandr the dachshund

[roxaeri]

I wish for your opinion on something: MDD Baldur as a babysitter/brother figure to Atreus. Yay or Nay?

Okay look I came out of a deep haze after reading this because I dO have an opinion on MDD Babysitter/Brother Baldur. And I’m so sorry it’s one of the sides of MDD I’ve neglected this whole goddamn time.

I started writing this in the morning but forgot all I’d written for Baldur and then got caught up reading my own work, so sorry it’s late.

Anyways, I’m fucking hERE for it. I still have such a soft spot for Baldur, it’s obvious whenever I write about GoW.

Of course Baldur and Kratos, Awkward Men become Awkward Friends. Mainly due to their kids and the mediation of Rost and Aloy.

But I’m thinking it’s another cook out. Probably one towards the end of summer. Baldur’s been invited because he’d gone to pick up the boys but they were invited because they thought Baldur would be late.

He isn’t.

So now he’s joining Awkward Fam for dinner.

And ya know, even when the mountain of a father this tiny child has and you know that man is skilled with weapons that you shouldn’t have to worry about him handling knives. Sometimes ya do.

Because despite practically living in his steel toed boots, Kratos does own regular shoes to wear outside of work. Like say in their backyard for a cookout.

And all his cooking knives are ridiculously sharp because of course they would be.

And then suddenly it’s Baldur and four teenagers of varying ages and the animals while Mimir drives Kratos to the ER for his foot because mAN—

Anyways what else can the DBPG crew do for Atreus other than dive right back into video games.

“None of you really change between live streaming and just playing, huh?”

“Is this weird for you, uncle?”

“Extremely.”

“I always forget you watch the show sometimes.”

And maybe it’s because Atreus has never seen his dad get injured and/or curse like that in front of him, but the kid seems extremely small on the same couch he usually sees him sitting on stream.

“Oh yeah. Started as just me watching when the boys were here. Got tired of the whole, ‘We just play games uncle,’ every time I asked how things went.”

“Now I see you in the chat nearly every stream.”

“Are you?”

The boy is curious and a little excited about that. They still don’t really know each other. But then Baldur's not sure how long he can sit around Kratos without annoying the hell out of him. Over a kid friendly internet show's chat is one thing.

“I check in when I can.”

Anyways Baldur’s doing his best to clean up everything even tho he’s never really been there and finish cooking what hasn’t been tossed in the ground.

Probably being followed by the Awkward Dogs. They’re not begging for food. Just. Judging.

As they do, ya know

“I swear, kid, I’m gonna end up punting your wiener dog across the room.”

“He does that.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

“They’re both curious. Jörmungandr’s just small.”

“He’s fuckin tiny and in the way is what he is. And the other one--"

“Fenrir.”

“He looks like he wants to eat me.”

“That’s just his face.”

And Atreus—well, he’s currently the only one in the house who knows what all they got for dinner earlier. And also where everything is.

((Also Aloy is dozing on the couch herself. She just got off work.))

((Magni and Modi only know what the snack cupboard looks like and what drinks they can have from the fridge))

But cooking with Baldur is a lot different than cooking with his dad or Mimir or literally anyone else.

Artist he may be, a cook Baldur is not. Not to the degree Kratos apparently is.

“I don’t know anything about using grills.”

“I’m not allowed to touch the grill on my own.”

“Back inside then. I’m familiar enough with a stove.”

Enough meaning that he can make easily prepared meals. From scratch is something’s he’s never had to worry about really.

“Your dad does know that you can get frozen mixed veggies.”

“I assume he does. He just likes it better this way.”

“And you don’t have anything easier for us to make in place of all this, huh?”

“Not a lot. We have snacks. Some stuff we can microwave.”

“You’re a little punk who runs a video game show. How do you not have more?”

“I can eat it. Just not a lot of it. So we usually only buy it when I’m feeling better.”

“Right.”

Because kid’s got a slew of medical issues, and Baldur can’t be one to talk about it.

But Baldur’s the type to just suffer the consequences of a bad food choice.

Atreus isn’t.

They decide to fry up some veggies anyways and cook some rice. Because neither of them are really up for more without Kratos or Mimir.

And Baldur just watches this kid between helping him in the kitchen and checking in with his friends to play a short match just—get quiet and tired.

And it’s the ache in his bones that makes him ask about it when Atreus is sat at the table scrolling through his phone.

“Worried about your dad?”

“Mm. Kinda.”

He honest. Which is surprising in itself.

“I mean, no matter how bad it is, he’s still gonna get up for work in the morning. That hasn’t changed my whole life. But he doesn’t get hurt or sick all that often. It was always mom and me. Even Mimir sometimes. Not dad.”

“And your sister?”

“Uncle Deimos says she’s a lot like dad health-wise.”

“So just a paragon of fitness.”

“Yeah, I guess. She’s gonna be healthy for a long time. Well, she doesn’t push herself like dad does, so probably longer.”

“. . . How old is your dad?”

“Older than you’d think.”

Which, once Baldur gets him talking, kid keeps talking.

A lot about tattoos once Atreus remembers what Baldur does for a living.

“My parents never told me who did theirs. But Calliope and Io:nhiòte always talk about you when asked about theirs.”

“Well, that’s up to the person whether they talk about their artist or not. Depending on how personal it is for them and how they feel about the artist. I’d like to think I’m friends with those girls.”

“You are.”

“And it’s just natural to hype up your friends.”

“But you also have awards and stuff, don’t you? Magni and Modi say you get invited as a guest artist still.”

“I don’t go as often anymore.”

“Would you do mine? When I’m old enough?”

“With your dad’s permission at 16, or your own when you’re 18. And you pay me.”

“Well, of course.”

“What you have in mind?”

“Well, I guess some like my mom’s. So I’d still have a part of her with me.”

“Your name's Greek, isn’t it? But you look like you’re more into Heathenry.”

“Dad named me. Mom liked it. But the rest is mom raising me. And dad being fine with it. But I think he just—doesn’t feel connected to anything like that. Because uncle Deimos and Calliope are like that, too.”

“Now that I get.”

And just—Baldur unknowingly getting adopted that day.

((Kratos is fine. Of course he's fine. He comes home to a surprise late night DBPG stream. And stir fry.))

((Rost shows up to late night DBPG stream-turned-competition and more-than-just-stir-fry.))

[roxaeri]

Feeling somehow right now and stuck in bed so have some Modern Day Dad, sick!Atreus ideas.

- Atreus has good days.

- They're great and perfect and his dad is more open and relaxed

- He can eat school food and keep up with his friends

- He's trusted to be able to handle his bow

- He shouldn't but he can keep up with those brothers from the high school and insult them right back as they walked past his school

- And even when he can't sleep and he sneaks to the living room to play online with his mentor buddy before his dad wakes up and finds him, he's still able to think clearly.

- He can take care of Jörmungandr by himself except for when his dad wakes up and takes the dachshund outside for him.

- Waking up at 5AM isn't a big deal. He just needs to shower and dress and grab his backpack

- And he doesn't think too much about breakfast because his dad always grabs it for him to eat at the store before school, but he's able to eat it and keep it down before he takes his meds

- But one morning while his dad is outside with Jörmungandr and drinking his coffee and Atreus is showering he has a coughing fit he can't stop

- He thinks it's because he caught whatever was going around school

- Most kids in his classes had a one-day bug

- this isn't that, and even if it were, he knows he's not healthy enough to get away with being sick for a single day

- He tries to stop but it's been building for days and he's sure his dad noticed, so he crouches down in the shower because he's getting dizzy from coughing so hard

- maybe he can just ask to stay home with Mimir so his dad doesn't worry

- And then he's staring at the side of the tub unsure of what just happened but his throat and chest hurts and his head hurts and he has to get out of the shower

- He's not weak, he refuses to be weak, so he turns off the water and pulls himself out

- Atreus can hear Jörmungandr sniffing at the door so he falls closer to it, feeling a cold wet nose on his fingers before another fit starts

- Kratos can hear Jörmungandr whining at the bathroom door and Atreus coughing and gagging

- the Boy is huddled in his towel, gagging into his hand and spitting blood into the toilet and his wheezing coughs always manages to push Kratos into some form of anxiety

- "You are not going to school."

- His dad keeps his voice steady and he can pick him up as if he were still four and it's a comfort that brings Atreus to tears more than the burning throughout his body

- Kratos watches as the doctor pokes around his son, a familiar sight but one he still hates

- A virus that's been going around the city, seen in both children and adults. Contagious and lasts about 2 weeks on average

- but Atreus isn't Average

- It's simple enough adding antibiotics to his regiment, but it's harder making Atreus comfortable as the virus agitates his already shaky health.

- it also highlights symptoms the boy passed off as No Big Deal

- Atreus is frustrated that his dad is upset over them, thinking it's because he has to take time off for him and medical bills for more appointments to try and discover what's actually growing pains or not

- Kratos just sees his Boy, someone too young and full of potential to be so sick.

- "I get it. I'm too young to be this sick. But it's just the way I am."

- "I didn't mean to upset you."

- "But you did."

- "Give him some space, brother. Most likely tired from being at the hospital."

- The virus knocks Atreus into a flare up which keeps the boy in bed for days, small and pale and in pain

- Kratos thinks of his wife and how her illness had brought a strong woman to tears

- Atreus doesn't cry until he has to move and he's beyond tired and frustrated

- But he doesn't want to spend time in the hospital again, so he powers through it while being held by his dad and he's not sure why he's angry but he is and he knows it's wrong to take it out on his dad and he always feels bad when he gets mad at Jörmungandr

- Mimir doesn't help his mood much either, but he does help with his homework

- Kratos and Atreus are even more grateful for their neighbor/adopted uncle during the weeks they struggle through

- It still takes forever for Atreus to trust Mimir enough to let him see him at his worst but he does it anyway because while he can stay home from school, he knows his dad can't keep working from home

- The bad days last longer than before and it takes Atreus fainting several more times before he lists every small detail to his dad and doctor

- "If I were too young to be sick, I wouldn't be sick. But I am. And I hate it."

- Kratos isn't sure what to do with what he overheard his son saying to his mentor buddy online when he's done showering after work. He can only trust that the teen can comfort the boy somehow.

- "You're not his mom and that's not a bad thing, brother. At least you're doing what you can."

- "Faye understood him in a way I won't be able to unless I became sick like them."

- "But you're the epitome of health, I get what you're saying. And I doubt he'd let you baby him the way his mom did."

- "That, too."

- "You're a lovable grump, nonetheless."

- Kratos knowing he put Atreus in his own bed but waking up to Jörmungandr on his chest, staring him down in the dark, the boy tucked into his side and hugging his arm and he's shivering so of course

- Just Awkward Fam still being awkward but lovable

[roxaeri]

Dad and Boy Play Games Streams on Twitch, definitely.

It all began when Atreus, after getting suspended for the season in archery club for fighting (refer back), and he just sat down to play through his mom's games that he hadn't played before.

And then mentioning at school how he didn't expect his dad to help him solve the puzzles because he's never been interested in Nintendo games but he knows a whole heckin lot???

And his friends are basically, "You gotta be lying. No way your dad's into Mario games."

"I mean, have you seen your dad??"

"Uh, yeah? I mean I've had eleven years to get to know what he looks like."

--then it descends into Prove It and a Gotta See It To Believe it kinda deal

Atreus borrows an extra capture card from his friend Efi and she texts him to walk him through setting everything up for the streams

--refer back to short about the start of DBPG--

As for how Atreus got his dad to play games with him

Atreus' first go-to when he can't sleep and can't stay in bed is to sit in the living room in the dark and play video games

Stems from what his mom would do when she couldn't sleep and she'd get up and make hot cocoa and get some snacks

They'd just play games until Atreus fell asleep

And Kratos would usually just sit in the background watching them play whenever they did while he cooked or they ate dinner or lazy days where they didn't want to do anything

And it was a comfort when Atreus was in the hospital a lot, and then when his mom was in the hospital and hospice

After Faye died, there was no one to play games with Atreus, and Kratos just slowly became involved with them because Atreus would need help figuring out puzzles or pulling off certain tricks or moves in game

So it became a thing

As for streaming their gameplay, Kratos just fuckin ignored it. Ignored the chat.

Then Mimir stopped by and just didn't help him by actually responding to chat about what he knew of the current game and then Real World Counterparts and Probable Cultural Influences of things

"But that's just my guess now isn't it?"

And then Aloy joined chat and kept at it until Kratos finally responded and he was doomed after that and Aloy cemented herself as Queen of the Chat and a member of DBPG from then on

For a while, they just kept it all to Twitch because they didn't think there was a need to move their clips and full streams elsewhere since it was just Atreus' friends

And then the school found out and watched

And then High School found out and watched

And Atreus is just confused when he's told it's just Too Good to not be in multiple places

"I don't believe that, but okay."

And he's a simple kid. He just makes it Dad and Boy like on Twitch.

And Online Multiplayer is really when things blow up for them

And horror since Kratos enjoys horror games but also Mimir just no capacity for it so Of Course

Everyone losing their shit when Jörmungandr--where the hell did that come from?? asks the Chat--just wiggles his growing long body up to Atreus' shoulder and just squishes himself between the boy's head and the back of the couch

They're all, "Yes, perfect, a mascot. Make it so."

And it was made so

And it becomes an every other day staple of their lives that follows everything else they do in a day or even when they have dinner or just Snack Fests because they have an enormous game library that people want to see them play through for the sheer novelty of getting a peek into this kid's life with Stoic Dad Who Has To Break His Composure At Some Point

[roxaeri]

Okay @ladymaliwan, this isn't really related to the ask you sent me but I fucking ran as soon as I read the last part of it to finish this up because, well, Kinda?? Kinda related, more like the other direction of what you asked me.

Somehow, Kratos once again finds himself making appointments for obedience training and the vet

Boy and Dog on the floor in the living room staring at the black German Shepherd puppy currently asleep in the dog bed

"What does this one look like, boy?"

"Fenrir."

"Of course."

Mimir being just as confused as the rest of the house when he comes over

Kratos walking into his living room to see Awkward Fam just staring at this sleeping puppy until Aloy comes over and stops dead in the doorway

"Whaaat--"

Kratos sighing as she joins the rest of Awkward Fam for a moment

"Moving on, how? Did you get another dog??"

"Atreus?"

"We were driving around the hills and I saw someone throw him out the window. We just picked him up from the emergency vet. He cried when he saw me and I just couldn't--"

"D'aww, I get it buddy."

Aloy sliding over the arm of the couch to hug Atreus' face because he's on the verge of tears

Not even Kratos can say no when he sees that face and the boy had been making it since Atreus realized what happened

Jörmungandr, as a miniature dachshund puppy younger than Fenrir, isn't all that fucking big to begin with

But he jumps out of Atreus' lap to go up to the other dog, he somehow gets even smaller?? Being about 1/6 the size and most of it hair

Fenrir stepping over Jörmungandr, sleepy tired puppy that's been through too much in the last day alone, and just plopping himself in the boy's lap, not caring when the other just sits on him

Have you seen small dogs sit on other slightly larger dogs?? The cutest shit because they're all just kinda off balance but fucking determined to sit on the other dog

That's Jörmungandr

Everyone learning that Fenrir just does not give a shit. He is chill as all Hel--heh--and lets the little fur-snek do what he wants

Kratos--here's a fuckin theme--walking into his living room to see the boy asleep with his legs thrown over the arm of the couch, Fenrir on his stomach and Jörmungandr curled into his neck

5AM coffee. Big man. Little dog--what the fuck is that??!? *it's the Grim,*or a small bear or whatever that has enough energy at the asscrack of dawn to actually jerk Kratos' arm

Aloy losing her shit when she overhears some neighbor kids swearing that Fenrir is Sirius Black

Aloy fucking busting into Awkward Fam house to do the Goddamn Best Impression of Trelawney Ever

Atreus readily agreeing to dressing up like Harry Potter at some point

Fenrir just attached to this boy that very nearly jumped off the back of a moving motorcycle to help him and has not forgot the mutual relief when they saw each other the next morning

The world being met with sweetest boy ever with the most terrifying dad and his two dogs where one seems to be judging your soul and the other looks ready to eat it

[roxaeri]

He can't promise anything

Atreus can't always be smiles and encouragement and bright eyes

He's never been able to promise that, but he always delivered. It's what he's known for. Even when he hadn't slept in days and it hurts--

Atreus doesn't hide, but it's not always up front when he's doing bad. It's really fuckin easy to ignore it, or even edit out in videos. And it's common enough that it's not just part of just his life anymore.

Except for this

AML pushes him past what he's used to, added onto it, and it shows.

There's video of the struggle: the symptoms and the side effects.

He drifts off on stream more--and at some point they all agree to continue even when he does, slumped onto whoever's closest. Usually Aloy because he likes to read the chat since he doesn't have much energy to play whatever game they tossed up.

It tore her apart when she had to edit the announcement video and what it meant for DBPG going forward after Greece and getting Atreus home and starting treatment. The footage from the last leg of their trip. Traveling home. Going with him to the hospital. His complete breakdown after his hair became too brittle, and he was more Anger than anything. That fucking look on Kratos' face as he calmed Atreus down into a sniffling mess that didn't have the energy to even cry.

Atreus didn't hide, and neither would she even when it didn't just hit close to home with her own history, but actually sat in her own house--dozing on the couch after approving the video.

No one can blame her if the editing job isn't up to par with the rest of her work.

Aloy promises not to tell a soul about who took the picture of Atreus cheezing it at the camera with with peace signs and a large black dog curled up at his back, a fluffy long dog lying along his stomach, and a poofy-one-eyed Ragdoll cat curled around his head.

((By the height, every can guess it's Kratos anyways))

And on Atreus' birthday stream they have cake and ice cream. He can eat a bit of it. Keeps it down.

If he falls asleep, he's not called out on it when he wakes up. They end up with countless screenshots of Atreus sleeping on everyone by the end of it.

((Some fuckin perfect shots of Dad and Boy simultaneously snoozing at one point. Dad is Old. Boy is Sick. And ugh, their hearts--it's too damn cute even if they're both grown men at this point. Damn if they watched Atreus grow up on camera.))

(((Screenshots of a family portrait surface of Aloy and Mimir grinning as they frame themselves, the snoozing Dad and Boy, and the Awkward Pets in one shot. Because of course the Awkward Pets would magnetize themselves to Atreus in the middle of a stream. It's too perfect.)))

They keep it going to a good several hours, raising money for charity like he's always done on his birthday.

And yeah, no ine judges if Atreus just some how wakes up without really waking up and he doesn't make much sense. Aloy and Mimir and Chat handle it as they would if he were sleep walking and wait for him to doze again.

It's not really the best birthday, but he loves it just the same and

"Fuck it, I'm crying. My god you guys are amazing, and I don't know what I'd do without you."

And his birthday has always been a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-ass kinda deal. He's gotten used to it.

Atreus can't promise anything, but he promises it to himself anyways as he swears to make his next birthday make this one entirely forgettable.

[roxaeri]

Atreus spends most of his Sunday huddled on the couch with his uncle playing through a horror game for the next DBPG stream

"Why are you doing this to yourself twice?"

"So I'm prepared for the jumpscares and stuff and don't pass out on camera."

"Right, right."

Atreus talked to his friends that already played the game (Outlast), watched a playthrough, and to save spoiling the game for everyone else, he decided to play it alone

Or he would have if he wasn't in the middle of a flare up

--Thus Deimos beside him, Fenrir on his lap, and Jörmungandr tucked between his head and the back of the couch

"Hey there hun."

"Io:nhiòte!"

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."

"No, no. This is what I get for leaving the door open."

"Well, it's a damn nice day out."

"What are you doing here today? Not that it isn't nice to see you."

"No offense taken. Just came to, you know, give Princess a rude awakening and roll her out."

"Calliope??"

"Yeah. Got a tattoo appointment in an hour or so and she needs to eat."

Atreus watches as Io:nhiòte does just that, falling into coach mode as she chases his sister through Mimir's house to get her up and ready for the day

Calliope looks like shit, can't lie about that, but it's what happens when you drink too much, cry your heart out in the dirt, and sleep too long

"Why are you so pushy today?"

"Calliope, sweetie, we've known each other three days. Wanna keep dancing around the niceties and fake personas or you wanna be my friend? Either give me whatcha got or get out of my life--wait. Save that for after your appointment. I'm not letting you walk."

"Ugh, fine."

"Come on, Princess, we gotta dash--gotta eat. I'll have her back later, hun!"

"Uh, have fun?!"

He forgot how much energy Io:nhiòte had when she hasn't worked it off in any way. She was hyper and a whirlwind wherever she went and he didn't envy Calliope the however long she was with the woman

Atreus has almost beaten the game by the time his dad is off work and showering and Deimos is off with Mimir to get groceries so they can grill it tonight so he has to pause it and he's a bit grumpy about it because he wanted to finish it completely to stream tomorrow

And then Calliope is suddenly inside, even more tired than this afternoon, and he can't help but laugh

"What?"

She's not upset at him and he thinks that's more progress

"It helps if you memorize her schedule--or make sure to run out her energy early on. She half ran up Black Elk Peak carrying me once."

"I will keep it in mind."

"So tattoo appointment?"

She looks awkward for a moment as he notices the bandage coming just over her shoulder

"I know I haven't been nice to you, but I need your help."

"With what?"

"I can't see it very well, but I need to clean it and use this thing on it."

Calliope pulled out products he recognized Io:nhiòte used whenever she got a new tattoo--a gentle medical cleanser, cotton pads, and a tattoo balm stick.

"She said you would know how to do this."

"Well, yeah, but are you sure?"

"I am . . ."

Atreus just zeroing in on her as she gets awkward and blushing

"You're not comfortable with anyone else here doing it for you."

"I don't know anyone that well, not even Deimos."

She doesn't even have to ask again before Atreus scoots over and holds out a hand for her little glitter care bag

"I do this, you sit here through the rest of the game and make sure I don't die."

"What?!"

"It's not that bad. Just make sure my breathing seems even. It's been a little bad today."

". . . Okay?"

Atreus hands are cold (they usually always are) but he's gentle as he removes the bandage and cleans away the blood and ink that well up

"Are you anemic? Io:nhiòte gets that way sometimes."

"Most dancers can be if they don't eat right. It's why I took a break back in France to recover. I risk injury otherwise."

"So that's why we've been having a lot of red meat and spinach lately."

"A problem you have?"

"From not being able to eat, yeah. Something we're keeping an eye on."

Atreus wonders about the pink and red roses and black shaded olive branches on her neck and running along just the back on her shoulder to her arm with lines more delicate and minimal than anything he's seen on Ionhiòte

"It's beautiful."

"I love it. I've always wanted one."

"Same. Obviously, dad has his. . . . My mom had some too. A lot more than dad does, actually."

"My mother has some as well. Not as many, though. I thought it would be hard to be a professional dancer if I had one."

"But it's possible, because Ionhiòte does it all the time. It's just a lot of foundation from what I hear."

"She's recommended me some brands."

Calliope thinks back to Io:nhiòte earlier and what the woman told her about what she knew of her brother

Atreus is easy to talk to, and perceptive--almost to the point of being a mind reader.

He's empathetic and almost beyond his years

If he weren't an eleven year old boy who's still figuring out who he is

Calliope's reminded of that as they both jump, too drawn into the atmosphere of the game and Atreus keeps spitting out nervous chatter, readily retelling the story of the game to her to settle himself in a way that kinda reminded her a boy that stammered horribly when she talked to him when they were his age

Atreus learning his sister hasn't touched a controller since she was little

The sheer, "What? How?!"

He's almost offended and he doesn't know why

"I just never saw the need to buy anything like that. Sorry to say I'm consumed by dancing or going swimming or being with friends."

"And when you're home??"

"Playing my flute, listening to music, or reading."

"Games are like reading. Well, some are. This one has a story. Some are mostly game play. You know what, I want to see you play a game."

"Why??"

"Because I wanna see you enjoy something I enjoy."

And it's so innocent Calliope just can't say no--especially since she's effectively distracted when Fenrir pops his head out to yawn

". . . You have another dog??"

"Well, we brought him home yesterday. You haven't been here this weekend."

Just bio sibs bonding over puppies and talking about video games

[roxaeri]

Shit the Awkward Fam Dogs would tell you if they could speak:

Kratos runs into the wall on his way to get coffee at 5AM every morning. Never fails. Jörmungandr believes it did him wrong at some point and now he must do it every day to show his displeasure.

They actually judge Mimir because the man seems to trip on everything and nothing. Maybe he'd be better off on four paws but he won't try so they don't know.

Jörmungandr used to struggle getting Boy up because he is tOo SmALl, but Fenrir is bIG eNOUGH to help him up from bed

The other small dogs Fenrir knew were loud and mean but Jörmungandr is quiet and he doesn't know which one bothers him more

Well, until the small dog does not care that Fenrir is lying on him. Then he is his favorite.

Boy calls Kratos: 'Dad'

But they are told Boy is their 'Dad'???

Kratos feeds Boy, and Boy feeds them, so Dad must be the one who feeds you

Fenrir feels bad about trying to eat the thing with the blinking light. Boy talks to it a lot so he assumes it is a friend.

Jörmungandr hears Boy sing all the time, but does not around the others??? When Boy sings with him and Fenrir???? Boy sing, please.

Jörmungandr and Fenrir avoid the living room whenever they pull the box from the hall closet because the board inside usually goes flying that way. Not as fun as chasing the flying round thing outside.

They do not like having their teeth brushed but Boy is nice and they get treats for being gOoD bOyS

Whenever they are pulled out of Boy's room when he is too hot, Kratos lets them in his room to sleep. He does not care when Jörmungandr sleeps on his chest and does not squish him like Fenrir does in his sleep. And moves him before getting up.

Sometimes they sit with Boy as he sleepwalks and talks to the picture of the woman over the armchair. He calls her mom and he seems sad when he does but Fenrir boops his hand and Boy will follow him back to bed.

Just, Awkward Dogs being less awkward than their human family.

[roxaeri]

Jörmungandr is a pretty chill small dog--ya know, without the small dog syndrome or whatever that makes it so tiny dogs are yappy and agressive.

But he still has a general dislike of being around people that aren't his. Because he's a miniature dachshund and some-fuckin-how-magically-idk they just don't realize he's there and trip on him.

((Boy has put a cat bell on him to help but people just have no balance. At least Mimir has sense to trip in another direction.))

Jörmungandr listens, but only to Awkward Fam.

((Except at those times where he just doesn't. He's still a puppy. Of course.))

Fenrir, however, is a small bear made of chaos with a healthy mistrust of pretty much everyone. Also still a puppy, and rescued after being quite literally tossed from an unhealthy family.

With the majority of Awkward Fam, he knows they won't hurt him or Jörmungandr so that gives him the freedom to be the puppy he wasn't allowed to be with that other family. And he's taken that to heart.

Fenrir likes to play and run around. Mimir gives him free run of the back yard. And the man gives him space. He doesn't listen well, but he does more for Mimir than the rest of them.

Except for Boy and Kratos. He listens to them almost absolutely.

(He doesn't understand why he can't comfort Boy sometimes or why he can't sleep in his room some nights. Let him hELP.)

((Kratos--Kratos, listen, you need FuN))

And Old Man Kratos does find himself dozing off in the living room and waking up covered in dogs. Or Atreus falling asleep beside him and Kratos is just a casualty of the dogs magnetizing to the kid.

And on the nights Atreus just can't have them in his room because all smells get to him and he's too hot and everything hurts--they end up in Kratos' room. ((Or even the nights Atreus just moves them all into his dad's room))

His breathing is steady and soothing to Jörmungandr, who does like to sleep on his chest. As a smaller puppy, he would curl into Atreus' neck, and still does. But it's hard for both Jörmungandr and Kratos due to the drastic size difference, so they compromise.

((Jörmungandr wakes up at any disturbance, due to spending most nights with Atreus. That's why he's always staring Kratos down in the dark when the man wakes up.))

Fenrir usually sleeps with his head on Atreus' stomach. But again, still a puppy and small--and the fact that Kratos doesn't move in his sleep at all--so he's draped over his arm or leg.

At the sound of their alarm clocks, Fenrir's waiting at the door and Jörmungandr is struggling to move his little long body over limbs and blankets and down the ramp placed beside the bed for him.

Just, Awkward Fam Dogs still not being as Awkward as the name says~

[roxaeri]

Lemme tell you a little known fact about the Black Hills: there ain't much shit to do here.

Unless it's outdoorsy stuff like hiking or camping or swimming. Or going to Mt. Rushmore or Crazy Horse. (Here's a secret, lotta people who live here can go forever without going to any tourist attractions like that.) Wind Cave. Any number of caves, come on there's hills. Cosmos Mystery Area. Deadwood--that's like an old Midwest Gambling Town. Sturgis, just a small town except for like a few weeks in August where it has the biggest population in the US. (Bikers. Bikers everwhere. Just skulls, leather, and motorcycles.)

((I say Middle of Nowhere but even I gotta admit we're a fucking varied Middle of Nowhere))

Allergies and/or Sensitive Skin? Good fucking luck, my dudes. The Force be with you.

What does one do when you can't do any of that because you're eleven, sick, and bored??

Convince someone to take you on a drive around the hills

Is it the longest drive?? No. Depends on how fast you go, which turns you take, and how many stops you make if any. Longer than an hour tho

Aloy I-Volunteer-As-Tribute taking the chance to drive Deimos' sweet ass rental car. It's nice and newer than 2016, so a lot newer than her '99 Toyota Corolla (ha)

"I can see it anytime I want, you enjoy yourself."

Atreus in the backseat talking to them until he dozes on and off before he's fuckin Out (One of Kratos' solutions to Boy's insomnia is going for a drive around the hills because it's actually really soothing if somewhat simultaneously ominous so they just find it gREAT)

Fenrir wary of drives through the hills and being in cars but his Boy has not done him wrong yet so just keeps an eye out while Atreus sleeps

Y'all wanted Calliope and Kratos to chat after her drunken ranting???

BOOM

Now they're stuck in the truck together, just the two of them.

(And Jörmungandr who wants to soul-stare out the window but he is a pUPPY and tOo ShOrt so he's tucked himself behind Kratos' head because he likes to feel tall and freak out anyone who notices him)

"Calliope, do you remember all you said to me the other night?"

". . . I was hoping you forgot, actually. That was embarrassing."

"Would you have said anything otherwise?"

"I wouldn't have. That part was true."

"I'm sorry I didn't try harder to be your father after what happened. I truly believed you and your mother were better off without me in your lives after what happened."

"As an adult, I get that. I mean, I don't remember much of why mother divorced you. But we all left Greece a mess. Then your life here happened."

"You felt unimportant when you shouldn't have. Your mother and I failed you in that respect. We let our issues affect you to the point you didn't tell Deimos when you moved to France."

"True."

". . . Do you have a good life there?"

"The best. I never doubt that my friends love me. I love my job, my apartment, my roommate. I don't believe I'd have come if she hadn't convinced me to. My best friend."

Shenanigans? In this calm family drive?? It's more likely than you think. Such as:

Aloy, at the last possible second, swerving right to Deadwood instead of left because goddamn, she forgot about the construction of the road through the lakes

"What are they doing there?"

"Widening it. No longer feels like your car is about to go over the edge anymore."

". . . It was like what before?"

Kratos and Calliope struggling to stop Jörmungandr from jumping at the window because of another dog in the car passing them that looked at him wrong

"Pup pup pup--no!"

Kratos just doesn't know what Calliope's even muttering as she has descended into a mess of English, Greek, and French as she plays with and coos at the dachshund puppy in her lap

Atreus walking up from a dead sleep shouting in Faroese as he shoots up like a zombie from a grave and scaring Aloy so bad that Deimos is left scrambling for the wheel as she tries to keep her heart in her chest

Stopping in Deadwood because maybe it's time for Aloy and Deimos to switch but Calliope spots a thing and

"Old time photos?"

"You dress like they did here during the gold rush and take pictures like that."

"I've never actually done that. You?"

"Once with mom, but I was little."

"No time like the present, huh?"

Kratos looking like a bald and bearded Wild Bill Hickok

Oh my god, the fucking fringed smoked leather jackets and feather boas and corsets that Calliope is all too used to while Aloy kinda hates it until bio sibs simultaneously assure that she looks amazing and Atreus wraps a feather boa around himself, too

Atreus looking like a little old west lawman and set between his sisters while his dad and uncle look like they're ready for gun fight in an old west bar somewhere down the street

Calliope amazed by the history of the town because these people sound like characters in a story but it's all too real

"I think it's like that because that's how they treated it. I mean, Buffalo Bill Cody had this entire show that made it all seem like some sort of adventure tale; when really the gold rush broke the treaties with the tribes. Io:nhiòte has a lot more insight on that than I do."

And the rest of the drive is spent in a spotty conference call between cars talking about the American Old West

That night, Calliope follows Atreus because he has a book from Mimir about the history of the Black Hills that he thinks she should read

Calliope noticing the picture of her on her graduation day in France that Deimos took after she contacted him for the first time in years so she could have someone to celebrate her graduation with

"You have this?"

"Uh, yeah . . . Uncle Deimos sent it to me because he wanted me to see you wearing the flower crown I made. I didn't--know what else to do because I didn't know you and didn't have a lot of time. But he said you liked flowers, and my mom and the nurses taught me how to make them so I did and sent it. I, uh--"

Atreus nearly losing his shit because his sister just hugged him and kissed his head and it's the most affection he's gotten from the sister he nearly idolized since he found out about her

Calliope wanting to cry because my god he is too precious, too pure, and she very nearly fucked this up

And she loves that crown and now she gets why Deimos said it was from a fan of hers. She never would have worn it if she knew it was from Atreus because she was so bitter and angry--

"I used that crown on stage during my first professional performance."

"You did?"

"As Princess Cinderella. I still do whenever I'm asked to perform my solo."

"I didn't know you were Cinderella. I wanna see! I've seen Io:nhiòte dance but she says how you dance is different than how she dances."

"She is a traditional and contemporary dancer while I am trained in ballet and ballroom. I will have my roommate send me the performance video so you can see."

Calliope watching as their new family photo joins Atreus' wall of family, between her grad photo and one of him and Aloy dressed as Mario and Luigi

Just, a drive through the hills that makes everyone just a little bit closer each time

@ladymaliwan

[roxaeri]

Good Uncle Baldur on a lunch break at the mall and looking through some pictures on his phone

"Can't imagine how abstract your brain looks like to you, but none of these images relate to each other."

"But you get what I'm talking about right?"

"Of fucking course. Who do you take me for?"

He'd be offended if anyone else said that to him

Say what you will about the man, who looks like he would die before stepping foot in a mall but always has lunch at the sandwich shop there because it's the last place he could possibly run into his mother during school hours on a weekday--he has a special allowance for his repeat clientele

Of which is the younger woman in front of him who took the healthiest sandwich in the entire goddamned food court and added enough bacon and peppers and toppings to make it look appetizing to him

Io:nhiòte came to him for her first tattoo on her sixteenth birthday (with her dad to sign his permission) and, having not gone to anyone else since, is one of Baldur's favorites to ask to join him whenever he wants to showcase his work

"Come by the shop tonight, I should have something by then."

"Text me, I think I'll be busy until then. I don't know."

"You don't know? Girl, you came home for a break."

"Calliope, you know I speak Greek as well, right?"

Cue the fucking awkward halt in both conversations as Mimir and Baldur realize just who they're next to.

"That I didn't know."

"Uh, you're looking well Baldur."

"Wouldn't you fucking know it."

"Io:nhiòte, lass?"

"Yoni, what the hell is going on?"

"Mimir called and asked if I still had keys to the dance studio because he knew someone who needed the space."

"And Baldur must be your tattoo artist. Thought it all looked familiar. Well, I'll be leaving. Can't leave Jörmungandr alone too long. Have fun girls."

Mimir fuckin leaving faster than anyone expected to see him move

"Hi, Io:nhiòte Kenway."

"Calliope."

Baldur knowing a Greek accent when he hears one and wondering just how many Greeks actually show up in the Black Hills because who really fuckin knows but it's definitely not tourist season

Calliope wrinkling her nose at Baldur because he looks like mostly every biker she's seen since arriving but somehow doesn't smell like one??

(His day has barely started for himself so he's still smelling like fucking Irish Spring or something. And cologne because Ionhiòte is fucking ruthless whenever she gets a chance to tease him.)

"I'll see you later, Bal."

"Yeah, yeah."

Calliope unsure of the tattooed native woman Mimir took her to because she only knows Io:nhiòte--not feeling rude enough to mess up her name--has degrees in dance and a space she's allowing her into

"Thank you for this Io:nhiòte."

"No problem. I was going in anyways."

Io:nhiòte is covered in tattoos that seem to be full of personal meaning as Calliope can't find any contemporary designs among what she sees--other than a little cartoon ghost peeking at her on her arm

"It's a lot, I know. That little guy I got from Baldur on Halloween some years ago during a special at the shop he worked at the time."

"Mimir said you had a long history of dancing."

"Practically since birth. I was born here and I'm enrolled in my mother's tribe, but I know dances from both her tribe and my dad's. I was lucky enough to also take ballet classes growing up here in the city. Then I went to college for it, et cetera, got a Masters. I'm actually back for a break from it all, but can't really stop you know?"

"Yes. I live in France and I'm on a break between shows, but I've missed being in the studio since I came."

"Mimir said you're in a ballet version of Dracula?"

"As Mina. I'll pick it back up sometime next month when I'm home."

"That's cool."

Calliope doesn't expect to catch on well with Ionhiòte, but she does and she forgets the pain of the past week as she can flex her muscles and remembers why she lost herself in dance in the first place as she learns from the older woman who draws her into her teasing with the instructors as they pass by

And then Calliope has plans for tomorrow night to go out with Ionhiòte and her friends

Calliope finding herself staring at a picture of her new friend and Aloy and Atreus in the same lobby she's standing in

"They're how I know Mimir. She brought that boy in here because he wanted to see what it was like for a ballet dancer because he learned his sister was one in London. He was so amazed and kept going on about how strong his sister must have been. They stop by to see me when they know I'm here. Took that when I earned my master's degree."

"You are friends."

"I would say so. Those two are closer than I am with my own siblings."

Then Calliope finds herself helping Ionhiòte pick up dinner and eating it in Baldur's office as the two are going over his initial design for the woman while she's free to look at his art books lying around

Again, she feels awkward and out of place even though it's all a lot nicer than what she imagined when she met the man

Calliope admiring an olive branch and rose and just absolutely blushing when Baldur calls her out on it--one, because *yeah* she's thought about getting a tattoo before because both of her parents have them; two, because Baldur has Io:nhiòte's shirt up, hip in hand as he draws on the lower left of her back

Baldur unphased because he has fuckin seen it all--Io:nhiòte is cOVERED and this has been his passion since he was a lITTLE sHIT rEBEL

By the time Calliope's in bed (after assuring her dad and uncle that yes she was fine and yes she ate--in a friendly manner after a look from Mimir) she's feeling leagues better than when she first started talking to Mimir about what was going on because now she has a place to dance, a person she would like to be friends with, and a tattoo appointment scheduled for the weekend

She's up for her morning jog at way too goddamn early for how late she went to sleep but she can't just remain in bed when she can't sleep and awkwardly sees her little brother still mostly asleep on the porch with his judging little dog (and she loves dogs and wishes she could have one but she's already talked to a friend about possibly taking in one of their kittens) and she has to admit it's a cute sight

Atreus can't find it in him to care that Calliope is stretching not too far from him as he waits for Mimir to get up and come grab Jörmungandr and his dad to--

"Atreus I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I'm sorry for what I said to you before and how I've treated you since arriving. It's just--there is a lot you don't know about how things happened when I was younger. How my life is because of it. And you have nothing to do with any of it other than being born into this family."

"Thanks?"

"You don't have to understand."

Atreus is wondering if he's dreaming as he watches her run off, a whisper of jealousy at how easy it must be for her, when Mimir makes his presence known by half scaring him to death

"Deimos can drive you to school if you're not feeling well, lad."

Because they both know Atreus won't agree to staying home sick

"Nah, I got homework to finish."

[roxaeri]

Even as Atreus inches closer to thirty with each passing day, he still finds himself resting on the couch in the living room.

Legs tossed over the arm, Hela sleeping in ball form on his stomach and Jörmungandr snuggled into his neck like always.

And ya know, he doesn't think he sleeps, based in the ache in his arms and along his back. It's uncomfortable enough to keep him awake, along with his own stuborness after drifting off for so much of his birthday.

But damn, part of him actually wants to sleep. If only in a bid to get rid of the ache in his eyes.

Atreus doesn't even have the motivation--or the energy--to grab the remote for any background noise.

Except for the occasional turning of a page.

Tilting his head back gives him the view of his dad.

What people told him they'd do to see his dad wearing his glasses again. The words come back to him, a little hazy but clear enough that it puts a smile on his face.

And that smile makes Kratos kinda sUsPiCiOuS as he's pulled from his book.

"What is it?"

"We should make postcards of you wearing your glasses."

"No."

"Why not? You look fine. You're supposed to be wearing them all the time anyways."

"And you are supposed be sleeping while you can if you plan to be busy later."

"Aw, dad."

Atreus reaching up to grab his dad's arm. And it's comforting when his dad does the same, his arm still looking small in his hand.

There's a lot they haven't talked about. A lot of Atreus just yelling in frustration until he couldn't. A lot of his dad just holding him until they both felt better.

Yeah, sure, they needed that. Better than his memories of his parents struggling in silence. Better than the fights that happened because of it.

Atreus has a double echo of his mom and Calliope telling his dad that feeling it would always be better than feeling nothing.

Something, something, and something about her mom. Whose mom, he can't remember. Accented voices are so blurred together in those old memories.

Atreus isn't sure when he closed his eyes, but he must have spaced out for awhile. His hand and his arm feels as warm as his dad's, which hasn't happened in a while.

Well, the hoodie he had been living in for the past month had to be washed. So of course he feels colder, even with Hela and Jörmungandr doing their very best to be to personal space heaters.

It takes him even longer to catch up on the Greek just barely drifting over the room. It's Hela purring and stretching out that brings him back enough to notice. Even longer for him to actually take in the words.

And it's familiar. Feeling like a blanket as he listens to his dad sing.

Those memories are faint, a phantom icy touch to his head that he hasn't felt in person since he was little.

One memory a little too similar to this moment. Except his mom isn't here, and they're not in the hospital. And he knows what his dad's actually singing to him now.

Atreus dreams of that time he woke up squished between his parents. Warm, safe, loved.

Just--being home.

By the time Atreus wakes up, it's quiet.

Hela is stretched out beside him, Jörmungandr's breathing into his ear now, and his dad has gone back to reading.

The tapping finger in his arm lets him know his dad knows he's awake, but also tells Atreus that he hasn't let go of his dad's arm.

"How long was I out?"

"Long enough."

His phone doesn't tell him much more other than the last message he answered before trying to sleep was four hours ago.

His arm and shoulder takes some time to work out the aches.

Jörmungandr actually looks ready for a walk as he gets off the couch.

The cat just slides off Atreus' stomach when he sits up. Big yawn. Lazy wink. Back to sleep.

"Yeah, I feel ya. Hey, I thought Aloy should've been back with Fenrir at least an hour ago."

"That dog could have dragged her anywhere on the trails, Atreus."

Even at his current pace--slow--Atreus makes it back with Jörmungandr before Aloy does.

He's almost confirmed plans to meet up with Trucy when Fenrir nearly boops his phone out of his hands.

The German Shepard, all-black fur and sharp teeth and looking more like a wolf than the bear cub he was as a puppy, is covered in mud, watergrass, and sand.

Aloy is standing in the doorway, out of breath.

"This dog--"

"Holy shit, look at you--"

"Yeah, thanks. Your dog is hell of four legs."

"Sorry, Hel's currently sleeping in the sink."

"You know I don't mean the cat."

"It'd be a damn shame if I didn't capitalize on her name, Aloy."

"I know."

Aloy was smart enough to wear jeans and sleeves when she decided to take Fenrir on a hike.

But her clothes are damp and pretty much in the same shape as his dog. And the leafy bits and twigs makes him believe Fenrir dragged Aloy off the path, through the shrubbery, tumbled down a fucking bank into the damn lake.

Or at least that's how Aloy can remember it.

"We just went so fast. It was a nightmare."

She did make the mistake of wearing a white tank under her shirt. It was covered in dirt stains and had some dog prints on it from getting tackled after getting out of the lake.

Instead of the answer she was expecting, Trucy gets a picture of Aloy making a face and pointing a finger at Kratos as she's hugging Fenrir to her side. What's even more shocking to her is the slight grin hidden behind the man's hand as he's trying to placate Aloy.

The next picture is hella blurry. Both Aloy and Fenrir are hugging Kratos as he tries to run away. Hela's ears are just barely visible over the edge of the sink.

Atreus is draped across the table, laughing as he watches his dad lead both Aloy and Fenrir outside to spray off what mud and sand they could before either of them stepped into the shower.

His phone buzzes while he still has a smile on his face.

Best Boss Lady: Holy shit nvm. I'm on my way over. Tell Aloy I'm grabbing her some clothes.

Best Boss Lady: Plz tell me we can upload those pictures. They're perfect.

ALTL: Hold up. Gotta shout out the window. They're getting hosed down.

Best Boss Lady: I'M MISSING IT

ALTL: GREEN MEANS GO

Best Boss Lady: PERFECT

[roxaeri]

Summertime for the dogs means they spend goddamn near everyday with Boy

At first, it's weird tho--

Kratos is up. Boy--Boy up. . . . Boy? Kratos--Kratos, ignore the wall--or don't, Boy is still in bed.

--Is Boy sick????? But he doesn't smell like that smell that makes him sick?? Kratos--Kratos, what?

(Atreus spends a good week getting woken up by a wet nose to the eyeball)

"It's summer. I don't have school."

Okay, they don't know what that is but Okay. Okay. Wait . . . Boy is home!!! (And Mimir.)

(A good week being woken up twice by a wet nose to eyeball)

It's hot outside. You okay?

(Atreus is spending as much time as he can outside, dammit. Lotta sunscreen, lotta water, hats and sunglasses, some funky fashion mesh jacket, you know those things?? Breezy and light but still helps cover him from the sun.)

Jörmungandr has sunglasses

Fenrir has has a hat

Doggie bandanas

Fashion~

((That gets whipped off as soon as Fenrir gets the chance to run around for the day. They leave the gate between their backyards open. He has more room!!!))

Jörmungandr just lying like a ham on the edge of the blanket laid out in the backyard as Atreus works on one of the languages on his ever rotating wheel of Wanting-to-Learn

It's hot, yo

No, no no, Kratos doesn't shave. Why does Jörmungandr need to be sHAVED?

. . . . Why doesn't Fenrir need to be sHAVED?!

Oh. Boy gets shaved, too. Okay.

(Atreus is ticklish and Jörmungandr sniffing around his newly short hair doesn't h e l p)

Kratos coming home for lunch to find the three of them lounging in a kiddie pool under a huge ass umbrella ((patio umbrella??))

(("Where the hell did that come from Boy?" "Dunno, Uncle Deimos set it up. He And Mimir got waterguns and waterballoons, too. Something about since we can't take the dogs to the lakes. And, ya know, the sun."))

. . . . WhAt ArE tHoSe~

Fenrir doesn't care if he gets wet--FuN--he wants to chase those ball things that explode when he hits them with his head

Jörmungandr is content splashing his way through the kiddie pool. He likes pushing around the balloons, they make the water go swooshing by.

Fenrir dashing through their little water war to break every balloon he can reach

((Listen, Calliope's roommate has been her best friend for a long ass time now. She's had practice dodging quick shots and hitting that speedy little demon.))

Their walks are longer now that Boy isn't spending most of his energy at school

Hiking!! Black Hills, land of hiking--

Fenrir fuckin loves it, but also, Jörmungandr you are smol. Are you okay??

Jörmungandr getting lifted up the trail with his suit-thing that basically turns him into a weight

((Mango--Mango you're lifting him tOo fAsT. Who are you to--??))

Dog!!--that dog is thirsty. Boy--Boy help.

((Atreus always remembers extra water whenever they go hiking. Some people don't bring enough for their pets. Always bring enough for your pets.))

As for Sleipnir

Pony--pony you're bigger. How big will you get??

Like that horse over there

!!!!!!

Be nice with Boy. He's still small, too.

(("Riding bareback kid. Don't have a saddle that'll fit you." "Io:nhiòte--" "Atreus'll be fine~ 'Specially since that pony likes his name--"))

Sleipnir gets to run around this field?!?!

Sleipnir has hooves and his weight to scare off big cats and wild dogs and no snake wants to get squished. He did have a run in with a scared porcupine, tho. That hurt. He avoids the skunks because the skunks avoid him.

Sleipnir sticks close to the house more than the other horses, tho. He wanders off to run around but Unci has better food than the prairie does, and more water during summer.

((Something about the heat makes all the water from storm season disappear--))

Dog--dog, Kratos knows how to ride, and Boy did fine. Why is that girl scared???

Dunno.

((Calliope has ridden once before. Her horse then didn't have the personality for a beginner. And you don't forget the first time you're thrown from your horse.))

(((Atreus coming outside to see Sleipnir curled up in a hole in the shade of the house with both Jörmungandr and Fenrir sitting on him.)))

(Atreus experiencing a, "Look at my bOYS~!" moment)

Sleipnir following them to the gate and nose boops with both Jörmungandr and Fenrir through the window

Just easy summertime antics

@ladymaliwan

[roxaeri]

Yes, absolutely.

Jörmungandr's used to being hugged and cuddling when something's wRoNg, so he's kinda picked up when he should switch from puppy mode to ESA mode

If anything the little dog never really leaves Atreus' side.

Fenrir is the one who goes around making sure his people are where they should be and checking on how they're doing.

It started the same night they brought him home from the emergency vet. Fenrir slept when he could that day, but still fitfully. Still scared that these people would be tossing him out the window going 70mph--

Restless wandering through the house just watching them. Checking on them to make sure they wouldn't do the same thing. But they were different.

Kratos--who sometimes didn't realize Fenrir had crawled into his lap. How long he'd stay there until he felt the man pat his head.

Boy--who would hug him too tight or tug his fur too hard but Fenrir knew it wasn't his fault. It was whatever it was that made him smell differently sometimes. Whatever made it so Boy would overheat and made him cry and made it so he couldn't keep his food down.

Yeah, Fenrir's not as big as his mom was, but he will be one day. And maybe he doesn't need to be to take care of these people. Because Jörmungandr hasn't gotten any bigger, and he does fine.

[roxaeri]

These things. I don't know what the hell to call 'em myself but they have the lids like a canning jar??? So I've been calling them jars. If someone does know, please tell me. It's been bugging me since I bought the pineapple one a year ago.

And I hope you mean these things because I have these little shits everwhere.

Guess who else has them everywhere

--Awkward Fam.

Kratos, Mimir, and Rost don't know how they all ended up with several in their houses, but they did.

They're everywhere, they're hard to clean, and it just doesn't seem like ya can get rid of them no matter how many times you try. They're there in your house for-fuckin-ever

"Nah, dad, it's fine. I can clean 'em."

"I would hope so."

How does Atreus do it? Pipecleaners. They keep a pack of colorful ones in the drawer by the sink.

Brok, Sindri, and Rost usually have one when they're over to eat

((Brok has recently upgraded to a blue cactus. It's not his favorite color, though. He just seems to end up with blue things all the goddamn time.))

But let me show the thing that most kids seem to do when left alone with weird jars and crazy straws

Kratos doesn't know what to do when he walks into the kitchen to see Atreus drinking out of the newly dubbed Crazy Jar other than to leave it be and ignore it

--Until he's presented with one himself

"Atreus--"

"It's just a different straw dad. You'll be fine."

Mimir gets axed with a stick when he pops up over the fence and has to pause

"Brother, heeyyy--wha--" *Cue stick* "Okay, moving on."

Aloy sitting on the porch with Atreus and the dogs and they're wearing sunglasses and seemingly judging the neighborhood as they sip out of these things when really they're trying very hard not to lose their shit at all the double takes they're getting

Jörmungandr sees that the top of the jar looks like the top of his new bed and, as a small dog does, he grabs it and drags it there

"Where'd it go??"

Atreus finding the little long-dog curled around it.

"You can't drink that. You're not supposed to have fake sugar, it'll make you sick."

Fenrir stealing the straw from Aloy's

"Fenrir, no! Come here!"

The neighbor kids watching her chase him around the yard until

"Fenrir, sit."

Aloy fucking dive rolling over the dog to avoid tripping over him

"Oh, yeah. Thanks Kratos. Woulda helped maybe five minutes ago. Swell, my dude."

Kratos, chill as all hell as he takes a sip out of his own.

"I see how it is."

Just the simple chaos of crazy straws

[roxaeri]

Alright, I'm back on my bullshit. All the things all at once because fuck it. It's Halloween. Nothing's really gotta make sense now. I'm listening to the Alternate playlist while writing this and it started out with the God of War theme song and I don't know if it's the right mood to start this off but whatever. Guess we going dramatic with this.

Jumping right into the bullshit and ignoring everything else that's going on—I'm just gonna tell y'all that it's Modern Day Dad, Modern Mythos, and cannon God of War.

So that means, it's Atreus, Atreus, and Atreus. Throw them all into one forest.

Okay, so now it's Don't Feel Quite Right by Palaye Royale. Fucking fitting.

Chaos. Nothing but chaos. Because for two of them, MDD!Atreus Hyphenated-Last Name whateveritwasbecauseit'sbeenalongwhile and Cannon!Atreus: What in hell is this forest and why does it feel like it wants no one there??!? It's dark, uninviting, but also how in the hell did they end up here?????

Meanwhile Trickster Atreus is minding his own fucking business—never mind that's a lie. He's probably fucking with people wandering into the woods and running them off before the trees do it themselves. Because trees just be like that, you know.

Then fucking BAM—cue that Spiderman meme—

—once they all recover from running into each other because holy shit you look like me but you're not me and—

“Why the fuck are you speaking in Old Norse??”

“What the hell kind of language do you two have???”

“What are you wearing?”

“What are you wearing?”

“You look like you belong in the Bronze Age or something. I don't know. I haven't learned about this is History yet.”

“You don't know history???”

“What's history?”

“It's a class.”

“What's a class?”

“. . . Right. You wouldn't know about school.”

All the confusion. I'm confused. Let's rewind a bit to before. Cue the Mii Channel theme. Also fitting.

MDD Atreus of the Hyphenated-Last Name. He's probably at home. Let's put him at 14/15. Just got back from walking the dogs. (The cat's sleeping in the sink. Completely careless as he gets a glass of water, no worries.) And he's just set Jörmungandr the Dachshund and Fenrir the Not-Wolf-German-Shepherd loose in the back yard. (Hela the Ragdoll Cat does what she wants. Which is just sleeping right now.) Just taking his time before everyone comes over and his dad gets off work to start a DBPG stream doubling as dinner or something.

Cannon Atreus is probably just doing his own thing around the house because it's fucking Fimbulwinter—so, wait, he's probably freezing his ass off trying to keep himself occupied and trying to warm himself up while wondering just how the hell his dad isn't cold because he's not wearing a shirt of some kind. Because I'm wondering the same damn thing—

TIME WARP, OKAY

Because that's what happens. Just both boys seeing some sort of shadowy figure out of the corner of their eyes before getting just—knocked off their feet and go falling. Falling forever. Imagine the panic.

And trickster Atreus is doing his own thing. Bored of out his mind after school and club activities and just—his schoolmates. Just hanging out in the trees watching people go running back to their cars. And it helps him fight off the strong urge to just cause some sort of extra complete chaos. Let's put this one at 16/17 at this point. It's an AU of an AU, I can do what I want. So here we are.

Bad Moon Rising, also fitting. Never mind. I spaced out for a bit. So now it's Ring Ding Dong by SHINee and if that doesn't capture the chaos of this, then I don't know what does. (Probably I Got A Boy by Girls Generation, honestly. Just some fun chaos, you know?)

But back to the bullshit. Trickster Atreus. Just doing his trickster thing and keeping up the urban legend that his forest is haunted. About to call it a night when he gets a shiver up his spine that's been bugging him for years and he's fuckin determined to find out what it is. It used to freak him out, but now he's just annoyed by it because it's always just out of his reach. Whatever it is, it's been outplaying him for years. And not just him. Every. Damn. Trickster and demi-god and preternatural creature he knows. Even the trees are annoyed. And damn, trees can be petty.

Nothing can even get near whatever-this-thing-happens-to-be

So would a teenage trickster give up on this thing that he can't catch?

No. No he wouldn't. Trickster Atreus is gonna chase that fucking thing like his life depended on it.

At least until something gets thrown into him and slams him into a tree. (Now that tree gonna be mad at him.)

Now back to before, Spiderman, where we find all three of them still just freaking out over each other. Trickster Atreus, as the oldest present and having faced so much more mystical shit than the other two combined just stares at the sky for a moment before he fuckin just—

“So it's the Halloween season now and you just fuckin' merge three different timelines? I gotta deal with whatever the fuck you are and now I gotta handle two different me's?!”

And while Trickster Atreus is just yelling at the sky, the other two are just curling up into themselves and shoot quick glances at each other and looking around the woods. I mean, sure, they probably think Trickster Atreus is crazy. No, they most definitely do. Cannon Atreus is just wondering what kind a hell he's been dumped into and where is his dad and why isn't it as cold here?? And Atreus Loki Theodoros-Laufeyson—I had to go back to find this and holyshit long name—is just wondering if he's fainted and hit his head again, but this is all just too real to even be a lucid dream.

So just what the hell is going on??!

[roxaeri]

Fenrir makes his DBPG debut by fucking barreling into Atreus on the couch because Dog has not seen his Boy aLL DAY and then running circles around everyone because they're hERE TOO

Fenrir the not-wolf-german-shepherd puppy doing a flying jump onto Calliope who is torn between Atreus-said-this-is-live-online-and-my-god-claws-to-the-face and oh-my-god-i-love-dogs-come-here

Calliope making her DBPG debut by ducking behind Atreus as chaos befalls the living room and Aloy is breaking out her Goddamn Best Trelawney Impression Ever again

Not even Kratos can reign them in

"Yeah, new dog. This is Fenrir. And this is my sister. She's new here, too."

Instant Regret as Aloy can no longer control the chat because it's full of hyper teens and pre-teens now on a Harry Potter kick and dude-that's-your-sister-wtf-she's-hot

"Okay chat, need I remind everyone that Papa Kratos is just right there?"

"Why would you need to remind them??"

"Oh, you know, just saving some kids before they say something they'll entirely regret about lovely Bio Sis Calliope over there."

Cue two simultaneous and entirely similar Ew's from the Bio Sibs as three soul stares focus on the camera (Kratos because he has a Good Fucking Idea of what's being said. Fenrir and Jörmungandr because Aloy snapped and pointed at the thing with a blinking light on it.)

((Not even a second before Fenrir goes barreling into the stand to grab the camera))

((("Fenrir, no! Drop it!!)))

What game since Atreus isn't up to sitting through a horror game you ask??

Super Mario Sunshine

Because it came out around the time Calliope would have been interested in games and whatnot

((This game came out four years before Atreus was born here, holy shit, I'm having an existential crisis send help))

Calliope learning how to hold a GameCube controller and listening to Atreus and Kratos as they guide her through the game

"This gelatin creature is supposed to be a paint monster?"

"Yeah. Kinda looks like candy though."

"This one yes. The other one reminded me of pudding."

Somerandomkid: Calliope, your skin looks super clear. What's the secret?? Who did you sell your soul to???

"I sold my soul to Dracula. As for the secret: I have a dedicated skin care routine I found through trial and error. I drink the right amount of water and eat the correct foods for me. And that's all really."

Otherkid: Wait, Dracula??

Chat: *fuckin full of Dracula questions*

"To clarify, she's a professional dancer."

"In France. I am Mina in my company's rendition of Bram Stoker's Dracula."

Deimos popping in Hey-dinner-my-treat-whatcha-want??

Chat: There's two of them?!?!?!

AlsoChat: But he has hair???!?

"Oh, that's Uncle Deimos. He's from Greece. Well, obviously. But he lives in--where now?"

"Scotland. But seriously. Dinner."

Deimos fucking running before he has to buy dinner for all of chat as well

DBPG Now Streaming Super Mario Sunshine: Mukbang Edition

ChatThatHasACrush: Calliope, are you dating anyone? Prefrences?

"I'm dating no one because I am entirely devoted to myself."

"And Dracula, apparently."

"Yes."

"Besides, I know most of chat are still minors."

"I'm 24 with a career in France. Sorry, it would never work."

Calliope and Aloy finding solidarity in being ruthlessly teasing to the chat

Plans being made to introduce Calliope to Super Smash Bros. Brawl (An hour dedicated to Awkward Fam themselves before setting her loose online with their audience)

Just a publicly Good Ass Time for Awkward Fam

Dad and Boy Play Games Streams on Twitch, definitely.

It all began when Atreus, after getting suspended for the season in archery club for fighting (refer back), and he just sat down to play through his mom’s games that he hadn’t played before.

And then mentioning at school how he didn’t expect his dad to help him solve the puzzles because he’s never been interested in Nintendo games but he knows a whole heckin lot???

And his friends are basically, “You gotta be lying. No way your dad’s into Mario games.”

“I mean, have you seen your dad??”

“Uh, yeah? I mean I’ve had eleven years to get to know what he looks like.”

–then it descends into Prove It and a Gotta See It To Believe it kinda deal

Atreus borrows an extra capture card from his friend Efi and she texts him to walk him through setting everything up for the streams

–refer back to short about the start of DBPG–

As for how Atreus got his dad to play games with him

Atreus’ first go-to when he can’t sleep and can’t stay in bed is to sit in the living room in the dark and play video games

Stems from what his mom would do when she couldn’t sleep and she’d get up and make hot cocoa and get some snacks

They’d just play games until Atreus fell asleep

And Kratos would usually just sit in the background watching them play whenever they did while he cooked or they ate dinner or lazy days where they didn’t want to do anything

And it was a comfort when Atreus was in the hospital a lot, and then when his mom was in the hospital and hospice

After Faye died, there was no one to play games with Atreus, and Kratos just slowly became involved with them because Atreus would need help figuring out puzzles or pulling off certain tricks or moves in game

So it became a thing

As for streaming their gameplay, Kratos just fuckin ignored it. Ignored the chat.

Then Mimir stopped by and just didn’t help him by actually responding to chat about what he knew of the current game and then Real World Counterparts and Probable Cultural Influences of things

“But that’s just my guess now isn’t it?”

And then Aloy joined chat and kept at it until Kratos finally responded and he was doomed after that and Aloy cemented herself as Queen of the Chat and a member of DBPG from then on

For a while, they just kept it all to Twitch because they didn’t think there was a need to move their clips and full streams elsewhere since it was just Atreus’ friends

And then the school found out and watched

And then High School found out and watched

And Atreus is just confused when he’s told it’s just Too Good to not be in multiple places

“I don’t believe that, but okay.”

And he’s a simple kid. He just makes it Dad and Boy like on Twitch.

And Online Multiplayer is really when things blow up for them

And horror since Kratos enjoys horror games but also Mimir just no capacity for it so Of Course

Everyone losing their shit when Jörmungandr–where the hell did that come from?? asks the Chat–just wiggles his growing long body up to Atreus’ shoulder and just squishes himself between the boy’s head and the back of the couch

They’re all, “Yes, perfect, a mascot. Make it so.”

And it was made so

And it becomes an every other day staple of their lives that follows everything else they do in a day or even when they have dinner or just Snack Fests because they have an enormous game library that people want to see them play through for the sheer novelty of getting a peek into this kid’s life with Stoic Dad Who Has To Break His Composure At Some Point