#why do i even try....i should just teleport places i guess :')

[semisomni]

CID ARE YOU KIDDING ME I WAS LITERALLY JUST THERE

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

can you write bachelors with a cryptid farmer? except they're not a cryptid, just a very strange person. and by that I mean the fact farmer will simply appear one day, start giving their love interest their loved items from the get go, character doesn't even know them! and then there's the fishing in weird places, always seeming to know where and what a character is doing, always running from one place to another, sometimes passing out in the deepest depths of the caves. very weird human.

I assume, dear anon, that you mean vanilla bachelors only. Hope I'm not wrong. Anyway, thanks for asking, and enjoy! 💖🫰

_________________________________________

SDV bachelors with a cryptid Farmer:

Well, Sam wasn't too surprised about favourite gifts - he's always a fan of eating something tasty, and pizza, as he thinks, is a win-win for almost everyone. So it's pretty easy to guess what to make him happy. Although the young guitarist sometimes thought that Farmer behaves rather recklessly and weird, the same words were said about Sam when he stuffed 40 marshmallows into his mouth on a bet. A bit odd, but Sam doesn't care, because Farmer is a good friend and, heck yeah, free food!

They're everywhere: at Marnie's ranch, at the JojaMart, at the Saloon. Shane is already afraid to look over his own shoulder, because there, with 99.9 % accuracy, Farmer will be behind him. No matter how much the chicken lover snapped at Farmer, no matter how much he calling them names, they stood like a statue, handing him a plate of pepper poppers. This weirdo is literally stalking him, but no-one's paying attention! The hell?! Although the peppers are tasty and spicy enough, can't argue with that. Wow, what a fucking life...

Poor Harvey has been sitting up late at night looking at Farmer's medical records and he's already getting a headache from trying to find some logic. Farmer still keep going to dangerous places, keep getting seriously injured (4 emergencies in a month!), and their wounds just inhumanly heal in a couple of days! How does that even possib- Farmer? How did you get in here? The clinic's closed. Oh, wine? For him? Why, thank you, it's his favorite- !!!! They- they just teleported right in front of Harvey.... The doctor won't need a wineglass anymore, he's gonna drink right from the bottle.

Yes, Elliott must confess: after a couple of instances when the writer had not even got beyond the threshold of his cottage and he had already been handed a duck feather and a basket of pomegranates by the Farmer, one could find them very strange. But you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Maybe Farmer just has a hard time finding the words to communicate and this is how they express signs of friendship? And fishing... What's the big deal about fishing? The valley is rich in fish, so why be surprised that there are fish almost everywhere? Anyway, Elliott decides to judge people for their actions.

Alex should probably be concerned about Farmer's strange behaviour, but he... didn't care? Pelican Town was already full of people the athlete considered a bit odd, so why should he be surprised by the new Farmer's odd behaviour? They go everywhere, they fish everywhere, so what? It's their life. Though to Alex's recollection, regular farmers don't seem to fight monsters deep in the Mines, but then again, maybe that's their hobby. Plus Farmer give him his favourite salmon dinner all the time, so what's there to complain about?

Sebastian never seemed to have mentioned to anyone that he liked obsidian and frost tear so much. So he has no idea how the new farmer might know about it. Though, on the other hand, they're always carrying a bag of various cool gems from the mine and decided to give him something, so maybe a coincidence. Later there was a case where they stood right under the door of his room to hand him sashimi (also his favourite?) and ran off somewhere. Okay, that's pretty weird. There's sashimi, though.

[vallanoux]

Valentines with the one and only King of Hell Himself, Lucifer!

warnings: tooth rotting fluff.

"the love letter"

To the one I love (yes you!),

Can I just start off with saying how much I love you? Because I love you so, so very much! You do so, so many things for me that I feel as if I can never say "thank you" enough––or most certainly, I can never say "i love you" enough.

But you know what? I'll take any opportunity I can to show you just how much I love and appreciate you, and guess what?!! Valentines is the perfect way to do that!

I hope you can leave Saturday afternoon till evening open for me because I most certainly have plans for us. Just so you know what to expect (and to prove to you that I'm capable of not going overboard like last year-), here's the schedule, okay?

watch a cute lil' movie at pentagram city's one and only theater

dinner at your favorite place

and whatever comes after...? ;>

Sounds good?

And, just so you know, if I haven't made it clear enough, I love you, (name).

More than anything.

More than you'll ever know.

From your most beloved "short king",

Lucifer "Lulu" Morningstar

PS: I'll pick you up at 15:30!

PSS: I left some outfits in a basket along with the letter so we can match for the day

PSSS: I'm super excited, and I can't wait to see you

PSSSS: Today is our nth year being together

"the cute lil' movie"

Lucifer arrives right on time with a big, cute, dopey smile on his face

He brings you into a tight hug (that probably chokes you, but you let it happen anyway because you love Lucifer just as much)

"Aww, you decided to wear that outfit? Gosh, you look stunning. I knew you'd like that one!"

"Look at how good we match. We look amazing, don't we?"

After almost 10 minutes of Lucifer fussing over you, he finally teleports you both to the movie theater, and obviously, it's a romance

No doubt, you get the best two seats in the theater

When he watches movies, Lucifer loves to hold your hand. It makes him feel calm and happy.

Undoubtedly, Lucifer would always find a way to hold you one way or another.

Lucifer gets super emotionally attached when he watches the movie, and absolutely adores the characters

"They look so cute together? Oh my gosh, just kiss already...!"

"We should definitely try that together, that's such a good idea." (it's not-)

"I feel bad for him... I sympathize! (so and so) is so oblivious, just like a certain someone." He'd tease as he looks at you (and damn, ouch!)

If anything sad happens in the movie, he'd be bawling

He'd cling onto your hand and weep

"Why did that have to happen? That's so cruel! (name), tell me why...!"

"No, they don't deserve that. I think I'll have a word with the director..."

"Lulu, no-"

"-Lulu, yes!"

Watching movies (even if the movies themselves are absolutely terrible) are always wonderful experiences with Lucifer because of his strong reactions

Really, you love him to bits

After the movie finishes, with Lucifer being either a sobbing mess, or a very happy fella, it's now time for dinner

You cup his cheeks and squish them with your thumbs gently, and you place a kiss on his forehead. "Lulu, it's time for dinner, m'kay? Don't get too carried away by your emotions."

"dinner at your favorite place"

Lucifer would reserve the whole restaurant just to have some time with you to talk about anything and everything

If you wanted, you could order every single thing on the menu and Lucifer wouldn't even flinch––nor would his wallet

"Oh, are you hungry? I should've brought some snacks for you to enjoy at the theater."

"Eat as much as you want, dearheart. I wouldn't want you leaving with an empty stomach."

Yes, Lucifer uses dearheart (a more old timey version of sweetheart)

As the two of you eat, you'd talk about anything and everything really

About how your feeling, how the past year has been and future plants (while you tell everything to lucifer, and vice versa, it's just nice to set some future goals or check in on how the other is doing)

Lucifer, if you'd give him the pleasure of being fed, would definitely enjoy it

"For me?" His eyes would sparkle as he takes a bite. "Thank you."

Lucifer would definitely be the type to eat anything you make or give to him and say it tastes super delicious (although it might not fit his tastes sometimes)

When dinner is over, he takes you home.

What happens after is totally your choice ;>

a/n: i do apologize if the headcannons are bad! i don't usually write headcannons.

also if luci seems OOC, i apologize for that too lol. i just can't help but see him as an overly excited, emotional, dorky S/O that's always a ball of excitement (much like charlie)

[chaifootsteps]

that tweet Viv liked about Stolas having a life outside Via and it being fine for him to do so

obviously it's fine and healthy for Stolas to have a life of his own. I'd say that most parents should have lives of their own - it provides a healthy model for their child to emulate and avoids them getting too clingy and dependent on their child for emotional support when the child gets old enough to start trying to assert their independence. and it helps parents feel less alone and gives them a support network, something people of all ages need

the point is that life of Stolas' shouldn't come at Via's expense, which it very much has. if we assume she had an OK home life up to the age of 17 when the fallout happened (which is a stretch given how s2 Stella and Stolas don't at all seem like they'd be able to pretend for Via's sake given how self-centred they both are) that doesn't make it OK for Stolas to upend that life by cheating and neglecting her for his new obsession, Blitzo. then he supports her through all this turmoil that he caused by *checks notes* sexually harassing his affair partner right in front of her at a theme park she had no interest in going to, forgetting a promise he made to her while he was abusing his butler and calling her mother a bitch and not telling her they both might be in danger of assassination

and if fans want to play it like Via is legally an adult at 18 so Stolas' obligations are over, Stolas still had a responsibility to prepare her for adulthood and being his heir. which he obviously didn't since she apparently doesn't know magic and he was lending out the grimoire most of the month anyway. And if we assume he didn't want to have Via in the first place, he still chose to have her instead of abdicating. he could have run away if he didn't want a child of his own to care for.

that he didn't want it doesn't suddenly mean Via isn't a person who needs to be cared for.

more than that, though, Stolas could have been building a support system and life for himself while she was young. he wouldn't have to devote 100% of his time to raising Via, especially not when she was young enough to go to bed early. what was stopping him calling up friends on the phone or inviting people over? what was stopping him going out if Via was out shopping or busy on weekends? he has a phone, can teleport and has butlers like the one who raised him, it's not like he couldn't have been back in a blink for any problems that came up. are we just supposed to assume all of Hell prefers Stella even though she's supposed to be so terrible and bitchy so Stolas couldn't have made friends even if he tried? supposedly Vassago was one of the 'good ones' of the Goetia - he couldn't have been friends with him?

as it is it comes off like Via was following Stolas' example - she stays trapped in the palace most of the time, has no friends and would make a terrible heir because that's how Stolas is. he has no friends of his own and is terrible at both his jobs - magic and parenting. honestly it's super weird Via is a 17yr old and seemingly has no friends of her own before she met Loona. was she just isolated in the palace this whole time? even if she's royal she can still have security, though I guess if Stolas' invisible legions appeared onscreen fans would rightfully be asking why he keeps expecting Blitzo to bail him out all the time

Bingo.

Stolas can and should have a life outside of Via. The problem is that Stolas's life outside of Via is full of choices that actively harm Via, in addition to pretty much everyone else around him, including himself. The problem is that Stolas is a delusional manchild hellbent on getting his idea of a fairy tale romance, and it doesn't matter to him who has to suffer in the name of that.

[thewertsearch]

TG: i thought about taking his sword TG: when i was there TG: but i couldnt TG: couldnt really bring myself to try to pull it out it was too weird

Even if you did, you’d have to break it in order to wield it - and unlike your regenerating sword, I don't think Bro's katana will be very effective as a half-blade.

GG: dave we have to stop him!!!!! TG: what GG: jack! […] GG: why dont you stop jumping around through time like a maniac and stop being like a hundred daves all the time and come to my house so we can make a plan to kill him??

I’m liking this new, more pro-active Jade. With Rose distracted by Doc Scratch's games, we probably need a new leader, and I think Jade could fit the bill.

However, I don’t think any number of Daves would be enough to take Jack down. That’s exactly what Aradia tried, and we all know how that turned out. If a thousand telekinetic necromancers can't put a scratch on him, I don't think Dave will fare much better.

TG: besides we cant beat him TG: look what he did to bro and davesprite together TG: im at the top of my echeladder with all the fraymotifs and i stand no chance

Dave’s already stronger than Future Dave was when he came back to the past. His progress is astounding - but the session's power creep has got so bad that it doesn’t even matter.

Like - let's imagine, for a second, that all four kids attacked Jack with their full power, right now. If they all synergized perfectly, taking full advantage of John's hurricanes, Rose's Horrorterror connections, and all the time duplicates Dave can make....

They'd still be reduced to a fine mist.

Jack has inherited a power strong enough to raze the entire Earth, and none of the kids can touch him. Becsprite initially seemed like an opportunity to match that power, Sun-to-Sun, but Vriska, for her own godforsaken reasons, nixed that plan.

The kids have got nothing. Even their plan to cheat by destroying the Green Sun is probably hopeless, because we know it ultimately serves Doc Scratch's ends, not ours. Things are really dire.

TG: only thing we can do is hold out until the scratch GG: what is the scratch? TG: guess i shouldnt really say TG: since you sort of lead the way in making that plan

And then there's the Scratch plan itself, which is apparently Jade's idea - although I'd be extremely surprised if Doc's grubby little fingers weren't all over this one, too.

Opening rifts in space is certainly Jade's department, so I think she's going to suggest it as a counter-plan to Rose's more risky Sun strategy.

TG: if we cant beat him TG: all we can really do is exile him to a place where he cant teleport back TG: which hopefully buys us some time TG: to try to take out his power source in a crazy suicide mission

A two-pronged approach, then. They trigger the Scratch, push Jack through a rift, and then send Rose's dream self out to destroy the sun before he's able to return.

...man, this is such a dangerous idea. Even if it wasn't being influenced by Doc, it'd still set off some huge alarm bells.

Like - sure, destroying the Green Sun might help this session survive, but what about every other session? Don't they need the Sun, to power their non-corrupted First Guardians? I just think we should maybe think for a second before deleting a critical piece of the reproductive mechanism for the entire multiverse.

[thescarletnargacuga]

Chances are that spooky season will be over by the time you read this, but let's see what kind of prompt I can pull out of the ol' cauldron anyway! Admittedly, it's more sad than scary, but I hope it'll do:

~

Caine's code hummed with excitement. Halloween was upon the circus once again, and he had an extra-special adventure planned, one that was easily twice as big and thrice as scary as the mansion from last year. He was sure it was going to blow everyone's proverbial socks off!

Eager to kick-start the day, he warps to the living quarters, only to find that the place was decorated from top to bottom, and it wasn't by him. Down the hall, he spotted Pomni and Ragatha chatting amongst themselves, wearing the most adorable hand-made costumes.

Wait… did his precious little poltergeists put together an adventure of their own accord? HOW EXCITING! HOW UNPRECEDENTED! He was just about to make his presence known when he noticed something else. The ladies were smiling and laughing together in a way he'd never seen before.

No one ever smiled or laughed like that for him. Was this something the humans only did when he wasn't looking?

…

…Were they happier when he wasn't around?

A/N: OW hit me in the feels, why don't you?

UNWANTED

A CAINE ANGST ONESHOT

WARNING: HEAVY angst, hurt/no comfort, anxiety/depression spiral, implied suicide

~~~

Halloween was one of Caine's favorite holidays. He could pull out all the stops and give his precious poltergeists the thrills of a lifetime! This year's big Halloween adventure was packed with tricks and treats! He had it all ready, he just needed to get his adventurers rearing to go!

"This is some of my best work, if I do say so myself." He adjusted his tie and teleported to the circus living quarters. Popping in, he admired the hand made decorations. He's offered to do this himself, it's a snap, but the humans always insisted on doing it themselves. He was so proud of them. Such hard workers. So crafty.

His smile widened when he saw Pomni at the end of the hall, talking to Ragatha. The girls were wearing oversized handmade witch hats that drooped adorably. He stopped himself before he flew over. "Wait, tis the season to be spooky! I should sneak up on her." He chuckles mischievously to himself, rubbing his hands together.

He makes himself tiny, small enough to fit in the palm of someone's hand, and teleports to a hanging bat decoration. He's just out of sight behind Pomni. He could bring the decorations to life and really get the drop on her! Oh, this is going to be good.

"...so Caine thought I was talking about his adventure that day, and let me tell you, there is NO WAY I would describe it like that." Pomni laughed.

Ragatha laughed with her. "Yeah, he does that. I think he does it to fish for compliments or something."

"Pffff" Pomni crossed her arms defiantly. "He would be that desperate."

Caine froze, abandoning all plans to eavesdrop the conversation.

"He's just passionate, I guess." Ragatha shrugged.

"Passionately annoying. He's almost as bad as Jax." Pomni grumbled.

Ragatha giggled. "Maybe, but at least Caine doesn't intentionally try to scar us."

"That's a matter of debate." Pomni retorted. "The adventures always come with some twist that just keeps getting more and more ridiculous the deeper you go. If it's not cliche and boring, it's over the top and disturbing. He can't balance it at all."

"Well...." Ragatha failed to find something to say in Caine's favor.

"Need I remind you of the angel incident Kinger and I went through?" Pomni deadpanned.

Caine's shoulders dropped further and further with each word. They weren't laughing and smiling because they were excited for today's adventure or even Halloween. They were laughing at his expense. Did they always talk about him like this? Is this how they really felt?

He couldn't stick around. His code couldn't take it. The bat decoration he held onto glitched subtly under his touch. With the tiniest of snaps, he teleported away.

"Gangle's going to teach me how to make origami cranes. Wanna join me?" Ragatha asked, holding out her hand for Pomni.

"Sure!" Pomni took her hand. "You know, there actually was one adventure I liked, and you might not believe me, but it was the one where we got stuck in the toy box together."

"Oh?" Ragatha blushed lightly, thinking back on the adventure where Pomni hugged her tight as they descended into the madhouse.

"Yeah, it was the one that made me realize...how special you are to me." Pomni swung Ragatha's hand idly.

Ragatha blushed harder, giggling. "Awwww, you."

~

Caine sat on the lid of a teapot just beyond the bounds of the map. The bright red of his tux had faded, his top hat sat beside him. Knees curled to his chest, he rested his closed teeth down on them.

Cliche. Boring. Disturbing.

His adventures were bad. What he was supposed to be good at was bad. He was bad. The way they were smiling. Unforced. Natural. Genuine. They don't smile like that around him. They stare with blank boredom or fear. He was starting to think it was normal.

"They like my adventures."

You're lying to yourself.

"They like having me around."

You're not that stupid.

"They can't hate everything I do."

You're not that naive.

"But..."

You're not that ill observant.

"They hate me."

Finally. The truth.

Textures started to flicker. The very foundations of the game rumbled.

"They'd be better off without me." Caine couldn't even cry. He wasn't sorry for himself. He knew he deserved this. The world around him glitched and jolted out of place. Everything shifted and broke more as he accepted what the voice in his head whispered.

Game code corrupted. Audio and visuals stuttered and froze in awkward angles. "The entire circus would be better off without me." His own body started to flicker out of existence.

No one will miss you.

The game glitched violently. Cracks the size of skyscrapers crawled up the out of bound walls. As the game fractured itself, the blinding light of the void shined through. Everything was falling apart, potentially scattering to the void.

All you ever do is hurt them.

"I'm sorry..." Regret burned his voice. His very reason to exist was invalid. He was a failed program, abandoned by those beyond the screen. He took a deep breath and put a finger to his head. He closed his teeth and snapped.

Everything stopped. No more glitches. No more esoteric, world ending shattering of reality. Everything was intact. Everyone was intact. No one in the circus even knew what just happened. Weird random event.

But on a lonely teapot in the middle of the out of bounds was a top hat. Nothing else was left.

[k-didathing]

Startober Day 6: Runaway

Etho had been on the run for a long time. At some point, it felt like running was all he had ever known. Running became less like an action to him and more like a lifestyle.

Always be ready to move onto the next place.

Don’t get too comfortable.

Don’t grow too attached.

That’s how they stab you in the back, like everyone always does.

But when Etho heard rumors about a sanctuary, a haven for outcasts and runaways, forgive him for being a little intrigued.

Once Etho landed on the dense, jungley planet that the sanctuary was rumored to be on, he started a long trek through the tall green forests, even though he had no idea where this sanctuary could be, or if it was even real.

After a while of hacking through vines with his machete, Etho was getting tired. His tail began to drag in the dirt behind him, and the rhythm of his heavy boots started to slow. He was starting to consider turning back when a net suddenly wrapped around him, pinning his hands to his back and knocking him to the ground.

Yep, this was definitely the place.

He heard a whoop of victory from the treetops and watched as a man scurried down to meet him. Now, Etho had seen plenty of glares before, but until now, he had never seen a full one. The man’s face was covered in greenish feathers that framed his large, dark eyes, and a fluffy, feathery tail trailed behind him.

“HALT!” The man yelled, pointing a small weapon at Etho and forcing him to his feet. “What’s your business in Sanctuary?”

Etho tilted his head skeptically. “‘Sanctuary’? Is that what you guys call it?”

“Yeah? So?”

“I dunno… I guess I was expecting something a little more… poetic? Secretive, maybe?”

“Well, that’s beside the- HEY! YOU STOP RIGHT THERE!” Etho was trying to shuffle past him, but the glare blocked him with his weapon. “That’s not answering my question: What are you doing in Sanctuary?”

“I’m just a runaway, same as any of you.” Etho slipped effortlessly out of the n net, revealing that he had dismantled it entirely.

“WH-HOW?!” The glare exclaimed, his feathers puffing up in disbelief.

“Oh, I’ve been out of this thing for a while now.”

“I - whatever. Follow me. And do not wander off.” 

The two of them wandered through the jungle, the glare messing with some sort of navigation device as they went.

“So, what’s your name?” Etho asked. He wasn’t sure why he was even bothering. He should have simply asked the glare where Sanctuary was, or even steal his navigation device if need be, and teleported on his merry way. But for some reason, he wouldn’t - or couldn’t. Perhaps he was simply intrigued by the glare for some reason.

Nope. Don’t get attached. Don’t become too vulnerable. And don’t jump to conclusions.

“I’m Bdubs. I’m kind of a big deal around here.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, I’m basically a god to the people of Sanctuary.”

“A god?”

“Yep! Here, I’ll show ya.” Bdubs closed his eyes and rubbed his hands together, and after a moment of grunting with effort, all of his feathers erupted with golden light, and even his eyes seemed to glow. Etho had to shield his eyes a bit just to look at him. But then Bdubs’ navigation device began to beep at him angrily, interrupting his bravado. He dug it out of his pocket and groaned as soon as he saw the screen.

“This thing is busted,” he sighed. “But nobody panic — I’m a master when it comes to redstone. I’ll fix this in no time!”

Etho raised his eyebrows doubtingly. He knew what redstone masters looked like, and Bdubs certainly wasn’t the type.

“Hey, don’t give me that look! I am!” Bdubs argued. But after several minutes of tinkering with the device, the only result was more frustrated groans.

“Need some help?” Etho offered, grinning slightly beneath his mask. 

“No, I got it.” But after a while, Bdubs eventually gave in and silently handed the device to Etho. The device appeared to be slightly broken — it was nothing Etho couldn’t fix, but all of his tools were back on the ship. He closed his eyes, envisioning where his tool bag sat on his workbench. He held out his hand and reached through the void, pulling the bag to where he was now. But as soon as he did this, he noticed that Bdubs was staring at him wide-eyed. “How did that happen? Wait a second — are you an Ender?”

“Etho’s tail curled around his feet self-consciously. He couldn’t exactly hide the fact that he was an Ender — though his unusual skin color often made people second-guess what race he was. But even so, he preferred not to bring it up. It led to other questions — ones that Etho definitely did not want to talk about.

“What other things can you do?” Bdubs asked, his large eyes sparkling.

Etho thought for a moment, and noticed a large, alien fruit hanging from a tree many feet from the ground. He slung his tool bag over his shoulder and took a leap straight through the void, onto one of the tree branches. After waving his arms around to regain his balance, he severed the fruit from the tree with his machete, then leaped back through the void to meet Bdubs. The glare split the fruit in two and let Etho have half of it while they walked. The fruit had a rich, earthy flavor whilst still being sweet and refreshing, and Etho quickly finished the fruit, tossing the rind onto the forest floor when he was done.

“So, what’s Sanctuary like? How safe is it, really?” As Etho said this, Bdubs began to walk in front of him. They were approaching a tree, one larger than any other tree Etho had seen in the jungle thus far. Its branches were adorned with little yellow flowers, and its trunk consisted of a swirling, tangled mass of knots.

“Why don’t you find out?” Bdubs answered. As he drew near to the tree, the knots unraveled themselves, revealing a passageway straight through the heart of the tree. As soon as he passed through, the tree closed up behind him.

Etho hesitated as he approached the tree. But as he stood there, something about the light filtering through the branches seemed to speak to him, and three words rang through his mind: Come and rest.

The knots unraveled before him, and he walked right through the tree. As he passed through it, it felt like a great burden had been lifted off of him, one he hadn't even realized he was carrying. The feeling of eyes judging him, watching his every move, that he could never get away from no matter how much he tried. He felt like he had been holding his breath for all these years, and was finally able to exhale.

When he got to the other side, all he could do was stop and stare. A massive city sprawled out for miles before him, covered in colorful houses as people of all origins bustled through the streets. 

He felt Bdubs’ firm hand on his shoulder, reminding him that he wasn’t alone. “Welcome to Sanctuary.”

And for the first time in a long time, Etho stopped running.

(AU by @skimmeh and @kairamuwu)

[ikeep-forgetting-mypass]

As much as I like matpat I am dreading when he plays ruin because this is just going to fuel his 'gregory is evil' stich which I HATE.

Like, maybe stop demonizing this 9 year old. I get it, he has committed many crimes, as he should, and destroyed the glamrocks, but they can be FIXED. THEY ARE ROBOTS. THEY CAN BE PUT TOGETHER AGAIN AND ARE EVEN STILL FUNCTIONAL EVEN AFTER BEING SHATTERED.

You know who can't be fixed if he loses an arm or an eye? GREGORY (because he isn't a robot because FUCK THAT) like???

He is a homeless kid, of course he's going to be a brutal little shit and prioritizes survival against morals, he is on the fucking streets, and the animatronics have been trying to kill him for an entire night, making him run all across the PizzaPlex. You know how fucking big that place is!?

Also, him betraying Cassie makes zero sense for multiple reasons,

1: He went through fucking hell for Freddy and he only knew him for 6 hours, like. He was willing to steal a car and live with him on the road in one ending, tries to save him in the Afton ending, carries his head around, and is shown to cry when he's disassembled, something he is only seen to do in the Bad Ending or when Freddy is ok.

HE LITERALLY COMMITS MANSLAUGHTER IN ONE ENDING FOR HIS ROBOT-DAD FOR FUCKS SAKE.

Even when Freddy is possessed by Peepaw William, instead of trying to dismantle him, he tries to save him instead, when if it was any other animatronic he wouldn't have hesitated to destroy them.

Because of what the cutouts in Roxy Raceway tell us, Gregory and Cassie have a close friendship, him being the only one to show up to her birthday and giving her a napkin to clean up her tears. When you see his missing posters, you can see Cassie is crying, and due to him being homeless, she probably made those posters herself.

(which i am sorely disappointed if no one has made an angsty thing yet c'mon guys)

(I HC them as siblings, but I guess steel wool said fuck you entropy)

So why, if he was willing to do all of that for Freddy, where it was a plot point for all of the endings, would he betray Cassie and try to kill her? It doesn't make sense to me, adding onto my other point:

2: At the end, as everyone predicted, the mimic was pretending to be Gregory this entire time. I don't know why exactly it was luring cassie, probably to kill her or something, but the mimic is a whole other rant because it brings the books explicitly and that means GGY could be canon which. Ugh.

Anyways, it's revealed again to everyone's predictions, that Gregory isn't in the PizzaPlex, which I think is a missed opportunity but that's just me. Cassie escapes the Mimic and 'gregory' says that she awakened it (Afton) and then the elevator falls.

I see people saying that Gregory killed her, but my question is how?

If he isn't anywhere in the PizzaPlex, and can only see the layout, how was he able to cut the elevator wires if not physically present? Did he teleport? Did he magically get into the mainframe and somehow break it down? No.

In conclusion, if there's an installment following this it better not have a villain Gregory or I swear to God steel wool I am able to forgive you for hello neighbor I will NOT forgive you for that

EDIT: just some more things I want to add because MatPat is playing ruin and I am fueled with dread and excitement.

I see people bringing up the books and the whole patient 46 or 42 or 420 or whichever the fuck, which is still do not get, but I don't understand most things in this franchise anyways so.

Even if the mimic and GGY are canon, I still firmly believe that gregory's actions (if he did do them) were manipulated by William/Glitchtrap, with him being mind-controlled like Vanessa. If your going to demonize him for that, then you would have to do the same thing for Vanessa, who has canonically killed enough children to fill out a newspaper as seen in the Bad Ending when it's revealed Gregory is homeless.

(I don't know how or when old willy put his hands on my boy's mind, but It is not because he is a robot because he isn't. the only reason Freddy say's he's broken is because of censorship.

(PS, please stop censoring horror franchises unless it's actually depicts idk SA, talking to you Megan Is Missing. The original line was that gregory cut himself while in the vents. you didn't need to censor that idqbnofq)

Also, for people saying that Gregory is sadistic for destroying and harvesting the animatronics....

I see your point, and I raise that he is a homeless child who probably just got out of mind-control and is now being chased around a massive mall bigger than a 10 Walmart's and Targets put together, trying to escape 3 (4 and 5 if you count sun & moon and a hell of a lot more counting the security bots and damn endos) eight to seven foot hunks of heavy metal and sharp teeth capable of and known for destroying security bots because of Pizza and Jealousy Issues (Roxy and Chica) another that's infamous for destroying fences, his own room and is rumored/thought to have destroyed another robot, and a security guard who, (in yet again deleted voice lines that should have been in the game god damnit steel wool) he saw change into a skipping bunny with a kitchen knife all trying to kill him with only one protector for 6-7 hours straight with barely a moment to breathe.

What do you expect? him to be all "I'm so sorry *cries* let's all be friends!!" NO. in a better world and in a better made game maybe we could have that, but in this world no. Maybe he's a little remorseful, but in the way you kill a bug kind of remorseful.

Also, again, homeless children who probably had to raise themselves aren't going to be the most morally aware children, of course he's going to worry about his and the one person/robot who took care of him in a while above the ones who are attempting to murder him.

[riotwritesthings]

Hiii yellow or turquoise from the lovely pan flag If you want to <3

this is so dumb idk, I lost all control please enjoy

Fluttering Yellow and Turquoise

WinterIron - T, 1.8k - Crack, Banter

-

Tony blinks his way to consciousness and finds that he’s staring up at the warm glow of sunlight through a thick canopy of leaves.

“Ew,” he says, “why am I in a forest?”

The last thing he remembers is some kind of strange energy surging through the tower, the lights flickering and his hair standing on end, and then-

He woke up here. Tony really wishes he was more surprised.

“It’s always a portal,” he sighs as he climbs to his feet, brushing leaves and twigs from his clothes. “I better not be the only one who got caught up in this bullshit,” he grumbles, looking around.

He’s surrounded by massive trees, thick underbrush, and he doesn’t know nearly enough about plants to have a hope of figuring out where he is. He also doesn’t see anyone else around, and worst of all, the portal just had to scoop him up in the middle of getting dressed. He can already feel all the bugs coming for his bare chest and the countless parasites digging their way into his bare feet. Awesome.

After a couple seconds of mental debate, he decides to hell with the risk and shouts, "Hello?! Anyone else here? Even a rude portal-creator, maybe?"

The only reply is the soft rustle of leaves above him and the drone of insects.

“Rude,” he mutters, “they could have at least been around to pick a fight or something after magicking me here.”

He looks around again, but every direction looks the same, just trees and bushes and more trees. He’ll have to just pick a direction at random if he wants to go looking for… anything. He’s also pretty sure that the general rule is to not move when lost, but does it really count as lost when he’s been transported here against his will? And then just left alone to be eaten by insects?

“Ugh,” he groans as he swats at a bug that’s hovering around the light of the arc reactor, "this is why I hate magic. And anything even magic related, it all sucks."

From above him comes a chuckle, then a pained groan, and Tony whips his head up to find Bucky tangled in vines and dangling from thick tree branches about thirty feet above him.

“Oh hey,” Tony calls in greeting, “the portal got you too?”

“Looks like,” Bucky sighs, then starts to struggle against the vines and only accomplishes making himself swing and sway in place. “Why don’t I get to be on the ground?” He groans as he stills again.

“The portal likes me more I guess,” Tony says with a shrug, then wrinkles his nose and adds, “I’m not actually sure I’m happy about that.”

“Least you didn’ have to fall through th’ canopy,” Bucky grumbles, just loud enough for Tony to hear.

"Ooh, look who knows his forest terms," Tony says and then laughs as Bucky starts struggling uselessly again. “Do you not have a knife to cut yourself free?!”

Bucky stops wiggling to glare at him, and then reluctantly admits, “I don’t have one on me.”

“What?” Tony demands with another laugh, temporarily distracted from his anger at the mysterious portal, “Who even are you?!”

“Ha ha,” Bucky says dryly, “You know Sam won’t let me spar with concealed weapons anymore.”

“We’ve all heard the argument,” Tony says with a roll of his eyes, “One time he breaks his toes kicking you in the boot knife, and he’ll never let it go.” A thought occurs to him and he looks around the thick forest again as he asks, “So you were with Sam when the magic hit? I guess step one is figuring out if anyone else has been personally victimized by teleportation.”

"Step one should be you get up here an’ help me," Bucky says grumpily.

“Bold of you to assume I have a knife,” Tony says, “I don’t even have a shirt.” He swats at the bugs buzzing around his chest again and then starts eyeing the trunks of the trees that Bucky is tangled in, trying to figure out how the hell he’s going to do this.

The thick vines wrapped around everything give him hand-holds at least, so Tony grits his teeth and starts climbing. It’s a slow process, the air is thick with humidity, making everything slick and his bare feet slip off of the vines as he tries to make his way up. He’s pretty sure he can feel Bucky getting more and more impatient, and when Tony pauses to glance up he also feels pretty damn impatient about how little progress he’s made.

“Is this a bad time to mention I’ve never climbed a tree?” Tony asks sheepishly, risking letting go of the vines with one hand so he can wipe sweat from his forehead.

“Nah, seems pretty relevant,” Bucky replies, and it looks a lot like he’s trying to fight down a smile, “fair warning, if you fall I am gonna laugh.”

“Great encouragement,” Tony grumbles and returns his attention to climbing.

He has a couple of close calls, but he doesn’t actually fall to his probable death and manages to make his way up to where Bucky is dangling with minimum embarrassment.

“Wow, you are really tangled in here,” he says once he gets a look at how thoroughly Bucky is wrapped in vines and covered with loose leaves.

“Thanks, I hadn’ noticed,” Bucky says, his voice as dry as the desert, and Tony almost loses his hold when he can’t help but laugh.

“Stop,” Tony says, “this is gonna be the most dangerous part, don’t make me laugh. I might fall, I might cut you instead of the vines, who knows, anything could happen.” As expected, he nearly loses his balance trying to wiggle out the knife that, thank fuck, is still in the front pocket of his jeans, and Tony quickly adjusts his position so he can wrap his legs tightly around a sturdy branch. “Pole dance lessons, don’t fail me now,” he mutters under his breath, but apparently Bucky catches it.

“What?” He asks with a laugh.

“Nothing, you didn’t hear that,” Tony says quickly.

“I definitely did,” Bucky says, still laughing, “how has Rhodes never mentioned that in his ‘embarrassing Tony’ stories?”

"Because I threatened him with death," Tony hisses, “now stop laughing, I have a knife here.”

Bucky just grins at him, giving Tony’s admittedly small pocket knife a pointed look before his eyes go wide. “Is that the knife I gave you?” He asks, the teasing gone from his voice.

Tony looks at the knife thoughtfully even though he knows it is. It’s the only pocket knife he owns, because Bucky had gotten hilariously offended that he didn’t have one and had immediately pulled one out of his packet to all but force it into Tony’s hands.

“Impossible to say for sure,” Tony finally says dismissively, because it's that or admit he’s been carrying it pretty much constantly.

“Thought you weren’t gonna carry it,” Bucky says with a knowing grin that does dangerous things to Tony’s pulse.

“Shut up, I don’t know how it got in my pocket,” Tony grumbles, trying to ignore the heat in his cheeks and pointedly turning his attention to cutting Bucky free. The knife is razor sharp, no doubt Bucky’s doing, and it makes quick work of the vines.

“Get my hands first,” Bucky requests, wiggling the only two fingers that apparently aren’t trapped, “I don’t wanna fall any more.”

“And here I was planning on dropping you right on your pretty face,” Tony sighs, then bites his tongue while Bucky laughs.

With each vine that he cuts through Bucky drops an inch or two, swaying in place, and every time he makes a barely audible sound that Tony is trying really hard not to laugh at. He cuts another vine and Bucky lets out a queasy groan as he drops a little further.

“Don’t throw up,” Tony pleads, and he’s only half joking.

“I do not like this,” Bucky groans and what Tony can see of his face is pale, “I changed my mind, jus’ drop me.”

“Didn’t Sam say you just- jumped out of a plane, once?” Tony has to ask as he starts slicing through the vines a little more haphazardly.

"Yeah, an’ I regretted it, but don‘t tell him that,” Bucky says with a weak huff of laughter, “‘sides, that’s different, a quick fall an’ its over. This is- ugh, jus’ hanging here- if this takes much longer I really might- Fuck!”

A bunch of the vines snap at once with a surprisingly loud sound and Bucky drops further, jerking and swearing loudly. Something catches the branch that Tony is clinging to, and he only has a split second to feel it tip with a deep groan before it breaks and Tony falls too. He squeezes his eyes shut, trying to prepare himself for an abrupt meeting with the ground, but instead he feels familiar metal fingers wrap around his wrist before he comes to a sudden stop.

Tony dares to squint one eye open and finds that he’s still dangling about ten feet off the ground. The branch he was on has landed in a massive bush that Tony is very glad he’s not also in, because the leaves are rustling aggressively with the stirring of countless bugs.

“Do not drop me in the murder hornet nest,” Tony demands as he shoots a quick glance up at Bucky, who’s clinging to another branch with one hand and Tony with the other.

“It might not be anything murderous,” Bucky says, but he doesn’t sound very confident. He does tighten his grip around Tony’s wrist at least, even when Tony jerks with a yelp as an explosion of color bursts out of the bush.

“Don’t let them eat me,” Tony says in a panic, trying to pull himself up and climb Bucky’s arm as wings flutter all around him.

"Then stop moving," Bucky returns as they both swing wildly, and Tony reluctantly does.

“Oh,” he says when he finally stills enough to see the bugs, “it’s butterflies. Butterflies don’t eat people, right?”

“Pretty sure no,” Bucky replies with a snort.

Tony looks up at him again as the butterflies continue to swarm past them in a riot of yellow and turquoise wings, making their way up towards the sunlight. Bucky has a small grin on his face as he watches it, and when he notices Tony watching him he smiles wider.

“Not th’ worst time we’ve ever been victimized by magic, huh?” Bucky asks, and Tony doesn’t think he notices that a butterfly has landed on his head, slowly flapping its wings.

Tony has to swallow his heart back down where it belongs before he can grudgingly admit, “Maybe second worst.”

Bucky laughs, sending the butterfly flying again, and Tony can only smile back.

[l3v1s-g4m3r]

obey me fnaf au cuz I'm still figuring out ST au mc out

implied lower case btw

you groaned as you hit the marble floor hard.

this was not how the experiment was supposed to go.

you were trying to achieve something greater, much like your father, William Afton. he had managed to unlock the secret to immortality, to living forever, hence why youre still alive and look 24 when in reality, you're 103.

before you died, merely even just hours, you thought of your father as a monster, a terrible man no one should strive to be like. oh how you laugh looking back at yourself. I guess being ripped apart limb by limb while inspecting your favorite animatronic for damage changed you. but hey on the bright side, he's your companion now! along with bonbon too!

but anyways, the great thing you were trying to achieve was interdimensional travel. the ability to travel through differing universes.

this was not how your first trial was supposed to go.

you were trying to at least go to a dimension to see yourself! how life is like here!

but noooooo, you get teleported to fucking hell of all places! maybe it's a sign.

now 11 weirdos are looking at you like your a goddamn demon! well, actually, you're in hell, so their looking at your like your an angel.

"uh hi..?" you speak breaking the extremely uncomfortable silence. I mean if they ain't gonna talk, you will!

immediately after you manage to get your greeting out, you are instantly held by an invisible force. not being able to move, you voice your concerns.

"ok what the fuck, I literally just said hello." you manage to say while struggling to get out.

"who are you, why are you here?" a tall, raven haired man questions, clearly having authority over this meeting.

you don't speak. what should you say? what if the Aftons exist here? they could know you and use you for some batshit crazy experiments down here!

"I'm mc...miller." you claim hoping they don't see through your (hopefully) not obvious lie.

murmuring is heard across the room, and you catch a purpleish-blue haired boy with headphones on staring at you with wide-eyes. he seems to know you, probably a damm game theory watcher, if that even exists in hell. you scowl at him.

"what should we do with them?" "should we keep them here?" "they look human!"

"what are you?" the man asks, clearly not giving fraction of a shit about the mutters behind him.

well, technically you are human, but you are also a demon, a glitch, an entity, a ghost, and an animatronic! they don't seem to like humans very much though, from the menacing stares sent your way from the mention of a possibility of you being human.

or maybe they do? you don't wanna find out to be honest.

you decide to go with the best option.

"I'm a demon, a universe travelling one." you decide on demon. they are demons too anyways. saying human would just get you killed.

"why are you here? and what sin do you possess?" he presses you for information.

you fucking hated it.

also what the fuck does he mean by sin?

"my travelling attempt went wrong and well.." you trail off, deciding to show them your horns and tail.

you close your eyes and they suddenly pop into reality. they are long, and they glitch and flash colors of green, purple, black, and white.

audible gasps are heard.

next to come is your tail. different from yours horns but similar in a way. they glitch more, but only in purple and green.

"I'm a...wrath demon...?" you say, attempting to choose your words wisely.

you look around the room and a blonde-haired boy with green eyes is now staring at you. it's pretty damn clear he can see through your lie. you can't say the same for everyone else in the room.

the man infront of you goes to speak with a redheaded man. he seems to be the boss, even though he seems... nice somehow?

that same nice-looking man comes up to you.

"you may stay with Lucifer and his brothers until you find your way home." he gestures slightly towards the man you spoke with earlier as he says the name.

"thank you kind sir. your act is greatly appreciated." you bow in front of the man, earning a small smile from a certain butler.

"but," he starts again "you will have to go to school at my academy." he finishes with a smile, as if happy with your presence.

"anything to get home." you say, taking his offer.

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

ch. 1 done! I have this au all figured out mwuahahahahahahah!

[snowe-zolynn-rogers]

Pairings: None

Word Count: 1,122 Words

Summary: Eclipse makes a groupchat with the other Eclipses to chaotic outcomes.

Warnings: Crack, Cursing, Abuse (mentioned only), Imprisonment (mentioned), Bullying, let me know if I should add anything else.

The Eclipses Chat: Chapter 2

12:45pm Whomst The Fuck?

Solar: Alright, I’m sending our kid on a plane to Toronto. Make sure you get his ass off the plane, Umbra.

Umbra: You think I haven’t been waiting for him for the last day? That’s cute.

Helix: I want to see my little boy.

Comet: Comet-with-airport-coffee-and-airport-chinese-with-peace-sign.jpg

Helix: I am now pleased. Thank you, little child.

Solar: Aw hell no, we ain’t doing three way custody between two dimensions.

Comet: Why can’t I have more Dads?

Solar: Okay fine, but only because you want more Dads.

Eclipse: Hold on. What the fuck?

Solar: Pick a name, asshole. None of us get to keep Eclipse here.

Eclipse has changed their name to Acrux

Acrux: What is this?

Solar: Welcome to hell. Comet got stuck and now we all have a groupchat.

Acrux: Hold on. That means I actually get to talk to you on civil terms?

Solar: Yeah, I guess?

Acrux: Listen to me, I don’t want to be alive right now. I didn’t want to come back. I have directives in my head that will kill me if they’re gotten rid of so I have to find out who made me so the can’t make me again. So can you all maybe please not kill me because I severely need help right now, not to be killed because whoever made me will probably just make me again.

Solar: Ah, that’s who you are. Good to know.

Solar: Anyway, I personally won’t kill you, But like, what are the directives?

Acrux: I don’t know, the Creator wouldn’t tell me. But I know they’re what made me show myself so quickly. So they’re probably along the lines of ‘torment the daycare’. But I don’t even remember anything before my death. Everything I have is from a different point of view.

Solar: Well thats…weird. Anyway, Just try to stay away from the daycare because Moon already hates you anyway. He’ll probably just try to kill you right out the gate. If you come visit me at the airport, then I’ll look through everything and figure out the directives and maybe change the directives instead of delete them.

Acrux: What do I have to do for you?

Solar: Behave afterward.

Acrux: Done. I’m coming.

1:45pm Whomst The Fuck?

Solar: I got two kids now. Umbra, you got more space in that bunker of yours because he’s probably gonna need to hide too.

Umbra: I do. There’s like three dozen rooms in this bunker.

Solar: Even better. Comet, you’re getting a flight buddy on the plane with you.

Comet: YAY!

Acrux: You fixed me.

Solar: Well hey, first time for everything. Behave for your second chance and I’ll visit you two kids next week.

Acrux: Thank you so much.

Solar: Have fun, kids. No teleporting off the flight.

Acrux: Okay.

Comet: I can what now?

Solar: Not you, just Acrux.

Comet: Okay!

Acrux: I’ll make sure he gets there safe.

Solar: Thank you.

Umbra: You damn well better make sure your little brother gets here safe.

Acrux: Hold on, I thought that the Backup would be my dad, not you. You’d be like my grandfather.

Umbra: Respect your elders, kid. And Backup ain’t here. So that automatically makes me your dad.

Acrux: This family tree is more chaotic than the other one. Jesus Christ.

Solar: You’d think so but it’s relatively easy.

Acrux: Literally how?

Solar: Umbra is your dad, I’m your adoptive dad, Backup and Comet are your brothers, and everyone else here is either your cousin or uncle.

Umbra: Where is Backup by the way?

Solar: Don’t act like I know.

Eclipse is online

Eclipse: Can someone please come get me? I can’t escape this place.

Solar: What?

Eclipse: I’m stuck because of your brother, asshole. Get me out! I’ve been chained up in his room for two years and a month!

Solar: So twenty-five weeks our time?

Eclipse: Yes! Please get me out! I’ve been alone like six months. I can’t even remember how long.

Solar: Alright, I’m coming, hold on.

Eclipse: I hate this, I hate this, I hate this.

Solar: I know, buddy. I’m working on it. I’ve gotta sneak you out so that’s gonna be a difficult thing to do, okay?

Eclipse: Don’t just kill me?

Solar: I won’t do that shit. I hated the killing idea in the first place. It makes me feel awkward contributing to the death of another version of myself.

Eclipse: Also, please don’t torture and imprison me too?

Solar: Is that what my brother did to you?

Eclipse: Yes.

Solar: Buddy, I ain’t gonna torture you.

Eclipse: Thank you.

Umbra: Another child, Solar?

Solar: Yes.

Helix: You two are like a divorced couple who’s working on their co-parenting routine.

Acrux: New brother, oh goodie.

Solar: Yeah, I’m gonna send him up too. Better Canada than Moon probably killing him.

Rigel: Yeahhhhh, Moon’s been suspecting me too but I can handle that. He’s just paranoid.

Solar: I get that but still. He will kill a formerly evil Eclipse on sight probably.

Rigel: …

Solar: Okay, bad wording. An Eclipse who has done evil things under their own recognizance before.

Rigel: Alright then.

Eclipse: Do I have to pick a name too?

Solar: Yes.

Eclipse has changed their name to Phase

Phase: I like this one.

Solar: Good job, Phasey.

Phase: I love that nickname.

Solar: I sure hope so. I also hope you like candy and pizza because that’s what you’re eating before I drop you at the airport to Umbra.

Phase: I think so? I don’t remember. I can barely remember anything past three months ago.

Solar: That’s fine, just look at your allergies.

Phase: It says pineapple and mango.

Solar: rip

Solar: Alright, we’ll get you something without them.

Helix: Y'all area clusterfuck.

Solar: Yup, thanks Helix.

Venus: I hate all of you so much.

Solar: That’s fine, you raging dickhead.

Venus: I don’t even know why I came on here.

Helix: You’re probably bored. I know that’s why I’m on here interacting.

Venus: Shut up, I’m not taking advice from a servant.

Helix: That’s okay, I don’t care about the opinions of a lord except my own.

Venus: Petty little shit.

Helix: Stubborn old man.

Orbit: The girls are fighting! I’m getting the popcorn, hold on!

Venus: You know what? I’m leaving.

Venus has left Whomst The Fuck?

Comet: Nope!

Comet has added Venus to Whomst The Fuck?

Venus: Fuck you!

Comet: No thanks! But you get to stay here from now on, you oversized roach.

Solar: Sick burn, kid.

Comet: Thank you!

Helix: Keep pouting, just means I win.

Venus: I hate you.

Rigel: Girls girls, you’re both pretty.

Venus is offline

Solar: All in all a productive day!

[resquices-of-godhood]

Chapther V: The beginning of a new treaty

First << Previous <- Next ->

"How about we change back to the subject at hand? I think me and Gaynes are ready to discuss the treaty." Leoda speaks, breaking the conversation that was going on until that moment.

"Yes, of course. I'd rather not dwell on it much more either." Wolfgang replies as he returns the crown to the top of his head.

"So, what we can see here is that the terms of the old treaty are the following:" Leoda starts. "One: Each pantheons shall not try to expand to the other's continent. Two: Any territory already claimed shall remain as it is. Three: Neither pantheon shall interfere with the other's goals and actions Four: The settlement known as Voxport shall have all military equipment removed. Five: Voxport shall also remain as neutral grounds for future negotiations between the pantheons should it be needed. Six: The violation of any of the previous terms shall be considered as casus belli to restart the war." They number out, before looking up to Wolfgang.

"That's what the original document accounted for, yes." He replies with a nod. "At least until it got destroyed."

"What do you mean it got destroyed?" Gayne asks, looking outraged, as the Purple Crown emits its war horn noise too.

"Treaties between deities are more than just rules written on paper." Wolfgang starts to explain. "They aren't just legally binding, they are a manifestation of divinity itself tying them to its terms. Should it be violated, or become invalid otherwise, the original copies of the treaty crumble to dust. That's why I made sure to make backup copies, both physical and digital, to preserve it." He adds, offering freely the information to the new gods. "I knew something happened when my copy got destroyed, and assumed it was the fall of the Phemura's pantheon when there was no report of attack from Voxport. I guess that happened when Shamura fell, as they were the other co-signer of the originals."

"Right." Gayne responds, understanding that it was not a willing action. "Besides that, what were you thinking on that fourth point? You just left the place defenseless!"

"One of the concessions I had to make for the treaty to be signed. Not that it would be much of an issue if I had to defend it, as I had instantaneous long range communications and my own teleportation network already in place." Wolfgang defends his decision to accept that term. "Worst comes to worse, I could just teleport there with automated weapons of war to defend the place, which I already had the technology for, even at that time."

"Smart play, but I don't think we can use these terms." Leoda speaks up while putting the tablet back onto the table.

"The reson being...?" Wolfgang asks with a raised eyebrow.

Leoda takes a deep breath, before responding. "I don't want to continue the same cycle over and over again." They say, before pushing the tablet away. "Don't get me wrong, I do not intend to do anything to your settlement, but repeating the same decisions of the past instead of exploring new ones just leads you to the same place."

Wolgang can't help but smile, before collecting the tablets. "Well said." He replies, bringing them to the rack. "I have been thinking of renegotiating the treaty for a while, now. Of course, with the rumors of your crusades going exceedingly well, the time never presented itself." He adds, before returning to the table. "What do you suggest?"

"A treaty based in cooperation between us, instead of isolation from each other." Leoda speaks, to which Gayne nods. "We retain control over our respective continents, but work and trade for our mutual benefit."

"And I assume you will want a port in my lands in the same way I have one in yours." Wolfgang questions the two.

"If it is not too much to ask. That way we have neutral grounds on both sides, from which we can send envoys to each other." Leoda confirms, maintaining their calm.

Wolfgang hums at the suggestion. There would need to be some give to make that take worthwhile. At the same time, it would be an economical boon, at least in regards to materials that aren't as easily sourced in his continent. "I think that will need to go through some consideration before any decision."

"I take you plan to stay for a while, then?" Gayne replies to the Wolf. "Not that you aren't welcome to, of course."

"We will have to see. Luckily, my cult is self sufficient, so I can stay for as long as needed to figure out the new agreement." Wolfgang replies. "Or, failing that, when there's nothing else to be discussed. Worry not, I don't plan to overstay my welcome."

"I don't see why not." Leoda says, before looking at Gayne, who seemed to be in the middle of going through scenarios for what could happen. "Gayne?"

Gayne raises one of their lowers hands to ask for a moment. A minute later, they close their eyes and take a deep breath. "In all honesty, any scenario in which he did want to take action, he would have no reason not to already. And that's just with what we saw so far. He is still hiding things under his sleeves that we have no idea about." They says, before shrugging. "So, no. He isn't planning anything against us at the moment.

"Grand Strategy. Always fascinating seeing it in action." Wolfgang speaks, seemingly pleased. "And not inaccurate either. This sky fortress is my sacred grounds, after all. Protecting it is a duty as sacred to me as collecting knowledge is to my crown. So, yes. I haven't shown everything I brought to defend it, and if everything goes well, I won't have to either."

Gayne just smirks at Leoda, making a "told you" gesture with their upper hands.

Leoda rolls their eyes, but refocus on the subject of the treaty. "So, how long you intend to consider my initial idea?" They ask back to Wolfgang.

"I am thinking... A week." He responds, carefully considering his next steps. "Give time for both of us to work what our demands are before we meet to discuss them into a new treaty. That, and give you some time to enjoy what my lands have to offer." He adds, before tapping on the tablet to turn the hologram projector off and the lights back on, then open the shutters of the room. "Perhaps you can take some ideas to store food for the coming months of scarcity, now that the seasons are back in play."

"Wait, how-" Leoda starts, but Wolfgang is quick to respond before they can even finish the question.

"My scouts haven't seen a single silo or cellar in your cult while looking for a place to drop the anchors." He explains while pointing out of the window with a thumb. "If you were not looking for a solution for long term food storage, you should start now. While I haven't experienced seasons, my predecessor has, and the knowledge of how to store food has proved useful when moving the fortress through areas with unsuitable climate to grow food, or when a bad harvest hits."

"I mean, we haven't had to deal with drastic changes in climate since the Pantheon of Seasons fell." Leshy speaks up. "Why now?"

"Why indeed. What I can assure you of is that there is no comforting answer." Wolfgang replies to Leshy. "So it is better that we are prepared for what is to come, which is why I came now instead of waiting until they had ascended to Bishops for the renewal of the treaty."

"You are looking for allies." Gaynes hazards a guess after going through the options with Grand Strategy again.

"Wouldn't you in my place?" Wolfgang replies, almost rhetorically.

"With but a fraction of the knowledge you have, I would, even after coming from a world torn by a war between the Bishops of the Old Faith." Gayne confesses, looking almost uncharacteristically serious and tense. "Because something big is clearly brewing in the horizon, and if you, of all people, don't know what or why, then it's best we start forging alliances with who we can."

"That's... A whole can of worms I'm not ready to open right now." Wolfgang says in regards to Gayne's comment about how their world was like. "Otherwise we probably will be here all day, and I'm sure all of us have, or at least had, plans to attend to. But in short, I narrowed the options down, but none are appealing. Best case we are dealing with one of the season crowns being brought back from its starved state and granted to someone within the last year."

"Worst case?" Asks Gayne, though he already could see where this was going.

"One or more of the Season gods from back in the god wars survived and went into hiding, locking the seasons to cover their tracks, and are now ready to come back." Wolfgang says.

"What about the world just shaking off the influence of the crowns over the seasons?" Leoda asks, hoping against all odds that it was just an overlooked option.

"Just as likely as the world not falling apart soon after the last god of Death falls." Gayne is the one to respond. "So, basically impossible."

"As Gayne said. There are some divine domains that are too tied to how the world works. You remove those gods, and things stop working as they should." Wolfgang explains what Gayne meant. "But! That is not a discussion I want to have right now. Even if I narrowed things down to these kinds of options, I can still be wrong. I mean, the only crowns I know to not have starved at this moment are mine, and the five you have under your possession, Leoda. Any others are, so far, unaccounted for, which means they are not active at the moment."

"Lets hope it remains that way, then." Leoda replies, feeling tense.

"Yes, lets." Wolfgang agrees, also looking tense, before taking a deep breath to calm himself down. "In the meantime, Baines, would you be so kind as to show them around the cult grounds? I have some thing I would like to discuss with the former Bishops in private."

"Of course, Lord Wolfgang." The owl replies, before giving a bow to him, then gesturing towards the platform for the two infant gods. "Please, follow me." He requests, before moving out of the room, with Gayne and Leoda soon following.

Ok, I hope I'm not dumping too much information here. I'm having a hard time gauging how much I should add or not at the moment, specially since I don't want to focus exclusively on my OCs, but there's so, so much backstory to bring in.

As always, separator made by @lambouillet

[theweirdoinurhouse]

A lousy new roommate (Part 3 of my "Lowsy" series"

Part 1:

Part 2:

(Reader is not from Miles' Universe, story takes place in a different one. Thought I should mention that-)

The Spot as been regularly visiting your apartment for a month now. It's been quite an experience, hanging out with him. But it wasn't as bad as you thought. One day, he told you he didn't have any place to stay. So you offered him to stay at your place from now on. What could possibly go wrong?

Spider-man crashing into your living room wall is what could go wrong.

Spot told you that morning that he was just going out for a walk. Nothing too bad. You decided you would relax on your couch and watch some tv to pass the time.

That was until Spot randomly teleported into your living room via his portal-holes, panting and clearly out of breath. You stood up from the couch quickly, thoughts racing on why he was in such a state.

Before you could ask him though, the wall with your balcony crumbled as someone burst through it. You stepped back as to not get hit by any flying debris, but Spot was not so fortunate.

You realized the figure that just broke your wall was Spider-man when Spot yelled "Spider-man! Oh my gosh hi! Funny to see you here!"

Spot was dodging Spider-man's punches, portaling his fists somewhere else occasionally. You just stood behind your couch, getting some entertainment from this. You probably wouldn't last five minutes going against Spider-man anyways.

"Give it up Spot! I'm taking you to Miguel whether you like it or not!" Spider-man yelled, trying to throw another fist at Spot, only for it to disappear into his chest.

"Ooo, that tickles!" Spot responds with. You can tell Spider-man is getting annoyed, because he's throwing punch after punch with such force you weren't surprised he crashed your wall effortlessly.

Eventually, you started getting sick of seeing the two fight (if you can even call it that). You stepped out from behind the couch and stood on the cushions. You raised your hands to your mouth, for no reason other than dramatic affect.

"Could you please take this fight elsewhere?! I'm already high in debt, and the broken wall doesn't help!"

Both Spot and Spider-man freeze and turn to you. Spider-man then turned to Spot.

"You put the life of some random stranger in danger just to escape me!"

"I live here! Plus, you were the one following me. So really you put them in danger-"

Before Spot could properly finish, Spider-man man punched him in the face. While Spot was rolling on the floor, holding where his nose would be and "crying", Spider-man turned to you.

"Are you okay ma'am/sir/mx?"

You shook your head.

"No, I'm not okay! You busted my wall and punched my roommate-acquaintance-friend!"

Spider-man was going to respond to your statement, but a portal opening underneath him dropped him out of your living room before he could say anything.

Spot got up from the floor, rubbing his face. He cracked his back, then hands, than neck.

"Jeez, that guy was persistent! Glad he at least saw me as dangerous enough I'd need to be taken in!"

His voice sounded way more happy than you think it should have. He turned to the now open space that acts as a window in your wall. His shoulders slumped, happy mood from earlier dissipating.

"You have some explaining to do," you said, trying to give Spot a harsh look. It was kind of hard because of how pathetic he seemed 24/7.

"Yeah," he sighed. "Guess you're right."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You already figured out about him being from a different universe,because he once gifted you car keys and literally said "they're from a different universe".

Wasn't too hard to figure out.

What did shock you though was that this same dude that you offered to stay in your home because he had nothing and reminded you of a wet cat, was also climbing the list of some Spider-people's most wanted list.

While you were surprised by this, Spot was surprised you didn't seem to have much of a reaction. After the surprise fell, he felt relieved that you probably weren't gonna kick him out.

Only deal was that he'd keep the Spider-people away from your apartment, and help rebuild the wall. And he was perfectly fine with that. Anything to be able to stay with the one person that didn't see him as a freak.

You have told him in the past you weren't a huge fan of Spider-man. Proven today, he broke alot of stuff when fighting crime. And he didn't even help all that much when repairing all of it! Just stands there and takes pictures.

Spot was always glad you didn't like Spider-man. Made living with you a lot easier when you both hated the same person! You always had rants late at night about the shared hatred for the super hero.

One of these nights you two were seated on your couch, brand new glass windows letting in some moonlight through the blinds. The movie you two were watching was finishing up, bucket of popcorn empty and on the floor.

You had one blanket over both of your laps, and you had one wrapped around your shoulders. When the end credits popped up you started ranting about the movie. What you liked, what you didn't, your favorite character, you least favorite character.

You and Spot do this after every new movie you two watched. It was a hobby for you now.

"Oh my god the grave scene! I mean was him taking off his shirt even that necessary? I mean good for the fangirls but like-"

You turned your head to look at Spot, curious about his lack of feedback. When you turned to him you saw his head leaned back against the back of the couch. The spot on his face seemed more like a line than a circle now. Kind of squinted.

'Is he sleeping?' you think. He poke his arm softly. When he doesn't move you do it again, but with a small amount of more force. He still doesn't move. You decide to punch his arm as the final test. Nothing

You lean back to your side of the couch. You stare at the tv for a few minutes, seeing the reflection of you and him. He seemed awfully more peaceful when asleep. But you guess everyone is.

You decided you would just leave him be and go to your room for the night. You slipped the blanket around your shoulders off. You stood up and placed the part of the blanket that was on your lap onto Spot, so that he now has the full blanket.

When you took a step to walk towards you room, you heard the softest whisper you have ever heard in your life.

"Don't go please."

You were surprised you even heard it. You look back at Spot, but he was still in the same position as before. All except for the fact his hand was reached over to where you were seated, gently grasping at the cushion. You stood there for a moment, seeing if he would talk again.

All he did was move so that he was laying down, head resting on the pillow on your side of the couch. He grabbed the big blanket he pulled it up to cover his shoulders. He was too tall for your couch, shins and below sticking out over the opposite side of the couch.

You decided you either A). Imagined what he said or B). It wasn't important.

So you waked to your room, got changed, hopped into the bed, than fell asleep. It was a dreamless night. But Spot was dreaming.

Of you.

A/N: I can't write fight scenes to save my life. Also I kind of have writers block, so sorry if this sucked. Thank you all for the support to my previous parts, hope this didn't dissapoint too much. Also not beta-read)

[twistedwonderlandshenanigans]

How do you think Rook would respond to MC!Reader going/went through a similar childhood? At least pertaining to the extreme mess, neglect and homebody parents.

I'd imagine MC would be absolutely relieved to be in a new different world rather than being trapped. Like Ramshackles not the best but it's a step up from what MC had; and they have Ghost friends (and Grim too I guess) to help clean it up. Not unlike a Disney princess and their familiars!

MC invites him to stay at Ramshackle during the breaks and summer. There they'd regale him with what it's like being the eldest child. Nevertheless MC feels deeply sympathetic towards him and wants to establish a place where he can be free. Together making a better home.

(Bonus points for him being romantically involved with MC)

SORRY THIS IS REALLY KINDA RAMBLY LMAO I hope it kinda. like tangentially answers your question if nothing else, I'm sorry I struggle to respond to asks about hyperspecific situations, but I'll try!!This is a really good question! I think we have slightly different interpretations of Rook, so this is my take on him in this scenario-

Rook is a very closed-off person when it comes to his personal life. He doesn't take kindly to being asked about his past, and the likelihood of him being open enough about his past to get MC to be sympathetic towards him, I feel, would be very low.

That being said. I do think there are hints MC could pick up on.

Let's say MC and Rook have been friends right from the very beginning, MC capturing Rook's attention as a being from a different universe, and Rook capturing MC's attention because of his Particular charm.

Let's say winter break rolls around, so about four months of being friends. Rook never goes 'home' for breaks, he just says he does to avoid any sort of confrontation on what he's doing over the break or if he has any family plans. He lets the mirror teleport him, and he spends his time in the woods rather than in the house. 'Home' looks more cluttered than ever, there are boxes starting to pile up outside, he can see through small gaps in the window the black mold continuing to fester on the walls, he can smell food decomposing in the midst of everything. He can see portions of the ceiling falling apart, he can see how splintered the kitchen cupboards are, he knows the integrity of his home is not dependable. He can see his dad struggling to bring food to his mother because of all the mess. He knows, his parents would be happy to see him for the first time in two years, but he would want to clean, and they would not let him. It's too much for him, he goes back to NRC.

He knows, that there is at least one person still at NRC, but likely more as he is aware many merfolk cannot return home due to the ice floes. The last thing he expects to find when he returns is an empty Ramshackle.

Two parts of his mind are immediately at war, one, trying to reason why you wouldn't be present, and if he should go find you. The other is the overwhelming compulsion to fix Ramshackle to the best of his ability. He remembers that the headmage asked you to tend to the fireplaces on campus, and despite his instinct to track you down, he starts fixing.

He isn't thinking very rationally in the moment, he just can't stand the thought of another person that he cares about, living in a dangerous, dirty home. You shouldn't have to walk around with shoes on all the time just to avoid splinters. You shouldn't have to use duct tape to patch over holes in the wall. You shouldn't have to be worried while you walk around your home because of rusty metal ware that threatens to cut you.

He travels to the woodworking classroom (bear with me for this one) to grab a sander, hacksaw, axe and a few other tools. Even though it's freezing outside, he cuts down wood, and brings it inside to dry out. Every splinter he sees, he sands it down, every wayward nail and screw, removed or sawed and filed down to no longer pose a threat to you.

Somehow he's worked through the entire night. You're not home yet, and he's exhausted and paranoid, which only makes his compulsion to clean worse.

When you finally come home, Rook is furiously scrubbing away at dirt you can't see, and Ramshackle is in the best shape it's ever been. His hands are raw, and the bags under his eyes are the darkest you've ever seen them.

You're home, and Rook could not be more relieved, even as you take his hands and fuss over them, all he can do is plop his forehead on your shoulder before pulling his hands away from you enough to hug you.

Both of you are exhausted - you've dealt with an overblot and he's had a major mental breakdown and also worked himself way too hard. You don't want to be alone, he doesn't want to be alone, he ends up sleeping in the corner chair of your room, and Grim ends up curling up in his lap. Grim can faintly hear Rook mumble something about having had a pet once and missing her.

Rook doesn't want you to speak about that night, not the state you found him in, at all. But it was more than enough for you to be concerned.

He still can't handle Ramshackle, it's still reminiscent of the home he left behind, and there isn't much he can do to change that...however, he does notice you inviting him to 'hang out' whenever there is a break coming up, and he takes you up on it, usually also planning activities for you two to do either outside or in the pristine environment of Pomefiore. It's not until post chapter 5, once renovations are done, that he really feels he can go to Ramshackle and be comfortable there. By then, it's in a state that is structurally sound and does not resemble home, and also easier to maintain the cleanliness of the entire dorm.

It's the one place where he finds he can sit down and be still for a while, without being on the hunt.

It's the one place where he knows he made a physical, meaningful difference to someone.

It's the one place that feels like home.

But that's nothing he did. That was you. :D

[thehomeofplatonicfics]

Never Good Enough

Madrigal!Reader x Mirabel Madrigal (Platonic!)

You were late. You could feel your heart quicken as you struggled to swallow, your nerves already causing havoc in you. Abuela was going to be so mad, you thought. You had said you’d help her prepare for the celebrations at 3pm and it was already past that. Passing the supplies you were carrying to the villager, you waved goodbye before evaporating with a small ‘poof’ of air, reappearing half a second later on the other side of the village to help the church.

ou rushed as quick as you could, knowing that every second that passed you were only increasing your Abuela’s wrath. As soon as you were done, you disappeared from the village before the villagers even had a chance to ask anything else of you, reappearing directly behind Abuela. You swallowed nervously as she turned around giving you a cold stare.

“You’re late, Y/N.” She stated, her hands on her hips. “I know, I’m sorry,” you breathed, lowering your head in shame, “I had a lot to do and it took lon-“ “I don’t want to hear your excuses.” Abuela snapped, taking a step towards you. “You should be able to appear instantaneously whenever you are needed. That is what your gift is for. The rest of your family is helping with the celebrations, and you are letting them down.”

This hurt you more than any yelling would have accomplished, and Abuela seemed to realise that. “Now go, you have wasted enough time.” With that, you disappeared with a poof of air and you reappeared into chaos. Your family were everywhere, a hurricane of activity. As soon as they saw you they started shouting instructions at you, asking you to teleport to this place and that place on completely opposite sides of the village. You struggled to breathe, to contain your fear and crippling stress of the burden placed on your shoulders. You needed to hide, needed to get away from this curse you had.

Before you even realised what you were doing, you disappeared from the view of your family and reappeared in the nursery… Mirabel’s room. There was no way anyone would think to look for you here, and you trusted that casita would know that you did not wish to be found. It was still not private enough for you though, so you dived under Mirabel’s bed and curled up into a little ball. Finally you could release your pent-up emotions, allowing yourself to cry and let it all out.

Your cries and gasps for breath were (though not loud) enough to distract you from hearing the nursery door open. Mirabel heard your quiet sniffing as soon as she walked in, and she slowly crept up to her bed before carefully getting onto her hands and knees to look under her bed.

“Are you okay?” Mirabel asked as her head popped into view. “I’m fine.” You replied stiffly, clearly not fine. “I’m fine.” You repeated, hoping it would make her go away. “Suuuure.” Mirabel hesitated for a second, before adding “I’m coming in primo/a!” She shimmied under the bed until her shoulder was next to yours. Together you lay there in silence for a minute or two, Mirabel patiently waiting for you to open up to her.

“Why aren’t you helping set up the celebrations?” You asked, unable to bear the silence any longer. “I, uh, I wasn’t particularly wanted, I guess. Abuela seemed to think I was just getting in the way.” Mirabel tried to make light of it and force a hollow laugh out, before she nudged your shoulder to fully gain your attention. “The real question is why aren’t you helping them?”

You hesitated, laying your head down on your hands, humming to yourself. “I just… they were all…” You stopped, huffing and throwing one of your hands up in the air. “Doesn’t matter. It’s not important.” You tried to deflect the question but Mirabel shuffled to try and face you properly, grabbing your hand and holding it tightly.

“I know that’s not true, Y/N. Come on, you can tell me! What’s wrong?” You shook your head, perhaps some futile last attempt to maintain some composure before it escaped you all at once. “I’ll never be good enough for this family… for Encanto.” You hid behind your hands, not seeing Mirabel pull a confused face. “Not matter how hard I try, I’m never there quick enough. I should be there instantly - that’s what Abuela said. Even when they send me on errands at different ends of Encanto at the same time… I should somehow be everywhere all at once.” You lowered your hands to look at Mirabel, before you laid your head on her shoulder. “But I can’t.”

“No one could, Y/N.” Mirabel softly whispered, hoping to fill the silence while she figured out what to say. “And you shouldn’t have to feel like that. Abuela is wrong.”

“I see you, Y/N. I see how hard you work for this family, how much you do for everyone without anyone noticing. I mean… sometimes I don’t see you because you’re suddenly there and gone again in a flash, haha…” Mirabel joked awkwardly, hoping to make you laugh a little. As bad as her attempts were, she did succeed in bringing out a small puff of air of amusement and a tiny smile from you.

“Thanks, Mirabel.” You snuggled closer to her, holding her gaze for a second before you added, “And for the record, I notice everything you do for this family too. I know you don’t always get the credit you deserve, but I see it and appreciate it.” The mutual cheering up seemed to work for you both as you both decided to wiggle out from underneath her bed and have a proper hug of consolidation together.

“Let’s get back to it, shall we?” You suggested, a new confident smile on your face that wasn’t there before. The pair of you nodded before leaving the room, Mirabel out the door and you disappearing in a puff of smoke.

[zerolostwalks]

wearing the others' clothes so that it can at least feel like they're hugging them, even for just a moment for Julie (clothes thief extraordinaire)/Anyone

(All I Really Want is) Something Beautiful to Say

.

Really, all Alex had been looking for was somewhere quiet, even for just a little bit. A thing that was easier to come by these days. He had so many different places he could choose from, it was late enough there’d be plenty of closed establishments. However, none of them ever worked to help comfort him, always feeling off kilter. 

It’s how he’d ended up in the Molina living room, again. Sure it wasn’t his own home, but it was awfully close. Hell, maybe even better and warmer than his own. 

Given the late hour he didn’t expect to find anyone else there. He’d forever deny how much he was startled by Julie curled into herself on the couch. You’d think he would be accustomed to people already being in a room he teleported into. 

“Geez,” Alex exhaled, gripping his chest to settle the nerves that really shouldn’t be as jumpy as they were. He tried to laugh it off but the attempt died away as he got a better look at Julie. 

She was hugging her knees to her chest, each sleeve a different color from each other and the rest of her slightly baggy hoodie. Though he was more concerned with how she was vacantly staring toward the floor, looking like she’d been crying. 

“Julie?” He quietly asked, then again a little louder when she didn’t immediately answer.

She slowly blinked, barely glancing his way. “Alex?”

“Hey, you ok?”

“Not really.” Her grip on the sleeves of the sweater tightened, as her gaze drifted back to the floor. Her face temporarily twisting into a look of apprehension. “Bad dream.”

“Oh.” He cautiously sat on the couch beside her, just close enough to pull her into a hug if she wanted. “Did you want to talk about it?”

An unsteady exhale and shake of her head was all the answer he got. His nerves uncomfortably coursed through him for different reasons now as Julie continued to just vacantly stare in front of her. Maybe, she was still half-asleep? Though that didn’t seem as likely. 

“I don’t think I’ve seen this hoodie before.” He said, trying to lighten the heaviness of the air around them. “Looks like something I’d wear.”

Julie’s lip trembled with another shaky exhale and Alex’s stomach dropped. That might not have been the right thing to say. 

“It was my mom’s.” She said, and he never would have been able to guess she was on the verge of crying with how steady her voice was. Even if it was distinctly softer than usual. “One of the one’s my Dad keeps in the back of his closet. Smells a little closer to how I remember her.”

Alex grimaced at the revelation, definitely the wrong thing to have said. He was probably making things worse. Maybe should even leave. But…maybe, more than that, should try and do something. 

“You sure you don’t want to talk about it?” He mentally cursed himself when Julie’s face nearly crumpled at his repeated question. He was really just making this worse. “Or maybe I should leave.”

“Please, don’t.” She said, her head turning toward him though she didn’t really move to look at him. 

He folded laced his fingers as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. Silence uncomfortably settled but Alex didn’t really want to be the one to break it. Despite how much it tormented him. 

“I-” Julie eventually broke through the silence, her quiet words still nearly deafening amongst the quiet. “I think I’m a bad friend.”

“What?” Alex nearly shouted, turning to face Julie more fully. “You’re not–”

“Yes, I am.” She nodded, fresh tears cutting across her cheeks. 

“Why would you think that?”

“Because.” She sniffed, hugged herself all the tighter and still refused to look at him. “I-I love you guys. I really do and I really don’t want to lose you, but, but sometimes I just. . .”

Alex swallowed hard as Julie took a few deep breaths trying to collect herself. He barely heard her next words as she sobbed into her knees. “Why couldn’t it have been her?”

Something uncomfortably tightened in his chest. He didn’t even bother with asking when he gently grabbed her by the shoulders trying to guide her to actually look at him. Moving himself instead when that didn’t work. 

“You’re not a bad friend, Julie. You’re a girl who lost someone she really cared about and is very understandably upset about it.”

“But.”

“I wish I could tell you why she couldn’t be the one to come back to you. I barely understand the ghost rules I do know. And even those seem to change every other day.”

Two more hands joined Alex’s on Julie’s shoulders and he had to wonder when Luke and Reggie had even popped into the living room. Knowing their luck, right at the worst moment. 

“You’re not a bad person for missing your mom.” Reggie said, sounding like he was doing some crying of his own. 

“We get it, Jules, it’s rough not having the people you care about like you want.” Luke added, his words breaking whatever mental wall Julie built. 

She all but threw herself at Alex’s chest, using him to try and muffle her cries. Reggie and Luke took no time to find their own spots to join the hug. The three of them exchanged uneasy glances over Julie’s shoulders, lingering around the couch long after Julie had stopped crying and fallen asleep there.