#tobias when i catch u

[teshadraws]

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 66]

<< First | < Previous | Next >

AO3 Link

-

Tragedy strikes near the guild. Nia and the others are called in to help.

-

CW: Blood and Injury, Death

Nia startles awake to the sound of a heavy fist pounding on the door.

“All Seekers D-rank and above come to the flight floor!”

Nia blinks in the dim light of Tobias’ tail, half-asleep brain trying to catch up to what she just heard. She’s wrapped up in the blankets of their bed, warm and cozy, and Tobias is sitting up and rubbing his eyes next to her. Samir is already pulling themself free of the blankets to land on the floor, the clunk of their hooves loud against the wood. The skiddo shakes out their pelt, leaves rustling.

It can’t be dawn yet—Tobias looks just as out of sorts as she feels, and rain still pounds against the closed leafblind window, the room dark as night.

“What’s going on?” Junie yawns from her place at Nia’s hip.

“Dunno,” Tobias grumbles, pulling himself from the warmth of the bed and moving to the door, Samir close on his heels.

Once he opens the door, the quiet clamor of voices on the other side wakes Nia up immediately. It sounds the same as the night of the earthquake last week. Like something has suddenly gone unexpectedly wrong.

Heart pounding, Nia staggers out of bed herself and goes to the door, only to stop at the sensation of an unfamiliar voice coming from…inside her head? It almost sounds like she hears it aloud, except that it’s too…clear. Without the rebound and muffling caused by physical space.

All Seekers D-Rank and above, go to the flight floor for disaster assistance. Await further orders.

Was that…telepathy?

“Another disaster?” Nia asks, exchanging an uneasy look with Tobias and Samir.

“We just had an earthquake and a dungeon pop up last week,” Tobias says, frowning. “And it’s rare for an entire guild of Seekers to be called out all at once.”

“Does that mean it’s bad?” Junie asks from the bed, voice small in the suddenly heavy atmosphere.

Samir nods, expression grim.

Tobias looks outside the door to where teams of Seekers are flowing down the hall like fish in a stream, all of them wearing similarly tense expressions as they whisper to one another.

“Well. That means us too,” Tobias says, visibly bracing himself. He goes to their chest and grabs his green rain poncho, snagging their satchel as well. “C’mon.”

Nia takes the satchel from him as he passes, then glances back at Junie. Nia can only see the shine of her wide, worried eyes in the dark of the room.

“U-Um. We’ll be back, Junie.”

Junie nods, uncharacteristically quiet. Nia wants to comfort her, but Tobias and Samir are already stepping into the flow of Pokemon, so she has to hurry after them.

Nia stumbles as she breaks into the tight crowd of Pokemon and is carried along the dark hallway with them. She hooks a hand around Tobias’ arm to make sure they don’t get separated, and Samir stays close to her side, shouldering their way through the mess.

“S-So we don’t know what happened?” Nia asks, trying to find her words through sluggish thoughts.

She’d been kept awake later than usual the night before, trying to calm her heart after discovering…whatever she discovered regarding her aura. It shouldn’t have scared her so badly, but it just felt so…big. Like a power that she wasn’t responsible enough to hold. She doesn’t know what else she can do with it, and she doesn’t know if she wants to know.

Regardless, she keeps a firm grasp on her aura now, especially as her ears and nose are overwhelmed by the hushed voices and anxious scents surrounding them.

“I’m guessing they’ll tell us what’s going on when they send us off to…wherever we’re going,” Tobias says. He has to separate from Nia as they reach the stairs and start climbing to the flight floor. “But it has to be bad. I don’t remember the last time the whole guild was called out at once like this.”

Nia swallows. She looks at Samir, climbing the stairs a step behind her. “Have you seen something like this before, Samir?”

Samir nods. If possible, their serious expression grows even more stiff.

Nia bites back the question on her tongue and looks ahead again. She doesn’t have to ask if it was a bad experience. She can see the answer on the skiddo’s face.

The air in the stairwell is oppressive, charged with nervous energy and crowded with too many bodies. Finally, though, they reach the flight floor, where cold gusts of rain whip through the crowd and wake Nia up fully. Usually the flight floor is dark at night, but someone has brought up crystals from the tunnels and hung them around the room in jars to give them a bit of blue light.

Nia stands on her tiptoes to try seeing ahead, but she can’t peer over the crowd of taller ‘mon ahead of them.

“Line up! Distinct lines!” A voice calls from somewhere ahead, barely heard over the clamor of voices.

Nia sees Tobias stretch up as well to see better. His face lights with recognition, and he drops back down to wave them forward. The charmander shoves his way diagonally through the crowd, a clear destination in mind. Samir follows, then Nia, whispering apologies for her team shoving their way through.

Nia doesn’t know who or what Tobias saw until the charmander cups his hands around his mouth and calls, “Ezra!”

The sneasel’s ears, one a feathery red, twitch at the call, and the ‘mon turns to them a moment later. A tense smile comes to his face as he nods to them.

“Hey.”

Tobias pushes into the vague semblance of a line that Team Evergreen are standing in, Jaz the stufful and Andyn the deerling just a step ahead of Ezra. Nia and Samir crowd close to join them.

Andyn gives them all an unreadable look before facing forward again.

“Do you know what this is about?” Tobias asks.

“Apparently there’s trouble along the coast, near Bethoc Bluffs,” Ezra says.

“A mystery dungeon is forming right on top of a town,” Jaz adds, ears low. “Combined with this storm, they need everyone’s help on evacuation efforts.”

Nia’s stomach drops at the thought. She remembers the horrifying experience of a mystery dungeon forming on top of them during their trip on the Aqua Jet. She remembers the slow slide of her consciousness slipping away from her, the electric energy in the air, and how the environment itself started folding and twisting around them like a living funhouse. She can’t imagine that kind of disaster falling over an entire town in the middle of the night.

Tobias’ brow furrows at the news, but his expression drops entirely a moment later, the orange of his face paling.

“Tobias?” Nia asks.

“Is it right on the bluffs?” Tobias rasps. “The town. Is it right up against the ocean?”

Jaz frowns. “Yes, I believe so. Do you—"

“The braviary,” Tobias says, looking at Nia with stricken eyes. “When we flew back to the guild. That’s the town we flew over.”

It takes a moment for Nia to remember, but then her hands come up to cover her mouth.

The psychic type braviary who had carried Fidel and Asher back to the guild. He’d sensed something strange in the air when they passed over that cute little town right next to the sea. He’d said that he figured it was some psychic types getting carried away with their powers, but was he actually sensing the dungeon before it started forming?

Could they have prevented this? Warned somebody?

The line shuffles forward as another shout calls out farther in the room. Vaguely, Nia thinks she recognizes the voice.

“Our flight ‘mon sensed something strange in that area,” Tobias explains. “He said it was probably nothing, but…”

Jaz and Ezra’s faces fall with sympathy.

“That wasn’t your call to make,” Jaz says, low and soothing. “All we can do now is help with evacuation.”

That doesn’t fully assuage the guilt in Nia’s stomach, but she does nod alongside Tobias.

They fall silent after that, everyone wrestling with their own thoughts. Tobias pulls his rain poncho over his head, cloaking his bright orange scales in leafy green.

All too soon, they move far enough forward with the crowd to see what’s happening up front.

Looks like they have two modes of transportation going right now. Some ‘mon are being led to the open platforms the flight ‘mon use, despite the storm raging outside. A familiar large bird—the fearow that carried them back from Ghatha on their first trip—is waiting at one of the openings, three smaller Seekers climbing aboard his back. Once they’re settled, he doesn’t hesitate before taking a few steps and launching himself into the rain and darkness.

A moment later, a giant toucan Pokemon flies in from the storm to take his place, shaking out drenched feathers and breathing heavily. The servine who directed Seeker teams after the earthquake barks out an order for the next group of ‘mon to climb aboard without a single moment of rest. The other flight platforms seem to be running a similar operation.

Closer to the middle of the room, the psychic Pokemon responsible for transporting Seekers out of dungeons are teleporting teams to the disaster zone. They’re divided into three groups, each positioned in a circle, and as Nia watches, a team of Seekers steps into the middle of one group before beaming away in a flash of light.

Nia is surprised to see Alistair—the gardevoir from the archives, Avery’s father—and Val the medicham helping out, much taller than most of the other psychic ‘mon. Does Val even know teleport? Maybe she can lend her psychic power to the others somehow even if she doesn’t?

Either way, it looks like it’s all hands on deck. Though Nia doesn’t see Minerva, the sick abra that had transported them the day before. She supposes in this kind of situation a shaky teleportation could be even more disastrous than being down a Pokemon.

It feels like it takes an agonizingly long time before it’s Team Evergreen’s turn to step up for teleportation. To Nia’s surprise, the nearest ‘mon—an unfamiliar pink Pokemon, cute and fairy-like with pointed ears and little wings—waves her, Tobias, and Samir forward along with them.

“You’re small enough that we’ll be teleporting you together in a group,” Alistair explains, the gardevoir’s voice all business. He only falters once he realizes who he’s teleporting.

Nia gives him a strained smile and a little wave.

Alistair returns the expression. “Hello, Nia. Could you all take a step closer to one another? The less space between you, the better.”

Everyone, even Andyn, silently shuffles closer until they’re all pressed arm-to-arm. Alistair glances over their group one more time, but stops once his eyes land on Ezra.

Before Alistair can say anything, the sneasel reaches into the pink scarf around his neck and holds up a tiny object between two claws. It looks like a little disc painted with…a black and white target?

“I’m good,” Ezra assures.

Alistair nods, looking relieved, then steps back.

Ezra must spot Nia’s curious expression, because he gives her a little smile as he settles back into place against her side, his fur cold even through her own. “It’s called a ring target. I’m a dark type. Psychic moves like teleport won’t work on me without it.”

“Oh.” Nia blinks. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

Ezra’s smile grows a bit more genuine. “Lots of ‘mon don’t. No worries.”

Alistair calls out a warning. He and the other psychic Pokemon raise their hands, glowing with a spectrum of colorful psychic energy. Nia feels the uncomfortable tingle of their power running through her fur and prickling at her skin.

The usual flash of light and flip of her stomach happens quicker than she expects, though, and then she’s in total darkness. The muffled crowd of voices and enclosed warmth of the flight room is replaced with stinging cold rain against her fur and howling gusts of wind strong enough to make her stumble.

Nia looks around, squinting against the deluge and blinking hard to adjust her eyes. Tobias, hood flipped over his head, is close by, his tail flame dancing in the storm. Samir stands on the charmander’s other side, alert as they take in their surroundings.

Team Evergreen are here too, clearly trying to acclimate as well.

A rumbling sound, almost like thunder, catches Nia’s attention, and she looks past them to the horizon. A flash of lightning illuminates the sky for a long moment, and her breath catches.

They’re on the bluffs outside of town, giving them what should be a clear vantage point of the buildings perched along the oceanside cliffs. But instead of the short, blocky silhouettes Nia expects, it’s like her eyes can’t quite…focus on the area. Like a bright light was shone in her eyes and she’s chasing the amorphous shapes of after-images, blinking spots from her vision. Darkness falls over them again before she can try to understand what she saw.

Was that…the dungeon?

Between what should be the town and their two teams, Nia can make out a smaller, defined group of silhouettes, speckled with blue crystal lamps and small torches. It writhes with movement, crowds of Pokemon running about and calling to one another. She sees a few Pokemon laid out across the ground, injured or unconscious, as others bend over them, trying to work on their injuries in the darkness and rain. As she watches, one of the injured disappears in a column of light as they’re teleported away.

Nia thinks she hears the distant timbre of August’s voice somewhere, calling out orders, but it’s his second in command who she spots first: Verene.

The lurantis is speaking with another Pokemon, and it takes Nia a moment to realize that the other ‘mon is Fen. The leafeon looks unusually serious, leafy tail held low and a satchel strapped across their back. After Verene finishes speaking to them, Fen nods and darts back over to the crowd, leaning over one of the downed ‘mon.

Verene catches sight of Nia and the others, and strides over to them. “Team Scarlet. Team Evergreen. The dungeon is nearly finished forming, but—"

She’s cut off by a thunderous noise, and a few shrieks from the crowd of Pokemon. They all turn to see large slabs of rock and earth crumbling away from the bluffs under the town, blacker than the night around them. They plummet in building-sized chunks to the ocean below, sending explosions of froth up in their wake.

Above where they fell, that amorphous, twisting mass of the town lies, treacherously close to falling into the sea as well.

Verene curses under her breath. “As you can see, the situation is…precarious. The storm and instability of the dungeon is eroding the cliffside, and our scouts report that the dungeon is reflecting that with particularly dangerous conditions inside.”

Before anyone can ask her to elaborate on what exactly that means, Verene continues, “Right now we’re having teams circle the perimeter to find survivors and get them immediate medical attention and transport to the guild.”

Nia stares at her, uncomprehending. “S-Survivors?”

Verene gives her a sympathetic look. “Yes. Kallio was a small town. No psychic types lived there. They had no warning this was coming.”

Nia feels another surge of guilt, despite her not knowing the source of the braviary’s hesitation. If she’d only realized…

She shakes her head. She can’t focus on that now.

“What about the Pokemon trapped inside?” Nia asks. She knows Pokemon caught in mystery dungeons are often left inside until the dungeon dissipates, simply because there aren’t enough high-level Seekers to extract all the Pokemon from every single dungeon safely, but… “If the dungeon itself is dangerous, then aren’t all the Pokemon inside at risk of getting hurt?”

Right on cue, something from the town’s—the dungeon’s—direction cracks and rumbles. A few voices in the crowd cry out.

Verene sighs. “Yes. There are likely injured Pokemon inside. But all that means is that we cannot safely send low-level teams inside without serious risk—especially without the means to protect you from going feral yourselves while it’s still forming. We have to keep Seekers safe first before they can help anyone else.”

“But—"

“We have a select few teams looking for injured Pokemon inside. For now, everyone else is staying in the safe zone.”

Someone yells something to catch Verene’s attention. The lurantis looks over her shoulder, then turns fully when Sage the ivysaur runs up to her, saying something in low, urgent tones.

Faintly, Nia wonders if Maggie is here too, or if she’s back at the guild prepping for patients.

Verene nods and hurries after Sage, yelling over her shoulder, “Scout the perimeter and bring injured ‘mon back here to the medics! Don’t depend on the badges—the psychics’ line of communication is too backed up.”

With that, Nia is left with Tobias, Samir, and Team Evergreen, surrounded by a palpable air of tension and chaos. Nia shivers under the freezing rain.

“What now?” She asks, voice almost lost to the wind.

“We do what she said to do,” Tobias says, rolling out his shoulders. “Look for evacuees and bring them to the medics.”

“Should we split up?” Ezra asks, looking between their two teams.

Andyn nods. For the first time tonight—in a while, really—she looks directly at Nia and Tobias. “We’ll go right, closer to the bluffs. You take the side closer to the forest.”

Tobias frowns as if he wants to argue, before deciding it’s not worth it and nodding. The two teams split, and Tobias leads them at a brisk pace to the left.

They wade through scraggly beach grass, the blades slick with rain and whipping at them in the wind, and make sure to give the edge of the town a wide berth. It’s easy to do even in the dark, when they can feel the unnatural tingle of the mystery dungeon anytime they start getting too close. Like static dancing on their skin.

As they go, they pass other Seekers who are on their way back to the medics with injured Pokemon in their arms or draped across their backs. Some of the rescued ‘mon are crying. Most of them are unnaturally still. Nia can’t see the extent of their injuries in the darkness, but she can smell the sharp bite of iron even through the rain.

Rather than her nose, though, it’s Nia’s ears that find the first injured Pokémon. She catches a weak plea for help when the wind settles down for a moment, and stops in her tracks. Ears straining, she shushes Tobias when he calls her name in question, then follows a second call through the darkness of the bluffs, stumbling over muddy ditches and holes hidden beneath the grass.

When she loses the sound of the voice, she switches to her nose, fighting the urge to flee from the scent of blood. Instead, she follows it like Xander coached her to, still much slower than she’d like to be as she plays a game of hot and cold against the dampening effect of the rain.

Eventually, though, they find them: two Pokemon huddling from the wind next to a large rock. One of them is holding their side, and the other’s floppy ear is torn and bloodied. They look so relieved when they realize they’ve been found by Seekers, and Nia is just grateful that they’re small enough for Nia, Tobias, and Samir to help transport to the medics.

They make the long trek back through the dark and the wet, and Nia is already exhausted when they drop off the two ‘mon with Fen and Sage and a few unfamiliar medics who must have been brought in to help. Her limbs feel heavy as lead, and she’s so cold she can’t feel her fingers or toes or ears, but…

There are still more Pokemon out there, hurt. People who need their help.

And so they go out again and again with the other Seekers, trudging through the blackness of the storm and becoming desensitized to the loud rumblings of the mystery dungeon settling. Nia finds herself slipping on the terrain more and more often as fatigue wears at her, and she can’t imagine how Tobias is holding up so well, being weak to water.

But each time they find an injured Pokemon hobbling away from the dungeon and their terrified eyes melt with relief at the sign of help, Nia remembers why she’s out here.

They’ve made it much farther around the town’s border on their latest trip when Tobias stops their procession. He squints into the rain, and Nia and Samir follow his lead, until Nia spots a speck of light in the distance, close to the dungeon. It peters out, then rekindles for a moment like embers.

Or, as Nia realizes once they rush towards the strange sight, like sparks.

It’s a little Pokemon who almost runs right past them in her terror, electricity bursting off her fur in sparks of light.

“Whoa, hey! Plusle! We’re here to help,” Tobias calls.

The Pokemon—a plusle?—stumbles to a stop, blinking at them and breathing hard as she tries to register what she’s seeing. One of her little paws is held at a strange angle, as if she injured it and needs to keep weight off of it, and her light coat is drenched and muddied. For a moment Nia feels her heart stop when she sees the Pokemon’s cheeks, ears, and paws covered in red, before realizing that’s just the color of her fur.

The plusle sinks to her haunches, clearly relieved.

“Seekers! Oh, thank goodness. My sister’s hurt. She—"

The plusle looks over her shoulder and stops cold, going unnaturally still. Then, she sits up taller, ears perking as she looks around.

“Mal?”

Oh no.

“Mallory?!” The plusle yells, standing up and almost falling over.

“Did you get separated?” Nia asks gently, steadying the little Pokemon.

“No no no—she was right behind me!” The plusle says, voice high and wobbling. Her eyes, dark against the brightness of her fur, are locked onto the black mass of the dungeon she just escaped. Nia still feels like she can’t look at it too long or she starts to get a headache trying to track what’s moving and what’s not.

Before Nia can say a thing, the plusle lunges past her, back the way she came.

Samir jumps in the plusle’s path, blocking her. When the plusle tries to duck around them, Tobias snatches her around the waist, holding her in place against his chest as she kicks and sparks.

“Let me go! I have to make sure she’s all right!”

“Hey!” Nia steps in front of her, hands out, trying to sound soothing despite the way she has to yell over the wind and rain. “Hey, it’ll be okay! Th-There are teams inside looking for people that need help. They’ll find her!”

“They don’t know she’s there!” The plusle wails, struggling harder. “W-What if they miss her?!”

Nia feels her ears pin back. She thought her compassion had reached a plateau for the night after seeing so many injured, upset Pokemon already, but something in her heart aches anew for this plusle. She thinks of her own sibling, and how desperately she misses him. How she’d feel if she knew he was in life-threatening danger just a stone’s throw away. 

Nia looks around, praying that a high-rank team will just be wandering by so Nia can ask them to look for the plusle’s sister. But they’re alone, and Nia hasn’t even seen any of the search teams back at the teleportation area. How many are there? Surely at least a few, right? Maybe they’ll find the plusle’s sister on their own?

Or maybe they’ll miss her entirely.

Nia’s heart sinks as she looks back at the shrieking, sparking plusle. Can Nia live with herself if she doesn’t try to help, and the plusle’s sister never comes home?

Nia glances at Tobias, whose face is scrunched up as he struggles against the little electric type, and there’s a barely-contained grief in his eyes. She glances at Samir too, but they just look resigned, expression solemn as they watch the plusle fight.

No, Nia thinks. No. She won’t allow another pair of siblings to be separated. Not like this. Not like her and Clay. Not like Tobias and Vivi.

They’re Seekers. She can’t just sit here when she has the chance to help someone.

“I’ll look for her,” Nia says.

The plusle stops fighting, going limp in Tobias’ arms and panting, “W-What?”

Nia can feel Tobias and Samir’s eyes on her too, but she can’t seem to look away from the plusle’s teary face, full of sorrow and fear and hope.

Nia tries a shaky smile. “I’ll go in and find her myself.”

She looks up at Tobias, whose brow is furrowed, then Samir, who seems bewildered.

“I have my badge, right?” Nia says. “I can always teleport out when I track her down.”

Tobias hesitantly sets the plusle back on the ground, now that the fight has seemingly left her. He stays crouched next to her, but looks up at Nia. “Nia, you heard Verene. It’s not stable in there, and the badges aren’t reliable right now.”

“I know. But…we can’t just leave someone when we know they’re in there. Hurt.”

Samir moves to stand behind Tobias and the plusle. The skiddo locks eyes with Nia, then shakes their head with a sharp whistle of No.

A rare surge of anger shoots through Nia’s chest. “You don’t get it, Samir! That’s her sister! We can’t just…”

Nia bites her tongue, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. When she opens them again, Tobias is standing, looking conflicted under the shadow of his hood. He glances down at the plusle, who is staring past them at the dungeon, shaking as she silently cries.

Tobias looks back to Nia. “It’s not safe.”

“I know.”

“The dungeon might not even be fully formed yet.”

“Th-Then I’ll…I’ll use protect until it is. Like on the Aqua Jet.”

Tobias sighs, breath coming out in a cloud of steam. “I’m not letting you go in there alone.”

“I’m going, Tobias.”

“I know. I’m coming with you.”

Nia feels a rush of relief, and relaxes from the tense stance she’d been taking. Tobias looks back at her, a well of emotion in his own eyes. She knew he’d understand.

Samir splashes closer to them, catching their attention. The skiddo doesn’t look happy, shaking their head again with an emphatic No.

Nia knows the skiddo has a point. She knows this is dangerous. And she keeps telling herself that they’ll stop doing this, stop running headfirst into danger. But—but…

She can’t just leave that Pokemon behind.

“I’m going in there, Samir,” Nia says, holding the skiddo’s dark gaze. “You can take Plusle to the medics if you don’t want to come.”

Something in Samir’s expression falters, but only for a moment. Then, their face grows stonier than before. They huff, once, before turning and gently scooping the plusle onto their head with their horns, letting the little ‘mon slide down to cling to their back.

“She’s a minun,” The plusle sniffs, clinging weakly to Samir’s leafy mane. “Please find her.”

Samir gives Nia and Tobias one last, long look before leaving at a trot through the rain. Nia can’t decide if she feels relieved that Samir didn’t argue more, or if she’s upset that they fractured from the team so easily. For a moment she wonders if this is the right thing to do at all, but—

But she thinks of that plusle’s cries, and she pictures her own brother’s face, and her resolve hardens.

Nia looks at Tobias. The charmander is watching the spot where Samir left, a complicated expression on his own face.

“Thanks for staying with me,” Nia says, quiet.

“Always,” Tobias answers, looking at her. “It’s not a smart idea, but when have we ever used those?”

Nia smiles at him, before a distant rumble from the dungeon makes them look back at the looming sight of it. It’s like a nightmare, a twisting mass of shapes barely visible in the darkness. Like something lurking on the edge of her vision.

“If we’re gonna go, let’s go,” Tobias says.

Nia nods, letting him light the way.

The two of them approach the oppressive field of the dungeon. The air grows thick and hard to breathe, and the bite of it runs lightly along her arms like teeth. The darkness ahead makes it impossible to get even a glimpse of what they’re walking into.

Then Nia’s ears catch something on the wind.

She stops Tobias and the two of them turn. After a moment, Tobias points out three blobs of movement approaching over the open grass. It’s not until they get close enough to breach the flickering light of Tobias’ tail flame that Nia recognizes them as Team Evergreen.

“We passed the skiddo,” Andyn pants, glancing over Nia and Tobias as if to make sure they’re all right. “Is there someone injured out here?”

Nia exchanges a look with Tobias. Then, hesitantly, she admits, “No. We’re going into the dungeon.”

All of Team Evergreen stares at Nia for a moment, then Tobias, then back.

“You’re going in there?” Ezra finally asks, alarmed.

“Are you stupid?!” Andyn says. “Verene told us how dangerous it is!”

“That plusle with Samir,” Nia says. “Her sister is still in there. A minun. She’s hurt, so—"

“So what?! You’re going to risk getting yourselves killed just to find one ‘mon?!”

Nia blinks at Andyn, confused by the question. “…Yes?”

“We’re Seekers,” Tobias adds. “Danger’s part of the job description.”

Nia isn’t sure what to expect in response—maybe for Andyn to yell even louder—but she certainly isn’t expecting the deerling to reel back as if struck, looking almost…embarrassed as she stares at them. A literal deer in the headlights.

“Andyn?” Ezra says.

Andyn’s eyes flash. She straightens up, brow lowering.

“Andyn,” Jaz cautions.

“Right,” Andyn says. “You’re right. We’ll go with you.”

Ezra’s head snaps over to look at the deerling. “What?! Anne!”

“They’re right, Ez. We’re Seekers. This is what Seekers do.”

“What Seekers do,” Jaz says, sounding angry for the first time since Nia has known her. The stufful glares up at Andyn. “Is what’s best for others while keeping ourselves safe. And they still need help out here.”

“If they can handle the dungeon, so can we!” Andyn snaps, jerking her head at Nia and Tobias.

There’s a moment of silence.

“Anne,” Ezra says, his disappointment mirroring Nia’s own. “It’s not a competition.”

They don’t have time for this.

“You cannot be thinking like that now of all times,” Tobias agrees, a growl on the edge of his voice.

“Oh, like you don’t think about it!”

“No, actually, we don’t!” Nia snaps, voice breaking. Everyone looks at her, surprised. “We’re going in because that Pokemon lost her sister, not to boost our rank or reputation or whatever! Do you even hear yourself?!”

Nia turns on her heel and stalks towards the dungeon, fury battling with exhaustion in her body. She knows Andyn gets caught up in her reputation with her parents and everything, but to be thinking about that now?

Jaz must say something to Andyn, because the deerling snaps, “I’ll go in by myself if I have to!”

“Andyn,” Nia hears Ezra sigh. His voice is drowned out by the rain as they gain distance. “You know we’ll follow you anywhere. I just…really don’t think this is a good idea. I mean…”

Tobias speeds up to match Nia’s pace, leaning forward to catch her eye the best he can in the pouring rain. “Hey, you good?”

“No,” Nia says, wiping at her eyes. Hot tears are immediately replaced by cold rain.

Tobias doesn’t seem to know what to say to that, because he doesn’t answer, simply letting her take the lead.

As they get closer to the dungeon, the buzz of its presence worsens, like bugs under Nia’s skin. The dungeon’s unfathomable appearance looms ahead of them, restless and endlessly shifting in the night.

Until it reaches a breaking point, and in a single step they cross into the dungeon. The environment opens up around them as the tingling settles into something more stable.

Nia doesn’t know what she expected to see inside. She knows mystery dungeons mirror and twist the environments they appear in, expanding on them and making them into something new, but somehow she’s still taken off-guard.

The dungeon has combined the short homes of the town with the tall cliffside they rest upon, resulting in towering structures that loom overhead like skyscrapers. Uneven buildings cobbled together out of stone houses and the rough earth of the cliffs. She catches sight of other things that must be from the town—a chair, a dingy stuffed animal, a woven rug—sticking out of the towers like crumbs caught in a child’s Play-Doh. Piles of rubble and broken stone litter the almost street-like hallway they’re standing in.

Nia remembers watching a video about a tsunami once. She remembers the sheer devastation it left in its wake, wreckage and personal belongings and trash all mixed together in an unfathomable, endless stretch of debris. This reminds her eerily of that.

The weather doesn’t help. The dungeon has copied the storm from outside, rain falling in continuous sheets from a dark sky, and wind blows harshly against them, forcing Nia to plant her feet and brace herself to stay upright. Large patches of the rocky ground are covered in what Nia hopes are just puddles and nothing deeper.

A loud sound—cracking like ice but rumbling like thunder—comes from somewhere behind them, and they both spin to watch as—

As one of the towers farther down the pathway starts to break apart. Whether from the wind, or the lopsided weight of the structure, or maybe just the sheer instability of the dungeon itself, a large chunk of the building sloughs off from the rest, falling in slow motion before slamming to the ground with a deafening sound. Nia can feels its impact underfoot, and stumbles.

It takes a few seconds for the rocks and rubble to even start to settle, and the constant sound of rain takes over once more in Nia’s ringing ears. She exchanges a terrified look with Tobias.

Verene was right. This is much more dangerous than a typical dungeon.

Nia can only be glad that it must be finished forming, because the slow, syrupy feeling of her thoughts slipping away from her isn’t present, at the very least.

“We need to keep moving,” Tobias says, hushed as he eyes the nearest towering building, groaning ominously in the wind. “C’mon.”

Nia nods, following behind Tobias and keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

As they walk, at a faster pace than usual despite having to step around and climb over debris, Nia is struck by how quiet it is. Or maybe not quiet, but…empty. The rain and wind are a constant backdrop of noise, and another building crashes loudly in the distance, but they make it to the first set of stairs without a hint of another Pokemon, feral or otherwise.

It’s unsettling.

On the second floor, Nia looks at more mountains of rubble and realizes with a sickening feeling that they could easily miss the minun—or any other injured civilians—if they’re just going through by sight and sound alone.

She might be able to use her nose if she knew what she was looking for, but without something strong like blood to use as a beacon, everything just washes together in a bland mix of rain and stone. She didn’t even register a scent from the plusle, drenched through as she was.

Nia’s mind jumps next to the discovery she made last night: the network of aura at the guild. Like veins or threads making up a greater whole, pathways she could use to travel and connect her aura farther than ever.

Could she use that power to find someone here?

She’s feeling desperate enough to try.

“Tobias, hang on a second.”

Tobias stops, looking back at her questioningly.

“I want to try something,” Nia says. She crouches, laying her hand on cold, wet stone, and closes her eyes. Then she sends her aura out in a pulse, feeling for those same pathways.

She’s startled by what she finds instead.

While the sheer size of the network of aura had been overwhelming back at the guild, it had still had some sort of order to it. There was a natural system in place dictating how the threads weaved together, how they followed one another and branched out. Like a tapestry. Like roots from a tree, or veins in a body.

Here, there is no order. The strands of aura float and twist, reconnecting at random before splitting once more in a flare of light and color. Like a blanket unraveling. Like a bruise, countless blood vessels bursting under an invisible blow.

If the world is made up of those threads of aura, of life, is this what a mystery dungeon is? Those threads becoming damaged? Reality itself weakening and unraveling?

Nia doubts she can traverse these threads of aura like she could at the tree, disconnected mess that they are, but she gives it a shot anyways, sending out a spark of aura to see where it goes.

She’s disheartened but not surprised when she almost immediately loses her grip on the nearest strand and is thrown into a free fall, her aura petering out without anything to ground it.

This place is like a wound in the fabric of reality itself.

Nia cuts off her aura, taking a deep breath. Okay. That’s something to think on later. Right now, they have a mission to do. And her aura isn’t going to be of any help.

“Nevermind,” Nia says. “Didn’t work.”

Tobias frowns, looking like he wants to ask what she tried, but another loud crash in the distance makes both of them glance towards the sound nervously.

Wordlessly, Tobias starts moving again. Nia follows.

By the third floor, Nia suggests calling for the minun. They haven’t seen a single feral—any Pokemon at all, actually—so there shouldn’t be any risk.

Tobias reluctantly agrees.

From there, they call for the plusle’s sister every hall or so, voices both too loud in the echoing cityscape and too quiet, nearly drowned out by the wind and rain.

It’s not until the fourth floor that Nia notices something out of place. A scent that’s unfortunately all too familiar by this point of the night.

Blood.

“I’ve got something,” she says, stopping Tobias and sniffing the air.

He gestures for her to take the lead, so she does, closing her eyes and straining to follow the heavy tang of iron that’s just strong enough to stand out over the wash of rain.

She takes a wrong turn, and they have to backtrack, but Tobias doesn’t call her out on it. The two of them are silent, on edge as another tower falls only a hallway over, shockingly loud and close enough to shake the ground.

But slowly, the scent gets stronger, until Nia finally finds the source: a pile of broken rubble from one of the fallen buildings. She starts digging immediately, and Tobias joins her. The scent of blood grows.

Together, the two of them push aside a large stone to reach the Pokemon she’s sure is trapped beneath.

Only to stop at the sight of a Pokemon’s back, their body curled away from her. They look like a cat, with a curled tail and dark, pointed ears. Their soft gray fur is drenched and muddied, and the scent of blood is almost overwhelming.

“Hello?” Nia tries. She touches them, then yanks her hand away at how cold they are.

“Nia,” Tobias says, soft. She jumps, looking at him.

The charmander gestures with his chin for her to move back.

Nia does so, numb. Tobias moves into her place, crawling up the rocks a bit to be able to peer over the Pokemon’s side and at their face. She sees him reach for their neck and hold.

His shoulders drop.

Tobias turns back and slides down to solid ground with a wet splash. He won’t look at her. Nia glances back at the Pokemon, then follows.

“Tobias?” Nia tries, voice shaking.

He shakes his head. “They’re gone.”

Nia’s stomach drops, and she stares at him for a moment, uncomprehending. “W-What? No, they can’t…”

“They are,” Tobias says, firmer. He reaches out and takes her hand, tugging her behind him as he walks away with purpose.

She stumbles before catching up to him, and uses his hold as an anchor amongst her shock. His grip is tight, his eyes glossy and his mouth set in a bleak line. Nia tightens her fingers around his own.

That isn’t the last Pokemon they find deceased in the rubble on the following floors, and Nia finds herself wishing they would run into some ferals. Because if they did, at least that would mean some of the Pokemon in the dungeon were still alive.

She takes to using her aura as a radar like she did when Tobias was buried in the mines. Looking desperately for life under each pile of rubble that smells of blood.

Each time, she finds nothing.

Each time, she digs anyways, praying that her aura is wrong.

After the fourth Pokemon they find cold and still, she feels numb, not entirely herself as they travel deeper into the dungeon. Distantly, she notices that her hands sting with fresh cuts and bruises from digging so haphazardly.

She’s not paying enough attention to their surroundings until it’s almost too late, and a tower falls right behind the two of them. They sprint forward to get out of its path, diving behind rocks for cover.

As they’re looking back at the aftermath, panting, Tobias speaks up.

“We need to leave.”

Nia sits up, staring at him with despair. “What? No, we haven’t found the minun yet and—“

“Nia.”

It’s Tobias’ voice that stops her, more than anything. How quiet it is, tired and heavy with grief. He stares at her, pale eyes glistening in the light of his tail.

He’s right. She knows he’s right. It’s far too dangerous in here, and they haven’t found a single Pokemon alive. This isn’t safe.

She thinks of that plusle, wailing for her sister, and swallows down a hot wave of tears.

“One more floor,” she bargains. “One more, and then we leave.”

Tobias sighs. “One more. Then I’m making us both leave.”

Nia nods, grateful, and follows Tobias to the next set of stairs. They’re as cold and wet underfoot as the rest of the dungeon, and Nia hardly even feels the nausea that usually hits her when they warp to a new floor.

But something in her chest leaps as a new sound reaches her ears.

Voices. Loud enough to hear echoing in the distance.

Tobias’ shocked expression mirrors Nia’s own. With palpable excitement, he leads them towards the voices at a quick pace, nearly jogging. Nia’s heart climbs into her throat with hope, but—

She feels strangely upset when they come across not a group of survivors, but Team Evergreen. Andyn must’ve gotten them to come into the dungeon with her after all.

Currently, the deerling is arguing loudly with Jaz.

“I told you you can leave if you want! I’m staying until we find that minun.”

“You know we aren’t leaving you in here alone,” Jaz says, with the sort of heated patience of a parent two seconds from finally snapping. “But we are leaving. I’m putting my foot down. It’s too dangerous in here.”

“If those two can handle it, then so can we!”

“Anne, Jaz, c’mon, don’t fight,” Ezra pleads, standing off to the side of the two with his claws raised pleadingly. The sneasel looks deeply upset, ears pinned and eyes wide.

“Hey,” Tobias snaps, probably feeling just as disappointed as Nia.

Team Evergreen startles, looking over at them as they approach.

Tobias’ tail lashes, a streak of fire in the darkness. “Don’t look so surprised. We heard you arguing three halls over.”

“Because these two want to ditch the mission,” Andyn says.

“I don’t blame them,” Tobias responds. “We’re leaving after this floor ourselves. It’s too dangerous.”

Andyn turns on him. “Oh, what happened to ‘danger being part of the job description,’ huh?”

“There’s danger and then there’s just being reckless. At this rate, we’re at risk of becoming casualties ourselves.”

“Fine! Then you can all go home with your tails tucked!” Andyn shouts, stomping a hoof. “I’m not leaving until I find this ‘mon! That’s what a real Seeker would do!”

“Andyn,” Ezra tries. “C’mon.”

“Will you stop trying to impress your terrible parents and listen?!” Tobias yells, throwing out his arms. “We’ve found enough bodies in here! I’m not letting any of us add to that number.”

That finally punches a hole in Andyn’s sails. She deflates, staring at him with wide eyes. “…Bodies?”

“Four,” Tobias says, harsh, jerking his chin at Nia. “Nia can scent ‘em under the rubble.”

All eyes turn to Nia, and she just stares back. What do they want her to say? She’s exhausted and cold and on edge, and barely keeping the grief at bay that she knows will pile onto her for those dead civilians once she has a moment to rest.

“Andyn,” Jaz says quietly. “Can we go now? Please.”

Andyn swallows, but jerks her head in a nod. “Yeah. Yeah, let’s go.”

Ezra and Jaz visibly droop with relief. They pull out their badges to check if they can connect to the psychics.

But Nia stiffens, catching a scent on the breeze that's all too familiar after tonight.

Blood.

Nia tugs on Tobias' arm.

“Yeah?”

“One more,” Nia whispers. “I know they probably aren't..." Alive. "But we need to check.”

Tobias looks at her, hard expression softening. “...Fine. One more.”

Team Evergreen look up at them with a question in their eyes.

“I smell blood,” Nia explains. “I…I need to make sure.”

Jaz looks unsure, glancing up at the towers as they sway in the breeze, groaning under their own unbalanced weight.

“We’ll go with you,” Andyn says.

“Anne—” Ezra starts.

“No,” Andyn says, harsh. “We’ll go too.”

She doesn’t say any more, eyes alight with their usual fire. Nia doesn’t have the energy to fight her stubbornness.

Instead, Nia silently turns and leads the way down the nearest hall, nose raised as she tries to follow the scent of blood.

Along the way, with the backdrop of the storm overhead and the rain doing its best to lead her astray, she prays to whoever might be listening that this time they’ll find someone alive.

Her hopes fall when they come across another mountain of rubble from a fallen tower. It’s still as a grave in the rain, unmoving.

With a practiced, almost mechanical focus, Nia and Tobias start digging, moving rock and stone aside. After a beat of hesitation, Andyn and the others follow their lead.

It’s Ezra who finds the source of the blood underneath, calling out for the others to help him move a particularly large chunk of wall.

They do so, uncovering a little Pokemon half-buried in rubble, limp and still and looking like nothing more than a bedraggled doll. While their pelt is intact, part of their body is almost caved in, as if it had been crushed. Their fur is a creamy color, even in the darkness, and though the tips of their paws and ears are blue instead of red, they bear a striking resemblance to the plusle outside.

No.

Nia stares at the body, willing it to move. Willing it to, at the very least, be somebody else.

The others are equally silent. After a moment, Nia hears the quiet splash of footsteps. Tobias steps into view, kneeling next to the little Pokemon and putting the side of his head near their mouth. Then, after a few moments, he presses two fingers beneath the soft hollow of the Pokemon’s jaw, roughly where you’d check the pulse on a human.

Do most Pokemon have similar pulse points? Nia wonders. Tobias has checked the neck for most of the Pokemon they’ve found, so she supposes so, if their anatomy is similar enough to humans or animals. Are their heart rates the same? Probably not. Then again, that doesn’t matter if there isn’t a heartbeat to begin with.

None of this feels entirely real.

Tobias’ face falls, and he squeezes his eyes shut. Then he takes a step away. “She’s gone.”

Hot tears fill Nia’s eyes, and her chest aches as she clamps down on the sob clawing at her sternum. In a fit of desperation, Nia closes her eyes and reaches out with her aura, hoping to brush against an unfamiliar burst of aura.

Nothing. There’s no life left in that body.

Nia takes a breath to keep herself from falling apart, and opens her eyes.

“No,” Andyn says, quiet. Then, louder, she says, “She can’t be! We can’t have come all this way only to…”

Andyn steps forward herself, but hesitates before reaching the minun. She swallows hard, staring down at the body. Slowly, her ears fall.

She looks up at Tobias. “C-Can we at least take her body with us?”

Tobias shakes his head. “She’s pinned. There’s no way we’re moving a stone that size, and we can’t move her without…”

Without doing serious damage to the body. Nia feels like she might be sick.

Andyn’s head drops, and she steps back.

“Now what?” Ezra asks, voice hushed in the rain.

“Now we leave,” Jaz says, firm. “We’re in danger just being here, and our mission failed.”

No one has an argument for that.

Together, they slowly rummage through their bags and pull out their badges, Andyn stepping close to Ezra to be pulled into his teleportation.

Nia brushes up against Tobias, and clicks the recall button for her own badge.

Nothing happens.

A lump rises in Nia’s throat.

She clicks it again. Nothing.

“It’s not working,” Nia murmurs.

Jaz sighs, heavy. “Verene did say not to rely on the badges since the lines of communication are overloaded.”

Fresh misery blooms in Nia’s chest. “Then what do we do?”

“We keep trying,” Tobias says. He glances over his shoulder as another stone crumbles and crashes to the ground in the distance. “But we keep moving. If we can’t get through, we have to get out. It’s too dangerous to stay here.”

No one, not even Andyn, argues with that.

Silently, as the one with the most visibility thanks to his tail flame, Tobias takes the lead. Nia steps into line behind him, with Team Evergreen following after.

They traverse the halls, climbing over and through mountains of rubble and eyeing the towering silhouettes above them with suspicion. They feel somehow alive in the darkness and rain, faint silhouettes of giants waiting to strike.

After finding the stairs, they try the badges again on the next floor, only to find that they still can’t make a connection.

A gust of wind blows through, making them all shudder, and in the distance another tower falls.

“C’mon. We’ve gotta keep moving,” Tobias says.

“Do we?” Andyn challenges, stopping. “Wouldn’t it be safer to stay in one place where we just have to keep an eye on the towers around us?”

She does have a point.

But Tobias shakes his head. “If the badges’ communication is down for hours, we don’t want to be stranded in here. Depending on how deep the dungeon goes, we could make our own way out before then.”

Also a good point.

Andyn huffs, though it’s an echo of her usual self. “I think we should stay in one place.”

Tobias turns to her, scowling. “Do you actually think that, or are you just arguing because you want to prove you’re a better leader?”

Andyn glares back. “I am a better leader.”

Tobias snorts.

“This doesn’t even matter,” Ezra whines. “Especially right now!”

It doesn’t. Pokemon are dead and they’re arguing over nothing.

“Andyn, don’t start this now,” Jaz says.

Andyn ignores them, marching closer to Tobias. “No, go on. I know you think you’re better than us. Than me especially.”

Tobias stares back at her, irritated and exhausted. “I didn’t, until you started acting unbearable. Now I know we’re better Seekers than you.”

Andyn narrows her eyes, voice rising. “I am the daughter of Team Sequoia! I have leadership in my blood!”

“Leadership doesn’t mean pulling your teammates into a dungeon they don’t want to be in!” Tobias snarls back, pointing at Ezra and Jaz. “Leadership means listening to your team!”

“Oh, like that skiddo? They didn’t look too happy to be sent out on their own.”

Nia winces.

Tobias takes a threatening step forward, tail flaring. “At least they’re safe. You brought your teammates unwillingly into a dangerous situation.”

“You did the same to Nia!”

“I pushed to come in here,” Nia objects quietly. “Tobias didn’t want me to go alone.”

Andyn flusters at that, glancing back at Jaz and Ezra as if hoping one of them will step in to help her, too. They just look back at her, visibly tired of dealing with this argument again and again.

“Fine!” Andyn snaps. “You’re the better leader, Tobias. Congrats. Since he’s so much better, just follow him instead, you two. I’ll find my own way out.”

The deerling prowls to the other side of the room and down the hall.

“Anne,” Ezra pleads, hurrying after her. “C’mon, that’s not—"

For a moment, Nia watches them go with a tired indifference. She can't be bothered to deal with Andyn's touchy feelings right now.

Her ear twitches.

Then the fur on her neck rises, and Nia blinks, going ramrod straight as something instinctive screams at her to pay attention. She looks around, taking a deep breath of the air and pricking her ears to find what suddenly has her so on edge.

She realizes it’s a sound. Something that started so quietly that it was lost to the rain, but she recognizes it now as it picks up volume. She knows it well after hearing it so many times tonight. The crack and rumble of stone.

She looks up, finally noticing the faint silhouette sliding away from its base ahead.

Right in Andyn and Ezra’s path.

“Andyn! Ezra!” Nia yells, running forward.

Ezra’s ears perk a moment before Nia calls out, and his head snaps up too.

Nia has a single moment to take in what’s about to happen. A single moment to see the sneasel launch an ice attack at Andyn and send her flying farther down the hall.

Rubble and rocks fall atop Ezra with a roar, burying him in an instant. Nia skids to a stop, unable to tear her eyes aways. It feels endless.

Then, a choking silence as the tower settles, pebbles clattering down the sides and splashing into puddles.

“No,” Jaz breathes at Nia’s side. The stufful runs forward on stubby legs. “Ezra! Andyn!”

Nia and Tobias run after her.

“Ezra! Andyn!” Jaz calls again, usually calm voice shrill with panic.

“‘M okay,” A woozy voice calls from past the rubble. Andyn. Thank God. “Ugh. What happened?”

“Ezra,” Jaz says by way of explanation, going to the rubble and immediately pushing aside rocks with more strength than her small stature would suggest she has.

Nia and Tobias join the stufful, Tobias taking only a moment to look up at the tower and make sure it’s stable before digging though the wreckage himself.

Andyn comes stumbling over the rise of the debris, shaking her head and wincing. “W-Wait, what? What about Ezra?”

She stops in her tracks once she sees them. All of them except the sneasel. Her eyes flicker down to the rubble beneath her.

Nia hears the way she chokes. “Is he—"

“We don’t know yet,” Tobias snaps. “Get down here and help us dig him out!”

Andyn scrambles to do so, joining them and using her hooves to jab at rock and earth and shove it away with frantic butts of her head.

“Nia, can you see him?” Tobias pants, still digging.

Nia closes her eyes and pauses to focus her aura. Part of her doesn’t even want to look. Doesn’t want to see another empty shell where life once burned. Especially not someone she knew.

But she has to. So she sends out her aura, and there, just a foot or two in, she spots him.

His aura is a vibrant pink, a shade lighter than Team Evergreen’s scarfs. Lively and bright and loud like a hibiscus flower.

He’s alive. His aura is jumping like sound waves, flickering with pain and adrenaline and panic, but he’s alive.

“He’s alive,” Nia breathes, resuming her digging with fervor. “But he’s hurt.”

“Ezra!” Andyn calls, digging hard enough that Nia fears she’s going to break a limb. “We’re coming for you, Ez. D-Don’t die, okay? You can't die!”

After that, it’s silent, save for the pounding rain and the shift and clunk of rubble. The sharp scent of blood drifts up to Nia’s nose, making her swallow back fear.

Until finally, Andyn cries out, “I see him!”

Nia, Tobias and Jaz scramble to her portion of the rubble, helping to move aside rocks and debris until they can see his muddied pink scarf, and the blue-black fur of his chest. They quickly unbury his face so he can breathe, Andyn audibly exhaling when they see his eyes screwed up with pain. They work to uncover the rest of him, limb by limb, until there’s only one arm left.

Andyn and Tobias pause. Nia looks over, and realizes why.

The sneasel’s arm is pinned under a large slab of rock, almost up to the shoulder. It’s bigger than all of them combined.

“We need to move this,” Andyn says.

“Wait,” Tobias says, putting a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t remember everything, but I know crush damage can be made worse by removing the weight.”

“Can be made worse?” Jaz presses.

“We need to get him out of here!” Andyn insists, near tears. “We have to move it.”

“What about the badges?” Jaz asks, looking at Nia. “Are they working yet?”

Nia rushes to check them, making sure to put a hand on the others before clicking for a recall.

Nothing.

“What do we do?” Andyn asks Tobias, looking at him with terror-filled eyes and visibly shaking. All the bravado from earlier is gone.

“We can’t carry him out of the dungeon,” Tobias says, clearly trying to think through his panic. “We don’t know how bad the damage to his arm is, or how deep the dungeon goes. But…”

The towers creak ominously above them.

“We can’t stay here,” Nia finishes. She looks around, desperate for an escape. They don’t have an escape orb—though at this point she’s thinking they need to keep one on hand—and the only other way out is to go through, right?

Her eyes catch on a large puddle nearby, and she freezes. Thinks of Kaleido Bay. Of the flooded prison.

“Giratina,” Nia gasps, looking at Tobias. “He can get us out of here.”

Realization dawns on the charmander’s face. “You’re right.”

Both Andyn and Jaz stare at them, brows furrowed as tears track down their face. “What?”

“Trust me,” Nia says, staggering to her feet. “I know a way out.”

Jaz and Andyn still look unsure, but they nod, clinging to any scrap of hope offered to them.

“In that case, we need to take the risk and free him,” Tobias says, looking up at the giant slab of rock. “We’re going to have to topple this off the mound away from him. Got it?”

Andyn and Jaz nod along with Nia.

Under Tobias’ instruction, the four of them brace themselves against the rock, giving Ezra a careful gap. Then, they push against the stone with a chorus of grunts. For a heart-stopping moment, it doesn’t budge.

But then it shifts. The smaller rocks at its base slip loose and crunch.

Ezra screams.

Nia and the others let go.

“No! We have to get this off!” Tobias shouts. “It’s going to hurt! Ignore him!”

Easier said than done. Jaz and Andyn look like they want to argue, wild eyes flicking between Ezra, unconscious but groaning in pain, and Tobias, already leaning back into the rock.

The charmander looks at each of them one by one, panting hard. “Listen to me. We have to get him out of here. I know what I said earlier, but we don’t have time to play this safe. Push. The sooner it gets off him, the sooner we can get him help.”

Andyn’s mouth trembles, but she nods. Jaz does the same. Nia gets back into position and braces herself against the side of the rock.

“Go!”

As one, they push again, straining. The stone shifts.

Ezra screams. It’s a sound Nia never wants to hear again, ripping from the sneasel’s chest like a wild animal.

Nia grits her teeth and pushes harder, willing every ounce of energy and aura into her muscles. Beside her, Tobias scrabbles to keep his footing in the rubble, and snarls with the effort.

Andyn and Jaz grunt as they push as well, barely audible above the screaming and rain.

C’mon—come on!

And then suddenly, the weight of the stone tips and falls away, toppling over itself. It rolls once with a heavy sound, then slides farther down the mound.

“Ezra!” Andyn cries.

The deerling crouches to nose the sneasel’s face. At her side, Jaz stares down in horror at the mess of Ezra's arm.

Or what’s left of it.

Nia has to look away, swallowing down bile. Still, she can see Ezra’s arm in her mind’s eye. The mangled, flattened mess of fur and blood and bone. She can smell it.

She’s glad he’s unconscious. Even if he’s in pain, she prays he won’t remember this.

“Now what?” Andyn asks, looking up through her tears. “Y-You said you have a way out, right?”

Nia nods, gesturing at the nearby puddle. “We need to get him in there.”

Jaz and Andyn both stare at her as if she’s lost her mind.

“Trust us,” Tobias says, moving over to the sneasel’s arm and grimacing. “And give me your scarves.”

Andyn hesitates, then turns her neck obligingly. Tobias makes quick work of the knot keeping her scarf in place, and Nia hurries to untie the bow around Jaz’s throat, handing the pink fabric over to Tobias.

Tobias ties the two scarves together, then pulls the fabric under Ezra’s body and around his shoulder. With more fortitude than Nia will ever have, Tobias scoops Ezra’s bloody, mangled arm into his hands and gently lays the limb across Ezra’s chest, ignoring his whimper. Then, Tobias pulls the scarf around Ezra fully, tying it tightly over the sneasel’s injured arm to keep it plastered against his chest in a makeshift sling.

“Nia,” Tobias says. “Help me move him.”

Nia scrambles to his side, breathing through her mouth to help the nausea rolling through her gut. With Tobias’ guidance, she picks up the sneasel’s legs, while he carefully takes the sneasel’s upper half.

Andyn stumbles to her hooves and moves to help guide them down the uneven rubble, kicking large chunks of stone out of the way and warning them of unstable areas.

Together, they set Ezra down beside the puddle. Then, Nia leans over it and calls, “Giratina!”

For a moment, there is nothing. Just desperate silence, rain, and ragged breathing.

Then, Nia sees something—a glimpse of deeper darkness and red eyes—before the ripples of the rain drown it out again.

Right, the rain. The disturbance in the reflections is probably messing up Giratina’s ability to get through, like in the prison in Kaleido. If they could just cover this puddle somehow, like with an umbrella—

Ah!

Nia lifts a hand and channels her exhausted aura into a protect, forming a half-sphere of turquoise energy above their heads. Rain pounds against it like a piece of glass, running off the sides to fall around them.

Below her, the puddle’s reflection calms. Giratina’s glowing red eyes and golden mask come into focus.

Andyn gasps. Jaz stares.

“Giratina!” Nia says, falling to her knees with relief. “We need your help. Please. You need to get Ezra out of here, back to the guild or at least with the medics. Please.”

Nia expects Giratina to give her an impatient look, willing her to explain why he has to help mere mortals again so soon. Or maybe he won’t, and he’ll just nod and save them all from this horrible place.

She doesn’t expect him to hesitate, looking away with something like shame.

“Please,” she says again, voice breaking.

Finally, Giratina nods. Nia releases the breath she’d been holding, and gestures for Tobias to pull Ezra into the water.

“W-Wait—what is—" Andyn says, stepping forward.

“Is this safe?” Jaz asks.

“It is,” Nia assures. “We’ve done it before. Trust me.”

The deerling and stufful don’t argue further. Together, Nia and Tobias settle Ezra into the puddle gently, Nia wincing at the red that immediately swirls into the water like ink. But it should still be clear enough, Nia thinks, watching the reflection fall still again.

Giratina circles the sneasel, and for the briefest moment Nia thinks she sees Ezra get tugged down, before the movement stops. Like Ezra is getting…stuck. It happens again, Giratina’s eyes narrowing in concentration.

Ezra’s head lolls, limp.

Nia’s mind races, heart pounding.

“What’s happening?” Andyn asks.

“I-I don’t know,” Nia says, exchanging a glance of barely-concealed panic with Tobias.

Can Giratina only pull in humans? No, Giratina pulled Tobias in no problem at Kaleido Bay, so that can’t be it.

“I-Is it Ezra?” Nia asks, thinking of the teleport. “Because he’s a dark type?”

Giratina shakes his head, looking away with something like defeat. His wings are limp. He looks so…tired.

No.

Nia placed her own hand in the puddle. Giratina looks at her, then reaches out with a tendril-like wing to touch. She distinctly remembers the feeling of doing so before, of a cold, firm point resting against her palm.

She feels nothing now.

“Something’s wrong,” she says, voice shaky. “I can’t—" No, that’s not right. “He can’t make contact anymore.”

Why? Is it because they’re in a mystery dungeon, where everything is so unstable?

If not, what could’ve happened in the last week to make that change? Has something happened to the border?

Or has Giratina just grown that much weaker?

“It’s not working, is it?” Jaz asks, quiet.

Nia shakes her head, still staring into the puddle as Giratina slips away. “No. I-I…I don’t know why.”

Another beat of silence. Andyn sniffles, letting out a shuddering breath.

“Can you bring him over here?” Jaz asks, quiet and surprisingly calm, at least on the surface.

Nia lets the protect overhead vanish, and a sheet of cold rain hits her all at once, blurring her vision.

Carefully, she and Tobias lift Ezra from the puddle and place him back onto solid ground.

“I’m sorry,” Nia murmurs.

Jaz doesn’t answer, checking something on the pink scarf around Ezra’s neck—the ring target, tucked away into a little pocket—before settling against the sneasel’s hip and going back to trying their badges’ rescue recall with a steadfast determination.

Unsure of what else to do, the rest of them cluster around Ezra in silence. Andyn tucks her legs beneath her, and Nia and Tobias carefully lift Ezra’s head so he can rest against the deerling’s side like a pillow.

Nia, with no other way to help, puts another small shield of aura overhead to shelter them from the rain, at least until her energy runs out.

And they wait.

Nia doesn’t know how long they sit there, huddled together and shivering. Nia murmurs prayers under her breath. Andyn curls tighter around Ezra, and Jaz sends out signals for emergency pickup, again and again.

The rain continues to fall. The wind blows. The towers around them creak and groan, and occasionally one falls in the distance, making them jump. The night feels endless.

Until—

“I got through,” Jaz breathes.

Nia lifts her head, but before she can even look at the stufful, she feels it. The tingle of psychic energy running over her skin.

Teleport blinds her vision.

They land in a heap of dripping wet fur on the wooden floor of the flight room. The shift in environment is jarring, the dim light of the crystals bright and the stillness of an enclosed space like a wave of heat. The sound of the rain is suddenly dulled by the walls of the guild, and it makes Nia feel like she lost a part of her hearing.

Exhaustion bears down on her like a physical weight.

Alistair blinks down at them with tired eyes, moving closer with concern. “Are you all—"

“Medic,” Tobias groans, sitting up. “Ezra needs a medic, now. Someone with surgical experience.”

Alistair’s eyes skim over their group before locking onto the sneasel, who is thankfully still out cold. Blood has dyed the pink of his makeshift sling a deep red.

“Medic!” Alistair yells. “We need one of the medics down here immediately!”

One of the other psychic ‘mon, an abra that Nia doesn’t know the name of, blips away in a teleport.

As the other ‘mon in charge of the nearly-empty flight floor crowd around Ezra, Nia and Tobias let themselves be pushed back.

Nia can’t stop seeing Ezra’s arm. The scent of blood feels permanently tattooed to the back of her throat.

Through the numb exhaustion blanketing her thoughts, guilt bubbles up in Nia’s gut.

Guilt for Ezra, being rushed to the medic for emergency treatment after Nia’s stupid decision to go into the dungeon. Guilt for all the Pokemon they couldn’t save, their bodies left cold and alone in the rain.

That plusle will never see her sister again.

Nia thought she’d be all cried out for the night, but her throat closes up as her vision blurs hot with tears.

Samir was right. Nia should have just ignored the plusle’s pleading and continued looking for injured Pokemon in the safe zone. They didn’t gain a single thing from going into the dungeon. Ezra was hurt, and no one they found survived. They couldn’t even bring back the bodies.

Nia turns to bury her face in Tobias' scarf, and the tears overflow.

[d0g0r0t]

y/n comforting Toby after one of his anger outbursts🤗

Comforting Toby after outbursts

Depending on what is outburst were ABOUT is when you should and shouldn't be in the same room as him

If it's coming that doesn't involve you negatively then yea PLS COMFORT HIM

He's all over you.

Arms wrapped around your waist and under the covers as he uses your body as a stress toy mumbling random things

He loves when you do little romantic things to cool him down.

Taking him away from everything else and praising him in a gentle manner. He melts for your touch when you do

Or when you hum little songs for him as he rests in your arms, head dug into your cheat as he listens to your slow heart beat

When you guys are in public he most of the time has his head buried into your hair and arms around your neck as he goes quiet.

As long as your there he's fineeee.... kinda

Most of the time he just let's you hold him for HOURS

He's low-key so pathetic to your kindness. Whining for you to be closer and to not leaving him.

His outburst can be alot sometimes... well most of the time

It's not always at you but sometimes it is

After every outburst he'll get super emotional, huffing like a dog and staring at you for a few moments before breaking down into tears, shoulders dropped and knees shaking

When he does lash out at you he wants to be alone and cool down. Mostly because he fears he might hurt you more rather then the argument itself

He interrupts ALOT when he's mad. Never letting you speak your mind or actually help him

"No! He won't fucking stop!" "Tobias please... just calm do-" "NO SHUT UP JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!!"

Yea..

But afterwards he's quietly crying in your arms saying how much he's sorry

Just turn on scream or the conjuring and cuddle up with him :(

He's literally so pathetic

Depending how caring you he'll give back the same kindness when you need it

He always gives back to you one way or another

Whether it be gifts, snacks, cuddles, kisses, sex

He loves that you can handle him. It makes him feel so good and loved it makes him so giddy and fuzzy

He always feels bad in the end that u have to handle it all.

He feels like it's to much and he's scared he might break you with all of personal shit but he loves you so much for that

The fact you take him in with open arms after the horrible things he says

It doesn't make sense to him

But he loves you

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT I KNOW ITS GETTING OUT REALLY REALLLY SLOW BUT MY BAD GRADES R CATCHING UP TO ME 😭🫶🫶🫶

[parhelios]

Hi! Can you actually please elaborate on the stargate animorphs crossover thing? I am obsessed with both so this intrigues me 👀

OKAY! so this is more stargate atlantis + me playing fast and loose with animorphs canon, and an excuse to do a character study of john sheppard, because i love him.

this is part one, part two is here!

so in this au, long before john sheppard ever saw atlantis or the stargate, he knew that life existed beyond the stars. because john used to be tobias. for anyone more familiar with stargate than animorphs, tobias was trapped in the form of a redtail hawk, permanently, though he later regained the ability to morph into other forms, including his human self. in this au, the yeerk-human war was never revealed to the general populace, and everything was as hushed up as it could be. however, the us governement did not like the idea of someone with the morphing power they could not control, and therefore, shortly after the yeerks were defeated, tobias was forced by the us govt (and honestly as i type this i think maybe the rest of the living animorphs were involved bc they don't want tobias to have a lifespan of like 3 years as a hawk) to become a nothlit once more and trap himself in human form. he's placed by the government with a military family, and given a new name, since tobias at this point has been declared legally dead.

john sheppard grows up quiet and a little too intense for his peers who he is, a little too grown up (he is sixteen when the war ends but his human body was thirteen forever until it became his again). it takes him time to make his face emote like everyone else, to learn how to be charming to mask that hole inside him that longs to fly. (he never really kicks the prey drive - though catching darts out of the air does make for a fun party trick)

so he joins the air force. closest he'll get to flying again, there'll be no ellemist-ex-machina, but maybe he'll be able to capture a sliver of the life he lost. and john sheppard gets to see the stars, by a random, biological chance, and he can't help but wonder if it's not so random. if maybe his ATA is influenced by elfangor, by the eskafil device, by ellemist meddling - so much of his life has been touched by the unknown.

so john gets to atlantis like in canon, and quickly realizes that he is the only person in atlantis with clearance regarding the yeerk invasion. most of the early episodes go pretty much the same plot-wise, up until the genii invasion of atlantis. john going full guerrilla warfare/hawk mode is somehow more intense than in canon, and i think it definitely gets focus from his team. rodney, however, has been lowkey weirded out by some of john's behaviors since the start of the mission, having caught several of john's blank no-one-is-looking hawk expressions and has just been keeping a running tally of weird shit john does since, and this is just one more freaky fucking thing on john's tally.

nothing super comes of it though, and on the mission to chaya sar's planet, things end up changing for john quite a bit. this is where the au really kicks off, as chaya sar can sense something is different about john, and when he meets with her alone and she tells him she cannot intervene, she tells him that there is one thing she can do, just for him. it turns out that the ellemist is a rogue ancient who fucking loves meddling (told u we're fast and loose w/ animorphs canon) and because she would technically just be undoing some of that meddling, she can give john back his red-tailed hawk form, and only that, without a time limit.

so now john can literally fly again, and that changes things.

part two

[ghoulettalie]

THE POST CREDITS OF THE MOVIE HAD US ALL FUCKING GOING “TOBIAS”

LITERALLY EVERYONE WAS GROANING LMAO

tobias when I catch u…

[gatefleet]

Safe With Me

Scorpion: Walter O'Brien, Paige Dineen, Tobias Curtis

WordCount: 1,179

T(W): Hospital, Kidnapping, Temporary Blindness, Blind Panic.

Request: Yes, “Hey! Could u do a Walter o brien x fem reader, where the reader is kidnapped and the kidnapper keeps sending them her videos and these videos cause walter's EQ to show like he's panicked or even crying and when the team finally find her Walter hugs her tight and tends to her injury this causes toby to tease him and paige becomes jealous.

I totally understand if u don't want to do it.

Thank you” - @quackthesuck

A/N: I'm so sorry I've taken so long with this request, I've had a hectic time at work. I hope this is what you were looking for.

You awoke and could not see; your vision was in darkness, and this caused more panic and fear in you than the vague voices in the background which were drowned out by your panic. Your panic only increased when you became aware that your hands and arms were restrained. Realised you were rocking back and forth on some something solid which moved with you. You tried to speak or scream and realised that you had something made of fabric in your mouth. Your panic grew and you began hyperventilating.

Watching on the live stream Team Scorpion stood frozen. Gabe went to make a call, Paige looked like she was about to cry, Sly already had tears streaming down his face, Toby had begun to babble to himself about ransom demands and motives, Happy look pissed, and Walter hit shutdown mode. Paige was quickest to recover after Gabe and tried help prevent the team from spiralling too deeply, Gabe quickly behind her focussing on Happy and Walter.

Once Happy gained a little more composure she immediately went to work on a potential deterrent for the next person who dared hurt the team and thinking of a way to try and track your location from the equipment the abductors carelessly left in the frame. Walter was still in full shutdown mode. The first few videos they had sent you had appeared to be unaware of what was happening, perhaps unconscious, it wasn’t affecting him as much, but watching you panic, writhe in fear and hearing those muffled screams… that was what broke him. That was what overloaded his EQ, his primal brain and made him shutdown.

Gabe had begun physically shaking Walter in the way someone would a person who had passed out. That was when his brain kicked in again. He went straight to his computer to download the video file, to try and begin pulling it apart in some software he had to find any clue or hint as to your location. It took Sly a minute or two to catch up and attempt the same thing from a different angle on his own computer. Walter had begun to snap at anyone who seemed to be falling behind in their natural duties. Began to look harassed and was poorly hiding his panic.

Toby then began to write up a psych profile on the abductors in the hopes it would help with narrowing down locations or motives. Happy began to work on something to help track you using whatever information the rest of the team could extrapolate.

You heard the bangs first. The loud, deep voices shouting something. The people in the room shouting among each other, panic beginning to rise among the group. Heard the door open and close quickly, the quickly pacing footsteps of those that remained to guard you. It took what felt like ages before they got antsy and left the room. You heard other noises you couldn’t quite identify and then you felt yourself being lifted. You began to panic again and must have passed out, when you awakened you were relieved that you did in fact have your sight back and had not gone blind. Then you panicked as you realised you were in hospital. Nurses came to check on you due to your increasing heart rate. They gave you medication to try and relax you. Then you were being interrogated by several people in suits. You quickly had your adrenaline wear off and became numb and begun reacting on impulse.

The team were watching another livestream, you were calmer this time, but still panicked in the video. Gabe was on a call and told them team “any minute now”. Within seconds the team heard the military extraction in the background of the stream and the immediate aftermath, including the military personnel picking you up and heard Toby’s analysis that you had passed out as a normal bodily function to the fear and panic of not understanding what was going on. The team had to wait a while before they could get to see you, the alphabet agencies each wanted to speak with you in turn and then you were on strict no visitor policies in between to get some form of rest. They sat in the waiting room for hours. Walter getting more annoyed at the time going past without seeing you. Toby watched the interactions of the group to let Paige and Gabe know when something was going to erupt, just to keep himself occupied, any time a doctor walked past he would try to find out anything he could from them. Toby noticed Paige’s demeanour change more and more the longer Walter paced, the longer he rubbed his face in his hands, the more annoyed look would come over Paige’s face, which would flicker to hurt and back to annoyed. Walter’s eyes darting towards the doors, his catching himself pacing up to the doors and fighting the urge to burst through them to see you, to see with his own eyes that you were physically alright.

The second Walter was given a hint of a green light to finally be able to see you he burst through the hospital searching for your room, the rest of the team trailing behind him. When he finally found your room, he stopped dead when he saw you standing next to your bed having a test done on your balance and reactions, you hadn’t realised he was there yet, staring silently, taking in the sight of you. You had sat back on the bed by the time the rest of the team caught up with him and Gabe’s subtle push to get Walter firmly into the room instead of hovering on the outside. The others watched from the door as Walter awkwardly moved into the room, how he awkwardly made you aware of his presence, coughing lightly. You turned quickly and the smile you gave Walter. It made his heart falter, his breath catch in his chest. He hadn’t realised he had opened his arms to cradle you tightly until your body practically collided with his. Toby began to make fun of “Mr. 197 IQ” but quickly stopped once he was elbowed in the ribs to ‘read the room’. What he didn’t miss was the very teary look in Paige’s eyes and the distinct quickness of her suddenly being distracted by something at the other end of the hall. All you could hear over the tears and both you and Walter’s rapid heartbeats was him faintly whispering into your hair, “it’s fine, you’re back and you’re safe with me.”

GIF credit to the owner

Tag List;

@lastwandastan (won't allow tag) , @lollipopsandlandmines

[scurvyratt]

Oz fast food barista AU (as someone who has had 3yrs barista experience). Also their ages can be pretty flexible in this au. Maybe they're college students maybe they're middle aged idk.

Tobias: He's definitely a shift leader and is one of the most responsible employees. Customers like him and he's the person you go to when you need a shift covered. He may not be the fastest barista but he never messes the drinks up.

Busmalis: Random elderly coworker. He's nice but he is SO slow and it stresses everyone out when they see that he's scheduled for a morning rush. Also he spills everything.

Rebadow: Sweet old man customer who orders the same thing every time (black coffee, prefers to pour his own creamer. Also a bagel with butter, prefers to put the butter on himself). Leaves a $1 tip lol.

Chris: Fuck boy employee. Has slept with TOO many coworkers and slips his phone number to like 20 different customers every shift. He's kinda entertaining but otherwise miserable to be around. He isn't particularly good at making drinks and he def doesn't help with cleaning or prep,, but he is unfortunately good at drive thru and making tips.

Ryan: The workplace gossip and devils advocate- you want to know anything about anyone? Ask Ryan. Somehow, he knows everything. He riles people up for fun and pits his coworkers against each other. He spends a lot of the time in the back on his phone, or in the bathroom doings drugs (yes I had a coworker who would do this lol), but sometimes he does work hard; It's very on and off with him. If u work with him for long enough he will tell you about his own relationship troubles. Also he's weirdly obsessed with one customers (gloria).

Miguel: He's fun to work with and is a pretty fast barista, altho he gets in trouble often and has even been fired a few times but somehow they always take him back. Runs to the window whenever there's a dog and makes sure to give them a pup cup. Is the only one who likes cleaning the espresso machine.

Chico: Is best at the food station or as a barista. Sometimes comes to work high but somehow he works better that way. WILL fight customers he does not gaf. Will make shady comments to a customers face if they don't leave a tip. Does not care about milk allergies and rolls his eyes when asked to remake a drink.

Omar: Same as Busmalis where he makes a lot of mistakes😭. Can talk to customers for a long time even if they clearly want to leave and are over the convo. They try to keep him in the back doing prep or the dishes but he loves doing drive thru even though he messes everything up.

Kareem: Shift leader who dreams of becoming manager. WILL call you out if he catches you stealing or sitting around, like if he is on the schedule it will not be a chill shift. He gives good advice sometimes so you would probably like him if he wasn't your annoying snitch coworker lol. He's the only person who makes sure that the bathroom is clean. Is pretty good at making tips.

Kenny: That one random teenager. Probably the laziest employee. He sits on the counter and plays games on his phone, even in front of customers. He's kinda amusing until you remember that he's a misogynist. Constantly threatens to quit but he never does.

Augustus: Okay so since he's in a wheelchair he may have to just stay in one position (I did some googling). Like just drinks or just drive thru since it's pretty cramped behind the counter. He's excellent at taking orders and makes customers laugh. A man who values his breaks. Like he doesn't gaf if the drive thru line has 20 cars, he WILL go sit out back to get some air.

Schillinger: gets paid minimum wage but also thinks that the minimum wage should not be raised. CREEPY. Like you do not want to work a closing shift with him. Will go on racist rants and all you can do is nod. Is a terrible barista and thinks that oat milk is woke.

Mukada: I imagine him as an operations manager type of person? Like he randomly pops into the store to see if everything is going fine. Everyone scrambles when they see his car pull into the lot. Ignores all the dirty jokes that they make. Tries to gently guide everyone to follow the rules but it's hard.

Adebisi: Also a creep that you won't want to work alone with. Do not put this man on drive thru... but he's an alright barista actually. Likes coming up with his own drinks. Has earbuds in when working and no one can get him to take them out.

McManus: Manager who is mad about the fact that he works for a fast food place. Honestly tries to be chill but will lose his shit over the most random things. You can tell him the times that you prefer to work but he will ignore that and schedule you whenever anyways. Does not take shit from customers and will defend his employees against them.

Okay ermm there's prob a lot of other characters that I could do but lolol

[jerzwriter]

I hope you have a day full of love and sunshine - you deserve nothing less! Thank you for always caring about others and spreading joy - even when it's not the easiest thing to do. Thank you for always, always being there for me, and for simply being you. It was a very, very good day when you entered this world, ma'am. We're all better for it!

I hope you enjoy this beautiful art from @callmebeem. Olivia deserved some love today, too. You know darn well Merida & Casey would never let her day slip by uncelebrated, so here's a little fic for you - I hope it makes you smile. Sending you a huge hug and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Something Sweet

Open Heart | Bryce x Olivia, Ethan x Merida, Tobias x Casey | Teen | Approx. 1300 words | Merida belongs to @lilyoffandoms| Olivia belongs to @storyofmychoices

 In some ways, it was a typical Boston morning. The Paramount Diner was bustling with city-dwellers grabbing sustenance before heading to work. The clattering of dishes, morning news blaring from the TV, and a mixture of North End and Brahmin accents shouting orders to Joey, who manned the grill, was not out of the ordinary. The unusual thing was our chatty little crew could actually hear it.

It had become a Wednesday morning tradition. Ethan and Bryce headed there right after the gym; Merida and Olivia stopped by before work, and Casey and Tobias arrived just after... well... you know. Olivia had dubbed them the “breakfast besties,” and Ethan did his best to prevent rolling his eyes every time he heard it. On a typical morning, there would be at least three different conversations taking place, each trying to yell over the other, and anything happening outside of their table would be a misty blur.

But today, you could hear a pin drop. It could be attributed to a late case that left Tobias, Casey, Ethan, and Merida with very little sleep. Or it might have to do with the flight they had to catch in three hours. Perhaps Bryce had a case of nerves over the surgery he had been called to assist on at U Mass Memorial. The rare procedure was being streamed live to nearly every major hospital and medical school in America. No pressure there. The only one who appeared to have a normal day ahead was Olivia, and that was the problem.

Bryce scowled in an utterly oblivious Ethan's direction. But the curmudgeonly doctor couldn’t ignore the handsome, young surgeon when he blurted out, “I can’t believe you had to make this presentation today... of all days!”

Merida looped their arm with Ethan’s and leaned in close.

“Hey, you know I’m the last one who would typically rush to his defense, but I don’t think Ethan had anything to do with scheduling the AMA symposium.”

“And while I’m the next to last person to rush to his defense,” Tobias jumped in. “I can confirm he wasn't on their selection committee, either. So he wasn’t the one that invited us to present.”

Ethan reached for his coffee with a shake of his head. “Thank you both... I think.”

Across the table, Olivia was growing increasingly uncomfortable. “Guys, it’s OK. We’ve been over this before... I don’t mind.”

“Well, I mind,” Bryce frowned, and Ethan couldn't hold back anymore.

“Lahela, for what it’s worth, I’m not responsible for you being asked to assist on a pulmonary autograft at U Mass either.”

“I know,” Bryce unreasonably tried to reason. “But if you didn’t have the symposium today, I wouldn’t have to worry about Olivia being alone at Edenbrook on her birthday!”

“Bryce,” Olivia comforted. “It’s all right. I’m a big girl, and we’re all celebrating this weekend. It’s OK.”

And it was. She was an adult, after all, not only an adult but a doctor, just like the others. It would be silly to think that their busy worlds would stop just because it was her birthday. But if she was completely honest, she was a little sad that she wouldn’t see any of their faces in Edenbrook today.

“It’s all right,” Casey said, tapping Olivia’s knee. “We are going to spoil the heck out of this beauty on Saturday.”

“Damn straight we are,” Merida chimed in. “We have an epic spa day planned, with bottomless mimosas to boot! You guys are lucky if we remember to meet you for dinner after!"

“Oh, you’ll remember,” Tobias chuckled. “If you think Casey will forget meatballs at Carmelina's, you’re bugging.”

Ethan let out a sigh. "Is this where someone makes an obnoxious comment about these two and meatballs."

"Only you," Casey teased. "You really need to stop being such an adolescent, Ramsey!"

Ignoring the exasperated expression on Ethan's face, Casey turned to Olivia.

“I love that we share a favorite restaurant.”

“Of course we do,” Olivia grinned. “We have exquisite taste!” She turned to Bryce and lovingly brushed his hair away from his eyes. “Honey, as far as I’m concerned, Saturday is my birthday, and it will be great. Today... it’s just another Wednesday.”

After giving Olivia a dozen kisses, Bryce left directly for U Mass while the others headed to Edenbrook. Olivia had a busy day ahead, and her friends were checking in on patients before their flight. But Casey couldn't help but feel sad when she watched Olivia walk away.

“I know I said it doesn’t matter, but I was just trying to look at the bright side. Honestly, I hate that we won't be here for Liv’s birthday.”

“Yeah,” Merida soughed. “I feel the same way. Of all days for us to all be away.”

“In reality, we’d all be busy working anyway, but at least we could take little moments throughout the day to make her feel special, you know?”

Merida tapped their pen on the desk. That glimmer that appeared in their eyes whenever an idea struck suddenly appeared. “Come with me!" Merida said, grabbing Casey's hand. "I have an idea.”

~~~~~

Several hours later, Bryce was focused on his surgery as the other's plane touched down in Cleveland. Olivia grabbed her folders from the nurses’ station, surprised to find a bright pink envelope on top of the stack.

With a gentle smile, she put the note in her pocket and continued with her day. Before she knew it, she was ready to sign off for lunch when Nurse Laura handed her an envelope.

“What’s this?” Olivia asked. “I’m not waiting on any results?”

“Not sure,” Laura shrugged. “But I was given strict orders to get that to you right before you headed to lunch.”

Olivia opened the envelope to find an ecru sheet of fine stationery, a note with penmanship not typically associated with a doctor inside.

Olivia beamed as she held the note close to her heart. She was filled with warmth, and not just because she was anxious for the delicious Penne.

“Laura, you have lunch now, don’t you?”

“I do,” the nurse nodded.

“Good! Join me! Carmelina’s portions are more than enough for two, and trust me! You’ll love this!”

~~~~~

The day was busier than usual, so it passed by in a flash, and now, it was time to go home. She just had to make one stop at the nurse's station, to pick up the beautiful flowers Bryce had delivered. But it looked like her surprises weren’t over yet. An adorable pink box from Little Miss Cupcape sat next to her flowers, a colorful note affixed.

The nurses watched on silently as Olivia’s eyes began to tear. “Your friends really love you,” Laura smiled.

“I know,” Liv blushed. “Leave it to them to make me feel special from seven hundred miles away.”

She gathered up her belongings when Laura reminded her of just one more thing... there was no way the nurses were letting her leave before they got to sing.

I hope you enjoyed this, Dani. I know this isn't the easiest birthday for you, but I still hope you find joy in special little moments throughout the day—just like Olivia did here.

Sending you the biggest of hugs! xoxo

[wheresmymilliondollarman]

can you do hcs of dating grayson hawthorne?

grayson hawthorne x fem! reader

hcs about meeting & dating the heir apparent of the hawthorne family.

a/n: ofc!! thx sm for the request & sorry for the wait!! i just got a new one also requesting grayson so this one goes out to you too anon!! grayson hawthorne is one of the lomls🫶 i am so indecisive between him & jameson fr (but for avery i think jameson is better suited for her). hope u enjoy!! i'm a sucker for the poor x rich trope sorry & i love tobias lowkey playing match maker in these LOL & this follows some of the main story but then kinda trails off

word count: 6.8k

warnings: almost drowning (LOL), minor mature language, few spoliers for final gambit i guess?,

before you were dating the second oldest hawthorne, you were just a girl working part-time at a diner as a waitress, trying to make enough money to buy a car. you were relentlessly getting picked up/dropped off everywhere by either one of your parent's vehicles.

being a waitress wasn't ideal when dealing with rude customers, pretentious managers, and occasional annoying co-workers, but you had decent pay, and tips weren't too bad.

most of the time you were running the show on your own. serving tables, acting as hostess, dealing with unsatisfied customers, etc. it wasn’t even the lack of staff, it was lazy behaviors of your co-workers and manager - who got the job because her dad owns the business.

one peculiar afternoon you were doing your usual job of serving tables and taking orders when an older gentleman walked in, way classier than your usual customers. you seated him, gave him a menu, and then returned to the kitchen to serve your other tables.

the diner staff seemed to be murmuring words and glancing back at the man, but you didn't pay any mind to it. it wasn't unusual for you to catch staff gossiping about customers.

going back to the table, you gave him the complimentary water and then asked for his beverage of choice - he chose a simple black coffee. you went to the kitchen and returned with his drink. you were on the verge of asking for his meal order, but he looked preoccupied with a crossword puzzle.

you peaked over, and noticed he looked possibly stuck, so you offered your help because you often did crosswords when you were bored. "do you mind if i take a look?"

he said nothing, only gesturing his head toward his little crossword booklet and pen beside it. even his pen looked fancy.

you looked over the one he was one, and after reading the hint and the number of boxes for the word, you could figure it out.

"tatersall."

the old man peered at you as if you spoke a different language.

"it's fabric with checks and lines, the phrase is a bit old-fashioned. i only know it 'cause that's what my dad refers to his shirts as." you explained.

he looked intrigued by your words, as if you'd given him an idea. he thanked you, then went on to fill out the boxes.

words were said much after that. he drank his coffee and left sometime while you were busy serving other tables. when you returned to ask him if he wanted anything else, he was already gone. but not before leaving $200 dollar tip next to his finished coffee.

you thoroughly checked if it was real, not believing anyone would purposely leave such a tip for a cup of black coffee. but in fact, it was very real. and you even bought yourself a very cute dress to commemorate. just to double check it was legit, of course.

the older man with silver-blue eyes continued to come into the diner every few days, never ordering anything other than a black coffee and always being generous with the tip.

you two had polite conversations and odd ones rooted questions he dropped on you. you noticed a lot of them pertained to money and contributions. but you never passed on answering.

they were questions like "what jobs have you worked?", "what are your parents' occupations?", "are you interested in charities and donations?", and "what do you do with the money you earn?"

thru these visits, he finally gave you his name, tobias. it shouldn't had surprised you he had a unique name to match his unique personality.

you didn't get much information about tobias. all he revealed to you was he enjoyed games, was obviously wealthy, and has 2 daughters, one son, and 4 grandsons - who weren't too off from your age.

he liked to talk about a certain one, the second oldest, grayson. you created an image he was a closed-off, goal-driven, cunning, and loyal guy. you didn’t wanna jump to conclusions, but one could say he was slyly trying to set you up with him.

it wasn’t uncommon for grandparents to come in the diner and rave about their grandsons. at times they would even show you a multitude of photos saying how handsome they are and well-raised gentlemen who would be a great match for you.

you never had the heart to straight up tell them ‘not interested’, so you listened to their praises and then fabricated a lie as to why you were unable to date their grandson.

if tobias ever were to ever try and do that you would use the same methods. you were sure his grandson was an acceptable man, but you had no interest in going on a blind date with anytime soon.

however, the conversation didn't maneuver that direction; instead, he went on to talk about how grayson was in charge of a foundation he owns and basically manages everything.

you found that rather impressive, considering he was only eight-teen. then you thought, 'just how rich is this guy?'

this arrangement continued for a few more weeks and then it turns into a constant routine for months. still never ordering anything order than a coffee, and leaving after.

one day, tobias abruptly stopped coming into the diner. and after a two-week hiatus, you figured he was likely not returning again.

you didn't realize how tedious work was without the old man's presence, you were still as busy as ever doing everyone's job, but now you didn't have the levity from your conversations.

it stayed like that for the following three months, no word from tobias. you wanted to contact him somewhere, but you began to realize how little you knew of him, hell you didn't even know his last name. he knew all the basics of what comprised you, but you couldn't even say his favorite color. and you’d known this man for almost a year.

but as it turned out, you didn't need to contact him yourself because a man came into the diner asking for you.

at first, you thought it was an unsatisfied customer here to berate you some more; it wouldn't be the first time. but you were more than relieved it was a guy you'd never seen before, a particularly handsome and well-fitted one.

you went up to the man and politely greeted him, asking how you could help him. he took you presence in when you appeared, looking up and down. it wasn't in a 'checking-you-out' type way, it was of an 'i'm judging what type of person you are' way. you felt scrutinized in your lousy diner girl uniform. it didn't help he was dressed pristinely from head to toe.

he finally spoke, "it's pertaining to my grandfather, tobias hawthorne."

you were piqued up at the mention of tobias, this was the first time you'd heard of his last name, but you didn't know any other tobias's so it must be him.

the man in front of you was one of his infamous grandsons he loved to chat about, although you weren't sure which one. but based on his stern and disciplined attitude, you'd place your bets on grayson. but just to be sure you asked.

"right, my name is grayson hawthorne." you called it. "unfortunately, my grandfather has recently passed. my family is in the middle of gathering everyone for the matter of the will, but all parties must be preset. my grandfather's law firm has informed me you are also mentioned in it."

your heart broke at the reveal of tobias passing. you knew him less than a year, but you still had formed a connection with him.

then the other portion of his statement dawned on you, he mentioned you in his will. why?

grayson seemed to have wanted to know this too. he said tobias mentioned you in passing but didn't offer details about your relationship. he didn't hide how he was suspecting and untrusting of you.

you filled him in on details of how you met, your meetings, and the last time you conversed with him. grayson was still wary of you, but he didn't have any reason yet to say you were lying.

he then urged you to gather your belongings because the two of you had to head over to his family's residence as soon as possible. he has already informed your boss of your leave of absence.

it was all so sudden, you were still processing all this information. grayson's insistence made it nearly impossible to do anything but listen. 

so, grayson took you home to change and pack a few items. you left a note for your parents, letting them know you'd be spending a night or two at a friend's house. you knew if you explained what was really going on they would not let you go; they'd probably even scold you for befriending a random old man at work, calling you naive.

although, that had merit because you were currently off with a man you knew for like five seconds because you believed he was the grandson of a man who you also didn't know for too long.

you thought the chance of getting kidnapped was better than overworking at the diner.

you were astounded when grayson casually took you to the destination of his private jet. you'd never flown first class, let alone a private freaking jet.

you two took off, and a few hours later, arrived in texas. the moment you stepped off, a bodyguard guided the two of you into a limousine. from there, you sought off to the mansion.

when you arrived, you thought you'd been driven to some sort of fancy hotel, but not it was where grayson and the rest of the hawthorne lived. you'd likely get lost trying to go from the kitchen to your bedroom.

grayson had to physically drag you away from your jaw-dropped stare at the property.

when you entered the entrance hall , another girl was already there, an older girl with her as well.

she turned her attention toward you when she noticed you entering, she seemed to have recognized grayson, but had a questioning gaze toward you.

the older girl was the one to speak to you first. “and here i thought we’d already met everyone affiliated with this crazy rich family. hi, i’m libby and this is my sister avery. are you grayson’s girlfriend?”

you could’ve died from awkwardness right there. you didn’t even wanna take a glance at grayson’s reaction, you imagined he would have a look of discontent.

“er, no. we just met today actually. he came into my work saying i’m needed for a will reading, and next thing i know im off in a private jet and in this mansion.”

this time avery spoke up, “sorry about libby’s assumption. it was just because you guys came in together and he’s carrying your bag.”

grayson was in fact hold your small luggage bag. he taken the liberty of taking it out of the trunk of the limo and carried it since.

you didn’t say anything, you just snatched your bag out of grayson’s hands, mumbling a quiet thanks.

grayson let out a laugh, but covered it up as a cough.

avery talked about her situation being similar to yours, except she’s never met tobias hawthorne before. it made you feel better there was someone else who felt like an outsider.

you were led away by grayson, guiding you to the room the will was being read. but you ran into a numerous amount of people on the way.

first, it was xander, the youngest hawthorne grandson. he appeared out of secret passage, jump scaring you. then he introduced himself.

nash, who had a country accent, followed a bit after walking in with his mother skye. she asked you a few invading questions about yourself, and you replied cordially. very relieved when grayson excused you both.

finally, you’d met jameson on accident. you were on the way to the bathroom, using directions given to you, and that’s when you bumped into him. he was very obviously drunk. he slurred a few words, but you quickly excused yourself, not wanting to deal with whatever was going on with him.

once you were finally in the room, you took a seat next to avery since she and her sister were the best options.

finally the will reading began, and the lawyers started reciting its words and designated belongs and money to different family members. all the families were stunned that the grandsons, especially grayson, hadn't gotten the entire fortune. yours and averys names had yet to be mentioned.

"to my newfound friend y/n l/n, i leave conservatorship to the hawthorne foundation. the remainder of my estate, including all properties, monetary assets, and worldly possessions not otherwise specified, i leave it to be shared upon y/n l/n and avery kylie grambs."

nothing could have you prepared for that. you thought it was a prank at first, some sick joke rich people do that get less-than-fortunate people's hopes up. but no, the lawyer did indeed confirm it to be true.

avery and yourself turned toward each other wide-eyed, completely flabbergasted. then the whole room erupted into chaos, everyone standing up to demand an explanation, accusing you both of having done something.

you had just met these people, and you couldn't for sure say they were capable of murder, but you'd seen enough movies about the rich to know it's definitely a possibility.

luckily, oren, tobias' (now ex) bodyguard, stood in front of you girls, preventing the hawthornes from stepping any closer. he claimed he worked for you both now, so it was his job to protect you.

"should we trust this guy? what if he's just playing us to get the inheritance." avery whispered to you.

"a bodyguard with ulterior motives is better than being left to the wolves."

"good point." libby chimed in.

it didn't end there; there were conditions for the will, saying you and avery must remain at the hawthorne estate for a full year to receive the inheritance.

so not only did you become enemy number one toward most hawthornes, but now you had to live with all of them. lovely.

that jump-started your now future of being involved with the hawthornes (and the grambs sisters)

after the will fiasco, the grayson made it his mission to unmask whatever game you played to get the inheritance, but he always came up empty-handed because you, as you insisted to multiple hawthornes, did not manipulate tobias. you didn't even know the guy's last name until you had met grayson.

if you had a talent for taking advantage of rich men, you would not be wasting time being a waitress for a shitty diner.

however, you tried to look on the very bright side of things, living in a gorgeous mansion. your bedroom was the size of your home's first floor. you;'d never slept on a comfier or larger bed.

one thing that set you apart from avery in the will was that you had complete ownership in the hawthorne foundation and his involvement with different charities. alissa had informed you that you'd need to learn to manage it- designating which associations to donate to, how much, how often, etc.

it was overwhelming to think about; if you failed to be a conservator, it would be given to the grandsons. you also knew having authority over it bothered zara hawthorne, since she'd spent basically her whole life running it. you knew it you were to make a wrong move, she'd be quick to call it out you.

alissa had arranged for you to go to the foundation and meet with someone who'd help you navigate the ropes. a part of you assumed it'd be zara meeting you there, maybe forced by alissa to help you. but instead, it was grayson, who still thought you were some master con woman.

he was the only grandson that had an issue with you and avery, but for some reason, you were more suspicious to him. xander, jameson, and nash seemed to have adjusted to events and were now somewhat friends with you. it was pretty infuriating how grayson would not listen to reason, no matter how much you tried to make amends.

grayson remained professional, not wanting his personal feud to hinder the foundation's work. he started giving you a tour and explaining an overview of how things ran. it became easier for you to imagine yourself running it.

you stopped when you passed by various black and white photos hung up in midair. they'd been hung since the beginning of your tour, but you'd only truly taken notice just now.

"who took these? they're beautiful."

"i did."

'of course, you did' you thought. he seemed to be good at everything.

"can i have a copy of this one?" you pointed toward a photo to your left; it was of a couple dancing together in the rain, in front of the eiffel tower.

"why?"

"i'd always wanted to see the eiffel tower. plus, i just really like it." it was true. the photo was captured exquisitely, and going to paris had always been a goal of yours, along with traveling to different places in the world.

he didn't respond. grayson went up to the photograph and carefully unlatched it. he then turned to you and gestured for you to take it, "here, you can have it."

you were a little shocked he just gave it to you, but hundreds of photos were decorated throughout the building, so it probably didn't mean much just giving you one.

you took it in your hands gently and thanked him. you both then continued your tour into the conference room to discuss further management of the hawthorne foundation.

but unbeknownst to you, the photo you now owned was one of his favorites.

it became easier to get to know and warm up to grayson the more you visited the foundation, which you did quite often because you now that you had (or will have) conservatorship to the foundation, you wanted to ensure you knew everything involving it to ensure you'd continue its success.

you could now say the two of you were somewhat friends, but there still seemed to be a wall - built by grayson, between the two of you. likely from the lack of trust he still has toward you.

at times he'd look at you as if you were the enemy, and other times he'd treat you courteously. his constant mood changes were driving you crazy.

you had been staying up later than usual since your stay at the manor began. it didn't help that there was possibly a secret passage in your room like avery's has.

but your leading cause of distress stemmed from the mystery of the whole will situation. you'd gotten a small letter like everyone else, but it failed to offer any closure.

in fact, all it said was, "good luck". you'd never had the urge to strangle a dead old man til now.

however, this night you decided to walk outside. you'd been hesitant to wander around the mansion, but then again, you technically half owned it now, and nobody could really stop you. so you decided to go to the pool area, carefully avoiding alerting your new bodyguard of your movement.

when you got there, it was empty as you had hoped. the pool was illuminated with the lights, the area surrounding it was dimly lit.

you settled for solely dipping your feet in the pool and gazing at the stars upon the sky.

half an hour in, you heard the faint sound of someone possibly approaching. you took it as a sign to get back to your room before oren noticed, if he hadn't already.

you got up a bit too quickly, causing an imbalance in your step - leading you to stumble backward into the pool.

most people would simply swim back up to the top and pull themselves out, but you couldn't do that for one big reason. you never learned to swim.

panic began to seep into you as you flailed your arms all over the place, attempting to float to the top, but it only made you sink further. it didn't help drowning was on the top of your list of 'ways i would hate to die'.

you were midway through choking on the water when someone jumped into the pool and carried you back onto the pavement.

after coughing the water out of your lungs, you looked at the face your your savior kneeled in front of your; low and below there was grayson hawthorne - wearing nothing but swim shorts.

the sight of him shirtless made it harder to steady your breathing.

"are you alright?" you nodded in confirmation.

"what were you thinking getting into the pool so carelessly?"

"well, i just to test out my new waterproof mascara." you said sarcastically. "obviously i didn't end up in the stupid pool purposely!"

he rolled his eyes. “god, were you born a horrendous swimmer or just taught by an imbecile.”

you stayed silent, looking away from him, not wanting to admit the embarrassing truth.

“do you…do you not know how to swim?”

"….. define knowing to swim.”

he gave you an incredulous look, “seriously? even most 5-year-olds know how to swim, better yet, they wouldn’t almost drown in the 7ft part of the pool.”

“okay i get it! it’s pathetic i don’t know the basics of swimming. you don't have to be an asshole about it.” you stood up angrily in your soggy clothes and attempted to walk away - but grayson grabbed your wrist.

“wait. alright, i apologize for being quick to judge. if you want..i’ll teach you to swim.”

you were taken aback by the gesture, not quite sure what to think. on the one hand, it could be a plan to embarrass you further, but on the other hand - you really didn’t want to live your life not being able to swim any longer.

“alright.”

the following night he made good of his word when you went out to meet him. (oren being aware this time, after he warned you he'd lock you in your room if you snuck out without him again.)

this time you had proper swim attire, a 2 piece bikini alissa had purchased for you, along with others.

grayson was already in the pool when you arrived, swimming laps. once he noticed your arrival, he stepped out of the pool. you would've thought it was a scene from a movie from how smoothly & dreamy he moved.

you averted your eyes before you stared at his form too long.

you weren't sure if it was your imagination or you saw grayson do a double-take when he saw you.

all his attractiveness was shortly forgotten when he went to his bag to retrieve something, then handed you some plastic. it took you a moment, but then it clocked - these you arm floaties.

"you're joking right?"

"hey, after that near-drowning experience, it's better to be safe than sorry."

"it's like you want to humiliate me."

"don't worry i chose the ones with the flowers to enhance your matureness." he fought back a smile with his words.

he got a nasty glare in response.

still, you knocked down your pride on putting on the floaties before you and grayson submerged into the pool.

then grayson began reciting exercises and movements for you to do. after floating around for a bit, he instructed you to remove the floaties. you were obviously hesitant, the floaties were keeping you from drowning, but grayson insisted that you trust him.

he grabbed your waist with both hands and got behind you; that was enough to quicken your pulse.

his hands held you steady as you attempted to stay afloat by moving your arms and legs. it would get harder to focus when his hands moved up and down your back.

"okay, i'm gonna let you go now."

"ok. wait what-"

you were abruptly cut off because grayson immediately removed his hands, leaving you on your own. being caught off guard, you began a repeat of the night before, but this time attempting to swim correctly. regardless, you were still beginning to choke on water and sink down.

grayson swam back to your aid in an instant, holding you up above the water by the waist.

"shit- i'm sorry. i assumed your instincts would kick in if you had less reaction time."

"oh, because it worked so well yesterday."

"right, perhaps i should've given it more careful thought." he moved a hand to the side of your face, "are you sure you're okay?"

you nodded, unable to verbally respond. the tension in the air thickened as the two of you continued to stare to one another. for a brief moment, his gaze wandered to your lips, and you stopped breathing.

his face slowly leaned into yours. you didn't know what you'd do if he was going to kiss you - a big part of you was ready to kiss back and the other part told you i'd be a mistake if you did.

but the moment was interrupted by alissa, who was calling your name because she wanted to ho over tomorrow’s events with you.

you also knew, based on alissa's critical gaze, she'd seen what was about to possibly happen. she has already given you a fair amount of warning about getting involved with hawthornes.

grayson then pulled away, awkwardly bidding you farewell, saying he'd see you later before he made his way out of the pool.

since then, the brewing tension between the two of you grew. it didn't help you already see him quite a bit during the day, then alone at night. apparently, it was evident to everyone there was something happening because thea calligaris cornered you.

"the last girl who was with grayson ended up dead."

you were unsure what to believe after that, you really didn't trust thea, but didn't mean it couldn't be true. 'don't rich people always have some murderous secret?'

you couldn't help it, and brought up the topic to grayson, who went very still at the mention. he lashed out at you before walking away. you suppose that confirmed it.

he avoided you for a few days, even skipped out on swimming lessons, so you kept yourself busy with school and hanging with avery and xander; solving the still ongoing mystery of the will. which you'd lowkey given up on because riddles were not your forte.

you felt bad your question, but he didn’t need to act so harshly toward you. so, you weren’t going to talk to him until he approached you first.

a knock sounded in your room when you were getting ready for bed. however, it didn't come from the door but from behind a large painting.

'i swear if this house is haunted, i'm running back home'

you tried to remove the painting, but it was stuck to the wall. then you discover a small button hidden on its frame. against better judgment, you press it, making the painting and the wall behind it move forward and slide to the left.

you knew there were various passages, but having one in your own room kind of freaked you out.

behind the moving wall stood grayson. you screamed at first, only seeing a figure in the dark. but then grayson quickly stepped into the light and closer to you to put a hand over your mouth. you were relieved to see him and not someone who would possibly murder you.

he didn’t remove his hand, you gave him an expectant look.

“just hear me out, before you demand i leave. i came to apologize.”

you nodded, allowing him to continue. he sighed and pulled his hand away. then he opened up to you for the first time, telling you about a girl name emily laughlin.

he explained her condition, how both hom and jameson were involved with her, and how she died.

the more the story went on the more you felt bad for both brothers, especially grayson since it seemed it was still affecting him. you even felt for emily, obviously, she lacked something in her life to play 2 brothers.

“i'm not complaining, but why did you decide to tell me all this” the two of you at some point made your way onto your bed, sitting side by side each other

he humorlessly laughs, and looks directly at you. “to be honest, i’m not even sure. all i know is when i look into your eyes, i have this urge to tell bare my soul to you.”

deja vu to the pool incident, you both didn’t say anything, just looked at each other, slowly leaning your face closer.

you were ready to be interrupted again, stopping the act before it can happen. but there was none, and your lips were now an inch apart, and your heart was beating like you just ran a marathon.

“tell me to stop right now, or i’m afraid i won’t be able to hold myself back.”

you said nothing.

wasn't like he gave you much reaction time anyway because he kissed you a second later - like you were the last person he was ever going to kiss.

and oh boy, was it a good kiss.

even when he left your room later that night, after much kissing you were still reeling from the shock of it all.

you didn't know what it meant for the two of you - did he like you?, was it a one-time thing?, or did he kiss you as a way to forget emily?

you were only sure of one thing right now - you felt something toward grayson that crossed the friend zone.

the kiss was never brought up over the days; grayson and you continued to work together and swim at night together almost every other day. you weren't sure if you were relieved or offended he never mentioned it.

you swore he got flirter since the kiss - his hand brushing against yours, standing very close behind you when reviewing something for the foundation, hands wandering when helping you swim, even a subtle flirty remark here and there.

you confided in avery about the events. she was insistent on the fact grayson liked you, and that he didn't seem like the type of have a fling nor rebound.

you wanted to believe he liked you, but then you would hear thea's voice in your head, reminding you of emily, and how he isn't over her.

it was driving you mad, so you convinced yourself you were simply reading into things. you weren't.

it all came to a head at a charity event the both of you helped plan for the foundation. you'd wore a beautiful namebrand designer custom-made gown, the fanciest dress you ever adorned.

however, the whole night grayson ignored you and made it clear he was avoiding you. anytime you approached him he gave an excuse to the person he was talking to that he had to go somewhere. or if you tried making eye contact, he was quick to turn his head the other direction. you didn't know what his deal was.

when you took to the outside for a breather, you sensed the arrival of his presence.

you scoff, "so now you wanna talk to me or what?"

he didn't respond, which upset you more. so you opted to walk back into the ballroom, but grayson stopped you.

"anytime i look at you too long, i think of our kiss that night. then i have to hold myself back from doing it another time. and if i kiss you, i thin- no. i know i won't be able to help but fall for you."

you were again dumbfounded by such confession. a habit that seemed to always happen in the presence of grayson hawthrone.

"i don't mind."

"neither do i."

he crashed your lips together with his in a flash.

unlike the first one, the kiss was messy, and messy was never a way you thought you'd describe the pristine grayson hawthorne.

his hands made their way to your face keeping you close while his mouth was almost devouring your lips. you steadied yourself by holding onto his shoulders because you did not trust your wobbly knees to stand on their own.

you pulled away first, heavily breathing like the night you almost drowned. your mind was still hazy, unable to properly form a sentence to speak.

grayson hands stayed, caressing your face gently,

"you can have my entire being if it means i get to kiss you like that whenever."

you both didn't end up returning to the charity that night. not while your makeup was smudged and all your lipstick was transferred on grayson's face.

though it was never verbally official, the two of you were evidently more than friends at that point.

you didn't even need to tell anyone of your newfound relationship because you'd come to find out jameson had seen the two of you that night, and he would could never resist a gossip about grayson. so the information easily made its way throughout the entire hawthorne manor.

in relation, grayson fought jameson. unfortunately, you weren't allowed to watch the fight because grayson didn't want you to witness any violence. you were lowkey disappointed because you and avery were ready to place bets.

alissa also made sure to have a talk with you both regarding public appearances. she advised it was better to keep it private because everyone was still reeling from yours and avery's newfound inheritance, and this news could possibly do damage to your media reputation. plus, it was better if grayson was advertised as single.

you personally didn't mind, you weren't the biggest fan of pda when you had a thousand new eyes on you. and alissa's advice was wise since you were new to the whole being a public figure thing. and well, you both lived together anyway.

grayson was more hesitant to agree, but mostly for your benefit he listened to alissa.

it was fun in a way, acting platonic in public then kissing when you got to the mansion or even the limousine. it was like having a secret relationship.

whenever interviews tried to insinuate something, you learned how to shut it down after much lessons on pr. but grayson liked to leave sly comments; only the two of you could understand.

"yeah, y/n's quite well at exploring the mouth of new things."

"y/n and i have become very acquainted with each other."

"you could say i'm into women who sink instead of swim."

it made you wanna laugh and playfully hit him all the same.

what really made your relationship step into public light was when rumors about you and jameson dating started circling around.

a photo of the two of you had been taken getting out of a limo together then entering a building, where people rumored you had a 'date'. in reality, both of you were there to talk to skye hawthorne after she was removed from the hawthorne mansion.

grayson was less than happy about these rumors, and jameson not denying anything to the press to get a rise out of grayson, was making things worse.

so, in a grayson hawthorne manner - he took care of things himself. he bought out all of the press and made them debunk the stories.

then to be even more dramatic, the next time the two of you were out together, he made a whole show of kissing you. even going as far as dipping you down in his arms before the kiss - felt straight out of a cheesy romcom. you couldn't say you didn't enjoy it, though.

the paparazzi had a field day with those photos & the two of your the front page of gossip magazines for weeks. alissa was ready to explode after only finding out the two of you went public from the media.

being in a public relationship was harder than being in a secret one. there were somehow even more eyes on you, picking your relationship apart. they mostly targeted your flaws and even took digs at your old diner job. even a surge of online hate came at your direction.

even grayson couldn't buyout every magazine or person who had a negative thing to say about you, and trust that he very much tried to.

but being official in public also had great pros. now, grayson and you could go out on dates wherever without worrying about hiding and disguises.

you couldn't stay anywhere too far at first because of the 'stay in the house for a year' rule, but you had dates at all sorts of fancy places. even though you were technically a net-worth nigher than him,now, he always insisted on paying the bill. ever the gentleman.

grayson knew how to plan one himself. a personal favorite of yours had to be the picnic in a hot air balloon.

but once the year was up, the first place gray took you was to paris, which he knew was always your dream. paris now seemed like a mundane dream compared to all of the past year's events.

still, paris was absolutely incredible, and being there with your boyfriend made it better - and helpful because he was fluent in french while you barely passed the high school class with a B.

seeing the eiffel tower was the best part, it was even more amazing up close. standing there with grayson, the grays started to cloud, and small drizzles of water came down.

your bodyguard (one oren forcefully implanted) had advised you both to head to the car before it started pouring. you were ready to follow along, but gray tugged your sleeve, stopping your movement.

you gave him a questioning gaze, so he held out his hand, asking you to dance.

you laughed and accepted nonetheless, even when the rain started to pour in more. the two of you began a clumsy (on your part) waltz across the pavement. both of your faces filled with blissful smiles. to this day, it is a favorite memory of yours.

it was even better when grayson gifted you a photo of you two that day, one he asked the bodyguard to take. now, the picture was framed next to the one grayson had taken & grayson hung a copy of it at the hawthorne foundation.

since dating, grayson's insomnia has improved immensely. it mainly had to do with the fact you two frequently sleep in his bed together. he jokes your his personal nyquil.

it's true when they say he sleeps like a deadman, even has a tiny snore - though he keep denying it. but he has some sort of sixth sense that enables him to know when you leave the bed.

like for instance, you needed to use the bathroom one night, and the moment you got up from the bed - grayson is up and asking where you were going.

the swimming lessons were not forgotten - you two still had that nightly routine. but you weren't becoming a michael phelps anytime soon. not when most of your lessons involved more kissing than swimming.

but hey, at least you've moved past the need for floaties. because grayson just carries you himself if it's too deep for you to swim.

he loves to buy anything that reminds him of you. a jewelry piece that matches your eyes, a dress he thinks would look pretty on you, a shift from your favorite film/show/artist, or even an item you offhandedly mentioned you wanted. he'd have them wrapped and ready to give to you the next moment he saw you.

much to our surprise, grayson was also the clingy type. his love language was more gift-giving but doesn't mean he wasn't a bit touch-starved.

he revels in hugs, kisses, and intimate moments. he always wants to hold hands when you both are walking together. jameson and nash love to tease him on it.

he has as a domestic side to him. he helps you put on your coat or even sometimes makes you wear it, keeps you on the side of the sidewalk not near the street, carries your purse or shopping bags, and helping you slip on your heels and shoes.

overall, grayson hawthorne was nothing less of an amazing boyfriend. except when he sees eve for the first time.

you were in the office of the foundation looking over a few files when you saw tobias' name mentioned then initials at the bottom. 'T.T.H.'

"huh, i thought your grandfather didn't have middle name."

grayson looked over your shoulder, "oh, he didn't. at least not until had changed his legal name less than a year before his passing."

"what is it?"

"tatersall. quite peculiar right?"

you laughed to yourself. perhaps he was trying to set you up with her grandson after all.

@itzchanelx @marigold-morelli

[sublimecatgalaxy]

1.One Bed

‘Im not afraid of you.’

not sure who you’re in the mood to write about today! so if u are in the mood for anyone in particular that you think would fit this prompt, go for it:)

I was thinking Four (Tobias)

DO UR THING BESTIE:)

-🐣

Ugh bestie I can not write Four right now I'm SO SORRY LMAO! Thank you for giving me the option though, I love you!

"You sure we're safe here?" Daryl's eyes lift to look up at me from the fire, auburn flames burning in his deep eyes and it forces a smile to my lips, just at the way he looks at me.

"You're always safe with me." He promises, deep voice only soothing my worry and I squat down beside him, bumping his shoulder with mine.

"While I'll admit that's really cute of you," he gives me a sassy eye roll and a scoff, turning away to hide the blush on his cheeks, "I'm more worried about someone else stopping upon us and killing us in our sleep."

"Won't happen." He shrugs with a simple smile, looking back at the door that he has securely closed with a chair under the doorknob, which appears to be the end all to all of our possible problems in his mind.

"Why's that?"

"I'll kill'em before they can get through the door." He munches on a piece of jerky with such a matter of fact tone and the sass in his voice forces a smile to stretch happily across my lips.

"Sounds good, tough guy." I clap my hands with a deep breath, making my way over to the small cot in the corner of the room, barely enough to fit me let alone Daryl and I. I've seen how he sleeps, like a mummy, on his back with his arms either thrown over his head or tucked up under him when he's laying on his side. He tries to take up as little room as he can but ends up taking up a ton of space because of the sheer, bulky size of him. "Wanna get some rest?"

"You can, I'll stay up. Keep watch." He answers almost immediately, eyes flickering over to me briefly to catch my disappointed look.

"Daryl-"

"Don't argue, get." He points to the bed, silently urging me to lay down but I just continue to stand my ground, knowing and visibly seeing how much he needs the shut eye and rest.

"Please?" I ask, pouting gently and he cracks, huffing loudly as he makes his way off the ground, boots stomping as he steps up to me with a tired smile. I scoot over as much as I can, laying my head on Daryls coat that I'm using as a makeshift pillow and he takes a seat beside me.

"For a minute." H says sternly but I know a minute will turn into him sleeping soundly beside me all night. He lays himself down with a groan, batting his unruly curls from his face as he glances over at me "I don't bite." He lifts his arm, creating an inviting, enveloping space for me to rest and I take his offer happily, slipping under his arm, tucking myself soundly into his side. "Don't gotta be nervous."

"I'm not afraid of you." I mumble but there's a part of me that still is so nervous around him after all this time.

"You're shivering like a leaf." He whispers, rubbing my arm soothingly and the ways his lips are brushing against my forehead has me warming up in no time, pressing myself further against him, deciding to just give him a chance. "See? Not so bad."

[teshadraws]

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 62]

<< First | < Previous | Next >

AO3 Link

-

Nia and Tobias get some time to relax and check out Kaleido Bay before solidifying their plans to find Xerneas.

“Oh! Tobias, look at these!”

Nia knows this is the fifth time today she’s called him to her side with the same level of excitement, but she can’t help it! Kaleido Bay is just made for overeager tourists like herself.

Besides, Tobias doesn’t seem to mind her enthusiasm. He looks up from the other side of the merchant stall, dry amusement on his face, and wordlessly skirts around other tourists browsing the merchant’s wares to reach her side.

“What did you find now?”

Nia points out her newest marvel: little sculptures crafted out of shells and stones and chunks of coral. They’re lined up across the counter, depicting…Pokemon? Nia thinks they’re supposed to be Pokemon. They’re kind of silly-looking, though, with proportions that even Nia can tell are way off.

They remind her of something she’s seen in the human world, when her and her family visited the beach and perused the endless little shops made specifically for tourists. Shells and rocks and googly-eyes haphazardly glued together to form palm-sized sea turtles and fish.

Tobias cracks a smile, picking up what Nia thinks is supposed to be a pichu. “Didn’t know there was a water type pichu out there.”

“Would that make it a beach-u?”

Tobias barks a laugh.

Nia beams, pleased with her accomplishment. Her eyes linger on her partner, trying to gauge how he’s feeling as he looks through more of the silly figurines.

It’s been nearly two days since their fight with Dismas. Nia’s ribs are finally well enough to walk around—sore, with stabs of pain if she laughs or inhales too deeply, but manageable—so they’d decided to browse the tourist shops of Kaleido Bay before heading back to Will’s settlement. According to Tobias, a merchant cart willing to take passengers is scheduled to leave town in the early afternoon, so they should be able to hitch a ride with them then.

Tobias seems to be doing as well as he can be, considering the circumstances. Nia’s relieved by that. Her heart still hurts every time she remembers his cries the other night, when he wailed into her shoulder and grieved all that he had lost.

“I should’ve died with her. I couldn’t even avenge them! What good am I if I can’t even do that?”

Nia had fought off a burst of panic at those words, staying wide awake even when Tobias had eventually drifted off. She’d held him close with a lump in her throat and frantically wondered if she needed to do something more drastic to keep him safe from himself.

The next day he’d seemed more lost than actively interested in harming himself, but she still felt herself tense every time he drifted off into thought, eyes glassy and brow furrowed, or when he had to leave the room for a few minutes.

He’s still quieter than usual, and that makes her worry, but Nia also can’t help thinking some part of him seems…lighter, almost. Like a weight she’d never noticed him carrying has finally been lifted away.

Even the way Tobias is picking through the merchant’s goods is different. He’s eyeing them with actual interest, which she usually wouldn’t expect from him. She can’t tell if the change is just him trying to distract himself, or if he’s actually letting himself relax for once. Letting himself take in the world around them rather than charging after Team Zenith with no allowance for trivial things.

Maybe Nia is just overly optimistic, but she can’t help hoping something good came from Tobias meeting Dismas and learning the truth.

Tobias snorts, catching Nia’s attention again.

“Look. It’s the jerk from the prison.”

Nia looks at the little shell creature in his hands: a grumpy bipedal sea turtle, with a rocky shell. A carracosta, Nia knows now. Its eyes are mismatched, one higher than the other, giving it a ridiculous expression.

Nia laughs, then winces when the action sends a bolt of pain through her ribs. Tobias winces too, looking torn between apology and being just as smug about making her laugh as she was for him.

“I think I prefer this version,” Nia says, taking the little figure to turn it over in her hands.

It’s cute. Much cuter than the real version they’d met yesterday, at least.

They’d been expecting a visit from the officials at the prison after everything that went down, but Nia still hadn’t been prepared for the carracosta who was sent to inform them of the aftermath of Dismas’ escape and subsequent recapture.

The carracosta did confirm right away that Dismas was safely secured and had been assigned a constant guard for his transfer to an even higher security prison in Ghatha. After his little stunt with the shackles here in Kaleido, they aren’t taking the risk of leaving him alone before his trial.

Tobias’ relief had been palpable after that piece of news, his tight shoulders slumping.

Unfortunately, the agent’s tone had hardened immediately after.

—————————————————

“I do have a matter of security to discuss with you both.”

Nia sends a nervous glance Tobias’ way. He’s holding a poker face better than she is, but she can see the tension hidden in his spine.

The carracosta lets that heavy sentence sit for a moment. Then he continues. “D22 was a high-security prisoner. A D-rank team with no official connection should not have had the clearance to speak with him.”

Nia cringes. They’re not just in trouble, but big trouble. She’d half-expected them to be, with how they’d used Rosalind’s connections to blackmail their way into Dismas’ cell, but…

Well, this is coming back to bite them much sooner than she’d feared it would. Guilt and fear eats at her in equal measure, but she keeps her mouth shut, staring down at her lap.

She doesn’t want them to get in trouble with the law, but she also doesn’t want them to get in trouble with Rosalind. Nia doesn’t want to imagine what the hatterene would do if they sold her out.

Nia half-expects Tobias to lie and get them out of this, but he also stays silent, apparently deciding that such a game would be too dangerous with the authoritative carracosta.

The atmosphere in the room is stifling. Choking. Nia thinks she’s sweating under her fur. Can she sweat? She’s wondered about this before. She’s basically a dog, so she thinks she just sweats through her paws and—

The carracosta grunts. “I see you two are going to be just as stubborn as Jude.”

Jude. The drednaw they blackmailed to let them into the prison. Oh, jeez. What happens if no one talks? They don’t torture people for stuff like this, right? Do they throw them in jail?

Just as panic starts to bloom in earnest in Nia’s chest, the carracosta sighs.

“Fine. We aren’t going to push for a statement that would likely just be a lie.”

While the tone isn’t scolding, per se, and the words aren’t outright condemnation, the meaning is clear.

They messed up. They did something that bent the rules, at best, and the officer in front of them is well aware of that. Even if he can’t accuse them outright.

Nia barely resists looking at Tobias again, swallowing hard and keeping her eyes down.

She can feel the burn of the carracosta’s accusing stare. “Considering you weren’t the direct cause of D22’s escape attempt and you did recapture him, we’ll be lenient this time. Tapu knows he would’ve done more damage without your intervention.”

Nia holds her breath.

“I’ll be letting your guildmaster know to keep an eye on you two for suspicious activity, but we won’t actively restrict you from missions. Consider this strike one on Team Scarlet’s record.”

Nia finally lifts her head to peek at the carracosta, unsure how to feel. Part of her didn’t even think they could get a mark on their record like that. Could their Seeker status be revoked entirely if they got too many?

That thought carves a pit of shame in her stomach. They never should’ve worked with Rosalind in the first place. And they definitely shouldn’t have done something as low as blackmailing Jude, no matter what he might’ve done to get in Rosalind’s books.

Is he going to be okay? What if he gets fired from the prison for this?

Nia swallows back tears.

They might be the reason someone loses their job. And they’re going to have a mark on their record. That means August will know about it, right? She can already imagine the shame of talking to their guildmaster with that weight hanging over their head.

Tobias, on the other hand, seems relieved at the sentencing, apparently more aware than Nia of exactly how badly this could’ve gone. He nods. “Thank you.”

The carracosta doesn’t smile. He looks at the two of them for another moment, then simply turns to leave.

“W-Wait!” Nia says, unable to stop herself. She knows asking about Jude would be a stupid idea, and some cowardly part of her doesn’t really want to know. But there are two other Pokemon who have been on her mind ever since waking up here in the clinic.

The carracosta stops.

“The guards. The ones who escorted us into the prison. Are they, um…okay?”

The carracosta looks back at her, something in his sharp expression finally softening. “Miroslav won’t be on duty for a long while, but he’ll live. Toko’s injuries were minimal. She asked that I thank you both for making sure the two of them made it out alive.”

Nia melts with relief. It’s so strong it almost overshadows the guilt she’d been wrestling with before. “Thank you.”

The carracosta leaves without another word.

Nia and Tobias wait another minute in heavy silence. Finally, when they’re both convinced the carracosta is really gone, they exhale.

“Well, that was terrifying,” Nia murmurs, sweeping her hands back over her ears.

Tobias makes a quiet sound of agreement, pinching at his eyes. He looks like he’s thinking hard about something, so Nia watches him and waits while her heart rate slows.

Sure enough, he eventually speaks up. “We shouldn’t take any more missions from Rosalind. At least for a while.”

Nia straightens, surprise clear in her voice. “Really?”

Tobias had never flinched at the idea of working with Rosalind. Even after Asra, when Nia thought it was too dangerous to keep pursuing her leads, he’d been adamant. She would’ve thought that after Dismas, after Rosalind’s lead pulling through more than ever before, he would be even more stubborn.

Tobias huffs a laugh. “I know. Just…”

It’s clear he doesn’t know how to articulate what he’s feeling. Likely wrestling with the fact that they’d almost died—again—as well as the more severe consequences they just barely sidestepped with the law.

Whatever made him change his mind, Nia isn’t going to argue. “I’m fine with that. That guy was almost as terrifying as Rosalind.”

Tobias makes a halfhearted attempt at a laugh.

———————————————————

Even now, surrounded by happy chatter and the tropical beauty of Kaleido Bay, that conversation weighs heavy as stone on Nia’s mind. She hates going against the rules, and she hates getting in trouble. She hates that they have a mark on their record now, and that they’ll have to face August’s disappointed gaze without being able to explain themselves. She hates that they’ll likely never know how their interference affected Jude. Grumpy as he was, she still didn’t want to get him in trouble.

They’re supposed to help people, not hurt them.

Nia sighs, wincing as the motion strains her ribs. Then she shakes her head to dispel the gloomy thoughts. They can’t do anything about it now. She’ll just have to make sure they don’t hurt anyone else in the future. Especially not for their own gain.

Nia and Tobias wander away from the craft merchant’s stall, strolling through the city and taking in the sights. The salty breeze is balanced out nicely by the midmorning sunshine, and the sky overhead is a deep blue that makes the surrounding ocean shimmer. The bright buildings and even brighter merchant stalls are eye-catching and cheery, making for the perfect distraction from anxious thoughts.

The Pokemon crowding past them are clearly in high spirits, too, chatting and laughing with one another as they shop. Families corral excited children who are grasping sweets in sticky paws, and friends nudge one another to point out their next destination. An adorable couple passes by them, linked arm in arm. Mid-conversation, the taller one dips to give the top of their partner’s head an affectionate nuzzle.

Nia smiles at the gesture, then looks at Tobias. To her surprise, he’s also watching the couple, brow furrowed. Nia tilts her head at him, and he quickly glances at her before looking away, face warming as he hurriedly points out the next stall.

It’s a familiar little shop, and Nia perks up. “Oh, the glassblowing shop! Can we look around for a bit? I didn’t really get the chance the other day.”

Tobias nods his agreement, and the two of them split up to peruse the wares carefully laid across the counter of the building’s wraparound stall.

Last time, a blue monkey Pokemon with long, curled hair atop her head had been behind the counter—a simipour, according to Tobias—but this time around the merchant is a stoic-looking fire type, though he too looks strikingly monkey-like. He’s orange like Tobias, with a long fire-tipped tail and intricate blue markings over his eyes. A monferno, Nia thinks.

Nia doesn’t pay him much mind, startled instead by the little blue monkey also flitting about behind the stand, pulling herself up to be able to see over the counter and talk to customers. She’s just a kid, clearly, but for a moment Nia feels a phantom pain on her upper arm, under where her scarf is tied. They’d fought a panpour once before—an outlaw—and for a moment seeing such similar features throws Nia for a loop.

But this panpour is much smaller, and the spitting image of the simipour Nia had spoken with days before. There’s none of the outlaw’s malice on her cheerful little face, and the blue of her fur is a darker hue than his.

Nia manages to pull her eyes away, instead focusing on the beautiful glassworks on the table in front of her, shining and sparkling in the sun. After a moment of hesitation, she dares to pick one up to see it more clearly.

It’s a Pokemon—a seahorse of some kind. Unlike the wonky proportions of the shell figurines they saw earlier, this statue is intentionally styled, the curves of it elegant and acting as a perfect balance to the sharp points of its frills.

Nia carefully puts the statue back, eyes scanning the pieces until she stops at one of the more abstract works. It’s the color that she notices first, a turquoise blue that matches Nia’s aura almost perfectly.

It’s shaped like a flame, or maybe a drop of water, with wisps of glass curving upwards and intertwining with one another. The thinner ends are almost transparent, and the thicker base has incredible depth, blue like springwater.

It’s gorgeous. Nia hesitates before picking it up in her hands, running a thumb over its smooth surface.

She really, really wants to buy it. Maybe she’s just a sucker for souvenirs, but it’s so well-crafted and it feels…personal, almost. Like it was made for her.

Nia examines the little price tag tied around it, frowning. She can afford it, surprisingly, but it would clear out her personal funds entirely. She doesn’t think she can justify spending that much. What if she needs that money later? Or what if Tobias needs it for something that his own funds or the team’s can’t cover?

Nia reluctantly puts the statue back down.

“Aw, I really like that one!”

Nia looks up, surprised to lock eyes with the little panpour. She has her arms crossed on the counter from the other side of the stall, a grin on her face.

“I helped Dad make that, y’know!” She adds, clearly proud.

Nia blinks, glancing over at the monferno. He’s on the other side of the stall and talking with Tobias, who actually seems to be responding willingly, if not a bit awkwardly. His arms are crossed over his chest but his expression is open and oddly attentive.

Man, Nia really wants to know what he could be talking about so happily with a stranger. Maybe he feels more comfortable because they’re both fire types?

But Nia has her own conversation partner.

She smiles at the little monkey. “It’s gorgeous. You did a great job on it!”

The panpour smiles wider, showing off sharp fangs. “I know! Is it just too expensive for you?”

Nia shrugs with a regretful smile. “A bit.”

The panpour doesn’t seem offended, thankfully, just nodding in response. “I’d ask Dad to give you a discount, but he’s real strict about that kind of stuff.”

“It’s a fair price,” a deeper voice calls, and both Nia and the panpour jump, looking over at the child’s father. The monferno is walking over to join their conversation, and he ruffles the poof of fur on the panpour’s head as she shrieks with laughter.

“I-It is!” Nia agrees. “I’m just a bit tight on money right now, unfortunately.”

Tobias trails around the stall after his fellow fire type, stopping at Nia’s side. He tilts his head, scanning the goods. “You wanted to buy something?”

Nia gestures at the blue flame-like statue with a smile. “Isn’t it pretty?”

Tobias picks it up, just as delicately as Nia had. “…It is. Good craftsmanship.”

“You didn’t answer before,” the monferno says gruffly, looking at Tobias. “You interested in glassblowing?”

To Nia’s surprise, Tobias hesitates. He glances at her, as if embarrassed, before nodding. “Couldn’t do it myself, but it’s impressive.”

“Why not?” the panpour chirps, pointing. “You’re a fire type. You have good hands for it.”

Tobias looks uncomfortable, shrugging. “Don’t have time to learn. I’m a Seeker.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to be a Seeker forever!” the panpour says brightly.

The monferno grunts in agreement. “You don’t have to make a career of it, either. Let me know if you’re ever interested in learning and I can help you get started.”

Nia blinks, surprised by the generous offer.

Tobias looks equally thrown. “Really?”

The monferno shrugs. “Sure. Not many fire types ‘round here for me to pass the craft on to. Just don’t go stealing my customers.”

Tobias laughs at that. “Don’t think I could even if I wanted to.”

“It’s all practice.”

Tobias hums, staring down at the glass piece. “I’ll…think about it.”

Tobias ignores the surprise that Nia knows is written all over her face. He idly looks at the glass flame’s price tag himself before putting the piece back on the table. He glances at Nia. “You ready to go?”

Nia’s eyes linger on the statue, but she shakes her head and smiles. “Yeah. Let’s go before I make an impulsive purchase.”

The two of them say goodbye to the merchant and his daughter, trailing farther down the street.

As soon as they’re sucked back into the crowd, away from prying ears, Nia looks at Tobias. “I bet you’d be good at it, you know. If you tried it.”

Tobias snorts. “Glassblowing?”

“Yeah! You’re already good at guitar. Like that girl said, you have the build for it.”

Tobias’ mouth twists. “…Let’s save the world before we start looking for new hobbies.”

Nia wilts. He does have a point.

Tobias frowns, looking her over. “You okay? We can take a break.”

Oh. He must think she’s getting tired. He isn’t wrong, per se—the constant ache in Nia’s ribs and the tense way she has to hold herself IS exhausting—but that wasn’t what she’d been thinking about.

But if he doesn’t mind…

“Could we rest? Just for a minute.”

Tobias nods, looking around before leading them to a little island of shade in the sea of sun. It’s cast by a large bush of flowers, taller than they are, and the little wall containing the plant is the perfect size for them to sit on. Nia eases herself down with a relieved sigh.

Tobias stares at her, brow furrowed. “You’re supposed to tell me when you need a break.”

Nia gives him a smile. “I don’t need a break. It’s just nice.”

Tobias rolls his eyes. “Well then tell me when it would be nice to have a break.”

Nia bites back a laugh. “Will do.”

Tobias nods, then leans against the wall as well, the two of them falling silent to people watch. Tobias fiddles absentmindedly with the satchel looped around his shoulder, sharp claws kneading the fabric like a cat. Adorable.

Minutes later, Tobias suddenly straightens up. “Hey, do you mind waiting here for a minute? I’m gonna, uh…go back and get that monferno’s name. Just in case.”

Nia blinks. “Oh! No, go ahead.”

Tobias nods, mumbling that he’ll be right back before slipping away into the crowd. Nia watches him go, relieved that he’s still thinking about the future and what might make him happy down the line. She’s been worried about that more than ever after his breakdown the other night.

Satisfied, Nia tilts her head back to close her eyes and enjoy the weather.

It doesn’t feel like long at all before Tobias returns, readjusting the satchel on his shoulder.

“Hey!” She greets. “Did you get his name?”

Tobias freezes. “Yeah. He’s, uh. Rico.”

Nia gives him a funny look. “You don’t sound super confident about that.”

Tobias doesn’t answer, instead looking her over. “You ready to walk again? We can wait here a while longer if not.”

Nia shakes her head, slowly getting to her feet. “No, I’m good. You sure you don’t want me to take the bag for a while?”

Tobias grabs the bag almost protectively, glaring at her. “You’re not carrying the bag when you have a cracked rib.”

Nia lifts her hands, palms out, in a peace offering. “Okay, okay! Don’t worry, I’m not gonna steal it from you.”

“Good.”

Nia shakes her head, smiling, and follows Tobias back into the thick of the market.

They spend the rest of the morning that way, drifting through town and browsing the shops. They even stop for lunch at a delightful little cafe with a clear view of the ocean.

By early afternoon, Nia is exhausted and more than ready to get off her feet. Tobias checks the sun’s positioning in the sky before leading them first across the bridge to shore, then along the hot sand of Kaleido Bay’s beach.

Finally, they reach the path they took when arriving here, where the sand meets firmer soil. A merchant cart awaits there, with a giant Clydesdale-like Pokemon the color of clay at its front and a kecleon checking the cart’s contents. Tobias pays the little chameleon for a ride back north, then leads the two of them to the back of the cart.

Tobias climbs in first, then helps Nia up into the cart. Nia sits as soon as she’s in, collapsing back against some bags of…grain? Rice? Whatever it is, the bumpy texture is welcome if it means she can lean back and relax her sore ribs.

Two other Pokemon, lone travelers by the look of them, also climb into the cart shortly after, giving Nia and Tobias a cordial nod before finding their own places to sit.

Tobias settles down next to Nia, eyeing the strangers for a moment before deeming them innocent enough for him to relax, too.

Nia doubts he’ll be able to sleep, though. After a moment of deliberation, and figuring that her worrywart of a partner would just tell her to take the chance to rest anyways, she tilts her head back against the bags to close her eyes.

Nia falls into a light doze, somewhere between asleep and awake. The bumpy movement of the cart as it starts up and travels along is strangely soothing, and must nudge her closer to Tobias, as warmth spreads through her side and the faint scent of her partner wreathes around her. He doesn’t protest, though, and the soundtrack of their journey—the faint rustle of the winds through dry grass, the rhythmic hoofsteps of the horse Pokemon pulling the cart, and the quiet conversation of the other travelers in the cart—becomes a wash of white noise.

Nia barely registers that any time has passed before she’s being nudged awake. She lifts her head, blinking against a haze of sleep. “Hm?”

“Time to get off,” Tobias says, looking amused.

Nia makes a quiet noise of protest, but doesn’t put up her usual fight since she knows the rest of the caravan is waiting on them.

Nia pushes herself to her feet, wincing when the motion pulls at her ribs. Yawning, she clumsily follows Tobias off the cart, accepting his help without a thought.

The trail back through the tall grass to the mesa in the distance seems both impossibly long and strangely short. Nia shakes off her clumsy, half-awake steps as she goes, needing to be alert for the climb up to the cliffside village.

It’s sunset when they finally arrive back at the gates to the human settlement.

Slate isn’t the one guarding the entrance this time. Instead, a bipedal yellow lizard Pokemon with a sun-like collar and black scales covering his head and neck greets them with easy familiarity. Nia remembers seeing him around the settlement a few times before she and Tobias left for Kaleido, so the lizard must recognize them in turn.

Even with her nap on the way here and the walk up the mesa, Nia is still trying to shake off the last dregs of sleep. So it takes a moment to register when a familiar voice yells at them from above.

“You’re back!”

Nia startles and looks up. Junie dives at her from the nearest rooftop like a tiny, feathery comet.

“Wait, don’t—!” Tobias shouts.

Even though some part of her knows it’s a bad idea, Nia can’t just not catch Junie. So she opens her arms, and Junie barrels into her, making Nia stumble back with a yelp. Tobias’ hands steady her.

“She’s hurt, you idiot!”

Junie immediately flails out of Nia’s arms to flutter in the air in front of them. “What?!”

“I’m fine,” Nia says, trying to smile instead of grimace as she straightens up. “My ribs are just a bit sore.”

Junie’s face falls. “I’m sorry, Nia! I should’ve checked first but I was just excited and—wait.”

Oh boy. Here it comes.

Junie looks between the two of them with angry suspicion, fluttering just a bit higher to be at eye-level. “You got hurt. I told you not to get hurt!”

Tobias sighs, arm still looped loosely around Nia’s back. “Our visit to the prison didn’t go as planned.”

“Ya think?! I swear, I can’t leave you two alone for a second! I was getting worried since you weren’t back yet and I knew you got into trouble, but I told myself, ‘No! It’s only been a couple of days! How could they possibly find trouble that quickly?’ Like a fluffy little—"

“Junie!” Nia says. “Breathe.”

Junie’s beak clicks shut.

Nia wordlessly holds out her arm as a perch, like a hawk handler she remembers seeing at the zoo when she was young.

Junie hesitates, but after a moments she settles on Nia’s arm, nearly weightless. Nia thinks she sees her feathers trembling.

“I’m okay,” Nia soothes.

“You’d better be,” Junie grumbles. But the words are weak, no bite behind them at all. She turns her glare on Tobias next. “You hurt too?”

“No.”

Nia frowns at him.

“Ugh, fine. It’s just my side. But it’s already mostly healed.”

Tobias lifts his arm to show where fresh bandages sit plastered across his side after Dismas snagged him with a claw.

Junie doesn’t look pleased by how casual he’s being. “You two are walking disasters, you know that? C’mon, let’s get you some food before you keel over.”

Junie flaps back into the air, giving them another quick scan as if to assure herself they’re in one piece. Then she nods and leads the way to the cafeteria.

“Well,” Nia says, giving Tobias a teasing smile. “She didn’t chew us out too badly.”

Tobias snorts. “Bold of you to assume she’s finished.”

Then he seems to realize all at once that he still has an arm wrapped around Nia’s back. He yanks himself away with a flush, muttering something about hurrying up before Junie comes back.

Nia chuckles, following her partner as he chases after their friend.

————————————————————

When they’re done eating and catching Junie up on their trip to Kaleido Bay—which did indeed include a second round of scolding—Nia is more than ready to go back to the inn and flop into a nest. She crosses her arms on the little table they’re seated at, easing herself into a slouch to rest her head and relax.

“So,” Tobias says, lowering his voice and ducking closer to Junie. “What’d we miss here the last few days?”

Junie chirps a laugh. “Nothing warranting that sort of tone, Mr. Suspicious. I was a little distracted by Asher, but I didn’t see anything obvious. Rosalind left soon after you two, and Will seems to be really into his research. Fidel just keeps the place running smoothly, as far as I can tell.”

Tobias slumps, clearly disappointed that his suspicions about Will still have no backing. Nia tries not to feel smug about that and doesn’t really succeed.

Junie opens her mouth to say something else, but her eyes flick past Nia and Tobias, towards the door of the establishment. “Well, speak of the devil. Or his dog, at least.”

Nia looks over her shoulder, immediately spotting the tall figure of Fidel. The zoroark is standing in the open doorway of the building and clearly looking around for someone.

His ears perk when he catches sight of the three of them. He weaves between other tables and patrons to reach their side.

“Good to see you two made it back safely,” Fidel says with a warm smile.

“Mostly safe,” Junie corrects with a dry look.

“Good to see you too, Fidel,” Nia says, pushing past another scolding with a smile. “You looking for someone?”

“You three, actually,” Fidel chuckles. “I heard that you and Tobias had returned, so I thought I’d let you know personally that Will has some information to help with your search for Xerneas. However, since it’s getting late, you’re more than welcome to wait until morning and get some rest first.”

Nia blinks, exchanging a surprised look with Tobias. She honestly hadn’t expected Will’s team to find anything in…what? Two days? Three? And she is awfully tired, but…

Well, the thought that they could get some answers or at least a little direction before bed is a nice one.

Both Tobias and Junie look to Nia to make the decision, seeing as she’s the most injured and in need of rest.

“Let’s go ahead and meet tonight,” Nia says, slipping out of her seat and stretching carefully. “I’m just going to be thinking about it all night anyways if I go to bed now.”

“I’m sure Will will be pleased to see you,” Fidel says with a smile. “He can be impatient when he wants to get something done.”

And with that, Fidel steps back and waits for the three of them to gather their crumbs and trays into a tidy tower on the table before leading them outside.

Junie, apparently deeming Nia too injured to act as her usual perch, instead settles on the satchel at Tobias’ hip. He glares down at her, but doesn’t try to push her off, so she wiggles into her spot with a smug fluff of her feathers.

Nia bites back a smile and soaks in the easy atmosphere of the settlement as the Pokemon—the humans—around them go about their evening.

Fidel leads their group back through the same building as before, down the electric-lit tunnel and to the quarters hidden within the cliffside. It’s cooler here, a slight dampness to the air and to the stone underfoot.

Will is alone this time, sitting at the table with a few sheets of paper in one hand and a cup of something hot and steaming—tea, Nia thinks, by the scent—in the other.

He looks up when they enter, red eyes brightening. “Ah, welcome back! I see Fidel found you all. How was your trip to Kaleido?”

Nia grimaces, making a so-so gesture with her hand before glancing at Tobias.

Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t look eager to share. He crosses his arms. “Fine.”

There’s an awkward beat of silence after that.

When it’s clear Tobias won’t be elaborating, Will claps his hands to move them along. “Well, I for one am happy to see you back safe and sound. I’m sure you’re tired, so I’ll cut to the chase. Fidel told you that we’ve made some progress on our research?”

Will gestures for them to sit, so they all gather once more around the stone table. Nia has to ease herself onto the stool, and she waves off Fidel’s concerned look.

“So whatcha find out?” Junie asks with a tilt of her head.

Will gathers up the papers in his hands, splaying them out in front of him. Nia leans forward to read them herself, but the scribbled notes—written in more than one handwriting—are tough to parse, especially upside-down.

“While we don’t have anything like exact coordinates, we do have a better idea of where Xerneas may have decided to rest.” Will points at a particular block of text, written in a hurried scrawl. “We confirmed first that her proximity is indeed close to Yveltal, which we expected considering that the two of them are so intertwined in legend.”

“They are likely sleeping within sight of each other,” Fidel adds. “Almost certainly on the same continent.”

“Great,” Tobias says, voice heavy with sarcasm. “But we don’t have time to search entire continents.“

Will smiles, a gleam in his eye. “True, but I’m not finished quite yet.”

He flips through his papers again until he finds what he’s looking for.

“Here! Xerneas and Yveltal always choose different locations for each sleep cycle, but the environments where they rest always tie into their natural roles.”

“Meaning..?” Nia prompts.

“Meaning that while Yveltal would likely settle somewhere barren of life—a harsh environment with few plants or Pokemon—Xerneas would likely settle down in a very different kind of environment: somewhere absolutely teeming with life energy.”

“Xerneas disperses life energy into the world when she wakes,” Fidel elaborates. “In order to prepare for that moment, she needs to feed on the ambient life energy around her as she sleeps. Yveltal, however, consumes life energy when he wakes, so he needs a barren environment to empty those stores of energy into when he falls into sleep. The two of them are push and pull, like the tides. You need both to keep this world in balance.”

“Even more astonishing,” Will adds. “Both of them can tap directly into this life energy as if it were one connected system. A great tapestry made up of every living thing, from plants and Pokemon to the fabric of this dimension itself—which is likely why Giratina is hoping Xerneas can prevent or at least heal the break in the dimensional border. With their power, Xerneas and Yveltal can restore energy where it is lacking, and remove energy where there is an excess.”

Nia nods slowly, trying to take all of that in.

“So they can both just…feel all of the life energy, everywhere?” Junie asks, uncertain. “Like, all of it in the world? Even us?”

Fidel hums. “It’s said that all life energy in the world is intertwined, in a way, so yes. I have no idea how, or how the legends access it, though.” He gives Nia a brief smile. “You’d have to ask one of them yourself, or one of the Pokemon more attuned to life energy, such as the lucario and riolu.”

Nia blinks, leaning back as all eyes turn to her. “Don’t look at me! I can see the aura of other Pokemon, but I can’t do anything like that!”

“Have you ever tried?” Will asks, looking at Nia thoughtfully.

“W-What do you mean?”

“Tried tapping into the life energy outside of other beings,” Will clarifies. “Plants. The dimensional border. It would be fascinating to learn how deep your aura powers go.”

Nia won’t deny that the idea does pique her curiosity, but it sounds much too powerful an ability for her to have in reach.

…Then again, Nia hasn’t ever tried looking for life energy outside of other people, and she certainly hasn’t tried anything like Xerneas and Yveltal seem to be able to do. Affecting that greater tapestry of aura threaded throughout the world. Adding to it, or taking it away. Interacting with it directly.

It all sounds kind of overwhelming. Maybe that’s something she can look into later, when she’s back at the guild with Avery and Val.

“Okay, put the aura experiments on hold for a minute,” Tobias sighs. “Right now, we have to focus on the mission. We know Xerneas will settle somewhere lush, and Yveltal will hibernate somewhere barren. That doesn’t narrow it down much.”

He has a point, unfortunately. If that’s all they have to go on, the duo could be anywhere. Xerneas could be resting in a forest, or under a field, or within a coral reef. She might even be sleeping below a city. Yveltal, likewise, could be sleeping in the desert, or the arctic, or even on the ocean floor. There are endless locations that would fit the bill for both.

Will’s excitement dampens. “You’re correct, unfortunately. We do have one other clue at the moment, but I’m not sure it’s of any help.”

“What is it?”

Will flips through his papers again, frowning. “Yveltal apparently cocoons himself in a very peculiar kind of crystal when he hibernates. Sometimes it can crop up in excess in the environment around him, giving a hint of his presence. However, if those crystals have yet to be discovered anywhere, then…”

Then they’re out of luck.

Still, as silence falls over all of them, Nia frowns. Something about that phrasing—strange crystals—tickles at her brain. Where has she heard something about that before? Recently, even?

It takes a moment, but then it hits her.

“Carnelian!” She gasps, hands smacking the tabletop. She looks at Tobias. “Didn’t Carnelian say he was called to investigate some weird crystals under the Silenfroar mountains?”

Tobias’ brow furrows, and Nia can tell it takes him a moment to place the name of the sableye they’d saved, when they were stranded in that dungeon with the crew of the Aqua Jet.

Then his face falls slack with surprise. “He did.“

“The Silenfroar range could certainly be considered barren of life,” Will murmurs, glancing at Fidel for confirmation. “It’s a very harsh, snowy land, yes?”

“Our guildmaster trained in a village on top of those mountains,” Tobias protests. “Pokemon live there.”

“That doesn’t necessarily mean Yveltal couldn’t still be nearby,” Fidel says. “He destroys life energy, but that doesn’t mean someone would die from living near his resting place. Just that anything more fragile, such as plants, likely couldn’t grow in the area. Which wouldn’t stand out as strange in such a desolate environment.”

“So you think there’s a good chance Yveltal could be there?” Nia asks.

Fidel nods. “Likely inside one of the mountains, if he’s stayed hidden for so long.”

“So if we assume Yveltal is in the mountains somewhere, we should be able to limit our search for Xerneas to the areas around Silenfroar, right?” Tobias asks.

Will shakes his head. “No, we shouldn’t just assume we can use the mountains as a starting point. We can’t afford to be wrong and waste time searching the areas nearby when we know we have to be efficient about all of this. We’re on a time limit.”

“But how can we know for sure that Yveltal is actually there?” Junie asks.

“Simple,” Will says with a smile. “We check for ourselves. If we can confirm Yveltal’s presence in the mountains, then we can use Silenfroar as the anchor point in our search for Xerneas with full confidence.”

That does make sense. The world is on a time limit, so they can’t afford to be looking in the wrong area only to never find the legendary because Xerneas is somewhere else entirely.

“So does that mean we need to go to the Silenfroar mountains?” Nia asks, looking to Tobias.

“I would prefer to look into this myself,” Tobias admits. “But I don’t know if we’d be the best choice for that. We aren’t the fastest Seekers in the guild, so August might decide to send someone else.”

“Like a flying type?” Junie asks with a tilt of her head.

“Normally that would be the fastest option,” Tobias agrees. “But I know the Lexym mail ‘mon can’t deliver anywhere in the mountain range because the air is too frigid for flight. Prone to blizzards and avalanches, too. So August would probably have to send a land ‘mon.”

“There are a lot of grass and bug types at the guild, though,” Nia says. “We would at least have an advantage in the snow, right?”

Tobias’ muzzle wrinkles as if he disagrees with that sentiment, but he nods all the same.

“Stop by your guild first and see if you can convince your guildmaster,” Will says, flipping through his papers. “I would prefer to work with ‘mon I know I can trust on this. On that matter—Fidel?”

The zoroark straightens to attention.

“Could you accompany Team Scarlet to Silenfroar to look into this? I’m sure they could use a helping hand, and there’s no one I trust more.”

Nia expects Fidel to agree instantly after how loyal he’s proven to be, but instead he falters, looking torn. He glances at the tunnel leading back outside. “I wouldn’t mind, but…”

“You know we’ll take good care of Asher in your absence,” Will says, giving Fidel a soothing smile. “Please, Fidel. I need someone to give me the news right away once Nia and Tobias return to their guild, and there’s no one I trust more with the job.”

Fidel still looks reluctant, but he forces a smile and a nod. “Of course. I’ll talk to Asher.”

“Good.” Will nods and looks back to Nia and Tobias. “Fidel will accompany you two for the time being.”

“We didn’t ask for an escort,” Tobias growls, crossing his arms and glaring at Will.

“Tobias,” Nia sighs. “C’mon, you just said it’s going to be a rough trip. We need all the help we can get.”

Tobias clearly isn’t convinced, but he relents under Nia’s pleading expression. “Fine.”

“Does that mean I can come too?” Junie pipes up.

Everyone turns to her, surprised.

She chirps a laugh. “C’mon, you can’t expect me to sit out on saving the world! Bo will understand.”

Nia exchanges an uncertain look with Tobias. “It…might be dangerous, Junie.”

Junie scoffs. “Duh! That’s why I’ve gotta come along! Look at what happens to you two when I’m not there to keep you out of trouble.”

She gestures at Nia’s ribs and Tobias’ bandaged side.

Oh. She’s worried about them. Of course she is, after hearing about their fight with Dismas.

Nia softens, glancing at Tobias. “What do you think?”

Tobias shrugs. “Whatever. Just don’t complain when it’s freezing cold in the mountains.”

“That’s what I’ve got you for!” Junie chirps. “You’ll be my walking heating pad.”

Tobias rolls his eyes, but doesn’t push any further.

“Good. Now that that’s settled,” Will says, hands clasped as he looks between them. “Be careful if you do find Yveltal. Do not under any circumstance wake him, as he could go on a rampage if he’s roused early and Xerneas isn’t awake to calm him. Just confirm his presence or the lack thereof, then report back as soon as possible.”

Everyone around the table, even Tobias, gives a solemn nod.

“I suppose we should leave first thing in the morning, then?” Fidel asks.

Will gives him a sympathetic smile. “Time is of the essence, old friend, so yes. I’ll send one of our night fliers to the nearest travel outpost right away to hire flight ‘mon for the trip. It’ll be much quicker if you can leave directly from the settlement in the morning.”

Fidel nods. “Understood.” He turns to the Nia, Tobias, and Junie. “Rest up tonight at the inn, and be ready to go by dawn. Make sure to eat breakfast before we depart.”

“Yes, Dad,” Junie jokes under her breath. Nia bites back a smile.

“Then you’re all dismissed,” Will says. “Good luck and stay safe.”

Fidel murmurs his thanks and hurries out of the room, likely to find Asher. Nia and Junie give their own thanks before getting up to leave, too.

Tobias groans as he stands. “Guess we need to see if there are any winter cloaks in our size at the guild. We can’t go somewhere so harsh without protection.”

“Oh! No need for that,” Will says, catching them before they get too far. He gives their surprised looks a smile. “Our seamstress here in town already has some snow gear prepared for the coming winter. She’s likely still in the shop if you want to stop by yet tonight. Feel free to grab whatever you think you’ll need, free of charge.”

Nia blinks. “Oh! Are you sure? That’s awfully generous.”

Will waves them off. “Of course, of course! You three are working to save the world—I think we can spare a few coats and scarves for that. Besides, Florence knows she’ll always be properly compensated for her work.”

Nia glances at Tobias and Junie. Tobias doesn’t look thrilled about being indebted to Will in any way, but he doesn’t argue. Junie, on the other hand, chirps a happy, “Thanks!”

The three of them head outside, and Nia takes a breath of crisp evening air, feeling a pang of longing when she catches the smoky scent of the settlement’s fire pits and hears the distant sound of the band they’d listened to the other night. She wishes they could’ve stayed here just a bit longer, but unfortunately the end of the world waits for no one.

Tobias starts walking. “C’mon. Let’s get this over with before the shop closes for the night.”

Oh, right. Clothes! Nia perks up, and she can see her own excitement reflected in Junie’s eyes.

“Shopping trip!” Junie crows, pulling ahead of Tobias and drawing looks from a few passing ‘mon.

“Shopping trip!” Nia echoes, much quieter but no less eager.

“Shopping trip,” Tobias monotones, with all the excitement of someone about to be tortured.

Nia giggles as Junie cackles, the three of them quickly tracking down the tailor shop they’d seen in the days before.

Warm light spills from the windows, the lack of flicker telling Nia that this building must be one of the few with electric lighting, like the tunnels. When they head inside, a bell jingles overhead to announce their arrival.

Nia’s eyes jump immediately to the colorful swathes of clothing crowding the large room. Some clothes are hung on horizontal wooden poles like makeshift store racks, little islands of fabric with just enough space between them to act as cramped walkways. Other clothes line shelves and closet-like alcoves set into the walls.

Everything seems to be roughly organized by size, a rack of clothes along the left wall boasting cloaks and dresses and robes long enough to be curtains, though they’d probably fit Maggie or August well. Conversely, racks on the right side of the room look more like baby clothes or pet outfits, some even tiny enough for Junie’s small frame.

Accessories, jewelry, and even shoes are also shelved here and there between clothes and near the register.

While it’s immediately clear that the fabric options aren’t as diverse as Nia is used to, with nothing plastic or synthetic in sight, there is an impressive variety of styles and colors. It almost feels like Nia’s back in the human world again, shopping with her mom or Toni.

Nia swallows back a sudden surge of longing, and tries to focus instead on the good feelings the shop’s familiarity brings.

“Hello.”

A Pokemon, presumably the Florence that Will had mentioned, is looking at them from the front desk. She’s a tall black Pokemon with white ribbonlike adornments atop her head and chest. She has a pouty purple face and pale blue eyes framed by hair-like disks on either side of her head. She reminds Nia of a particular style of fashion from the human world, one she thinks was popular in Japan.

Regardless, the Pokemon has a long piece of fabric laid across the counter she’s sitting at, one end of it held carefully in her hand. A threaded needle floats in the air just above the piece of cloth, surrounded by the purple glow of psychic energy.

“We’re closing soon,” Florence says, going back to her work. Her needle moves with confident, elegant movements, dipping in and out of the fabric. “But you can take a look around if you’re quick.”

“We’re here on Will’s orders,” Tobias says, eyeing the contents of the shop like they’ll bite him. “We need snow gear fit for the mountains.”

The needle stops sewing for a moment as Florence glances up at them again. But then she shrugs and goes back to her work. “I’ve got a few pieces that would fit you three in the back section. Check there.”

Tobias nods, apparently not bothered by Florence’s less-than-social behavior, and leads the way through the shop. Junie hops from rack to rack above their heads, starry-eyed as she looks around like a kid in a candy store.

Nia can relate to the feeling. While the impressive craftsmanship and the sheer number of pieces in the shop would be thrilling enough on their own, some part of Nia is also excited by the idea of wearing clothing again, weirdly enough. She’s long since gotten past the embarrassment of being “naked,” as long as she doesn’t think about it too hard, but there’s something distinctly human about clothing that she’s eager to reclaim.

Tobias finally stops in front of a rack of clothing made for Pokemon around their size. He quickly pushes through summery shawls, skirts and robes to reach the smaller selection of winter clothing at the end. He flips through the thick fabrics for a moment, skimming past clothing clearly made for quadrupeds, and stops at a deep navy cloak that hangs heavily on its makeshift hanger. After looking it over for a moment, he pulls it free, draws it around his shoulders to check the fit, and flips the hood over his head. It doesn’t drag on the floor, and it seems to sit comfortably around his shoulders and tail.

It looks nice on him, too, the dark tone complimenting his bright orange skin and cool blue eyes.

Tobias nods and pulls it off, draping it over his arm. “Done.”

Nia blinks. “Just like that?” She glances at the nearby floor-length mirror, slightly less smooth than human mirrors but effective enough. It must’ve cost a fortune, rare as mirrorstone seems to be in this world. “You don’t want to see how it looks or anything before deciding?”

Tobias raises a brow. “Why would that matter? It’s heavy enough and it fits. Does it look stupid or something?”

“N-No! It looks nice on you,” Nia assures. “It goes well with your eyes, actually.”

Tobias blinks, clearly surprised. Slowly, a flush spreads across his cheeks and nose.

Junie snrrks a laugh from atop a nearby rack of clothes. “Well, if Nia thinks it looks good, that’s all that matters, right?”

Nia frowns up at her. “Don’t you think it looks nice?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Junie assures, waving her off with a wing. “Looks great. Now if you need me, I’ll be looking at the little chihuahua-sized stuff over here.”

Junie hops a few racks over, where notably tiny clothes are hung, and starts picking through them to find something for herself.

Tobias is strangely quiet after Junie’s cryptic comment. He holds his cloak closer and shuffles over to look through some knit hats instead of commenting.

Nia’s shakes her head and takes Tobias’ place, looking through the small selection of snow clothes. There are a few cloaks like Tobias’, and she can imagine he chose that option because it’s what he’s used to. Less restrictive than most human-styled clothes.

Nia can’t help being drawn to the more coat-like options, though, with sleeves and a line of buttons down the front. She feels strangely nostalgic as she runs her fingers over soft, thick fabric stuffed with down.

How difficult was it for the seamstress to adapt to working with these kinds of materials? Is it hard to make thick, hide-like cloth without animal pelts or plastic? What about the downy feathers stuffing the coat, which would’ve had to have come from a Pokemon? Molting feathers, maybe.

Nia’s musings stop when she comes across a cream-colored coat, with adorable charcoal buttons off to the side and large pockets. It has a heavy hood, too, with little slots in the fabric for ears.

Nia pulls it off the rack and slips it on, pleased to find that other than the sleeves being a bit long, it fits perfectly, snug and warm.

“What do you think?” Nia asks, stepping back and giving a little spin.

Junie, struggling into something like a winter vest with a disgruntled Tobias’ help, stops to look. She lights up. “You look adorable! Don’t you think so, Toby?”

Tobias spares Nia a glance, face reddening again before he looks back at Junie, yanking her into the vest a little rougher than necessary. “It’s fine. Is it warm?”

Oh. Nia actually feels a little disappointed by his lackluster answer, for some reason. But at least Junie likes it.

Nia nods, moving to look at herself in the mirror, pleased by the coat’s color against her fur. “It’s really warm! I’m still gonna grab a hat and scarf, though. Tobias, do you need a set?”

Tobias grunts an affirmative. “Probably. Didn’t get a chance to grab anything else before this little idiot recruited me.”

“Hey! Excuse me for never dressing as a bird before. I don’t have hands, Toby—it’s hard!”

Nia chuckles as she picks out a matching hat and scarf set for both herself and Tobias. A deep scarlet combo for herself, and a cream set the same color as her coat for Tobias. That way, they’ll still look like a team even when they’re all bundled up.

From there, it takes twice as long as it did for Nia and Tobias to get Junie’s snow gear figured out, mostly because she has to consider her wings. Eventually, though, they manage to stuff her into a combined snow vest and cloak, and she seems pleased by the slits on the sides of the vest that allow her to slip her wings through to fly, while the cloak sitting on top of her wings should still keep her warm when she’s on the ground.

Junie, of course, picks a bright yellow hue from the few color options available, which makes her stand out like a sore thumb in the shop’s dim light.

Tobias looks so tired. “Is that really the color you’re going with?”

“It is a little bright,” Nia admits with a smile. “But I like it.”

“It’s your favorite color. Of course you like it,” Tobias huffs. “I think she looks like a combee.”

Nia blinks, surprised and delighted that Tobias remembered that little fact about her.

“Yep, this one’s good,” Junie confirms, looking smug that her choice has the bonus factor of annoying Tobias. “Now help me get back out of it. I’ve still gotta grab an itty-bitty hat and scarf before we leave.”

They manage to untangle Junie from her outfit and find a hat and scarf that she approves of, which are of course dyed an obnoxious pink color. At this point, Nia is pretty sure she’s picking such bright hues just to annoy Tobias.

Tobias, likely catching on to her game, steadfastly refuses to comment.

The seamstress doesn’t give them any trouble about payment, luckily, and even hands them a thin fabric sack to carry everything in. Nia makes sure to thank her before they leave, taking the bag and swinging it as they walk out of the shop and back to the inn.

They’d fallen into a comfortable quiet as they left the shop, but Junie speaks up now from where she’s nestled between the top of their satchel and Tobias’ side. Her voice is unusually quiet.

“Hey, Nia?”

Nia’s worried by the bird’s suddenly downcast expression. “What’s up?”

“Could you help me write a letter to Bo when we get back to the inn? Since Will’s having our ride come here, I won’t get to see the big guy before we go to your guild. I don’t want him to freak out when I don’t come back home after a few days.”

Oh, Nia hadn’t thought about that. The skarmory would be beside himself if Junie didn’t return when she said she would, and Nia has no idea how long Junie will be with them at the guild while they try to track down Xerneas.

Nia feels a stab of guilt for involving Junie in all this, despite her insisting on tagging along.

“Of course, Junie. Are you still sure you want to come with us? N-Not that I don’t want you there, but…”

Junie actually seems to consider backing out for a moment, but then she shakes her head, giving Nia a smile that falls flat.

“No, I wanna go. Someone has to keep an eye on you two, and saving the world should be fun. I just…don’t want him to worry, y’know?”

Nia gets it. She nods. “Yeah. Let’s write that as soon as we get back, okay? We can mail it off tomorrow before we leave.”

Junie looks relieved. “Thanks, Nia. You’re the best.”

Nia smiles, and Junie moves the conversation onto lighter topics, rambling about what tips she might learn from the flight ‘mon during their trip tomorrow.

They’ve got an early morning ahead of them, but Nia thinks they’re ready for it.

[murswrites]

Fluff Alphabet ⎯ Tobias Eaton

Character/Celeb: Tobias “Four” Eaton Fandom: Divergent MASTERLIST

A/N Thanks to my horrible mental health I can’t connect to any of the characters I usually enjoy writing for... only the ones that I consider #comfort characters (or if I simp for them *sigh*)

A = Attractive (What do they find attractive about the other?)

Intelligence and passion. He’s a smart guy despite looking like a hot meathead, Four definitely needs to be able to talk to someone and have them keep up without him feeling like he’s talking to a wall. What I mean by passion is the ability to continue through with something even if it’s hard. He finds hardwork to be rewarding.

B = Baby (Do they want a family? Why/Why not?)

Probably not due to how his father raised him. Four doesn’t want to risk being a bad parent like his dad was.

C = Cuddle (How do they cuddle?)

He’s typically a big spoon but honestly he adores it when you hold him close at night.

D = Dates (What are dates with them like?)

Very lowkey, usually hanging out in his apartment or wandering the city at night.

E = Everything (You are my ____ (e.g. my life, my world…))

“You are my salvation.”

F = Feelings (When did they know they were in love?)

The first time you both opened up to each other, it was pitch black out but the full moon was enough for him to appreciate the softness in your eyes as you listened to what Markus Eaton would do to Four... it was in that moment when he knew you were the one.

G = Gentle (Are they gentle? If so, how?)

He hates the thought of ever raising a hand to you so Four handles you with his hands very gently. Four has feather-like touches because he’s afraid to break you.

H = Hands (How do they like to hold hands?)

Four prefers hugs but he likes when you press your palms against his.

I = Impression (What was their first impression?)

He thought you were a bit weak to be honest, but that soon changed as you advanced through the Dauntless initiation.

J = Jealousy (Do they get jealous?)

Sometimes, but Four’s rather chill about it. He’s not that insecure in your relationship so he doesn’t find it to be worth it to stress over another person shooting their shot.

K = Kiss (How do they kiss? Who initiated the first kiss?)

Four’s surprisingly tender and soft, shy almost. You definitely initiated the kiss.

L = Love (Who says ‘I love you’ first?)

You do, Four’s terrified of putting himself out there even if he’s not insecure. He doesn’t want to risk himself for someone else.

M = Memory (What’s their favourite memory together?)

The first time you both opened up to each other, it was pitch black out but the full moon was enough for him to appreciate the softness in your eyes as you listened to what Markus Eaton would do to Four... it was in that moment when he knew you were the one.

N = Nickel (Do they spoil? Do they buy the person they love everything?)

He tries to because he’s not the best at expressing his genuine emotions (hello childhood trauma) but lets be honest, Four’s better at giving you a rock he found rather than buying you material gifts.

O = Orange (What colour reminds them of their other half?)

Mustard yellow, it’s warm and neutral. It makes him feel safe.

P = Pet names (What pet names do they use?)

He’s not big on pet names but he would definitely come up with a terrible nickname based off of your first name just to terrorize you with.

Q = Quaint (What is their favourite non-modern thing?)

Reading, he doesn’t “look” like a big reader but Four enjoys the simple things.

R = Rainy Day (What do they like to do on a rainy day?)

Rain doesn’t really affect his work so most of the time he’s working. But on the off chance it’s a day off, he’s probably in the gym training.

S = Sad (How do they cheer themselves/others up?)

Four tends to bottle everything up and then channel it into his workouts so he often finds himself overworking himself if he’s feeling down or remembering his childhood too much. He cheers others (honestly just you, he hasn’t got many friends) up with simple gestures, usually offering a shoulder to lean on or cracking situation appropriate jokes.

T = Talking (What do they like to talk about?)

He prefers to listen but with you he ends talking through his trauma because it helps him when he knows you understand why he acts the way he does. 

U = Unencumbered (What helps them relax?)

Believe it or not, he is a sucker for a shoulder or back scratch. He doesn’t know what it is but holy jesus does he feel good after his back is freshly scratched. Maybe it’s the shivers that go down his spine afterwards, but it’s nice nonetheless.

V = Vaunt (What do they like to show off? What are they proud of?)

His skillset. He’s proud of how far he’s come from being just his father’s son. Four’s not too much of an arrogant guy but if there’s a chance for him to impress someone he likes, he’s taking it.

W = Wedding (When, how, where do they propose?)

I think he’d do something simple and ask before buying a ring. Maybe it’d be over dinner or when you’re walking through the abandoned city at night. Either way he’d say it so carefully as though expecting a no from the get-go.

X = Xylophone (What’s their song?)

Body - Mother Mother

Y = Yes (Do they ever think of getting married/proposing?)

He’s never really been in love (unless that childhood crush counts) so not really. But once he meets you, he’ll catch himself imagining a perfect life.

Z = Zebra (If they wanted a pet, what would they get?)

Four would just adore a big dog, I know it. Something like an Alaskan Malamute or a Samoyed because they’re so soft and ferocious. Plus free cuddles!

[sasarahsunshine]

Oh well if we’re bringing werewolves in I obviously gotta bring in ABO verse with alpha Hotch and omega Reid. I don’t like infidelity so I have to imagine this in an AU where Hotch either never married or they split much earlier but I love the idea of Hotch wanting Reid when the omega first joins the BAU (it’s the smell, Reid smells like *his*). And just Alpha werewolf courting the sweet omega on his team (I’m picturing this consists of gifts, often of food to show he can provide for Spence and also stuff like scenting once he knows Reid is open to his courting attempts) but it totally ends in one of those mating run things that I’m such a sucker for where the Alpha has to catch his Omega mate and just ugh. Spencer would probably be a bit skittish but also excited. He’s not used to this kind of attention (he was kinda the runt of the Las Vegas pack and wasn’t fully accepted) but now there’s Hotch whose strong and amazing (and sometimes intimidating) but for whatever reason wants him 🥺

Anon, you're just *feeding* me today and I am living for it!! <333

Werewolves with a/b/o elements (or vise-versa) are my jam! I freaking love combining the ideas of scenting with more primal/feral urges that come with the werewolf genre, you know?

And soft!Hotch!!! Courting Reid ;u; My heart can't take this oh my god <3

He's always bringing Reid food while they're on cases, slipping sweets into Reid's bag, leaving a book or soft thing (scarves and sweaters) on his desk- things that he learns the Omega loves. And Reid feels so lucky and overwhelmed. Because out of *any* Omega in the whole world- the whole FBI (there are plenty beautiful ones around), Hotch wants him? So he kinda ignores the courting for a little bit, cause he's worried that Hotch will regret it later.

So it's just this little game of cat and mouse (LOL), where Hotch steadily increases his advances/courting techniques because he's not sure what he's doing wrong. Omega's like gifts, don't they? He doesn't want to play favorites when they're on cases, so he easily separates himself from Aaron into Agent Hotchner in order to keep himself in line, and treats Reid as if he's just another agent (because he is, after all). So maybe he needs to up his advances in the field?

Meanwhile, Reid is adamant that Hotch doesn't actually want him as *his* Omega. He's small and weak and definitely not as attractive as some of the other Omega's they run into while in the field. Plus his home pack has drilled it into him that no Alpha would ever want him, so why would Hotch, this super amazing, strong, attractive, and very sought-after Alpha want him? It's probably just... hormone related. Or something.

Thus leads to my favorite idiots-to-lovers trope where the entire freaking team can see them pining for each other even though Reid keeps running from his feelings and Hotch wonders if he's doing something wrong.

Eventually, we get the cute scene where Reid gets injured (like always, honestly), and Hotch goes somewhat feral on the unsub to protect *his* Omega. The reaction is so strong that Reid can't possibly excuse/ignore Hotch's feelings/courting anymore. And then we get kisses and cuddles and the courting is finished with the chase (once Reid is healed enough to participate!).

Frick now I want this right now.

----

Tagging a couple ppl who might like this: @goobzoop @ssa-noa @tobias-hankel @brillianthijinx (maybe, idk?) <3

[lovely-necromancy]

A Cure for Insomnia CH.6

You wake up sometime around one. Not too late in the day given your morning. With a decent amount of sleep under your belt you roll over and start striping your bed of its sheets. Then you make your way across your room, picking up stray clothes as you go to your hamper and dump your collection of dirty linens and clothes into it. You carry the hamper to the bathroom where you load half into the washer. There's no real point in separating the clothes from colored items and pastels or whites. You're only twenty-four and don't have your life totally figured out yet. You can be a little lazy with laundry.

Once your first load of laundry is being washed you go to do your weekly tidy of your home. The one good thing that came from the paranoia of your car's break in was you rearranged all the furniture of the home, thus cleaning as you went. So that means it's more of a quick wipe down of counters and sweeping today. Maybe you'd organize your art supplies while doing your laundry. It's an activity that wouldn't distract you too much and make you forget you had laundry in the wash.

You finish washing the dishes from this morning you begin wiping the counters and tabletop when you notice your fidget cube is still on the table where Toby left it earlier.

'Don't want to lose this. Back to the bookshelf where you belong.' When you get to the living room's bookshelf you notice one of your book's is missing. Ironically it's The Book Thief.

'Tobias probably picked it up and put it down somewhere.' you'd keep your eyes peeled for the book while you cleaned.

After wiping down bookshelves, tables, counters, even the mantel over the fire place you still hadn't found your missing book. You probably picked it right up and placed it right back down without even realizing. You'll just keep an eye out until you find it. You don't even reread books, you really just kept a copy to lend out to people when they ask what your favorite books are. It isn't a real big deal if you can't find it, plus there's bound to be a copy floating somewhere in a thrift shop or yard sale.

The washer chimes right as you grab the broom to sweep. Pausing this task to go retrieve your laundry and do the rest. You empty the dirty clothes left in the basket onto the floor and place the clean wet ones inside the basket. After starting the final load you carry the basket out back. As nice as this home is its still small and doesn't have a dryer, which early summer is fine but come fall and winter might be more cumbersome. Seeing as you have to hang the laundry out to dry outside. Maybe when it gets cold you'll just do smaller loads and hang them up in the bathroom or over the fire place. But that's a thought for future you. Right now current you is struggling yet again to get a fitted sheet to sit on the line. Fitted sheets are probably Satan himself in disguise.

When you finish stringing all the laundry up you take a moment to just enjoy the quiet and the peace that comes with the outside. It's nice out here, maybe after you finish the last few chores today you can come out and just draw, it'd be a good way to also keep an eye on this weather in case it turns. While it hasn't happened yet you're very aware of the risks you take by ignoring the existence of meteorologists. And by that you mean just not bothering to look up the weather for the day.

Heading back inside you restart your task of sweeping. Like you thought you've finished before the washer has even completed it's first cycle. The house isn't too big so it's easy to clean it from top to bottom within a day normally, but today you had even less to do thanks to this week's rearranging. So you move on to organizing your art supplies and separating all materials by medium.

Of course arranging materials is never easy, after all you end up staring at all your horded empty sketch books and note how your thumbnail notebooks are just covered in doodles and random scribbles but no real art or ideas. Maybe it's time to start kicking yourself into gear. You ran into a major period of burnout before moving and now with this fresh start you might be able to focus on progressing with art, even if you don't pursue it as a career. You've always loved the ability to draw and create images that make others happy. But right in this moment you just want to make yourself happy. Maybe you could start small just a few still lifes and see how you feel after that.

Hearing the chime of the washer you hurry to finish putting away the supplies in their newly assigned places. Just as before you transfer the wet and clean clothes into the awaiting basket and take them out to be hung to dry. You don't have another fitted sheet this go round so it goes by much faster than it previously had. Now with all of your washing for today hung you head back inside to grab a fresh sketchbook.

Having never been one for scenery, more of a portrait artist, you start off with small things. A few stills of a flower under the window, the old tire swing on the tree, and even the blue jay that dove for dinner right in front of you. Of course all of these were warm ups done in a few minutes, though you really wish you had more time on the blue jay one. You really need practice with things that aren't people.

The warm ups of course don't look very good, but you can still see what you'd been going for. The hatching and smudging you'd done, to increase depth and give the quick drawing more life, did help a little but it was clear this was an area where you weren't skilled. But that didn't deter you, after all you  needed more practice and wouldn't be getting better without it.

Deciding to draw the scene before you, a small open meadow surrounded by trees, in other words your backyard with your drying laundry. You start off slow and make sure to actually look and take in the yard in front of you, doing your best to not just make up the trees and their shapes as you go. Soon you are lost in the meditative muscle memory of drawing. The scratching of pencil scrapping across paper further lulling you into a trance like state as you etch out the scenery.

A harsh breeze blows through and the loud flapping of sheet hitting sheet knocks you loose from your trance. Checking to make sure none of your laundry was flying off, it hadn't the laundry was still secured to the line. Smiling you glance down to actually see what you've sketched out so far. It isn't too bad, though you aren't sure how long you've been working on it, the trees all have a distinct shape rather than your typical cartoon one size fits all attempts. Scanning the page your eyes catch onto something off, out in the tree line it looks like you'd drawn a figure hiding behind a tree.

Hearing the beating of your heart that's currently hammering against your chest you look around. Did your mind do that as a joke or had someone genuinely been watching you draw? Your mouth is dry as your eyes scan the tree line for any sign of what could've been mistaken for a person, but you saw nothing. No one was there. Had anyone ever really been there? Why would you draw that? Why wouldn't you remember doing it? You don't feel safe out here anymore. There are eyes watching you you can feel it. They may not physically be there but the phantom eyes that surround you and cause your skin to crawl make sure you know of their presence. You take that as a sign to head inside for the evening, one that doesn't need to be repeated.

You lock the door immediately behind you and check your phone. It's seven, and you have an email notification. Thanking whatever power for the distraction you slide down your back door and open the notification. It's from Hollis!

YN r u  coming to SND? It's that teen beach zombie movie u love. Y;know the awful D list one Blk and wht with the 50yos playing teenagers

Lemme know I'll save your seat.

Sent 6:47 P.M.

They're so sweet to remember you loved this awful D list zombie movie. Horrible subplots and main plot and all. But you're a little spooked right now and watching even that joke of a horror movie is probably too much for you. You doubt you'd feel better by the time ten rolls around to watch it. Not to mention your battery's still drained from Toby this morning. And knowing for a fact you'd probably stay late to talk till morning with Hollis, Jake, and Kirby you decide it's best to skip this week. Just not having the energy to handle Saturday Night Dead.

Nah, sorry man. Battery's dead from being social earlier. Thanks tho, I do appreciate you! ….....,.... lemme know what next week's movie is!

Sent 7:10 P.M.

It'd probably be a good time to make something for dinner, there's a box of mac n cheese in the pantry. Simple but always beloved. As you wait for Hollis to respond you start on boiling water. But you didn't have to wait too long since they'd answered near instantly.

Chill, don worry we'll catch ya next week

…..oooop

ot not...Kirb's said it's the start of watching the entire warren file collection

starting from the beginning

...well the first movie released, Insidious. LOL we probs won't ever see you again.

Sent 7:12 P.M.

How dare Kirby betray you like this. First off those movies are awful, and like not cheesy awful just awful awful. Not to mention he knows how you feel about the Warrens and their cases. You have a power point presentation ready for that dick the next time you see him. ...well not literally but you'd make one to prove a point!

Where's Kirby now? I just wanna talk, I just wanna talk is all.

Sent 7:18 P.M.

Already ran off toy vermont probably

will we get blessed with a ted talk nxt week?

Sent 7:20 P.M.

I can't tell if you're joking or not. If you aren't then yea I can make a power point and we'll play that instead of the movies. Every week until this town understands the severity of this.

Sent 7:21 P.M.

Ya just jkin.

Your passionate hate is funny tho, so could be good to do something mid warren marathon.

Sent 7:23 P.M.

Guess the dissertation on how horrendous the “exorcisms” were will have to wait. They'd just been joking. This is probably a good ending of the conversation anyway, it's hard to tell sometimes but you feel you'll just run in circles with the current topic or worse fall into a rant that they won't read all the way through because they'll have left with the rest of the stunt gang to get dinner before heading over to the Cryptonomica for Saturday Night Dead. Hollis is typically a real good sport about this kinda thing but you'd rather not bog down their night with your hate boner for the Warrens.

'I'll let them know later that I'll still come to Saturday Night Dead next week.' you think as you dump the pasta into the water that finally came to a boil. It's quiet as you cook your macaroni dinner. You'd normally not notice the lack of sound or life in your home before, but maybe having Connor and Toby over put things into perspective. Guests aren't really a thing you've ever had, you always feel rude if your social battery runs out before someone's stay is over. But maybe you're lonely, and it's put you on edge.

Though this week would've put anyone on edge, you have still been alone in this house for two months. That can't be healthy for your mental well being, humans are social creatures by nature after all. Maybe you could get a pet, something that'd make it's fair share of noise and give the home a bit more life than your normally hollow shell wondering the halls. Are you even sure you want a pet? Do you have time for one? You have the standard nine to five, but what about when you're off on a nightly trip because of your sleeplessness? What if you forgot about them? Hell your brain's been so foggy these last few months, it wouldn't be surprising.

Like a sign from the divine themselves, the pot of water boils over. Steam is rising as the sizzling is heard. Your head snaps twice to the right as you scramble to lower the heat and raise the pot off the eye. Putting it down on an unused eye you give it a quick stir and thankfully no pasta got burned to the bottom of the pan....this time. The pasta seems a little crunchy but a texture you'll eat so you kill the hot eye and start on the cheese portion of your mac n cheese.

As you eat you continue your original debate about getting a pet. Ultimately deciding that you just aren't ready for that kind of responsibility right now. Sure you'd had tons of pets in your parents' home but that was with a financial safety net and back when your mental health wasn't all over the place. Not to mention the pets were family pets and responsibility was split three ways.

There isn't much room in your home for you to have a roommate, and that presents a whole nother set of challenges. You could try to make friends through online forums again! It's hard to talk to people in general but you always get scared off before replying to a comment or post. Or overshare to the point people infantize you. Even better trying therapy out could help with your loneliness. Hah ok good one, even if you had money for it consistently you don't think you could trust someone knowing all your secrets but not knowing any of theirs. And while that in and of it self is an example of why you need it, you're rational enough to realize you aren't ready for that either.

After finishing your meal you put away the left overs and clean the dishes. You'll be happier tomorrow knowing they aren't your problem to deal with. You start to make your way to your bedroom but freeze just before the hall.

'You shouldn't stay here...you need to leave.'

A glance at the time tells you it's eight thirty-nine, if you left right now you could make it to Saturday Night Dead with time to spare. You don't need to fill the loneliness with new friends, just spend time with the ones you already have. Duh. Turning you grab your keys off the bookshelf and take one of the masks hanging from a hook by the door.

Checking your door was locked and locking your car once you were in, you're ready to drive. Knowing you're still overstimulated you forgo the music on this drive, hoping it will calm you down enough to enjoy the movie and some down time with friends. And that would help put a pin in your self isolating habits. It'd really be nice if you brought movie snacks over to surprise the gang. You're pretty sure the mini mart carries everything you need. Jake likes swedish fish, Hollis is addicted to those extreme sour airhead ropes, and Kirby's a weirdo with his love of red vines and surge. Hahaha that man will die before he's thirty-eight.

Still having the extra time you deiced to stop by the mini mart and grab the candy. What's the worse that can happen you have another panic attack in front of strangers. Plus you hadn't seen Magnolia the last few times and you'd hate for her to think you'd been ignoring her. Pulling into the empty mini mart parking lot you take a breath to steel your resolve before leaving your car.

Tim looks at the door when he hears the chime and stiffens when he sees you. Fuck you did have a panic attack in front of this guy last night, plus you really haven't formally met. But didn't Toby say his roommate was named Tim? And he and Brian were both here talking with Tim last night before you came in. That can't be coincidence.

“uh...hi?” you say awkwardly standing in the doorway, door closed behind you.

“um, hi?” perfect he's just as awkward in this situation as you are. You can work with this.

Moving through the first two isles you keep your eyes peeled for Magnolia, even though you can make this an in and out trip for candy, you do miss the little bodega cat.

“Wh- hey are you, are you even ok to be here?” Tim calls as he rounds the counter and makes his way to you.

“Huh? Oh...oh yea. I'm chill now.” you hear the bell before you see her. The little ting tin ting of her bell that comes with the grace only fluffy cats have.

“You literally collapsed on the floor last night after blacking out while driving.” his tone is very stern. He and Nate would probably get on like a house on fire. The grumpy old men who secretly care a lot duo.

“I don't remember collapsing...but I know I didn't drive.” well you don't know that but you do firmly believe that.

The man is just turning into the isle when you spot the floof sauntering just behind him. Magnolia didn't spare either of you a glance as she made her way to the counter. Probably going to her bed, an old shipping box for apples, you'd just meet her over there then. With no warning to the man you squeeze past him and and follow the cat. Agitated footsteps following after you in your quest to pet the cat.

Magnolia perks up upon seeing you, the flicking of her tail letting you know she's anticipating her pets. The huffing Tim hovering behind you isn't as pleased with your actions as the cat is. The man is radiating negativity, annoyance maybe or is it concern that breeds frustrated anger? The second he starts to clear his throat, as if to remind you of his hovering, you roll your eyes.

Looking back at him over your shoulder you see him in all his grumpy man glory.  His brow was furrowed so hard his thick eyebrows nearly covered his eyes. But with the way his lips emoted the man before you looked more like a pouting muppet. It would be funny if it weren't for the foreboding feeling of the moments before being reprimanded by a teacher.

When you straighten up you take note that your eyes meet perfectly. He's the same height as you that's surprising, you thought he'd be taller than 5'7. His eyes widen slightly at seeing your full height, it must've thrown him off since the first time he saw you, you'd actively been trying, and had succeeded at looking smaller.

“What are you doing here?” well he doesn't get thrown off for long.

Running a hand through Magnolia's fur a few more times as you respond, “Petting Magnolia.” you really are a little shit sometimes.

“No...no, why are you out? Toby had to take you home last night, you shouldn't just be waltzing around town after that.” maybe it was frustrated concern.

“Oh I'm fine now.”

Magnolia at this point has jumped up on the counter and is headbutting you for more attention. Chuckling you turn your attention back to her. Meanwhile Tim behind you is at a loss for words.

“Fine?? You don't just...bounce back from a panic attack.”there's personal experience behind those words.

“I just rationalize things fast.” Hearing the trill of the clock on the wall reminds you that you need to grab those snacks and head over to the Cryptonomica for movie night.

Going to the candy isle you grab one of each of the gang's favorites, you snag a bag of white cheddar popcorn on the way to the counter and place your items there. Tim doesn't get a word out before you rush off to the cooler near the back that is in all honesty pretty sketch. Like who even makes  Fruitopia anymore? That stuff got discontinued in the early 2000s. The cooler even has Hi-C Ecto Coolers...you might actually check if they're in date and grab a few.

Rummaging around the cooler you finally spot the weird tech green and black splattered can proudly stating SURGE. It has no date...questionable at best. But hey it's only Kirby drinking it, and it's been well established that man will die well before middle age.   Grabbing a can to check the Ecto Coolers, luck is on your side! These cans are from the re-release that happened as a promotion for the Ghostbusters revival a few years back, they'll be good for another two years! For now you'll just take one so you won't have to worry about lugging cans around for the movie.

Once your new items are placed on the counter the expression on Tim's face cannot even be described. The questions of the surge are probably the ones easiest to read...or they're just the most predictable.

“Kirby likes red vines and surge, sickening right?” Maybe a little joke will break the ice.

“...Like that little round pink...thing?”  What?

The laughter is coming out before you can stop it, the image of said pink Kirby consuming red vines and surge only to accessorize as your friend comes to mind. It's adorable and cursed at the same time. Adorably cursed. You'll have to draw that and print a few copies to hang around the Cryptonomica.

“No,” you're choking on giggles at this point, “Kirby, the owner of the Cryptonomica.” catching your breath and regaining your composure, “It's that tourist trap just across from the RV park.”

“Oh.” normally such a short cold reply would make you shut down the conversation. But This is Toby's roommate, and if you want to be friends with Toby, you'll probably run into him a lot more. Plus if he's a new night shift cashier it wouldn't hurt to be on good terms with him for when you're out on adventures.

“Yea, hey Toby mentioned you three just came to town, so you might not have known but the Cryptonomica does a weekly movie night on Saturdays. Saturday Night Dead. Normally it's awful old horror movies but next week they're starting a Warren Case files “arch”.” Tim doesn't take the conversation bait at the pause.

“It's a great way to meet other locals, you guys should check it out if you get the chance. It starts at ten and runs till one or so on most weeks.” Olive branch has been extended.

Tim relaxes for the first time since you got here tonight. The sheepish look on his face and twitchy pupils give the impression he's thinking it over. He sighs and nods before saying, “Yea, that sounds...nice.”

Olive branch skeptically taken! You'll count this one as a win in your book. With the mood lightened Tim breaks the ice a bit further.

“Surge and red vines can not be good for you.”

“Right! If living off mountain dew and pizza rolls doesn't kill him, this for sure will.” you both have a small laugh at that. It's nice to finally have cleared up the mix up from the beginning of the week. Which reminds you.

“Oh...um...I'm YN by the way. It's nice to meet you...sorry for the two,” your neck tics to the side, “previous nights.” you finish.

“Tim...and it,uh happens sometimes...'s fine.” Score awkward acknowledgment of previous meetings and you can now erase those from your nightly anxieties.

Tim finishes ringing and bagging your items and you pay. Giving another pet to the curled up kitty on the counter you nod farewell to Tim.

A trill rings out from the clock on the wall. It's ten.

Two heads snap to look at the wall. You take a second glance at your phone while Tim checks his watch. Both say the clock on the wall is correct. But it just turned nine not even ten minutes ago. Right? You can brush off yourself loosing track of time but when you involve another person that just doesn't make sense. Tim looks just as concerned as you. Only Magnolia lays unaffected by the lost fifty minutes.

“I should go.” Tim nods numbly to you as you exit the store.

You won't be able to make it to the movie, well you could but you'd disturb someone if you walked in mid movie. Choosing to go home instead you drive, once again without music. Entering your home you hang your mask back on the hook. Putting away the drinks and snacks for next weekend, you make your way to your bedroom. Once again freezing just before the hallway. Turning to your living room you can see a book in the middle of your coffee table. You definitely don't remember the book being there, and doubt you'd miss it out in the open. But as you got closer you could confirm, even in the dark, that it was The Book Thief.

[infinityactual]

-cracks knuckle- Okay. Before I get into this, please read the tags.

That being said.

Tobias Buckell, I have a huge fossilized bone to pick with you.

In the book Envoy, it's mentioned that a HAVOK thermonuclear device has been repurposed by colonists to power their settlement, and is then repurposed again to power an EMP. I haven't read the book, and the synopsis on the Wiki was sparse, so apologies if I got the details wrong; it won't affect what I'm gonna say.

Things to know: Fission is the splitting of atoms by a neutron. Fusion is when atoms combine. Both release a lot of energy, but fusion is by and far away the more powerful of the two.

Firstly, nuclear weapons emit an emp without being repurposed. It's just what they do.

Secondly, while the fuel of a nuclear device can be used to power a reactor, you CANNOT just crack open a nuke, however carefully, and plonk the uranium or plutonium (or both, depending on the device) into a reactor. It is SO much more complicated than that.

Firstly: Reactor fuel, while enriched, is nowhere NEAR as enriched as weapon fuel. Also, enrichment refers to the concentration if a specific isotope of U or Pu, not how elementally pure it is. ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu are the isotopes found in weapons grade fuel, with the uranium being 93% ²³⁵U. Reactor grade fuels are composed mostly of ²³⁸U (about 80%, with approx. 20% being ²³⁵U) and Pu of a variety of mixed isotopes.

And like...I don't think most people know just how ungodly goddamn terrifyingly dangerous weapons-grade fuel is. These metals are ACTIVELY TRYING TO KILL YOU by this point. Plutonium can fucking spontaneously fission or, yknow, just. Catch fire. For no reason. Once a mass of Pu or U gets to a certain point, neutrons can't escape and the fission becomes self sustaining. This is the tipping point, or Critical Mass.

Even the SHAPE of the fuel matters A LOT. Yes, there are Bad Shapes when dealing with weapons-grade fuel, ESPECIALLY Pu. Bar? Billet? Ring? Yes, good. You can have a critical mass in these shapes and not kill yourself. Sphere? Better be a fucking small one. And even then, if you so much as drop something on a softball-sized sphere of Pu, you will die. 3 scientists found this out the hard way while conducting experiments on the infamous Demon Core.

Shit, even Pu IN SOLUTION can and HAS killed simply because some poor sod turned on a mixing kettle, and the vortex created pushed enough Pu solution close enough together that Cecil Kelly died a very, very bad death after only thirty-four hours. By contrast, the victims of the Demon Core lasted days and weeks, and people present at Chernobyl lasted weeks, even YEARS after exposure. These events are called criticalities, or, in a reactor, a power excursion.

On to mechanisms. Weapons first.

A thermonuclear device actually uses two phases, both fission, to set off the fusion reaction.

The implosion type fission explosive puts pressure on another fission device that contains the fusion fuel. Boom. Micro-star.

For reactors, the fuel is compressed into pellets, and then loaded into tubes called fuel rods. These rods are then loaded into a reactor core, where they generate heat that boils water and the steam turns turbines.

As Chernobyl (and SL-1) show, a reactor is capable of a devastating explosion. However, by weapon standards, the explosion is considered a 'fizzle'. This is because of the low enrichment of the fuel pellets compared to weapon fuel. Also, the mechanism of explosion is different in a reactor, depending on the type (Light Water, Pressurized Water, and Liquid Metal reactors). PWR reactors, the most common type, the aformentioned explosions, while differing in some details (core size, condition of the core, and core status at the time of the excursion) were both caused by some, or multiple, jackasses removing control rods from the core. This meant that (and I'm summarizing in the case of the Chernobyl RBMK reactor) the fission became self-sustaining, which flash boiled water, which then caused a steam explosion. (Fun fact: the SL-1 reactor experienced an excursion that peaked at TEN MI L L I O N PERCENT above what the reactor was designed to produce. The wiki article is WILD.)

All down to operator error.

Now, LMFR reactors (Liquid Metal Fast Reactors) use molten metals as the coolant. They have higher power density, are very compact, and actually in use aboard nuclear subs and aircraft carriers. They use the same fuel as a BWR.

Next: Megatons To Megawatts and Breeder Reactors (I see you kinky bastards, you sit the fuck down.)

So, theoretically, yes, weapons fuel can be turned into reactor fuel. If you know what the fuck you're doing and have all the correct, highly specialized equipment. Weapons-grade fuel has to be downblended, or mixed with natural uranium to the 20/80 ratio of ²³⁵U/²³⁸U. And reactor fuel can be used in weapons. This is where breeder reactors come in (SIT. DOWN.) A breeder reactor makes more fuel than it consumes by reacting Uranium into reactor-grade Pu, which is a mixture of isotopes. This can be used in weapons, but the yield is. Paltry, with a high chance of a fizzle.

So. Unless these fucking colonists were a bunch of nuclear goddamn physicists and  nuclear engineers who just HAPPENED to have the parts for a LMFR just lying the fuck around, AND the equipment, materials and know-how to downblend AND THE  RE-FUCKING ENRICH the original weapon fuel (Both of which, by the way, can take FUCKING MONTHS) there is no way in all seven goddamn circles of H E L L that a HAVOK could be used to power a city.

Tobias Buckell, I am going to put so much pudding in your underwear.

So many legos on your floor.

I am going to haunt the living AND dead shit out of you.

...

The kinky bastards may now stand.

[chosenimagines]

You and me?! (Gryffinclaw)

Universe: Harry Potter

Summary: Tobias and Anabella can’t stand each other! But a fight on the Quidditch field gets them into a difficult situation

Used Prompts: -

Warnings: Enemies to Lover, soft swearing, mentioning of fights and wounds

Language: English

Request: yes/no (by Anon) could i make a request for an enemies to lovers gryffindor x ravenclaw short story if u have time? thanks in advance! <3

Requests [Open]

A/N: This one shot/imagine can be found as well on my wattpad^^

My requests are open on wattpad and tumblr^^

🖊️    🖊️    🖊️   🖊️

____________________________________________

The bass filled the Great Hall like it had never been before. The school year was finally over and to the students’ delight the end of the year was brought forward. But how it had come to this was a different story. Now Hogwarts celebrated! The party showed the relief of the student body. The classes were over and the O.W.Ls as well! The only thing which was left was the last Quidditch game of the year. But this was only the grand final for the school year! The year couldn’t end any better. Only Toby who wanted to go back to his room had no luck at the party!

Linda was close on his heels and didn’t let go of him. He could do what he wanted to it didn’t work! No matter if he was nice or he was mean to her Toby couldn’t make clear for her that he was not interested in her. Especially not in a romantic point of view! He would rather with Ana- Quick he discarded that thought. It was as silly as Linda’s flirt attempts! Worse was that she didn’t care about the rejection he gave her. She ignored it the facts which Toby told her over and over again. Linda made approaches to Toby even though it was the last thing Toby wanted in the entire world. Okay, it was time for plan B! That would make clear for Linda that he didn’t want her no matter how hard and insensitive that may seem. A glare into the crowd and the idea for a plan B was born! Admittedly Toby needed he worst (and only) enemy but for his peace he had to bite the bullet. “That means nothing, Whitlock!”, Toby warned her when turned the Ravenclawgirl he hated towards himself. Before Anabella could react, Toby had pressed his lips onto Anabella’s mouth. The despair which led to this action was testable on the tip of her tongue while she stood infront of him dead still. She was way too shocked to move. What was that stupid Gryffindor doing?! “You have a girlfriend? Toby, who could you not tell me that you have a girlfriend?”, Linda who was behind Toby squealed. But he stepped up his game! He put his hands on Anabella’s waist and pressed her against himself the moment he intensified the kiss. Toby noticed the annoyed sigh from Linda and how the Gryffindorgirl left. Relieved from the moment Toby broke away from Anabella. He finally got rid of Linda! In the next moment Toby’s face flicked to the side. A burning pain prickled on his left cheek. As if it was a reflex, he put his hand on his cheek. He had not expected a different reaction! How could it be different when they rivaled with each other to the death for six years now. Anabella raised a warning finger. “Do not ever touch me again without my consent, Samson or I will chase you with an unforgivable curse before you could say ‘Sorry’!” After the threat she left fast.

“The last game of the year! Gryffindor against Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw against Gryffindor. And we have a tie! Even though the stunning-” A cough led to a crackling sound. Professor McGonagall probably cocked her ear -as always as Lee Jordan commented the games. Poor commentator! “I’m sorry, Professor!”, Lee mumbled sheepishly. But everybody -including the experienced teacher- knew it was always half the truth. “But back to the game! Things are getting lively on the field. The suspense is excruciating! Even the fans can’t stay on their seats anymore. But the tension on our beloved Quidditch was worse than on the stands. Especially the tension between Gryffindor’s 6 and Ravenclaw’s 3 was tangible! But we don’t know it differently, guys. Whitlock and Samson fight day and night just as today! But Whitlock is out to get her opponent more than usual- Au! That hit home, Toby. But our chaser isn’t easy to bring down with a buldger. Wait a minute! WAIT- PROFESSOR! Professor, that isn’t about to end week!” Lee was about to be right! Toby and Anabella had completely lost the game out of sight! Instead of focusing on the game they fought up in the air on their brooms. Cuts, bruises, scratches… Their faces and torsos were cluttered with wounds and blood which didn’t keep the 6th graders from fighting each other. Before a teacher could interfere, Anabella lost her balance and fell into the deep. Only a few meters parted her from hitting the ground. But it didn’t happen! Without thinking Tobias followed the falling girl and saved her from death by catching her. He could feel her body which was shaking out of death fear against his chest. But now she was safe! Through the shock Anabella managed to say a word. “Why?” Of course Toby understood instantly what Anabella wanted to know. “I don’t like you but that doesn’t mean that I’ll watch you fall into death.”

“In 38 years at this school I have never seen something this irresponsible! You will have detention during the holidays and your parents will be informed about this outrageous incident. Beside that Professor Flitwick and I are thinking about taking you two out of your teams until you graduated. Do you understand me?” With tilted heads the still wounded students answered: “Yes, Professor…” The teacher nodded and left the hospital wing along with her colleague. As if Minerva McGonagall’s lecture hadn’t been enough more raged scolding flew through the window. Problems over problems! The flow of them didn’t want to stop… They suffer in silence with pulled up shoulders, teeth-gnashing and almost closed eyelids while listening to the howler. But Toby was faster through the torture than Anabella. Anabella suffered longer! The voice of her mother filled the hospital wing. “NOT ONLY, THAT YOU HAVE BRING SHAME ON OUR FAMILY’S NAME WITH THAT DISGUSTING ROWDY-BEHAVIOUR OF YOURS WHICH I CAN’T STRESS ENOUGH! YOU HAVE BEEN SIX YEARS ON THAT SCHOOL AND YOU ARE HARDLY ABLE TO FIND A WIZARD THAT CAN STAND YOUR COMPANY. YOU NEED A MAN BY YOUR SIDE, ANABELLA! YOU NEED A STRONG MAN WITH MANARES ON YOUR SIDE LIKE ALL WHITLOCK-WOMEN BEFORE YOU. IF YOU DON’T GET A MAN WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR YOUR FATHER AND I WILL TAKE OVER THIS TASK FOR YOU!” After these harsh words the message destroyed itself. Tears filled the eyes of the Ravenclaw. But not one rolled over her cheeks. She would not cry infront of Samson. She would never be weak infront of Tobias Samson! Never. In the same seconde the same thought crossed the mind of the students. He/She has the same fate as I do… Immediately they forget about that. To be similar to each other in any way would be horror for both of them! After all there was nobody to them that was more disgusting than the other one. But the hate got less (on both sides) since the situation on the Quidditch field. Then Toby had an idea! Anabella’s mother gave him the idea. They both were born in a good house… It was so silly that it was genius and for both of them it was practical. “Hey Whitlock-” “Bloody hell, Samson! What do you want?”, Anabella hissed. No weakness, no weakness, no weakness, no weakness… It went through her mind again and again as if her life would depend on her mantra. Her life not, but her dignity. To show any weakness to Tobias had never been an option! “You and me have the same problem, Whitlock! So calm down. I know a solution.” Silent Anabella waited for the explanation. She crossed her hurting arms. “Your parents want to force you into a marriage if you don’t find the right guy and mine want to do the same thing. And I have Linda’s on my heels-” “State your point, Samson!”, Anabella interrupted the Gryffindor impatiently. She had no nerves to listen to long talks! Why did he talk so much? “Calm down, Whitlock! There are advantages for you as well. I suggest that you and I have a relationship. Fake of course! And we get rid of all of our problems.” The Ravenclawgirl laughed out loud. The thought was just stupid! “You and I? You are crazy!” “Don’t let it get to your head! I am not into you but the status of your family is exactly what my parents want for me and I am convinced your parents think the same way. Besides I am the perfect son in law!” “Don’t over work it, Gryffindor.”, Anabella answered dryly. “So what do you say! You and I and a fake relationship? Just until the next year ends.” Toby stopped for a moment. “Or until I found a girl I want to have a real relationship with. Until then we both don’t have to get married!” An annoyed sigh and an eyeroll were the comment to the previous words. “So what do you say, Whitlock?” “Deal! I am in.” Anabella took his hand and the deal has been sealed.

[lisa-lostinlit]

💬 What book do you plan to read next? . I think my next read will be The Inheritance Games by @authorjenlynnbarnes! I always enjoy her books, so I’m very excited for this one. Have you read it yet? . . . s u m m a r y ⇣ A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out. Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive. . . . h a s h t a g s ⇣ #theinheritancegames #jenniferlynnbarnes #yabooksofinstagram #yabookworm #yamystery #mysterythriller #bookphotography #pursuepretty #cosy #bookphoto #hygge #photooftheday #bookcommunity #myhyggehome #foxaddict #coffeeandcurrentlyreading #coffeeandbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CJzTTT9npdd/?igshid=9u6aeu6hbjri