#land of the lustrous x reader

[plagueoffools]

" DISSECT ME AND BREAK ME OPEN ALL YOU LIKE CAUSE YOU'D FIND MY HEART IS YOURS."

(REQUESTED) MOON! PHOSPHOPHYLLITE/HUMAN! GN! READER

LAND OF THE LUSTROUS

[FLUFF/SLIGHT ANGST] 2.6K WORDS

⸺A/N // Sorry for disappearing for a long period of time. However, I hope you find yourself enjoying this requested piece. I'd like to hear your thoughts and overall on this piece with my new style of writing. //

⸺INFO // Reader is implied as FEM regarding request but never stated. //

Deprived, that is all you've ever known inside of these walls of whites . In the walls of kumera, you wander far and near with a deadening routine. Wake up, dress, eat, travel through the walls of kumera and isolate yourself in your research room unless you're ever requested by someone

Your existence was only made possible by an astonishing lunarian who had revived your species, even though Barbata was no professional in the more biological stems of science than technology he made work and from a small project was able to restore you. A walking ancient relic of the once populated planet, earth. You remembered your awakening just like how someone would reminisce about their vibrant youthful days.

However, your awakening was one far from vibrant. You awoke alone in a room, on something you presumed was an operating table. You remember looking around the room with curious eyes unlike now, a small table with a tray of various tools, multiple disregarded gloves and masks scattered around the disposable bin. Your curious eyes only squinted abruptly at the bright light shone above you when you turned your head up, feeling overwhelmed you took your eyes off of your surroundings and instead let it wander on your body.

Curious hands of yours experiment on your body, the sensations it brought only stimulate your taste for more. Your finger traces against the stitches across your collarbone to your thighs. Your moment was only abruptly interrupted when a cacophony of gasps and shrieks disrupted at the entrance.

Your case was classified as successful. However, only through the slaughter of both gems and admirabilis alike. You almost remind yourself of a Frankenstein, stealing the body parts of others to bear this body of yours. You feel almost guilty for even bearing a form, a body; bones made from the shattered fragments of tormented gems, soft flesh that stretches out on your entire being covering you from toe to head; courtesy of the skinned admirabilis. Lastly, the only thing that you felt that actually belonged to you throughout your whole consciousness; your soul.

You're not sure where the origination of this soul was from, an information, knowledge that Barbata has asked of the others to withhold from you. Perhaps for the better. The surprising thing was, the soul was estimated to have originated way before the era where lunarians, lustrous, and admirabilis emerged from. With this you inherited and discovered knowledge that came with the soul, interestingly for you the soul seemed to be a doctor of some kind that specialised in the human anatomy, with foggy fragments of their daily life.

Currently you now roam the science facilities of kumera, assigned as a scientist yourself. To further help the lunarians to develop in their goal of achieving the serenity of nothingness while aiding in making their daily life more tolerable.

Even though Barbata specialised in the more technological areas of science, you work along side him, specializing in the more biological roots of science.

Now you're hurriedly putting on your coat as you make way in the narrow yet spacious hallways of the building, your striding steps reverberating across the hall with a pitter patter. You were ordered by lady cairngorm, what he currently goes by now, to oversee the damage made to the infamous gem, or usually referred to as the "hope of the lunarians" and repair his fragmented body.

You abruptly halt at the entrance of the designated room with a perplexed expression as lunarians rush in and out of the room, uttering a small 'Excuse me' and 'Sorry!' here and there. Luckily, it didn't last long and when you found an opening to the crowded entrance you quickly slid through with ease. Your eyebrows furrow together as your eyes squint at the sight of the fallen gem. Broken and shattered into unrecognisable pieces, only the part of his head and his leg is discernible from the rest of the disarray of gleaming fragments. You quickly usher out the remaining lunarians and gems alike outside to begin your operation. With a flick of the wrist you ushered out the unwanted eyes of both worried and curious people.

You eventually find your needed tools and you settle yourself beside the pieces of phosphophyllite and began working on organizing him limb to limb before assembling him. As your gloved hands labour swiftly to piece him by piece back together like a puzzle. You carefully coat each surface with layers of an adhesive substance carefully assembling him from inside out. You spend hours assembling his torso and limbs before you move onto his face.

You let out an exaggerated sigh as you sift through a small portable pouch for your appliances.

For some reason you find that your hand lingers above his face for a short while before proceeding the adhesion, you find yourself somewhat aching to caress his face. You have always found the gems beauty incomparable, words couldnt describe them but if you had to you'd call them seraphic. They had glistening lustrous hair, each with an unique colour to match their even more unique personalities, ones that harmonized perfectly with the rest of their body. However, you found that phosphophyllite was clearly composed of other types of minerals aswell. You were actually shocked to find that the only thing that remained from what he started out as, a phosphophyllite, was only his torso. The rest were undeniably pieces of memories from experiences he picked up in his rather bizarre life.

Though most gems found his mismatched compositions odd, you found it all the more endearing. After all, you noted that most of the gems inclusions aren't as flexible as his to fuse so easily like this.You wondered why his inclusions were so adaptable to such a wide variety of minerals, so accepting to fuse with a completely different mineral in order to function. You found it almost poetic but while you were submerged in your thoughts, your hands gleefully took lead of the task at hand. Subconsciously without knowing you trailed at the cracks of his face for some time before being snapped out of your thoughts and continuing the task.

After hours of work, you got up from your chair with a sigh as you stretched your arms and back and was delighted with the response of a crack. You stood up now with your chin resting at the knuckles of your hands while you admire another successful operation, admiring for a bit too long.. but- more importantly, his operation is now done.

You walk out of the room with a satisfied hum as you inform the first lunarian in your sight, that phosphophyllite is now assembled and ready to walk on both legs again but not before a few hours of rest for the adhesive to set in strong.

They respond with a quick nod and a smile as they thank you courteously, you respond back with a nod of your own as you continue travelling back to your research room.

After restless hours of observation, experimentation and groaning at the unwanted results from your new project you recently just started you're startled by a interrupting knock on the door. You answer back with a tired ''come in'. You curiously look at the lunarian who interrupted your project with a knock, explaining that your presence has been requested by phosphophyllite himself.

You're confused at the request but you obediently follow the lunarian leading you to his newfound room where he's rested, on the way there your mind tries to fill in the blanks on why you've been requested.

'Perhaps he's asked for me to get an upgrade?' 'Maybe I've misplaced some parts, I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have..'

'Probably not, logically It must be questions regarding the operation, perhaps he's experiencing a withdrawal?'

You sweat at your doubtful thoughts that you swore had somehow physically manifested because you suddenly feel needles prickling at your skin.

You huff at your thoughts before clearing your head and reprimanding yourself for being so negative. While you were internally scolding yourself, you almost walk into the back of the lunarian leading you, as you halt just right on time and peer from behind her into the room. She utters out something you weren't able to catch as she moves out of your way and stays stationed at the corner of the room instead. The movement seems to catch the attention of the rather dreading gem but he perks up just as quick when he sees you.

You're almost taken aback by the sudden change of mood, as to why his eyes which were so gloomy and solemn turned so curious. You look back to the quiet lunarian and release her of her duty as she's, you assume, no longer needed at the moment. She takes the hint and walks out of the room with no troubles, as your eyes start to leave her disappearing figure you're only slightly startled to meet the gaze of phosphophyllite. With wide eyes and an almost dazed look, he continues looking at you without even an inch of movement.

You awkwardly curl up your hand and cough to catch his attention, only succeeding after 3 tries.

He snaps back and apologizes quickly with a hand rubbing the back of his neck shyly before asking, "I apologize, you should be Dr. [Name] right?" you give a carefree nod as he stares back at you with bewilderment as if he still can't wrap his mind around this situation. "So you're really human? I thought your species was split beyond recovery." he shoots you with one question after another, seemingly just spitting out whatever is running through his head.

"Well, you could say I basically fit all the classifications of a human. However, I wouldnt say I'm all natural." he perks up with a small tilt to gesture for you to continue. You're almost uneased with how immersed he looks but you shake the feeling off and continue " I was artificially made, assembled with the three components the human kind has split into. A soul, bones and flesh."

He doesn't respond after that only silently pondering whatever is going on in his mind.

"Is there any other questions, miss..ter? phosphophyllite." you prolonge the sentence of your formalities, completely unsure of what you're supposed to call him considering gems are genderless. "Miss..ter?" He tilts his head at the name, you've noticed he's been doing that a lot. "What's that?" he questions you with a blank face staring straight ahead at you, you can't help but let out a chuckle at his expression as your hand is lifted up to cover your mouth. He's only furthermore perplexed at your action, his shoulders slightly shrinking down in embarrassment of something; he usually doesn't grow shy to people who have both laughed with him or at him, if anything he's grown quite used to it but he didn't wanna look ridiculous, not Infront of you, no.

He shyly adverts his gaze to other objects in the room and let's out a small confused 'huh?', this only causes you to let out a fit of giggles at his confusion before you force yourself to calm down.

"I apologize that was kind of unprofessional of me. It's nothing to do with you ,just my humour." you quickly apologize for your behaviour with a embarassed look. However he only responds with a small chuckle of his own, "Oh!" he perks up. "Nothing to worry about, I dont mind a laugh here or two." thinking about it, he actually missed the sound of your laughter now. Seeing a person of such high caliber who obviously likes to rather maintain a more serious and professional attitude laugh so freely was relaxing especially in the new environment he's in, surrounded with lunarians who rather go about their day quite robotically.

He adverts his attention back on you, just you. His eyes curiously picks up the texture of your skin, the individual strands of your hair and your own eyes. He thought your eyes could possibly outshine the glow of diamonds entirety himself, contrary to you who didn't pay much to your eyes. The moment of comfortable silence is broken when he speaks up with a tone filled with a twinge of underlying shyness even though he tried to sound confident in his request. "Could I, touch you? I mean, I'm just curious as to how a human feels compared to the rest of us.." he corrects himself with two hands frantically waving Infront of him hoping he didn't make you uncomfortable any how.

You indulge in his curiosities and nod in approval as you walk towards his form, he shifts on the bed he was laid on as he stretches out an arm hesitantly. You roll up the sleeves of your coat as you offer your arm to his hand who only lingers around for a moment as if contemplating before running his aloy arms agaisnt yours.

You slightly shiver at the texture of his hand slowly trailing around your palm, to your wrist, and forearm. You had to admit it felt nice, the feeling of his hard and metallic feeling hands coming in contact with your warm and soft ones. He noted yours was admirably more softer, smoother and warm. He could've sworn the texture of your hand almost reminded him of a strange and comforting touch he felt before. Just hours ago, as he awoke his inclusions managed to remember an unfamiliar touch he never felt before his trip here, almost like a shadowed touch lingering agaisnt his face. He guessed it must've been something that happened while he was unconscious during the operation.

Enthralled, he isn't aware that his own alloy hands are attempting to wrap around your own. You don't say anything to interrupt his entranced state, only curiously staring at his face. His expression is one of a immersed stare as if he's currently working on a puzzle, desperate to search for where the last piece will fit and search he does. He searches the strange touch in your palms, unravelling his alloy hands from yours before gently grabbing your wrist and resting the cheek of his face in your palm. You're startled by the action but you let it sink in and you do nothing to interrupt the moment.

It was you, he figured. It must be you, he corrected. It was your touch his inclusion had remembered when he woke up.

He knew it was awfully wrong of him to bask in your touch without your permission but he's been so starved, so denied of something so small in his whole life. Something so small that ate him inside out and now that your touch has seeped into his cracks, he feels at peace to replace himself with such warmth and softness instead of the usual unfamiliar pieces of others that latch onto his missing limbs heavily.

You'd cut your hand off if it was this pleasure he wanted, you thought. He looked so deprived of such a simple thing and you know how it must've felt for him. Confused, scared, and doubtful. It was just what it was like for you when you awoke aswell, you pondered on how cruelly life has treated phos.

Someone who's still stuck in the past, a past whereas he's still looking at the mirrors that only reflect his past self, refusing to let the future or present seep in. He wishes to demolish that and in order to do that he had demolished himself. Whereas everyone moved on he stood still in the past because he was so wary of a future he couldn't control.

You'd cut your hand off if all he wanted to do was have someone hold him.

He didn't just want your hand however, he'd wanted your warmth and you as a whole. He'd damn himself all again if you ever thought to break pieces of yourself for the sake of others ; just like he once did.

[cinamintyy]

Hiii!!! Could I request a Houseki No Kuni fic of Bort? Where basically their s/o keeps trying to toss flower crowns on their head without getting caught? Not a lot of people do HNK and I'm so hyped that you have it available!!!

Bort x reader:

CW:nonething just cute Bort content

Genre: Fluff

A/N: Shhhhhh, I know it's short but I do really love this idea.

A normal day of patrol, the grass swaying gently in the soft breeze, the sky was clear whilst the sun was raised high up in the sky, casting its gentle rays on the field. "Peaceful." Bort thought to themself until a soft disturbance could be heard from the grass, they were noticeable enough to take note of but too silent to investigate. Bort continued on their patrol until, although quite soft, they'd noticed, something... landing on... or rather around their head. They looked back for the source of it immediately, and then they saw that face. That cheeky little face, your cheeky little face. They removed the item from their head to examine. "What's this." They asked sternly while looking between you and the item, a crown of flowers. "I made it, it's a flower crown." They looked back at the flower crown, They would admit that you had impeccable craftsmanship, and this wasn't your first time throwing, or trying to throw one of these on their head. But the difference was, that this time you managed to succeed. "Go oooonnn, put it on." You say, your voice laced with excitement, happy at the fact you finally succeeded in getting one of your flower crowns on their head. Bort sighed, you'd won, fair and square. They reluctantly put the flower crown on his. "Fine... but only cause you won." They said before you skip away happily in triumph. All though they'd never admit that they did quite like having something made by you on their person... they'd never tell you that though. Oh well, at least you finally won this time.

[atierrorian]

Atier's General Masterlists!

Navigation

Twisted Wonderland

Genshin Impact

Honkai Impact 3rd

Honkai Star Rail

Demon Slayer

Record of Ragnarok

Black Clover

Blue Lock

Land of the Lustrous

Hunter x Hunter

[donniexv]

Drafts drafts drafts, everywhere, all adequately incomplete,

and masterlists which are soon to be published after this post

[lovemedeadwrites]

Can I request a yandere padparadscha with a gem s/o?

Hello!!! This isn’t exactly a one shot, sorry this took so long! Also this has spoilers for the Moon arc

You’re not really sure why someone like Padparadscha liked you, you were weaker than he was, little to no past ties and connection like what he had with Rutile.

Perhaps he liked you for that, while you weren’t really anything special from your fellow gems, you didn’t treat him like he was different, or obsess over him and his health like Rutile did. You remembered having spoken to him, once, twice, thrice in the times he would be waking up from the inclusions Rutile inserted into gaps of his torso and recalling those conversations to be comfortable, welcoming even. If there was one thing you wanted for him, it was to wish him well.

Maybe that’s why he liked you so much, he feels on equal terms with you, and the lack of obsession you have for him certainly helps. If anything it’s him that’s obsessed with you, for whatever reason. Sometimes his sleepiness, while usually paired with acceptance and surrender to the condition he knows he can never be cured of, he desires for you to be with him in his slumber.

It’s intrusive in the way he thinks, he wants your gems to crush and mold together with his, perhaps your pieces would serve to complete him, have your inclusions be one with his and not be rejected by the choosiness of his body, the red of his hair covering your field of vision and you see nothing more than just him. He knows he can protect you just fine too.

Padparadscha doesn’t quite understand love the same way humans or lunarians do, much like any other gem like yourself. Gems do not have a beating heart, but he finally understood what he wanted more than the initial desires he had when he had seen Aechmea marry Cairngorm on the moon.

It’s such a shame he can’t quite kiss you the same way he saw their wedding go, not without accidentally breaking you anyways.

[thegoofy]

Okay so hear me out, moon phos with a lunarian reader, like them meeting on the moon or some shit and they surprisingly get along well and wow boom fall in love

OMG TYSM FOR THE REQUEST I love moon phos <//33

Moon Phos x lunarian reader ♡

Warning : manga spoilers <3 (+ mentions of that man....)

You've been dreadfully going through your day to day life, doing the same thing, feeling so incredibly apathetic and numb, but despite that, a cheerful expression was always plastered across your face, since well, emotions are like diseases, if one person is upset, it gets passed around.

That is until one day, you catch a glimpse of the catch your fellow comrades carried to the moon, a whole gem! Most unusual.

As you look at the unfolding scene from a distance, strings of gold slash through each and one of them, you take a few steps back in shock and quickly hide behind a wall, before observing a conversation between the Prince and this new gem. Just a moment after the gem turned their attention fully on Enma, they caught a glimpse of your figure staring at them from behind a wall, which made you flead behind it completely, almost immediately.

It took not too long until you both saw eachother again, as you were assisting them with their new outfit, their head was turned to the other side in hopes of hiding their flustered state, the gentle softness of your hands was something Phos hasn't experienced in centuries, given the fact that you were nothing but kind to them, made them even more nervous.

After a while, you both had a pretty good relationship, you'd share information with eachother, as you helped Phos get accustomed to the life on the Moon, they shared stories of what they could remember on Earth.

Soon after, you could notice visible changes in Phos' behaviour, they weren't as .... themselves as usual, which lead your worry to request a private meeting with the gem. (They probably came 3 hours earlier than the set time hehehhe)

The gem tensed up from their seat as they noticed you approaching them. They greet you politely as usual with a close eyed smile. Before they have a chance to react, you had wrapped your arms Phos' head, gently pushing it closer to your chest and resting your cheek on top of their head, with one free arm, you gently stroked their hair. Phos just stood there, it took them a moment to observe, then feel, then react. They let out a shaky breath before looking up at you.

"- (N-name)-"

"- It's extremely sudden, yes... But it's just that .. I worry about you, okay?.. I know things haven't been particularly great with the rest of your gems, but ... I'll always be here for you, because you're... Very important to me."

You gently tighten your hold on the gem as you finish speaking, you felt their golden arms wrapping around you and pulling you equally closer, they buried their face in your neck while continuing to share a very loving embrace with you. You knew that someone getting this close to Phos wasn't a part of his plan, but you couldn't care less, you truly cared them and couldn't bare to see them suffer from all the things that have been thrown to them. You were there for them, and they were there for you, such a beautiful bond, perhaps could change the rest of the story completely.

(AN: omgom that was like the first fanfic I've EVER written, so apologies if it seems rushed ''^^ , thank you for reading through and I wish you a great rest of your day ❤️)

[gustofnostalgia]

𓂃⋆.˚ : GAMES

— WARFRAME —

𓂃⋆.˚ : FILMS

— THE BREAKFAST CLUB — DEAD POETS SOCIETY —

𓂃⋆.˚ : SERIES

— LAND OF THE LUSTROUS — BEASTARS —

𓂃⋆.˚ : MEDIA

𓂃⋆.˚ : BOOKS

— HARRY POTTER —

𓂃⋆.˚ : ORIGINALS

— ABDITORY —

[padparadsca]

phos x human!reader fanfic coming soon! <3

[x--ghost--x]

--Fandom List--

• Genshin Impact

• Land of the Lustrous

• NieR: Automata

• Sally Face

• The Owl House

• TMNT (2012/Rise) [most requests]

• Trigun [hyperfixated on rn]

I won't write for some characters because I might not very familiar with their personality or just don't know how to write them.

I hadn't finished all of those series so I may not know all the information.

I can add more in the future! Let me know what would you be interested in ヾ(＾-＾)ノ

[sunoorintarou]

Catharsis: Christmas Special

Phos!Reader x Teen!Gojo Satoru and Teen!Geto Suguru

Warnings: Gojo - centric, usual angst, fluff if you squint, major character death, dead bodies, set in 2006, lots of talks of politics, death, murder, trauma, morals, etc, borderline bullying? (Satoru is a jerk), self - blaming, grief, and all it's stages, trouble processing and understanding emotions, Gojo is seriously just his own warning

Notes: Merry Christmas!!!

"You're weak. Why do you bother being a sorceror?"

Satoru's words make you freeze, eyes widening at their bluntness. He doesn't react, however, because in his mind, he's simply telling you the truth.

You're weak. He's known that from the moment you set foot in this classroom almost three months ago.

He doesn't understand why Suguru and Shoko seem so fond of you. All you do is get into trouble, injure yourself, and make it everyone's problem to save you. You can't fight, your Cursed Technique is subpar, not to mention that you're annoying.

Stepping into battle like some sort of self-righteous hero knowing full well that if a curse so much as touches you, you'll crumble. Literally. That's another thing he finds annoying about you. How easily your skin chips and cracks like porcelain revealing an ocean of Phosphophyllite underneath.

You can't lift anything heavy, you can't fight, you can't help out without injuring yourself, you're clumsy, you're annoying, and the list could go on.

What he finds the most annoying about you, however, is your soft voice going, "Gojo - san, are you alright? You look tired", "Gojo - san, you should rest, you don't need to use your technique so often", "Gojo - san, you haven't eaten yet, so I brought you this, I hope you don't mind".

Gojo - san this, Gojo - san that, God. You drive him crazy. How do you manage to see through every front he puts up? Every act? Even Shoko and Suguru can't see through it, and yet you have the audacity to call him out.

You're a liability in battle, and you're practically useless, more like the team's overglorified mascot. So, for the life of him, Satoru doesn't understand why everyone likes you so much. Even Nanami, his grouchy underclassman, doesn't seem to mind you.

What annoys Satoru the most, however, is the tug his heart feels when he looks at you. Because no matter how he tries to deny it, you're growing on him like a parasite, and a part of him wishes he was as close to you as they were.

"I am weak." You agree, seemingly taking no offence to Satoru's question. It's just you and him in the classroom. You're standing at your desk, bag still in hand, and he's sitting a desk, two desks behind yours. Shoko and Suguru are still on their way, and he's taken this opportunity to ask you what he's been dying to.

Satoru's eyes widen at your response.

"If you know you're weak, why do you try so hard? It's kind of pathetic, you know." His brows furrow, glasses sliding down his nose bridge as he tilts his head.

"I- because, I'm selfish, I guess." You say softly.

There it is again. That annoying soft tone of voice that makes his chest hurt whenever he hears it.

"I know I'm weak, but I want to keep trying. I want to fight. One day, I want to be able to repay everyone for everything they've done for me. Yaga - sensei, Shoko, Suguru, Ken, Yuu. Even you, Gojo - san. I want you to be able to rely on me. I want to be able to protect innocent people like you guys do. So I hope you can bear with me for a little more, Gojo - san. I'm sorry for being such a burden, but I promise I'll pay you back." You say earnestly, looking Gojo in the eye.

Satoru's eyes widen, and he's silent for a moment. Before he bursts out laughing.

You suddenly feel embarrassed. You were being serious and heartfelt, and all Gojo does in response is laugh.

"What's with that? Did you quote that from an anime?" He cackles, hitting the desk with one hand and holding his stomach with the other.

"I- I did not! I was being honest!" You defend, feeling the heat tinting your cheeks.

"If- if you really want to repay me, buy me something sweet from the vending machine." Satoru stutters between fits of giggles.

"OK, I'm on it." You nod, turning on your tail to leave the class. A hand grabs your shoulder, stopping you.

"Where are you going?" Satoru asks, leaning down to look you in the eye.

"The vending machine?" You reply, brows furrowed in confusion.

"You're going now?"

"Yeah? I'll be back really quickly."

Satoru scoffs, but there's a smile on his face nonetheless.

"Really? I'll time you then. You have 5 minutes." He challenges, smirking as he tilts his head at you.

"5- 5 minutes?" You stutter, eyes wide. The vending machine was on the other side of the school. There's no way you'd make it back in 5 minutes.

"Yeah. The clock is ticking. Didn't you say you'd pay me for saving your butt all those times?" He mocks.

Satoru's eyes widen as you put down your bag, determination clear on your face.

"I did. I might not be back in 5 minutes, but I'll be back in less than 10!"

"Hey, wait-"

And with that, you've rushed out the classroom, leaving Satoru absolutely bewildered. As he sticks his head out the door, watching you run and almost slip multiple times, Satoru thinks he's figured it out. He understands why Shoko and Suguru keep you around.

You're amusing. And he wants to get closer to you.

Unfortunately, things never go as planned. And if Satoru had known the outcome before, he would have tried to get to know you much sooner.

Things change quickly when you're a Jujutsu Sorceror. People come and go, live, and die. They change, they evolve. People grow apart, and people grow closer.

Regardless, it's not a pleasant feeling when you lose someone close to you. 

Gojo Satoru had never thought the day would come when he'd feel regret. He was the strongest, after all. Everything he wanted he got. The world was his oyster. Money, power, good looks, everything. So it's safe to say that loss was also a new concept to him.

A feeling he decided he'd prefer to live without.

It hurt in a way he couldn't explain. He felt as if he couldn't breathe, as if there were something heavy on his chest. Almost as if he were having an out of body experience but could feel whatever the stranger he saw when he looked in the mirror felt. Pain. Anger. Despair.

Cold and light. That's how your body felt in his arms. He couldn't bear to look at the white cloth covering it. This, this couldn't be you. This body in his arms, the broken shards of its head cutting into the cloth.

Yet it was still vivid. Amanai Riko running out and finding him, letting him know that you had died saving her. A bullet straight to the head. Pushing her into Suguru's arms and telling him to run with your last breath. Riko's tear filled face as she begged for him to help Suguru because she couldn't bear to have anyone else die because of her.

Since then, he's felt numb. It hasn't faded. The coldness in his skin, the haze of his reality, brain clouded as it was forced to process the events that had taken place.

"Suguru... should we kill them all? I probably wouldn't feel anything right now."

Did he say something? The words don't register in his mind. Was that his voice? Raw and soft.

Them. The higher-ups. If only he had known earlier that they were supportive of your death. That there was a bounty for your head somewhere.

He didn't know why. He didn't know anything. You had kept so much to yourself. Just what were you dealing with alone? All this time, smiling wide, eyes always sparkling, hiding everything behind your carefree, happy - go - lucky persona.

You didn't deserve this. You of all people. You weren't weak. You were sweet, kind, caring, and selfless to a fault.

This was not you. Lifeless in his arms. You were never this cold.

He remembered it, how warm your hands were all those time your fingers brushed his forehead to check if he was well, when your fingers brushed his whenever you handed him something, how warm they were when you held his face in your hands and scolded him for being reckless. He remembered it vividly.

What would you say if you saw him now? The exhaustion in his face, the blankness in his eyes, the way his- his hands were... trembling?

He could hear your voice, clear as day.

"Gojo - san! What happened to you!"

"You should really take care of yourself more, what were you thinking?"

"I don't care if you're one of the strongest! You're a teenager. Right now, you're just Satoru, and you're going to learn to be kinder to yourself. You- you don't deserve this."

What did Satoru deserve? Was it really kindness? Care? Gentleness? Love? He had messed up. If he had been stronger, he could have saved you. If he had been stronger, you wouldn't be dead in his arms.

What was the point of awakening his powers when they weren't there when it mattered? What was the point of being the strongest if he couldn't protect the people he cared about? The people he loved?

What made matters worse was finding out the higher-ups were happy you were gone. The people that had singlehandedly been the cause for his suffering. His. Suguru's. Shoko's. Yours. Those filthy old bags who only thought of themselves.

What would really happened if he killed them all? Would it really be such a bad thing? Weren't they supposed to be the pillars of the Jujutsu world? The elders for people to look up to and learn from. A symbol of hope, something, anything even remotely positive, beneficial to the future of the young next generation of Jujutsu Sorcerors?

All they had done was applaud the death of someone innocent. A teenager. A child. How dare these self-righteous ba-

Your hand falls from the covers of the white sheet, hanging limply.

Satoru's brain goes blank. A pale arm, an empty hand, and familiar phosphophyllite fingernails.

"No need. It's meaningless." Suguru's voice is low, as if the reality that you're gone hasn't hit him yet. His eyes linger on your hand. The palm that patted his back, the fingers that ran through his hair, the hand that was so warm in his.

Before he can stop himself, he finds his own hand grasping it. It's cold. He drops it like the contact physically hurt him.

"Without the higher-ups, the Jujutsu world will go up in flames. And even if they die, there's the possibility even worse people will come into power. Killing them won't bring her back either."

His words don't make sense, even to him, but Suguru utters them nonetheless. The look in Satoru's eye is enough to tell him that if he doesn't do anything, today will mark the beginning of a massacre. And although he feels the same anger Satoru does, Suguru's moral compass, as well as his understanding of the type of person you are... stops him.

"Meaning... huh?" Satoru repeats.

The Satoru in front of him is not the Satoru Suguru knows. The playful, snarky, overburdened boy replaced by something else. Something unfamiliar. Something... cold.

"Do we need that?"

Suguru hesitates for a split second. The girl in Satoru's arms is just as unfamiliar. A bubbly, bright, kind girl replaced by something else. Something unfamiliar. Something... almost sinful. A shell. An empty shell. The existence it harboured long gone. A disgrace to the being it had once been.

"Yeah. It's very important... for sorcerors."

Your corpse wouldn't decompose. The crystallisation forming a perfect seal to your body, and perhaps that's why they can't bring themselves to immediately bury you.

Clinging onto the false hope that perhaps you'd wake up, bounce back like always. Familiar head of teal hair poking over Suguru's shoulder, a second softer set of footsteps padding behind Satoru's, a warm hand flinching at the touch of Shoko's cold ones.

It's sickening. How quiet everything has become in your absence. How the shadows seem darker due to the absence of your light.

Perhaps you wouldn't know it, but your death was beneficial in a way. Suguru spiralled into depression but your words of the past kept him strong, and somehow, he managed to graduate with Satoru and Shoko.

They left an empty seat between them at graduation. Your certificate is still in Shoko's office to this day.

Your warnings and nagging that reminded everyone of their mother saved Haibara's life. You had always told them to never accept missions alone, and it was thanks to your words ringing in his head that Nanami became paranoid while Haibara was out on a mission. This led to him going out to check on Haibara and ended in him saving his life.

It was almost idealistic how almost everyone graduated that year. A rare thing in the Jujutsu World to have so many young people survive.

Satoru jokes its because you took on the unwanted burden and closed the gates of Heaven yourself. You always did. Eating the bitter parts of his food that he didn't like, letting everyone choose first when Yaga gave you rewards, not touching your food until everyone had started eating. You always took on the unpleasantries so that everyone else could live without knowing suffering.

Why did everyone deserve happiness except for you?

Why did everyone deserve to live except for you?

"Gojo - Sensei."

"So even Sensei sleeps, huh?"

"Of course he does. What kind of nonsense is that?"

Satoru's eyelids flutter. He pulls up his blindfold, his vision coming into focus as he sees a blurry image of his students.

For a split moment, he's in high school again. He's in his second year, and he's sleeping before class. He hears soft footsteps approach him. Feels someone lean down near him, but he's not scared. Not even annoyed.

Rather, he plays dumb and waits in anticipation. There's butterflies bursting in his chest, a smile pulling at his face that's hidden in his arms. Smirking at the familiar scent of yuzu and caramel engulfing his senses. He'd chosen it, after all.

"Gojo - san? Wake up, class is about to start."

"Gojo - sensei!"

But when his visions focuses fully, he realises it's been 12 years and his beloved students have visited his office.

"Oh, he's awake!"

There's a red rim to Satoru's eyes, but it's almost unnoticeable. He smiles before pulling his blindfold back down.

"Please don't fall asleep after summoning us all here." Megumi states.

Satoru stands up, and Yuji and Nobara are quick to fight over who gets to sit on his chair.

"What are you smiling about?"

It's today. By 4 that morning, Satoru had found himself sat in front of a familiar grave. He was always the first to visit. He brings a bouquet of white heliotrope and places it on the grave. He crouches in front of it, his blindfold tucked away in his pocket.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy Birthday, dear Y/n. Happy Birthday to you."

If there's one thing Satoru wishes, it's that he was able to tell you his feelings truthfully while you were still alive. It's unhealthy, but he finds himself uttering the same three words on every occasion to a stone in the ground.

If only he could have seen your pretty face while he uttered them in person.

Satoru doesn't know if he believes in the afterlife, but he hopes you're listening. And maybe, just maybe, you're screaming at the top of your lungs, repeating the words in hopes he'd somehow hear.

"It's nothing."

A lie. Because deep down, Satoru knows he's thinking about a certain place, a certain person.

Maybe in his next life, he can finally go home to you.

[sassy-classy-fangirl]

I’m a little late but our husband is a winner baby 🏆

[plagueoffools]

I saw that you write for land of the lustrous so i was thinking hat maybe you could write moon phos and a lunarian reader??

"GOD BLESS MY FLOWER, LET IT BLOOM FOR THE WORLD TO BEHOLD AND LET IT NOT BE SO COLD."

(REQUESTED) MOON! PHOSPHOPHYLLITE / LUNARIAN! GN! READER

LAND OF THE LUSTROUS

[ slight ANGST ] 799 WORDS

[SEMI! HC AND SCENARIO FORMAT.]

⸺SONG// the perfect girl by mareux //

Moon Phosphophyllite is a gem of much curiosity, going through far and wide to busy his head in somewhere it shouldn't be. This is no surprise when you manage to catch his eye, though you take the form just as similar as all the many lunarians that he has become familiar with. He cannot seem to place where the source of his intrigue and fascination with you has originated from.

⸺Perhaps, it was the fact that you brought him back to a past. A past where he was not so burdened with the responsibilities that he holds today, he reminisces in memories filled with grassy bedding unlike the smooth surface of the cold floors he walks upon now.

⸺Though phos is a gem of confrontation, he finds just as much relief in glancing at your form from a distance as well. He decides in this one instance that he won't headbutt himself into the situation like he always does instead he'll simply just -stalk- watch you.

⸺He's a gem who has known helplessness like the back of his hand, like a familiar foe who he fights off every time he watches you slip past his peripheral vision or a familiar friend who he invites back when an unsettling void has settled inside of him.

⸺In his days of stress, he can't help but find relief in this odd -obsession- fascination he has harboured for you. A subject to take over his mind when he need not to think most, an object to pry his eyes away from visions he does not want resurfacing.

⸺ After a short amount of time ( he's a gem with a patience as low as his hardness ), he goes around subtly asking his fellow gems and lunarians. One time being as desparate enough to seek information of you from the admirabilis. Perhaps it was your odd nature, you had an aura of enigma that a curious person like he was magnetised to.

⸺ Sometimes, he finds himself searching for your presence in every room he walks in subconsciously. Sometimes, he even finds himself at places he has heard you frequented usually with a look of expectancy. Amongst the tall artificial meadows and gardens that overlook the scenery of kumera.

He discovered that you were a botanist of some sort, retrieving plants of varying kinds from earth and documenting them by writing encyclopedias. However, the plants retrieved from earth dies sooner or later due to the lack of oxygen that was supplied.

So you started to pursue a new project. To grow authentic plants on the moon, ones that could replicate the beauty and vibrancy the ones on earth held. Of course, it was discovered that the experiment had a difficult time progressing due to the moon's contrasting nature compared to earth's. Even though the meadows he stands in hold a serene view of vibrancy and colours, he'd find that after wandering through, a green house of sorts. The green house houses a view of solemnity, wilting petals are scattered on the floor as they slump.

Tragic, he mused at the odd division separating the tall moon flowers swaying along his movements and the wilting brown of the earth's flowers inside. However your form sticks out the most amongst all the slumping flowers. Your slouching form almost resemble the wilting flowers that you have encassed yourself with, unlike theirs your vibrancy never withered nor your beauty. ( That's what he thinks at least )

He reminisce back when he was tasked the same, almost wishing how he should've gone through with the job and gain some extensive knowledge just so he could find a reason to strike up a conversation of sorts with you.

Though with the overwhelming situation at hand, he finds it difficult to indulge himself in your presence. Usually being taken from here to there for this and that.

However he'd find that he wasn't the only one with a keen eye for engimatic figures,

With colours like the convolvulus tricolor plant, a true morning glory he was. You found yourself eyeing the gem often, it really wasn't your fault. How could you deny such an inviting glance? You were well aware of the effect you had on the gem, though you weren't aware of how deep the depth of this effect went.

It was still quite a comedic situation, peers would confront you one after another about the inquiring gem and it only brought a smile out of you after each one. It was only fair to reciprocate the interest he has showed, you were just as interested in the byronic hero as he was in you after all.

Unfortunately, work's calls and demands will not go unanswered. Though you walk in the same garden, you both have different paths to travel upon.

[walpu]

Thinking about being in relationship with Aventurine and Y/n love language is like sending many tik toks videas like "us <3" and this type of sh. Imagine Aventurine is in a meeting and opens his phone to see the message and its just some loud sound from the tik tok☠️

LMAO SERVES HIM RIGHT FOR CHEKING HIS PHONE DURING A MEETING

Can imagine everyone just staring at him like this

We don't know shit about Opal yet, but judging from Aven's character story, he doesn't like him that much so I kinda can see him sitting with a pissy expression while Aventurine is like haha oopsie :) Topaz finds it funny tho since she recognize the audio and figures out what's up.

Aven apologizes but you can tell he's not sorry lol. Would tell you about this later and if you suggest to stop sending him those memes he'll refuse immediately. Will promise he won't check his phone during meeting. And then will keep doing it. Maybe he'll mute the sound next time tho.

[atierrorian]

Can you do Cinnabar with gem s/o with fluff? ^-^

OMG, MY FIRST HOUSEKI NO KUNI/LAND OF THE LUSTROUS REQUEST, THANK YOU!! And thank you for requesting Cinnabar as well! One of my fav characters! And forgive me if this is Ooc because I have not watched Hnk in a while now!

Although the other gems considered Cinnabar as dangerous and Cinnabar also considering themselves as dangerous, you didn't agree.

Cinnabar didn't mean to hurt the other gems and they only wanted to like them and to also try to get along.

So that's why you'd stay by Cinnabar's side until the bitter end! You got to know Cinnabar better even if risked you getting hurt like 1000 times, it didn't matter as long as Cinnabar wasn't lonely.

You know Cinnabar was wary of you the moment they laid eyes on you and told you many many times to stay away from them or else you'd get hurt.

But did you ever listen? Nope! Instead, you persisted and continued being stubborn, you kept your distance of course but still got closer to Cinnabar and it was so worth it!

You weren't exactly a strong gem like Bortz or the others, but you weren't exactly that weak as well, you were just in between with 5 and you were okay with that.

It took you many many tries to finally get to know Cinnabar, but it was all worth it in the end!

And now in the present, you were talking to Cinnabar about how it was going and how you told them what was going on currently.

"[gem name]"

"Hm? Yes, Cinnabar?"

"Why do you always hang around with me?"

Well you certainly didn't expect that but you also didn't mind and it was easy to answer on your part.

"Well because I want to! And I was curious of you when I heard about you and I wanted to be your friend, since you looked so lonely." You said and smiled.

Cinnabar just looked at you with a shy expression before nodding and continued listening to whatever you were rambling again.

It really isn't that bad if they were with you.

Ahhh!! My first Hnk request! Thank you so much and forgive me if they were ooc! I made this based on my memory! And I somewhat hope I made a nice job in my first Hnk request! I'll do better next time! Promise.

[donniexv]

☆ LAND OF THE LUSTROUS ; I don't need anyone. At all.

—⋆ ALEXANDRITE ;

" Where to start, where to start!! "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ ANTARCTICITE ;

" Whatever should I do? "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ AECHMEA ;

" You must attain yourself. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ BORT ;

" I can cover for those faults of yours. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ CAIRNGORM ;

" Thanks.. For bringing me to the moon. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ CINNABAR ;

" What am I supposed to do with that faith? "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ DIAMOND ;

" I'll go.. And turn that little nuisance into dust. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ EUCLASE ;

" This isn't what you wanted to happen, is it..? "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ GHOST QUARTZ ;

" Such a surprise. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ KONGO ;

" I cannot say anymore than that. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ LAPIS LAZULI ;

" Good, an obedient little one aren't you? "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ PADPARADSCHA ;

" One needs to be discreet and composed. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ PHOSPHOPHYLLITE ;

" If only you weren't here.. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ RUTILE ;

" I won't let you escape. "

⥼ ✖

—⋆ YELLOW DIAMOND ;

" Everything will be fine. "

⥼ ✖

[wiltyard]

fall once more | tf: earthspark

masterlist [You are here], 02 started on: 12/2022 chapter posted on: 11/25/2024 Warning/s: n/a REMINDER: This is a reader-insert/oc-insert. Reader is named. Ero is YOU. Gender neutral pronouns will be used. No use of Y/N.

"Alright, until GHOST figures out what to do with our new...friend here..." Ero had already tuned out their conversation by then, zoning out as their gaze wandered to the trees across the clearing. They’ve heard of this conversation before. How nice of them to treat them so well after everything they’ve done.

Ero didn’t have a concrete vision of their future, not that they didn’t want one, just that they couldn’t. Every waking moment was either filled with pain, tests, check-ups, or whatever task Dr. Meridian had thrown them. They never had the privilege to hope, and dream.

Even if things were different if they did have the time—hard emphasis on if—whatever future they would have envisioned then would still be nothing compared to the life they have now.

Dr. Meridian is gone. That is something they haven’t processed properly yet, and it was something they wouldn’t even dare think of back then. He was a constant in their life, for the longest time, and for him to just disappear like that, it's hard to make peace with, even if he wasn’t exactly a source of comfort or happiness.

Maybe he abandoned them, who knows? They don’t want to think about it. Because then they’d have to acknowledge that the thought bothers them. Being abandoned, thrown away.

Could they call this place a home? Maybe not, they’ll get kicked out in a week or two, they’re not exactly hopeful about sticking around, nor do they want to stay here. Where they’d go afterward, they don’t know but they’ll make do.

One thing they missed from their past routine was having so much to do and little time to think. The more they think, the more they spiral, the more they doubt, and the more they feel confused. Maybe they'll ask later if they could have something to do. But again, not hopeful.

Dorothy eyed them from a distance, watching them closely. It didn’t go unnoticed; the feeling of holes being burned on the back of your head is difficult to ignore after all. They had to get used to the staring at some point, that too was difficult. If it’s not Dorothy, it’s the children, if it’s not the children, Alex, if not any of the humans or the Terrans, it’s one of the Autobots.

It's not that they don't understand why they're acting like this. Ero would do the same thing, at least they think so. But…they still hate the staring. 

Ero of course has to pretend they don’t notice it. It’d be more uncomfortable for them than they already are to turn and stare back at whoever was watching them. Think about it, to hold the gaze of someone who clearly isn’t fond of your company, and maybe they don’t all feel that way, but still.

Just imagining it was enough to unease them as they shifted their posture a little, crossing and uncrossing their arms, fiddling with the fabric of their clothes that were so generously donated to them, they can't help but feel bothered by the weight of it, whether it's the weight of the clothes or…. the guilt of everything. That, they’re not sure of. And they’d rather not let it consume them.

Eventually, Dorothy turned her attention to the leader of the Autobots, asking a question in a voice too low for Ero to hear, but loud enough to catch snippets of whatever she said to Optimus. “....Optimus...sure...safe?...the kids.”

Ero tilted their head a little, not too much to make it obvious that they were looking, but enough to catch a glimpse of Dorothy nodding to the children. The human children and the Terrans that Ero should’ve been paying attention to in the first place. They realized a bit too late that the kids in question were approaching them, a group of four, four too many. And before Ero could even think of fleeing, the Malto children had already closed in much to their dismay, now throwing out more questions at Ero than they could answer.

One thing Ero had to learn the hard way was they were quite terrible at socializing with other humans, especially with kids. They even told Optimus this when he asked them what they were looking forward to experiencing on their way to the Malto family’s residence, completely ignoring the question at all because what is there to look forward to?

“I don’t know. Is there anything to look forward to?” They added after, asking in a monotone manner with their gaze unfocused. Optimus could remember that moment clearly because of the melancholic tone to their voice.

Back to the present, Optimus watched the entire scene unfold before him, and despite the looks and glances Ero shot at him, almost asking him to help them. He only gave them a look back, silently telling them that he had no intentions of interfering. This crushed whatever hope they had to be saved from this, given the way their shoulders slumped in defeat.

No doubt he believed they needed this as “exposure therapy”, or something along those lines, they really don’t need it. But whatever makes him feel satisfied. They’ll just think of this as an order, a task given to complete, yes, that’s right. They’ll get through this, this is easy.

“I heard from Optimus you’re technically not human anymore! How does it feel? Do you eat human food? If you eat, does it still come out the other way一?”

They suppressed the urge to hit themselves. Knowing if they did, they might have to deal with another lecture about proper social etiquette. Whatever that means.

Optimus on the other hand, Optimus was sure they weren't a danger to the children. What he had observed while Ero was under his care was enough confirmation and reassurance for his thoughts about them. However, what he thought of Ero and what they were capable of was different from what the others thought of them. To the others, they were someone who had put their friends and family at risk, Dr. Meridian’s child.

Megatron had openly detested Ero, the potential danger they posed to the Malto family, and Dorothy's family, and endangering them was more than enough reason for him to dislike them even if that made him a hypocrite due to his history.

The Terrans? After risking their human siblings' lives? Let's say it'll take much longer for them to warm up, much less even trust Ero. This shows in the way they hovered closely next to Mo and Robby while throwing in their questions. Twitch and Thrash weren't exactly...fond of them either. Curious, sure, but trust Ero? Ha. No.

The blue and red mech sighs, taking a while before he finally nods to answer Dot’s question. The look on her face though was enough for him to understand she wasn't happy with just a nod. She wanted a verbal, direct, answer. An answer that for once the leader of the Autobots couldn't give.

Optimus wished their new friend at least tried to seem more…friendly, and easy to get along with, but he knew better than to hope. With their short time under his watch, he knew they’d have trouble integrating themselves back into society, while also giving the others a hard time, albeit unintentionally.

Still, he was already bracing himself for the numerous headaches he'll have to deal with in the near future, no doubt brought by Ero, maybe not directly because of them, but because of what the others had to say. Just the thought of what's to come was enough to tire him.

His eyes were now on the ground, then turned to look at Dorothy again. "Yes. It is safe, for now, you and your family are not alone nor will we let anything happen to you alone. I swear to you, Dorothy."

She still wasn't convinced, but... she decided to trust him on this. He has never intentionally put them in danger after all. Trouble just...finds them.

In truth, Optimus is still unsure of what compelled him to decide taking Ero under the Autobots', and of course the Maltoses' wings. Even if the rest of them believed Ero was far more trouble than they were worth. But, to leave them at the mercy of Earth's governments, someone who no doubt would catch many people's attention, the wrong people’s attention, he thought of it as too cruel.

Maybe it's because of how far the cruelty of human beings could go for the sake of progress, innovation, or even just at a shot of power or immortality, that they could be subjected to even more experiments. Knowing what they know about Ero, what they had endured while affiliated and being in Dr. Meridian's company, wasn't that enough punishment? Their mere existence, what they’ve been turned into, what they became, isn't it enough?

And if he were to even bring his thoughts up to them, he knew they wouldn't share the sentiment. Ero would try to appreciate it with what little understanding they have of these types of emotions, with emphasis on "try", but then immediately, almost comically, try to prove him wrong with their thoughts.

Maybe if they weren't so unused to human emotions, they would have initially scoffed at him, waving it off as they barked out an almost condescending laugh, perhaps garnering some narrowed and questionable stares from whoever was in earshot, hearing the conversation. While holding much respect for Optimus, they would have believed his opinions regarding them as stupid, or his sympathy misplaced.

He’s seen the way Ero reacted to pity, sympathy, and anything that involved consideration and concern for them, of the many things Ero could control, it’s their body language and expressions when faced with emotions foreign to them that they could not. It seemed that they did not like pity, at least directed at them.

When asked, all they could answer with was; “It’s unpleasant.”

Or...the way their eyes would look. So, downcast, full of...something. He knew it was strange somewhat, knowing Ero’s history, some of it at least, one could say it was alien to them.

He turns once he feels Megatron’s presence next to him, the bot in question crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at the kids and Ero. Without turning, he starts; “If you're wrong about this Prime—”

“Yes, I know.” He doesn't let him finish; he doesn't need to. He knows Megatron’s uncertainty and distrust was from a place of concern. He was quiet, a beat passed, then two before he turned to Megatron. “...you should spend some time with Ero. Perhaps it could prove useful in your assessment of them.”

Megatron huffs at that idea, he wasn't happy with it. Ero is no little birdy. But he’s not turning him down immediately so there's a chance. “You’ll find you share more things in common with them than you think.”

Maybe it's the way Optimus’ voice lost its initial edge, the way it grew soft because Megatron found himself considering it. The things this bot could convince him to do, and he’d find a way to justify it just for Optimus. And it’s not like it’d hurt to try. “Fine.”

Optimus didn't say anything back, he didn't need to. The smile on his face was enough for Megatron to know he was pleased with that answer. He only rolled his optics at him as he walked off. He’ll monitor their little prisoner another day, not today. “I have a recon mission to get to, I’ll see you around Optimus.”

He transformed into his alt-mode, and with that, he was off as Optimus watched behind until he was out of sight. He sighs, then turns to check on Ero, finding them alone and giving him an apologetic look as they wave at him. Only then does he realize he has the children’s attention, seeing them make their way toward him.

“You had a tinier version of you in your trailer?!” Twitch exclaimed, exasperated, before pointing an accusatory finger at him. “AND YOU USED IT AS A SCOUT??? WHY DOES ERO KNOW ABOUT THIS BUT NOT US?”

Watching them throw so many questions at him, not even letting him have a word in, Ero almost felt bad. Still, they figured it was better to just get their attention elsewhere, to anyone, just not them. What better way than to bring up something Optimus told them?

It wasn’t anything sensitive, something interesting, and something most had no clue about the big guy. Something Optimus thought would help distract Ero when he somehow figured out that they were nervous. And to this day Ero has no clue how he found that out, they’re not gonna ask. The thought that someone just sees through them, “understood” them in a way… didn’t feel as nice as it should.

With that, they took this as their chance to slip away from the group, from the kids, and hid behind the other side of the barn. Once out of the others’ sight, they sat down and allowed themselves to finally relax.

Throwing their head back, they closed their eyes and audibly sighed. Taking in the sounds of nature—the rustling leaves, the cows, the birds—and, along with the distant voices of the kids’ numerous questions. They could overhear Optimus doing his best to answer all of them while attempting to calm Twitch’s momentary anger.

While confusing for Ero to witness, these people’s dynamics felt comfortable and warm, a stark contrast to the bitter cold they were used to. From heated glares to concerned gazes. Threats to soft-spoken encouragement. From dark, bleak, and cold rooms to the open and sunny outdoors.

Ero opens their eyes, staring at the sky that’s now tinted with pink as the sun sets in the distance. It was peaceful. They’re not used to it, admittedly.

“You’re as slippery as a quantum drift.” A voice suddenly spoke up behind them.

Ero immediately tensed once they heard his voice. Of course, it was Bumblebee. The ever-friendly yellow Autobot. They’ve met long before, but not in the best circumstances—the whole working for Dr. Meridian thing and everything else in between.

Once they saw that familiar yellow, they unconsciously relaxed just a tiny bit. They don’t know how to personally feel about him. Their past interactions with him weren’t all…that bad. Sure, he was talkative, and said too much, but he tried to be friendly with them. Tried to talk instead of resorting to violence or trying to hurt them as most did.

Bumblebee tried reasoning with them. And, well, he was right to make that call.

They still have no clue how to feel about Bumblebee, or any of them to be honest. He was friendly, but too friendly that they wanted to lump him with every other well-meaning but ultimately shallow individual they’ve ever met in this lifetime. 

Still, something in Bumblebee’s tone made them pause. Something that reminded them of the strange, uncomfortable warmth they sometimes felt in their chest, when the sunlight hit the surface of their crystalline body just right. It felt too much like hope.

Despite the not-so-unpleasant experiences they had with him, it didn’t erase the unease Ero had about him (or anyone to be honest). They know better than most, the friendliest faces are often the most dangerous. Or maybe they’re just jumping to conclusions, and he is just a friendly face. Still, they’d rather take their chances with assuming wrong about him than putting their already fragile sense of safety at risk. But what risk?

These people have been nothing but kind to them. Even when they don’t ever need to be. They had every right to treat them like they were nothing but the dirt beneath their feet, and yet, despite the cautiousness each of them had whenever interacting with Ero, they could sense even just the slightest concern in their voices.

“...I could say the same to you.” Ero’s tone was steady, they straightened their back, feeling the weight of their crystalline form shift ever so slightly. It wasn’t comfortable, this body they were forced to inhabit, but it was theirs. And as of now, no possible way of changing back.

They clearly weren’t happy with his intrusion. It was obvious he was there to check on them to see what they were doing, but he could’ve done it from a distance, no need to actually talk to them. What do they even have to say to him anyway? Nothing.

Bumblebee’s expression shifted a little, sensing they wouldn’t just let down their walls around him that easily, and he'd tried a bunch of times. If what he’s heard of them was correct, then, maybe they weren’t that bad. Just need to get through that tough exterior they built up.

“Well, what can I say, can’t be the best scout of the Autobots if I can’t slip in and out of places like that.” He grinned, leaning against the barn wall, and this time, Ero only gave him a side glance, before turning away again. His grin faltered a little. Tough crowd?

“You distracting the kids like that, getting their attention on Optimus instead so you’d be able to leave—pretty clever. You could be a pretty good scout, too, you know.” He tried again, his voice was a bit softer now, none of that banter he usually carried. The banter never worked anyway, Ero only ever reacted to the words, never the tone, never the nuances. They were always so careful.

And Ero, once again, barely reacted, their gaze hardened as they turned away again. That compliment landed somewhere between confusion and just plain discomfort. It’s not that Bumblebee was wrong, it’s just that his words didn’t reach them. Nothing could. At least for now. They’ve only been here a couple of days after all, and only today were they allowed to interact with the rest of the Malto family. He can’t blame them for being distant. But he’d hoped they’d at least…open up a little.

Before his run-ins with Ero, he’s heard rumors here and there about them, apparently from Decepticons who escaped Mandroid’s grasp. How they did it with a little help from someone inside, Dr. Estes Meridian heard of these rumors himself, but never once thought it would be his own child.

“...thanks.” They finally spoke up before going silent again. It’s a bit difficult to read Ero now that he thought about it. Outside of what they’re willing to talk about, their actions, they’re relatively…blank. If that makes any sense. As in, if there’s nothing that pushes them to do something, they don’t do anything, they don’t say anything. Speaks-when-spoken-to kinda deal but also in terms of actions, situations.

Bumblebee sighed internally, while he may not have achieved his goal of getting Ero to open up, them responding back was enough progress, right? Maybe tomorrow will be different. If not, then maybe the next day after that.

“Slippery as a quantum drift.” → “Slippery as a fox.” Delivered as promised before the end of November. My phone got confiscated at my big age of 21 while I was in the middle of writing this the past few weeks. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it. I literally have an unfinished published fanfic I haven’t touched since 2021 and let’s cross our fingers I don’t do the same with this one ong. Also please point out any inconsistencies or typos!