#supernatural 30 day challenge

[weewoowings]

Shamelessly stolen from Twitter. Let's see if I remember to do it for the whole month.

There is only one answer for me, and it has nothing to do with loving the other character any less.

It's him. It's always been him. Loml 🫶🏼

[feeling-never-stops]

30 day comship challenge day three: comfort comships!

For me it’s wincest <3 especially when they’re teens— in this drawing, they’re 15 and 19. This is for an au that I haven’t actually written yet where Dean and Sam are raised apart from each other following John and Mary’s divorce (John takes Sam, Mary takes Dean). John is an abusive drunk, prompting Sam to eventually run away in search of his mother and older brother, but when he finally succeeds in tracking them down, he learns that Mary had very recently passed away. Dean decides to take Sam in and protect him from John when he comes looking, and over the course of the next few years as Dean continues to raise him, they fall in love (with plenty of angst and guilt).

[chteretree]

30 Queer Characters for Each Day of Pride Month.

I hope the eyes make you as uncomfortable as they made me 😘

Day 23: Dean and Castiel from Supernatural!

This is another ask and you shall receive, the person who asked for this I’m sorry and you know who you are. Anyways yeah queerbaiting rules, this one’s for you tumblr

Full Speedpaint on YouTube!

[deansleathercoat]

Favorite Disney movie

Okay!! I'm not a big disney fan ( sadly ) I'm more a pixar , nickelodeon boy but I would have to pick

#1

Dumbo is a HUGE comfort movie for me due to it being my late grandma's favorite she deeply loved elephants so this movie is very important for me and I love watching it when little! Though I do get a bit upset at the sad scenes

#2

Could possibly be #1... I LOVE mulan so so so much like put it on you'll have me distracted for an hour at least , I love the "make a man out of you" song as a trans boy it kind of gender affirms me !

#3

I'm sobbing I just wrote a paragraph but I love bambi like silly deer brain I want a bambi stuffie so babsbsbbd like I just wanna cuddle it watch bambi in the back of the impala while sam and dean try and bicker like shifters please teach me howwww ! ( Like I shake my head like that I promise specially since there's snow outside )

Lil extra but

Lady and the tramp is very important to me because it is my big brothers favorite and he enjoys it alot and my big brother is very important to me !

[episodes-without-incident]

11/2/2023:

6 episodes since Drawfee last referenced Cats (2019)

5 episodes since Drawfee last referenced Everytime We Touch (2005)

[newwwwusername]

Fic title : Unexpected Side Effect to Being Impaled in Your Dreams

@sicktember 2023 prompt : Patient 0

Rating : Teen & Up Audiences

Fandom : School Bus Graveyard

Pairing : Taylor & Tyler

Additional tags : Not Canon Compliant (to my knowledge at least), Supernatural Illnesses, Infection, Body Horror, Transformation (sort of?), Hiding Medical Issues, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Near Death Experiences, Good Sibling Taylor Hernández

Word count : 496

[newtt-yy]

Recently I watched the imaginary friend episode and like cried the whole time 😭😭 and then I cried harder near the end because teeny tiny little 9 year old Sam Winchester grabs his giant duffle bag and puts it on his shoulder and it nearly reaches the floor and he's talking about "I have to get on the next bus!!" ON UR OWN?!?!?! omg 😭😭😭

[zepskies]

Podcast Interview With Idling in the Impala: "Y/N and Let Y/N…"

Here we go! Sandra and Kasey, the lovely hosts of @idlingintheimpalapodcast — the podcast for all things SPN and fanfiction — invited me on the pod for an interview…

We chatted about Dean Winchester and Jensen Ackles’ early roles, the best and worst seasons of SPN, the joys and pains of writing Soldier Boy, and much, much more.

That’s right, there be some hot takes coming in this convo, and I had an absolute blast with these two! (And like I said in Sunday's announcement, I’m also putting my name and my voice out there for the first time! 😆)

So if any of that sounds interesting, feel free to dive in!

(**Important Note: Just to preface, we recorded this back in June, so it was before I posted certain stories or even started developing Lost on You. It was also when Tumblr activity/engagement was going through a spring/summer slowdown lol.

Links to all the fics and podfics we mentioned are at the end of this post.)

Have a listen: ⤵️

Interview Timestamps –

(Plus fic recs, SPN writer shoutouts, and more!)

1:44 – Who’s your guy: Sam or Dean?

3:35 – Getting into Supernatural for the first time (and seeing “Deanisms” in Jensen’s early roles).

10:15 – We debate the best and worst seasons of SPN: talking Mary Winchester, the British MOL, MOC Dean vs. Demon Dean, Chuck/God villainy, “jump the shark” moments, and that ending.

30:29 – Favorite SPN characters besides Sam and Dean.

32:34 – Writing fanfiction, joining Tumblr, and writing reader inserts vs. OCs.

38:05 – To “Y/N” or not “Y/N,” and the power of 2nd person. (**Disclaimer: Despite my hot take on this, I’ve loved a lot of stories by authors who use Y/N in reader insert stories.

Also, if I’m remembering the book You and its characters incorrectly forgive me, it’s been like 5 years since I read it lol.) 

51:00 – Favorite fanfic tropes in romance, the joys and challenges of writing Soldier Boy (AKA: the Original Asshole), and attempting to humanize Ben in Break Me Down.

Shoutout to @deans-spinster-witch always for giving me the inspiration to write BMD. 💚

Why We Love The Boys – A review of Supes Ain’t Always Heroes

1:07:57 – Engaging with readers, tips on increasing engagement, optimizing your Tumblr blog, writing schedules and processes, and incorporating reader feedback into stories.

1:26:38 – Sandra graciously narrated Midnight Espresso (Dean Winchester x Plus-sized Latina!Reader). We chat about what sparked the idea for the ME-verse, self-representation in fanfic, feeding Dean, loving Dean, and writing about culture and ethnicity in the fandom space.

1:38:26 – Chatting about the inspirations behind Smoke Eater, a firefighter!Dean AU; law enforcement procedurals, House MD, and researching for stories.

1:44:30 – Which Jackles character is the easiest or most fun to write?

1:47:39 – The challenges of writing Sam vs. Dean.

1:53:15 – Shoutouts! To some of my favorite SPN authors. I could only remember a few people off the top of my head (stupid me), but I love all of you!!

@waynes-multiverse @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior @luci-in-trenchcoats @rizlowwritessortof @waywardxwords

@deanwinchesterswitch @deanbrainrotwritings @deanwritings @spnbabe67 @thatonewriter15

@justagirlinafandomworld @kaleldobrev @artyandink @princessmisery666 @wayward-dreamer (– and many more.)

2:00:40 – How I came up with my username.

2:05:04 – Kasey’s Secret Question…

2:07:38 – Advice to fanfic writers and creatives for inspiration and/or wisdom.

2:16:35 – Sandra and Kasey’s lovely outro: self-representation in fandom, escapism, diverse voices, and more. (“Reach out a hand. Touch somebody. …Not like that.”)

📖 Fics Mentioned:

Sandra: @talltalesandbedtimestories -

Some Sunny Day Series – Dean Winchester x OFC - (I'm in the process of reading this entire series and it's been a joy to read! 💜)

Past Due – Dean Winchester x Reader

The Iceman Cometh – Dean Winchester x Reader

Cowboy Canter (Original Fiction) – Inspired by cowboyish Dean/Jensen.

Kasey: @sam-is-my-safe-word -

English Cottage-verse – Sam Winchester x Reader (I've read it and it's fantastic! 💜)

(K)not for sale – Soldier Boy x Dean Winchester

Alex (Zep/Me) -

Break Me Down – Soldier Boy/Ben x F. Reader

Midnight Espresso (& the Series Masterlist) – Dean Winchester x Plus-sized Latina!Reader

Dream With Me – Dean Winchester x Plus-sized Latina!Reader

Smoke Eater – Firefighter!Dean Winchester x F. Reader

Every Second Counts – Russell Shaw x F. Reader

🎙️ Stories/Podfics Sandra has narrated for me:

Podfic Playlist

And please remember to check out all the other awesome interviews, narrated podfics, and fun topics covered by Sandra and Kasey on the Idling in the Impala Podcast!

[cipheramnesia]

Vampires. Of all the horror staples, vampires are the ones I feel the least connection with. Such a fine line, for me, between vampires and "some guy who's kind of a dick." Bit of a challenge to put a spin on the idea that makes me sit down and pay attention. Like, sure sure, keep your draculas and edgy goths or emos and nihilists, they're not it for me.

We got pretty close with Near Dark though. Southern fried vampire found family with Bill Paxton rocking a leather jacket and ray bans. Really something, mmm, something to it, like those first garage bands that were almost punk. You got Martin and A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night. All these little corner pieces of something like my kinda Vampire. You can see the picture and the rejects. No Dracula, no 30 Days of Night, no Interview With A Vampire (movies and books mind you). Something about those ones that work for me, the lack of romanticism of death, the humanity and pragmatism of immortality, the amoral consumption of humans. The unaffected coolness that comes with not trying to be cool.

All the years pacing around the edge of the Vampire, but make it rock, I think my first complete album fell into my lap, the movie that exploded into beautiful technicolor in the middle of all those outlines. It's as if everything snapped into focus all at once.

The Funeral [Cenaze] (2023), is a Turkish movie which starts out very simple, where a man who drives a refrigerated van (Cemal) is told to hide the body of a woman for a month. Take her away, make her disappear. As the woman, Zeynep, slowly becomes less dead, the thread of her experiences are drawn out, and Cemal falls deeper under her thrall to provide the human flesh she needs to grow strong. The Funeral moves in a slow spiral of hopelessness from a bitter cold world into something like a fantasy, a blood soaked fairy tale where Cemal and Zeynep can thrive in a way neither could in the dingy world of cheap motels and office buildings they came from. The camera work is gorgeous and the actors spend lingering moments finding their emotional place in the story - the shift in the relationship of Cemal and Zeynep from horrified caretaker to empathetic thrall is silent, and Zeynep herself barely speaks any real words. Her language is physical, agonic breathing and growls, predation and hunger. She is the synthesis of every vampiric concept into something that puts all the organic physicality of a vampire together with their uncanny supernatural power, and awe inspiring nobility.

What is the story if not the story of finding a way back from being dead, a way of finding magic in a broken world. It's beautiful and true and the vampire which feels complete for me.

[glimmerbobsims]

Hi Hello!! New Simblr here

Finally worked up the courage to post yeah!!

Hi! I'm 30 years old and have been playing The Sims off and on since the Sims 3 days. This is my first time making a Simblr, but I've been lurking around on here for a long time and becoming more active with the community is something I've wanted to do for a while now. I am not entirely sure where I'm headed with this space, but most likely will be mostly gameplay/story focused. Will probably start with a challenge like Not So Berry (and hope that posting will make me actually stick to a save for once!) I adore focusing on the supernatural/occult aspects of the game so most of my posts will probably center around that.

I use a lot of mods and a lot of cc so please feel free to send me a wcif (apologies in advance if I take a while to get to these, though)!Anyway, happy to be here! Posting my Simself in this post to get started :)

Pose used: Darling by @katverse

Gshade Preset: Spring Bloom - Gameplay by @ladysimmercc

[blacktabbygames]

Hey folks! Thank you so much for making Slay the Princess' launch month an absolutely incredible experience. The game already have over 3,700 reviews on Steam, 97% of which are positive, and a 91 critic score on metacritic, making it the 15th highest rated release in 2023 across all platforms, and the 3rd highest rated PC release of this year.

We can't express how much it means to us to see it resonate with so many people.

Today is the start of voting for the Steam Awards, and we'd appreciate it if you could lend Slay the Princess your vote for Outstanding Story-Rich Game. You can only submit one game per category, and you can only submit one category per game, so if everyone focuses on this one, we might stand a chance! You can vote for us here: 

Today is also the start of the Steam Autumn Sale! Slay the Princess unfortunately isn't participating (Steam doesn't let you participate in sale events until 30 days after your launch, so we just missed the cut-off here) but Scarlet Hollow is 25% off!

I'd also like to take the chance to highlight a couple of bundles we're in that have stackable discounts.

The Cartoonists Turned Gamedevs Bundle

Meredith Gran's Perfect Tides is, I think, one of the most criminally underrated narrative games of at least the past several years. Some of the point-and-click mechanics can be a little challenging to navigate, but the art, writing, and overall experience is absolute top-of-class. I cannot recommend this highly enough, and if you already own Scarlet Hollow, you can get Perfect Tides for an additional 10% off its sale price whenever it's discounted by finishing this bundle: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/29945/Cartoonists_Turned_Game_Devs/

Horrors of the Heart

If you want some romance with undercurrents (or overcurrents) of horror and the supernatural, the Horrors of the Heart bundle contains a few horror visual novel staples, including the excellent Girl-Cthuhlu-Dating-Sim Sucker for Love, and charming stuck-in-a-cabin-for-too-long Cooking Companions. Same deal as the Perfect Tides bundle: if you own any of the games in it, you can still pick up the others and get that extra discount: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/26929/Horrors_of_the_Heart/

That's all we've got for you for now. It looks like we've zeroed in on a date for rescheduling the Slay the Princess livestream (December 16th), but we'll do a more formal announcement once that's wholly set in stone.

In terms of development work, we're taking a little time off following Slay the Princess' release, but the gears have already started turning for Scarlet Hollow Episode 5, so keep your eyes peeled for more updates.

All the best, Tony

[extra-stout-stories]

Buffet Date

When fatphobic tourists with a dark secret interrupt a lovely dinner date, an SSBHM defends his lover from both social and supernatural hostility. Part three of the series that began with Werewolf / Sweater Weather and continued with Full Moon. (SSBBW, SSBHM werewolf, buffet stuffing, romantic but no explicit sex. CW: Exhibitionism, protagonist is victim of fatphobia, werewolf-on-vampire violence.)

The stories that I enjoy writing the most are the ones that come to me in a single flash of inspiration. When I saw the "Bulging Bimbo" prompt for day 30 of Feedist Kinktober 2024, I immediately imagined the SSBBW from "Werewolf / Sweater Weather" getting dressed up in a skimpy outfit for a buffet date with her werewolf lover, who has to defend her from fatphobic vampires. Obviously.

I decided not to use "Bulging Bimbo" as the title, but this is canonically a Kinktober story. Writing about this couple is a lot of fun.

If you'd like to inspire me with a story suggestion, anon asks are always open. I can't promise a response, because not every prompt gives me that telltale flash of inspiration, but a lot of my most popular stories originate with asks that did, so get in my inbox and see what happens. 😈

CW: This story contains descriptions of the protagonist being subjected to fatphobic taunts, so please don't read to the end if this theme will upset you. However, the first half works as a cute and non-explicit buffet stuffing story with some exploration of the relationship between shame and kink. If that's what you're in the mood to read, stop before the section break with the paragraph that ends "heat rising on top of heat."

And remember, reblog (don't just like) if you enjoy it.

--

"Careful tonight. If you get much fatter, I'll have to drive you home in the bed of the truck."

"That a challenge?" She grinned, her hand on his belly, feeling it shift and jiggle as he steered the car into the parking lot of the buffet. "You know I can turn the tables, right? If I get you going you'll eat so much that you won't be able to walk back to the truck. And then I'll have you at my mercy."

"Right there in the buffet?" He laughed and put the truck into park, then turned towards her for a kiss, their bellies touching as they spilled over the center console. "You're an exhibitionist, but you're not that much of an exhibitionist. How about a compromise? We'll take turns. You get us a tray, then I get us a tray."

"Only one tray for each of us? I'll starve!" She stuck her tongue out playfully and darted in for a second kiss. "You have to say, 'then you get us another tray, then I get us another…'"

"Okay, okay. Infinite trays for each of us. Just be sure to load my plate up with mashed potatoes when it's your turn."

"It's a date." Grunting, she slowly lowered herself out of the truck, taking a deep breath as she steadied herself. Fortunately, he had gotten a parking spot not far from the entrance. As she walked around the front of the truck, he slipped his hand into hers and she leaned against him, feeling the softness of her exposed belly brush against his jeans.

Apart from her shoes and undergarments, the only things she wore were a pair of Daisy Duke shorts and a white blouse tied up at the waist to expose the hang of her belly. All of her belly was on display, a great slab of rolling softness swaying back and forth as she moved slowly towards the door of the buffet, feeling his grip release as he ran a palm up her back rolls and drew her in even closer with a powerful arm around her pillowy shoulders. She sighed with contentment and felt a little shudder of excitement pass through her.

They didn't come in to town often. Once or twice a week to shop for essentials, and he usually handled that; she had plenty to do around the homestead, and plenty of home-cooked snacks to eat when her chores were done. The town had grown since she moved in with him, and she could tell that he didn't like watching several acres of "his" forest disappear underneath a strip of big box stores; sometimes it left him feeling melancholy and she'd soothe him with a kitchen table full of her baking, followed by a long back and belly rub and ending in sex.

But he understood that the world was changing, and the progress that had come to his little corner of the wilderness had some advantages.

Like the buffet. There were several national fast food chains on the strip, but the buffet was local, owned by an old friend he'd known for years who had spotted a business opportunity when they first widened the artery road to make room for new development. It was a running gag that when the two of them walked in the owner would give an exaggerated sigh, tug mournfully on his beard and look at them with pleading eyes: "Please, don't let today be the day you two put me out of business. My cooks can only make so much at a time."

Then he'd break out in a grin and lead them to their favorite table, pulling out two chairs for each of them and winking as he walked back to the register. "Eat up tonight."

"You know we will." He smiled at the departing owner, then hefted himself back up from the chairs for the first trip to the buffet table.

By tradition, he filled the first plates for both of them. Like a boulder covered in dough, she thought to herself as she watched him move, almost as wide as he was tall, taking up space both vertically and horizontally. His upper arms quivered in the sleeveless leather motorcycle vest, a hint of belly peeking out from the t-shirt he wore underneath. It took him a few minutes to fill two plates up with a sample of everything on the buffet menu. It was an eclectic selection of dishes from a dozen different cuisines: roast beef and popcorn chicken, lo mein and baked ziti, crab rangoons and fried wontons, not to mention a half-dozen different cakes and pies on the dessert table.

And the mashed potatoes, of course. The house specialty. Soaking with butter, fragrant with rosemary, pungent with fresh-picked garlic that the owner grew himself on a plot just outside of town.

He seated himself on the chairs and she watched his belly put just a little more pressure on the vest as his t-shirt rolled up just another half-inch. He grinned. "Dig in."

The first round of plates went down easily for both of them, and so did the second. They had big appetites. She loved to cook for him, but she also loved the feeling of eating in his presence when they went out together in public. He could keep pace with her effortlessly, bite for bite, and this made her feel less self-conscious about her own appetite and her own size. Of course we're fat when we eat like this, a comforting voice in her mind seemed to say at those moments, and that's okay. I don't need to worry about being skinny to feel attractive. He thinks I'm hot -- and he's the hottest guy alive.

Sometimes in those moments she'd catch his eye and know he was thinking the same thing. The hunger on his face was for her as much as it was for food. His eyes would trace the softness of her belly as it quivered exposed in her lap. They'd lock in on the way her arms quivered as she lifted another forkful to her lips. Hungry eyes. Hunter's eyes.

He was looking at her now as she took a bite of crab rangoon. He smiled, his fat cheeks dimpling. She smiled back. She felt a warmth begin to spread beneath her belly.

Of all the feedist fantasies they shared, exhibitionism had been the hardest for her to open up to. She had tried it on her own a few times, long before she met him, long before they moved in together to the homestead at the edge of the world. But her arousal then had been at war with her discomfort, eating alone at a restaurant table, knowing that hostile eyes were on her. The shame was hot -- I'm a fat girl going back for seconds, she'd think to herself, and thirds and fourths, and she'd feel that mounting excitement at the recognition that each bite was going to make her even fatter -- but it was also painful. Lonely. She loved the way her body looked, but only in secret, and the world had a thousand ways to make clear that it didn't share her judgment.

And she'd never have dared to eat like this with her belly out. Not before she met him.

But in his presence she felt safe to do it. Safe in the presence of a fellow fat person, another supersized glutton who knew what it was like to face the pressures of a hostile world. Safe in the presence of a man who shared her appetites. Safe, too, because she knew he could be ferocious.

On a night like this, with the moon just a tiny sliver in the summer sky, she could barely see it. If she hadn't been his lover, hadn't known it so well, she wouldn't have seen it at all. When the moon hid itself, this side of him hid itself too. But it was there. An occasional gleam in his eye, a savagery in the set of his teeth as he tore greedily into a bite of meat. A strength and a hunger more than human, showing themselves in the subtle motion of the powerful muscles beneath his swelling rolls of fat.

Wolf blood.

Tonight, though, he was almost all human, her cheerful partner and adoring lover. He gave her belly a playful squeeze as she slid past him for her third turn loading up plates as the buffet, and she smiled and blushed.

By the time he went back for his fifth round of plates, their eating was as much about foreplay as nourishment. Their breath was growing shallower and more ragged, their movements slower. She watched his t-shirt slide higher up his belly, watched the buttons of his vest strain even further. She felt her own belly, full and heavy, and reached a hand to rub it, half for relief, half to seduce him. His eyes watched her fat fingers as they slid across her pale, doughy flesh. His lips pulled back slightly in excitement. Sex in public was a step too far for both of them, but she could feel him mentally undressing her. Just like hers, his arousal had been building as their bellies filled, heat rising on top of heat.

Then she heard something that turned her heat to a chill.

--

"Holy shit, look at them."

It was a voice with a nasal sneer, coming from somewhere behind her. It was followed by another voice, a smarmy snicker. "Oh my god."

He heard it too. She could see his face harden suddenly, his eyes narrow. She willed herself not to turn around. Her face was red now, but red with shame. Even here…

"I thought we were going camping, not whale watching." A third voice, this one female. A round of laughter.

She watched his face harden further.

"Look how many trays they have! They've been at this all day!" The first voice again. "Well, at least we know this buffet has plenty of pork."

She was trembling with embarrassment. He reached a hand out and took her wrist, his powerful grip gentle, soothing her. She felt relief then, the relief of his calm, steady presence. He didn't look embarrassed.

"They're making fun of us."

He nodded. "They are." The smile was gone from his face. "They're making fun of us. And it's not just that."

Slowly, her lower lip still trembling, she turned to cast a glance back at the trio of diners at the table behind her. Tourists. All three of them impossibly pale, impossibly stylish, impossibly gaunt. Not intending to, she caught the eye of the woman -- a cold, judgmental eye in a pale, angular face like sheets of jagged marble.

The woman sneered at her. She felt his grip tighten on her wrist.

"They shouldn't be here. And they shouldn't be looking at you like that."

He had the hunter's eyes now, gold and gleaming, some sort of ancestral instinct drawing power down into him. She could almost see it, as if the sliver of moon outside the window were casting a beam of silver light directly into his chest, filling him, strengthening him. His grip tightened again, barely, imperceptibly. Then he let go.

"They smell wrong."

He stood up from the table.

His breath was slow and heavy. His belly was full, she knew. He could move fast when the change took him, but his belly was still full. He moved slowly towards the trio of tourists, and for the first time she could detect a hint of fear in their faces.

"What did you just say about us?"

The taller of the two men had a pallid, funereal face. His voice was arrogant. "We're just taking in the sights. I didn't think there were hippos this far north. Or are you some kind of bear?"

His companions laughed, but she could hear nervousness behind the laughter as her lover continued to move slowly towards them, steadily looming larger over their table.

The second of the men was just as pale as his companions. He wore his hair in a quiff and was wearing sunglasses indoors. He put up his hands. "W-we… we didn't mean it. We don't want any trouble." She could see the woman beginning to inch her chair back.

"Trouble?" Her lover's voice was a low growl. "You're already in trouble. What are you doing here?"

"C-camping…" the shorter of the two men stammered out nervously, but his companion cut in, his voice still nasal and arrogant, a smirk on his face. "Hunting. I'm told the hunting is good here. We're going for a hunt in your lovely little town." His smirk widened.

Suddenly the man was looking directly at her, eyes locked with hers as his smirk drew back into a grin.

There were fangs behind his lips.

"I'm hungry tonight. Perhaps I'll hunt some pork."

Before she could even blush, her lover lunged across the table, hundreds of pounds of bulk in impossibly swift motion. The table crashed to the floor and the three tourists were on their feet, moving faster than she ever thought possible. The woman became a bat. The shorter man became a blur of red mist. But the taller man drew a long knife from underneath his jacket and grinned even wider. "Yes, I'm very hungry tonight. Pork, make it rare. Boar, too. I'll have you both for dinner. And unlike you two pigs, I won't gain a pound." His arms were long, lean, gaunt as he began to bob and weave with the knife, advancing on her lover.

But he leapt back, dodging the knife, keeping his distance as he backed towards the buffet table. He's really full, she thought to herself. Even if he changes he won't move fast.

The rest of the diners were on their feet now, some sprinting for the door, others backed against the wall. All eyes were on the enormously fat man at the buffet table and the unbearably gaunt man with the knife, coiled to strike, advancing towards him.

He leapt, like a blur of white marble holding a blade.

There was a crash, metal on metal.

The knife slipped from the gaunt man's grasp as it hit the bottom of the steam tray that her lover held like a shield in his two hands. Then he gave a swift kick and the gaunt man dropped.

The steam tray was already mostly empty, its contents spilled all over the gaunt man writhing on the floor. Fresh mashed potatoes, steaming hot.

Soaking with butter.

Fragrant with rosemary.

Pungent with fresh-picked garlic.

The whole room seemed to smell of garlic as the gaunt man snarled, his elegance and beauty gone now, just a pale, knobby, wretched creature with nothing but malevolence on his face. Vampire. Blood-sucker. Nosferatu.

"Get out." Her lover's bulk heaved with fury as he loomed over the vampire. "Get out now."

"You heard the man." There was the sound of a shotgun being racked. It was the owner of the buffet, standing in the door of the kitchen. "There's silver buckshot in these shells. Get the hell out of my restaurant and never come back."

Slowly, cravenly, the vampire stood. A slight glamour began to return to his face, making him handsome again in his gaunt, lean way, but there was fear in his eyes now, and he backed away. A bat fluttered by his shoulder and became a woman. A red mist solidified to become a man.

"Let's go. Come on. You were right, this town isn't good hunting." They seemed to creep out the door. A moment later, an engine started and a car sped away.

With her practiced eye, she could see the change receding from her lover. He was human again.

The owner lowered his shotgun. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just a little shook up. Hard to move fast on a full belly."

"I should have known they were vampires when they walked in. I'm not as sharp as I used to be."

Her lover grinned at his friend. "That's because you traded your spellbooks for cookbooks. And checkbooks. Hard to keep up with the supernatural when it's hard enough keeping up with inflation."

The owner relaxed. "Guess so. Thanks for driving them out. This meal's on me."

"Thanks. I think I just worked up an appetite." He smiled. "But I spilled the mashed potatoes. Could you make another batch? And some fresh coffee, too."

"You got it." The owner sighed. "When the cops come, I'll tell them it was drunk tourists making trouble. No one got hurt. And at least they won't show up on anyone's camera."

As the owner left for the kitchen and the other diners began to filter back in, he stood behind her chair and put his arms on her, massaging her shoulders and neck as she slowly relaxed. "You okay, sweetheart? I'm sorry about what they said."

She smiled up at him. "Just a little shook up. But I knew I was safe with you."

"Good." He leaned down for a kiss. "You look hungry. What should I get you while we wait for the mashed potatoes?"

"Dessert." She slipped a hand behind his neck and pulled his face closer. "And after we shut down this buffet… dessert."

"Okay, but I don't think I can wait until we get home. Let's park in the woods and you can start by giving me a belly rub in the bed of the truck."

She smiled. "Sounds perfect. But you'd better take that coffee black. I'm going to keep you up all night."

[octodrawn]

Cringetober Day 30: Supernatural/Monster Um, Halloween costumes?

Click read more.... if you dare muahahahaha

(it's just why i chose each of their costumes lol)

Let's go in height order

Vinnie- at first I was gonna go with something more generic (vampire, zombie, that type of thing) but then I went on tumblr dot com and saw my mutuals (you know who you are) talking about Vinnie and Scout and was like "i'm not coming up with anything better than this". I think Vinnie would like playing tf2 so its in character. Yeah 100%

Russell- I posted earlier that Russell would either be a tryhard or not try at all at halloween. I decided to go with the latter because I, too, am lazy. In my head, he got all dressed up w/ hair and makeup in a really detailed book accurate version of one of his favorite fictional characters but he got too embarrassed to leave the house like that so he made this 'costume' in like 5 minutes. His friends would have loved his old costume but his brain got the better of him :( there's always next year.

Minka- She loves halloween but time always passes her by before she can get a costume! On the night of the Littlest Pet Shop Employee Halloween Party (tm), she grabbed one of the sheets Russell put down on her apartment's floor and cut some holes into it, and tada! instant sheet ghost. She didn't take it off to drink her punch and got it all over her :(

Pepper- Ok, i'm gonna be honest, I stole this idea from a meme.

but like. she would.

Get it. Cleopatra and Ceasar. but its Ceasar like the salad. Hahahahaahaa

Zoe- Cleopatra. I tried to make her costume more accurate than like a spirit halloween (american halloween costume retailer) cleopatra but it's definitely not authentic at all. If i was doing this for something that wasn't a month long challenge I would put more research into it (really like historical fashion but i have like no time for anything). I would've chosen a different costume but my hilarious ceasar joke :(

Sunil- he is a bee. Bees are scary if you are allergic to them, but I think he looks quite cute :3

And Finally, Penny- I feel like she was the type of kid to go as a princess every year and I don't think she would stop as an adult. Also she's wearing extensions in her hair.

Can you tell I was tired by the end of this?

[outofthemouthsof]

15 day BL Challenge part 2 - day 30!

Finally finishing @slonekaru ‘s part 2 of the 15-day BL challenge (a sequel to an earlier one started by @negrowhat ) !! (There are parts 3 and 4 to this challenge BTW, but I know I’ll never be able to finish those. But they’re easy to find if you’re interested!)

Day 30: Top 3 shows to introduce people to BL?

Oh that’s easy—KinnPorsche, Playboyy and Dangerous Drugs of Sex!

j/k j/k j/k…

I'm a white American as are many of my friends, so I'd start with shows that I think would make sense without knowing anything about BL tropes or various Asian cinematic techniques, cultural traditions, etc. I'd recommend these three in the spirit of, "I think you'll like these regardless. If you're hungry for more after this and willing to let go a lot of Western preconceptions, I have a whole universe of other shows for you..."

Semantic Error (I would recommend the movie version to anyone even if I didn’t think they’d like BL overall)

Old Fashion Cupcake

Restart After Come Back Home

Runners-up:

Our Dating Sim

The Eighth Sense

We Best Love: No. 1 for You

If I knew something about the media they like to consume in general, there are other shows I might recommend

Tailored to specific tastes:

If they love silly comedy, My Love Mix-Up (original)

If they like thrillers/crime drama, Manner of Death

If they love YA romance, Light on Me

If they love angsty coming-of-age drama, I Told Sunset About You

If they like historical fiction (and wouldn’t mind a supernatural touch), I Feel You Linger in the Air

If I thought they'd like kinky stuff: My Personal Weatherman

If they don't mind their heart being shattered forever, Eternal Yesterday

(Semantic Error gif from @leejoonho )

[muschiettistrashmouth]

The best Teacher - Ray Stantz| Ghostbusters

Warnings: Just Fluff. Part of the 30 day Challenge.

Requested? Kinda?

Words: 368

Ever since the Ghostbusters helped you with the Ghost that haunted your parents’ home, you and Ray became close friends. It was a new thing, so Peter liked to make fun of you two because of your friendship.

You didn’t know a lot about the supernatural world to have conversations with Ray and Egon, but they usually teach you some things. 

Not that you could comprehend everything that Egon ever said, the guy was like a walking encyclopedia, for God’s sake, but Ray usually talked like a… normal person.

“...and that’s what makes them trapped.” Stantz said, sitting on top of a table, smoking his cigarette.

“Oh, I see. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” You looked at Egon, who was sitting in front of you reading a book.

“I did say it, to be honest.” He made a face and you laughed.

“He did.” Ray smirked.

You rolled your eyes playfully. 

“Not my fault you guys don’t understand what I say.” Egon responded while pouting.

That made you get up and kiss his cheek. 

“Aww, it’s okay. Sometimes you don’t understand what I say either.” 

That was his time to laugh.

“Egon?” Janine was looking for him from the first floor of the firehouse.

“Coming, honey!” Spengler got up, his face red with embarrassment. 

“They’re so cute.” You looked at the man walking to the pole.

Ray shook his head yes, not taking his eyes off of you.

“I’m sorry, what?” Ray was confused. 

“To make the coffee.” You gave him some space to look at the machine. “Look.” 

You showed him how to do the coffee, pouring it inside the cup and getting the cream.

“So, to make the drawings I always do to you…” you showed him with a toothpick how to draw on the coffee and then extended to him the other cup with cream.

He was very concentrated in the moment while drawing, biting his tongue and all, but in the end he gave you the most beautifully drawn ghost on the coffee. 

“Yes! That’s how you do it. Congratulations.” You smiled at him.

“I had the best teacher.” He winked, making you red in the face.

[cookies-and-mirrors]

Prison of Stone and Flesh

Chapter Thirty

This is a collaborative fic between @cookiesupplier, @faceless-mirror & @comforting-madness

Dividers by @samspenandsword @cafekitsune @saradika-graphics

Authors Note: And we hit 30 chapters! Still going strong!

Pairings: Multi-Pairings, Everybody x Everybody.

Triggerlist: transphobia, homophobia, abuse, SA, dubcon, religious trauma, past suicide attempts, mental health issues, grief, death, violence, kidnapping, suicidal ideation, (To be added to)

Christopher, Justin, and Ryan are members of the Gargoyle Order, soldiers fighting in the angels war against the demonic supernatural evils of the world to protect human kind. Through the years they lost comrades and now just the three of them remain in their little town.

Now, Ricky and Vinny are moving into their church, stirring up old and new feelings, along with the past, posing the challenge of navigating this new chapter in their lives.

Can they all navigate this path successfully and break free of the prisons that is their lives of both stone and flesh, or will they all be trapped forever in a world that could prove to be a constant misery?

MASTERLIST HERE

Taglist: @miamore0570 @21-century-tae @dragon-chica @shilohrosechicken @comforting-madness

@missduffsblog @witchyweeb34 @spicywhenspeaking @lacktoesandtoddlerants @blackveilomens

@bngurngheart @dominuslunae @collapsedglasshouses @emmmm127 @sunsshinesunny

@latenightmusiclover @dontdiganothergravetoday @high-wire @awkwardalex

(please comment/like/reblog/message to be added to taglist)

Chapter Thirty

Vinny had woken up at her usual time, finishing the cake for Riyah’s breakfast, leaving a note it was for Riyah only. Then she headed down to open the shop with a smile on her lips, and a hopeful twinkle in her green eyes as she did.

Chris was happy to be up with Vinny, helping her in the café, feeling like himself. Everything felt like it was falling into place, and yet, at the same time, there was so much that could go sideways. It wasn’t his job anymore to consider the multitude of things that could go wrong, but he refused to put it all on Gwynn. Didn’t mean he wanted to tackle it all this morning, not when he had time with his mate. He was spending it helping her, carrying a rack of baked goods and sliding the muffins into the glass display case.

Noah was upstairs, snuggled up to Riyah where he had stayed the night, a soft sound as he nuzzled to the gargoyle hoping to wake him, he wanted to go downstairs… he could smell food. He could smell the coffee. Obviously, he was hungry, and so that meant one thing. Hungry, time for breakfast. Wake up Riyah. He butted his shoulder with his head again.

As the pair was up and preparing for the day, Riyah was still sound asleep. Worn out from yesterday, the gargoyle was curled up on one of the beds with Noah, and he had the small bobcat with him. At the small sound and nuzzle, he stirred a bit while he went to nuzzle him back, but was still asleep. Unaware that the younger male wants to go downstairs, and he groans softly, stretching with a yawn after the small headbutt to his shoulder.

“‘M awake…” Riyah drawled as he glanced at his friend and wrinkled up his nose at the smell of food. His brain cannot process what he's smelling, so it's… odd to him.  Moving to sit up now, the gargoyle rubs his eyes with a yawn and then looks to Noah. “Let's get you something to eat, yeah?”

Noah vibrated as he purred, rubbing himself against Riyah as the gargoyle was waking up. Yes, yes food, he was already starving. 

A quiet laugh left him, petting his friend for a moment before picking him up. “C'mon you walking bottomless pit,” Riyah quipped softly as he stood up with Noah and made his way down to the café with him. He was more awake now despite his head being a little foggy with sleep, but he now can breathe in easily without wanting to gag. Nonetheless, here he was down in the café with Noah and went to sit down.

Vinny smiled, touching Chris's shoulder. “Baby. Go ahead and pull out three yogurt parfaits, and a dozen muffins. I'm gonna make Riyah a smoothie and one for Noah.” she said warmly, kissing his cheek.

Nodding, “I’ll finish setting up the display.” Oh, Chris liked helping, however he could. He might not be able to do things, like having worked out how to use the machines Chenza used to make the smoothies and the coffees that she served people with, but he certainly liked helping however he could. Setting out the cakes and the muffins all fancy and decorative like, that was fun, and not something he would get to do normally. Noah, meanwhile, while he perked up at the idea of a smoothie, was paying close attention to the apple crumble muffins that grandpa Chris was building into a fancy little tower on the counter. Pretty.

Riyah, on the other hand, had his head down, still holding Noah close but, of course, with wiggle room for his friend. He was tired, still a little out of it as he also watched Chris set up the muffins. Shifting to get comfortable in his seat, he goes to lightly scratch under Noah’s chin and ears. “I see you eyeing the muffins,” he mused, “I'm not stopping you.” As much as he would probably do the opposite, he can't be bothered because there was no point when it came to Noah and food. He's learned to not worry about it… 

Glancing over to the kitchen, he wanted to go in and help, but right now, he'd be in the way. Riyah has always struggled with waking up properly, especially now since he's used to being more awake in the evenings. But it was always hard to wake up after a stressful day, so right now he'll stay put and watch his sister as best as he can.

Vinny smiled, making a rich fruity smoothie, adding in green tea powder to help Riyah wake up. Noah's was simple. Strawberries and blueberries with lots of ice and a good helping of yogurt. She walked them over and offered Riyah’s before setting Noah’s down in a big bowl. “Papa is bringing some muffins and yogurt parfaits for you.” She mentioned gently, “Enjoy the smoothie, Riyah. You come help when you're ready.” She said fondly, offering him a hair tie.

Noah purred loudly the moment that Chenza, Vinny, he wasn’t sure which name he was supposed to know her by, he’d heard everyone call her by both. He figured, when he could ask her properly, which she preferred him call her, and he would. Still, the purr escaped him the moment the bowl of fruity goodness was set down before him and he was lapping it up with abandon. It disappeared in his belly without any remorse whatsoever. 

Chris chuckled watching Noah ravage his breakfast, it was safe to say he was enjoying it, “I don’t think he is ever going to question any meal put in front of him. Somehow, I used to think that worried me about Justin.” Justin couldn’t even touch Noah from the look of it, and the youngest gargoyle, had no idea, no idea. Chris started putting together the promised plate of muffins and yogurts for their table when some early customers were coming in from the street.

As soon as his and Noah’s smoothies were set in front of them both, he watched as the kitten wasted no time to go face-first into the bowl. He carefully held him back so that he wouldn't fall into the bowl, grabbing for his own smoothie with a soft ‘thanks’ to his sister. Now, when she mentioned that he could go help whenever he was ready to, he just made a soft noise of acknowledgement as he sipped happily on his drink while taking the hair tie from Vinny. 

“I'll be there soon,” he whispered while he held on to Noah gently. “Just… let me gather my bearings, okay? I know you said whenever I'm ready, but… it may be for a bit before I go help.”

“And that's more than okay. You can even just watch today if you need. No rush, Ry.” She said warmly and contently, smiling at him gently. She chuckled, seeing Noah's excitement over his smoothie bowl. “If you need another, just tell me, okay?”

Noah finished his smoothie, practically crawling as best he could out of Riyah’s arms into the bowl to lick the porcelain clean. Now, while he might have taken up on the offer for another, and he was sorely tempted by it, he had another idea when he heard someone creeping down the stairs. The moment his grandfather set the plate of muffins and yogurts on the table, Noah had snagged up one of the muffins with his mouth and leapt from the table, running for the stairs.

Folio woke slowly, blinking sleepily at the sleepy gargoyle, nuzzling against him, as cute and amazing Atsuko was, yesterday had been intense. He’d learned so much yesterday, not just yesterday the last forty-eight hours, about himself, about his, his brother… He wasn’t sure what to think about most of it… He had a mate… He was a reincarnated gargoyle… what did that really mean? Shade and Riyah had thought he was someone called Temperance, but… he wasn’t? He wasn’t sure how he felt about that, he’d thought they were his friends because they liked him, not because they’d thought they already knew him. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. 

If he remembered everything correctly, he wasn’t the only reincarnated gargoyle, taking in a breath, he decided he wanted to talk to the only other person that might understand this feeling. Slipping out from under Atsuko’s arm, hopefully before he fully woke up, and slipped out of the room. Heading downstairs, he smirked as he passed Noah on the stairs, racing past with a massive muffin sticking out of his tiny mouth.

Riyah ran his fingers through his curls as he drank his smoothie, watching Noah for a moment and didn't stop the younger from slipping out of his grasp. But when he heard Vinny, he just looked at her silently and nodded before finishing up his drink. The idea of a second one would be nice but not right at that moment and tilts his head as soon as he hears someone making their way down the stairs. A sigh left him as he witnessed Noah being a little muffin thief and chuckles.

Pulling his hair back, he stood up and wandered into the kitchen with his empty cup before moving to stand-off to the side. Moving to perch himself on the counter once again, he was out of Vinny’s way and could grab something for her if she needed it. Today is an observation day for him.

She smiled softly, “Mind handing me the strawberry purée, Riyah? It’s labelled. The muffins and everything look stunning, Chris- Noah share with your brother-” she called.

Chris was lucky he was able to save the muffins from tumbling when Noah decided to steal his trophy before he stole away to the stairs and made his escape. It was then he saw his brother, Nicholai, well, Folio now, on the staircase, half asleep he seemed and stumbling down. “I doubt that will be the case. Would you like something for breakfast, Folio?”

The werewolf blinked blearily towards Noah’s grandfather, if he was honest, he was still trying to figure out what to make of some people here. Not that he thought that there was anything wrong with them, he’d mostly been focused on the cute one, the one upstairs. However, after yesterday, his feelings there, knowing there was so much history, and he apparently had a whole other life, he wasn’t sure what to think. As for breakfast, walking over more, were they kidding, “Is the Pope Catholic?”

Riyah snorted as soon as he heard that question from Folio and then glanced towards the younger, smiling a little before it disappeared while turning his attention to the task at hand now. Sliding off the counter, he goes to grab the strawberry purée. “Here you go,” the gargoyle said softly while handing it over to Vinny, and went to sit on the counter again. As he was sitting in silence, he stared at nothing in particular while fighting the dreaded thoughts of Folio. 

It wasn’t anything bad in particular, but it wasn’t all that great either. Riyah dreaded the idea that the wolf would think that he and Shade were only friends with him because of… him. Yes, they thought he was Temperance at first, but then they saw Folio as a completely different individual compared to his twin. They’d still befriended him because they care about him a lot, and he couldn’t help but feel like there's a weight there on him, and he set his jaw. 

“Thank you- I use some strawberry in the cold foam when people want a white chocolate strawberry cold foam latte. I’ll show you how to make one so you can drink it. I think you might like it, and it might help you wake up more.”

Chris smiled as he watched as his mate took the fixings that Riyah handed over so she could make up a new smoothie for the ravenous werewolf. Chuckling himself at the coin of term, that was an old one, it was nicer than some of the things that mortals say these days, besides… he had asked a stupid question. “If she says it’ll wake you up, you might just be wired all day.”

Now that caught Folio’s attention, he wasn’t sure how gargoyles ate, but if it was anything like Noah, or Shade… then Vinny might have something going. Glancing towards Riyah, he wasn’t sure what to say, before looking towards Vinny, “Sure, I love strawberries, and the best part about being a werewolf is chocolate does nothing to me… despite my brother's childhood efforts to convince me otherwise.” She had said there was chocolate in the drink.

As much as Riyah would like to be more awake, it wasn’t now. He'd rather not be wired all day and unable to sleep when he wants to. Looking at Vinny, he just shook his head and smiled softly. “Thanks, sis, but no, thank you. I'll be okay,” he declined quietly. When he felt eyes on him, even for just a brief moment, the gargoyle looked to Folio as soon as he spoke to Vinny. He huffs out a soft laugh at the thought of Noah trying to stop Folio from eating certain things.

Soft thumps were made against the bottom cabinets with his heels as he began to fidget and pursed his lips. He wasn’t sure what to say to the wolf and fuck, does he want to talk to him, but he was never a great conversationalist. 

Chenza sighed but smiled softly at Riyah, “Okay. But I’ll make you another smoothie as soon as you want, okay?” She asked and pushed over the cold foam to Folio, helping Chris fill a tray with snacks and breakfast items, including egg filled bell peppers with bacon. 

Folio was happy to accept the drink that Riyah didn’t want, lifting the cup and drinking at the latte with a groan while Vinny and Chris tended to the food… Oh, oh, the food. Yeah, he wasn’t going to lie, he was eyeing some of those snacks and some of those goodies on the breakfast tray looked scrumptious. Noah might have taken off with the muffin, but he missed out on the egg and bacon man, how had he missed out on the egg and bacon. His loss, his loss! 

“So, ah, Vinny…” Folio started licking his lips from the cold foam latte, the strawberry tasted absolutely delicious. He could definitely get used to living here. Not that he wouldn’t be just as happy with the coffee machine they had at home that they would no doubt have in their alcove once they finished moving, but, come on… “What do you call these?”

Vinny and her offers… Riyah thought as he just nods without a word. Thumping his heels slightly against the cabinets still, he stops and tilts his head slightly as he leans back on his hands while watching his sister slide the drink over to Folio. The habit of not eating much was going to bite him in the ass, but he didn't care. He just pursed his lips while watching the wolf for a bit, smiling a little. Just the way he was eyeing the food made him want to laugh. 

Folio’s always had a massive appetite, and the gargoyle always found it hilarious when the brothers had an eating competition. It was silly in his opinion, and yet, he never bothered to stop them. If he thought about it, no one really did. Once he heard Folio speak, he hums softly and looks towards his sister.

“Egg stuffed bell peppers- I hope you like them.” She said, setting one beside Riyah, and setting one in Chris's hand. “Please give one to Noah too. This one's extra spicy for him.”

Chris lifted his eyes towards the chairs where Noah had disappeared to, he at first had thought he had headed up to his brother, but Folio was here in the café now. The vampires had already left before the dawn. Knowing Atsuko was asleep upstairs, and Noah might be exploring up there, going to find him, was curious. Biting into his bell pepper, it was delicious, he’d take Noah’s up his later.

Folio drank from more of his coffee while he munched on the stuffed bell pepper and damn, was it good, nodding as he washed more of it down. Nodding with the mouthful before he swallowed, “This is so, so good, thank you!”

It was about then, a customer came in through the front door and Folio quickly got out of the way so he could get to the counter. “You need to try those.” And quickly took another bite before drinking more of his coffee.

Riyah looks down to the stuffed bell pepper that was left for him, grabbing it and takes a bite. He perks up some as he chews, sighing softly before glancing out of the kitchen. “Thanks, Vin,” He murmured while sliding off the counter again, he went to sit in the café instead of in the kitchen. The gargoyle was silent while he ate his breakfast, tilting his head some as he saw Chris looking to where Noah had run off and nodded to Vinny’s words.

Her food was always good, especially her treats. 

As there was a person coming in, he watched Folio move out of the way and chuckled when the wolf had recommended the customer Vinny’s stuffed bell peppers. 

Vinny smiled, “Thank you, Folio, feel free to eat as many as you like. I can always make more.” She said before turning her attention to the customer, taking his order and getting him a pepper with a smile.

She had the feeling she would make more for tonight’s patrol. Vinny knew Justin and Ryan would devour a whole tray given a chance. “I'm trying out new items for fast, easy meals on the go for the café and for at night.” She commented, moving to make the man's coffee.

Chris moved to sit with Riyah, chuckling as Folio scooped up a couple more of the bell peppers with Vinny’s encouragement with a cheeky little smile. The werewolf stayed by the side while she moved around making the new customer's orders and waited until he was heading out. By that time, Folio had managed to scarf down more than a few of the peppers, his focus on Vinny.

“So um, um… Vinny, or um, do you actually prefer Vinny or Chenza? I’ve heard the others call you both. Which would you prefer us call you?” Folio glanced back to Riyah and Noah’s grandfather, he knew Noah would want to know, knowing that this was, she was his grandmother… he would care.

When Chris sat by him, Riyah acknowledged the elder gargoyle with a small nod. His attention was on Vinny as she worked, fulfilling the man's order and then as Folio began to speak, he glanced between the two. Having finished his pepper, he had his arms crossed and remains silent while waiting to see what Vinny would say. If anything, he was sure she didn't mind either, but what did he know? All he did know was that she responds to both—

As he sat there, Riyah bit his lip and looked away from his sister and his friend. If… If they were even friends still. Clicking his tongue in slight annoyance with himself, he just ran a hand over his face while trying not to work himself up again. He was just tired at this point. 

She hummed softly, “Honestly… I haven't thought about it before- I mean, not that much. I don't mind, either… but I think Chenza is a name I’ll reserve for only around close friends and family. Which everyone here is part of that circle.” She said gently, smiling, before grabbing another pepper and set it by Riyah.

Chris smiled softly at the way his darling mate was welcoming him back into the fold with such ease, whether Folio realized it or not, not to mention the way she was setting food by her brother. He was used to that himself, she’d been doing the same thing for him for as long as she’d been here, since before she’d met him. Before she’d met him face to face at least, she’d been leaving drinks, food, treats up in the rectory, between Ricky and her they’d been feeding them from the start.

Folio was surprised to hear that, and yet, he blinked… He had been about to reach for another bell pepper, but then paused. Unsure about how he felt about being considered close friend and family to her, when he didn’t actually know her. He supposed… Noah, was her family, he was her grandson, but she didn’t have to force that tie with him, he wasn’t going to make her consider him… Then there was… 

“You, I um, you are a reborn gargoyle too, right? Do you, well,” Glancing towards Chris and Riyah before back to the woman behind the counter, not sure if he should ask but, he needed to know. The cup in his hands, empty by now, it was nothing but something to keep them busy as he fiddled, he wasn’t good at being still, he never was. “Ah, what’s it like?”

Riyah had grabbed his second stuffed pepper that Vinny had left for him, knowing what she was doing yet again but made no comment about it. He really didn't want either her or Folio on his ass for not eating, the latter having to deal with that for as long as he's known him. Eating slowly, he just listened to the two talk and leaned back in his seat. Seeing how open his sister was, especially when it came to himself, he wondered how Folio was feeling about that, but then with the way he hesitated… of course, he was unsure. Not that he blames him, either.

When Folio asks his sister about being reborn, he tilts his head slightly and looks at her. Riyah did wonder that himself, but he's still trying to get used to whether she's even there.

She smiled, “It's strange. After I remembered, the first thing I wanted to do was fly… I also wanted to be as close to Chris as I could be… sometimes the memories are foggy but other times… They're so clear.” She explained, tenderly offering him another of the egg peppers.

The werewolf was strangely tentative when he accepted the pepper this time, taking the bite and munching with almost a strangled sound in his throat in his struggle… His confusion entirely mental as he went over this new information. Folio was not a person to temper himself, he would just usually blast out questions a mile a minute at people. He was confused about countless things right now, and he was not sure how to feel about it. Swallowing… “So… so you remember…”

Folio sighed, thinking about how Riyah and Shade had thought he was their friend, and he wasn’t… How Vinny was Noah’s Grandfather’s mate and he… he was supposed to be that one, Atsuko, his mate… Folio swallowed slightly, there had been a name mentioned, he couldn’t remember what the name was, he’d caught it though, there had been a name. 

“Have you always remembered? Did you know me? Do you remember me?” 

Then there came the rapid fire questions.

It was tense, or at least he himself felt that way. It wasn't that he didn't want to hear this, Riyah just was never really one to stay and listen unless he had to. So here he was just listening to Vinny and Folio talk, wishing he could help the younger male but didn't want to interfere. It was really off-putting with how tentative the wolf was — how careful even, and he pursed his lips before shoving the rest of the pepper into his mouth to keep himself silent.

And then there's the rapid fire questions from Folio, making the gargoyle snort softly, but was still busy chewing.

Vinny smiled softly, “We were so close. Not as close as you and ‘Suko… but… Chris, you're taking over, I'm gonna talk to Nickie.” she said firmly, moving around the counter with a tray of muffins. “Riyah you can come with, if you want.” She added, leading the way to a quiet place.

“I remember almost everything.” she admitted, sitting down in a booth.

Chris stood from the café table he’d been sitting at with Riyah when Chenza called for him to take over. While he wasn’t the best with the coffee machine, he was learning some… and if there were any complex orders, he knew he could call for help at any time. So as she slipped out from behind the counter, he took her place, as he did, offering the werewolf a small smile. He hadn’t known the younger nearly as well as Chenza, so she would be the better one to talk to him, without question.

Folio did not roll his eyes at the snort that came from Riyah, he heard that, okay, so maybe he did. He, however, was absolutely not tempted to flip him off, he wasn’t, he was more mature than that thank you very much… Except that he wasn’t really mature at all, besides Riyah was making fun of him… asshole. 

Nickie… The only person who usually called him that was Noah, and usually when they were on their own these days, considering the nickname he’d taken centuries ago. Still, he found himself sitting with Vinny in one of the booths… so… she said they were close, and she remembered everything. As it was, last night had been so much information, too much, a mate, a past life, a twin brother that… that wasn’t just a gargoyle anymore, but a werewolf gargoyle that might have- no… Folio stopped that train of thought that moment if felt like his throat was about to close up in panic. He couldn’t deal with that today. He had enough to think about. Thinking about that last night had almost sent him into a panic attack, and he was not going to do that now.

“You remember everything? I’m sorry, I know it’s sort of rude, but you’re human, how old are you?” She was human, she was young… he was four hundred years old and remembered nothing. Was he… was this it? Was he just… defective? “Am I broken?”

Riyah had moved just as soon as Chris went off to take his sister's place, going to sit with her and Folio. Seated with the two, next to Vinny while being across from Folio, he managed to keep a straight face when he saw that the younger male rolled his eyes. He supposed their friendship was still there… Riyah always teased the wolf whenever he went on about everything and nothing at the same time, just nonstop talking. He and Shade would just stare, amused even, as the other would continue rambling.

But right now, Riyah remains silent and then sets his jaw the more the other two speak. The gargoyle knew nothing about reincarnation and how it works or happens, yet it seems to be stressing Folio out. A lot. Taking a deep breath as soon as he heard him question if he was broken, he shook his head. Riyah may not know what's going on in that head of his. Trauma? Maybe. Anything else? No. 

“No,” he said softly. 

“I'm only twenty-six. But I didn't remember until Chris saved me from a hellhound and fully explained what I saw… honestly, your trigger may have to do with Atsuko. But… you and I were menaces. I wasn't allowed to train you because Chris thought the world would end, which is why you were paired with Atsuko.” She explained, “You and I were energetic balls of fire.”

Folio glanced at Riyah when he said answered first. No. Yet, didn’t he get it? Folio was over four hundred years old, with seventy-five of those spending time with two gargoyles, how did he not know or remember anything? Yet here was Vinny right, who knows how long she’d been around the gargoyles here, and she remembered everything.  It was just, how could he not, just, just, trigger, great, he needed a trigger. Perfect. He was going to be broken forever.

He’d never been good at figuring things like that out. Noah always had to do that kind of thing for him, figuring out the puzzle pieces and pulling him along. Sure, kept his brother out of just as much trouble over the years, but that wasn’t the point.

Swallowing, he glanced back over to Chris at the mention of the other gargoyle, so he’d been the boss. Sounded about right. “Right, so, Noah’s grandpa has the final say, why do I feel like my brother is going to hold that over my head now.”

Riyah couldn’t help but shy away the moment Folio glanced at him, looking down. He would never understand the feeling nor would he ever experience that ever since he's never died. Close to it at times, but never. Furrowing his brow, he began to fidget with his shirt and sighed, wishing he had kept quiet. 

He wanted to leave, but he also didn’t want to just leave Folio alone. Riyah stays put, just keeping his head lowered now while listening to them.

Vinny gently touched Riyah's hand, offering to hold it for him. “You're not broken. Just takes a trigger… and not gonna lie I think I know your trigger… but you'd have to be emotionally prepared for it.” She mused softly.

Folio sat back in the bench seat of the booth silently, which was an odd moment for the werewolf. She thought she knew his trigger? Really? Now, Folio had no clue how old he had been when he had died when he was a gargoyle. He did not know anything about his life as a gargoyle aside from one, he never got to bond with his mate, and two, he was a menace alongside Chenza. This basically told him that for everything he knew, he had already been through fucking hell and back already in his second life, compared to his first. 

“I’m not entirely sure what you mean by that? Why wouldn’t I be emotionally prepared for something?” Well, aside from this brother… because if his trigger had anything to do with dealing with thinking about the creature that he thought might be what they had forced his brother to become… he might like to not remember.

Flinching as soon as Vinny touched his hand, Riyah glanced at her before pulling away slightly but hooks his pinky with hers instead. But what slightly confused him was when the human said that she knew Folio’s trigger, and he scowled. How in the hell would she know? He's one to talk since knows next to nothing about this, but that's beside the point. When he saw his friend sit back, he gently nudged Folio’s leg with his own to comfort him as best as he could. 

He wanted to say something, he really did, but the fear of bringing up his own issue with Folio stops him from doing so. Riyah didn't want to pile on the younger's internal struggle, especially with learning about his past life. The gargoyle may not know what happened in the past of Folio’s current life, but it seems a lot worse than his previous self.

“Vin,” he grumbled, “How the fuck would you know? I'm genuinely curious because– no. Never mind. Forget I even opened my mouth…”

“Well… it includes being chased by Atsuko again… and avoiding being caught…” she hesitated, glancing at Riyah in concern. “Riyah? I'm… sorry.” She frowned, she didn't know why she was apologizing, but she squeezed his pinky softly. “I'm sorry this is probably overwhelming…”

Folio glanced towards Riyah feeling him nudge his leg under the table, the comfort was welcome, but he wasn’t sure to make of it, but knowing he wasn’t the only one confused… 

Chased? Chased by Atsuko… since when was Folio being the one who got chased, well, there was sometimes, but that had been different, and it was like, the full moon… Folio went a little feral on the full moon… Oh, shit… At that he glanced slightly between Vinny and Chris, to Riyah… yeah, that might, might not be best to consider right now. It’s bad enough the full moon was close enough…

“Um… right. No chasing. Maybe I shouldn’t be moving in here after all.” Picking up one of the muffins, Folio just shoved it right into his mouth. Probably better that way. 

To…to get chased by Atsuko…? What the fuck… The one who did the chasing was Folio, and that– no. Riyah will not think about that right now, and he just pursed his lips as soon as he heard Vinny apologize, not saying a word to her but squeezed her pinky in return. He doesn't get overwhelmed easily, but he's currently not in a great mind space either, so this added to his own stress is a little much.

As he saw Folio glance between his sister, her mate and then himself, Riyah shook his head slightly despite wanting to laugh but didn't. Not a good thing to even think about, not with the full moon so close. 

“Maybe you should eat a little more of those, Nick,” Riyah teased with a small smile, “Keep that trap of yours busy…”

Vinny smiled apologetically. “I know I started to remember when I saw Chris bandaged up… but I would say that it would be best if you spent time with Atsuko. When you're ready…. If you ever do want to remember. It's your choice.”

Folio was trying, he was trying not to think about why he might not want to remember, what the trigger might be that he’d very much like to avoid. If being chased by Atsuko was his trigger, he’d welcome it if he was honest, even if he wasn’t sure it made sense because that really was very backwards… His choice, his choice… “Does it matter, I can’t go back, I can’t un-be a werewolf. I can’t be a gargoyle again, even if as soon as I met Shade I thought it would be awesome to be a gargoyle werewolf… so cool, kind of have to be the gargoyle part first. Just…” Folio swallowed, glancing towards Riyah remembering how they’d thought he was Temperance, “Do you think he’ll care if I never remember, or…” Will it destroy what they could have been once?

Vinny smiling in an apologetic manner had Riyah just sigh. Attention elsewhere, he stares at his hands and shifts a bit in his seat. His choice. It's up to Folio if he wants to remember, and there's something there, something he's picked up on, that leaves the wolf quiet. Yet, it leaves him curious, but it's not really any of his business either.

He cringes slightly as soon as Folio glanced at him, not wanting the attention, and just pursed his lips as soon as the other mentioned Shade. Hearing about his and the vampire's conversation had him smile softly, but it disappeared just as quick as it came. It was always nice to hear about his friends speaking to one another, but that thought immediately dies off and he sighs. 

Vinny sighed softly. “Nickie. Nick. Sorry. Nick. Atsuko will love you even if you don't remember. Atsuko is not one to change his mind easily…. You were the one who changed his mind. To open up to the idea of having a mate… he's not going to abandon you just because you don't remember him.”

She smiled and pushed the tray to him. “Nick. Atsuko adores you because he's been waiting. Knowing him, his feral brain was thinking he was being cute.” She snorted, “He kinda sucks at self awareness. He's aware of everything else. Just not how it seems his feral side is just worse.”

It took everything in him not to snap at her, she didn’t know him, not anymore, and he didn’t know her, he didn’t remember her, not yet, and maybe not ever… He’d have to get to know her, and might be he’d never be Nickie… he didn’t know, and she had never asked. Still, he held his tongue because it wasn’t her fault he was defective and hadn’t remembered as easily as she did. He’d been attacked by hellhounds and all manner of creatures of the night, how many times? His entire life, as long as he could remember. 

Wait, he had to convince him to be his mate?

Folio blinked at Vinny hearing that, so, so not only, did he not even remember, but his mate hadn’t even wanted to be with him in the first place? Yet here they were saying that he would just… were they kidding? Folio had lost so many people, whether because they threw him away, ripped away from him, or he just drove them away because he was too… annoying, and even in his past life his fought to be loved. Perfect. 

Right then all he wanted to do was run, he’d look for Noah, but he was upstairs… and that risked running into Atsuko. Maybe go home, to his parents that had never blinked to love him there.

Instead, Folio laughed, smiling, he was used to it, putting on that smile, he was always the bright happy one when everything hurt… “Isn’t that the kicker, he’s been a Cutie to me from the moment I saw him, he didn’t need to try so hard.” With that, Folio just picked up a muffin. “Though, you’ve given me a lot to think about. I might go for a walk.”

“Enough, Vin,” Riyah hissed as he pulled away from her and went to sit at the edge of the booth. Glancing to Folio as soon as he heard the younger laugh, he set his jaw and looked away as he stood up. If the other male allowed him, the gargoyle would like to join him on his walk, and he gave Folio a small yet easy gesture with his hands in a silent request.

‘Walk with?’ Riyah had signed to the wolf and waited. At this point, he may not be feeling the same as his friend, but fucking hell was this stressing him out. Especially since he's already feeling like shit. ‘Let’s get some air. Suffocating.’

Vinny tilted her head, looking concerned. “I will say in the beginning you guys hated each other… but this life is for you to choose. I'm sorry everything got dumped on you like it did. I'll head back behind the counter. Would you like a refill on the white chocolate strawberry cold foam?”

Folio wanted to cry in relief when he heard Riyah tell Vin to stop, but swallowed down the urge to whine slightly in his throat as he looked over to the gargoyle as he signed. Yes! The signs were so simple, and Folio was elated that for once, for once, he wasn’t struggling to understand. When they had first learned that Riyah and Shade communicated with ASL because Riyah didn’t always feel up to talking, Noah… fucking Noah learned it so quickly, as always. He always knew different languages instantly, while ASL Noah had had to teach himself. When Folio had tried, he had struggled, badly. The offer for Riyah to walk with him, to get some air with him, had the werewolf accepting, instantly, nodding as he moved to stand from the table, with a soft, “Please…”

Only, the moment Vinny spoke again, he paused, swallowing at her words, a pit in his stomach, they hated each other? They hated each other, and yet, he had made him accept him as his mate? Dammit. It was just the same as he’d been with all the others, he had been no better in his past life than this one. Too much, too much for people to handle, pushing them to be what he wanted, had he pushed Atsuko? No, no, he was worse in his past life. He could be better, though, he could let Atsuko go and not even try to push him again. “No, I, thank you, Vinny, I think I’ve had enough coffee, I’m going to go for that walk with Riyah.” Pushing his smile more as he moved to step away from the table. Of course, even as he declined her offer of coffee, he was pilfering from the tray of muffins, and shoving a few into his pockets for later. “Thanks…”

Pulling away from the table, he turned towards Riyah, he just wanted to get out of there now.

The way she blatantly ignored him after telling her to stop. This was why Riyah barely spoke. Why he's quiet because there had been a few times he's dealt with it and finds no point in speaking anymore than he has. Then the audacity to continue— fuck. Fighting back the urge to growl, he just glared at Vinny when she kept talking and nods when Folio had answered him with a soft plea. 

But of course, when he saw his friend pause, Riyah grits his teeth and grimaced as soon as he saw the younger male force his smile more. He wished that Folio didn't do that, but he wasn’t going to stop him, a habit he was sure would be a hard one to break. Nor did the gargoyle want to because it'll be hypocritical of him since he hides his feelings too. Nonetheless, Riyah couldn't help but chuckle softly as the wolf grabbed some muffins and lightly touched the small of his friend's back.

“Ever the polite one,” the taller whispered teasingly while leaving with him. “C'mon, Niko..”

Vinny moved back, heart hurting a bit, but lowered her head. Getting back to work wrapping up convos… she should have stopped. Chris looked over towards his mate as she joined him again, his arm wrapped around her shoulders from behind gently. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, he knew she had meant well, but every so often, they had to work it out for themselves. Honestly, for all the things he’d gone through when Chenza had come back into his life, he didn’t think anyone saying anything to him, much would have been helpful. Even Chenza herself had tried to help him, and he had just felt so much worse about himself, thinking himself a monster because he couldn’t separate his mate, from this beautiful human. Folio would be okay, even if right now, he didn’t think so, Chris was sure of it. It was Atsuko he was worried about. He was on edge, and if he woke up feral like Gwynn feared…

Folio walked out of the Church beside Riyah still holding one of the pilfered muffins in his hands, peeling off the outer casing, musing to himself, trying to make up his mind what he was going to do. It was obvious what he must have done in his past life, annoyed Atsuko so much and worn him down, convinced him to be his mate, until the other gargoyle felt he had no other choice. Now here they were, he’d died, and poor Atsuko was bound to him, and had no choice but to take him back. It was no wonder he hadn’t even seemed to notice him at the buffet… just blinked at him like he was confused why he’d even be interested.

Ripping off a part of the muffin, he offered some to the gargoyle, not able to stop himself from leaning into his side a little, for comfort… “Would you like some?” It was all he could do not to break down. The touch, or the food, who could say.

All of whatever this was, it was taking more of a toll on him on top of learning of his friend's demise… The more distressed that Folio had gotten, the more defensive and irritated Riyah had been. But right now, he just needs to be there for his friend– oh right. That… no. Not now… Glancing towards Folio, he wasn’t sure if he should wrap an arm around him or speak, and yet, he opened his mouth anyway,

“Nick, what she said… it's not entirely true. I may not understand the bonds and such, but… yeah…” With a grimace, Riyah just kept walking with the smaller male and as soon as he felt his weight against him, the gargoyle instinctively wrapped his arm around the younger in a protective manner. The offering of Folio’s muffin had him smile a little before taking it and eating. “But also,” Riyah said softly while he pulled him a little closer. “You can let go. I'm here for you, Folio. Go ahead and cry, if you want to…”

Folio swallowed, he wasn’t sure how he felt about his name right now, Nick, Nickie, he wasn’t even sure what his name had been properly in his past life. Obviously, it was something like it was now, how did that work, but his eyes stung thinking about it. “Folio, Folio, please, I- I don’t think I can handle Nick right now.” Not yet. Walking with him, as Riyah was eating some of the muffin, Folio was ripping off another piece and shoving it into his mouth and chewing, a whine escaping him. 

“Isn’t it true though, she knew me, your sister remembers everything, I don’t, so it's… it’s…” Folio sobbed, he was trying to keep it in, thinking about the fact that that man up in the Church… The man that he’d been instantly drawn to, deserved better than someone who had annoyed him into being his mate that he hated. Folio never liked being negative, he didn’t, he preferred to look on the bright side of things always, and he knew, he knew, that annoyed people sometimes. He was the hyperactive frustration that was just too much for most people. To this day, four hundred some years into his life, he had five people he considered close, five. Sure, countless people had come and went in his life, but five. Six when he counted the woman who didn’t have to love him when she’d found a toddler covered in blood on her doorstep. He still missed her.

As Folio asked Riyah to call him by that name instead of Nick, he gave the wolf a small pat on his back in silent affirmation and nodded. It was very upsetting with how… small the younger seemed, especially after everything. When the whine escaped the shorter, he stopped mid-step and stood there while looking at the younger.

“Folio,” he said quietly while lightly ruffling his friend's hair, “It's not. She may have known you in the past, but I'm sure it's just speculation of what she's seen in the past between you and Atsuko.” The gargoyle then pulls Folio close, holding the smaller male to himself, and gave him a small squeeze while doing so. He wanted him to feel better and wanted the smaller male to work through it all, but he knows that will take time. 

Look at him— he's still working through his own problems. The thought of Temperance, it sent a chill down his spine and held Folio a little tighter. The younger may not be the gargoyle, but this wolf, this little pain in the ass, is still his friend, and he doesn't want anything else to happen to him. 

“Go ahead and cry, Folio…it's okay…”

As Riyah pulled him close, Folio, no matter how he had been worried about Riyah and Shade only being around him because of his brother… it just didn’t seem to matter, not anymore. Why would Riyah bother with him like this if all he cared about was Temperance? He couldn’t hold himself together anymore as Riyah held him, hearing him, he just fell apart… What was left of the muffin slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground as he grasped onto the taller man while he sobbed. 

Riyah sways slightly, gently rocking side to side with Folio as the younger sobbed. The gargoyle then rests his head over Folio’s, rubbing his back in soothing circles, while he lets out soft purring for the male. “There you go…” 

Atsuko groaned softly, face buried in the pillow Folio had been using, whining and whimpering to him. When dark eyes peeked open And he found himself alone, he jolted fully awake, looking around in a panic. “Niko? Lai? Mate- mate?!” His voice cracked as he trembled softly, “N…nick?” his smell was still here… but he was gone. His eyes watered. He covered his face. What had he done? What happened? He remembered flying and feeling him and cuddling against him and … then nothing but anxiety and fear, then calm, and now he was… alone.

Again.

The door to the room creaked open just a little and in padded, with the softest footsteps, barely even the whisper of a sound. The tiniest scraping of claws on the stone floor, Noah was making his way into the room, wide golden brown eyes blinking up at the large gargoyle on the bed. Atsuko, his brother's mate. His nose wrinkled, why did he not smell so good? The bobcat kitten’s head tilted slightly to the side before he adjusted his legs and sprung up like a coil to leap onto the bed. Yes! He was getting better at this, after figuring out the stairs, he was getting accustomed to using four limbs.

Dropping the muffin he’d pilfered down in the café from his mouth, he climbed over to the gargoyle to try to cuddle up to his side, mewling before he purred, vibrating against him.

Atsuko looked at Noah, scooping him up to snuggle into his fur, sobbing. He picked up the muffin to set it on the nightstand, trembling. He did something wrong. Likewise, he went and put Noah's snack somewhere safe for now… “I'm sorry… I don't know… everything's fuzzy… I'm sorry…”

There was no complaint at being manhandled by the gargoyle, instead Noah was just pressing his tiny overheated little fuzzy body right against Atsuko with tiny little noises. They sounded awfully like no, no, no, no. Folio probably was just hungry and wondered off for food, he’d passed him on the stairs, following his nose. That had been what had drawn Noah downstairs! Nuzzling against Atsuko, he didn’t want him to be upset, Folio liked him. As much Noah had been upset last night when he’d snatched him, it had been confusing, but they’d worked it out. He was a cat, he wasn’t stupid, Noah had heard it all, even the bits about the angels… not that he was going to relay any of the bits about archangels wanting pets to his brother… ever.

Atsuko looked at him, petting behind his ear. “I… I don't know what to do… what happened…”

Ryan felt like he had barely slept a wink the night before, laying there holding Gwynn in his arms. Just laying there watching them after what they’d asked him, how’d they’d been talking. Dammit. He knew what they’d been saying, that they’d rather, that if the angels of Heaven came back for them, that he should… Could he? After all this time… 

It’d kill him.

It’d kill them both.

Sighing, they were still sleeping when he left them, not that he was surprised, they were exhausted, still healing after everything. Thinking about mates, however, and that enduring loss, reminded him they should check on Atsuko. Gwynn was worried about his state of mind, and knowing that the standing with the vampires hung by a thread depending on how feral he turned… he would check on him.

He went by the apartment to see if Vinny had made anything for breakfast, and smirked at the cake for Riyah, he didn’t touch it, he knew better. Then he found Vinny’s speciality, eggs, including Justin’s famed cheesy scrambled, of course. Ryan dished up a couple of plates and carried them up to the alcove where they’d left Atsuko and Folio, only to find the werewolf already gone… Hearing the last sentence… “You don’t know what happened yesterday, or you don’t know where Folio went? Either way, I’ve brought you breakfast?”

“I… I don't remember much after hearing he was Niko… I just got so excited… I wanted to have an actual date with him. He talked about wanting to see the sunset and I… I had… I know I stole a bunch of mattresses… and I tried to make it nice- but… that's it. I… I was very anxious… and he's not here…” Atsuko rambled after hearing Ryan, doing his best to ignore the plates of food despite knowing one was his… He didn't deserve it.

Ryan sighed, he couldn’t say much about the not remembering, he knew how that felt, even if he knew it might not be the same, he’d tried to block out plenty over the years. However, the prang at hearing Suko talk, about Niko, about wanting to see the sunset, and wanting to have an actual date… wanting to make it nice, “You can still make it nice for him Suk, he’s downstairs, in the café… you know how that bug is, you couldn’t make that rat sit still if you paid him.”

He sniffled, “I… I gotta talk to him-” he said, setting Noah down and got out of bed quickly, blinking a few times- “I need pants.”

Fuck, Ryan sighed, Atsuko jumping the gun got them into this mess. Okay, maybe he was thinking at least somewhat more rationally this time in that fact he wanted to put on pants and wasn’t running down there feral again, but, better he reigned him in this time. “Atsuko, wait, wait-” Setting the plates down, “No, no you need to give him time, he’s only just found out he’s got a past life, and a mate… you, need to eat.” Otherwise, Ryan was going to get smacked by Vinny and he knew it.

Atsuko looked at him and whimpered, “but… I want to apologize if I scared him-” he said softly. Atsuko never apologized. But here he was admitting he had to. He needed to. His eyes watered as he closed his eyes, trying to push the tears back away. “Please, Ryan-”

Noah was on the bed climbing over himself trying to reach up to the distressed gargoyle, not liking this at all. His brother had been enamoured with Atsuko from the moment he’d met him, and as much as Noah had struggled last night, and Noah had been scared at first… he had seen the two snuggled together last night. He’d seen the way Atsuko had comforted Folio when he was about to finally give into his panic. Now, the small kitten was yowling at him to be picked up.

“Atsuko, you were not what scared him last night, I promise, that… was the last thing on his mind.” Ryan remembered that smell of lust that had been coming off that kid when they came out of the tower, it had been unmissable. “Don’t forget the nickname he gave you from the moment he met you, Cutie. Now… listen to your best friend’s kid because the brat seems to be demanding.” With that, Ryan nodded down to Noah pointedly.

The upset gargoyle hesitated before picking Noah back up, cuddling him softly, “… I… tell me what happened… please… please. I just… I need to know…” he was avoiding looking at the plate, ignoring the mentions of eating even though his stomach was pleading with him. He was… he did something wrong. He went feral. He wasn't sure. “Also, Noah isn't a brat. He just wants attention.” He scolded not thinking about it before kissing Noah's forehead, much like a parent would.

Ryan would argue that Atsuko didn’t know the meaning of the word brat, considering the mate that he had. Cheerfulness was, well, Cheerful and all, but he had always been a brat on the best of days. Made sense that Noah was his brother and he was sitting there yowling up at them now, if he thought about it, Ryan, cringed at a little at the sound… he would say it again if he had to, brat. How did he not hear that, did he not have gargoyle hearing? 

Looking at Noah with a raised eyebrow when Atsuko finally picked him up, unimpressed. “Well, if someone was human again, it would be… I’m thinking he likes this attention a little too much.”

The tiny pink tongue that poked out at him then, in response, said it all.

“How about if you sit, and eat,” Oh Ryan wasn’t about to forget the food, “I’ll tell you everything.” Even if he might not like it all.

Atsuko slowly sat down, cuddling Noah closer, shaking at the thought of food right now. “... I… I can try.” He whispered softly, swallowing despite his mouth being dry. “I can try.”

Would… would it be okay to eat? He knew Gwynn wouldn't be mad… but… the lingering feeling…

Ryan wasn’t going to budge on the food, whatever he had to do to break him out of whatever Jerahmiel had done to him in the catacombs. He knew better than anyone it came down to that bastard. Shifting to sit on the far end of the bed himself, he picked up one plate for himself, and the other to hand to Atsuko, “Okay, you start, and I’ll start, that's the deal.”

Atsuko whimpered softly. But took the plate, holding it for a moment before taking the fork and started eating just little bites. “Now you.” He said, looking at him desperately. He needed to know.

Sure they were only little bites, but they were something, and at the very least, Atsuko was eating, and Ryan took that as a win. Before he took a bite himself, he would give him what he wanted, information, that was the offer after all. “After you left here, yes, you gathered a nest at the old clock tower, feral, in your beast form, before you tracked him down at his work.” With that, Ryan nodded back to his plate and shoved a mouthful into his own mouth. 

Noah purring against Atsuko as he nuzzled in the crook of his arm where he held him.

Atsuko took another bite, tense and dreading the next part. “I chased him… didn't I?”

Ryan took another bite with a sigh, swallowing, he hadn’t been there, none of them had, they’d still been searching for him at that point. “We didn’t find you first, Nightshade and Uwriyah found you with him, along with Noah, by then, you already had him at the clock tower. Knowing your instinct, yea, you probably did. You didn’t hurt him, though.”

He nodded slowly, taking another bite and swallowed even though it made him feel sick.

Sighing, Ryan took another bite of his eggs, glad that Atsuko was still eating, even if it was obvious from the look on his face he didn’t want to. Noah mewled up at him, nudging his arm light before Ryan spoke again. “We got there a little later, Noah, Nightshade and Riyah had managed to talk to you down along with the help of the rest of Niko’s family. He has, well, sort of vampire parents, Jolly, and Nick, which is, huh, that could, possibly be why they call him Folio?”

Atsuko nodded slowly, mostly playing with the food on his plate. New people… and there would be problems…. He was never allowed to talk to new people… fuck.

Ryan had a feeling Honesty would be allowed to talk to these new people, they were his mate's family. The way he’d been at the buffet, the way he’d been practically plastered to his side and Noah had been so reluctant, the kid had been oh so eagerly by his side? Ryan doubted they’d be able to keep him away. “Well, whatever happened overall, between the lot of them, they managed to calm you down some. By the time you had all exited the clock tower, Noah had already discovered this trick.”

This trick. It was saying something, it was… curious.

None of them had ever seen a gargoyle that could shapeshift into a natural creature like this, let alone one that was not in their age range. A full-grown gargoyle became a full-grown beast form. Only the baby gargoyles had baby beast forms if they managed to learn how to shift that young. So, for a four hundred-year-old being to instinctively control his shift to become an infant version of a beast form, it was astonishing, and something none of them had seen before. Considering Noah was the first tribrid, it did bring into question, what other abilities he could have that had never awakened in him… and why they had remained dormant in him this long, it was curious. Though, that was the case in a lot of angelic and gargoyle traits. Knowledge, and control, was power, and could also kill you.

Atsuko nodded slowly, swallowing his last bite. “I… I'll wait…and… Noah… You're so special. Not because you're a tribrid. You're special because you're you. I don't know if anyone has told you that before… But I have wanted to say it for years.” He whispered, setting the plate far away from himself.

“Is there anything else I need to know?” He finally asked, scratching Noah’s chin lightly.

“Nope, nothing else you need to know.” For all the things they talked about when they got back to the Church, Ryan didn’t even flinch about lying this time, there was no fucking way he was going to tell him. Atsuko would go all feral if he knew about the pet situation being the reason for Nicholai dying, let alone them taking Temperance after. How many gargoyles died because of those archangels? Atsuko’s mate, his brother's young mate before their bond could be formed, both their troupes attacked, it was insane.

Noah’s little pink tongue was still hanging out of his mouth as he looked up at Atsuko. His teeny paws padding at his shirt covered chest for a moment before he tried to learn up and lick at him as best he could. He was tall though, and Noah was still so tiny, if only he was just a bit… oh… oh, the next thing he knew Noah wasn’t such a tiny kitten any more. Noah went from being a tiny kitten and was more of the size of a house cat. Nuzzling into Atsuko, and then getting a stronger scent of his food, and, oh, food… and the next thing they knew human Noah was sitting beside Atsuko, “Are you going to eat that?”

“Well… since Ryan has nothing more to share… All yours.” Atsuko replied, smirking.

Ryan’s eyes narrowed on Noah, the way his form shifted so smoothly, the little shit, from kitten, the house cat, and then, all seven foot tall string bean… The nerve to ask for the food he was trying to get Atsuko to eat. 

“Actually,” He took the plate from the gargoyle and set it aside with his own. “Since Noah seems to be so lively right now, why don’t we start with your training? I know, let’s start with Flying!” Grabbing Noah’s hand, he wasn’t going to let him argue as he pulled him from the bed and dragged him from the room away from Atsuko.