#not to mention they're likely to tear fur or get stuck in their eyes if they feel compelled to rub it off?

[ahalal-uralma]

If you put adhesive product's on your pet I hate you. :)

[musesofawolf]

voidtouched-blue--[Prior]

Just as he explained, the Miqo'te began to fully relax. Her heaving breaths calmed, her writhing slowed, but her eyes remained locked open. Pupils still fixed into animal-like slits as her body would not let go of the fear and fury that coursed through her. She blinked slowly, and infrequently as she continued to fight the chemical calm that washed over her. Her bloody fingers fell nearly limp from Bryn's arm, but the force of her grip had left them fairly deep-set in his flesh. "Dangerous business being her Warden. I don't envy you, sir", the medicus let out an amused huff through his nostrils as he tucked bandages into his pocket. "By the time they're done with this one, you'll be covered in scars at this rate."

︻デ═一・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

It was a rough few minutes, with claws shifting in his arm, blood dripping down the sleeves of his coat, another one ruined, as he grunted and bore it, the pain, the blood, the shame of getting injured by a tied down and drugged medical patient. But bear it he did, breathing slow, and deep, and after those few minutes, he felt it begin.

A tingling, in his arm, around where her claws were buried, and a warmth spreading up and down his arm. He knew what it meant, what was happening, as he felt aether trying to stitch up broken skin, heal bloodied wounds, staunch the bleeding and patch up his wounds. But there was no way for it to actually complete the task, since her claws were still in there, still keeping the wound active and painful.

It was an unfortunate stroke of observance that the medicus noticed his wound, frowning up at him as he looked up, shaking his head as he muttered, "It's a light wound, hardly worth your time. I can stitch it myself if it needs it." Although he did wonder when, or if, she would let go. He shook his arm lightly, and got a tightening of her claws into his arm in response, scowling at her as he felt the wound deepen, and realized trying to tear his arm away would result in a wound that would definitely need stitches. He glanced down over the still thrashing Miqo'te and slowly realized that things were a bit...different.

In all the commotion up until now, he had not taken a great look at her, but now that he had a moment with her holding his arm, he could observe her in her weakened state. She had always had a light covering of blueish fur, but now, it seemed more evident. Like he would be able to run his hands through it and feel the fur tickling his palm. Not to mention, from what he could see of her neck and back, her dark blue stripes stuck out even more. As she growled and bared her fangs, he noted the way they were sharper, longer, more animalistic, like her behavior. And as he glanced down at her restrained legs, he had to do a double take. That is not a normal mortal's feet. They had shrunk, not as long, claws instead of nails, and her pinky toe seemed...almost gone, hardly there, like it was half fused with the rest of her foot. It was the same for them both, and for a long long moment, he swore he recognized the look of it, that it was--

Her cry jolted him back to the present, and he looked up at the medicus as he took the syringe and slowly began to inject Cyra. He was both appalled and a bit relieved, knowing she would at least stop struggling and no longer be a danger to herself or him, but to use the medicine like that, so readily. He didn't show his displeasure, just holding her as she slowly grew weaker and weaker, her slitted eyes still full of fury until she went under, her claws dropping from his arm and leaving the wounds to spurt blood for a moment before he removed his other hand from her shoulder and pressed his coat into the wounds, frowning at the wound, then Cyra, and finally the medicus, displeased with how deep the wounds were and sighing in annoyance.

"Maybe I do need the stitches. Don't worry about an anesthesia, just stitch it up quick." At least with stitches put in, they would be less likely to ask how or why he healed up so quickly. They would keep scrutiny off him, and if he pulled out the stitches at the right time, it would look like an actual healing wound. He had to be careful, always careful, no matter how much he wanted to help her.

[really2hoagain]

Warnings: Ambiguous Ending, a/b/o dynamics, Alphas Hongjoong Yunho Mingi Yeosang, Omegas Jongho Seonghwa, Humans San Wooyoung, Angst, guns and knives are present, mentions of panic attack, Parents Seongjoong

3.6k

Main pairing: 2ho

Side pairing: Seongjoong

Make Me Feel Welcomed

Jongho was assigned to infiltrate the Kim pack. It's dangerous, the Kims are a nomadic pack that recently settled near a hunter camp, Jongho's. They knew, too. Hunters did not hide. They were loud about their location. 

Their pack alpha, Kim Hongjoong, has never been seen. But Jongho's heard the whispers. A powerful, demanding man, he runs the pack with an iron fist, so much so his packlings beg for mercy, for death. Because returning with defeat would result in a fate worse. 

Jongho knows he's good for the job. Knows because of the Lycan blood that circulates his bloodstream. They'll accept him, because of his Lycan father. He just has to play the part. 

They staged it of course. Wooyoung was chasing him through the forest. San, walking towards him. The gunshots rang loud in his ears, whizzing past his head. He screamed when one nicked his ear. Bullets plated in silver cause his skin to melt and peel exposing the gray cartilage and vibrant blood vessels that pulsed red with each contraction of his heart. His skin fizzes, like acid was poured onto his skin. It burns, sending heatwaves down his neck. He slows down, just a tad, to glare at Wooyoung.

He's never seen Wooyoung from this perspective, never been the prey before. A smooth, silver tipped muzzle meets his gaze. Wooyoung doesn't hesitate to pull the trigger. His heart falls, as he ducks down. Wooyoung could kill him. They need it to look authentic, but it's too real. Wooyoung and San are hunting him. He doesn't scream, it gets stuck in his throat. Everything does, as a loud bang echoes through the forest as wood where Jonghos head once was explodes behind him. It rings through his ears, vibrates his ear drums and muddles his mind.

He whines, high and loud. Something hes never done before, but he's never been afraid like this either. His palms sweat, his closed fists clamy and uncomfortable, but if he opens them, they'll shake. 

San tackles him from behind, shoving his face into the damp dirt. It tastes of rust, grainy mulch collecting on his tongue. 

"Got you," San whispers, prideful.

Fingers graze over the melting skin on his ear. . Sans delicate fingers wrap into the strands of his hair, pulling up, where he can see Wooyoung, stalking closer, silver gun raised. Jongho yelps. They both hesitate, likely fearing they're gone too far.

"Jong-" San barely gets out before hes just gone. 

The weight that held him down fully disappeared. Wooyoung goes down as well. Tackled from behind. He didn't even see the alpha come up, didn't smell him. He cries out, because his friends are going to die and it's his fault for getting distracted.

He starts hyperventilating, his vision blurring as the alpha forces Wooyoung's hands behind his back. The alpha is pretty, Jongho thinks, then his vision dulls into nothingness.

~~~

When he awakes, he's strewn over soft furs and fluffy pillows. It’s warm, the fire that burns just passed the doorway heating the tent around them. His ear pulses warmly, it’s uncomfortable, but not terrible. Wholly, he feels okay, his body aches though. 

San. Wooyoung. 

Where are they? Jongho feels the panic settles in, his heart racing. He tries to stand, only to realize his ankle is shackled to a post. Frustrated tears prick at the corner of his eyes as he tries to pull the metal clasp apart, clawing desperately. 

"No, no, please-" 

"Calm down," he hears a soft voice from the doorway.

He stills, body freezes. They're an omega, though mated to someone with an overpowering scent of cedar wood. Jongho dares a glance. He’s beautiful, Jongho finds. With high cheekbones, plush pink lips, and a mother’s glow. His eyes wrinkle with his smile, showing cracks of old age. 

Jongho has never seen an omega before this. Most of what he saw were half formed alpha warriors, whose bodies were carried to camp and presented as trophies. Their bodies deformed, covered in gray skin and silver hair, with eyes like blood, and claws like wolves. He appears mostly human. Jongho doesn’t know how humans could truly tell the difference. 

"We just needed to make sure you wouldn't run when you woke up, if you promise not to, I'll take it off," he speaks so slow, with a butter smooth voice. "Can you do that for me?" 

Jongho nods once, breaking eye contact to stare at the floor. He knows he has to play his cards right. Act stupid, use his human blood to his advantage.

The omega produces a key from his long, draped sleeves. When he bends over, his hands hesitate over Jongho’s exposed ankle. 

"Can I touch you?" He tries to look Jongho in the eyes, but Jongho won’t let him.

"Yes." 

From this close, the omegas gray hairs stand strong against the blond. His hands make quick work of the contraption. It falls from his ankle with an unceremonious clank. He's free, though he forces himself to stay. 

"So, what was an unmated omega doing running through the forest alone?" 

"I-I'm an omega?" Jongho didn't mean to say it. Didn't even realize what he was saying until it spilled from his lips.

Jongho instinctively could smell the differences between alpha, omega, and beta, though he had no way of knowing himself. The humans never told him, his secondary sex, even when he presented, he was just given a warm tea that burned his throat. At the time, Jongho assumed he was a beta. He had one rough night, though his body went through so little change, it made sense. He wonders if that’s why his adoptive father accepted him, because he wasn’t a dangerous alpha, and would never be one.

Everyday Jongho drank that same bitter tea, though the burning turned warm and welcomed. He never questioned why Wooyoung and San weren’t given the same one, just assumed it was his mothers terrible cooking. 

His father always taught that these packs are highly segregated. Alphas are rulers, leaders, while omegas were made to stay at home, to cook and clean and slave for their alphas. They’re made to be weak, pathetic. But this omega doesn't seem weak, or pathetic. He’s lean, toned with hard muscles, and scars littering his tan skin. A hunting knife sits against his side, tucked into a hold, though loose enough to be easily removed if needed. 

"You were raised by the humans," he says.

Jongho nods again. "My mother was a human, my father an alpha. He was killed by hunters," after killing my mother, "and they took me in. When they realized… what I was-" Jongho choked a bit. 

He remembers when he presented. The look of unadulterated horror on his adoptive father’s face. The panic, when Jongho smiled with his sharp fangs meant to tear people apart, his black claws meant for shredding. 

"Oh baby, I'm so sorry," he whispers. 

Jongho nods once. 

"What, did you do- to, to the humans?" He asks once. 

"Currently, they're being guarded," was all the omega offered. 

Jongho didn't push.

It took a while to discover who this omega was, though eventually he met the entire family. Three sons, the ones who found Jongho in the forest, the eldest, Yunho, the middle, Yeosang, and the youngest, Mingi, as well as their Oma Seonghwa, and their Ala Kim Hongjoong. Oma, as Seonghwa explained, was the Lycan equivalent of mother. Oma was for any omega, and Ala for any alpha.

Hongjoong is short, smaller than Seonghwa. He has elf-like features, soft cheeks, but a sharp nose and jaw. He spouts no gray hairs, somehow it still sits black and sleek, despite being twice Jongho’s age. Just like Seonghwa, he was fully lean muscle, toned. His skin was a milky white, and Jongho has to wonder how, since he spends so much time outdoors. 

When Hongjoong notices Jongho’s curious eyes, darting between his eyes and nails, he laughs, explaining that he can shift. He only changes his eyes in front of Jongho. His natural color is a hazel, though it disappears into a black with a blind. Jongho finds that he’s likely stuck because of his human blood.

 Different.

Jongho stayed with Seonghwa and Hongjoong, as they did not want him, an unmated omega, sharing space with their three alpha sons. 

"You cannot trust those alphas, even if they're my sons, I have to keep you safe," Oma once said. 

Yunho is the kindest, who often came to check in on him. Left him small gifts such as pelts and jewelry. He likely felt bad for him, Seonghwa said. Because Jongho was so scared that day in the forest, he feels guilty for not coming sooner. He makes Jongho feel guilty. 

Ala asked Yunho to teach Jongho about the way of the pack. To show him how they live, how they operate. Surprisingly, they're nothing like the stories Jongho heard growing up. There are rules in place to protect omegas, to ensure their safety from alphas. Omegas run the camp, for the most part, since alphas are off hunting or patrolling, though both roles are equal. 

He walks him through the pack daily, introducing him to all they come across. Jongho’s mesmerized by just how much he knows. All omegas older than Yunho he calls Oma, because the pack is a family. Yunho explains how the omegas all raise pups together. They do not turn children away. 

It happens often. Unruly youngins running from tent to tent, chasing after each other while Omas scream and laugh. There is a level of respect that the children earn. They are afforded play time  just as often they are made to learn. Each time they pass, Yunho smiles at them, softens at their presence. He wants kids, he explained once. Says that he adores them. He notes his own Oma in the moment, the strong, stern omega with soft eyes. Oma raised him to respect the land, to take just enough to live. Oma taught him to swim, to hunt, to read and write. Yunho wants that too, wants something to love, and someone to love with. 

Jongho didn’t want kids before meeting the Kims. 

Yeosang is chivalrous. He always offers Jongho the right of way, always holds open doors (though its not like there are actual doors here, just pelts blocking tent doorways), and offers Jongho things like flowers. He’s very sweet and shy too, offering shy smiles and cute waves. Jongho wishes each exchange didn't fill him with dread. 

He teaches Jongho the pack order. The Kim’s are the leaders. Under them are the warriors and their omegas. Merchants, farmers, and hunters are on the same level. Ala calls them the blood of the pack, the warriors might be the ones who protect, but the merchants and farmers feed them, clothe them. Without them, there is nothing. 

Yeosang’s main job is to watch the prison. He spends most of his day tending to them, even personally cooks for the prisoners. This is where Wooyoung and San reside. Jongho knows because he's heard them before. The prison is still a tent, the walls are fabric. Walking by he can hear them talking lowly, sharing whispers. Yeosang always shoos his away because he doesn’t want to frighten the omega. Jongho doesn’t know how to explain that San and Wooyoung don’t scare him.

Mingi is wild, a partier. He shows Jongho how he can have fun. Shows him places where he can go swimming in the nearby lakes. Jongho doesn’t mention that he’s been there a thousand times with the very friends rotting in their prison. Introduces him to the young omegas in their pack. Gets him to make friends, who accept him for who he is. Though its not like San and Wooyoung didn’t not accept him.

It takes a week for Jongho to go into heat. He’s never experienced a heat before this. Seonghwa says it’s likely because they were slipping him wolfsbane, a natural hormone suppressant for Lycans. The omegas take care of him the entire time. They hold him close, cuddle and coddle him, feed and bath him, protected him from alphas that might be lurking. His entire body hurts, the Oma’s say it’s because he only ever had one heat.

Jongho doesn’t immediately recognize the scent of the shirts placed in his hands at the start of each day. Its warm though, ignites a small fire in the pit of his belly. It smells of the forest, earthy and cool. It takes three days of this, to recognize the new shirt that’s being placed into his arms. A cream button down, decorated with small cherry wood buttons. He’d seen Yunho wear it once, recalled the way it tailored to his waist and hugged his broad shoulders. The wrists flared out, covering Yunho’s knuckles. Jongho couldn’t believe it at first. But Oma confirmed it when questioned. It makes his heart swell.

He feels safe, in the hands of the omegas. He briefly wonders about Wooyoung and San, if they feel safe, ankles chained to the damp dirt floor of their prison. Does Yeosang treat them well? Does Mingi’s daily visits make them laugh ever? Are they hurt?

Jongho doesn’t remember much from his heat. All he can really remember is the pain, the heat, the unholy desires for a certain alpha.

Yunho greets him when he first awakens. The pain of his heat no longer pains him. It doesn’t hurt to stand. Oma still hovers in the doorway; Jongho doesn’t miss the flash of the blade, as it slides back into his long blue sleeves. The omega smiles warmly, winks. The knife isn’t for him.

Yunho takes him swimming. Says that its refreshing after a rut and must be the same for a heat. The cool water raises hairs as he walks into the lake. Fish scatter under the clear water, disappearing faster than the ripples can reach them. The water flows slowly, meandering over smooth river rock. The water makes his thin shorts halo around his thighs. How long had it been since San or Wooyoung were allowed to swim?

The birds sing in tune with the wind, whistling high and sweet. From the shoreside, the reflection of the trees dance lazily on the water, swaying with the chilled wind. The water flows and trickles over the rocks, merging into a small waterfall at the water’s edge. Yunho watches from the trees, as Jongho steps into the scene.

His footsteps are silent, until they wade in the shallow waters behind. Warm, strong arms wrap around his shoulders, pulled him in. Jongho’s back rests against Yunho’s front. They watch together, silently. As the world around them ebbs and flows quietly.

“I need to tell you something.”

“Anything,” Yunho whispers into the exposed skin of his neck, lips grazing skin.

There is nothing to say, yet everything. The weight of this burden has been cumbersome, and the task of lifting it was always too daunting. Jongho finally belongs, and yet he is still an outsider by blood.

“San and Wooyoung are my friends,” Jongho says into the wind.

Yunho stills, arms flexing and holding him down, “I understand, you are from their camp-“

Jongho pulls, Yunho does not let them go. They step deeper into the water, kicking up mud and dirt. Disturbing the once clear lake.

“I am with them. This was my mission. To infiltrate, to kill Ala.”

The birds stop singing so sweetly. Their songs quicken, as the wind stills around them. Maybe they watch from their perches, as the two below quarrel so calmly. Like honey and oil, wholly unalike, yet they collide despite.

Yunho holds him closer, pulls him tighter. Jongho’s chest cannot inflate, he’s choking. Yunho encompasses him, surrounds him in soured scent. Jongho does not struggle, does not even move. He allows Yunho to surround him, relaxes into it even.

“You must never tell Ala. Oma can never hear of this.”

Yunho lets him go, removing his warmth and stability. Jongho falls back, into the cool waters. The sunlight cascades through the murky waters, dirtied by him. He should never have agreed to this. Should have known he couldn’t. Father always said he was too soft, maybe it’s true. He sucks in a breath, under the water, the burn cooled by water itself. But Jongho does not want to die.

When he arises, he coughs, sputtering and choking as his lungs desperately squeeze out the unwelcome liquid. It hurts more this way, though he accepts the pain. He deserves this, for the pain he’s caused his friends.

The burn lasts longer than the coughing fit. Yunho watches from the side of the pool, makes no effort to assist. He doesn’t need help, though a warm hand on his back would be nice. Though he doesn’t deserve it, not really.

“What will become of my friends,” Jongho asks when the coughing finally subsides.

Yunho watches as the sun sets behind the trees, casting yellows and oranges across the clouds.

“I will not tell you,” He speaks low and slow.

“Damn you Yunho, you must tell me,” Jongho pushes.

“I will not. That is between Yeosang and Ala, ther-”

“Then ask Yeosang… For help. They can escape-”

 “For Yeosangs head, I think not,” Yunho stands, dusting his dark trousers. “We must go, it is getting dark.”

“You’re a coward Yunho,” Jongho follows behind with no further qualms.

Its dark, by the time they arrive back home, the night air settles in fog over the campsite, snuffing out the campfire light. Yunho drops him off at the Kims tent in silence. Seonghwa inside, humming as he cooks over the fireplace.

“How was swimming honey?” He asks.

Jongho smiles as best he can, “It was fun!”

Would a knife to the thigh feel better than this burning shame? Guilt weighs so heavily on his heart, and yet he must carry it. 

"We're gonna take this over to the kid's tent tonight, why don't you and Ala head over now?"

Hongjoong rises from his spot in the dark corner. Jongho jumps, hadn't realized he was there. Heart thumping nervously in his chest, he nods. He doesn't want to be alone with Ala, he's scared of what might get said, or worse, be left unsaid. 

"Why are you nervous?" Hongjoong asks. 

Its dark, and cold, Jongho didn't have time to grab a jacket and Ala didn't offer him one either. He shivers, as the cold permeates his skin. His clothes are still damp, though less now. He just wants to lay by the fire and sleep. 

"I-Ala…" the omega worries his lip between his teeth, "I don't know how to tell you," Jongho stops, and looks down. 

"Is this about your friends?" 

Jonghos head shoots up, searching Hongjoongs eyes in the dark. He wants to cry. He feels sick, because Ala knows. 

"We'll discuss this later, for now, why don't we just eat?" He smiles, white fangs on full display. A predator. 

Jongho nods and walks in silence the rest of the way. They're on opposite sides of the camp, to offer the most protection to the people. Its how Yunho heard his screams that day, because if he hadn't, no one would have came.

Theres smoke bellowing from inside the tent, the center open to release smoke. An unrecognizable figure stands outside, near the back. Jongho shouldn't see him, he realizes. He's not supposed to. 

If I run now, he'll surely catch me. 

Jongho plays along. Walks into the tent willingly. Its worse inside, worse than he could imagine. Yunho stands just before the fire. On either side, Wooyoung and San stand. 

Yeosang holds Wooyoungs bound hands with one, a silver knife glinting dangerously. They're expressionless, both of them. Wooyoung won't acknowledge him, stares forward to the light dancing on the tents wall. He looks okay, he's not noticeably lost weight, he's not bruised or scraped. 

Mingi holds San, close to his chest. It looks more defensive than anything. One hand resting on Sans waist, in the other, a knife all too similar to Yeosangs. San looks slightly worse, a bruise in his eye and cut on his lip, though they look old and healing. Could it be from that day in the woods? Sans eyes shine with tears, though he still offers Jongho a short nod. 

Hongjoong kicks him, the heel of his boot digging into the small of his back, causing him to fall forward. Jonghos catches himself, just before the dancing fire. Landing so close he can feel the hairs on his knuckle sear in the heat. He tries to escape it, to crawl backwards, but Yunho is on top of him faster than he can cry out. The alpha roughly grabs his wrists, yanking them behind his back. Jongho's should screams in agony from the unnatural twisting, muscles convulsing under skin in shock. He whimpers loudly, Yunho sighs and moves his arm more gently. His right arm hangs lamely beside, bitter agony erupting down his spine in protest to each twinge of muscle. 

"Yeosang and Mingi filled you in then?" Hongjoong asks as Yunho physically raises Jongho, like it's easy. 

Jongho is made to stand with his back to Yunho. He can feel, from their close proximity, each shaky breath the alpha draws. He's nervous, though his scent is completely neutral. 

The flames flicker in Hongjoongs eyes as he stares; forces eye contact with Jongho. In his hand, a staff, painted black, except the top, where a small skull sits. This is the Kim Hongjoong father warned me of.

[hokkaidossoul12]

Pats for the cup boys (Cuphead AU + story)

Although, it should be the other way but meh, Cuphead and Mugman didn't mind ^ w ^ in this AU Dorothy follows the two dish brothers on their journey to collect the soul collects to hand into the devil, but...there is a good reason for why. WARNING: The story contains blood in it, if you don't like these kind of story then please do not view it. But, if you do then press "keep reading" to view it.

in this AU Dorothy follows the two dish brothers on their journey to collect the soul collects to hand into the devil, but...there is a good reason for why. As I had mentioned in one of my previous drawings devil wanted her soul and eventually he would find a way to get it...this is how. At the time Dorothy couldn't use her powers as her eye had be injured. It was one day she had gone for a walk around the isles and eventually went to inkwell isle where she found a woods, she was hoping to somehow find a cure to heal her eye and get her powers back. But, because of previous events that had occurred before she met dice it had scared her out of wanting to be around anyone but Dice. It was the reason for the tear on the leg of her overalls, she remembered running from a gang of bulls who were looking for trouble when she had blindly run into something, clamping harshly down on her leg with a loud SNAP. She fell, the thing tore at her leg as  if it were a rabid dog. She yelled in pain as she looked down at the huge bear trap that was practically bigger than her foot. She saw her own blood seeping through her pant leg, her whole leg throb as it did so. Dorothy whimpered, trying to loosen the trap from her leg but failed to as when she had tried to open the trap it seemed to tear her leg more and for her to let out a pained yelp. But, she found that there was another problem waiting for her as she felt something grab the back of her neck and slam her face to the ground. Dorothy was kicked, punched, and beaten by the bull gang to a point until she unable to even sit up properly.

It was moments later she was then that a couple of the bulls held her still while another bull grabbed the bear trap and began twisting it around. Dorothy screeched in agony as felt the skin and fur on her leg being tore and the sharp teeth of the trap digging deeper into her leg, causing blood to drip from her leg. It continued on and on until Dorothy felt herself about to pass out from blood loss. It was then without a few seconds that a sort of magic was used on one of the bulls and it seemed that they're soul was yanked from their body as the bull's now lifeless body hit the ground. She was then let go off by the other bulls who attempted to run from whatever else was there. The last thing Dorothy saw was a blurry purple figure before everything went black. Dorothy shivered, knowing that if it wasn't for the die headed man she would've likely be killed by that bull gang. But, she was so stuck in her thoughts that she almost didn't hear someone coming nearby. "heh, you can't catch me!" Dorothy panicked as she heard a voice from further in the forest. Without thinking she climbed up a tree and went to one of the highest branches in the tree. She looked down from the tree to see two small cup children run through the forest, they both seemed to be playing a game of tag. Dorothy tried to look closer at the two cups and they seemed to be around the same size. But, there was a different between them both. One had a small red nose with a white and red straw and red pants while the other had a big blue nose with a white and blue straw and blue pants. But, they both wore brown shoes and black long sleeved shirts. Dorothy presumed immediately that the two cups were brothers and possibly even twins. She saw the boys run around, the red cup seemed to be chased by the blue cup who eventually caught him. "I got you!" the blue cup said while giggling before both the cup kids laughed with joy as they continued their game of tag. Dorothy smiled and softly laughed seeing the two dishes chase each other around. She continued to watch the two boys, that was until she heard a cracking sound from underneath her. She looked down and saw the branch she was on about to snap off. She gasped and looked for a branch to grab onto, she then saw the branch above her. But before she had time to do anything the branch underneath her snapped and she yelled as she fell from the tree. A much larger tree branch was knocked by her leg on the way down, this didn't hurt Dorothy but it did loosen it a lot. This quickly caught the attention of the two cups, both of their eyes widen as they saw her hit the ground. She groaned from the impact and felt her vision blur for a sec. But just as her vison came back the large branch from the tree snap and land straight onto her stomach, knocking the wind right out of her. Both the cup brothers were quick to run to her aid, both boys using their effort to lift the large branch off her. Dorothy winced as she looked up at the boys. She thanked the two boys despite how shaky her voice had become from this. The cup boys stared at each other in a worried manner, "we need to get her to Elder kettle, I think she's hurt" the red cup nodded in agreeance as they both wrapped an arm round her. Dorothy whimpered as the two boys carried her back a small cottage. She then saw a kettle outside who was napping in a rocking chair. "Elder Kettle!" the kettle had awoken from his sleep once he heard the red cup call his name, the kettle then saw both cups carrying Dorothy and the kettle quickly jumped to action, "oh my goodness! bring her inside, boys!" the kettle quickly went to the door and opened it to let the two boys carry her in and sit her down on the couch inside the house. The kettle then checked Dorothy over, it was the moment that when the kettle pressed gently on her stomach she yelped and her big fluffy tail curled around her stomach. "hmm..." the kettle saw a few twigs in her tail and gently pulled them out. "I think you may have more than bruising, let's see if I can get you something to fix that" the kettle then

went to a shelf with potions on it and looked through them, he then found one and pulled it out. The kettle then looked closer at the potion and sighed, "this is gonna need to be use a certain way, it'll only take a few minutes, I have the right stuff to use." Dorothy nodded and elder kettle went toward the kitchen. But, just before he did the kettle turned to the two cups, "Mugman, Cuphead, please keep her company while I prepare this" both boys obeyed the kettle and sat with Dorothy. The three of them then chatted for a small while, Dorothy had learned the names of the two cups, the red cup was Cuphead and the blue cup was Mugman. Shortly after they talked to each other the kettle had finally finished with the the potion and brought it out to Dorothy. She then took the potion and drunk it. It only took a second for the effects to kick in and before Dorothy knew it she was better within a few seconds, but it wasn't just her stomach that was healed but also her eye that had been injured before. She then tested to see if she could use her powers and they seemed to work just fine, Cuphead, Mugman and the kettle seemed to be shocked by her using her powers. Dorothy explained that she had powers to begin with but because of the injury on her eye she couldn't use them. After some time Dorothy had checked the time and saw that she needed to head back to the casino, she then thanked the kettle and two boys while shaking the kettle's hand before taking her leave. A few weeks had gone by, the two cup boys had found themselves in the casino despite Elder Kettle warning them many, many times. Cuphead had found himself on a winning streak where king dice watched the two boys. Dorothy had seen what was going on from afar and eventually saw the devil come to see how far Cuphead had gotten. The moment she heard the devil making a deal with the cup that she knew the two boys were going to be in danger, she knew cuphead was blinded by greed the second he picked up the dice. Dorothy's eyes widened as she saw the red cup roll the dice and the devil chuckle. "SNAKE EYES! YOU LOSE!" both boys shook as the dice slammed his large hand down, "oh no...Cuphead, what did you do?!" both boys quickly turned to see Dorothy close nearby. "Dorothy? what-" before the red cup could speak the devil loomed over the two brothers who trembled, "Now...ABOUT THOSE SOULS!" Dorothy was worried for the two boys as she didn't want them getting their souls taken by the devil. She had a worried feeling in her gut as she thought about elder kettle, she knew that if their souls were taken by devil that kettle would be heartbroken. But, Dorothy then realized that the devil had been after her own soul for so long and knew how powerful her soul was, so...she knew exactly what she was to do next. She let out a sigh before standing in front of the two boys. "Hold on a sec, devil, Cups and Mugs are only kids, you can't just take their souls...", the devil looked at her and scoffed. "well, they knew what they were doing stepping foot inside this casino" devil then stared her down. He did this while pointing to Cuphead "that cup took my bet and lost...so it's either he and his brother give me their souls or I take them MYSELF!" Dorothy then clenched her fists, "maybe there's another way!" her ears flattened as she looked at the devil. The devil snarled at her response, "and what exactly is that?" Dorothy then took a step back from the devil before suddenly summoning her soul out of her body, the devil saw her soul and his eyes widened, he could see her rainbow magic radiating off of it as it shined a blue color. She then put her soul back into her body, now devil knew exactly how special her soul was. "You can have my soul instead...so those boys don't suffer in hell with you" from the corner of her eye she saw king dice flinch at her words, but he knew he wasn't allowed to intervene. The devil narrowed his eyes and chuckled, but before the devil could speak she quickly spoke up again. "But...before we can settle with this deal...I must set some conditions." The

devil chuckled, "go on then." Dorothy sighed, looking back at the cup boys before turning back to the devil, she had a plan in her head. "I know you have a bunch of runaway debtors, and since the cups got themselves in this mess they'll help me to collect the debtors' contracts. You will give us three days to collect the contracts, if we succeed you free all the debtors from their contracts including the ones that work for you, but... if we fail...you are free to take my soul..." Dorothy then stuck out her hand and give the devil a serious look. "...deal?" the devil gave her a wicked smile and was about to shake her hand when she stopped him, "I should also mention, if you cheat in any sort of way then the deal is off." This made the devil pause and grumble, "fine..." a smiled formed back on the devil's face as both shook on the deal, but when they did Dorothy felt a weird sensation around her soul as she did so. Dorothy had then taken the two boys out of the casino and left to rush back to Elder Kettle, and as she did Dorothy had scolded Cuphead for his reckless act. It from that time on Dorothy went with the two brothers to collect up the contracts of the debtors.