#remember to kiss your senomys

[dlartistanon]

Oh that's why Gravel is Like That

It's impossible to tell with Gravel because prairie dogs kiss to say hello and the one time I chose the option to flirt with her she gets like this

But yes, Gravel is The Silly Horny

[johannstutt413]

(‘tis the season; Operators appearing based on this post) Happy Valentine’s Day from Rhodes Island

“No one should have to be alone on Valentine’s Day,” the Doctor sighed, reciting a mantra they’d heard from an Operator at lunch earlier that day. “How many times have I heard that one before?...Guess I should head to my room. No use staying-”

*knock knock* “Doctor? Are you still here?”

They got up and answered the door. “Something wro- is that…for me?”

“Y-yes.” The Cautus was blushing fiercely. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Thank you, Amiya. Um, here. I didn’t buy anything ahead of time, but I have some of these.” They handed her a mint - all they had to offer in return.

She could read their emotions well enough to know it wasn’t a comment on her breath. “Mmm. Have a good night, Doctor.”

“You too, Amiya.” They patted her on the head. “Say hi to Rosie for me.”

“Oh, she hasn’t seen you today?”

The Doctor stopped. “No, she hasn’t…Did she say she would?”

“She told me she’d bring you something, too.” Amiya frowned. “She should be home by now; we can ask her together.”

“I’d appreciate it - I’d like to know what kept her.” They followed the Caster’s lead back to the dorm she shared with the forgetting Feline. Hopefully it wasn’t anything serious.

It wasn’t anything serious. Just deceptive: as Amiya opened the door to a dorm the Doctor wasn’t familiar with (‘did she move at some point?’), there was a chorus of greetings from inside. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Doctor!!!”

“Eh?!” They stepped inside, spinning around as the Cautus closed the door behind them, to observe and absorb the moment. More than a dozen Operators were there, some with chocolates, some with flowers, some with present boxes, but all fondly looking at their leader. “Wh-what’s this? Amiya, this isn’t actually your dorm, is it?”

“Heheh. No, it’s not~” It’d been hard keeping the party a secret, but she’d known their reaction would be worth it.

The Doctor was simply stunned. “You guys…Thanks, really. I didn’t have a date or make any plans, and I was kind of worried when no one stopped by until Amiya came to get me…”

“We would have stopped by, but we couldn’t leave our posts, either.” Gravel pouted. “I’ve been waiting to see you since I woke up this morning.”

“We all found out that we wanted you to be our valentine, but it didn’t seem fair to leave it up to whoever got to you first, so we- rather, I, asked Amiya to help set this up. Apologies for the delayed gratification.” SilverAsh gave them a heart-stopping smile.

Angelina was the first to actually approach them, though, walking at first but switching to hovering to save time. “Remember that song we listened to the other day? I made you a CD with some other songs like that. You can listen to them and…and think of me.”

“Awww.” The Doctor hugged her on the spot. “That’s really sweet, Angie. Thank you. Alright, I don’t want to leave anyone out - everyone’s gonna get a turn-”

“Me next~” Before they could say “orderly fashion,” Gravel had already entered their personal space, kissed them on the cheek, and started rubbing her head against their shoulder.

They chuckled, kissing her forehead in turn. “I’ll see you tomorrow for your bodyguard shift, Senomy.”

“You don’t have to wait if you don’t want to~” But she relented, as there were plenty of people in this room that could wipe her off the face of Terra then and there if they so desired, and then how would she spend time with the Doctor?...Although haunting them would also be rather romantic, no? Still, another kiss for the road, and she made way for the next person to approach.

Skadi and Specter stepped forward at the same time. “I know I don’t say it often, and you know how I am about getting attached, but…I’m happy I met you,” the orca admitted in her usual way.

“Now that I’m back, we’ve gotta make up for lost time.” Sharky tapped the Doctor’s arm; it might’ve still left a bruise. “Yer the only landwalker I’d want down in the depths with me, no contest.”

“Not sure I’d be much help, but I appreciate it.” They gave each of them a hug - two similarly-strong embraces that managed to feel completely different, especially since Specter nibbled on their ear when she had the chance.

SilverAsh came forward next with a single flower. “I’ve always been serious about the merger offers, Doctor…Both of them.”

“Oh?” They took it, setting it in between their mask and hood. “Well, I can’t promise Rhodes Island, but maybe we can…come to an arrangement?”

“I look forward to our negotiations, then.” The Feline winked at them before extending a hand to shake.

Platinum strutted over to the Doctor and handed them a box of chocolates and a pair of concert tickets. “Amiya promised you’d be free to go with me.”

“She did, did she?” They looked over at the Cautus, who looked off to the side shortly after making eye contact. “Heh. I guess I am, then. Thanks for picking a band I can listen to.”

“As if I’d have bad taste.” Then the normally calm and collected Kuranta froze for a moment before kissing them on their non-Gravel’d cheek before galloping away.

Yato tapped them on the shoulder from behind. “Regardless of how events turn, and whose company you enjoy the most, I will still be by your side.”

“And regardless of my feelings, I will never forget you’re there.” They set their opposite hand on hers and gently pressed it closer. “Thank you for your faith in me.”

“Always.” As quickly as she appeared, the Oni blended back into the gathering.

Deepcolor had a…unique offering. “I painted the box in your image. Is it as beautiful as you are to me?”

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” they replied, gingerly accepting her chocolates(?), “but if this is how you see me, it’s absolutely priceless.”

“Mmm~ I wait for the day you’ll paint me in your colors, Doctor.”

Siege handed them a rivet, made in Londinium. “I have a few lollies, if you’d prefer them, but you deserve something more enduring.”

“As you do.” The Doctor smiled. “For want of a nail.”

“The kingdom was lost. I pray I will not lose you so easily.” The Feline bowed her head, and they took the once-in-a-lifetime chance to rub behind her ears. She audibly purred, but if she was embarrassed, it didn’t show.

Swire gave them an absurd bouquet of flowers. “You know how I am about splurging on gifts, Doctor…but if I only get to tell you once, I wanted to be sure you got the message!”

“Message received,” they chuckled. “Next time we go to the beach, take some leave and come with us, alright?”

“Only if you let me take you swimsuit shopping. Deal?...Good.” She probably didn’t realize she licked her lips after saying that.

Whislash handed them her gold card. “Another Valentine’s Day goes by, and I’m still single.”

“I can’t believe it myself.” They smirked. “Not even wine ages like you do, Zofia.”

“I-I’m not that old…but I know you’re complimenting me. Just don’t wait too long, or I might spoil on you.”

The Doctor shook their head. “You couldn’t possibly.”

“You might, though,” Carnelian noted as the Kuranta stepped away. “You look thinner than the last time I saw you. Are you eating properly?”

“Are you an interested party or trying to mother me?” they teased.

The Caprinae gave them a stare which left no doubt in their mind of the answer. “You know where to find me if you want the full answer, Doctor.”

“Heh…” She was certainly scarousing when she took that tone with them. They looked at Sideroca as she walked up. “I’m not getting thinner, am I?”

“You’re building muscle instead of fat, so it’s coming back in leaner. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you in top shape.”

They smiled. “Thanks for the chocolates.”

“You can afford to treat yourself every now and again.” The Forte looked him up and down. “But if you make yourself sick…”

“A day in bed with you doesn’t seem that bad, though.”

She smirked. “When I know you can handle it…Maybe.”

“Doctor?” Last but not least, Blue Poison came forward with nothing in hand, taking the Doctors’ instead. “Thank you.”

“Of course, Azureus. Someday, I’m sure more folks will understand. Until then, well, I’d never complain about holding your hand.”

The Anura’s neck glowed as she blushed. “Y-you can hold more, if…if you want to.”

“Perhaps.” They pulled her close for a hug. “As long as you’re comfortable with it.”

“Oh yes…” Operators watching from behind the Doctor at that moment might have noticed the smallest amount of sweat form at the notion.

With the guest having made their point, they spent the rest of the night playing games and chatting - playful spats, flirting with the Doctor, friendly rivalries developing - until the Doctor left to retire for the night without making any commitments.

At least, not in public…But it should be obvious who they called later that evening, I’m sure.

[johannstutt413]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAVEL!!!!!!

Capybara waifu who loved you waaaaay before you loved her back. Remember, guys: she’s everyone’s wife. Yes, you too. You’re married. This is a threat.

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

(continuing from this, based on calligomiles’ comment)

“Hey, Senomy?” The Doctor and Gravel were lying in a bed in the center of their thoroughly ravaged bedroom. It’d been a good night. “Let’s go on a road trip. Just the two of us.”

“If you’d like; as long as I’m with you, everything’s wonderful~ Where are we going?” She was lying on top of him, looking him directly in the eyes.

Enjoyable, but it made his next few words a bit more difficult. “We’re going to Kazimierz.”

“Kazimierz?” The Zalak gazed through his eyes to the man beneath, but as usual, all she saw was his silver soul and bottomless heart. “Why Kazimierz?”

“There’s something I want to find - something the me I forgot wasn’t brave enough to do. We won’t be there too long, I promise.”

Senomy sighed, absentmindedly reaching up to brush his hair. “It would never be my first choice, but I meant what I said, darling. We’ll leave tomorrow?”

“Mmhmm, tomorrow.” His hand drifted along her back, running along countless scars earned in her masters’ service. “I love you so much.”

“And I love you.” One kiss. “With.” Another. “Everything.” All of them.

The next morning, after sleeping in later than usual, the pair borrowed an RV and set out. It was a 5-day trip, but they had all of RI’s digital resources available to them for notices on weather and other hazards, as well as a full library of entertainment. While Gravel was probably the better choice, the Doctor insisted on driving, as it’d been his idea for this trip and wanted her “as comfortable as a queen;” that meant plenty of stops along the way, to the point it actually took a week to finally reach Kazimierz...not that either of them were in a rush.

Finally inside the city, the Doctor checked his phone’s GPS at the still-closed RV door. “Alright, so that’s where it is. Senomy, before we go, would you prefer me to call you Gravel while we’re out?”

“That would be better, yes. Now that we’re here, can I ask where we’re going?”

“Yes.” He took a deep breath. “We’re going to see the man who has your contract.”

She stared at him. “We’re...darling, that’s a terrible idea.”

“I know, but it’s the only way to make the revision I need made to it.” It was an effort to look her in the eye as he said that; his heart was an echo chamber for her pain, and this was one of the rare occasions he knew he’d see it.

“Revision?” Gravel, incapable of backing away from him even in fear, practically flew to cling to him. “Doctor, I thought...you’re not going to...”

The Doctor kissed her forehead. “I promised you once, and I promise again: I will not end your contract to me so long as you do not wish for it. For all the ways you protect me, it seems like the one way I can do the same.”

“But what change are you hoping to make, then? Contract law is almost inscrutable for even the most proficient lawyers in the country.”

“I had the clause written for me by someone from Rhodes Island more familiar with it.” He gently pried her off of him. “Now, let’s move quickly; the faster we finish here, the less time we spend in danger.”

Senomy still couldn’t fathom what the person dearest to her in all the world wanted to accomplish, and the thought utterly terrified her in a way that took her back to dark places...but this was the Doctor, not some sweaty Kuranta with a strong backhand or lecherous Lupo with wandering eyes. She had enough faith in him to see her through this, no doubt.

The only question left was what exactly this change was supposed to be?

Some time later, in a bar that pretended to be far more noble than it was (just like Kazimierz itself), the Doctor went directly to the bartender, Gravel barely even a step behind. “I’d like to place an order.”

“Oh, found one you like?” The Anaty gave him a crooked grin. “Whatcha havin’, masked stranger?”

“Give me a Rocky Road.”

The record on play skipped as a few nearby turned to look at him. The bartender took a step back. “That...I haven’t heard that name in years-”

“And you won’t be hearing it or anything else again if you’re not faster.” He drew no weapon, but his eyes began to glow crimson through his visor. “Give me a goddamn Rocky Road.”

“...A-alright. I’m not mopping you off my floor afterwards.” He reached into a small box under the counter, took out an envelope, and handed it to him.

The Doctor nodded, palming him a substantial amount of Kazimierzian currency. “We’re done here, then.” And without any further ceremony, they left for the address on the envelope.

“I didn’t know you could be so threatening, Doctor.” Senomy was doing her best to control herself, but it wasn’t easy. “How did you know where to find my contract?”

“Even if I’ve forgotten where I’ve been and what I’ve done, the rest of the world isn’t so fortunate,” he replied cryptically. This was all so strange for him - to her, he was usually an open book. Why all the secrecy? Why the omission? What was so important that they...that she had to see them again?

The manor hadn’t changed much in the time since Gravel had left it - some of the iron fence had a reddish hue, but the grounds were still well-kept, and a guardsman kept watch from the same tower as always. Said guard met them at the gate, a halberd in their hand. “Halt. Who goes...Lady Gravel?”

“They call you Lady?” The Doctor smiled at her before turning to the roadblock in front of them. “You know who I am, I expect?”

“Yes, the Doctor of Rhodes Island. Have you finally come to claim her contract?”

He nodded. “That I am. You’ve been expecting me, then?”

“I never understood why you left the physical contract with the family rather than take it with you...” The guard stepped aside. “I’ll inform the recordkeeper of your arrival. Do you wish to see-”

“N-no, that won’t be necessary, thank you, Roderick.” Gravel took a step behind the Doctor and followed him through the gate, up the winding path to the manor house, and inside the manor. It was hard to imagine that she used to think of this place as home - it wasn’t even that long ago, honestly. Amazing how love could change a person, no?

They found the recordkeeper easily; her office was close to the entrance, and while the family did have servants that could take them there, the Zalak knew the way as well as any of them. A surprisingly youthful-looking Feline was waiting for them, a slight smile on her face. “I knew you’d return, Doctor of Rhodes Island. You need the original form, yes?”

“I will, yes, but first, there’s an addendum I need to make to it.” He took a folded, well-worn piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and handed it to her. “This is to be added between sections 4A and-”

“Doctor, this is...this is bureaucratic sorcery. What you’re asking me to do, it could very well rend apart the very fabric of the legal system this city stands on-”

The Doctor continued. “-and 4B. That’s why I’m taking the copy with me, my good woman, but please, make the change and make it quickly. We have places to go, things to see, you know the drill.”

“Considering the alteration, I imagine you do...” The Feline retrieved a file from a cabinet behind her, not even needing to look at the labels, flipped to the last page, and used a quill to make the alteration necessary. “You’ll need to initial it here.”

“Um, if I may, what’s the alteration? Doctor, you’ve kept me waiting since we arrived in Kazimierz.”

He took the quill, initialed the change, handed the quill back...and embraced her, lifting her off her feet to spin her around. “Now I may. Senomy, will you marry me?”

“W-what? I mean, of course, but...” The Zalak looked back at the recordkeeper, who smiled back at her. “I thought it was impossible for chattel to marry outside of their class?”

“Your Doctor, somehow, has bound himself to you much as you are to him; in essence, you belong to each other. It’s a rather clever way of going about it, and far too revolutionary for the current social climate, which is why you should leave as soon as the ink is dry.”

The Doctor nodded. “Exactly. Thank you for cooperating; I didn’t want to threaten a second person’s life today.”

“It comes with the job,” she shrugged as she grabbed a hand fan and began wafting the document. “Let me see if I can’t speed this along somewhat.”

“Thank you. Oh, Doctor, I can’t believe this is happening. But, um, please don’t be so secretive about things from now on?”

He nodded. “I promise I won’t, darling...Also, happy birthday.”

“Happy...birthday?” Her eyes widened. “Did you- but I thought-”

“That’s why I didn’t want you to drive; if we’d gotten here earlier, this wouldn’t be a proper birthday present, now would it?”

Senomy collapsed into him; he caught her without any trouble. “Oh, Doctor~”

“Alright, it’s ready.” The recordkeeper rolled the document and placed it in a scroll box. “For you, Doctor. And Gravel? You’ll look fantastic in white, I’m sure of it.”

“That she certainly will. Well, darling, shall we?”

She nodded, standing up again and taking his hand for the first time since they’d arrived at Kazimierz. “Yes, let’s hurry; we have so much time to make up for~”

[johannstutt413]

(requested by anonymous)

“Amiya?” Dr. Kal’tsit received a call from the Cautus a few minutes after the work day started. “He’s not in yet?...But he hasn’t called in sick. Hmm...Send some Operators to his room to check on him. I think I know what’s happened...No, I can’t say just yet, on the off chance I’m mistaken...Let me know how it goes.” The Feline rubbed her temple as she set the receiver down; she’d worried this might happen, based on how much his personality had changed since the amnesia, but she hadn’t been quite sure what form it would take...hopefully nothing more drastic.

Gravel was essentially already there, so she was the first to knock on his door. “Doctor? Is everything okay?”

“No.” From the sound of his voice, he was probably leaning back against the door, face red and swollen from the amount of crying he’d been doing. “Leave me alone.”

“Leave you alone?...but why?” The Zalak squatted so she was roughly at the same level as the sound of his voice; she could hear his breathing now.

The answer chilled her bones. “Because I’m a monster.”

“A...monster?” Part of her was dying to just open the door and smother him in reassurance, but the way he said it...He was scaring her. “What do you mean?”

“I know now who I was before my memory loss, Senomy...You should stay away.”

She shook her head. “Doctor, I-”

“I didn’t save you because I enjoyed your company.” No mercy. “You were a tool, and a convenient one, offered at an unimaginably low price. Thinking about it makes my stomach churn...Just go.”

“...” She did, without another word. Amiya needed to know what she’d heard...and Gravel needed to find a different shoulder to cry on than usual.

Angelina floated over some time later, hovering in front of his door. “Doctor? I heard you’ve remembered some of your past.”

“I hate that man so much.” The Doctor groaned. “I hate him so much, but he’s me, Angie.”

“Is he?” She sat down, leaning against the opposite side.

Silence. “What do you mean?”

“The person who did those things may have been in your body, Doctor, but that doesn’t mean they’re you.” The Vulpo had slipped her wallet out of her pocket and was looking at the picture she’d taken of the two of them a few days ago. He looked so happy then. “You can’t be blamed for what they did.”

“...If I’m not the same person, then that picture you’re holding isn’t of us, either.”

Angie blinked. “Doctor?”

“Those people are snapshots, past versions of ourselves caught in media res.” His voice was more muffled now; perhaps he was burying himself in his arms. “You can’t have it both ways. If these memories aren’t mine, the ones I made with you aren’t mine either; if our time together has any meaning, then I did all of those things...You should go. It’s not safe to be around me right now.”

“...Not safe?”

His arm slammed into the door behind him. It left a dent. “It’s not safe.”

“But...” She tried to look beyond the door, to the Doctor on the other side. “I could just immobilize you-”

“Did my words not cut you deeply enough? Leave.”

The Vulpo was stunned. He’d never heard him so forceful before, not even on the battlefield. “Um...Call me later, okay?”

Nothing.

“Okay.” She blinked back the tears forming in her eyes. “I-I’ll wait for you.” And with that, she left to report...if she could.

This happened with a few more people Amiya sent to check on him, people who normally would have gone to his side in a moment like this - his close friends, the brightest lights in Rhodes Island, the most empathetic Operators on their payroll - and each and every one returned, many in tears and even those with stoic faces wearing them to mask a clear and deep fear for his wellbeing. With this information gathered, the heir apparent called Kal’tsit again, voice shaking. “Dr. Kal’tsit, I...I think you should talk to him.”

“...You’re sure you’ve sent everyone who could get through to him already?”

“Please.” Her voice cracked from the weight of the two dozen others’ grief on her shoulders. “Please talk to him.”

She sighed. “Alright. I’ll call you when we’re done.”

“Thank you. Good luck, m...” The word died in her throat, but the intent was there.

“...Thanks.” The Feline hung up before walking up to the Doctor’s door, propping herself against it with one arm. “Hey-”

The door flew open, sending her staggering forward and directly into his waiting arms. He took hold of her, and within seconds was sobbing into her shoulder.

Kal’tsit closed the door behind them with her foot, gently patting his back. This wasn’t the first time she’d held him like this. “Shhhh shh-shh-shh...I’m here, I’m here, it’s okay-”

“I-I-I hate him. Th-that fucking bastard! H-h-he sent s-so many people to die, and he, and he, and he didn’t even care! How could he- How could I have been s-s-so...heartless!”

“Do you want to know how?” She sighed. “I could tell you, if you need to know.”

He shook his head, squeezing her a little closer. “No, no, no, I d-d-don’t think I could...take it.”

“Then let me tell you this, at least: we needed you to be the person you were back then. If you hadn’t been the cold, tactical genius willing to throw everything on the line to ensure victory, we couldn’t have made it here. You’ve earned happiness, Doctor.”

“Earned it?” The Doctor pulled back to look her in the eye. “Through so much death? So much callousness?”

The Feline nodded. ”You suffered as well; this empathy didn’t come from nowhere. This grief you’re feeling now was always there, but you bore it beneath your mask to ensure we could have this now...That’s why it broke my heart to watch you lie in that coma.”

“Broke your heart?”

“Can you imagine it?” She scoffed. “I don’t blame you if you can’t. When you left us, I had to take on that role, to stop being the kind physician and become the heartless Monst3r we still needed...that we still need. But there was a time, not long after we first met, that I thought I could break through that shell and find the you behind it, and at times I was sure I had. I wanted to understand you like you seemed to understand us all...but in all of that, I realized you’d never feel the same. Not that that changed anything...”

They stood there for a moment as he processed this new information. “You fell in love with me?”

“I did. I don’t feel that way anymore.” The way Kal’tsit said it left some doubt as to whether that was true.

“Hmm...You always were the stronger person.” He kissed her forehead. “I need to apologize to the people who came to check on me. Will I find you in your lab when I’m done?”

She blinked. “I basically live there.”

“I know. I just needed to be sure...Thank you for everything.” The Doctor pulled her back to him, her head against his chest, and held her there until she tapped his shoulder. The Feline left his room first, pulling out her phone to call Amiya, as he did the same, walking the opposite direction. “Angie? It’s me. I’m doing better now...I’m actually on my way to see Gravel right now, since she saw me first, but I’ll stop by afterwards, if that’s okay...I’ll see you there. *beep* This might take a couple days...a small price to pay for atonement.”