#that little imperceptible shift when he realizes she really was willing to betray him

[tardxsblues]

If I change the events that brought you here, you will never come here and ask me to change those events. Paradox loop. The timeline disintegrates -- your timeline. And yes! Yes? Yes. I did just say no. Throw away the key. I have seen you change time. I have seen you break any rule you want. I know when I can. I know when I can't.

[dirt-cup-draco]

Ardeth x Reader - Too Late For Us

Hi!! Could I kindly request an Ardeth Bay x Reader (Rick’s sister) where they had history but reader left with Rick and Evelyn to London after the first movie and bc of Alex they now meet again to defeat Imhotep and the Scorpion King, but Ardeth is engaged already to a woman from his tribe and reader is incredible jealous. Both reader and Ardeth still love each other though

When Evy and Rick had come to you, explaining that times were changing for the worst yet again, it went without saying that you would be helping them, right beside your brother and sister-in-law. What didn’t really sink in until you were in a plane, on your way to save the world from danger it couldn’t fathom, was that you would have to see Ardeth. Just as you felt responsibility to your sibling, he felt responsibility to keeping Imhotep buried once and for all. 

“What if he doesn’t want to see me?” Rick just rolled his eyes as you bit at your fingernails, a nervous habit you had thought you had left behind long ago. You also thought you had officially left your feelings behind but it didn’t seem like those had disappeared either. You weren’t ready to see Ardeth yet at the same time you could think of nothing else that would make you happier. The terror and excitement swirled in your stomach and you were left feeling sick. 

“I’m sure he’ll be very pleased to see you,” Evy comforted, hand warm on yours as she gave you a sympathetic look. 

You and Ardeth had grown very close the first time you had met, some invisible force drawing you together that not even the chaos around you could withhold. It had started with longing glances and slight touches, a hand on the small of your back as you tried to stay upright on the shifting sand, your knee bumping against his as you warmed yourselves in front of a fire that Rick had started as the sun set. 

One night everything had snapped into place, the tension growing until neither of you could handle it anymore. Jonathon was curled up in the sand, a bottle grasped in his hand. Evy was laying comfortably in a sleeping bag, Rick dozing peacefully near her. You found it sweet, your brother, whether he would have admitted it then or not, had found the woman for him. Alternatively, you and Ardeth were still awake, shoulder to shoulder and gazing at the stars. You thought that maybe you had found the man for you. 

The both of you had connected eyes at the same time, a sentence pausing in Ardeth’s throat as your closeness rattled him. “I-I was just going to say how beautiful the stars were tonight,” He confessed, looking surprisingly flustered. 

Without another word between the two of you, your lips had engaged in a dance that left your legs feeling weak. His hands were steady and his lips insistent as he pulled you closer, daring to nibble at your lip. You had been putty in his hands. You had both stumbled to a tent, too busy getting lost in the feel of his scruff against your neck and his hands kneading at your hips to think properly. Ardeth had left an impression on you that wasn’t fading, as well as several hickies if you remembered correctly but you hadn’t been complaining. 

After that, you both had little time to be near, let alone intimate. Time passed and when it was your time to leave, you had hesitated. Pulling Ardeth aside you had discussed a future that you could only dream of now, one where you sent letters frequently and stayed in touche, one where you visited and let the seeds of this whirlwind romance grow. 

But, just like in dreams, it was fleeting no matter how many times you tried to fall back asleep and continue the fantasy. 

You held to little bits and pieces, old letters he sent before he halted them completely without another word as well as the memories you shared. You hoped he was alright or that he hadn’t forgotten you at the very least. Did he think of you the way you thought of him? You were shaken from your thoughts as the plane landed, your heart in your head and your logical reasoning gone somewhere out the window. 

With the sun glaring down on you with unforgiving rays, you followed Rick and Evy as they chatted idly. You were too busy ogling the man that you had adored as he came into focus, hopping gracefully from his horse as he greeted your little traveling group with open arms a cheerful grin. “My friends,” His rich voice danced around in your head, turning your every thought to mush. 

Ardeth knew you would be arriving with your brother, it was a certainty. He however hadn’t thought he would feel his chest restrict at the sight of you, his heart aching uncomfortably. You looked like a deer caught in the headlights as you watched him and his stomach turned. Even now and he could see the adoration in your eyes, even if it was veiled by hurt. 

He had enjoyed your company, you had been hypnotizing and strong and Ardeth had been starved for touch, his body in tune with yours. However, when you left it only took him a month or so to realize that he didn’t care for you as you cared for him. Ardeth liked you but your connection had been purely physical, he missed your presence but only as a friend. It had been fun, passionate fun, but only that. He hadn’t had the guts to tell you he didn’t see you two going any further in any aspect besides friendship. 

The months had passed and then years. You were still a brilliant and beautiful woman, even a decade later but the spell you seemed to be under had worn off of him. “Come in,” He urged, his voice strained the slightest bit as he invited you all into his home that was just over the sand dune he had appeared from. “I have had refreshments prepared for you all,” 

“You mean I’ve prepared refreshments,” Came a teasing voice. It was soft and sweet, with a faux edge that made Ardeth’s heart burst with affection. However, you were feeling quite the opposite. It was as if a cold bucket of water had been tossed onto you when you had least been expecting it. A woman with a straight back and bright eyes sauntered into the humble living room you had all gather in, tucking herself into Ardeth’s side as if it was second nature.

You watched as he smiled, the warm expression dropping slightly as he caught your eye. He set his arm over her shoulder, pressing a kiss to her temple but he found he couldn’t look away from the betrayed look in your eyes. What would ease your pain? He wondered momentarily. Ardeth had tried to spare you by cutting off contact, letting you move on as he had, but it seemed he had only hurt you more. 

“Yes, I must give credit where credit is due, my love,” Ardeth cooed. 

Rick grinned, oblivious to the way your heart shattered. “You old dog! How did you manage to land such a knock out?” Rick was charming and she giggled at the compliment. Evy subtly elbowed Rick in the side, her other arm extending but in such a way that no one could see the show of support. You gripped her hand, willing her strength to be yours. It took everything in you to not cry. You had your own doubts, but a part of you had been hoping so badly that he had waited for you like you’d waited for him. 

“I ask myself that every day,” Ardeth answered Rick, eyes now glued lovingly to his lover’s face. “I have been blessed to have her by my side, these past five years have been a dream with her. I couldn’t ask for a better wife,” 

Ardeth emphasized the word. Wife. He has a fucking wife! You nearly whimpered. You had been starry eyed over him for years and here he was, happily married for nearly as long as you two had been separated. He knew you were processing the information, he could see it in the ways your eyes had gone dull, your expression exceptionally blank as you tried not to cry. 

You bit your lip in the hopes it would stop trembling. “How wonderful! Congratulations, friend.” You finally managed, words tasting bitter but sounding saccharine. Evy squeezed your hand as your shoulders shook imperceptibly, your entire body tensing to stop the physical reaction of your heartbreak. It was a cruel joke to bring you back to him only to shove the happiness he had found in your face. 

“Now how about those refreshments, huh?” You pressed, “I’m starving! Anyone else?” Your voice pitched without warning and the group was left looking at you in question before laughing softly. 

“A woman with an appetite, I like you,” Ardeth’s wife grinned, sending you a playful wink. Unbeknownst to her, you had been hoping to jump her husband’s bones not even two hours ago. You tried to smile back but it fell flat. 

“Y/N-” Evy whispered as the others began to filter in to the kitchen, the two of you diddling behind. 

“It’s fine,” You muttered. “It’s too late for us now, my fault I didn’t see that sooner,” Without another word uttered, you locked your heart away and calmed your expression. You were here to save the world, not let it crumble around you. Ardeth gave you an apologetic look and you nodded curtly. An understanding passed between you then. 

Whatever your history had been, it wasn’t to be repeated. 

[pizza-is-my-buziness]

Okay so this one kinda turned into “5 times the team noticed them holding hands when they didn’t think there was anyone around”...if that makes sense?

Also featuring a human Ophelia because I’m trash?

It's late and Piper's tired but her mind is so wired, the way it's been practically since she joined SHIELD but especially since becoming a part of Coulson's team. Honestly there are times where she thinks that if she'd known ahead of time how much this job was going to screw up her sleeping schedule she never would have signed on. They never mentioned Inhumans or killer robots or being on the run from angry government officials when she'd been at the Academy.

Midnight trips around the base, especially to the kitchen, have become a part of her routine. The walking helps; the movement of her muscles helps to unwind her mind and leave her much more successful when she crawls back into bed. Stealing a little bit of chocolate from the kitchen? Yeah, that helps too.

Piper has grown used to this new base in the dark; any good agent would know to avoid the creaking floors, the weak spots that would signal her arrival. She steps around them easily and before she can step into the kitchen, she notices something else: the low murmur of voices from inside the kitchen.

Instantly, Piper stops, tensing. After the weeks she's had recently, she figures no one could blame her for suddenly being on the alert, ready to defend herself from whoever might be lurking in the shadows.

But the voice she recognizes: Agent Simmons, her lilting accent unmistakable. Piper can't make out what she's saying exactly and whoever is answering her is speaking too quietly for her to identify but that doesn't matter. She relaxes, instantly feeling much better. Agent Simmons she trusts, explicitly. She might even be willing to share some of her carefully hidden chocolate.

Piper moves to step into the doorway of the kitchen but stops when her eyes settle on Agent Simmons and her companion. It's Daisy, which isn't all that surprising in itself. She knows that they're friends, that they share an enviable closeness thanks to all they've been through and seen.

What does strike Piper is strange as they way they're standing together in the near perfect darkness of the kitchen. Their proximity isn't that of friends but something more, something more pressing, intimate, important. Daisy reaches for Jemma's hand and she laces their fingers together, holding onto her tightly.

Piper moves out of sight, stepping back into the hallway. She feels guilty for nearly interrupting this quiet, obviously private moment. There's something else tightening in her stomach too, something a bit like jealousy, as she remembers watching Daisy reach for Jemma's hand, the easy way she'd done it, a little gesture to suggest she'd done it a thousand times before.

Quickly, Piper starts back in the direction of her bunk. She'd always argued with the other rookie agents, the lone protester insisting that Jemma and Fitz were just friends and she feels a little private thrill of victory at the thought that she might have been right after all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Fitz knows, of course he does. Jemma has always been easy for him to read, her mannerisms and expressions as understandable to him as his own thoughts. Most of the time, anyway. And she'd told him, months before and he'd seen fear in her eyes then instead of excitement, worry about what he might think, about what Daisy might think. I like her, Fitz, she'd whispered in the lab with her eyes on the floor.

So he knows, in an off-handed sort of way. But he'd, well, Fitz doesn't want to say that he'd forgotten because that's not entirely the right word. It had just slipped from the forefront of his mind. Jemma had stopped talking to him about it, stopped bringing it up, and he'd forgotten to ask. The knowledge had been there: Jemma likes Daisy. But it hadn't exactly meant anything.

Until Fitz sees them together in the lab. They're alone and they don't realize that he's stepped inside; this new base isn't quite as fancy as they one they'd just blown up. The door doesn't whisper when Fitz steps up to it; the opens soundlessly as he presses against it with his elbow, looking at something on his tablet.

Jemma is studying a tablet of her own, no doubt pouring over the readings that she's getting from Daisy, connected to various machines by the wires on her skin. Jemma makes a face, no doubt in response to whatever she's seeing on her screen and Daisy mimics her, an easy gesture that catches Fitz's attention and reminds him of the days, years before, when he might have done the same.

He watches as Jemma rolls her eyes, shaking her head, moving to turn away from Daisy. Daisy reaches forward, reaching for her hand. Her fingers hang loosely around Jemma's wrist and it's Jemma who twists her hand away just enough that their fingers hook together.

It's then that Fitz really remembers their conversation, really understands what Jemma had said to him that afternoon. This gesture, so easy and unimportant, suddenly looks so intimate. They aren't holding hands, not really; but they're tethered together, however loosely, however briefly. Momentarily connected.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Daisy is asleep, her forehead pressed uncomfortably to the glass of the Jeep. May can see her in the rearview mirror, the way her brow is furrowed, how her lips are parted slightly, how she looks annoyed and ready for a fight even in sleep.

The rest of the Jeep is quiet, everyone exhausted, momentarily sedate after a successful mission. Beside her, Elena sits, tapping her fingers impatiently against her knee, as though she wishes she could be out and moving, burning off the extra energy still coursing through her body. May almost envies Jemma's seemingly meditative state; she hasn't said a word since they got into the Jeep and Daisy fell asleep and her features betray nothing of how she's currently feeling. May wonders if Jemma hasn't learned more than a thing or two from her after all.

Jemma glances over toward Daisy and May almost misses the faint smile that passes across Jemma's face as she lets her eyes settle on Daisy. But she doesn't miss the way that Jemma reaches for Daisy's hand resting on the seat between them, covering it with her own.

It nearly makes May smile as well, though she returns her attention on the road ahead before anyone can notice.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Talbot narrows his eyes. "Nervous, are we?" Figures. Only someone with something to hide would be nervous in a situation like this.

Daisy doesn't say anything. She just narrows her eyes at him from across the table and all the while her leg keeps bouncing, giving away what her scowl does not. The other faces on her side of the table -the annoying British doctor and the terrifying Asian ninja- seem to be taking a page out of Quake's book and giving him a scowl.

Not that their attempts at a death glare bother him. He just points at Daisy. "Stop," he says gruffly. "I don't need any sort of funny business. No earthquakes or anything."

Daisy stills her leg with a final thud of her boot heel but Talbot doesn't feel like he's won this particular argument. He feels like this girl is trying to ruffle his feathers, to make him regret these mandatory SHIELD briefings so that he can keep Coulson and his pet superhero on a tight leash. The rest of them too…he should just build a kennel for all Coulson's pets to keep them out of his way.

"So," Talbot ignores the scowl still on Daisy's face, flipping open a dossier in front of him. "Let's talk about Tulsa last week. Property damage, buildings and cars destroyed, three people in the hospital…" He looks up at Daisy. "I don't remember authorizing any missions to Oklahoma."

Sighing, Daisy shifts in her seat, leaning back. There's something in her eyes, something like regret, something she's not saying…something that makes Talbot want to push her until she tells him everything.

Talbot barely catches movement underneath the table: the doctor reaching out to take Daisy's hand, threading their fingers together and giving her hand a squeeze.

It only makes Talbot all the more suspicious that there's something going on that he really wants to know about. Coulson's team isn't going to keep pulling the wool over his eyes.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ophelia is still learning human traits, watching carefully, much more carefully than she did when she was Aida, so she can be sure to get every part of it right. So she can be like them one day, completely and truly. She wants to fit in, though she knows such a thing will never be completely possible. They don't want her there with them but they won't let her go either.

Mostly, she watches Jemma. At first it had been mostly out of self-defense, certain that she needed to guard herself at all times just in case Jemma was prone to that petty human condition of revenge. But now it's mostly out of habit, trying to puzzle through the many facial expressions, the way the body moves and reacts to different types of stimuli.

And she can tell…Dr. Simmons is tense, angry. This is something Ophelia is used to: the tightness in Jemma's shoulders whenever she's around, the way her spine straightens and her chin lifts, almost imperceptibly, like she's on guard around Ophelia in the same way Ophelia is guarding herself around Jemma. She can see the tightness in Jemma's shoulders now, the way her muscles knot between her shoulder blades, the way she holds a little too tightly to anything she happens to pick up.

Right now, they're studying the pieces of a recently acquired 084, something they're trying to keep of Talbot's radar for the time being. And she's there, watching them mostly, but learning too about how to lie and these different pieces of the world, mysterious and unknowable even though she has so much more knowledge than they do.

Ophelia watches Fitz and Coulson puzzle over the pieces but she's more interested in watching Jemma. She's standing off to the side with Daisy, both of their backs to the proceedings going on, a tablet between them. Daisy tilts her head closer to Jemma, saying something that no one else can hear but that makes Jemma shake her head, her shoulders still tense, her body giving her thoughts away.

Daisy reaches for Jemma's free hand, holding onto her tightly; their fingers lace together and Ophelia can see Jemma relax, albeit only marginally. She studies them, tilting her head slightly. "It's interesting to me, that humans do that," she remarks.

Without looking up, Fitz mutters, "You're human now too. You can't keep saying that."

"Right." She nods. "I only mean…I'd thought that hand-holding was purely a romantic thing, a way to express romantic interest and show possession over your partner."

Fitz looks up, confused. He's about to ask her what the hell she's talking about when he glances over and notices Daisy and Jemma, standing off on their own with their hands still linked. He smiles slightly and Ophelia thinks this particular smile is to show happiness for another person.

"Apparently it is supportive," Ophelia adds, wanting to provide more context for her observation. Judging by the tension steadily draining from Jemma's shoulders, she is feeling very supported at the moment.

"It can be both," Fitz says. "Sometimes at the same time."

Ophelia frowns. "Both?" She considers this. "Oh. I…I see…"

She studies Daisy and Jemma with renewed interest and suddenly Jemma's relaxed posture and little smile make more sense. It's sweet, she thinks; especially if it takes away some of Jemma's hard edges.

Surprising but sweet. It seems there's always something new to learn.

[fandom-hell-ferrylass]

A/N: Can’t remember if I bumped this one, so here’s the second installation in my Path of the Fang series

Summary:

While waiting to rehearse with the band, Thackery gauges the pros and cons of interacting with the band's newest, most unwanted member

The Jabberwock girl sat against a wall of the Mad T Party’s space in the rehearsal warehouse, various paraphernalia scattered about her as she had pulled things out of her bag. Thackery noted the plastic box with a picture on it sitting next to her foot. As he worked on re-tuning his bass, he watched her slide the box in front of her and flip the lid open. From that angle, he could make out various small plastic bags with bright colors inside. She began pulling the bags out and arranging them on her lap.

Green grapes.

Orange … fishes?

Tiny twigs? What the—

That’s a sandwich. Looks weird though.

Two silver … pouch … things. That she’s stabbing. Oh! It must be some kind of drink.

The Hare’s eyebrow rose at each reveal, and he realized he was watching the Jabberwock girl prepping to eat lunch.

READ MORE ON AO3

“Huh. Wish I’d thought of that.”

He’d been watching her methodically take tidbits out of the bags without looking and pop them into her mouth between bites of sandwich. Thack still couldn’t tell exactly what kind it was but there was a slightly sweet smell wafting faintly from her direction.

He glanced at his watch. Everyone still had at least half an hour before they’d even head that direction. Thackery sighed and grumbled at himself under his breath. By the time he was set for rehearsal, it’d be too late to run and get something.

He cast a slow look in the girl’s direction. Her rate of consumption had slowed to a crawl and she was now on her phone.

I wonder … maybe she might have something left over. She hasn’t given us any trouble, almost the exact opposite actually.

The Hare stood from his stool, walking over to settle his bass back on its stand. Unrestricted, his full gaze meandered to rest on the Jabberwock.

Mally’s gonna pitch a fit if he catches me being nice to the girl. Abs too, probably. Tarrant … no idea. Too many variables. But gosh darn it, I need food! And I really want to know what’s in that sandwich.

Before he could talk himself into another go-around, Thackery spun on his heel and strolled towards the dark figure.

Eirian felt the other Underlandian presence grow stronger as it approached. Her eyes flicked up imperceptibly to watch the March Hare - Thackery Earwicket, Thack … to his friends - wander towards her. Her thumb never stopped scrolling on her phone screen, but she kept the man in her sights as he came up on her.

She couldn’t help the jerky glance she shot him when he turned and settled himself against the wall next to her. Not right next to her but closer than she figured any one of them would have been voluntarily.

Immediately Eirian mentally clamped down on her insides, willing herself to remain the picture of cool calm aloofness. She didn’t even think about the fact her fingers had stopped moving altogether.

A minute passed.

Three.

Six.

Thackery decided this was a dumb idea after all. As soon as he’d settled on the ground, getting his legs bent at comfortable angles, everything in his head had gone blank. He tried to surreptitiously take inventory of the food the girl - Eirian. Her name is Eirian - hadn’t devoured yet, noticing there was a second sandwich beneath the half-eaten crusts of the first. The sweet smell was stronger here, an odd mix of familiar scents that he couldn’t quite identify when they were put together.

After a few moments of tense silence, he found his thoughts had hit a snag and were starting to loop around “this was dumb” and “what IS that smell??”

He was a few seconds away from getting back up when Thackery’s own body betrayed him. A very audible gurgle of demand sounded from his stomach.

Slowly the Hare’s eyes rolled skyward and he closed them in disbelief. Outed by my own organs. Typical.

He hazarded a sideways glance. The girl hadn’t seemed to notice. Maybe he’d gotten lucky.

With her head angled like it was, Eirian was confident the March Hare couldn’t see the smile twisting the far corner of her mouth. She knew that sound well, hence the food things around her while they waited. She also knew he didn’t know it was her habit to pack more than she needed, just in case she found someone who could use a bite or ten.

Who’d’ve thought that might include the March Hare one day. What even is my life, I ask ya.

She didn’t react to anything Thackery did after that, but she could feel her own body relaxing in slight increments. Maybe it was the reminder this person next to her was mortal too, in need to the same things she was.

In any case, she carefully schooled her motions into nonchalant ease as she pinched the mouth of the bag of goldfish on her knee and held it in the Hare’s general direction. She didn’t even spare a glance as she kept tapping away at her phone.

Thackery sat blinking at the outstretched hand and it’s held contents. At this range, he could clearly make out the bright orange fish-shaped objects. He sniffed softly at the air - a new cheesy smell was starting to mix with the strange one, coming from the bag.

Having watched her continuously pop them into her mouth, he didn’t figure they would be too odd for his palate to handle. Trying his best to not knock her hand about, Thack reached into the bag and took a small handful of the fishes before quickly withdrawing, keeping his eyes on the girl’s face just in case.

She didn’t do anything but retract her own hand and set the baggie back on her knee.

He studied one of the fish for a moment. Definitely cheese-based. A bit coarse to the touch. And it had a slightly disconcerting smile stamped onto its face.

Honestly, why are humans like this?

His stomach gurgled again, galvanizing the Hare to quickly toss three fish into his mouth. Instantly they crunched nicely between his teeth. Thackery looked down at the rest in his hand and smiled - the golden fish were baked crackers.

Eirian didn’t have to turn her head to watch the Hare’s movements. The tale-tell crunching sounds were enough to make a soft smile flit unbidden across her lips. She waited until the chewing sounds dissipated before moving again. This time, she snagged the uneaten sandwich, shaking her half-eaten crusts off, and held it out towards the Hare.

He didn’t take it immediately. Her arm started to shake a little, making the sandwich bag rustle.

Another moment passed before Eirian canted her head around to finally look directly at the Hare.

His mismatched eyes were narrowed as they roved over her face. Her own expression morphed into slight confusion at the scrutiny and only deepened when his stare lightened and he took the proffered food.

“Thank you.”

Her face shifted back to its neutral setting. “No problem.” She blinked, processing, and slowly turned back to her phone.

“Um. Uh. If I could ask … what exactly is this …?”

She crunched another pretzel stick as she glanced over. The Hare was holding the half-unwrapped sandwich to his nose and taking big whiffs. She smiled.

“Peanut butter and banana. Tastes better than it sounds, I promise.”

She didn’t miss the wary tinge to his next glance but she also didn’t miss his lack of hesitation to take a substantial bite. Thackery chewed thoughtfully for a moment before swallowing.

“You’re right. That’s not half bad at all.”

Her smile widened slightly. Deliberately setting the grapes and fish crackers back in her lunchbox, she casually slid it more between them.

“I’ll keep that in mind. For next time.”

Without thinking, Thackery reached for more goldfish. “I’m Thackery.”

“Eirian.”

“Nice to meet you, Jabberwocky.”

“Same to you, March Hare.”

[fandom-hell-ferrylass]

One Good Turn (Deserves Lunch)

A/N: I was considering posting stuff containing my OC as chronologically as possible, but as so often is the want of the writing muse, she just wants to throw whatever she feels like onto a page and toss it into the void 😅 maybe one day I’ll make up a links timeline for reading ease, but that day is not today and today we have just a smol drabble for your viewing pleasure

The Jabberwock girl sat against a wall of the Mad T Party’s space in the rehearsal warehouse, various paraphernalia scattered about her as she had pulled things out of her bag. Thackery noted the plastic box with a picture on it sitting next to her foot. As he worked on re-tuning his bass, he watched her slide the box in front of her and flip the lid open. From that angle, he could make out various small plastic bags with bright colors inside. She began pulling the bags out and arranging them on her lap.

Green grapes.

Orange ... fishes?

Tiny twigs? What the—

That’s a sandwich. Looks weird though.

Two silver ... pouch ... things. That she’s stabbing. Oh! It must be some kind of drink.

The Hare’s eyebrow rose at each reveal, and he realized he was watching the Jabberwock girl prepping to eat lunch.

“Huh. Wish I’d thought of that.”

He’d been watching her methodically take tidbits out of the bags without looking and pop them into her mouth between bites of sandwich. Thack still couldn’t tell exactly what kind it was but there was a slightly sweet smell wafting faintly from her direction.

He glanced at his watch. Everyone still had at least half an hour before they’d even head that direction. Thackery sighed and grumbled at himself under his breath. By the time he was set for rehearsal, it’d be too late to run and get something.

He cast a slow look in the girl’s direction. Her rate of consumption had slowed to a crawl and she was now on her phone.

I wonder ... maybe she might have something left over. She hasn’t given us any trouble, almost the exact opposite actually.

The Hare stood from his stool, walking over to settle his bass back on its stand. Unrestricted, his full gaze meandered to rest on the Jabberwock.

Mally’s gonna pitch a fit if he catches me being nice to the girl. Abs too, probably. Tarrant ... no idea. Too many variables. But gosh darn it, I need food! And I really want to know what’s in that sandwich.

Before he could talk himself into another go-around, Thackery spun on his heel and strolled towards the dark figure.

Eirian felt the other Underlandian presence grow stronger as it approached. Her eyes flicked up imperceptibly to watch the March Hare - Thackery Earwicket, Thack ... to his friends - wander towards her. Her thumb never stopped scrolling on her phone screen, but she kept the man in her sights as he came up on her.

She couldn’t help the jerky glance she shot him when he turned and settled himself against the wall next to her. Not right next to her but closer than she figured any one of them would have been voluntarily.

Immediately Eirian mentally clamped down on her insides, willing herself to remain the picture of cool calm aloofness. She didn’t even think about the fact her fingers had stopped moving altogether.

A minute passed.

Three.

Six.

Thackery decided this was a dumb idea after all. As soon as he’d settled on the ground, getting his legs bent at comfortable angles, everything in his head had gone blank. He tried to surreptitiously take inventory of the food the girl - Eirian. Her name is Eirian - hadn’t devoured yet, noticing there was a second sandwich beneath the half-eaten crusts of the first. The sweet smell was stronger here, an odd mix of familiar scents that he couldn’t quite identify when they were put together.

After a few moments of tense silence, he found his thoughts had hit a snag and were starting to loop around “this was dumb” and “what IS that smell??”

He was a few seconds away from getting back up when Thackery’s own body betrayed him. A very audible gurgle of demand sounded from his stomach.

Slowly the Hare’s eyes rolled skyward and he closed them in disbelief. Outed by my own organs. Typical.

He hazarded a sideways glance. The girl hadn’t seemed to notice. Maybe he’d gotten lucky.

With her head angled like it was, Eirian was confident the March Hare couldn’t see the smile twisting the far corner of her mouth. She knew that sound well, hence the food things around her while they waited. She also knew he didn’t know it was her habit to pack more than she needed, just in case she found someone who could use a bite or ten.

Who’d’ve thought that might include the March Hare one day. What even is my life, I ask ya.

She didn’t react to anything Thackery did after that, but she could feel her own body relaxing in slight increments. Maybe it was the reminder this person next to her was mortal too, in need to the same things she was.

In any case, she carefully schooled her motions into nonchalant ease as she pinched the mouth of the bag of goldfish on her knee and held it in the Hare’s general direction. She didn’t even spare a glance as she kept tapping away at her phone.

Thackery sat blinking at the outstretched hand and it’s held contents. At this range, he could clearly make out the bright orange fish-shaped objects. He sniffed softly at the air - a new cheesy smell was starting to mix with the strange one, coming from the bag.

Having watched her continuously pop them into her mouth, he didn’t figure they would be too odd for his palate to handle. Trying his best to not knock her hand about, Thack reached into the bag and took a small handful of the fishes before quickly withdrawing, keeping his eyes on the girl’s face just in case.

She didn’t do anything but retract her own hand and set the baggie back on her knee.

He studied one of the fish for a moment. Definitely cheese-based. A bit coarse to the touch. And it had a slightly disconcerting smile stamped onto its face.

Honestly, why are humans like this?

His stomach gurgled again, galvanizing the Hare to quickly toss three fish into his mouth. Instantly they crunched nicely between his teeth. Thackery looked down at the rest in his hand and smiled - the golden fish were baked crackers.

Eirian didn’t have to turn her head to watch the Hare’s movements. The tale-tell crunching sounds were enough to make a soft smile flit unbidden across her lips. She waited until the chewing sounds dissipated before moving again. This time, she snagged the uneaten sandwich, shaking her half-eaten crusts off, and held it out towards the Hare.

He didn’t take it immediately. Her arm started to shake a little, making the sandwich bag rustle.

Another moment passed before Eirian canted her head around to finally look directly at the Hare.

His mismatched eyes were narrowed as they roved over her face. Her own expression morphed into slight confusion at the scrutiny and only deepened when his stare lightened and he took the proffered food.

“Thank you.”

Her face shifted back to its neutral setting. “No problem.” She blinked, processing, and slowly turned back to her phone.

“Um. Uh. If I could ask ... what exactly is this ...?”

She crunched another pretzel stick as she glanced over. The Hare was holding the half-unwrapped sandwich to his nose and taking big whiffs. She smiled.

“Peanut butter and banana. Tastes better than it sounds, I promise.”

She didn’t miss the wary tinge to his next glance but she also didn’t miss his lack of hesitation to take a substantial bite. Thackery chewed thoughtfully for a moment before swallowing.

“You’re right. That’s not half bad at all.”

Her smile widened slightly. Deliberately setting the grapes and fish crackers back in her lunchbox, she casually slid it more between them.

“I’ll keep that in mind. For next time.”

Without thinking, Thackery reached for more goldfish.

“I’m Thackery.”

“Eirian.”

“Nice to meet you, Jabberwocky.”

“Same to you, March Hare.”