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electrikworm · 6 days ago

Text

Repoding: Wrecker and Crosshair (part 2)

Art by @squad-724 :D Thank you!

Relationships: Wrecker & Crosshair

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Wrecker's POV of meeting Crosshair.

Part of my TBB Selkie au. Wrecker is 4, Crosshair 2.

Word count: 4’925

Read on Ao3

Masterlist

“I'm going to show you something today,” Hemlock says to 03 from his place standing at the edge of the enclosure.

The small walrus selkie takes a couple steps closer to where the human stands, vary of the guards standing next to Hemlock. 03 likes Hemlock, he's nice. The guards not as much.

Interrupting chewing on his fingers, 03 comes to a halt and looks down at his feet. “Does it hurt?” 03 asks, pinching the edge of his wetsuit sleeve with his claws. Going to the doctors always hurts, so 03 hopes it isn't that.

“No,” Hemlock says, and 03 believes him. “We will however have to move enclosures.”

03 nods, even if he doesn't want to. He has to be good, wants to be good. Even if the guards didn't hurt him, 03 would want to behave. He wants Hemlock to like him and spend time with him after all, and Hemlock doesn't waste time on bad selkies.

Moving to the spot a couple steps from the stairs leading out of his enclosure, 03 waits. He hates this part of moving enclosures the most. 03 knows the wire has to go around his neck because he's a monster, but it still hurts, scraping at his skin or used to yank him forwards. He chews on his hand as he waits.

The guard walks down the stairs slowly, heavy boots hitting the tiles loudly all the way. 03 cringes, remembering how just recently, a guard had him pinned with their boot, leaving a big sore spot on 03's back for days.

03 doesn't lower his hand fast enough when the guard arrives in front of him, earning him a sharp slap to the limb. The selkie drops his hand to his side, trying to shake it without the guard noticing. He won't cry from just that, he's not a baby any more.

The wire tightens around his neck and 03 reaches up to touch it, just to test how tight it is. His hand gets hit away from it and 03 doesn't try again.

He has to walk up the stairs quickly, not wanting the wire to cut into his skin and leave a painful mark again. The guard walks fast, so 03 has to hop up the steps.

Once on top, two more guards join them. 03 moves as close as he can to Hemlock, the only friendly face in the crowd. Keeping up with the adults as they move is difficult, but 03 manages.

After a few moments have passed, the selkie decides to try his luck and reach for Hemlock's hand. Whether Hemlock will accept or not always depends on the day.

Today's evidently a good day, because Hemlock takes a moment to look down at 03, then wraps his hand around the selkie's clawed one. 03's chest feels warm at the affection he's being offered. He must be being good to deserve this.

It's only a short walk to the new enclosure, but even with the wire biting his neck, 03 wishes it were longer. Hemlock hasn't often got time to hold 03's hand, and even if he did, 03 is often too badly behaved to be rewarded.

03's been in this room before, at least he thinks so. Most of the rooms look almost the same. The enclosure is a bit smaller than the one he's used to. The entirety of the enclosure is split in half by a glass pane that 03 almost doesn't see at first. He also spots something moving in the water. Just as 03's about to try and look closer, Hemlock lets go of the selkie's hand, putting it on his shoulder instead. "You're going to get your pelt for this," Hemlock says. Suddenly, the thing in the enclosure is completely forgotten. 03 releases an excited noise, despite knowing that he shouldn't be loud. He's only had his pelt removed for a day and his heart already hurts. 03 doesn't care if there's something dangerous in the enclosure, he just wants his pelt back. He walks as far as the wire around his neck allows, impatiently waiting for the guards to open the enclosure. He almost trips going down the stairs he so eagerly descends them. A quiet, amused laugh comes from above, making 03 look up at Hemlock. 03 likes when he can make Hemlock laugh, even if he doesn't always understand why he reacts that way. "Patience," Hemlock speaks, "we don't want you hurting yourself." 03 nods, clasping his hands as he comes to a halt and waits. He closes his eyes, just feeling as the tugging in his chest loosens as Hemlock comes closer with his pelt. First, the wire is removed and 03 feels a careful hand on his neck. Opening his eyes, the selkie is met with Hemlock crouching in front of him. 03 moves his head so Hemlock can see his neck better. "Very well done," the human speaks, "you weren't even left with a mark this time." 03 beams, glad to have behaved well enough to be praised by his favourite person. Hemlock stands and is handed something by the guard that followed him. 03's pelt. Holding his hands out to receive it, 03 waits, barely able to hold still thanks to the excitement. But he doesn't move, he's going to be good like Hemlock expects him to. "What do you say?" Hemlock asks. 03's done thing enough times to know how to be polite. "Please," the selkie says, ears twitching as the seconds that pass feel like an eternity. Then the familiar weight of his pelt is placed in his arms. 03 wants to immediately transform, to bask in the fact he's allowed to do so. But he waits. "And?" Hemlock asks. "Thank you," 03 responds, a wide smile on his face. Hemlock nods and that's all 03 needs to do just what he'd been waiting to do. Immediate relief washes over 03, like laying on the cold tiles after the guards hit him. 03 flattens himself to the floor, rolling onto his side and stretching. What Hemlock wanted to show him completely slips 03's mind as he makes his way to the water, diving deep and swimming a few circles. It's just not the same doing so without his pelt, so 03's trying to make the most of it. Overcome with joy, 03 lets out content whistles as he circles. He gets so distracted, he almost hits the glass under water, it being hard to see there.

The walrus selkie is forced to pause and reorientate, and that's when he spots it again, something moving at the water's surface on the other side of the glass. 03 surfaces near the glass, pulling his pelt off but leaving it around his shoulders. Using his limbs to keep himself afloat, 03 peers through the glass. There's a selkie on the other side, at least it looks like one. It's smaller then Wrecker, by quite a bit, and the pelt it has wrapped around it's shoulders and draped over its head is almost as white as the tiles surrounding them. The selkie is wearing the same black wet suit 03 is, but it hasn't got an ear tag yet. Still, it must be one of Hemlock's too. 03 never knew there were others. Not sure what to do, 03 looks around. Hemlock is standing at the edge of the enclosure, so he swims over to the human. 03 looks up at him questioningly. "Is that a selkie? Like me?", he asks, pressing his hands against the tiled wall as he uses his legs to stay at the surface. "Yes, but he isn't a walrus." Hemlock leans forwards slightly, almost worrying 03 with how close he's getting to the electric fence. It really hurts to touch the fence, the last thing 03 wants is that to happen to Hemlock. "He's a baikal seal selkie." 03 tilts his head to the side. "What's that?" "A different type of pinniped, the details aren't something you have to worry about." Hemlock uses words that 03 doesn't understand, even if he thinks he may have heard some of them before. 03 doesn't want to ask, not wanting Hemlock to think he's stupid or for the guards to make fun of him. He just nods. Diving back under the water, transforming as he moves, 03 returns to the glass. The selkie hasn't moved from his place in the corner, treading water as he looks about. "Hello," 03 shouts. The selkie doesn't react, so 03 shouts again. "Hello!" 03 dives under the surface to think when the selkie doesn't even look at him. Maybe he hasn't seen another selkie before either, just like 03. He dives back up. "Look! I'm like you!" He shifts between his two forms a couple times to show the little selkie.

He looks at 03, but doesn't move. His eyes are big, but not black like 03's. They look red. Quickly, 03 swims back over to Hemlock. "What's wrong with his eyes? And why's he so small?," 03 pauses to breath, but the next question already jumps to his mind as he tries to do so. "Does he have a name?" "One question at a time, 03," Hemlock sighs. "He has a condition called albinism which makes his skin and hair pale and his eyes red." "Why? How'd he get it?" 03 asks. He'd been sick before, but nothing like that ever happened to him. "It doesn't matter why, you wouldn't understand. He was just born with it." Sensing Hemlock's annoyance, 03 accepts that answer with a nod, despite wanting to know more.

"Does it hurt him?" "That doesn't matter either, 03." 03 quickly shuts his mouth, silently promising not to talk again until Hemlock is finished. "He is small because he is young," Hemlock says. The promise 03 made is broken just as fast as he decided on it. "Is he a baby?" Hemlock sighs again, clasping his hands behind his back. "Sure. His name is 04." 03 sighs sadly. He'd hoped the baby selkie would have a more interesting name then he has. All humans have such fun names, and they're just stuck with stupid numbers. Letting himself sink back under the water, 03 moves back to the glass keeping him from getting close to the baby selkie. This time, 03 calls his name. But no matter what he does, the baby selkie doesn't care. 04 moves at some point, but never closer to 03. 03 keeps asking Hemlock more questions, learning that 04 is new to the lab. Hemlock wouldn't tell him why there wasn't any selkies called 01 and 02, even if those numbers are before 3 and 4. 03 is pretty good at counting, often getting rewards for his efforts, so he knows he didn't get the numbers wrong.

Hemlock also couldn't tell him if the baby selkie wants to be 03's friend, saying he doesn't know. There were some questions Hemlock doesn't answer, but that's 03's fault for talking too fast. Far too soon, Hemlock calls 03 out of the water, telling him that the meeting is over. 03 considers resisting, wanting to see the baby selkie more, but the guard that enters is big and scary, barking orders at 03. The walrus selkie complies quickly, not wanting to go to sleep with bruises again. On the walk back, 03 gets to hold Hemlock's hand again. At least until he asks too many questions about the baby selkie and Hemlock stops. 03 should have stopped there, should have been quiet and occupied himself in his enclosure. Instead, he kept asking when he gets to see 04 again, when ever he thinks he's waited long enough.

He should be able to fight the urge, but 03 just really, really wants to know more about the little selkie. He's never seen a real, living selkie before. For all his life, 03's been the only one, the only monster among humans. Hemlock treats him kindly, but 03 has no other friends. A baby doesn't have work to do, so 04 would have time to play with 03. That is if 04 even likes him. But the walrus selkie hopes he does, he doesn't mind if they just play games 04 likes. 03 just wants to stop being so alone. But 03 doesn't get an answer for all his questions. All he gets is a guard pushing him to the ground and his pelt taken away. Even if his knees are scraped and bleeding, 03 doesn't ask for assistance. Hemlock's annoyed at him, so 03 would just get a doctor looking at him, and they're mean and ask the guards to hurt him. Just to be sure, 03 doesn't say another word to the guards all day, not wanting to push his luck.

It takes a long, boring while, more than a day, for 03 to be allowed to see the baby selkie again. 03 gets to see 04 through the glass two more times, both not being eventful. When 03 tried banging on the glass to get the baby selkie's attention, all he got was being told off. The fourth time he's brought to the halved enclosure, things are different. This time, there wasn't glass between them, but a grid of wires. At first, 03 is scared, worried the fence will be electric like the one around the enclosure.

But when Hemlock reassures him that it's safe, 03 delightedly swims up to it, sticking his arm through one of the gaps and waving at 04. Maybe 04 couldn't hear him through the glass, but now he surely can. Still, the baby selkie doesn't really seem to care. If only 03 could get closer, maybe they could talk, but the wires are in the way. How's 03 supposed to make friends like that? But he knows better than to ask. If Hemlock set the enclosure up this way, then there must be a reason, even if 03 is too dumb to understand. 03 does manage to get small reactions out of 04, like him bearing his teeth a few times. Not like a smile, this doesn't seem as friendly. But 03 won't assume 04 is mean. Maybe he's just scared? Hemlock asks if 03 got his arm stuck in the grate at one point, to which 03 responds by gleefully demonstrating that he can move away from it just fine. Once again, 03 is removed from the enclosure long before he wants to. Then, 2 days later, it finally happens: he gets to meet 04. 03 is woken by the sound of struggling, high pitched screeching and snarling. Then guards enter his enclosure, dragging a hissing 04 behind them. The walrus selkie freezes, watching as 04 is released from the wire. He doesn't look happy. As soon as he is tossed his pelt, the baby selkie crawls into a corner, wrapping the pelt firmly around himself. 03 wants to go up to him, but now, he's suddenly uncertain. He's never been near another selkie before. Worried, 03 looks about, looking for the one person he trusts. Hemlock is standing away from the enclosure, so 03 can barely see him. That doesn't make 03 feel any more comfortable. Hesitantly, he tries calling out to the baby selkie. "Hello," 03 calls. "Hello 04!" The selkie doesn't respond, so 03 tries again, over and over. "Baby," 03 calls, "look here!" He stands up, sifting forms as he does. 04 just hisses at him. 03 keeps trying and trying, but the best he gets is a growl. Feeling a little defeated, 03 gives up. But then he has an idea. Maybe he can play a game with the baby selkie. Everybody loves games, so why wouldn't 04? Proud about his brilliant idea, 03 bounds to the door of the enclosure, where he can just about reach the edge of the floor around the enclosure.

Carefully, 03 reaches under the electric fence and taps the closest guard's shoe. He would just call for Hemlock, but he's not supposed to shout too loud. "Please can I have the ball?" 03 asks, adding another "please" when the guard doesn't immediately turn to him. "The blue one please." The guard looks down at him, pulling her boot out of reach. Just in case, 03 removed his hand from under the fence, scared the guard will step on it. "Can I have the ball please?" 03 tries again. "I'd like the blue one. It's this big and round."

Gesturing with his hands, 03 tries to make it clear which one he means. He's not sure how many balls they have at the lab, but 03 likes the blue one. It doesn't break. Just as 03's about to repeat himself, Hemlock arrives, holding the ball 03 asked for. 03 can't help but let out an excited yelp, holding his hands up to get the toy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," 03 chants, barely able to get a breath in he's so overjoyed. Hemlock drops the ball into 03's hands and the young selkie is already running off. The first thing 03 tries is roll the ball to 04.

It comes to a halt near 04's feet. When the baby selkie stands up, 03 thinks he's finally managed to get his attention. But then 03 just walks away from the ball, finding a new place to sit against the wall. He repeats this multiple times, no matter how 03 tries to pass the ball to him. It's beginning to get frustrating. 03 throws the ball into the water, watching it wobble along the surface before it settles. That makes 03 laugh, quickly going after the ball. Diving into the water, 03 surfaces beneath it in seal form, making it jump into the shallows. From there, he bounces it with his head again, right towards 04. The baby selkie quickly dodges, growling at 03 as he does. 03 sighs. Does 04 even know what a ball is? Has be never played before? 03 will have to show him. "Look!" He announces as loud as he dares, kicking the ball against the enclosure wall. It hits it and flies of at a bent angle and right back into the pool. 03 waits for 04's reaction, but the other selkie just stares. Going to fetch the ball again, 03 swims to it in human form. Once there, he clings to it, letting himself hang. Because the ball is filled with air, it floats. But 03s a bit heavy for it, so it dips under the surface. When he lets go of it, the ball jumps out of the water a little and 03 has to giggle. He's played this before, but it never stops being funny. 03 pushes the ball under the surface again, making it jump higher this time. It's looks a bit like a round blue frog when it does that. 03's never seen an animal like that in real life, but Hemlock let him watch some videos.

After a few attempts at that, 03 grabs the toy and drags it to the bottom of the pool. He can't surface fast enough to see all of the ball's leap out of the water, but he catches where it lands: right outside of the enclosure. 03 gasps. That wasn't supposed to happen. Swimming to the edge of the pool, 03 apologizes and asks for the toy back. After a moment of silence, Hemlock brings it to him, much to 03's delight. 03's game can continue so he immediately tries diving with the ball again. He keeps playing, occasionally making the ball fly out of the enclosure again. Whilst 03 has a great time, Hemlock is evidently not as amused. Barely any time after 03's started with the game, Hemlock tells him to try talking with 04 again. 03 hesitates. He does really want to talk to 04, but 04 doesn't seem happy and 03 doesn't want to do anything wrong. He doesn't know enough about 04, doesn't even know is 04 wants a new friend. Chewing on his fingers, 03 stumbles up to the wall where Hemlock called to him from. He keeps the ball firmly in his arms. "Does the baby want a friend?" 03 asks. "Do you think he'll like me?" 03 adds, voice small. Hemlock sighs. "I don't know." If Hemlock doesn't know, then surely no one knows. Hemlock's the smartest person 03 knows after all. "Is he sad? He looks sad," 03 asks next. He doesn't want the small selkie to be unhappy. "Why don't you ask him?" Hemlock responds. 03 glances over at 04, once again not moving. "Why's he putting his pelt over his head?" "03, do I need to remind you why you are in here?" Hemlock hisses, making 03 jump and stumble away from the wall. He shakes his head rapidly. He takes a couple steps towards 04 but comes to a stop again. Maybe 03 should show off what other things you can do with a ball. That might interest 04. 03 starts bouncing it against the closest wall, showing off how many times he can do so in a row without dropping it. 04 watches for a while, but then Hemlock interrupts 03. "Give me that ball, it is a distraction," he announces, gesturing at 03. The walrus selkie's shoulders hunch. "But-" "No, I said give it to me." Hemlock makes a beckoning motion with his hand. 03 doesn't argue further, throwing the ball over the electric fence. He sighs, having no good way to gain 04's attention any more. He will just have to try what Hemlock wants him to and go right up to 04. Looking around, 03 spots him at the far end of the pool. After swimming over, 03 holds his hand out to the baby selkie like humans do. "Hello, I'm 03," he says with a smile. 04 stares at him for a moment, then lurches forward, biting 03's hand. 03 startles, quickly retracting the limb and shifting shapes. He lets himself drift to the bottom of the pool. The bite didn't even hurt that much, but it scared 03 and now he felt like crying, even if he's not supposed to. 04 would be allowed to cry, cause he's only small. But 03 is far too big for that and Hemlock will be disappointed and then the guards will have to hit 03 again. Even if it is okay for 04 to cry, 03 hopes he doesn't have to. He doesn't want it to be his fault for making the baby selkie sad. Resting his head on the tiles underwater, 03 sighs, watching the air bubbles rise from his nose. If 04 bit him, he must not be happy. 03 must have done something wrong. When 03 stops feeling the urge to cry he swims back to the surface, staying a little away from 04. "I'm sorry," he whispers, adding a selkie call to the end that he hopes is apologetic as well. Still keeping the distance, 03 swims in front of 04, trying to look and sound friendly. When 03 moves, 04 turns to keep watching him, eyes wide. He doesn't respond much, but he doesn't try to bite 03 again either. 03 just keeps swimming and vocalizing, slowly inching closer to 04 occasionally. And then, finally, 04 responds. It's a small, questioning whistle as he tilts his head, slowly moving to swim forwards a little rather than keeping afloat in the same spot. This time when 03 swims a little further away, 04 follows cautiously.

Beaming at the baby selkie, 03 transforms and dives under the water. 04 does the same, and when 03 starts swimming circles, 04 mirrors him in the opposite direction.

03 starts showing off tricks he can do in the water, like loops and rolls. He'd developed them to impress Hemlock, though it was hard to tell if the human liked them much. They look better when viewed from under water.

04 seems interested, trying to copy 03's motions himself. He gets better after a few tries, making 03 laugh in delight. His new friend is very talented.

When holding his breath starts becoming more tedious, 03 surfaces and crawls into the shallow section of the pool. Transforming as he does. When 04 surfaces and does the same, 03 splashes water at him. 04 pulls an annoyed expression and huffs, but doesn't bite or move away from 03.

Instead, he gets revenge by smacking his palms on the surface of the water, sending it spraying in every direction. 03 thinks 04 got himself just as much as he got 03. Laughing, 04 gets up and runs away from the water.

03 gives chase, tripping over his pelt as he does so, but getting up again with a small smile on his face. When he catches up to 03, he bumps into his side instead of coming to a halt. That's when 03 goes to ask Hemlock for the ball again. He seems a little annoyed, but gives it to them.

“Do you know what a ball is?” 03 asks. 04 just looks at him. He might not understand that many words yet. “Ball,” 03 says, holding the toy out to 04.

Hesitantly, 04 reaches out for it, spreading his fingers wide on the surface and pressing inwards. The membrane between his fingers is almost as pale as his skin, only a little greyer just like his claws are. Eyebrows pulled together, 04's arms almost shake from how much he's pushing on the ball.

03 knows he won't be able to break it, though he isn't sure that's what 04's trying to do in the first place.

Then, still wet, the ball slips away from between 04's hands and jumps upwards, almost like 03 had done in the water. 04 starts to giggle, chasing after the ball. Laughing, 03 does the same. 04 gets there first and scoops the toy off the floor.

He tries to throw it towards 03, but his aim is off and the throw is weak so it rolls across the floor. 04 makes a frustrated noise as 03 picks it up.

They roll the ball to each other for a while, occasionally trying to throw it again. 04 seems to get better over time. 03 asks 04 a lot of questions, but 04 doesn't seem to understand, answering with confused whines. He does vocalize his enjoyment with the game though, that much 03 can get from their conversation.

When they get bored of the ball, they move to the water and 04 shows 03 a new game. At first, 03's a little confused when 04 starts pushing or bumping into him whilst laughing, but then 03 starts to remember videos of young animals Hemlock's shown him.

Many animals like to pretend to fight for fun. 03 never understood why, but if the baby selkie wants to, 04 will try to as well.

He's very careful when he retaliates, not wanting to actually hurt 04. That only motivates 04 more. Soon, they're rolling across the tiles or in the water, both laughing as they do. 03 swallows or inhales water multiple times, but he doesn't even care. He doesn't think he's ever had this much fun.

It gets so boring in his enclosure, most of the humans being mean or rude. He thinks 04 must have been bored too.

After a while, 04 stops playing with 03 and moves to the side. At first, 03 thinks something's wrong with him, quickly moving to his side and putting a hand on his head. 04's in seal form, eyes closed as he rests his head on the floor.

“Baby?” 03 asks, scared he'd done something to hurt or scare the small selkie. He waits a moment, nothing happening, then asks again.

04 slowly lifts his head, opening his eyes a little. Then he yawns, bumping 03's side with his nose. 03 smiles in relief, noticing that 04 is just tired.

“Don't sleep here,” 03 exclaims. “We sleep on the mat,” he says, pointing at the foam mat laying against the opposite wall. It's a lot less cold then the tiles.

04 doesn't seem to understand, so 03 hooks his arms under the small selkies flippers and starts trying to pull him towards the sleeping area. He's a lot heavier then he looks, so 03's panting in exhaustion in seconds.

With an offended noise, 04 transforms, getting up. He glares at 03.

“We can sleep there,” 03 says, pointing at the mat again. 04 seems to think for a moment, then takes a step in the right direction.

When he hesitates, 03 begins to think he hasn't understand yet, but 04 only waits for 03 to catch up so he can take hold of his hand as they walk over. 04 yawns again, causing 03 to do so too.

04 curls up on the mat once they get there, transforming again and moving closer to 03 when he lays down too.

After a moment of consideration, 03 spreads his pelt over both of them before resting his head next to 04. 04 is so tiny, 03 doesn't want him to be cold. It's warm for both of them under the pelt, especially since 03 has his back rested against 04's side. The baby selkie sighs softly, cuddling a little closer still.

Delighted by the thought that he'll never be bored or lonely again, 03 drifts off in seconds.

#tbb #tbb wrecker #tbb crosshair #the bad batch #tbb hemlock #tbb fanfiction #tbb selkie au #my writing #friend's art #thanks so much squad-724! They're so cute!#star wars

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electrikworm · 11 days ago

Text

The Arrival: Tech

Relationships: none

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Tech arrives at Hemlock's lab.

Part of my TBB Selkie au

Word count: 389

Read on Ao3

Masterlist

Day 67:

Specimen 02 was delivered on time and in a state far better than 01's. The mild bruising and slight scuffed up look was to be expected, as selkies rarely cooperate. 02 showed a great fear of humans, cowering in the corners of the cage he arrived in, but no outward hostility.

The supplier informed me that he was found close to the shore, no other selkies in sight. He was likely abandoned, though I have yet to find out why. It is likely that this selkie pup showed great weakness, which its fear response seems to confirm.

The supplier intended to keep the selkie as some sort of attraction. However, 02 turned out to be “shit entertainment and really fucking boring”, so they were all to happy to sell him further.

02's pelt was already removed, which saved us a lot of hassle. I was pleased to discover how young 02 is, likely hardly over the age of 3. It is vital to start young with conditioning.

This selkie obviously had more experience with being handled by humans, submitting to examination quickly. He flinched a lot and started crying when being held down, but sedation wasn't necessary.

The specimen, revealed to be a sea lion, has a full set of healthy teeth but his claws were evidently filed down. In his humanoid form, 02 bears a lot of resemblance to 01, the markings on his body being the primary difference. The membrane between 02's fingers showed evidence of something irritating it and he is somewhat underweight.

Despite this ordeal distressing him, 02 proved to be quite curious. When I entered the enclosure to begin forming a bond with him, 02 was initially hesitant and fearful. But as I spent time talking to him calmly, 02 naturally not understanding anything I said, he started to show interest both in my words and the food I offered him.

He started speaking occasional words and sentences in selkie as he accepted food. I am uncertain what prompted this, but won't complain. I have a feeling 02 will be easier to work with than 01. The prospect of more diverse data is certainly exciting.

The offer I've made to exchange money for the capture of young selkies still stands, so I hope another specimen will be joining the first two soon.

#tbb #tbb tech #the bad batch #tbb fanfic #tbb hemlock #royce hemlock #my writing #this one's very short sorry :(#I'm also posting the next part today as compensation!#tbb selkie au

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electrikworm · 3 days ago

Text

Repoding: Introducing all the selkies

Relationships: Hunter & Tech & Wrecker & Crosshair

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

The four selkies are all introduced to each other at last.

Part of my TBB Selkie au. Hunter is 8. Tech is 7, Wrecker 4, Crosshair 2.

I was struggling with this one a bit, but @pinetree-tbb rly helped me out with getting this going! Please go check out their fics, they write amazing angst!

Word count: 2’684

Read on Ao3

Masterlist

Biting at his claws, 04 grabs hold of 03's arm tightly. The guards around the pit they live in are moving about, and that means bad things.

He doesn't want them to come in here. They do bad things, they hurt him and 03. 04's always been told not to trust humans, but it's so much worse than he ever imagined. He leans against 03's side, against the warmth radiating off of him. 03's the only safety in this horrible place filled with too bright lights and cruel humans, the only safety 04's known since he swam away from mum when he shouldn't have.

04's chest aches with longing for his pelt, and the sharp smell of the too bright place won't go away no matter how he breaths. Pressing his eyes closed, 04 burrows his head in 03's side. The other selkie, different looking than any 04's ever seen, says something in the strange human language, words 04 doesn't understand. He doesn't need to understand to be comforted by the tone.

He can hear the humans coming closer, feels the way 03's arms tighten around him. 04 bears his teeth, even with his face still buried in 03's side.

The human's speak and then 04 is grabbed, dragged away from his safe spot next to 03.

04 snaps at the humans, trying to sink teeth or claws into something, anything. He doesn't want the humans hands on him, he wants them gone. Twisting in their cruel grip, 04 hisses and yells, calling for help in a way that used to always summon someone from his pod. It doesn't do anything here.

“Stop, stop, stop,” 04 shouts, human word feeling strange in his mouth. He doesn't fully know what the word is, but it's one of the ones 03 uses when the humans hurt him or 04. Of course it doesn't work either, the humans never care.

Then, 04's body betrays him as unknown words are spoken whilst holding his pelt. He goes limp in the human's arms and is promptly dropped, shoulder colliding with the hard floor. A low whine is all 04 manages to get past the order his pelt enforces, burning in his chest with the need to obey to it.

04's side aches where he hit the floor, making him want to cry. Outside, there was never this much pain. Someone would always come get him if he needed help, injuries that seemed so bad back then, minor compared to what 04 experiences now, were tended with care. The humans don't do that because humans are cruel. 04 longs for his mum to scoop him up in her arms, or to be able to crawl back to 03 and curl up next to him. But the human that dropped him throws 04 over their shoulder, hurting 04's stomach as their hard clothes presses into 04's skin.

03 is standing, following closely behind the human carrying 04 until a human scares him off with the horrible sticks the humans carry that flash with bright light and burn worse than fire when it touch you. 04 can't even call for his friend, can only watch as the humans carry him away.

What if they take 04 away forever? What if he'll never see 03 again, just like his mum? 04 wants to fight, defend himself, but he can do nothing but cry silently. The humans take him further and further from the small bit of safety 04's found in this horrible place, 04 feeling more and more like someone's squeezing his chest hard. Is that what the human holding him is doing? 04 can't see if that's what's happening, but breathing feels difficult, like 04 just dived for too long.

04 is dropped a second time, a distress call allowed to leave him as the control of his pelt disappears. The selkie wastes no time in scrambling to the closest wall and following it until he finds a corner. There, he curls up, head carefully tucked close to his knees. 04 cries, weakly calling for help he know won't come.

Maybe this time it will work? Maybe this time someone will care?

Wiping at his face, 04 opens his eyes just a little bit. The light hurts them, but he has to look, see if humans are watching him, waiting for an opportunity to hurt him. 04's in another bright, white pit, almost the same as the one he was in before. Only, 03's not there.

But he's not alone. There's movement, two figures huddled close together. 04 hisses in their direction, telling them to stay away. He sniffs the air, trying to identify the figures. It's hard to do so over the sharp smells of this human place, but 04 can pick up something.

They're not human, that much is clear. Even with the light hurting his eyes and everything blurry from tears, 04 can tell they're not human shaped. They're too small. But 04 knows not to trust them. Everything in this place hurts, why would this be any different?

One of the figures approaches way too fast. It's larger than 04, even a little larger than 03. 04 doesn't dare to look at it too long, but can tell it's a selkie with longer, brown hair. It extends its clawed hand forwards, far too fast again, so 04 bites, hissing at it.

Unlike the humans, this one takes the warning, backing off quickly.

An apologetic call is made from somewhere, not sounding exactly like 03. 04 hunches, not sure what to do with that information. Then, something that sounds like selkie word follows. But they're not right, not like what 04 grew up with. These selkies sound different.

The next time 04 dares to look up, both the figures are closer. 04 sobs, wishing 03 were with him. He doesn't stand a chance against two older selkies, and the humans are probably going to come back and hurt him too.

Shaking all over, 04 sits up and tries to threaten the two selkies he doesn't know, growling at them and baring his teeth. He'll keep biting and clawing at them, no matter what. If they're going to hurt him, he'll hurt them right back.

Before 04 got lost from his pod, 04 didn't have to try and bite anyone. He's only supposed to do so towards bad people, but now 04's constantly surrounded by bad people. Everything constantly hurts, 04 has to cry so much more than he used to have to and he's always scared.

The other selkie comes closer this time, slower than the long haired one. This one has shorter hair, and is squinting at 04. It says something in selkie, something that sounds a bit like a greeting but 04 can't tell. It still sounds off. Then, it says something in human. The only word 04 catches is “hurt” and he knows what that means. Is means the dark marks humans leave on him, it means the feeling of being without his pelt too long and the feeling the tools and weapons the humans carry cause.

04 hisses, snapping at the selkie as a warning as he quickly dashes past him and into the water. He dives deep, into the furthest corner away from the selkies. His body wants to float upwards, but 04 uses his limbs to keep as close to the ground as possible.

The selkies don't come for 04, so he stays under until he runs out of air and is forced to dive up. Staying close to the surface, face halfway submerged, 04 watches the two selkies as they watch him. They don't move any closer, but 04 still doesn't like them. Hissing under his breath, 04 floats backwards a little so his back touches the wall. Through half closed eyes, 04 looks about cautiously. He won't let them get the jump on him.

Then, there are humans at the door and 04 quickly dives under the water, deep enough that everything on the surface is just coloured blurs. He's had enough of the humans. If they want to hurt him, they will have to drag him out of the water first.

But they don't do that, don't even try to.

04 surfaces again after a little while, confused and worried. What ever the humans are up to, it can't be good.

The humans aren't in the pit like 04 expected, they're calmly standing outside it again. That doesn't mean they won't try to hurt 04. He's never safe, they're never safe.

Then he spots it, a third figure is in there with them, a figure 04 knows. It's 03, being crowded by the strange selkies. Fear and anger bubbles in 04's chest. 03 doesn't defend himself, he just lets the humans hurt him. He'll just let the selkies hurt him too, but 04 won't let that happen.

Snarling, 04 pushes off the wall, gliding through the water before emerging in the shallow end. 04 lunges forwards, slamming into the smaller of the two strange selkies to get past them, knocking it to the ground. Baring his teeth, 04 stands in front of 03, clawing at them.

“Stop,” he shouts in human, “no.” He won't let them hurt his friend, not without trying to stop them. The long haired selkie reaches forwards again and 04 snaps his teeth at him, growling.

Then there's a hand on 04's shoulder and he whips round with a startled yelp.

They took 04 away a while ago now and 03's getting worried. The guards were so rough with him, dropping him for no reason after they commanded him to go still.

Hemlock said they're going to meet new people today, and 03 doesn't know what that means. What if they're hurting 04? 03 picks at the hem of his shorts, resisting the urge to ask about 04 again. He'll just get them both in trouble if he acts out.

When the guards come to get him, 03 does as told, holding still for the wire around his neck and walking quietly along with the guards. Hemlock isn't there and neither is 04, so 03 can't hold anyone's hand. The guard holding the wire must be in a bad mood, yanking it forwards suddenly multiple times, almost making 03 stumble.

03 looks at his feet for most of the walk, stepping from tile to tile, claws clicking on the floor. The hallway is made from larger, gray tiles, then they're on the smaller white ones again. 03 only looks up once the guards stop walking.

They've brought him to another enclosure.

Right away, 03 spots 04 hiding in the water, head barely visible at the surface. That immediately becomes 03's top priority. He has to get to 04, right now. He steps forward, just about to call out to 04 when the guard harshly pulls on the pole with the wire, choking the walrus selkie and making him fall backwards. The guard glares at him as she opens the enclosure. Dragged by the wire, 03 is forces to stumble down the steps, at the bottom of which he is release.

Rubbing at his neck, 03 looks for his friend. 04's under the water by now. Rising to his feet, 03 steps forward cautiously.

That's when he notices that he's not alone with the baby selkie. There are two other selkies in the enclosure, bigger than 04. When they turn to look at 03 in unison, the walrus selkie freezes. 04's hiding, so maybe they did something bad to him. Fidgeting with his hands, 03 takes a step backwards.

Holding his hands up, the selkie with long, dark brown hair steps forwards. “Hello,” he says, barely raising his voice. There's a tag on his ear that says 01. Glancing to the other selkie, 03 spots that he's got a tag with 02 written on it. 03's eyebrows knit together. Why didn't Hemlock tell him about them when he asked why there wasn't a specimen 01 or 02? Is it because they're dangerous?

“What did you do to 04?” 03 asks, trying to look big. Hemlock says he's large for his age, 03 can use that to his advantage.

“Are you referring to the selkie with albinism in the water?” 02 asks, squinting at 03. His hair is a bit lighter than 01's and a lot shorter.

That's what Hemlock had called what made 04 so pale. Hesitantly, 03 nods.

“We didn't hurt him, promise,” 01 say. He could be lying, 03's aware of that, so he should really be more careful. But them 01 smiles, tugging at the marking that covers half his face, and he looks friendly, not cruel like the humans do. Cruel people can't pretend to be nice that well, 03 thinks, so he takes a step closer.

“I'm 03,” he says, slowly holding out his hand. 01 hesitates for a moment before taking it.

“I'm called Hunter,” he says. 03's eyes go wide.

“You have a real name? Like a human?” he exclaims, accidentally being far too loud. 03 cringes at the volume of his voice, waiting to see if the guards react. When none of them do, he looks back at 01, or rather Hunter, and waits patiently for an answer as he wrings his hands.

Hunter nods. “It's my name from before.”

03 gasps in amazement. “Selkies are allowed real names?” Hunter just shrugs.

02 suddenly holds his hand up, waving it frantically. “I have a real name too, I'm called Tech,” the words burst out of him, almost talking too fast for 03 to understand. 03 grins, hardly able to stay in place with excitement. When Hemlock said they were going to meet new people, he could have never imagined he'd mean two new friends. Now they just have to meet 04 properly.

“Please don't be mad at 04,” 03 says. “He sometimes bites. It's because he's scared.” He watches the two new selkies carefully, hoping they won't respond in anger.

Tech nods. “We may have already scared him. He bit Hunter.”

“It wasn't even bad,” Hunter huffs, crossing his arms in front of his chest. By the little marks on his hand, 03 can tell that it was worse than 04 ever tried to bite him.

Then, a snarl comes from the water. 04's at the edge of the shallow water, hunched forward as he bares his teeth. In seconds, he's slammed into Tech and pushed him to the ground. He comes to a halt in front of Wrecker, growling as he swipes at Hunter and Tech.

“Stop, no,” he shouts, whole body trembling as he puts himself between 03 and the new selkies. It dawns on 03 that 04 is trying to protect him. 03 whistles softly, trying to calm 04. He carefully puts a hand on the baby selkie's shoulder.

04 snaps around, eyes wide, lips pulled back to expose his teeth. He's still shaking.

“It's okay, we're safe,” 03 says, wrapping his arms around the smaller selkie and sinking to the ground. 04 sobs into 03's shoulder, mumbling words 03 can't hear into his side as he holds onto 03 tightly.

Tech and Hunter sit down too, a little bit away from them.

After being given some time to calm down and with a bit of encouragement from 03, 04 tries looking at Hunter and Tech again. He even listens to their introductions and repeats their names, followed by announcing his own. 04 refuses to leave 03's side however and doesn't allow Hunter and Tech to come any closer.

That's alright though, he just needs a little bit of time. 03's certain that soon they'll all be playing together like 03 and 04 do.

That morning, 03 was part of a pod of two. He'd asked Hemlock if he could be counted to their pod too, but Hemlock said that pods are for animals, not humans. Even if it made 03 sad, he still understood. But now, with a little bit of time, they'll be a pod of four, and that sounds absolutely perfect to 03.

#tbb #tbb wrecker #tbb crosshair #tbb tech #tbb hunter #the bad batch #tbb fanfiction #tbb selkie au #my writing #I'm having so much fun with this au

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electrikworm · 9 days ago

Text

Repoding: Hunter and Tech

Relationships: Hunter & Tech

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Hunter and Tech meet for the first time.

Part of my TBB Selkie au. Hunter is 5 and Tech is 4

Thanks to @squad-724 for helping me name this :D

Word count: 1,050

Read on Ao3

Masterlist

Tech takes a hesitant step forwards, one hand gripping his pelt tightly, the other raised to his face. Hemlock's told him not to take his hands in his mouth, but still Tech chews on his index finger as he navigates the unfamiliar space. He's careful not to let his sharp teeth catch the membrane between his fingers.

This enclosure is much bigger than the one he's used to. Tech glances to the raised ground around it, where Hemlock stands behind the electric fence. He gestures for Tech to continue moving.

Hemlock said there's be something in the enclosure with him. Tech has no idea what it could be. He hopes it won't hurt and that he won't make a mistake that would lead to the guards having to hurt him.

Like the rest of the enclosure, the pool is large. Tech can't tell how deep it is. Moving closer to peer over the edge,Tech steps into the shallows. The water's the same temperature as the one in his enclosure, just above room temperature.

In the corner of his eyes, Tech spots something. A dark shadow gliding along the bottom of the pool. At first he thinks it's a trick of the light, a reflection on the water's surface. But then he sees it again, moving closer rapidly this time.

Tech gasps, backing away swiftly. His ankles hit the step out of the shallows, sending him to the floor. Tech pulls his pelt on, transforming before he keeps moving. He's slower, but his skin is thicker. Tech quickly learned that punishment hurts less in his seal form.

Once backed against the tiled wall, Tech looks up at Hemlock again. He's too far away for Tech to see his expression. Tech knows he shouldn't be begging for help.

The shadow from the water breaks the surface, pulling its self into the shallows. Tech can only make out a blurred, dark shape. First, it's hunched close to the ground, then it stands, walking forwards steadily.

Tech barks, loud as he can.

Hemlock says he's a sea lion, has showed him videos of them before. The way they hunt and defend themselves. Tech's bark is nowhere near as powerful as the ones from the recordings.

The figure isn't scared of him, still advancing at a steady pace. It's walking on two legs, that much is clear, but Tech's vision is too unclear at that distance. As soon as it's half way across the enclosure, Tech squeezes himself as close to the wall as he can.

Hemlock's told him about how animals have a thing called “territories”, spaces that they don't want other animals in. Tech doesn't know what the figure is, but if it's in an enclosure, it's probably not human. By being here, Tech is invading its territory.

The figure isn't intimidated by Tech, not slowing its movements towards him.

A call, questioning, cautious, gets Tech's attention. It sounds like a selkie call, like the ones Tech knows from before he was found by humans.

He's not stupid enough to trust it. He's heard recorded selkie calls before and even if the figure is a selkie, it may be luring Tech into letting his guard down. Humans lie all the time, the guards pretend like they won't be mad if Tech admits to a mistake he's made, the doctors keep saying that something won't hurt and then it does. Tech's sure even Hemlock lies sometimes, though he hasn't done so to Tech before.

Selkies are worse than humans, they're monsters, so Tech's sure they lie even more.

The figure calls again, Tech's sure the sound comes from it this time. Tech tries scaring it again, but his second attempt is even worse. It comes out as a weak growl. The figure ignores it, so Tech gives in. He curls up, tucking his head low to the ground. Closing his eyes, he tucks his fore-flippers close to his body where they can't be stepped on and waits.

The figure is still moving, Tech can hear as much. The closer it gets, the more it sounds like when Tech walks on the tiles. The figure must have claws, Tech can hear them hitting the tiles occasionally, same as his do.

Then the steps go quiet. Tech can hear it breathing from here, can smell it too. The smell reminds Tech of selkies, but it's different in a way Tech doesn't understand. It smells like the soap Tech has to use and like disinfectant and salt. It smells like the lab, like it lives there, same as Tech.

Tech doesn't dare to inhale too deeply as the figure does nothing. It must be waiting for something. Tech doesn't want to know what.

Then something touches Tech's back and he flinches, trying to shove himself even closer against the wall. Tech tenses, waiting for something, waiting for pain. Maybe the creature will hit him like the guards do. Maybe, if it has claws and sharp teeth like Tech has, it will sink those into Tech's skin. He waits and he waits, but the figure does nothing for a very long time.

“Hello,” a small voice speaks, “I'm called Hunter.”

Tech shouldn't look, should just keep his eyes shut, but he's too curious. Slowly, he cracks his eyes open, not daring to move his head from the floor.

He was right about the figure being a selkie. It's kneeling next to him, leaning forwards slightly. The selkie is young, nowhere near an adult, its hair longer and darker than Tech's. There's a marking on the young selkie's face, covering the entire left side, smile tugging at it's lips.

Tech doesn't want to speak, still cautious of the new creature, so he just releases a soft whine.

The selkie speaks again. “It's okay,” it says quietly, then pulls its pelt on. It's larger than Tech, pelt fluffy and an almost white gray. Laying its head next to Tech's on the tile, the selkie closes its eyes.

Again, Tech should follow his instincts, try and get away from the stranger. But there's heat radiating off of the selkie's body and Tech is so rarely able to sleep against someone warm. Giving in to the urge, Tech inches closer, leaning against the selkie, against Hunter, and closes his eyes too.

#tbb #tbb tech #tbb hunter #tbb hemlock #royce hemlock #tbb fanfiction #my writing #tbb selkie au

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electrikworm · 4 days ago

Text

White Tiles: Ear tag

Relationships: Crosshair & Wrecker

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

How Crosshair got his ear tag.

Part of my TBB Selkie au. Wrecker is 4, Crosshair 2.

Word count: 1,393

Read on Ao3

Masterlist

Chapter Text

03 wakes to footsteps. Not outside of the enclosure, no, they sound too close. There are people in the enclosure.

Cracking his eyes open, 03 pushes himself onto his elbows and looks up. Towering over him and 04 are four guards and a doctor. 03 can't help the small whimper that leaves his lips. This can't mean anything good.

The guards are dressed in dark clothing like they always are, bearing the lab's logo on their chest. Some have things called tasers, others these long sticks attached to their belts. Both of those things are only used when 03's being especially bad, but they still scare him. Any moment, he could slip up, do something wrong, and the guards will take them out. 03 extends his arm, putting it over 04's waking form.

The small selkie in question makes a little inquisitive noise, mumbling a selkie word 03 doesn't know. He tries to move closer to 03, only to startle and hiss when he spots the humans. 04 bares his teeth, moving to hide behind 03, hands rested on the walrus selkie's shoulders.

“What do you need?” 03 asks, standing up whilst covering 04. He knows 04's scared of the humans, more than 03 could ever be. He keeps his voice polite and doesn't raise it. He doesn't want to cause any problems.

“Nothing from you, little beast,” one of the guards hisses, raising his hand. 03 braces, ready to be struck. That only makes the guard laugh. “Were here for the runt.”

03 doesn't know what that word is, but guesses they mean 04.

“Is- Is he in trouble?” 03 asks, wringing his hands. 04 gets in a lot of trouble because he's scared and he bites. Just a few days ago some guards came and punished him. 04 was screaming and crying the whole time, and 03 was just ordered to sit there through his pelt. He almost started crying too, even if he wasn't being hurt.

When the guards finally left, they'd left big, dark bruises on the outside of 04's legs, making it impossible for him to sleep on his side like he usually does. 04 barely let go of 03 for the rest of the day, clinging to him constantly. 03 couldn't really do anything to help but hold 04.

If they're here to hurt 04 again, 03's going to beg them to punish him instead. At the very least, 03 hopes they'll let him take part of the beating. 04's still healing and he deserves a break. He's only little after all.

“No,” the doctor says, stepping forwards. 03 almost sighs. The doctor motions for 03 to get out of the way, addressing 04. “It's your lucky day kid, you're getting tagged,” she smirks, pulling a fanged tool from her pocket. 03's seen it before and it's vicious teeth. It's what put the tag in his ear.

04 growls, snapping his teeth as the humans circle them. 03 tries to calm him before the guards decide he needs to be hit. 04 has to get an ear tag, just like 03 did. They need them so Hemlock can always recognize them, just like the brand. It only hurts for a moment, and then it's fine if you don' touch the tag whilst it heals.

But before 03 can even try to fully communicate even half of that, a guard grabs him by the back of his neoprene shirt and throws 03 to the side. 03's not proud of the little yelp that leaves him when he lands hard on his hip, but he can't stop it from leaving his mouth.

“Get out of the way,” the guard hisses, pointing to the taser at her hip as a threat. 03 curls in on himself, both from the lingering ache from the impact, as well as the fear of the guards.

04 is distraught by 03 being removed from him, emitting a loud distress call and lurching after him, only to be grabbed by the guards and pinned to the floor. 03 sits there, wringing his hands as he watches 04 being subdued, being unable to do anything.

Then, a guard more to the back of the group holds 04's white pelt aloft and commands him to go still. All the fight immediately leaves 04's body as he goes limp. His head rests on the tiles, turned in 03's direction. Tears are running down 04's face as the command forces him to lay motionless.

“03,” he gets out, not having been told to be quiet as well. 04 can't say “three” that well yet, but 03 understands him. He's been slow to talk, saying few words in selkie, and even fewer in English. He knows things like “yes” “no” and “hurts” though, and he's learning more and more.

“It'll be okay, baby,” 03 says softly, reaching forward only to retract the hand quickly as he remembers what heavy boots the guards wear

“Shut up,” the doctor hisses in 03's direction, “both of you!”

04 is quickly ordered to do so with his pelt and so is 03 only moments later. The tug in his chest is uncomfortable, but 03 is used to it by now. It's not as bad as the feeling of being without his pelt for too long. That's probably the worst pain 03's ever felt.

The doctor pins 04 with one of her knees, resting the other on the floor beside him, muttering something about getting her trousers wet as she preps the scary tool. 04's eyes are wide, pupils trying desperately to angle up enough to see what's happening with the doctor looming over him. Once the tag is in the tool, the doctor brings her gloved hand down to 04's ear, feeling the skin there. Then she places the tool so its jaw wraps around the lower part of 04's ear.

03 doesn't want to watch, wants to force himself to look away but he can't. He knows this has to happen, that all selkies that belong to Hemlock need an ear tag. That's just how things are. But that doesn't mean 03 wants to watch his new friend suffer.

It feels like an eternity as 03 watches the doctor adjust her grip on the tool, checking the placement of it. Then, with a loud click, it's all over in seconds.

If 04 weren't ordered to be silent, 03 knows he would scream. Silent tears streak his face as his eyes seem to widen further.

The guards start to remove themselves and the orders the selkies were given are dissolved. 04 starts hissing and spitting as he crawls away from the humans, a shaky sob leaving him as he trembles. None of the humans react, except for two of the guards laughing at 04. That makes 03 angry, more than he should ever allow himself to be towards humans, but he can't help it. They shouldn't make fun of 04, it's mean.

03's frozen in place for a little while longer, watching the guards leave. He's interrupted by small, pained whines from 03, who's tugging at the fresh tag in his ear. 03 rushes to his side, taking the young selkies hands in his.

“No, no, you have to leave it 04! If you pull it out, it will hurt,” 03 speaks softly, shaking his head. “You need it anyway.”

Pulling his crying friend closer, 03 carefully looks at his ear. The tag's still perfectly in place, even if a little blood has spilled around the plastic. It has 04 written on it.

“Look, we match now!” 03 exclaims, trying to distract 04 as he points at his ear. 04 sniffles, wiping at his face before slowly reaching for 03's tag and touching it.

“03,” he says, then flops forward against 03's chest. He does so with the side of his head with the tag first, hissing and switching sides before settling fully. After a moment of silence filled only by quiet crying, 04 speaks again. “Hurts,” he says, trying to crawl closer to 03.

The walrus selkie can't tell if he only means the tag or is referring to the bruises on his legs too. Either way, 03 can only think of one thing to say in response.

“It will be over soon,” 03 says, wrapping his arms around 04 a little tighter.

#tbb #tbb wrecker #tbb crosshair #crosshair & wrecker #the bad batch #tbb fanfic #my writing #tbb selkie au #If anyone has questions or suggestions for things I could write in this au pleas tell me!#If it fits into the story I'd love to write your ideas!

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electrikworm · 8 days ago

Text

Repoding: Wrecker and Crosshair (part 1)

Relationships: Wrecker & Crosshair

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Hemlock's notes on introducing Wrecker and Crosshair.

Part of my TBB Selkie au. Wrecker is 4, Crosshair 2.

Word count: 1’277

Read on Ao3

Masterlist

Chapter Text

Year 4, day 67:

Since specimen 04's behaviour has yet to improve, his introduction to specimen 03 will be adjusted to an earlier date.

Hopefully, the presence of an older and stronger selkie will compel 04 to adopt a more obedient nature. I believe 03 will respond to 04's violent and disobedient nature brutally and efficiently, likely subjugating him faster than we ever could.

Naturally, it is very likely that 03 will injure, possibly even kill, 04, so the meeting is a risk. The necessary precautions will be took to minimize that risk as well as we can, the rest is out of our hands.

Year 4, day 68:

The first step of specimen 03 and 04's introduction consists of keeping them in neighbouring tanks, separated by glass. Both Enclosures, as usual, consist of a deep and a shallow end. The specimen have been given their pelts.

Specimen 04 is uncooperative and young, so any attempt to explain what is happening was entirely pointless and could just as well have been omitted. 03 seemed to understand the information I shared, though I kept it minimal. I don't want to contaminate the experiment by giving 03 too much information.

Specimen 03 showed great interest in 04, spending most the time in the parallel tanks glued to the glass, watching the younger selkie. Whilst it certainly seems that 03's interest came from a place of curiosity, I'm not ruling out the possibility that he sees 04 as prey.

03 had a lot of questions, some of them surprisingly intelligent. He continues to speak too fast, so it was impossible for me to catch everything coming out of his mouth. What I could understand I answered simply. He seemed to understand most of my answers, forming further questions based on them.

04's actions were almost completely opposite. He gave no indication as to whether he even realized 03's presence. Specimen 04 spent most of the time close to the wall furthest from 03's tank, varying from laying down or swimming, both in his “human” form, and his seal form. He did not speak.

Later, once back in their usual enclosures, 03 continued to bombard me with questions and insisted on interrupting his feeding with requests to “see the baby again”. I had to resort to removing his pelt to get him to quit.

Once again, it is unclear what the motive behind his interest in 04 is.

Year 4, day 70:

After giving them a few days to get used to each other visually, we replaced the glass with a metal grate. This way, they can get used to each other's smell as well as hear one another.

As with the glass, 04 remained mostly indifferent to 03, whilst 04 desperately tried to get the younger selkies attention.

Upon being released in the tank, 03's first action was to reach through the grate in his humanoid form as far as he could. He continued to do so for the entirety of the time spent in the tank, to the point that I thought he may have got him self stuck.

03 spared no effort in trying to entice 04 across the room. He called out to him frequently, usually something along the lines of “come here baby”, along with a series of clicks and whistles I've not observed him making before.

Despite knowing 04's number, specimen 03 refers to him as “the baby” more frequently. This might be a way to cement the younger selkies place in a potential hierarchy.

04 snapped at 03 four times and bared his teeth frequently. This did not deter 03. It is obvious 03 knows he is stronger than 04.

Year 4, day 72:

The introduction was scheduled to take place in 03's tank. As it is not 04's territory, I reasoned that this should reduce his hostility. Increased aggression from 03 was also a concern, but I decided to proceed non the less. Specimen 04 was expected to be injured, no matter the outcome.

I almost expected them to be at each other's throats immediately, but they remained distant for a while. 04 immediately found himself a place in a corner, whilst 03 watched him closely.

10 minutes since introduction:

After calling out to 03 repeatedly, with hisses and growls being the only response, 04 seemed to give up.

Instead he moved to the edge of the enclosure to reach under the electric fence and grab at a security guard's shoe. He then begged her for a ball, specifically the blue one he's been unable to break so far. I decided to allow the request, but brought him the toy myself. He proceeded to make a bid deal of thanking me for it.

On a side note, I've told staff not to stand so close to the selkie enclosures. Someone's going to lose a limb some day if everyone keeps standing within grabbing range.

60 minutes since introduction:

Specimen 03 had been playing with the ball since he received it, throwing or rolling it towards 04. He seemed to be trying to involve the younger selkie in his games. His tone was bound to change once specimen 04 bites him. Everyone expected blood to be spilled any second.

Occasionally, 03 appeared to forget 04's presence, instead playing with the ball alone. He spent a good 20 minutes simply pushing the ball under water and letting go, making it jump out of the water. Using this technique, specimen 03 managed to launch it outside of the enclosure a whole seven times, following each time with pestering me for it back. You would think that if he wanted to keep the ball so badly, he wouldn't fling it out of reach.

1 hour and 20 minutes since introduction:

After more of the same, I encouraged specimen 03 to approach 04, as this had become a tremendous waste of everyone's time.

1 hour and 34 minutes since introduction:

Specimen 03 decided to be difficult, wasting further time by bothering me with questions. He had to be repeatedly reminded of what he's supposed to be doing and the ball had to be removed from the enclosure, as it distracted 03.

1 hour and 37 minutes since introduction:

03 finally swam up to 04, who's been staying in the deep end of the pool, alternating between diving and staying at the surface, whilst switching between forms liberally.

Specimen 04 immediately bit 03. The older selkies response was to switch forms and let himself sink to the bottom of the tank as a walrus. No blood appeared to have been spilled yet, which was rather unusual. 04 always aims to leave lasting damage whilst biting.

1 hour and 40 minutes since introduction:

Specimen 03 stopped sulking and got closer to 04 once again. From the way he moved, I was certain his intention was violent.

Surprisingly, 03 didn't attack. He started swimming or floating near specimen 04, vocalizing in the same way he'd done through the grate.

2 hours and 35 minutes since introduction:

After a long while of seemingly pointless attempts at communication, the selkies started to swim alongside each other and eventually, they even seemed to play together. I gave the ball back once it was requested.

There was occasional fighting, but no one was injured. I had not planned for such an outcome. They even fell asleep next to one another.

Specimen 04 may not have been forcefully put in his place but he seems much more docile around specimen 03. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of 04's biting habit.

Year 4, day 73:

Specimen 04 still bites, alternative solutions are being drafted.

#tbb #tbb wrecker #tbb crosshair #tbb hemlock #tbb fanfiction #my writing #tbb selkie au #the bad batch

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electrikworm · 10 days ago

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The Arrival: Crosshair

Relationships: none

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Crosshair's arrival at Hemlock's lab.

Part of my TBB Selkie au

Word count: 526

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Year 4, day 12:

Like with the other specimen, 04's arrival was greatly anticipated. However, he quickly proved to be very difficult. If the look on the truck driver's face hadn't tipped me off, the screeching from inside the vehicle would have told me all I need to know. She made a point of telling us how vicious this selkie is, immediately proven by 04 trying to claw at her through the bars of his cage as soon as the truck had been opened. The taser the driver carried got the selkie to back off, though he continued to hiss and snarl. How anyone managed to remove the pelt from this creature without sedating him surprised me. Despite that means of controlling him, handling 04 was far from pleasant. Numerous bite wounds and scratches were sustained. The other selkies have acted violently before, but never to this extent. 04 had to be sedated for examination.

Specimen 04 is an albino baikal seal, which explains how he was caught. He was found alone, trying to steal fish from a net. 04 was likely abandoned by his pod for his condition. It is not uncommon for animals to shun young with albinism or even kill them. I'm surprised this specimen survived in the wild for as long as he did.

Next to electrical burns, specimen 04 was covered in a number of injuries sustained in transport, ranging from bruises to cuts. This didn't surprise me. Given 04's behaviour, the damage is justifiable.

He is also very thin, showing that he has yet to learn to provide for himself well. That is hardly surprising, as his age must be at around 2 years.

The most irritating part of 04's behaviour is the fact it prevented me from forming any kind of bond with him. His insistence on trying to bite me kept me from feeding him at a close range and the guards had to subdue him multiple times. He wouldn't even hold still long enough for me to administer painkillers. The fact that he'll have to go without for this period of bad behaviour is no one's fault but his own.

Sadly, he does not seem to understand that, as English is clearly beyond him.

I don't wish to act violently towards 04, as that may jeopardize training him to associate positive things with me. I will have to hope that the guards will be able to coerce submission out of him through any means necessary. I know they are willing to do what it takes, as I have only employed people willing to treat selkies with force if needed.

Eventually, 04 had be left to throw his tantrum without intervention from the guards, as causing him further harm would risk the specimens life. Even if his screaming was distressing the other selkies, particularly 03, who remains in a solitary enclosure.

Perhaps I will introduce 04 to the others soon, hoping a hierarchy will form and force him to behave. Though that will be a last resort, as 04's albinism and weak build may encourage the other specimen to see him as an easy target, likely killing him.

#tbb #tbb crosshair #tbb hemlock #royce hemlock #my writing #tbb fanfic #tbb selkie au #Hunter's 8 in this Tech 7 and Wrecker 4 #They're only mentioned but hey

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electrikworm · 11 days ago

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The Arrival: Wrecker

Relationships: none

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Hemlock's notes on Wrecker arriving at the lab.

Part of my TBB Selkie au

Word count: 789

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Day 137:

I was reasonably excited about the arrival of specimen 03, as he was the first selkie infant I've seen. Since his survival wasn't guaranteed, my elation at his safe arrival was increased further.

01 and 02 have been behaving well in my vicinity generally, but they're far from easy to handle. Specimen 03 promises to be the first selkie I can truly shape into what I want him to become.

03 was born to a selkie previously held in captivity, though she escaped shortly after the birth of her child. The owner wanted her back, but she got caught by humans unaware she belonged to someone. She got aggressive, likely due to the instinct to protect her offspring, and was killed in the dispute that followed. I would have liked to study her remains, but her pelt was sectioned off among the killers and her body was either dumped or used as feed for dogs or pigs. The information isn't entirely clear.

The owner had no desire to keep the infant, which resulted in him being sold to me.

Whilst he is in good health, 03 makes a bad first impression by screaming through the entire transfer, making my discussion with the delivery driver near impossible.

Thankfully, 03 was easily distracted by food, a type of modified human baby formula containing a far higher quantity of fat and protein. Despite 03's still lacking vision, I will be the only one to feed him. Acquiring 03 so young is a rare opportunity to condition him without pre-existing interference and I refuse to compromise that.

We know specimen 03's date of birth and as such know that he is 3 months, 2 weeks and 3 days old. His claws remain dull and his mouth is still free of teeth, but he has a surprising amount of hair on his head. 03 seems to have been fed more or less enough, even during his transportation to my lab.

Specimen 03 is both extremely active and clingy. He cries when not held, something I will have to put an end to soon. He enjoys grabbing at my fingers or face, depending what's nearest and managed to pull my ID card off of my shirt. 03 spends a significant time chewing on his own hands or making noises, sometimes amusing himself enough to make it almost sound like he's laughing.

Getting him to sleep was impossible, so I settles for leaving him to cry until he tired himself out. Young seals are rather independent, so leaving 03 alone is likely more natural than giving in to his constant demand to be held.

03 seems to have formed an attachment with me already. I have high hopes for this specimen.

Day 140:

Though I can not hear him from my office, 03 has been driving the staff to insanity with his incessant crying and screaming. After multiple formal complaints, I've been forced to reduce the time 03 is left to cry himself to sleep.

I loath to keep a dangerous animal out of its enclosure, but I can not do all my work away from my desk. It has been decided that 03 will occasionally be moved to my office. The door will be locked and I will call for assistance if I would need it.

01 and 02 have both reacted to the noise as well, seeming interested. It is not the time to introduce them yet, as I am sure there is a high risk that the older selkies will kill 03.

Day 141:

I had specimen 03 in my office for the first time today and was surprised by the positive outcome. 03 fussed frequently to begin with, but once I moved him so he could see or hear me, he calmed significantly.

Admittedly, I had not expected to have to be this involved in taking care of specimen 03, having theorized that minimal contact would be necessary besides feeding, cleaning and changing the small creature. It would be interesting to know if this is a quirk of the individual, or if all young selkies are so demanding.

A worrying discovery I've made is how easy it is to forget that I'm handling a dangerous animal. Sleeping or smiling with his toothless mouth, specimen 03 could almost be mistaken for being human. But just as a lion cub looks sweet before it grows to the predator it will be in later years, I must remind myself that 03 will grow to be a vicious beast. On top of that, he is also an experiment, so attachment is even less warranted.

I have decided to periodically remind myself of this fact by reading past research on the atrocities selkies have committed.

#tbb #tbb wrecker #the bad batch #tbb hemlock #royce hemlock #my writing #tbb fanfiction #I'd love to post more of this au but I don't want to spam the tags on tumblr #tbb selkie au

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electrikworm · 12 days ago

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The Arrival: Hunter (part 1)

part 2

Relationships: none

Content Warnings: Blood and Injury, Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Royce Hemlock has dedicated his life to studying Selkies through any means necessary.

Acquiring four young Selkies marks the beginning of Hemlock's research.

The first of Hemlock's specimen arrives, a young ribbon seal selkie.

Word count: 614

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Day 1:

Specimen 01 arrived at last after weeks of waiting. The truck driver could give me no information on the reason for the delay. Once the selkie was confirmed as alive, payment proceeded and the specimen was moved into his enclosure.

I must say, I was surprised they managed to fit a seal in such a small box.

To my annoyance, specimen 01's physical state was far from ideal. I had expected some damage to the creature, but the amount was quite frankly excessive. It would have been nice to avoid medical expenses so early on.

The specimen was barely conscious and refused to shift from his seal form, so we examined him this way first.

The specimen appears to be a ribbon seal selkie, malnourished but likely due to the extended time spent in transit. Besides bleeding from a multitude of wounds, specimen 01 seems to have broken ribs. The specimen's age could not be accurately determined without seeing his humanoid form.

That became our first challenge. After waiting for him to become more aware of his surroundings, I had a guard offer him food repeatedly, but hold it just out of reach. The selkie grew frustrated and eventually turned to claw at the guard and take the fish from her hands. 01's pelt was swiftly removed from him, inducing panic until ordered to behave through the pelt's power.

I watched from afar. It would be counterproductive for the selkie to begin associating me with bad sensations if I am to condition him to like and trust me. It was fascinating to witness, both seeing a selkie turn for the first time and watching the control their pelt has over them.

01 was sedated and examined again. He appears to be around four years old, humanoid body bearing faint indications of the markings his body will bear as he grows. The baby teeth lining his mouth are sharp, as are his claws. It is clear to see the kind of killing machine this young creature will grow up to become. The membrane between specimen 01's fingers and toes is certainly interesting, very delicate at this point. It will be interesting to learn if it toughens with age.

The selkie indeed had broken ribs and required stitches in multiple places, including a head wound. He also proved to have a bad concussion, which lead to him being sick multiple times. All his bandages were covered with a waterproof film.

Once the worst of the nausea passed and specimen 01 had calmed, I introduced myself to him. I doubt he understood anything, but I made sure to be the one administering pain medication so he can start building up positive associations with my appearance.

I was also the one to feed him, keeping the meal small to avoid averse effects after a period of starvation. The unseasoned fish was preprepared for specimen 03 as to avoid any complications, but he will have to learn to feed himself soon enough.

During the feeding, 01 was sluggish and sickly, but well behaved besides some flinching an incoherent babbling in his native tongue.

Despite the setback of specimen 01's injuries, I am pleased with how things are going.

Day 4:

It seems specimen 01's calm behaviour was deceptive. The more his concussion cleared, the more he seems set on causing a fuss. He spent multiple hours screaming. Thankfully I couldn't hear him from my office.

Whilst this is a setback, I am not all too concerned. Like any animal, subject 01 is upset at being removed from his parents, but just like cow or kitten separated from its mother would, 01 will forget about it soon enough.

#tbb #tbb hunter #tbb hemlock #royce hemlock #cw blood #tbb selkie au #hunter whump #tbb fanfiction #my writing

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electrikworm · 10 days ago

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The Arrival: Pelt removal

Relationships: none

Content Warnings: Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Hemlock's notes on the removal of the selkie's pelts.

Part of my TBB Selkie au

Word count: 463

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Day 152:

After initial issues with the extended removal of specimen 01's pelt, the general assumption was that this was a quirk unique to him. However, after further testing with 02 and 03, I have come to the conclusion that this is a problem all selkies suffer from.

The first symptoms arise shortly after removal, around 2 to 3 days. 01, with his now improved vocabulary, described it as a pain in his chest that he compared to needles. 02 simply stated “hurts”, usually indicating his torso. There's no definite way to spot this symptom in 03, as he is an infant. He did however tend to fuss and cry more frequently after his pelt was taken and I was forced to hold him in an effort to get him to quiet down. Even that was sometimes ineffective and he was left to cry himself to sleep

The second stage of removal appears around 8 to 9 days after removal. It is very similar to the initial symptom, however the pain seems to increase. During this period of time, all specimen where reduced to constant crying, screaming and frequent usage of distress calls. Those capable of words would beg and plead with anyone close by, though since neither of them ever mentioned their pelt, I'm not entirely sure what they were asking for. Perhaps simply for relief from the pain. On that note, no painkillers made a difference to their situation.

They were entirely inconsolable, so I was thankful to discover this stage only lasts give or take 48 hours.

During the third stage, they become quiet. The specimen still act relatively normal, but they do everything sluggishly. The frequent crying is still an issue, though I was happy to learn they do that silently as well.

The fourth stage, which we've named the “depression phase” is where things start becoming problematic. 2 to 3 days after the third stage, the selkies stop moving entirely. They lay down and will not move from that spot unless ordered to through their pelt. They won't eat or drink, they don't respond to threats or the promise of things they usually enjoy. They still occasionally cry, if they're hydrated enough to do so, but this never goes beyond silent tears.

03 almost looked dead when I checked on him a few times, his eyes squeezed shut, body rigid.

After a few days of this, I always cut the experiment short. It is unclear whether they'd sustain permanent damage from this or if it could even lead to death, but it is too much of a hassle to care for them in this state.

I have set up a plan to periodically have their pelts removed and given back so we avoid ever going past phase 2.

#tbb #tbb wrecker #tbb tech #tbb hunter #tbb fanfic #tbb selkie au #another rly short one sorry :/#my writing #tbb hemlock #royce hemlock

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electrikworm · 12 days ago

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The Arrival: Hunter (part 2)

part 1

Relationships: none

Content Warnings: Blood and Injury, Child Abuse, Dehumanization

Summary:

Royce Hemlock has dedicated his life to studying Selkies through any means necessary.

Acquiring four young Selkies marks the beginning of Hemlock's research.

Hunter's POV of his arrival at Hemlock's lab.

Word count: 1’036

Read on Ao3

Masterlist

It hurts. Everything hurts. For days and days, everything's just hurt. He can't think right, his head hurts.

He remembers being in the water, someone calling him something, calling him “Hunter”. Is that his name?

Hunter thinks it must be.

Then there was blood in the water and Hunter tried to swim away. But he couldn't, Humans dragged him out of the water. That's when the pain started.

Pain, no place to move, more pain, no food. For days and days.

Then everything got bright. Humans keep touching him and moving him around, but them one of them has food in front of Hunter's face.

He shouldn't take things from humans, never. But he's so hungry. Then the human pulls it away. Hunter tries to stretch for it, tries to grab it with his teeth, but it's too far away and it hurts so much to move.

“Please,” Hunter begs, but the human doesn't understand selkie.

So Hunter shifts, pulling his pelt off and swipes at the human. His legs give out just as he snatches the food from the humans hand. Hunter's body burns as he sways on his knees, crying from the pain. But he's so hungry that he just sinks his teeth into the small chunk of raw fish as tears streak his face.

But then something in Hunter's chest tugs. He turns to see a human taking his pelt. Hunter cries out, crawling after the human. He's not supposed to let humans touch his pelt, ever. He pleads and he begs for it back as the human moves away faster then Hunter can.

Then the human says something, and Hunter is forced to stop moving and making noise. The connection tethering him to his pelt burns hot with the humans words. Then something hits the side of Hunter's neck and the world goes dark.

When Hunter wakes, everything still hurts. He's wearing shorts that aren't his and his body is covered in weird smooth stuff. He tries to sit up, but feels sick immediately. His mouth and throat burn, tears falling across his face as he struggles to breath. His stomach had already been almost empty, a watery substance being all that Hunter brings up.

Hunter isn't even strong enough to avoid getting what he throws up on himself, spraying onto his hands and knees as he's hunched over the floor. He collapses next to the pool of bile, ready to curl up and cry. But then water is sprayed at him. There's so much of it, all Hunter can tell it's coming from one of the humans. It hurts when it hits Hunter's skin.

He's sick a few more times, always followed by the water. Every time Hunter hopes it's the last time he'll be sick.

At some point, it stops and Hunter's left alone with the pain. He hugs his knees to his chest, sobbing quietly. Humans don't like when he's loud. Hunter wants someone to hold him. He had, has, parents, Hunter's sure of it. If only he could remember more than blurry images of them. Hunter cries a little more, pain getting worse with every sob. He wishes he knew what's happening, where he is. Hunter wishes the humans understood him.

Then a human's suddenly there, leaning over Hunter. He can barely make him out against the bright lights. He has short dark hair, slicked back and his eyes are intense. Hunter wants to move away, doesn't want to be hurt more, but he's too tired.

The human holds his arm and talks, saying many things Hunter doesn't understand. He knows the word “help” and “hurt”, but can't tell what the human means with them. The human touches his hair and despite being scared, Hunter leans into it. Then there's a sharp sting in Hunter's arm. He tries to squirm away, unable to muster the strength. So he just whines quietly. Usually, an adult would come find him if he did that, would come help him. But humans don't care, they never do.

Then everything starts hurting less and less, until it's still worse than any pain Hunter's ever felt, but better than it was before. Hunter even stops crying, mostly because of how tired he is.

Hunter thinks it was something the human did that made him feel better, so when he leaves, Hunter mutters a quiet “thank you”.

The human returns later, carrying a bowl of something. It smells like food. Hunter sits up a little. The human crouches down next to him and for a second, Hunter thinks he's going to be hit. He moves away from the humans hand, only to see that the human is holding out a chunk of raw fish.

Slowly, Hunter holds his hand out. He knows he shouldn't, should refuse anything a human offers. But this one doesn't seem that bad.

Without doing anything mean like pull the food away from him, the human drops the fish in Hunter's hand. Hunter snatches it and starts chewing quickly. Like the first piece, ages ago now, it has nothing on it. Hunter doesn't mind. He likes raw fish, it's fun to chew and he really is very hungry. He does wonder if humans don't know how to cook though. Maybe they just don't like to.

Hunter asks the human as much, but he doesn't understand that either.

As Hunter is offered one piece of fish after the other, he thanks the human, hoping he'll understand eventually. He tries it a few different ways. He says that he's happy about the food and that he likes the fish and that he thinks the human is nice for giving him it. He even tries making content whistles and hums, but the human doesn't even seem to understand those.

When the human leaves, Hunter feels better than he has in a long time. Maybe the human will start to understand him soon and then Hunter can find out what's happening. But at least this human is nice, so things will get better, things can only get better. Hunter's never met a nice human before.

Those good thoughts make falling asleep so much easier, even if the floor isn't much more comfortable than the box.

#tbb #tbb hunter #tbb hemlock #royce hemlock #cw blood #hunter whump #tbb selkie au #tbb fanfic #my writing

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